On Dim Mak, the “Death Touch”

Dim Mak is a martial art that focuses on a series of precise nerve strikes to incapacitate or kill an opponent. It’s quite controversial because it’s never been truly proven and many have become skeptical regarding its practice. I for one have read several books on Dim Mak but am still unclear on many aspects of the art. It’s more like a study of human vital points than a true martial art. I’m sure many Dim Mak experts out there are crying foul over this statement but it’s true. In order to use Dim Mak effectively, you need to supplement it with several other striking arts. Knowing Dim Mak in itself is insufficient as you’ll get beat down before you can apply your “Death Touch” on a knowledgeable fighter. Besides, there are many, less complicated, and less precise targets available that you can strike to incapacitate your opponent.

Some of these include (from Head to Toe):

1.) The Eyes – No Dim Mak needed here. Getting poked in the eyes is an easy way to become incapacitated. At the very least, your fighting efficiency will go down by half.

2.) The Ears – Have you ever been slapped on one or both ears? This one’s a quick fight finisher and doesn’t take much training to execute. A decent strike will cause disorientation at the very least.

3.) The Temples – If you have the option, strike your opponent’s temples. This causes Much greater damage than a random strike to the face.

4.) The Nose – A suddenly broken nose will incapacitate your opponent for at least a few seconds. In rare occasions, shards from the nose can also be driven into the target’s brain (by say a perfect palms strike,) killing him.

5.) The Chin – The “sweet spot.” A solid hit here will at the very least disorient your opponent.

6.) Anywhere on the Neck – A knife-hand chop anywhere on the neck Will cause damage. A knife-hand to a person’s trachea or cervical spine might even paralyze or kill him. A hit to the Adam’s apple will cause him to choke for at least a few seconds.

8.) The Liver – A solid hit here causes immense pain that might incapacitate your opponent. Located on the right side of his body near the floating ribs.

9.) The Groin – For Obvious Reasons. Can incapacitate or even cause death. Unignorable due to the way our nervous system works.

10.) The Knee – If snapped, is an instant fight ender.

11.). The Shin – Lots of nerves = Lots of pain. If the opponent doesn’t react however, his nerves are probably deadened. Look for another target.

12.) The Foot – Is composed of many small bones and lots of nerves. Stomp with your heel or the ball of your foot.

13.). The Cervical Spine – Hit anyone hard in any C vertebra and it might be paralysis or lights out forever for your foe.

My weapon of choice to use against head targets is the elbow. In this way, even if you miss your target, you’ll still do some damage. A palm heel strike to the nose is also a good option. For neck targets, a knife-hand chop or second-knuckle punch is ideal. The key point here is to not stop striking until your opponent is incapacitated (ala Krav Maga.)

In conclusion, a study of Dim Mak pressure points is beneficial for all martial artists but it is up to the martial artist to find the ways and means to apply them. More often than not, there are many other targets in the human body that are more accessible, and that will incapacitate an attacker just the same.

Aikido’s Kote-gaeshi for self-defense

One of the best locks to use against assailants from the art of Aikido, the kote-gaeshi is quick, practical, and powerful. It is best used against grabbing attacks or shoves.

It’s best applied using both hands and with a violent, committed twist of the hips using all your weight. It has to be executed instinctively, before the assailant has time to use his other hand or lets go. Done with enough violence or momentum, the lock can easily break the person’s wrist or elbow and dislocate his shoulder.

The technique works even better if the assailant is coming towards you with force or momentum. Go in the direction of the force then redirect violently with your hips and execute the Kote-Gaeshi.

Things They Don’t Allow in MMA that’s Good Self-Defense

That’s one mouthful of a title but is straight to the point.

