| The art of Ninjutsu martial arts training is known | | | | And... |
| for its number of weapons. Regardless of | | | | You can only be as fast or as effective as those |
| whether the weapon is designed to be concealed | | | | conditions and "guidelines" allow you to be! |
| or not, the Ninja always seems to be able to get | | | | That being said, here are a few suggestions for |
| his weapon out much faster than his opponent. | | | | carrying and concealing your weapons. Due to the |
| In fact, one of the most common questions that | | | | fact that there are countless weapons that could |
| I get, from everyday students as well as law | | | | be discussed, and the fact that I don't know what |
| enforcement and military professionals is, "what | | | | you have, these suggestions are offered in the |
| suggestions do you have for carrying my | | | | way of "strategic suggestions," rather than |
| weapons for better concealment and use?" | | | | specific instructions. |
| This article offers a few suggestions - things to | | | | Okay? |
| think about from a strategic standpoint, that will | | | | Here are a few that come to mind off the top of |
| not only improve your weapons skills, but also get | | | | my head as I write this: |
| you thinking more like a Ninja about this and other | | | | 1) Think about your build and the size, shape, and |
| areas of your training! | | | | design of the weapon you're considering. When |
| However, before I share with you some | | | | thinking about concealing this particular weapon, |
| suggestions for carrying and concealing your | | | | how can you position it so that it is not evident or |
| weapons, I want to discuss a few other | | | | obvious that you have it on you? |
| considerations first. These considerations will | | | | Remember to insure that your carry and |
| determine what, if any, of my suggestions, you | | | | concealment method does not change the way |
| will want to, or in some cases, be allowed to use. | | | | you walk or otherwise carry your body. |
| Please note that the following points and questions | | | | Regardless of whether someone can see a |
| are NOT limited to students in the law | | | | weapon that you're concealing, doesn't mean that |
| enforcement, security, or military fields. They are | | | | they won't suspect that you have one if you |
| just as viable for everyone else. So, don't take | | | | walk or move as if, to them, YOU DO! |
| them lightly, nor should you immediately assume | | | | 2) When thinking about carrying a weapon for |
| that I'm "talking about someone else." | | | | quicker access and bringing it into the fight faster, |
| Some of the things that need to be considered, | | | | the best thing to think about is how you naturally |
| before we even begin to talk about how to carry | | | | move. You can also think about what types of |
| or conceal your weapons are: | | | | situations you are likely to be in when you need |
| 1) Are you mandated or required to carry the | | | | to go for the weapon. And then, with this |
| weapons and equipment that you have? What I | | | | information in mind, carry the weapon "along the |
| mean is, do you have to use specific models and | | | | natural path" that your hand will be traveling so as |
| styles, or can you opt for something else instead? | | | | to make grabbing and drawing it, as quick and as |
| 2) Do you have to carry your weapons a certain | | | | easy as possible! |
| way, or in a uniform place on your gun belt, | | | | 3) If possible, also ignore conventional thought, or |
| tactical gear, etc? This, along with number 1 | | | | "the way everyone else does it." If you carry a |
| above, are common problems which police and | | | | handgun, whether you're a police officer or just a |
| security officers, and members of the armed | | | | civilian with a carry permit, avoid carrying your |
| services must contend with. Regardless of | | | | backup magazines (clips) or "speed-loaders" (in the |
| whether they have a personal preference, for | | | | case of a revolver) at the front of your gun belt. |
| whatever reason - policies and procedures are | | | | I suggest carrying them in a place, and in a way, |
| often in place which requires them to comply with | | | | which allow for your arm to work naturally and |
| the status quo, and "do it like everyone else." | | | | quickly for both retrieving the ammunition from |
| 3) Is there any other reason that you carry the | | | | it's case, and for getting it into the waiting |
| weapon that you do? Reasons that may come to | | | | weapon! |
| mind, or that may be true for you, might include | | | | 4) Always opt for a smaller, less bulky or less |
| the fact that, "it's the only one you've got," or "it's | | | | obvious version if one is available. Never knowingly |
| your favorite." You must be careful that you | | | | choose to carry and use something that takes |
| have not limited yourself unnecessarily to certain | | | | more time to draw, get into the fight, or will give |
| weapons because of "favorites," or because you | | | | away the fact that you have it, when something |
| think that they are the "official" weapon of your | | | | better is available. Just not very Ninja-like at all! |
| style! | | | | Of course, each weapon has it's own specifics. |
| Do you understand what I'm getting at? | | | | The point here is not to do it like I would. But |
| If you must conform to rules, policies, or specific | | | | instead, to learn to think like a master warrior so |
| regulations which dictate how and what you are | | | | that you can be the most effective, and have |
| "allowed" to do; or, if you saddle yourself with | | | | the greater advantage, in a hostile, life-threatening |
| self-imposed limitations, then you seriously diminish | | | | situation. |
| your ability to be as effective as you possibly can. | | | | |