| One of the most common questions that | | | | static "stances" found in karate and other |
| beginner students have is, "How will I know which | | | | conventional martial arts systems. Kamae are |
| technique to use in a real self defense situation | | | | dynamic by nature, and constantly changing to |
| against a street fighter who means business?" | | | | suit the situation. |
| And, this is a good question, since you never | | | | Where the karate student's stance is seen as the |
| know what you're going to have to defend | | | | launching point of his punches and kicking |
| yourself against, until something actually happens. | | | | technniques, the Ninja's postures are adaptable |
| However; that being said, there is a way to | | | | and fluid - they include not only the positioning and |
| strategically control your attacker's moves and | | | | "posturing" of his body parts, but also his mind, |
| decision-making process before he ever gets off | | | | emotions, and attitude! |
| the first punch. This article focuses on this | | | | As an example of how your body position |
| high-level strategic tactic as one of the expert | | | | changes and controls your opponent's thoughts |
| secrets that can make you practically invincible in | | | | and actions, consider this possible self defense |
| a real attack! | | | | scenario: |
| I know that, when a student asks the above | | | | As your assailant approaches you with his hands |
| question or one like it, what he or she is really | | | | up in the typical, boxer-like, street fighter position, |
| asking is, "How do I make things as easy as | | | | you respond by backing up and lifting your hands |
| possible for myself?" - "How do I give myself the | | | | defensively in front of your chest in a "fending |
| greatest advantage? | | | | off" posture. In this position, your attacker can |
| Because, the reality of the situation when it | | | | see over your hands and employ the |
| comes to real-world self defense is this... | | | | psychological "stare-down" tactic for intimidation. |
| You will do what you can do. | | | | And, since his hands are above the level of your |
| No more - no less. | | | | own, he will be able to punch or grab much easier |
| But, wouldn't it be great if you could control his | | | | than you will be able to block or parry his |
| decision-making abilities, and therefor his actual | | | | incoming limbs when he does. |
| attacks? | | | | Contrast this with a slight change in position so |
| How would it feel if you knew, beforehand, what | | | | that, when he approaches, you control the |
| your attacker was going to throw at you? | | | | placement of your arms so that they are right in |
| How would that change things for you? | | | | front of each of his. Your body, rather than being |
| Well, it can be done. | | | | square-on, exposing your targets, is angled so as |
| You don't have to just wait and watch him throw | | | | to remove your targets from straight-line |
| whatever punch, grab, or kick he wants to do at | | | | punches. |
| the moment. You can actually control what he | | | | In this second position, your attacker will feel the |
| does - and when he does it! | | | | presence of your arms, and feel a need to either |
| Now, I'm not saying that this is easy. In fact, in | | | | grab them, or to punch around them. He will no |
| most solid, realistic (and honest) programs, this is | | | | longer have the option to punch straight in on you |
| a very advanced lesson. But, do you know what? | | | | - partly because he has obstacles to go around, |
| If you know what to look for, you can actually | | | | partly because your best targets are covered |
| see it in even the most basic of techniques! | | | | shielded, and partly because your targets have |
| So, what is this secret self defense technique of | | | | been positioned in a way that doesn't give him an |
| the experts and advanced martial arts masters? | | | | easy way of getting at them. |
| It is the ability to use your body positioning, | | | | Controlling a street fight or self defense situation |
| relative to his - to control his perceptions about | | | | is not about the techniques that you've learned in |
| what is, and what is not, a good move for his | | | | class. Control is about manipulating the situation so |
| attack. | | | | that you have the advantage and the ABILITY to |
| In many martial arts like Ninjutsu - the self | | | | use those techniques. |
| defense and personal development system of | | | | Remember... no attacker is going to just allow you |
| Japan's ancient Ninja familes - there is the concept | | | | to do your self defense techniques on him in a |
| of "kamae" (pronounced Kah-mah-eh, or | | | | real fight. You are going to have to earn each and |
| sometimes just "come-eye"). The Ninja's kamae | | | | every one of them! |
| body postures should not be confused with the | | | | |