Do Joint Locks work in Law Enforcement?

Officers who don’t like joint locks say:

• they are mostly ineffective.
• they only work on the training mat.
• they don’t work when the suspect resists intensely.
• they rely too much on fine motor control.
• you have to be too close to the suspect.

Loren Christensen, author of Defensive Tactics, answers: "While there are shades of truth to these under certain circumstances, there are solutions. Here are my quick responses." Read the full joint locks article

Preorder and Save: New Self-defense Book

Over 14,000 violent crimes occur every day in the United States. If you are attacked by a violent criminal, you’ll have only yourself to rely on. Waking the Tiger Within: How to be Safe from Crime teaches you how to defend yourself with confidence and how to "crime-proof" your daily life. Read this book and then share with those you love. Awareness is the most powerful self-defense tool and everyone can use it!

Order today and save $5.00 off the regular price of $14.95.

Balance for Martial Arts

Sang H. Kim, author of Ultimate Fitness Through Martial Arts, shares the following tips to improve your balance for kicking.

For static balance, pay attention to:

1. Correct head placement
2. Correct eye direction
3. Correct body alignment (this is the key to static balance)


For dynamic balance, pay attention to details of your movement.

1. Avoid crossing your legs.
2. Keep your knees slightly bent during movement and landing.
3. Take small, quick steps rather than long strides.



Bottom line:

1. Balance comes from good posture. By aligning your feet, hips, spine and head, you maintain a stable upright posture. Keep your eyes fixed on one spot.

2. The most important sensors are the presence or lack of visual cues. Vision provides your body with a ready means of finding your position relative to the ground. To test the importance of vision, try closing your eyes and standing on one foot. You will feel your body sway and your arms reach out to the side instinctively.

3. Tactile cues are also used to maintain balance. In the pads of your feet are detailed networks of sensors. By sensing the pressure of the ground beneath them, they relay important information to the brain, allowing it to shift your balance as necessary. To test these, try standing on one foot on a soft surface like a mattress or thick mat. As the surface shifts beneath your weight, your body moves in response to the sensations transmitted from your foot pads.

4. Finally, there is the vestibular apparatus, found in the inner ear. The vestibular apparatus controls the "righting reflex," which takes precedence over other sensory and motor systems during disorientation. The righting reflex controls upright posture. Based on input from the visual, tactile and vestibular senses, your body is constantly striving to maintain a specific orientation to gravity. When you lose your balance or become spatially disoriented, your righting reflex takes over to restore an upright posture by first positioning your head, followed by your neck and upper body and finally your lower body.

Conclusion: Chose one target kick (high side kick for instance). Repeat it over and over and eliminate anything that hinders your perfect performance. Keep strengthening the necessary muscles that will help you get better and better.

Preorder and Save: Defensive Tactics Book

preorder Loren Christensen's latest book, Defensive Tactics: Modern Arrest and Control Techniques for Today's Police Warrior, and save $5.00 off the regular cover price.

Whether you’re a law enforcement officer wanting to improve your edge or a martial artist wanting to expand your knowledge of street proven techniques, you will find Defensive Tactics: Modern Arrest and Control Techniques for Today's Police Warrior is filled with invaluable information including:

• Joint manipulation that works
• Leverage control vs. pain control
• Hitting with the hands, feet, forearms and elbows
• Safely and quickly crossing the gap
• Blocking an assailant's strikes
• Using vulnerable points to gain compliance
• Head disorientation
• Safe application of sleeper holds
• Controlling a suspect on the ground
• Arresting big guys
• Fighting concepts to take on patrol
• Weapon retention in close quarters and on the ground

Building Leg Strength for Kicking

"People often ask me how they can hold their leg in a high side kick or roundhouse kick, while maintaining balance and control." says Sang H. Kim. While this isn't a particularly useful skill in terms of fighting, it is something that helps build control and structure for kicking. Below, Sang H. Kim shares some of his personal favorite exercises for building the kind of leg strength necessary for holding a high kick in place:

To maintain your leg in the air, there are a few fundamentals that are required: strong abdominal and thigh muscles as well as the strength of your shin/calf and your toes. Do the following exercises 5 to 8 sets (each set of 15 repetitions) with 30 seconds rest between sets, 3 to 4 times a week, for 12 weeks.

*** Equipment you need: a set of 3 to 5 Lb ankle weights and 2 foot long piece of 2 x 4 wood

1) Stomach Muscle Exercises

There are three types of muscles that you need to improve: low/middle stomach, side stomach (oblique muscles) and back muscles. They need to be strong enough to hold your leg in the air which is quite heavy proportionately speaking.

Exercise #1: Straight sit up (Bend your knee, put your hands on your chest and sit up)

Exercise #2: Diagonal sit up (Turn your body to the side when you come up)

Exercise #3: Back sit up (Lie on your stomach and raise your torso off the floor)

2)Thigh Muscle Exercises

There are three major muscles that you need to work out: Quadriceps, Adductor muscles (inner thigh), Abductor muscles (outer thigh), and Hamstrings. Hamstrings and Quadriceps work hand in hand to stabilize your legs. You need to work them for both strength and flexibility if you want to kick high.

