| There are many items around each day that | | | | 'Target Zone.'For the sake of practice just |
| could be used as a self defense weapon.In | | | | imagine that there is an attacker coming at |
| this issue of our self defense newsletter I'm | | | | you, as you perform all of these moves.Use |
| going to explain how to use five of the most | | | | the 'Dynamic Delivery' to have greater speed |
| common items which most people have access | | | | and power.BOOKUsing a book as a weapon is |
| to.Before I start explaining how to use each | | | | simple. Just clamp your hand tightly on it |
| of these improvised weapons, I want to | | | | however you are holding it and use the |
| emphasize a few important points.-Always keep | | | | 'Dynamic Delivery' to apply it into the |
| your head up and look around so you'll be | | | | attacker's 'Target Zone.'Its okay to strike |
| more alert.-If possible avoid people who seem | | | | the attacker's face when you have a book. |
| suspicious and also avoid dangerous | | | | Normally you should avoid the face, |
| places.-Learn to recognize how to use any | | | | specifically the nose and mouth which bleed |
| object as a weapon.-You must be sly when | | | | easily and could transmit a disease to you.If |
| using these weapons so the attacker (bad guy) | | | | you do end up getting the attacker's blood on |
| won't realize what you're doing.-All items | | | | your body, wash with soap and water as soon |
| should be held tightly in your hand down at | | | | as possible, and seek medical attention if |
| your side so that you appear relaxed and | | | | appropriate.However, the book should extend |
| unprepared.-Dont' wind up. (Reaching | | | | far enough from your hand that your hand |
| backwards first to gain momentum) We have | | | | won't contact the attacker's face.Another |
| provided an alternate way for you to gain | | | | thing to consider with a book or any |
| momentum. A way that won't alert the | | | | improvised weapon is that it could be tossed |
| attacker.-Get away as soon as possible.Here's | | | | into the attacker's face using the 'Dynamic |
| how to practice:KEYSHold your largest, | | | | Deliver' (repeated for emphasis) following up |
| strongest key (or just any key if you | | | | with a very quick kick to his shin.Normally, |
| suddenly need to act) in your hand the way | | | | you wouldn't throw an object because you'll |
| you would hold the key to open a door. Your | | | | want to use it more than once since there are |
| hand should be relaxed down at your side so | | | | usually more than one attacker.CELL PHONEThis |
| your key won't be recognized as a weapon.When | | | | could be a cell phone, PDA, pager iPod or |
| someone tries to harm you, step towards them | | | | anything similar shaped.Like a book you'll |
| with your leg that is on the same side of | | | | clamp these items tight in your hand, however |
| your body as your hand that holds your key.As | | | | you happen to be holding them when you're |
| you step toward your attacker, stomp your | | | | attacked. Again, try to have a relaxed |
| foot at the same time you quickly throw your | | | | starting place, hand down at your side to be |
| hand out to poke with your key. Aim for the | | | | sly, or you can just start from wherever your |
| area between the attacker's chin and his | | | | hands happen to be.Apply these items like the |
| upper chest. This is the 'Target Zone.'You | | | | twig swinging your arm up in the same manner |
| might need to strike 2 or 3 times in case | | | | as when you swing your arms when you're |
| your first strike misses.Your hand should go | | | | walking, and of course use the 'Dynamic |
| quickly out and back in a path as close as | | | | Delivery' which will give you the element of |
| possible to a straight line. This will give | | | | surprise, total force and incredible |
| you more speed.Another thing that will give | | | | quickness.If you benefited from this article |
| you more speed is to explosively bring your | | | | and would like to learn more, please contact |
| other hand in towards the center of your | | | | me at Also please forward this email onto |
| chest.Perform all of these steps as one move, | | | | your friends.Can you think of a subject you'd |
| striking, stomping and bringing your other | | | | like to see featured in our newsletters? |
| hand into your chest. This movement is called | | | | Please let us know. |
| the 'Dynamic Delivery' and we'll use this | | | | |
| same move for every improvised weapon we | | | | Do you have no self defense training or are |
| apply to defend ourselves.PENA pen should be | | | | you unsure of your skills? If so make a habit |
| held tightly just the way you use it to write | | | | of always carrying a pen in your hand. You'll |
| with.An alternative would be to place the end | | | | always have something to write with and |
| not used for writing into hand touching your | | | | you'll always have a weapon.Remember to use |
| palm with the writing end sticking out | | | | the 'Dynamic Delivery' and to always assume |
| between your ring and middle finger. Your | | | | there is more than one attacker! |
| hand should be closed tightly. | | | | |
| | | | To find out more go to Abidin |
| You would place your pen in this position | | | | |
| only if you have a few seconds advance notice | | | | Certified Master Instructor |
| that you're about to be attacked, otherwise | | | | |
| just hold the pen tightly the way you would | | | | Al has invested over 25 years trying and |
| write with it.)When someone attacks use the | | | | testing every |
| 'Dynamic Delivery'.Your hand should be in a | | | | |
| relaxed starting place and go in a straight | | | | martial art and self-defense |
| line quickly out into the attacker's 'Target | | | | |
| Zone' and then quickly return.Remember that | | | | system he could get his hands on. This |
| since you're applying this defense with the | | | | included |
| 'Dynamic Delivery' you'll stomp your foot as | | | | |
| you step toward the attacker to strike | | | | learning from police academy |
| him.The stomp and strike occur at the same | | | | |
| time.Also quickly bring your other hand in to | | | | instructors, martial arts experts, street |
| the center of your chest. This part must be | | | | fighters, ex-convicts |
| performed slightly before your stomp and | | | | |
| strike.Review the details in these first two | | | | and combat soldiers.Here are some who Al has |
| improvised weapons to gain an advantage using | | | | trained: |
| the 'Dynamic Delivery.'TWIGTwigs can often be | | | | |
| found near trees, on grassy lawns or even in | | | | Los Angeles County Sheriffs-Lennox Station, |
| open fields. | | | | U.S. Department of Commerce-NOAA Office of |
| | | | Law Enforcement, City of San Clemente-Marine |
| A twig should be held tightly in the palm of | | | | Safety Division, and numerous |
| your hand just the way you would hold the | | | | |
| handle of a suitcase or briefcase, relaxed | | | | individual law enforcement officers. |
| down at your side. (repeated for emphasis)To | | | | |
| apply this weapon, move your hand forward in | | | | Community classes include Lakewood YMCA, |
| the same manner that you swing your arms when | | | | Lakewood parks and Daly City parks & |
| walking. Focus on the movement being smooth | | | | recreation. |
| and comfortable, raising the twig up into the | | | | |