TRAINING OUR CHILDREN…

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TIPS ON TRAINING OUR KIDS:
Ok – first let it be known that I/we do not teach martial arts to children.

I am however a father and I have found myself doing a few things from time to time that may be something you want to try. Whatever you do to attempt to “train” your children, I will tell you this…. If it is not FUN… then it is not something they will want to do. We are not giving them battlefield skills, just some tools on building some basic skills. A “good start”….

1) The Bubble Game:

The only thing you need for this one is a bottle of bubbles and a bit of open space in your yard or garage. Have mom or dad stand about 3 to 4 feet away from your child and just start blowing bubbles with the normal “bubble wand” that comes in a jar of bubbles.

Start slow with just one or two breaths at a time, and then speed up and even change directions a bit moving back and forth.

You can break this down further into 3 different sets of drills in same game:

Popping bubbles with her first “pointer” finger (eye gouge / spear).
Popping bubbles with her open hands (slapping).
Popping bubbles with her fists (punching).
Popping bubbles with only one hand at a time.

This is a very easy drill and is absolutely fun for all.

Once they get good at it, make it a challenge for them. Something like if they pop all the bubbles in a breath or drill, then they get a small prize or snack of their choice.

HOWEVER….for every one they let touch the ground, they owe you 2 push ups each.

Try that one on for size :-)

2) Cold Spoon Tag Drills
Fact:
The knife is the most common weapon used world- wide by criminals.

If your child goes to school then they have a very good chance of running into someone carrying or using a pocket knife.

A game that I got off our good friend and brother Tom Sotis is the “Cold Spoon Tag Game”, and it is a blast.

Very simple – you keep a pair of metal spoons in your freezer for “just that right time to play”.

When you have a few extra minutes and want to add some fun excitement (and good training in both self defense as well as coordination) to the day.

Go outside and stand in a small circle (usually we draw one with chalk on the ground or just do in the grass and agree we can not run or step away) – and have a great game of “tag”. If you have a boy (or youngster) it is even better to take off your shirts. A cold spoon landing on your belly is not only cold…but funny. We don’t really “hit or strike” with the spoons, but more try to lay them on each other, and we keep them on the skin until the other person knocks it away or moves. It ends up looking like a cross between twister with a spoon and the Matrix, but it really is fun and silly.

The only difference is instead of your hands you are using a cold spoon, and instead of running away, you can block or slap it away.

You can make MANY versions of this game and have a great time doing it. Some ways I do with my daughter:

• use Both hands to
• use one hand with no blocking
• use one hand with blocking
• on our knees
• on her back against me standing (and reverse as well)
• and many many others
Only limited by your imagination

3) The Sniper Crawl

Ok, laugh if you will, but teaching (or reminding) your child how to crawl ….and even play dead…could be a life saving skill.

There are a few different crawls that I work on with my little girl:
A) High Crawl
B) Low Crawl
C)Sniper Crawl.

They all have there own uses and advantage / disadvantages.

For anything from escaping a burning room and crawling beneath the smoke to getting under a bed or table to hide from intruders. In a horrific event like the Russian school invasion / killings to the Norweigh shooter, those that stayed below the sight line….and even those that played dead had a greater success of survival than those that ran or panic.

Even in the military we are taught that if you are wounded and can not get behind cover or return fire – we should play dead.

Most predator type actions or attacks focus on the moving, living and even fleeing versus those that are down and no longer remain a threat. Just some food for thought –

4) The Old Kung Fu Test

Remember the old TV show “Kung Fu” with David Carradine? During the opening scenes they always showed the clip of the old master holding his hand out with a pebble in his hand.

“When you can take the stone from my hand, you will be ready to leave this place Grasshopper” is what he says.

This is basically the same thing. I usually use a penny instead of a rock, but really anything.

Just hold your hand out open with something small laying in your hand. Have your child hold their hand up near their chin and at the moment of their choice, have them quickly try to snatch the object up.

