Target Focus Training (part 6)

(Disclaimer: I do not own the philosophies and teaching of TFT. Everything belongs to Mr. Tim Larkin. This post is to inform only. Enjoy reading!)

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


Answering Your Questions About Target-Focus(tm) Training

******************************************************
"The more laws and order are made prominent,
The more thieves and robbers there will be."

Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzu
******************************************************

1. From Greg in Key Biscayne, FL: I really enjoy your
newsletters but I am trying to figure out what makes
your Target-Focus Training different from any good
martial art or combat sport?

A: Focus is probably the main difference. I have made
the decision to only teach a fighting SYSTEM
specifically designed for when your life is on the
line. Much of the physical training includes strikes,
leverages, kicks, and throws that other arts or sports
teach.

TFT has specifically been designed around 2 "high
concept" principles that are supported by the 3
methodologies of strikes (punches, kicks etc...),
leverages (throws, joint locks) and physical dynamics
(maximizing the damage of the first 2 methodologies).

Most martial arts or combat sports focus only on the
physical end of training and rarely train for life or
death application. TFT teaches only in the environment
of your life being at risk. Anything less is a game.

2. From Josh in Butte, MT: Whom did you learn from and
how has that shaped your Target-Focus Training?

A: I've had a number of great instructors over the
years from the martial art and combat sport world as
well as the down and dirty approach from some of the
great military hand-to-hand close combat instructors.

My exposure to this wealth of knowledge is unique and
I've attempted to create a system of fighting that
clearly defines all the key principles that are
constant in good fighting systems.

I don't feel I've created anything new with TFT but
I've definitely created a different way to quickly and
effectively learn how to defeat a violent physical
attack that risks your life. How I present the
information is what makes TFT so effective.

You rapidly absorb the physical and mental aspects of
fighting for your life in a way many of my clients
with extensive M/A or C/S training have told me is
very unique and effective. My only goal is to have you
focus on what is really important:

***DESTROYING YOUR ENEMY BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY***

If I sound like a broken record, so be it. In my mind
there is no other purpose when fighting.

To understand what it mean to "destroy your enemy by
any means necessary" check out my TFT Striking DVD series
at: http://www.targetfocustraining.com/striking.html

It'll make you a 'juggernaut of destruction' regardless
of your size, speed, strength or skill.

Until next time,
********************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"Striking With Power And Quickness Versus
Blocking With Force And Speed"

******************************************************

"An attack must be executed with quickness,
not speed. Attack with power, not strength. There
is a great difference between speed and quickness,
power and strength. Think this through carefully.
It is the essence of strategy"

Miyamoto Musashi

******************************************************

Violence as your ultimate survival tool is greatly
enhanced when you employ POWER. Unfortunately many
continue to train using FORCE -- or strength -- as a
means of defending themelves.

It's the same with QUICKNESS, which is an essential
element in creating the necessary POWER in your
attack. Yet everyone focuses on SPEED (coupled with
FORCE) to try and defend or counter an attacker.

Ok... so what's the difference in POWER vs. FORCE, in
QUICKNESS vs. SPEED?

Am I headed off into some lesson in Physics?

Not at all.

You see, attacks using POWER don't rely on physical
strength. What they DO require, however, is an
understanding of the inherent weaknesses of the human
body.

Let me give you an example.

Imagine being backed up against a wall with a car in
front of you... racing its engine. The driver is about
to pop the brake and crush you against the wall.

Applying FORCE and SPEED to this situation you've got
2 choices: 1) You could try to jump up over the hood
(SPEED) or, 2) You could brace yourself against the
wall and push against the car (FORCE).

But now look at that same situation from an emphasis
on POWER and QUICKNESS. Here you: 1) Smoothly pop the
hood of the car (QUICKNESS) and, 2) Rip the
appropriate cables to kill the engine (POWER).

(OK, I hear all the protests from the motor heads but
cut me a little slack, folks... it's an exaggerated
example to help highlight a point.)

The point: if you rely on SPEED and FORCE then you've
ALWAYS got to be stronger and faster then everyone
else.

But by using POWER (being able to identify weak areas)
and QUICKNESS (think, 'timing') you can defeat a much
stronger and faster threat.

That's why I've built Target-Focus Training around
POWER and QUICKNESS because just like me, you WILL
face many threats that are bigger, faster, and
stronger.

The great Japanese warrior Musashi understood this
important strategic concept and lived to a ripe old
age after killing more than 60 men with his sword. Re-
read his quote at the top and really try to understand
it.

Until next time,

*************************************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


Violence As A Game - The Illusion Of A Fair Fight

******************************************************

"One of the biggest reasons for failure on the
battlefield is not knowing what to do next... This is
the result of not having been trained thoroughly in
what to expect on the battlefield."

General Orlando Ward

******************************************************

Last week I was hanging out with a friend of mine, a
former NFL Defensive Lineman. Chuck had a reputation
in college as a brawler and never missed an
opportunity to use his fists to answer any
disagreement.