MMA has evolved into a sport. Just like any other sport, it has rules and limitations in a self-defense/street application. Let’s start by looking at the list of illegal moves in MMA. (Based off UFC’s Website)

Here is the list with my comments and experience (if any):

i.Butting with the head- Great against bear-hugs from the front or back. Illegal because it’ll cause too much damage too soon to a fighter’s face. (Cuts, broken noses)

ii.Eye gouging of any kind- One of the most practical moves you can use in self-defense, using your thumb if close up or your fingers if farther away. Illegal for competition because it might cause Permanent damage.

iii.Biting- Great against grapplers. I’ve bitten someone before while I was being arm-barred and that made him release it quick. Also good in any last ditch situation. Nobody will mess with you after you bite their neck open or their nose off. Illegal because it might cause Permanent damage.

iv.Spitting at an opponent- Good distraction used by street fighters. Illegal for health-related reasons plus it doesn’t look good on TV.

v.Hair pulling- Good move that can be used to cause pain or to control your opponent’s head. Illegal because it’s “cheap” and might cause unsightly damage.

vi.Fish hooking- Good in a street fight. Will cause permanent damage.

vii.Groin attacks of any kind- One of the most sensible and normal things to do in a self-defense situation. Illegal because it gives the attacker a great advantage in the fight. (Might put down his opponent with 1 blow.) Can cause permanent damage and death.

viii.Putting a finger into any orifice or any cut or laceration of an opponent- Again, illegal because of damage control but often done “accidentally” in MMS (Rubbing gloves against open cuts..) so this doesn’t really count.

ix.Small joint manipulation- Can cause permanent damage.

x.Striking downward using the point of the elbow- One of the best moves from the Muay Thai arsenal removed. Highly effective. I’ve used it in “free sparring” several times. Might cause permanent damage or death.

xi.Striking to the spine or the back of the head- Illegal because it’s dangerous and can cause permanent damage (paralysis) or death.

xii.Kicking to the kidney with a heel- Tailor-made vs. BJJ practitioners. Highly Effective when you have opponent in Guard. I’ve used this in “free sparring” sessions to great effect. Illegal for health reasons?

xiii.Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea- Another effective street fighting move that can end fights quickly. Can incapacitate, cause permanent damage, or death easily.

xiv.Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh- Not really effective in the streets unless you target the eyes. Damage from clawing, pinching or twisting otherwise is easily ignored in high-adrenaline situations like a fight.

xv.Grabbing the clavicle- Painful but not practical in a street fight. There are better, more accessible targets.

xvi.Kicking the head of a grounded opponent- Does too much damage in a sporting event. Good to use in the streets. You don’t want to go down with your opponent to the ground.

xvii.Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent- Tailor-fit for MMA, specifically to counter BJJ practitioners. You can end an MMA bout quickly this way. Can cause serious damage or death. Not advisable to use in the streets as it entails you going down with him.

xviii.Stomping a grounded opponent- “Cheap” in MMA but very effective way to end fights in the streets, especially if you’re wearing boots, heavy shoes.

xix.Holding the fence- MMA-only rule. No application in a street fight.

xx.Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent- Makes it easy to throw your opponent or control his arms.

xxi.Using abusive language in fenced ring/fighting area- No comment.

xxii.Engaging in any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes injury to an opponent- Very vague and can entail A LOT of things.

xxiii.Attacking an opponent on or during the break- No comment.

xxiv.Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee- No comment.

xxv.Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the round- No comment.

xxvi.Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury-LOL. No comment.

xxvii.Throwing opponent out of ring/fighting area- No comment.

xxviii.Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee- No comment.

xxix.Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck- Deadly. You won’t have time to do this in a real fight anyways.

xxx.Interference by the corner- In the streets you want as much interference/help as possible.

xxxi.Applying any foreign substance to the hair or body to gain an advantage- No comment.

In conclusion, if you’re training in MMA, use what you’ve learned but don’t hesitate to train and use the weapons that you don’t usually use in an MMA match. Train for eye jabs, throat strikes, groin strikes, stomps, etc. too. MMA is a sport and is only half-effective in a self-defense situation. There’s no “tapping” or “rules” in the streets- so if a BJJ black belt takes you down and puts you in an arm bar, thank him and bite that fucker’s calf off!

Practical Everyday Self Defense – Part 2 (Tools)

Here are some practical self defense tools to carry with you or in your car. Remember, the object here is to incapacitate hostiles enough so you can make a run for it, not to engage in a protracted fight to the finish.