This is something that will help them work on their quick reflex muscles and learn to “tactically explode” with the hands. Works their quick reaction and reflexes. They are using the mind and the body and again…. this is just another fun and silly thing to do.

All of these tasks, games and things I am talking about should be done for just short amounts of time, periodically when you can.

Don’t make it a chore, make these drills / games quick little fun breaks in the day. They should be smiling and laughing the whole time.

5) Hide & Seek for possible life saving skills
This is one of the first games we end up playing with our kids. It used to be my daughter would just hide her head under a pillow and I would pretend to not see her body sticking out.
Then it went to her being able to hide pretty well in the house. In fact a few times over this last year, she has actually frustrated me a bit because not only could I not find her, but she refused to come out.
(of course as soon as “I’m telling Santa” …she came out)
Now we are at a point where we have talked about if she heard breaking glass at night, or someone were to get in the house, she actually has a few hiding spots that are very good. She knows not to come out no matter what she hears, until the code word is said.
We have fun and do quick little “hiding drills” from time to time. She has to be in her spot in under 5 seconds and she can do it every time.

RALLY POINTS

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If there is one thing that my 1st Sergeant (my Top)
has engrained in my head….it is the importance of making and planning of your own Rally Points.

In the Military we use rally points as not just a meeting place, but also as potential means of escape, cover, regroup, ambush , planning among other things needed in the field.

In my “normal life” I have adopted the same principals to my family and emergency readiness.

If you are on your own and single, then your life in times of survival are much more simple. You have much less to worry about.

HOWEVER – those of us who have family or loved ones, we have a different responsibility. In my opinion… you REALLY need to have a few rally points and make sure everyone in your family knows of them.

I suggest you create:

3 Rally Points predetermined for your family to meet at in case of separation or forced from your home.

The First:
Within walking distance of your home. If your home or street is damaged or on fire, have a meeting place up the street. A school, fire department, supermarket parking lot…..whatever. Does not have to be shelter, but just a meeting area.

The Second:
Should be a short car ride away or with in 2 to 5 miles. I like to have a family or friends house as a second meeting point. Somewhere hopefully with a land phone line, food supplies and shelter.

The Third:
Somewhere out of town but within 8 hour drive. Your city has to be evacuated, from anything civil riots, to earthquake damage or a tsunami. Again this should be somewhere with shelter, but could even be a campsite or familiar area out of town.

Keep in mind, that all of this only requires a “just in case plan”. You don’t need to spend a dime on this one, just discuss what you would do and where you would go …just in case.

Note:
If you have school / day care aged children make sure you know the policy of what they will do in response to both natural and man made disasters.

Creating a rally point is easy to do, does not cost any money, and only takes some basic communication between you and your loved ones.

The Social Norm – and the Elevator Dril

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The Social Norm and how we react.

Last month I took a course with the Dept. of Homeland Security on Terrorism and I.E.D.s – One of the biggest themes that was covered was the fact that you will most likely only be able to stop a Terrorist attack in the “planning or surveillance phase” of an attack cycle (upcoming article).

One of the things they talked about was the fact that we all operate within a “social norm”: and anything outside of that normal behavior we should be able to pick up and notice.

These are the things are in front of you everyday…some you pay attention to….some you dont. The way the security interacts with the public at the airport, or how commuters get on or off at subway exits, or a spectator dressed very differently at a local sports game. Try not to be the one who goes around “not noticing” the little things in life.

“The Elevator Drill”

Here is a little “fun” test you can do to check people’s reaction “against the social norms”.

The next time you get on an elevator, …wait till the doors open, take a couple of steps inside the car as normal. Now instead of turning around and facing towards the doors and the buttons, stay facing everyone in the elevator.

Do Not Turn Around. I bet you it will only take about 10 to 20 seconds before everyone around you starts to feel VERY uncomfortable.