Chuck has definitely mellowed over the years and is
much easier to be around these days - but old habits
die hard. The conversation drifted towards my training
and he was giving me some feedback from a mutual
friend who attended a TFT seminar.

Our friend Tony loved the training and, since he
travels to some of the more dangerous parts of the
world, has unfortunately had to use his training. The
results were that he survived two unavoidable criminal
attacks using principles and methods from the TFT
Seminar.

Tony faced multiple attackers in one incident and a
knife in the other. Chuck was impressed that Tony
survived both incidents unscathed and then commented
on the side that had it been a "fair fight" Tony would
have lost.

I asked Chuck to clarify for me what he meant.

He went on to say that the three attackers were all
larger than Tony, as was the knife wielder, and that
in a "fair fight" Tony would have lost.

He pointed out that if Tony hadn't used all that
"unfair stuff" he got from my seminar he never would
of "won". Chuck said he was glad that Tony knew TFT
but that it really didn't prove he could fight.

Chuck went on to say that if it were just a "thumping
contest" -- "Ya know, Tim, a real fight" then the
bigger, stronger guy would always win. He was
disturbed by the fact that Tony had to kill the knife
wielder and that one of the multiple attackers had his
throat crushed by Tony.

That to Chuck proved it wasn't a "real fight" and the
fact Tony effectively used deception to disarm his
attackers before he attacked really disturbed Chuck.

"That's not fighting, it's just..."

"Violence?" I added.

"Yeah, it proves nothing about how good a fighter you
are," Chuck blurted out.

I know what Chuck was trying to say and it's sad when
I see anyone like him that has never gone beyond using
violence to dominate a social situation.

By choosing to use violence in a social situation,
guys like Chuck always run the risk of bumping into
someone who won't bother fighting a bigger, stronger
guy.

They'll just use violence in the only way it should be
used... as a survival tool.

Until next time,

Tim Larkin

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Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


When You Finally Decide to Act -- Hurt 'em

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"Just Do It."

Nike Ad
******************************************************

Ed B. recently wrote to say he really enjoyed my E-book
(http://www.tftgroup.com/products/ebooks/index.htm)

He described an event that happened in Miami years
back when he was thrown out of a 'disco' (jeez Ed,
this must have been in the 70's. Were you guys wearing
leisure suits?). Seems the fight that got them kicked
out of the disco was over a girl (big surprise
there, huh?).

He ended up out on the street with his 3 buddies and
about 15 guys wanting to separate their heads from
their shoulders. Doing the only prudent thing, the 4
decided to run for the hills; 2 went left and Ed and
his buddy went right.

Unfortunately about ten of the other guys decided to
run after Ed and his buddy. Not knowing the
neighborhood they ended up running around a corner and
down an alley smack into a high chain link fence with
barbed wire at the top -- DEAD END.

They had a choice: wait for the 10 to come around the
corner and see what would happen -OR- take action. Ed
decided to take action. He spotted a 4' pipe in a
trash heap along with a 2x4. He grabs the pipe and
tosses the 2x4 to his buddy (good choice Ed, I'd have
opted for the pipe also).

His buddy is dumbfounded and asks incredulously, "What
are we going to do?" Ed says, "We're getting out of
here" and runs towards the corner where they had made
the bad choice of streets. The first guy chasing them
is just turning that corner to "get them".

Ed catches him cleanly on the elbow with his pipe as
the guy tries to put on the brakes. Suddenly -- to
everyone's surprise -- the tables are turned! 2 guys
are chasing 10 down the mean streets of Miami, and Ed
survives what could have been a very different
outcome.

Ed asked if I'd agreed this was using "Cause State"
(there's a long interview transcription on Cause State
in the ebook noted above).

I have to agree: the decision to act and the effect
caused were the keys to their survival.

Notice the focus wasn't to DEFEND themselves, it was
to HURT the other guys -- pure and simple. I've
covered this before. Anything less and this becomes a
disaster.

Great job Ed!

Until next time,

Tim Larkin

Target Focus Training (part 5)

(Disclaimer: I do not own the philosophies and teaching of TFT. Everything belongs to Mr. Tim Larkin. This post is to inform only. Enjoy reading!)

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"Defining Effectiveness"

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"Readers are plentiful; thinkers are rare."

- Harriet Martineau (1802 - 1876)
******************************************************

Effectiveness seems to be a reoccurring theme in the
questions sent to me by my newsletter readers. Typical
questions run along the lines of:

1. Tim, what are the most effective targets for me to
hit?

2. Tim, how can I make my punches more powerful, and
is a fist or palm more effective?

Again there are over 170 viable targets on the human
body that can cause a predictable response when trauma
is delivered to the target. So what is the most
effective to strike?

... THE ONE YOU CAN
===================

Yeah, it really is just that simple.

Again, you never want to limit yourself to a specific
set of finite targets because you are attempting to
predict what will be available to you in a violent
conflict. That is one factor that will always vary.

If you understand that the principle is to cause a
spinal reflex reaction (an involuntary or autonomic
response) in the other guy then you have a principle
that works regardless of the targets presented.

So the "high concept" here is to not limit your
targeting options... and thereby increasing your
effectiveness.

