The Test

"Will this work so that I can use it instinctively in vital combat against an opponent who is determined to prevent me from doing so, and who is striving to eliminate me by fair means or foul". ~ Rex Applegate

It really does NOT matter one iota what style, system, method, or technique you MAY wish to apply to your personal survival training.

What DOES matter is, if "whatever" it is that you choose passes the above TEST.

This requires HONEST self-appraisal first and foremost. Forget how you would LIKE the world to be; see the world as it really is.

And look at yourself in the same light.

I've "learned" thousands of techniques over the years. I practice about a dozen (striking and grappling) on a daily basis.

I have been ruthless in rejecting ANY technique or method that DOES NOT pass Applegate's "test".

We can take a page from "combat" sports here:

Boxers, wrestlers, and Judokas ALL have that one "Sunday punch". One technique that they have drilled and practiced and drilled and practiced. And generally these "techniques" as applied to each specific sport are repeated over and over.

Why? Because these few methods have the BEST overall track record of success.

Even the NHB and UFC type matches reflect this pattern. Watch hundreds of these bouts and you will see a definitive pattern of decisive winning techniques. And they are very few in number.

So it is with boxing, wrestling, Judo AND street-fighting.

Georges Carpentier was a champion Savateur and boxer. He was KNOWN for his right hand KO power and technique. He called this punch his "whip punch"; his bread and butter, his Sunday "best". He said that it took him TEN years of hard work before he felt he really "mastered" this ONE technique.

There is a vital fundamental lesson there.

So the next time you "learn" some technique, run it thru the mill of the "test". And be honest about it.

Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement and military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl's ranks and honors.
Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu
Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)
Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada
Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki
Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu
Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson
http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

---

Fairbairn on the Fairbairn Method

Something for our shooting "enthusiasts" -PRELIMINARY STATEMENTBackground:"Prior to my association... Read More

Eight Simple Rules for Saving Your Life

Let's put the non-lethal fantasy to rest.1. Never trust your... Read More

Samurai Armor Part 1

The first prototype for Japanese samurai armor came about in... Read More

Fronting

"Fronting": The dodge to get in close to you. The... Read More

Benefits of Martial Arts Training For Kids

Admit it. When the going gets tough at home, we've... Read More

Content, Are We?

I asked a simple question at the last seminar:"How much... Read More

Tai-Chi for the Masses--and Others

Kuang Ping was the T'ai-chi set favored by Yang Lu-Chan,... Read More

The Thumb Jab

I'm sure a lot of you remember the scene in... Read More

The Plight of Industrialized Man

Living in the Pacific Northwest is a challenge for any... Read More

How to Relax During a Fight

I received a returned video from a well meaning, but... Read More

Its Not a Matter of Who is Right

"People here may belittle sports arts...."Who?Almost EVERY "combatives" man of... Read More

Judo Nagewaza (Throwing Technique) In The Street

How practical are throwing techniques (nagewaza) for self-defense or street-fighting?... Read More

Samurai - The Honourable & The Treacherous

The Japanese Samurai were warriors. Highly trained, skilled and efficient... Read More

The Rebels Guide to Cultivating Vitality

Many Taoists recluses and Buddhists monks dwelled in mountains and... Read More

Martial Arts Strength Training

According to various sources on the internet, a 1996 article... Read More

The Economics of Self Defense

The following is a recent email I received; I thought... Read More

Nuts & Bolts of Self Defense

Fundamental "Nuts & Bolts" training for close combat should be... Read More

Do You Take Yours Trained or Untrained?

If you ain't pissing anyone off, you're not doing anything... Read More

The Best Martial Art

It is a very difficult task to determine which martial... Read More

The Dojo

Just as an aside. For those who would "box" us... Read More

By-Rote Combinations

Do not believe that practicing "by rote" 1-2-3,etc. type "responses"... Read More

Makiwara Training

Shigeru Kimura Sensei 9th Dan Tani-Ha Shitoryu Shukokai had a... Read More

Learning the Modern Dynamics of Judo

You may have the erroneous idea that force is not... Read More

Generating More Power from Hip Rotation - Lessons from Martial Arts

One of the important lessons of Martial Arts training is... Read More

Historical References to W.E. Fairbairn, E.A. Sykes AND Dermot Pat ONeill

FROM THE BOOK: "PIERCING THE REICH" AUTHOR: JOSEPH E. PERSICOThey... Read More

Real Life Self-Defense Starts From...

"Nicky Bats" was an "old school" kinda guy. He was... Read More

A Samurais Power Is In His Little Finger, Not His Samurai Sword

In the 12th Century the Shogunate was formed. The head... Read More

Who Created Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi Boxing)?

I have read a number of books, articles, and novels,... Read More

5 Steps to Choosing the Right Martial Art for You

One of the questions I get asked most frequently, in... Read More

Samurai Swords ? Choosing a Sword to Buy

It's undeniable that a well placed and mounted samurai sword... Read More

A Great Question!

It's a question that we went back and forth with... Read More

A Beginning History of Old School Jujutsu - Part 1

Over the next couple of day's I will writing an... Read More

Is Aikido a Martial Art ?

Sensei Henry Ellis Co-Author of the new book Positive Aikido.-... Read More