The “social norm” tells us that we are supposed to walk in the elevator , turn around and quietly face forward.

This is an entertaining drill to say the least and is actually quiet funny.

Do people speak up?
Do they start to panic?
Do they ignore it and do nothing?

More importantly do you see the “social norms” out there, and can you spot when people are breaking them. Cultures outside the U.S. will often make mistakes when here and not assimilated or familiar with our ways. Sometimes it is jut a good thing to keep an eye on.

Have some fun with that one :)

Family Re-unification Plan & Practice Drills

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It would be nice if when an emergency or disaster strikes, we could all be at home with our family, ready to handle anything that comes our way.

However, there is a very good chance that when trouble strikes, we will all be very much wrapped up in our own individual actions and locations.

The kids could be at school, your spouse at work (or in the field / with a client), you could be out in another county on unexpected business….or an endless combination of possibilities.

During times of extreme disaster or possible terrorist attack, there is a good probability of the cell phones being turned off, over-loaded, or just not working. Communication may be out, it could even be night time and there may be no power or lights in your area. Have a serious discussion with your family on where they should go and what they should do if a disaster or emergency occurs when they are away from home.

Is there a local school, church or community center near your house? How about a local park or easily accessible area that is both open and secure? Find out from your local Red Cross or Fire Dept where emergency shelters would most likely be set up in a disaster.

Also, in case the local phone lines are down, the long distance hard lines work much more often and will not be as busy. Have an out of state “contact” for the family to call and check in with. Someone you can all call to report status and let everyone know you are safe and where you are headed.

Bottom line – take the time and have a plan.

As many of us in the military or law enforcement world know….it is one thing to plan it….and it is something else to do it.

One of the things in your plan to come up with, is that you did not plan for everything.

It is one thing to tell your family to meet you out front by the driveway with your shoes in hand, and it is another thing to see your child do it under stress, smoke and possible fire or earthquake damage.

It is a fact that by training and practicing – we get better and increase our reliability to do the correct thing at the correct moment.

At work, we have emergency drills, but how many of you reading this have them at home? Does your family know what to do, who to call, and where to go …..even if you are not there to tell them.

Get creative! I know a parent that called home (with the babysitters knowledge) and told the kids …”this is an emergency, and you have to get out and tell “Maggie” (the sitter) what to do and where to go….”now hang up and go…”

Those who are ready and prepare, will always be more able to survive than those who don’t.

….to me….it is a simple choice, just do it.

Real Knife Disarms and Escapes

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The reality is….The most realistic disarm that occurs during a real knife fight, is the accidental one.

One of the first things to understand when dealing with someone with a knife is your range and physical environment.

Your reaction will be dictated by the range or distance to your attacker, and your surroundings.

We give our students realistic defensive tactics and options that you can actually pull off in a real struggle.

Escape when ever possible – the best way to face a knife….is to turn and run. However, when forced to stay, or cornered or for those who’s careers take them into the line of danger, there are answers.

I often hear from people that have never faced a real edged weapon encounter, and their usual response is something like…. “a knife may be scary, but it won’t match up to my 45”. Meaning that they have this view of someone standing across a room and waiving around some big
“Rambo” looking blade (or the typical Indiana Jones vs the sword guy) before they charge, allowing you to drop them with your big shinny pistol.

Well unfortunately, most good guys die at a distance of less then 7 feet (usually under 5ft).
It has been tested and tested again – the average human takes approximately 1.5 to 2 seconds to recognize an assault and begin to react. Another interesting number is that the average human can cover aprox 10 feet per second. The minimum distance that is required to respond is frequently known as the “21 foot rule”. (and this is a very real thing)

Anyone that has to contact people on a close distance while interviewing or detaining someone (local police), had better be prepared for a sudden and violent attack.

They are not telegraphed like in the movies, but there are still warning signs and things to look for.

For example, aprox 90 percent of all weapons are kept in the waistband or pockets – so watch the hands.