Next, let's deal with how to make your punches
(strikes) more powerful and effective. Here's a good
first step:

... FOCUS ON HITTING YOUR TARGETS
=================================

Yeah I know, sounds like a broken record, right?

Well I can't believe how many of you spend hours
attempting to get stronger or faster yet breeze over
the targeting aspect.

If you pay attention to the military actions taken in
the last year by the US you keep hearing the same
thing over and over...

TARGETING
=========

Why? Because the military has found that it can be
more deadly, more effective, and take out enemies much
faster... the better they can target and deliver their
munitions.

And here's the kicker -- they are often able to do
this with less overall power (less bombs, firepower)
because they can target the specific threat and focus
all of the weapon's power into that exposed area.

So yes, there are ways to get more effective but I
would have you explore the first 2 options above
before I help you with the physical dynamics of
increasing your strength and power.

Until next time,

***************************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"The Four Horsemen Of Response"

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"No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its
powers of acting and reasoning as fear."

Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)
******************************************************

People often ask me about the "Fight or Flight"
response when it comes to responding to a violent,
imminent threat of physical attack. When I tell them
that there are actually four responses to this type of
threat I usually get a confused looked.

As a life-long student of violence I constantly
research sources from the academic and literary world
that deal with this very controversial subject. Some
of my research has led me to the fallacy of people
assuming "Fight Or Flight" is the response regardless
of the threat. So lets clarify:

"Fight Or Flight" is a viable response but only when
the threat occurs between 2 different species. If you
are walking through the woods and a Kodiak bear starts
to rush you, you would quickly either fight if you had
a weapon or run (flight) if you did not. Yes, you can
use the other 2 responses but for the most part the
meeting of 2 different species results in "Fight Or
Flight".

That being said lets look at the "Four Horsemen Of
Response" when two members of the same species meet
with one side posing an imminent threat. The other can
respond as follows:

1. Fight - The challenge is assessed and the
response by the target is to fight back.
2. Flight - The challenge is assessed and the
response is to evade the threat and run.
3. Posture - The challenge is assessed and the
response is to feign or posture aggressively with
the ultimate goal being to avoid having to fight
or flight.
4. Capitulate - The challenge is assessed and the
response is to freeze, lie down, and hope that by
submitting to appease the aggressor.

Most are familiar with the first two options but lets
explore the latter two options. How many times have
you seen a person issue a threat and move towards
someone aggressively and that person's response is to
yell back and strike an aggressive, threatening
stance?

This is very common in social violent situations where
there is much posturing for dominance. Often the real
objective is to get one side to back down, with verbal
threats and aggressive postures used to convey
dominance. That is a classic example of the Posture
Response.

This is a dangerous gambit for both participants
because it delays the fight option and often wastes
valuable opportunities to end the situation with the
Fight Response.

The next response to explore is the all too common
Capitulate Response. This is where an aggressive
threat is met with complete and immediate submission
to the threatening party.

This response is very dangerous when used to avoid
getting harmed because it literally puts you at the
mercy of an aggressor. You rely on their moral code to
respect your capitulation and have that be a
sufficient way to satiate their desire to aggressively
dominate you. Very risky.

However, when used properly the Capitulate Response
can be an extremely effective manner to get your
aggressor into a vulnerable position to execute the
Fight Response. Basically, you're getting the
aggressor to expose vulnerable areas of his body to
attack by your feigned capitulation.

Other newsletter issues have dealt with how to take
advantage of these opportunities but it is instructive
to have a complete understanding of the "Four Horsemen
Of Response" to round out your fighting knowledge.

Until next time,

****************************************************8

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"Are You Bored With What Works?"

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"The only reason a warrior is alive is to fight, and
the only reason a warrior fights is to win. Otherwise,
why be a warrior? It is easier to count beads."

-Miyamoto Musashi
******************************************************

I get invited to a lot of different training events
and try out lots of new weapons that are used in the
special operations arena.

Recently I shot a modified weapon that is currently
all the rage in some of the personal protection
circles. It is a large caliber assault rifle that is
making the rounds in some of the current "hotspots" of
the world.

I thanked the guys who let me use the weapon but came
away with a nagging feeling that it was really not
that effective for the mission. The special technology
needed to use the weapon system seemed to me not worth
the expense and hassle.

Sure enough, I called a friend (with extensive combat
experience) who recently retired from a counter-terror
unit and is currently working as a highly sought
'consultant' and asked him if he agreed with my
assessment.

He told me that not only did he agree but that there
was a better option that the US Army had developed in
the late 60's.

He went on to explain the superior aspects of the
already developed, less expensive, readily available
technology that had better ballistics, better power,
and better accuracy.

He ended the conversation by telling me some people
just get bored with what works.

That hit home.

I get tons of questions about weapons technology
(which firearm is best, what knife should I carry, is
it better to punch or kick, etc) but the questions are
always about a tool rather than a principle.

I can't tell you what the 'best' combat folding knife
is on the market, 'best' firearm to carry, what
caliber is optimum for your needs, whether you should
use a punch or a kick in a given circumstance.

