http://bushidomma.net/
https://www.facebook.com/Bushido-Mixed-Martial-Arts-111559818883117/

In addition to being the co-founder of the Bushido MMA, Professor Alan Merullo is the head Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor and coach. His study of the martial arts started in 1992; beginning with Karate and then moving to Wing Chun Kung Fu with the intentions of finding a practical self-defense style. After a few years Alan felt as if he was a fairly well accomplished martial artist, well capable of self-defense. Around that time a friend invited Alan to his first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class. It only took that one class for Alan to realize that he was missing the most important, yet most neglected aspect of a real confrontation. That missing link was apparent when he recognized that fights typically go into a clinch, or end up on the ground. Alan humbly accepted the fact that he could not only rely on punching and kicking for self defense while sparing with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students, who had less than six months experience. Very excited about his new discovery Alan began practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that same week.

Alan is the only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt instructor located in Portsmouth, Virginia ( one of very few in world to attain this high rank under the direction of Professor Saulo Ribeiro). Alan considers it a privilege to learn from the best and truly believes that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has not only helped him accomplish the goal of practical self defense, but also the pursuit of becoming a better person in general. Alan enjoys teaching and passing on this good information to anyone who wants to learn. Alan has had the privilege and honor to train and learn from many famous instructors such as: Saulo Ribeiro, Xande Ribeiro, Royler Gracie, Ryron Gracie, Kid Peligro, Chris Blanke, Pedro Sauer, Sylvio Bering, Alvero Berretto, Matt Serra, Frank Cucci, Joao Morais, and Kazeka Muniz. Alan has also recently earned his Brown Belt in Judo, under Sensei Alberto Cruz.

http://www.gallerr.com
Self-defense is the most important aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Royler Gracie teaches a self-defense technique to you feel safe on the streets and in competitions.

Watch more techniques:
http://youtube.com/graciemag

Boy, friends, you may not get to see a more perfect example of the Five Ds in action than this. This is Active Self Protection at its finest! Would you have the skills to win this fight with a gunman?

If you value what we do at ASP, would you consider becoming an ASP Patron Member to support the work it takes to make the narrated videos like these armed robbers getting their just desserts? https://get-asp.com/patron gives the details.

The Five Ds are a tool that we use at ASP to organize our training and preparation for defending ourselves against an armed attacker when we are not armed ourselves. (or if we are armed but outdrawn such that we must deal with the problem with our hands) Deflect, Dominate, Distract, Disarm, Disable. We pursue them from first to last, in order, to give us the best chance of successfully defending ourselves against an armed opponent. Deflect their force multiplier, Dominate as much as possible (best is the whole person, second is the arm with the tool, last is the tool itself), Distract the attacker (usually using pain, redirection, movement, etc.), Disarm the attacker, and Disable the attacker.

Copyright Disclaimer. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

This video first appeared on our website and Facebook page in January 2015.

When would you have acted against these armed robbers? I think this South Carolina CWP holder did a great job of practicing Active Self Protection to keep himself and everyone in the barber shop safe!

News story of the armed robbers meeting effective resistance (with link to the surveillance video) available here: https://get-asp.com/zgps

What does this incident teach us about confronting armed robbers?

1. Keep your firearm on your person! Plenty of people keep a firearm stationed near them under the counter or on a desk or in the glove compartment of their car, but in the moment of need you can’t ever be sure that you can get to it if it’s not on your person. These armed robbers gave an opportunity that ONLY was accessible to someone whose firearm was on their person, ready to go. So keep your firearm on your person at all times.

To learn more, head to our website for lessons 2-7 from this armed robbery: https://get-asp.com/zgps

Attitude. Skills. Plan.

(music in the intro and outro courtesy of Bensound at http://www.bensound.com)

Copyright Disclaimer. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Stephan Kesting shares a defence from Indonesian Silat guaranteed to get you out of any triangle choke. Get more of Stephan’s BJJ tips by email at http://www.grapplearts.com/newsletter

If you want to start a “grab your popcorn” debate in the gun world, a good way to start is by talking about carrying with the chamber full (condition 1 for 1911 lovers) or empty. (condition 3) At Active Self Protection we believe that each person has to make that decision for themselves, but as for me and for what I teach, I believe that the best way is to keep the chamber full if possible. This video is why.

Why is chamber full a better defensive setup?

1. Chambering a round takes both hands. Everyone teaches chambering with both hands because that is the fastest way to do it, until some goofy holster makes the rounds again that is impractical and not helpful for concealed carry. If your support hand is engaged in a bad guy or holding a child or is injured in earning your draw or otherwise engaged, you’re out of luck. Sure, range masters will teach using the rear sights to hook on the edge of your boot or belt or whatever, but those are small targets and someone is stabbing you or bashing your head in.

