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Okay, I'll confess. I stole this idea from the internet. I'll even tell you how I found it. Before I do that, I want you to realize that I think the list should be altered somewhat. The list, at least as the title implies, means that the fight is imminent. The aggressor is no longer willing to negotiate. You cannot talk him or her down. You've done your best assertive method of communicating and it just isn't sinking in to this low-life's skull. You also have no quick means of escape or evasion.

First things first.  If you go to look for this link you must promise to return to this blog post! (Pinkie Swear!) The reason is I want you to truly compare what you're reading and really internalize it as a strategy. So, here it goes. Go to the Google search page and type in 'Top 10 Self Defense moves' and you get a list that states the following: 10. This is not a movie 9. Your objective is not to win 8. Know your limits 7. Stay Calm 6. If you get hit, it's not the end of the world 5. This is the street, there are...

Tags: clyde arnold, northern kentucky, personal defense, self defense, top 10 self defense moves

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Be aware that every instructor has a LEGAL and MORAL obligation to let every client know that what they learn can have potential lethal consequences. You must DETER a situation by avoidance, DEFUSE the situation by verbal means or escape, and DEFEND as a last resort. Certain tools, techniques, and tactics can injure, maim, disfigure, or even kill another person. There is a certain responsibility with learning skills such as these.

The first part, deter, means that you are using your full awareness prior to the confrontation even taking place. You are actually paying close attention to your immediate surroundings. You should trust your gut instinct and inner warning signals that danger is imminent. If you are facing a ‘bad guy’ you should look for the pre-incident indicators that tell you something is about to happen. You should be mindful of avenues of escape; barriers that can be placed between you and the ‘bad guy’, and potential everyday items around you that could be picked up and used as weapons. (A.K.A. T.O.Y.S. which will come in a later post!)

To defuse a situation may require action on your part, especially if the attention is on you. In the verbal training...

Tags: clyde arnold, fast defense, martial arts, northern kentucky, personal defense, self defense

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The original title of this post was going to be "Awareness", but that term is just too overused in martial arts circles and those that claim to teach 'real' self defense skills seem to tackle it half-assed. I'll try not to use the term too much here and get right to the subject of this post.

Awareness is one of the first things that should be covered in your training. You can be attacked by anyone, anytime and anywhere. Awareness is actually the key to avoiding a confrontation altogether. This may mean changing your daily pattern and analyzing yourself. This analyzing effect is an exercise that I recommend to every client concerned for their personal safety. Every few days or weeks, take the time to really study your day and your actions. Play the ‘bad guy’ and try to determine when you are most vulnerable to an attack. Is it when you are standing in line at the grocery store? Are you paying attention to your surroundings as you go to the car? Are you counting massive amounts of cash out in the open before you pay in the restaurant? Do you frequent establishments that serve alcohol and are...

Tags: clyde arnold, martial arts, personal defense, self defense

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     Todays topic is about the importance of mental visualization as a training tool. It's something that too many people neglect, overlook and frequently, through subconscious effort and lack of confidence, do very wrong. It's common among those taking their first self defense course or even a young person in a martial arts class to plant a seed of "I'm going to fail or get my butt kicked". YOU CAN'T DO THIS! (Sorry for yelling.) Let's go through the steps and the correct process for the positive version.
     Visualization is a very valuable training aid that everyone should use in all aspects of their life. (Yes, you can visualize success, but you have to put in every part of the equation and work your way there in the visualization process, like in real life. Then it will manifest itself.) You can pre-program yourself for success in combat too as long as you do it correctly.
·         Find a mentally “safe place” to perform visualization
·         Conduct visualization sessions only for about 5-6 minutes at a time
·         Visualize in an emotionally “pumped up” state
·         Have fun with it and enjoy the process
·         Go at your own pace
·         Bring...