A Gun– Like I said in an earlier post, it’s not the be-all and end-all of self-defense, but it’s a good tool to have especially when faced only with knife-wielding criminals. Make sure you learn gun safety and learn how to shoot your gun. I recommend a revolver or a double-action pistol so that you don’t need to do anything other than to draw, point, and shoot.

Pepper Spray– Cheap and effective. Available in most hardware stores. Make sure you read the instructions and know how to use it as you may end up spraying yourself. If you’re too cheap to buy one, you can make your own. Buy one of those cheap plastic bottles with a spray nozzle from MUJI and fill it with concentrated Tabasco sauce (boil it.) Can also be used against dogs.

Baton– A steel extendable baton is best as it’s handy and easily hidden under clothing. An umbrella with a steel tip works well too.

A Knife– Get a good quality folding knife (commonly called a “folder”,) that you can open with one hand. A blade length of at least 3 1/2″-4″ is ideal. If you don’t want to carry a knife with you or in your car then at least carry a phillips (+) screwdriver.

Your Keys/Your Pen– If you have no other weapon in hand, you can use your keys and aim for the threat’s eyes or throat. Place the body of the key in your palm with the long part sticking out of your fingers. You can also use your pen in this manner.

Your Teeth– Your last weapon and your last line of defense. Aim to rip his throat, his ears, his lips or his nose. Only bite as a last resort as you don’t know what diseases your attacker has.

These are just some things you can carry to increase your chances of surviving an attack. This is in addition to whatever you might find in your current environment that can be used or thrown as a weapon. Examples include rocks, chairs, bottles, mugs, chunks of wood, etc. Throwing your wallet at them might also stop pursuit if there’s nothing else.

Never engage when you have the chance to run and only engage so you can clear a path to safety.

Next: What if there’s nowhere to run?

Practical Everyday Self-Defense Part 1

Some real-life and realistic tips on self-defense:

When people think of the words “self-defense” they usually get a picture in their mind of various moves in martial arts and how to apply it in a self-defense situation. This is the wrong mindset however as you never want to ever be in a situation where you have to use your skills to defend yourself. Therefore, self-defense is a proper mindset before a set of skills. Here are a few tips that I follow everyday to avoid or minimize the possibility of getting into “bad” situations.

1.) Avoidance – Do not go into a “hostile” area unless totally necessary. “Hostile areas” in everyday life can include dark alleys, side streets, and other areas of high criminality such as public markets, low-class malls and commercial areas. If you are blessed enough to live away from these areas then don’t go in them. Poverty, desperation, and illegal drugs are a great source of criminality. This goes for when you are on foot, in a car, or commuting. Avoid travelling at night in dark areas with low traffic. Avoidance is the #1 most effective “technique” in self-defense.

2.) Awareness – Always be mindful of your surroundings. Always scan for threats wherever you go. This doesn’t mean you have to be jumpy or paranoid, but never assume that you are 100% safe in public areas. Never trust strangers and have someone with you at all times whenever possible. When you enter a public area, know where the exits are so you know where to run when there’s trouble. If you think you are being followed, try to lose them by blending in with the crowd. If you have a jacket or cap or similar article of clothing, lose it while you’re out of sight. Change your height by hunching your back and shoulders. Do everything and anything to change your appearance while moving and slip out of the area.

3.) Demeanor – If you do find yourself in a hostile/unknown area, check your demeanor. Don’t appear like prey (Ie. fearful, nervous, not sure what to do,) but don’t appear too cocky either. Just leave the area as fast as possible, constantly aware of your surroundings and scanning for possible threats. If you think a threat or several threats are approaching, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction and scream for help. If you’re surrounded, run towards the direction where there’s the least number of threats and escape. Only engage if there’s no possibility of escape, and only so that you can make your escape.

4.) Running – Is your best weapon. Most ambush predators will not run after you if you flee into a crowded area. If the hostiles have guns, run in an erratic, zig-zag pattern. It’s very hard to hit a moving target with a pistol and the chances you’ll escape injury are high.

5.) Buddy System – As mentioned above, you are less likely to be targeted by criminal elements if you walk/are in the car with other people. This is especially true for women.

Always Remember the cliche: Prevention is Always better than a Cure.

*Part 2 will deal with items that are useful to have everyday for use in self-defense situations.