There are four additional reasons why chamber full carry is preferred on our website, so head there for more: https://get-asp.com/hi9g

Attitude. Skills. Plan.

Copyright Disclaimer. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7NpXQkw5pU[/embed]

Disclaimer: Uber has no association to this video nor was the attacker described in the video in any way associated with Uber.

On April 3, 2016, a man, posing as an Uber driver, abducted a woman and then violently sexually assaulted her in the vehicle two blocks away from the pickup location. (Original report: http://ktla.com/2016/04/11/fake-uber-driver-arrested-after-brutal-sexual-assault-of-passenger-in-westlake-lapd/) In this critical Gracie Breakdown, Rener and Eve Gracie discuss three essential safety tips for ride-share users, as well as three “backseat chokes” that EVERY woman should know! The information in this video will save lives. If you or any of your friends use ride-sharing apps, like Uber or Lyft, please share!

FREE Women’s Self-Defense Seminar (Saturday, July 16 at 3pm)
We’re hosting a 2-hour self-defense seminar for women with absolutely no previous self-defense experience. Even though the seminar is free, you MUST pre-register to save a spot, since these seminars always reach max capacity. To participate in the seminar email jackie@gracieacademy.com or call 310-353-4100.

Additional FREE Seminar Locations, click here: http://www.gracieacademy.com/news/video-3-chokes-every-woman-should-know!.asp

http://www.GracieUniversity.com – Find a Certified Training Center near you, or learn Gracie Jiu-Jitsu from anywhere in the world! Registration is free and the first three lessons are unlocked for your instant viewing!

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Would you have fought or just given up the jewelry? This “Best of ASP” video first was narrated on our website in November 2015. There are over 700 narrated defensive encounters on our Videos tab of our Facebook page…come see what you’ve missed!

I think this mugger got what he paid for, personally. Don’t think for a moment that you don’t need every bit of Active Self Protection you can muster in the moment that a mugger attacks you. This guy had it and it served him well.

Original video of the mugger getting his just desserts available here: https://get-asp.com/pve1

What do we learn here about fighting off a mugger?

1. There’s a well-worn joke that ATM stands for “Accessory To Mugging,” and it’s not far from the truth. The ATM is of course a likely place to be attacked because it is a transitional space. A mugger or armed robber can easily ambush you if your attention is engrossed in the machine or your phone, and they are built to allow for easy access and escape. When you’re at the ATM, be sure to be extra aware of what is going on around you. I even suggest standing with your back to the machine, or at least with your shoulders perpendicular to it so that you can constantly see what is happening around you!

Want to learn more? Our website has five more lessons from this incident: https://get-asp.com/pve1

Attitude. Skills. Plan.

(music in the intro and outro courtesy of Bensound at http://www.bensound.com/)

Andris Brunovskis’s fantastical Omopalooza experience is now available! Go check it out at www.omopalooza.com with more omoplata sweeps submissions and counters than our feeble mortal minds could have ever imagined, Andris has pushed the limits of the human shoulder, attacking it in this creative and vicious series of rotator wrenching shoulder crunching omoplata specific techniques. Andris’s philosophy on omoplatas transcends the the idea of of omoplata as a submission and puts emphasis on it as a control position of incredible dominance and grace. Attacking berimbolos, chokes, calf slicers and armbars . With 90+ minutes of high level instruction follow Andris through its whacky and whimsical world of this obscure and under utilized technique. Known as the “omoplata terror” “renown holder of the shoulder” “white chocolate” “sniper” and many other names his opponents have given him out of fear of his sauvity and aggressive style. Go check out this instructional. I fully believe in his techniques, and this comes with a bonus self defense portion which is hilarious but painfully effective, Www.omopalooza.com

“training personal defense with jean olivier 2012”

FACT: Over 80% of jiu-jitsu techniques are useless when strikes are added to the fight. In this detailed slice from the Gracie Academy Street Defense Mastery Seminar, Rener demonstrates some critical components of the Punch Block Series to illustrate the huge differences between “street fight distances” and “sport grappling distances.” To own the principle and learn the most important distance management concepts from the remaining seven positions in a fight, make your way to a Gracie Super Seminar as soon as possible!

Australia Super Seminars with Rener Gracie
Sydney, Australia – November 8 (Four Mastery Seminars in One Day!)
Melbourne, Australia – November 14 (Four MORE Mastery Seminars in One Day!)

