There are varying degrees of martial arts throughout the world. Some arts are simply for show while others are crafted on the art of killing and killing efficiently. I believe that many times, the skills of the trained hand are overlooked. In the patriot community we focus on firearms and and team movements in SHTF as we should. We should not, however, overlook the training of our hands.

Hand to hand combat is as old as time. The samurai is often glorified as a great warrior and swordsman. But what about the Okinawan farmers the had to fight against the invading Japanese in 1609? After many of the Kingdoms in Okinawa had been conquered, the martial arts were outlawed. In order to continue practicing, the masters hid their forms in what looked like dances. These forms became known as kata. If you've taken a class or even seen a karate movie, you've seen kata performed. These movements teach you how to move, block and punch on both the right and left side of your body. Many of the forms were purposefully taught to the samurai incorrectly in order that the people could defeat them if need be. Later, the farmers were using tools against the samurai. Ever heard of sai? These are the three pronged tools used originally to cultivate/till the ground. Farmers realized these were great at breaking the sword of a samurai. Why do I bring this up? Even though the farmers did not have modern weapons like ARs and AKs didn't make them powerless. They were still able to protect themselves in some fashion.

In many martial arts, weapons are often an afterthought. In many of the traditional karate schools, weapons forms or training is seen as fit only for advanced students. There is, however, a type of martial art that hands you a weapon from day one.

Filipino stick fighting called Arnis (are-niece) is that style. You may be wondering what good it does to fight with a stick. Stick fighting accomplishes many things simultaneously. It teaches you how to:

1. Fight with a stick
2. Fight someone who is also fighting with a stick or weapon
3. Fight someone with a weapon while you empty handed.
4. Be comfortable with a stick or blunt weapon bearing down on you.
5. Be comfortable to defeat the person in #4.

The list goes on. In short, learning to fight with a stick is one of the best all around martial arts.

Here is the main guy behind Modern Arnis, the late Remy Presas. In this video, Mr Presas is sparring another man with a blade. This is not like sparring in Taekwondo. This is more like a drill than sparring, but you get the idea.

Now, take the concept in the above video and translate it to something more realistic like below. Yes, it's a movie but the beauty of Arnis is that you can remove the stick from the hand and use the same movements and techniques empty handed or with another type of weapon like a rolled up magazine a la Jason Bourne:

This is all applicable to SHTF and every day life. Going low profile to recon a target or area may require no weapons at all. If there are checkpoints that will not let you pass until you have been thoroughly poked and prodded for weapons, having the training and skills with you hands could prove life saving. Items like canes are not viewed as potentially deadly.

Just about anything can be substituted for the stick in Arnis. The use of a stick is because of the origins of Arnis. Originally, machetes were used because its the Philippines for crying out loud! But when students and friends start loosing fingers, they tend to not stick with it. (Pun intended)

Staying out of the sticks "sweet spot" (the last 6 inches or so) will allow you stay conscious and avoid having broken arms from blocking a baseball bat or something similar, like a cane. The guy with a cast may have technically "won" the fight, but I bet you he had something broken or fractured.

Clear the stick by eliminating the space/stand-off the stick gives the attacker. If you can get inside the arc of attack you can gain control of the person by wrapping their arm and the commence kneeing, elbowing, punching them until the give up or stop breathing. Either way, you survive.

Now, couple this with genuine Krav Maga and you have an extremely potent and deadly arsenal at your disposal. Moshe Katz is my instructor's instructor. Of course there are varying beleifs about which techniques work for me based on my abilities and or size. But that's the beauty of Krav Maga, if the technique doesn't work for you, throw it out and find one that does. Here's an idea of what he teaches in Israel.

Here are some videos to drive the point home:

Survival is the key. Learn to fight with a rifle. Learn to fight with a handgun. Learn to fight with improvised weapons. Learn to fight with your hands. Learn to fight to your weapons. Learning these will instill a survival mindset. Winning a life threatening fight may not look pretty but surviving is all that matters.

You have to make a conscious, mental choice that whenever there is a threat in front of you that you are going to do something. Run away or fight. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

I want to leave you with these simple videos by Geoff Thompson. He explains a vital technique you should always have at your disposal because fighting is not always the smartest route to take. Avoidance and deescalation are keys as well.