DISCUSSIONS

Exertion of force – Our first choice is always trying our best to navigate some else’s aggression by diverting it and using all possible effortless methods assessable at the moment. However, there are always that one in a hundred individual that don’t know when to stop and you have to apply force. Right now is just the start of a whole series of discussion related to this topic and we start with the most simple technique of a push. Common mistakes:

• Leaning into the push thinking that adding body weight adds to the push – when you lean-in and tense up your body, you actually halved the weight of your body. The tension of the body converts the system into that of a hand-dolly.
• Tensing up the entire body as the means to provide power.
• Body doesn’t work together as a unit, causing leakages.
• Directing power into the aggressor’s support leg

SCENARIOS

We went through most of the one or two handed grips. We try to match people with different partners so that they understand the need to adapt. The following questions were raised:

• How to manage distance? Seems like when someone grab and pull, the techniques don’t seem to work.
• What can you do if the other person turn in the same direction as you?
• What is meant by “the power leaked away”?

How to manage distance? If the aggressor grab and then pulled and walk away, most people’s instinct is to tense up and resist. However, if you walk in the same direction matching his steps, you can maintain the same distance. Then, the techniques that you learned in stationary pose will work.

What if the other person go in the same direction as you, neutralizing the crowbar? – When you learn the technique, you are the one who is moving to get out from the grab. If the aggressor move in the same direction as you, all you have to do is to stop rotating or go the opposite direction. Remember the technique’s key requirement is that you need to change the relative angles between the arms of the aggressor and you. Of course, one of the option is for you to move. However, it will work just fine if “the mive” is initiated by him to while you stay static. Similarly, or if both move in the opposite direction, the prying effect is retained.

What is meant by “the power leaked away”? – the human body consists of many parts. Delivering power from one end of the body to another requires tight cooperation between all parts of the powertrain. Failure of any of those parts to connect properly will cause a huge lose of power. We call that “leakage” just like a leak of a pressure cooker.

EXERCISES

We identify the major muscle groups that power the stride. Furthermore, we added active action of the leading leg to help improve explosiveness to the move.

DISCUSSIONS

Practice by yourself

I’m very happy that one of you showed me how she practiced on her own at home. She stood facing the mirror, placed her hand and wrist on the ballet barre, and practiced the “crowbar method.” Here are a few things that can be improved:

• If you are perpendicular to or directly facing the mirror, you can only turn a maximum of 90 degrees. However, if you stay close to the barre on one side, you can achieve nearly a full half-turn (180 degrees). This increased range of motion helps in applying leverage.
• Your wrist and hand must move together with your body and steps—not before and not after. The entire side should work as a single, solid steel bar.

What Do You Gain by Reading the Class Notes?

When I teach in a live class, I don’t always have the opportunity to check whether any of you missed key points—whether due to something I accidentally left out or a moment of distraction on your part. Some ideas might even go over your head the first time you hear them.

By listening to or reading the notes, you can revisit the ideas, concepts, and key points as many times as you need—until they truly become your own.

Question: “I tried a technique on my friend, but because I did it slowly, he was able to adjust before I finished.”

The step-and-turn, when done correctly, creates enough amplification that your single movement can force your opponent to take three or four steps in response. Watch out for the following common mistakes:

• Taking small, hesitant steps instead of one big, decisive step.
• Separating the body turn, step, and arm twist into a sequence. These movements must be initiated and completed simultaneously—as one unified action.
• Lacking stability. You need to practice the step and twist repeatedly to eliminate wobbling. Your whole body—from your feet to your fingertips—should be firm and controlled, but not stiff.

Notes on Speed and Use of Muscles

When a student asks me to hold her wrist so I can give feedback, I often notice the following issues:

• She has to pause and think hard before recalling which technique to use.
• She tends to rush through the technique, relying on muscle strength and speed.

Trying to overpower or outpace me during practice doesn’t help you learn. Realistically, I am stronger and faster than you—just as a real aggressor would be. Competing using your weaker attributes doesn’t make sense. More importantly, your current goal is to improve your technique. Excessive speed or force only makes it harder—for both you and me—to identify what needs improvement. A correct technique feels almost effortless.

The Concept of “Perpendicular”

When force is applied in a straight line at 100%, a sideways force—applied perpendicular to that line—can deflect it, shifting it off target.

This concept of the perpendicular is extremely important. To maximize impact when striking, the blow must land perpendicular to the surface of the target. Otherwise, part of the force will be deflected and the impact reduced.