Ryron Gracie Super Seminars
Ft. Collins, Coloroda – November 7
Santa Cruz, California – November 20

Pre-register for all Super Seminars at http://www.GracieAcademy.com/Seminars

http://www.GracieUniversity.com – Find a Certified Training Center near you, or learn Gracie Jiu-Jitsu from anywhere in the world! Registration is free and the first three lessons are unlocked for your instant viewing!

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It amazes me how fast this encounter goes from verbal to physical to deadly. How would you have practiced Active Self Protection if you were the intended victim?

News story with details and the decision of the DA: http://get-asp.com/7a86

What lessons do we learn from this encounter?

1. Racial violence is real in America, and it is terrible. To paraphrase Martin Luther King, Jr. I long to live in a country where people are judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, and that desire goes all ways. These attackers were despicable all around, and violence based on ethnicity or race has no place in our society. None.

2. Thank God that Williams had his firearm on him that day. Four or five angry drunks bent on doing someone harm could quickly have put him in the hospital or killed him. Unless you’re Bruce Lee, one person against 4 attackers is a losing proposition if you don’t have a force multiplier like a firearm.

3. Gunfights are close quarters, mean, nasty fights. This was three shots at under 3 yards while moving and trying to avoid being hurt. That’s the reality of a gunfight, so once you’ve mastered basic marksmanship make sure to train in those skills. You’re likely to need them if you need your firearm.

4. Williams showed good restraint. In the face of slurs he kept his cool. I don’t blame him for not shaking the guy’s hand because he could well have seen it as a front for an attack, and that’s exactly what happened. He drew his firearm in the face of danger but retreated and sought not to use it, which was fantastic. When the time came, he shot until the threat stopped which was exemplary. This is a textbook case of what we train for as armed citizens.

5. The caliber debate is shown to be silly here. This attacker was fatally wounded by a .40 S&W, and yet died 6 miles from the scene and ran away. The myth of “stopping power” is just that: myth. Anything that passes the FBI ballistic protocol is acceptable, so carry what you’re best with and feel good about. And a psychological stop is as good as any other stop!

6. Generally, as a first blush, the one who calls 911 first is seen in the eyes of the law as the victim. Don’t overshare with 911 because the call is recorded and is evidence, but tell them where you are, what happened, and that you need police. Williams did a great job of being ready and being non-threatening when officers arrived, and they did a great job of not coming in ready for a fight.

7. Note as well that it took a good 5 minutes or more for police to arrive; the old adage, “When seconds count, the police are just minutes away” is utterly true and any cop will tell you that.

Attitude. Skills. Plan.

To paraphrase the late, great Col. Jeff Cooper, owning a gun doesn’t make you a gunfighter anymore than owning a guitar makes you a musician. You must know how to use it and here, most importantly, WHEN to use it. Do you have the skills to get to your gun in a gunfight?

There are several lessons for firearms carriers here:

1. You must have the empty-handed skills to use the Five Ds in a close-in gunfight BEFORE you try to draw your firearm. Your firearm is a powerful force multiplier but against a drawn gun and with the attention on you, it is not a useful tool. Drawing on a drawn gun with attention on you is a dying man’s game, so make sure to pick the time to draw your gun when you have opportunity to get ahead in initiative and use your firearm effectively.

2. Marksmanship absolutely matters! The second officer had a very small center of mass of the mugger to shoot at, as the rest was covered by an innocent. Taking a headshot on a moving target under duress with rounds coming back at you is not easy by any means, so OWNING the marksmanship portion of the equation without question is an important skill. You don’t want to question whether you can hit a small target!

3. I have said it before and will say it again…spiritual fitness is important. The officer in the first clip didn’t know that it was going to be his last day on earth, and the officer in the second clip was right there as well but thankfully came out on top. Knowing what you fight for is important, but making peace with God before you meet Him is important as well. Don’t put that off.

4. The second officer waited for his opportunity, and that was awesome. He used a submissive posture of hands up, palms out, fingers spread to show submission to the attacker, right up until the attacker wasn’t paying attention anymore. Then, the fight was ON! That is what we call a counter-ambush, and it can be a very effective tactic.

5. Your draw needs to be practiced, smooth, fast, and without a hitch. The first officer took at least 2 if not 3 tries to get the gun out of the holster, likely because he wasn’t absolutely proficient at releasing his retention mechanism. (I can’t tell which retention holster he has on, so I will refrain from speculating) Practice your draw until you can’t get it wrong, ASPers.

Attitude. Skills. Plan.