Self Defense Training

[ihopewewin]

I'm interested in looking for some self defense training courses or school. Basically ive just been using my size to keep goblins away and just hope that they pick on smaller prey but I think it's time to actually learn how to disable or stop an attacker. I'm 6'4 250 pounds(need to lose a few) and pretty strong used to play football but injuries have forced that sport to an end. Does anyone know which type of classes I should be looking for that would actually help him in a REAL LIFE situation. I don't want to learn some crap that works really well while someone is just standing there not resisting but agaisnt someone who is actually trying to HARM me. It would have to be some place local I live in orlando florida so any tips on what type of training I should be looking for or where I should train would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks for all the help in advance! Btw: ATM all I can carry right now is a knife which I don't really want to focus all my training on nor really want to use in a fight because I hear that it is extremely hard to learn to use a knife in a fighting situation and wouldn't want to slip up and have it turned on me. It would basically only be a last ditch type thing where I was on the ground/couldn't move then I guess I would have to try and use it to get the attacker off me to get back on my feet.

 

[Jimmy Newman]

I suspect that a lot of people here will tell you that your best bet is a concealed carry license.

I agree with that, mostly - if someone's trying to kill me, I'd sure rather have a gun than a knife or bare hands. With that said, there are times when you can't/won't have a gun, and I recently was looking at something along the same lines of what you're looking at and have more or less decided on Krav Maga. I haven't started doing anything yet, though, so I can't really tell you a lot about it from firsthand knowledge.

It apparently is pretty focused on just stopping opponents with whatever works best and is pretty practical in application.

 

[Timthinker]

No doubt, many opinions will be offered here on various martial arts/fighting systems. Instead recommending a particular "art", I suggest you focus upon a few simple fighting techniques such as palm heel strikes, elbow blows and low kicks. Remember, the old adage of keeping it simple certainly applies here.

With all due respect, I must disagree with you concerning knife disarms. A determined knifer is difficult to disarm if he is hell bent on killing you. Yes, I believe in training in both armed and unarmed fighting skills, but a man your size with a knife would make a formidable opponent. Please seek qualified training in both armed and unarmed fighting techniques, but keep this training realistic. Good luck.


Timthinker

 

[Stretchman]

Your size and weight? I would say Judo.

Don't laugh. It is a very formidable art. Uses throws, chokes, and limb bars. Not a lot of strikes. Great way to stay in shape.

 

[ihopewewin]

"A determined knifer is difficult to disarm if he is hell bent on killing you. Yes, I believe in training in both armed and unarmed fighting skills, but a man your size with a knife would make a formidable opponent" I agree with you but my point was kind of that it would be hard to find someone who could actually train me to use the knife correctly and I don't want to recieve the wrong training and end up getting the knife turned on myself. Plus I can't use a knife to defend myself in a lot of situations because it would require me to be in a near death or great bodily injury situation. But using my weight to toss someone on the ground and retreat would be a lot more practical is most situations unlike knifing them in the gut and having a dead BG to explain to the police.

 

[Timthinker]

I agree that you never want to take a life if it is possible. Even if you are legally justified in doing so, the legal and moral consequences can prove devastating. This is why I emphasized simple striking techniques. They are easy to learn and would prove effective when delivered by a man your size.

Regarding knifing techniques, one expert on this subject said that knife fighting is a "no brainer". It does not require much knowledge to stab a man. In fact, you mentioned one common knifing technique in your last post: gutting. Trust me, some of the most brutally effective knife techniques are instinctive. I seriously doubt some punk could disarm a powerful man if he was committed to fighting for his life with a blade. Again, I realize this is an unpleasant and disgusting topic, but I wanted to provide you with an honest opinion since you seem like a decent person. I hope this information is useful.


Timthinker

 

[Robert Hairless]

For knife stuff, Steve Tarani is one of the instructors who teaches at Irv Lehmann's Southern Exposure Training Facility from time to time. Southern Exposure is in Kathleen, Florida, about 13 miles outside of Lakeland.

As an alternative, Massad Ayoob teaches Kuboton/Persuader as part of his LFI-III course. He (and a wonderful group of people who are his friends) is in Live Oak, Florida. From what you said, by the way, you most definitely should at least consider taking Mas' LFI-I course, especially Judicious Use of Deadly Force.

 

[ihopewewin]

I appreciate all the input guys. I'll be looking into this later tonight and i'll let you guys know what I come up with. Thanks again.