What I'm more interested in is what can you do with
those tools? Can you hit your target? Do you
understand the effect of the trauma you can inflict
with those tools? What is your focus when using your
tools?

If your focus is to DESTROY YOUR ENEMY BY ANY MEANS
NECESSARY then the tools will work their way into the
mix.

As for me I don't even carry a knife nor would I know
which knife is 'best'. Me, I have an aluminum pen that
the security people gladly hand me as it goes through
the weapons check at the airport.

Doesn't look very cool; in fact it's kinda yuppy-ish
looking. But it writes well -- and I have a sneaking
suspicion it'll help accelerate the trauma I want
to inflict should I need to fight.

Yeah, it's boring -- but it works.

Until next time,

News! News! News!

Yesterday afternoon was the passing of one of LSAI's prominent practitioner, Master Lito Torrefranca. My teacher, Master Ronald Ramirez, informed me of his passing. He will be sorely missed. To those who know him well I send my condolences. May his soul rest in peace!

Target Focus Training (part 4)

(Disclaimer: I do not own the philosophies and teaching of TFT. Everything belongs to Mr. Tim Larkin. This post is to inform only. Enjoy reading.)



Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply

"Controlled Violence: the Surprising Catalyst to a
More Enjoyable Life"

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"Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."

-W. Edwards Deming

******************************************************

I was watching an Instructor Class the other night
with one of my great friends from the fighting world
and we discussed how difficult it is to talk about
fighting to most people.

This difficultly lies in the fact that my definition
of fighting is very different from most "fighters".
When someone tells me they know how to fight, that
triggers in my mind numerous examples of specific
methods of inflicting trauma on the human body with
the goal being the destruction of other guys.

In the rare instance when I decide to speak about
fighting in a social situation, I usually regret doing
so. Quickly I see that most people are uncomfortable
with my very calm descriptions of the effective use of
violence.

Most people get caught up in the surreal aspects of
violence that permeate society today... the WWF or
video game fake violence... as opposed to learning how
to methodically deliver systematic strikes to
vulnerable parts of the human body with the goal being
the total destruction of the other guy.

People always comment on how friendly and
approachable I am -- as well as my instructors. They
are confused, I'd guess, because most of the martial
arts and combat sport world is dominated by aloof
personalities who seem more concerned you recognize
their 'rank' rather than answer your questions.

I tell clients all the time that the more trained
you are to deal with real violence, the more
emotionally relaxed life you live... and the more you
get to enjoy life experiences and people.

There's much less need to use false aggression in
your demeanor to give off that 'I'm intimidating'
message. That is an Effect-State(tm) (and fear-based)
protection mechanism that is mildly effective but
takes a huge emotional toll to pull off.

This is yet another reason to seek out competent
training in hand-to-hand combat. By facing the fact
violence exists and learning how to effectively use
violence, you truly free yourself from unnecessary
fear in your day-to-day living.

----------
One note: look for future emails about once every
7 days.
----------

Until next time,

**********************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"Are You Learning To Fight... Or To Dance?"

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"In our peacetime tactical training we should use
difficult, highly imaginative situations and require
clear, concise and simple orders. The more difficult
the situation the more simple the order must be. Above
all *** Let us Kill everything stereotyped; otherwise
it will kill us ***"

- Adolf von Schell, Battle Leadership, 1933

******************************************************

I saw a commercial for one of those dance instruction
programs that guarantees you'd be able to dance as
well as any member of the most popular boy-bands.

The program showed a group of students following the
instructor step-by-step to learn some pretty complex
moves, choreographed to perfection. The result was
that by memorizing the steps and combining the moves
you could mimic the formerly difficult routine.

It reminded me of watching a Wushu team practice their
show. For those of you that aren't familiar, Wushu is
a Chinese martial art that is delivered via a stage
performance. The fights are very elaborate and it
takes a great deal of practice to put on a convincing
show.

As I watched the team practice it was interesting to
note that whenever someone wanted to screw around all
they had to do was execute a move different from the
routine. Literally you would be watching a fight scene
you'd swear was pitting two highly trained fighters in
mortal combat when all of a sudden one of the guys
would move differently... maybe slap the other guy in
the face like the Three Stooges used to do.

Everyone would laugh, then take a break.

But that slap also woke me up out of the dream state I
was in as I watched the performance.

I realized that this was exactly the method in which
most martial arts or combat sports are instructed.
Especially when they train "self defense".

Basically there are set patterns you memorize in
response to various staged attacks. Memorize those
responses and you can look pretty impressive.

But what happens if you vary the attack?

Most students freeze.

Why?

**** BECAUSE THEY WERE NEVER TAUGHT TO FIGHT ****

Nope, they basically were taught to 'dance' and as
long as everything went according to the 'routine' you
could do okay. But we all know things never go exactly
as planned.

Fighting is no different -- whether you are on the mat
at your training center or on the street locked in
mortal combat with the other guy(s). The only
variation is that when you fight with your training
partner you don't actually maim, cripple or kill. You
still target and simulate those exact strikes, just at
a pace your partner can handle.