Quadriceps (the front thigh muscle)

Exercise #4: Leg extensions

1. Put on the ankle weights
2. Hold a bar (or wall, chair) and slowly raise your leg for the target kick (front, round, side).
3. Do a set of 15 and repeat it with the other leg. (3-5 sets)


Adductor muscles (inner thigh)

Exercise #5: Scissors

1. Lie on your back with the ankle weights on.
2. Raise your legs two feet and your upper body 6 inches above the floor.
3. Keep your arms in front of you with your elbows bent.
4. Cross your legs in and out slowly


Abductor (outer thigh)

Exercise #6: Leg swing

1. Put on the ankle weights and stand holding a bar or a chair.
2. Stand on one leg and slowly swing the other leg between the chair and the other leg like a pendulum. Do it slowly feeling the effect on your muscles. Go upward very slowly and as high as you can.

Hamstrings

Exercise #7: Rear leg lifting

1. Put on the ankle weights and stand in front of a chair holding it with both hands.
2. Bend one knee slightly and raise the other leg backward slowly 15 times.
3. Repeat it with the other leg.


3) Shin/calf/toe exercises

You can work the three muscles groups at one time.

Exercise #8: Heel drop & raise

1. Put the 2 x 4 one foot away from a wall and stand on your toes on the edge of the 2 x 4.
2. Lower your heels back downward toward the floor stretching the Achilles tendons.

Exercise #9: Single heel drop and raise

1. Repeat Exercise #8 with one leg at a time

Exercise #10: Horse riding stance squat

1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
2. Keep your arms in fighting position.
3. Squat as low as you can as slowly as possible. Breathe slowly. Hold at the bottom for 5 seconds.
4. Come up slowly. Repeat 15 times.

Article: Roles of Protection Specialist

The close protection provider, static security provider, or personal security detail personnel can have many roles when working with the client that are not directly security but all are security related. In this excerpt from his forthcoming book Security Operations: Planning and Conducting Private Security Details for High Risk Areas, author Bob Deatherage discusses the many roles of a private security provider. Read the article.

Boxing Fundamentals DVD Released

The Boxing Fundamentals DVD has been released. This new DVD is an excellent introduction to the basic skills, drills and training methods for amateur and pro boxing.

Just In: New Taiji DVDs

We've just received 4 new Taiji DVDs in our warehouse:

Taiji Free Fighting Combat Skills DVD
Taiji Capture DVD
Taiji Push Hands Competition Skills DVD
Traditional Taiji Push Hands DVD Set

All 4 of these titles emphasize the use of push hand skills, including competition techniques, self-defense techniques and traditional push hands applications. All are taught by Chinese push hands expert Zhang Dongwu.

Black Belt names Fighter's Fact Book 2 Essential

Black Belt Magazine has selected Fighter's Fact Book 2 as one of their Essential Gear recommendations in the 2008 Black Belt Buyer's Guide, calling it a "must have for self-defense students."

Interview with Noah Knapp

Read an interview with Noah Knapp, author of A Los Angeles Bouncer's Guide to Practical Fighting, about his book, his martial arts philosophy and his work as a bouncer.

Preorder and Save: Security Operations Book

SECURITY OPERATIONS is an introduction to conducting private security operations in high risk areas and war zones. Veteran special forces soldier and private security consultant Robert H. Deatherage Jr. provides a broad overview of the many topics related to private security including threat assessment, risk management, client relations, surveillance detection, counter surveillance operations, foot and vehicle movements, building security, and the duties of the various personnel and teams necessary to conducting a successful private security operation. Also covered are standards of conduct for security professionals, sample site and route surveys, detailed checklists for report preparation and a wealth of "insider" information. This book will be released in late December. Save $5.00 when your order today

Classic Kung Fu Movies from TurtlePress.com

Now available, 2 more classic kung fu movies: 36th Chamber of Shaolin and Circle of Iron 2-Disc Special Edition

Circle of Iron is The Adventure Epic Written By Bruce Lee – His Dream Project He Would Never Live To See! Also know as THE SILENT FLUTE this classic movie has now been remastered in stunning High Definition and remixed in bone-crunching 6.1 DTS-ES and 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround EX. Extras in this new 2-Disc “Kick Ass” Edition include startling interviews with David Carradine, Co-Producer Paul Maslansky, Martial Arts Coordinator Joe Lewis, Co-Writer Stirling Silliphant and much more!

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin takes martial arts fans inside the legendary Shaolin Temple, birthplace of kung fu. This masterful Shaw Brothers classic inspired two wildly successful sequels and influences an entire generation of filmmakers. When Manchu invaders ravage a defenseless village, one wounded and desperate student seeks refuge at the secretive monastery of Shaolin. Fueled by wrath, he undertakes a grueling program of martial arts training that hones his strength, agility, and endurance in order to defeat his enemies.

New MMA DVD Sets

Just in: The Ultimate Fighter Season 4 and Pride Fighting Championships: Pride Fighting Legacy Vol. 5 DVD Set

PRIDE 5 is a collection of 5 DVDs with over 14 hours of bone-crushing action and features the biggest Pride FC superstars including: Dan Henderson, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, Quinton Jackson, Wanderlei Silva, Fedor Emelianenko, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Kazuhiro Nakamura and Many More.