Tags: personal defense, positive visualization, self defense, training

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I teach that if you are being 'interviewed' by an aggressor that the assertive posture or position is best. What I mean by 'the interview' are the threats, questions or 'woofing' which usually preceed the physical attack. Law enforcement and even criminals with a history of assaults will all tell you that most attacks don't start off by someone just jumping out from behind a car, alleyway or bush. No, in fact most physical attacks start off with some type of verbal assault which, in the terms reality and scenario-based personal defense instructors, is affectionately called 'the interview'. The reason for this is most criminals and bullies want to know
what they are facing before getting down to business. They want to know how you react so that can decide whether you are an easy victim or someone who may put up a real fight. Ignoring these threats, insults or questions can open the door for an immediate physical attack.
Being of a military background, I've created an acronym called N. A. P. P. which stands for Non-Aggressive Protective Posture (TM) and now integrate the term and method into every class I teach for both youth and adults. This posture...

Tags: fast defense, n.a.p.p.

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Since I am a little under the weather today, as I have been for the past couple of days, I'm turning to old articles that I've written in the past to review just how relevant they may still be. Take a look at this article from February 1996, titled 5 Quick Survival Tips that still applies even 16 years later! I had been a black belt for only 8 months and still in the military at the time. All my training had come to a focal point that made me realize what it is that an adult seeks in a self defense course. Click on the link to enjoy the article.

P.S. Yes, I still did my workout this morning despite not feeling at my 100%. Do you think the bad guy would say, "Oh, you're not feeling well? That's okay then, I won't attack you today...hope you feel better soon!"

Stay Safe and Be Strong!

Coach Clyde Arnold

Tags: clyde arnold, personal defense, personal defense instructor, quick tips, self defense, self defense tips, survival tips

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January is National Self-Defense Awareness Month, and the start of a new year is a great time for you to think about your personal safety. Have you developed any bad habits that could put you at risk? Does
your routine take you through any poorly lit or dangerous areas? Even your winter clothing could put you at greater risk if you must wear a hooded coat that might be obstructing your field of vision.

Whether there is a stranger following you at night, a bully at school, or an abusive loved one in your own home, you need to think about how you are at risk. January is National Self-Defense Awareness Month, and a great time for you and your family to consider the dangers around you, and how you can best protect yourself.

But first, let us cover some advice that you can use right now. While physically fighting off an attack is one way to protect yourself, the best form of self-defense is avoiding the situation in the first place. In addition, when this isn’t possible, it’s important to think about de-escalation. This means recognizing a dangerous situation developing, and speaking and acting in ways that can help...

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In this week’s blog, I'm going to give my own perception of goals versus resolutions, then tell you what mine are for 2012! The word resolution has left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth considering the
lackluster performance of congress and the continuing resolutions they have repeatedly granted at the last minute. For that reason alone I'm going to veto my own use of the word on New Year’s Eve! There is a certain stigma associated with breaking resolutions which seem to be nothing more than promises destined to be broken.  I'm going to stick with the good old fashioned GOAL!

Goals are best if you can put them in terms that are quantifiable and realistic. There is no sense in being ambiguous or lofty when it comes to attaining the established goal. I like to break my goals into categories of being either personal or professional. After that I may subdivide them into subcategories of mind, body or spirit.

I'll start with personal goals first. I am a family man and really enjoy spending time with my family so I think a good goal to start with what would be a minimum of one hour of quality one on...

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Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and...

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In case you're wondering, I now have the reasons you should take a FAST Defense class in 2012. Put it on your list, but don't neglect it like you may do to other New Year Resolutions!

So what are the Top 10 Reasons...?

10 - You have no desire to take a long term Karate class.
9 - You definately do NOT want to wear the uniform they wear in Karate classes!
8 - You will remove "take a self defense course" from your bucket list.
7 - You've always wanted to be confident in a stressful situation.
6 - It seems like the intelligent thing to do.
5 - You remove any self doubt that you can take care of yourself if the need ever arises.
4 - You've heard or read that FAST Defense helps you become more assertive.
3 - You've heard or read that FAST Defense helps address fear.
2 - The class is fun and a great stress reliever.
1 - Everyone who has taken this class wishes they had done it a long time ago!

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