The same principle applies in defense. When a strike or push comes straight at you, simply changing the angle of the surface receiving the force can significantly reduce its effect.

SCENARIOS

If You Have to Think Before You Act, You Haven’t Practiced Enough

You need to practice on your own at home. With six days between classes, even practicing just once on your own doubles your weekly training time—a 100% increase. This can help you absorb the material in half the time.

Practicing with people outside of class also introduces different body types and situations, which builds adaptability and confidence.

If you’re unable to physically practice, reading the notes and mentally visualizing each scenario can still help reduce—or even eliminate—that “let me think” hesitation.

Common Mistakes in the “Two Hands to Two Hands High Grip” Practice:

• The sink in “relax and sink the palm” was done using muscular force. Signs of this include lifted shoulders or the feeling of actively pressing down. This might work if you’re stronger than your partner, but if you’re physically similar, you’ll get stuck. The movement should be relaxed and natural, not forced.
• The direction of the sink was aimed toward the open center space, instead of over the forearm of the gripping hand. It should go into your partner’s structure, not just downward.
• The step and turn should move toward the center of the opponent—not to the outside. Turning away leads to less control and leverage.

EXERCISES

Remember, you need to train not only your body but also your mind. Learning to stay relaxed under stress is very important. Take time to figure out what kind of training works best for you to develop that calm focus.

You also need to train your body to move as a single, unified whole. So the question is: how can you train that?

DISCUSSION

Mechanics

We talked a lot about mechanics, a significant part of which involves the laws of physics and the muscles being used—what we refer to as biomechanics. Applying proper biomechanics makes physical tasks easier to perform and helps prevent injuries. Similarly, using the right gears—or mechanical advantage—you can either increase your speed or amplify your workload, just like with bicycle gears.

We also explored the power of the mind. For example, we practiced projecting energy beyond the fingertips, emphasized the importance of staying calm under pressure, and discussed how practicing slowly can help reprogram your reflexes. We examined how something as simple as finger-pointing can affect the amount of power you deliver, among other concepts. We classify all of these as psychomechanics.

Reflexes

Fear creates tension, and panic can freeze your mind. Many of your habits and thought patterns were formed long ago, often during childhood. Changing something deeply embedded in the unconscious mind isn’t easy—but it is possible. The following points highlight some of the most important, though often unconventional, approaches:

Instead of tensing up and fighting with all your strength, you must relax, clear your mind, and avoid relying on strength or speed. First, become aware of the situation you’re in and consider your options or your “end game.” For example:

• Do you have any chance of escaping?
• Is there anyone nearby who might help?
• Are there potential witnesses who could see what’s happening?
• Will you need to hurt the aggressor to get out safely?
  These are just a few of the critical questions to assess.

For any technique to be effective, it must be practiced extensively—not just physically, but also through visualization. Additionally, you should test it against opponents with varying body types and under different conditions:

• Someone with a very strong grip
• Someone much taller or heavier
• Someone who mirrors your movements
• In confined spaces, and so on

This kind of preparation trains your reflexes to respond more effectively under real-world pressure.

SCENARIOS

Reinforcing the basic principles

All the different adaptations of the techniques apply the same basic concept. We have to repeat it until it is our default response.

• Stepping and body motion must be synchronized with the arm. When the movement is disjointed, it will not work because you are telegraphing your intent and breaking the mechanics of the move.
• While stepping away is often taught, we also discussed scenarios where staying close can be a better strategy. Staying close reduces the time and space needed to reach your opponent, allowing you to respond more quickly and maintain control. Remember key principles like “elbow to elbow”—this positioning offers better leverage and mechanical advantage than simply backing away.

Two hands grab on two wrists low

If both of your arms are grabbed, remember that you don’t need to free both hands. In many cases, freeing just one hand is enough, as the aggressor will often instinctively grip even tighter with the remaining hand—giving you an opportunity to counter. Avoid trying to yank your wrist away; this rarely works and often wastes energy.

Two hands grab on two wrists high

To escape a two-handed high grip of both wrists from your opponent, remember that the thumb is always the weakest link. Start by relaxing your palm and allowing your body weight to sink downward, directing pressure toward the opponent’s thumbs. This will begin to weaken their grip. Then, use your hand to wrap around and escape, supported by proper body angling to maximize leverage and efficiency.

EXERCISES

Practice for self defense does not always have to be physical. Training and visualizing the scenarios taught trains your neural system and is VERY IMPORTANT. Visualization plays a very important role for top athletes and so it will work for you too.