Self-Protection, The Open Hand Notebook, Page 32

From Complacency to Overconfidence: The Many Different Views of Traditional Karate.

May 15, 2024

(Approx 1 minute 35 second read) It’s interesting that in my articles about self-protection or self-defense, several comments seem to indicate that many people just don’t prioritize self-defense. . Some commenters suggest that because they live in areas with little violence, they feel they don’t need the protection offered by realistic self-protection training. . Additionally, […]

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One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Effective self-protection needs a different approach.

May 13, 2024

(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) The term self-defense is frequently used to promote martial arts schools, but do they genuinely offer self-defense, or does it simply label traditional martial arts techniques as a one-size-fits-all solution? . People often discuss self-defense and self-protection as if they’re interchangeable. While there are elements that are similar and

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Kata movements hold deeper meanings beyond their surface appearance, often misunderstood in practice.

May 10, 2024

(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) When practitioners perform set kumite, drills, or sparring, they stand facing an opponent. . Why then do some practitioners, when performing applications to kata, wait for an opponent to attack from the side, anticipating blocking an attack? . It makes no sense does it? Yet this is how modern

Kata movements hold deeper meanings beyond their surface appearance, often misunderstood in practice. Read More »

Kata: Training for More Than Blocks. Exploiting Predictable Responses.

May 9, 2024

(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) Think of the massive advantage you’d have if you knew what your opponent was going to do before it happened. You’d be able to react in an instant. . This is, of course, the case in pre-arranged kumite drills. Since you know the attack is coming, you can react

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In the Shadows of Tradition: Challenging Misunderstandings in Karate.

April 30, 2024

(2 minute read) Karate often finds itself mired in misconceptions and misunderstandings. . How many times have you watched a video or responded to a comment and cringed at what you have just witnessed or read? . Unlike other arts like MMA, Judo, Boxing, jiu-jitsu, etc., which seem to have clear purposes and methodologies, karate

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Beyond the Spectacle. Performance Art or Martial Art?

April 29, 2024

(2 minute 35 second read) Many people seem to grapple with the core purpose of karate. Is it a sport, a means to follow a legacy or tradition, a way to develop character, self-defense, or more? . In the early stages of my karate journey, competitive fighting was my primary focus. I eagerly awaited the

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Should you intervene to protect someone else if they are being attacked?

April 23, 2024

(1 minute 55 second read) Should you intervene to protect someone else if they are being attacked? . Witnessing someone being attacked can evoke a strong impulse to intervene and protect the victim. . However, if you do decide to intervene, above all else, the first thing you have to consider is your own safety.

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Free running from reality. The ultimate self-defense.

April 22, 2024

(2 minute 10 second read) While there are various techniques and strategies for protecting yourself, one aspect that cannot be overlooked is the role of common sense. . You have to make informed decisions that prioritize safety and well-being. So first and foremost, it’s essential to recognize that self-defense extends beyond physical combat. It encompasses

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The best fight is the one you avoid. So don’t start a fight you can’t finish, but if you do, finish it.

April 19, 2024

(1 minute 30 second read) If you’re like most people, you probably hope you’ll never face a self-defense situation. But being prepared is key. . Self-defense is a critical skill, but it’s important to understand it’s not about winning a fight. It’s about neutralizing a threat and escaping safely. . Those that keep reminding me

The best fight is the one you avoid. So don’t start a fight you can’t finish, but if you do, finish it. Read More »

“We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.”

April 13, 2024

(2 minute 30 second read) Many of the articles that I write are created to ask the reader to view, perhaps something different, and discuss the content in a polite discussion. . Yeah right, who am I kidding? This is social media. . An opinion is this: the beliefs of a single person based on

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Building Confidence & Safety: Why Children’s Self-Defense Matters.

April 12, 2024

(2 minute 40 second read) There are levels to teaching students, no matter the subject. But just because some of the students are at a lower level, or children, or beginners, what I do not agree with, is teaching something that is fundamentally flawed because of that level. . A comment on a recent article

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Five Steps to Nowhere? The Hidden Flaw in Traditional Five Step Sparring.

April 10, 2024

(2 minute 26 second read) Punch, block, punch, block; moving backwards and forwards – prearranged step-sparring. . Learning the basics to become proficient requires repetition, over and over again. However, it’s crucial that basics are realistic, wouldn’t you agree? . The movements contained within karate were never meant to receive an attack from another martial

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