If, however, you're operating in a 'training' mode
where you are memorizing a 'set' response to an
attack, you are learning nothing but a 'dance' move.
In TFT such training is viewed as "coordination
training" not fighting.

If you don't know the difference, you can easily fall
victim to the "now it's for real syndrome". That's
where you face an imminent attack yet hesitate... as
your brain tries to accept the fact that "this is for
real".

Contrast this to the well-trained fighter who simply
sees all this as merely fighting and proceeds to: 1)
find his targets and 2) strike. The only difference to
the fighter is the fact he can now strike with full
power.

That's because the well-trained fighter never sees
himself as 'training' -- he's always fighting.
Understand this concept and you'll always be
prepared... no matter what the situation.

Until next time,

*******************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"Often When You Try To Teach Someone A Lesson, You're
The One Who Ends Up Getting Schooled"

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"It's all fun and games 'til someone loses an eye"

- Mom
******************************************************

I was meeting with one of my master instructors and
some business associates the other day. We were
hashing out the schedule for the coming year and
elaborating on the requirements for the new TFT
Mastery Program. This program allows clients the
ability to expand their skills, even achieving the
status of Trainer (a level of fighting education
unavailable until now).

One of our associates had difficulty comprehending
our clear-cut definition of when to use violence as
the solution to a dangerous problem. For us it's
simple, the situation needs to be criminal in nature
and "life-or-death serious", meaning... if you don't
take action you are going to be harmed.

This associate kept bringing up various social
situations where someone is verbally (even mildly
physically) aggressive but where the physical threat
is unclear. In other words, at this point you'd be
hard pressed to fight for any reason other than to
"teach him a lesson".

I was just about to handle this issue when my master
instructor jumped in and gave a great example of the
dangers of "teaching someone a lesson".

Seems his older brother (while not at the trainer
level, still an excellent fighter) had a roommate who
caused numerous problems for the other 3 in his house.
Apparently the problem child (we'll call him 'Joe')
was a large person, and both verbally and physically
aggressive. The other roommates had nominated my
instructor's brother (lets call him 'Tom') to give
'Joe' his walking papers.

Although *much* smaller than 'Joe', 'Tom' was
confident that with his extensive fighting training he
could easily handle the situation.

As 'Tom' explained to 'Joe' that he needed to move
out, 'Joe's reaction was to get verbally combative and
use his larger frame as an intimidation factor.

As he moved closer, 'Tom' felt it was time to let
him know he wasn't intimidated and met him with a knee
to the groin and a short punch to the jaw. 'Joe'
doubled over and moved away from the strikes but he
was still standing because 'Tom' hadn't followed up
his strikes since he was only half-heartedly "teaching
him a lesson".

What happened next was a nightmare.

Wondering if 'Joe' was all right 'Tom' moved closer
but 'Joe', now in a violent rage, charged and knocked
him viciously to the floor, then jumped over his body
and began repeatedly kicking him in the temple with
his heavy work boots.

The end result: 'Joe' was arrested and 'Tom'
required numerous MRI's just to insure he had no
lasting brain damage.

Now whenever they instruct class, both my master
trainer and his brother use this as a perfect example
of why, in a violent threat, there can only be one
response... and it's never an attempt to "teach
someone a lesson" or simply an ego boost.

If you are not prepared to leave the other guy in a
non-functioning state, you are not committed to fight.
You're just playing with social violence. But in a
truly violent situation, the other guy IS going to be
committed to *really* hurting you.

In this case 'Tom' used violence to "teach a lesson"
and 'Joe' responded with a lethal attack. You can
never know a person's response to violence. If you use
it to "teach a lesson" (i.e., treat violence as a
game) you may very well find yourself missing an
eye... just like Mom said!

Until next time,

*************************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


You Never Know How Many People You're Fighting
Until You're Fighting Them All

******************************************************

"You can have a life plan or a fight plan, but when
the action starts, you're down to your reflexes --
your training. If you've cheated on your training in
the dark of the morning, you'll be found out under the
bright lights."

- Heavyweight Boxing Champion Joe Frazier

******************************************************

I've hammered home the importance of the cold hard
fact: "you do what you train". Anything you do in a
training environment is exactly how you are
conditioning yourself to respond in a life-or-death
situation.

Most of my clients understand this principle in
applying trauma to the body. They are careful to
insure that they strike with a tight fist or make sure
that they complete the rotation of their body to
deploy maximum force upon the given target area of the
other guy.

So where do problems occur?

Most people train for a one-on-one confrontation.

They are excellent at handling the one guy but add in
another guy... and watch the meltdown occur.

I was training a well-known counter-terror unit a few
years back and let them see first-hand the danger in
this oversight.

They had been training heavily in a well-known ju-
jitsu system prior to my course. This was a combat
sport-based system that is very effective in the ring.

But it does no good to tell people that what they
trained may have problems associated with it because
often they have a strong emotional attachment to the
training. Better to let them see a gap and then offer
a solution.