Ultimate Fighter Season 4 features sixteen mixed martial artists, who have all fought and lost in the UFC, get a chance to put their careers back on track. The winners will receive $100,000 and a shot at the World Championship in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. This boxed set is the most popular Ultimate Fighter Season yet. Save $5 when you order from TurtlePress.com.

Preorder and Save: Boxing Fundamentals DVD

Check out our new Boxing instructional DVD, filmed in Korea and instructed by Korean Bantamweight champ Kim Sung-Kuk and his coach Woo Dae-Shik. This DVD covers the basics of boxing including fundamental punches, stance, footwork, defense, conditioning and training drills. Save $5.00 when you order today. See a video preview and get more details.

Breakin' It: How to Breakdance DVD

Breakin’ It: How to Breakdance Volume 1 is a complete introduction to breakdancing. Learn foundation moves, freezes, power combos and tricks. Start out with basic moves like the 6-Step, Top Rock, Freezes, Hand Stand, Back Spin and K-Kick. Then move on to more advanced moves like Windmills, Flares, Rubber Bands, Jackhammers, Elbow Hops, Swipes, Airtracks and Head Spins. Each move is broken down into easy to follow steps by members of the UHF Krew. Slow motion and multiple camera angles make this a great instructional DVD. Bonus: Learn how to warm-up to prevent injuries and take your moves to the max plus see the UHF Krew in action, combining the moves they teach you into dance routines. Great moves for breakdancing or martial arts freestyling! Check out a video preview:





DVD PREVIEW:

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below to view a preview of this DVD:

Vital Leglocks Released

If you preordered Vital Leglocks, your book is on the way to you. We've seen terrific advance demand for the latest in Steve Scott's series of grappling books. If you didn't preorder, it's not to late get this exciting new title. Check it out here.

Military Discount on Martial Arts Books and DVDs at Turtlepress.com

Turtle Press offers a 10% discount to all active/reservist US military personnel with a valid US military ID, mailing address or email address.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

To whom does this discount apply?

All active/reserve US military personnel. Eligible US military personnel will receive the discount by entering the discount code MILITARY in the coupon code box when ordering online.

Does the discount apply to DOD, civilian contractors, and other affiliated non-military personnel?

No.

How much is the discount?

10% off

What does the discount apply to?

The discount applies to books and DVDs. It does not apply to video downloads or gift certificates. It does apply to sale, preorder or clearance items but it may not be combined with other discount coupons or offers.

How is eligibility verified?

Evidence of eligibility includes a valid military (.mil) email address used to create your account at TurtlePress.com, a valid military shipping address (APO, FPO, or Base address) or a valid military ID faxed to 8515-572-9533. If faxing a copy of your ID, please reference your order on the fax. Orders not meeting one of these eligibility criteria will be placed on hold and the customer contacted for verification.

How long does this discount last?

There is currently no end date for this discount.

Self-defense: Lower Body Defenses

Defending oneself from kicks can be a totally safe practice. I say “can” because all too many times I have seen what should have been an easy block turn into a gross tactical error.

Legs are stronger than arms; no reasonable person will debate this fact. Taking a punch is one thing, but absorbing the raw power of a kick could easily end the fight before it has a chance to begin. There are several time proven methods to deflect, disarm, and diminish the strength of a kick. The purpose of the second part of this chapter is simply that, the complete avoidance of accepting such a devastating blow from your opponent. Lower body attacks create several difficult advantages such as power, speed, & distance, but they steal one vital component of our victory plan: balance.

Read more . . .

Bargain Books: Save Big on Damaged Books

Just in - a shipment of slightly damaged books including Ultimate Flexibility, Solo Training and Martial Arts Instructor's Desk Reference. These books are slightly damaged, usually with shelf wear, damage to the cover or edges of the book. The insides are almost always in excellent to like new condition. Save big on these slightly damaged returns but don't wait because they disappear within days. See all of the bargain basement books.

Preorder and Save: Practical Fighting book

As a bouncer in some of the top night clubs in Los Angeles, Sifu Noah Knapp has seen first hand what works in a street fight and what doesn’t. In fact, he’s used the techniques he teaches in A Los Angeles Bouncer’s Guide to Practical Fighting to subdue violent drunks, disarm knife wielding attackers and break up full scale melees. More importantly, he’s learned to recognize a situation about to go bad and size up an opponent’s strengths and weaknesses in the critical seconds before a fight begins.

In this guide to practical fighting techniques, Sifu Knapp combines his 20+ years of experience in Kung Fu with his knowledge gained as a professional bouncer to create a crash course in surviving a fight without spending years training in the martial arts. Learn how to position yourself so you can easily protect your vital targets, which strikes and kicks work on practically any opponent, how to defend against the most common attacks with simple 2 or 3 step responses, how to escape from headlocks, grabs and chokes, and many more valuable skills that could save your life.

This book is scheduled for release in mid-October. Preorder A Los Angeles Bouncer’s Guide to Practical Fighting now and save 15% off the regular cover price.