We teach aprox 4 different knife defense techniques and they are all relevant to:

1. The distance of the attacker
2. Your terrain / back drop (ie…fighting in a phone booth, between 2 cars or an open lot)
3. The attackers direction (or angle) of attacks
4. Their demeanor, grip and type of the weapon

Instead of trying to learn the fancy disarms, learn the ones that isolate the attack or even deflect and pass it. The name of the game is to create just enough time to either escape… or to access and draw your weapon….and then negating the threat.

This is not the movies – you do not need to stand there in some time of dual or martial arts challenge. Run, deflect, defend or counter….and then get yourself out of there…and go home.

Action Code Words

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You are walking with your family to your car parked in the underground garage. You notice a homeless looking man holding a bag sitting in the corner taking sips out of the bag. Your wife is talking to her mother on the cell phone, not paying attention. The man suddenly gets up and walks straight towards you and your wife in a very rapid and deliberate manner. What would you do next?

Depending on a number of factors, several options could be taken in the above scenario. However, instead of focusing on the above, let me help you with your own encounter.

Our first suggestion is an easy option, but one that needs some pre-planning, that is “The Code Word”.

You may be tactically aware of your surroundings and those that are lurking in the perimeter, but is your spouse, your children, or loved one just as aware? (Probably not)

You can not expect others to see things as you do, or to always be on their “A game”.

Take one night and sit down with your family and pick out a word that you would all know instantly, but not use in everyday conversation. Maybe a name of a fictional character in a movie, or a rare or unique food, or a far off city that you wanted to travel to, whatever word that you will all recognize.

I have a word that I use with my own wife and family member that mean “immediate danger”, and she knows that if I say that code word, she is to pick up my little daughter and immediately turn and run and I will meet them at home. We have decided that if trouble occurs, I will stand and deal with the event, and she is to take my child to safety. In the chance I am not able to fend off the attacker(s), I do not want the rest of my family hurt. I also can not be distracted during my moment of conflict to worry about their positions and safety.

In addition, by me being the first line of defense, it gives my loved ones the time needed to escape, get to safety – and call the proper authorities.

From time to time, during dinner at home I will question my wife on our word and her response. It is a road map to follow in the event of a possible conflict.

On a final note, if I were ever to call home, and my wife were to say my “code word” over the phone, I would know that is a signal that something is wrong, call the police, and get home now. There are very few home invasions, but they do happen to someone. Have a plan of communication, escape, and defense tactics – with all the members in your family.

The Tactical Advantage

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What is a tactical edge?

We try to live our lives everyday with relatively little to no conflict in our lives. But when we are forced into making a decision that may affect the safey of ourselves or our loved ones, that is when the choices we make become critical for opportunity for survival, versus being prey to the whims of a predator looking for his next meal.

The tactical edges in life are the small advantages we take to minimize our exposure to being victimized, and tip the scales our way to give us a favorable outcome.

From wearing a seat belt in a car to avoid injury in an accident, to carrying a second back up blade or weapon in your everyday gear. Where do you sit in a crowded bar or do you drive home the same way everyday from the office? Over the next few months, we will be sending you brief examples of options to help give you that tactical edge in life. Please think about these tips and try to make them a part of your life. Being prepared in life takes daily dilligence. Don’t make today the day you forget safety.

Only 4 Ways to Respond to a threat

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There are 4 basic responses that a human being can react to a threat:

1) FLIGHT
2) FIGHT
3) POSTURE
4) SUBMIT (FREEZE)

There are many times when the situation dictates one or even several of these options. Just try to take the “totality of circumstances” into account.

PROPER AWARENESS AND DISTANCE ARE YOUR TWO BEST TOOLS YOU CAN BRING TO A SITUATION.

And remember….SURPRISE is the greatest weapon your attacker can have on his side – disarm him of that – by knowing your surroundings and making your self a “HARD TARGET”.

Thank you