So I asked for the best grappler of the group to don
his field gear and go to the end of the training hall.
I then grabbed 3 other members of the unit and had
them do a simple "sacrificial lamb" attack. This is
where one guy engages the prey and locks him up, then
the other 2 swoop in for the kill.

Well, sure enough, the first guy engages and is
quickly taken to the ground by the fighter and put in
a very painful arm-bar. This guy was amazingly good at
ju-jitsu and would be a terror in the ring -- except
this wasn't a ring, and there was no ref.

In fact, no sooner had the arm-bar been applied than
the other 2 were upon him, had his weapons and could
have "killed" him at any time.

This simple gangbanger attack easily defeated a highly
trained operator because he had handled a multifight
like a sport competition. In fact, the unit later
confessed that they had never trained with their
weapons on the whole time they trained "hand-to-hand".

The focus had been more to see who could make the
other "tap out" first. This is a dangerous way to
train for a lethal criminal confrontation.

You must always treat every confrontation as having
multiple guys. You need to be instructed how to be a
"360-degree" fighter and to be aware of your
surroundings at all times.

In TFT, all fighting is against multiple guys even in
a one-on-one training session. This means as I take
out my current victim I'm aware of my surroundings and
SEARCHING for my next victim.

The training methods we use are beyond the scope of
this newsletter. But if you've never really trained
for multiple guys then you've never trained for life-
or-death confrontations. Don't make that mistake.

Until next time,

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Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


Two Different Types of Violence

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"There is never a convenient place to fight a war when
another man starts it"

- Admiral Arleigh Burke

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It's funny listening to men recount their experiences
with violence.

I've noticed there are 2 distinct experiences -- those
that survived a true life-or-death confrontation and
those who participated in social violence.

The first group usually never speaks about the
subject. When they choose to share the experience, you
notice that they are usually brutally honest by
stating they often they were scared and were forced
into action because there was no acceptable
alternative.

There is no gloating over their surviving the
experience and though many acted heroically they don't
see it that way. They see themselves as being
fortunate to have survived and they hope never to be
in that situation ever again.

Participants in social violence, however, often revel
in retelling the exploit where "they kicked his ass".
Some enjoy telling every part of the "fight" and speak
derisively of the other party.

They also give the impression they are ready to
participate again should they ever be called upon to
defend their honor, wife's honor, a spilled drink, or
receive an unwanted off color remark from a loudmouth.

Why the 2 different responses? The first group came in
contact with that ultimate spectre - unavoidable life-
or-death violence. No choice, no retreat, simply fight
or die. In this situation you only survive it, and get
on with your life.

The second group chose violence. They took a situation
that was not life threatening and chose to respond
with violence. This group enjoyed the domination of
using violence (often the recipient was deserving) and
it produced a base human reaction of control over
another in the pecking order.

This is not to say that the 2nd situation could not
have rapidly escalated to a lethal situation but using
violence, as a response, was a deliberate choice.

People choose to use violence when they let their egos
rule the situation. The unavoidable use of violence
produces a very different outcome -- the desire to not
participate in it again.

When we train people in TFT(TM), we train them for
unavoidable violence. We give them the tools to
survive the situation using lethal, brutally effective
methods. Many times those that stated they wanted this
knowledge are those who have the hardest time dealing
with the raw violence.

I notice a lot more talking during the more direct
lethal techniques. I equate talking with fear -- fear
of this knowledge. Fear of really having to pull the
trigger in a situation where they aren't choosing to
use violence but actually forced to do so or die.

Raw violence is not something I wish on anyone but I
teach its use and methodology because when you need it
you can't have enough knowledge of the subject. And
quite frankly the more competent I make you in that
subject the less likely you'll waste your time
choosing to use social violence.

Seek out the difference in the 2 types of violence and
you'll live a better life.

Until next time,

Martial Principles of Master Ronald Ramirez

(Note: The following words written and posted here are some of the martial wisdom imparted to me by my teacher, Master Michael Ronald Ramirez. Unfortunately, most of these teachings have been used and abused by most members of the LSAI Clan. Furthermore, no one gave my master the credit that was due to him as the maker of these words. I am now here to set the record straight once and for all. My teacher always admonish me to always give credit to where it is due even to your enemies. Since no one is going to do I might as well do it myself. I also included in here some of the wisdom imparted by the late Grand Master Ben Lema himself.)

1. When you execute your strike and make it powerful; an unstoppable blow, you must draw your power from the ground let it flow from your body towards your "baston" (rattan stick). One can accomplish that by pressing your blow down and drop your body down.

2. The baston is the great equalizer.

3. Whenever you execute a strike one must always remember to straighten the arm and lock ones elbows.

4. Whenever you're engage in a fight one must bring the battle to the enemy.

5. Words are like stone. Once you throw it you cannot take it back. Once it hits the calm waters of the pond it will cause a ripple that disturbs the calmness.

6. (GM Ben Lema) Pagnagtapat ang baston natin malalaman ko kung mahina ka o malakas, kung saang direksyon ka pupunta o kung ika'y natatakot o hindi. Dahil dito, madali kitang matatalo.

- (English version) The moment our bastons made contact with each other I will know if you are weak or strong, in which direction you will go or if you're afraid or brave. It is because of this that I will have an easier time to defeat you.

7. When someone ask me how I became good in my art I will always tell them to go back to their basics.

8. (GM Ben Lema) Kapag buo ang iyong isip, buo ang loob at malakas ang iyong kumpyansa sa iyong dunong kahit sino pa ang iyong kalaban; kahit lima, sampu o isandaan sila, kahit kailan ikaw ay laging mananalo.

- (English version) When you're mind and heart is whole and you have unbreakable trust in your knowledge in combat no matter who your enemies are, or whether they are many, who will always come up victorious.

The Offensive Mind Set Direct Action

( Disclaimer: This article was given to me by a friend of mine, with the same interest in the martial arts, via e-mail. I don't know where he acquired it. The ideas written here are not my own but all of it belong solely to the author. I posted this article because the ideas written here coincide with the ideas that I advocate as a teacher of the martial arts.)


Definition:

The Offensive Mind-Set is a learned, proactive thought process, devoid of fear, that leads to demonstrable physical increases in performance. A person possess of the Offensive Mind-Set will act rather than react, lead rather than follow. Attack rather than defend. Such a person thinks positively, offensively, and affirmatively by taking continuous absolute action. This thought process is applicable and useful in all human endeavors from sport to business to warfare.

Fear is the Mind-Killer:

The goal of training in Offensive Mind-Set is the total elimination of fear. Fear is the basis of defensive, reactive thinking. It makes you hesitate, it makes you incapable of committing to an action, it makes you freeze up. Without fear --- with an Offensive Mind-Set --- you are free to act immediately and directly. There is no internal debate, indecision, or worry about possible outcomes. You make things happen when need to happen.

Offense vs. Defense: Cause vs. Effect

The difference between offensive and defensive thinking is as simple to understand as action vs. reaction, cause vs. effect. Defensive thought is concerned with reacting to actions that have already taken place. The defensive thinker will take in external stimuli and turn inward, concerned with the effect on the self (worrying). The offensive thinker is the cause of effects -- creating strategies within the mind and moving them outward into the physical world as action. They will take the same external stimuli and make decisions, which are executed as actions, to effect the source of the stimuli in the manner most appropriate and advantageous to the situation.

Training Methodology.

Offensive Mind-Set is thought through two processes: Neutral Offensive Linguistics and the physical modeling of offensive structure. We take people from fearful to fearless by using proactive linguistics to change thought patterns, and then anchor those thought patterns through physical action.

Neural Offensive Linguistics: The Power of Words

Neural Offensive Linguistics is the use of proactive terminology to replace fearful, defensive terminology. In a way, it's analogous to the glass is half full or empty' test for optimism or pessimism -- words have emotional weight to them, dependent on the situation in which we learned those words, and their associated ideas. The words we use to describe things affect the wayway we feel about those things -- for better or worse. If a word has a connection to a mental picture whose emotional content is fearful, then we must replace it with a fearless word in order to achieve an Offensive Mind-Set.

For example, if a person has been told to block a punch thrown at their face, they are immediately dropped into a fear-state. The very idea of blocking (which is linked in the mind to the word) is inherently defensive and based on fear -- the only reason a person would block the punch is because they are afraid of getting hit. Now, if we take the same person and instead tell them to strike the arm of an attacker throwing a punch, to cripple the arm, no fear-state is induced. In fact, we have done the opposite and induced a positive, take-charge attitude. This person has the source of their fear (the idea of blocking) replaced with a proactive, take-charge word (strike) with radically different connotations -- the fighter will injure the attacker. They will be incontrol of the situations, imposing their own will and strategy on the situation.

The use of Neural Offensive Linguistics is not restricted to combat training -- Offensive Mind-Set can be taught to anyone, for any purpose, to increase performance. The key is in isolating words associated with reactive thinking and replacing them with proactive word:

DEFENSIVE: OFFENSIVE:

Block Strike

Evade Penetrate

Defender Fighter

Self-Defense Hostile Control

Try Do

Offensive Posture: First Strike

The new terminology is then reinforced through the modeling of offensive physical structure. If we take the above example and convert it from a thought problem to the real, physical world, we can anchor in the changes in the thought process. The person who has been told to block tries to block a real punch thrown at their face. Afraid or what might happen if they get hit, they move backward, away from the punch, and give ground to the attacker. The person fliches in indecision and throws up their arm to block, ducking their head and curving their spine to evade. By being driven back and modeling the fearful posture a deeper fear is induced, and failure is assured. Their fear has become a self-realized prophecy.

Now, the person is told to strike the arm -- to cripple the attacker. The attacker throws the punch at the fighter's face. In order to strike the arm, the fighter must step in, aggressively, with their spine straight and vertical to really hammer it. The attacker cries out in pain as he is jerked off balance and falls to the floor. The fighter sees success and will always remember how it felt (kinesthetically) to drop the attacker before them. The proactive thought has been realized as direct, potent action. We now have a demonstrable increase in performance.

Fear: The Shattered Foundation of Defense

The most basic, underlying concept of defense is fear. Whether it is defensive tactics, defensive techniques, for defensive thinking -- they are all based on fear. The very idea of 'self-defense' is fearful; you are more concerned with defending yourself than with taking out the attacker. You are worried about what the attacker will do to you, rather than what you will do to the attacker.

If you have been trained to block, you have been trained to fear the attacker. The idea of 'block' implies that you wait and see what the attacker throws at you, and then attempt to defend yourself by nullifying his attack. What does a block accomplish? It keeps you from getting hit -- maybe. But a block does nothing to change the situation in your favor; you have done nothing to take out the attacker. He is free to keep coming at you.

Even if you have been trained to 'block and strike' simultaneously, you are still operating fearfully. The defensive block and offensive strike work at cross-purposes -- they intefere with one another. The fear you feel at seeing the attacker move for you will cause you to hesitate, resulting in a strike that does not have 100 percent offensive commitment. Everyone has seen streetfights in which the participants hold their hands up in a defensive stance and feint toward each other, then jump back away from each other. They perform this strange dance repeatedly. Sometimes they lash out at each other, but always out of fear -- half-heartedly. This is because both of them are operating in a fear-state. They would really like to get the other guy, but they're just too afraid to commit to anything. They are preoccupied with defending themselves.

The Conceptual Martial Artist

(Disclaimer: This article was taken from "Rapid Journal Vol. 7 No. 4" written by Perry Gil S. Mallari. One of the few articles of this magazine that I found enlightening. The written ideas are not my own but belongs to the author. I want to post this article and share to everyone its content. Enjoy reading!)



The great japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi was said to have fought undefeated for seventeen years (he killed his first opponent at the age of thirteen) without really knowing exactly the secret of his success. One of his recorded contemplations say: "I reflected on my experiences, I realized that I had not been victorious because of consummate attainment of the martial arts. Perhaps it was because I had an inherent skill for the science and had not deviated from natural principles. It may also have been due to the shortcomings in the martial arts of other schools. In any case, I subsequently practiced day and night in order to attain an even deeper principle, and spontaneously came upon the science of martial arts". Musashi's investigation of the truth in combat was recorded in his treatise entitled Go Rin No Sho or The Book Of Five Rings. Go Rin No Sho is not a technical manual but rather a concept book. So universal is its conceptual content that until today men and women outside the realm of the martial arts are using it in their quest for success.

It's always easier to absorb and actualize the technical rather than conceptual aspects of the martial arts. In the former, more often than not, all you have to do is follow the instructor's commands to the letter and you'll get there (keep your hands on the centerline... distribute your weight eually on both feet... etc.) . The latter calls for a deeper degree of internalization and creativity. To make my point clear, let's use the concept of timing as an example. Even if an instructor has a perfect grasp of the concept, it doesn't necessarily mean that his student can meet him at that level and digest what's been taught. The abstract nature of the conceptual approach to training and teaching is perhaps the method's greatest strength and at the same time its greatest weakness. This is the reason why despite of its power and potency, Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do was still an enigma to the majority.

The proper way of doing things is absolutely important; hence there were techniques. But to transcend technique and go beyod technical proficiency, the martial artist must traverse the realm of conceptual training. Bruce had become a phenomenal martial artist because he realized this truth. According to Danny Inosanto, Bruce felt that the highest art was body feel and body mechanics not technique. I clearly saw this concept through the teaching method of one of my teachers, an 86 year old Visayan escrimador whose incredible strength and vitality despite his old age astounded me. I'm not quite sure whether because he knew of my my previous martial arts training, language barrier or lack of verbal communication skill, but he didn't teach me wih the usual "this is angle one... this is angle two..." but rather by demonstrating combative concepte. This single thing that really sank in me during my training sessions with him is the use of explosive forward pressure through multiple hits. Each contact of the weapon on the surfaces serves as a springboard to launch an attack on another plane. This is a universal concept and is the same principle behind Wing Chun's straight blast or Jik Chung Choie.

In the last two decades there is a sudden upsurge of the popularity of knife fighting not only as an art by itself but also as a training tool to develop key attribute. Practitioners, from kickboxer to devotees of esoteric fighting systems are reading benefits from poicking up the blade. Why is that so? Because knife training teaches key combative concepts like reflex, sensitivity, killer instinct, and more by combining the elements of weaponry and empty hands in a singular training environment.

Entering the conceptual path will also prod you to search combative truths beyond the ring and the mat. Not all martial arts wisdom can be attained with your bare knuckles, sticks, and blades. The Samurai warriors can explain the finer points of their martial arts through calligraphy. "Become acquainted with every art," admonishes Miyamoto Musashi. Coming from the great Japanese swordsman himself, it is comforting to know that pusuing other avenues of learning will not make a martial artist a lesser warrior but instead refine his martial growth more. Musashi Miyamoto later in his life pursued the life of a painter and writer. His works display a subtle sense of sensitivity and humility. You can hardly trace the shadow of a warrior who once a thirteen year old in his first duel, beat his opponent repeatedly with a bo until he vomited blood and die.