Defend Yourself: Scientific Personal Defense

125 Pages·1978·52.98 MB·English

by  Armond H. Seidler

DEFEND
YOURSELF

i

SEIDLER
Defend
iD aAINIDY Yourself
| YOURSELF Scientific Personal Defense

SEIDLER
Photography by Dick Skrondahl

Copengbt © 1876 hy Uowgrton Abitlin Compasy All ights sese-ved. No pastel
his work may be sepeodsced or Wanssrtied im any form or bY ony mes:
clecronic or mechanical, induding phstccapying and recording, oe by ony info
Sration storaye or tetioval system, svithom permission in writing frost dhe
uber

Printed in the USA

Library of Congiess Catalog Carel Nurubex: 77 79405

ISBN: 0-8

‘This book is dedicated to the late
Dr. H.E. "Hek” Kenney: scholar,
teacher, coack, lender, fighter ard friend.
Contents

PREFACE xi
INTRODUCTION 1

‘THE SEIDUER SYSTEM OF PERSONAL DEFENSE 7
Stability 9 Levers 19 Motion 1

‘THE OEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS 13
CLASS OF SEIS 16
RELATED CONCEPTS 18

ASIC TEREIS 20

THE ART OF FATTING 21
TYPES OF FALLS 25
Rolling Falls 23 Flat Falls 27
ACHON ATER THE FALL. THE FIGIIING POSTION. 31

THE BODY AS A NEALON 36
VITAL AREAS OF JHESODY 37
‘TATS OF BLOWS 37

COMMON IMPLEMENTS AS EATON to

FUNDAMENTAL PLESUNAL DEEERSE SKILLS 53,
BASIC STANCES 55

Srarding Grace 55 Growne
WRIST RELEASE 57

Fighting Stance 56

PEFENSE AGAINST BEARMUCS. 16
TNE ERONY KNEE CLIP 71
BREAKING THE SIDE HEADLOCK 71
‘Momentom Koll 74 Pull tn Your Ears 74
THE LYING WAKE 75
THE BACK FLIP 81
THE WRISTBRTARFRS: #1
‘ie Beas Weistbreaker 8). The Rear Wrietbreaker 8
TRITPING AN CPPONENT 92
‘The Cutsice Trip 52 Oulsicle Reverse Wristlock 93
Lhe Kear <ace Cup 94 Upside-cown Reverse
Wristack 98
THE REVERSE ARMLCCK. 100

ADVANCEL PERSONAL OFFENSE Sta
THE FRONT HEADLOCK 103
TIETIPLCK 106
COUNTsMPLGCK mt
COUNTER AFTER THE HIPLOCK 112
(CKOUND NGHTING TECHNIQUES 114
The Knee uel AukleTeip 115 TheDouble Ankle and
Crotch Trip 117

NUCKUREAKS ay
‘The Rear Neckbresker 118
The Tawtreaher 120

THE REAR CHOKE 123
"The Pick Up Reverse Wristlock 125 The Reverse
Wristlock froin te Bottors 128 The Mem Seissers 129
“The Wristloc: on the Fect (Outside) 131 The
Wrsluck on the Foot (aside) 121 The Double
Wrietoele 129

COUNTER TO A KICK AF THE GHIN 19

THE SHE? OVER TORHOLD a2

COUNTER TO A KICK TO YOUR SIO 148

CCUNIER TOA KICK TC YOUR HEAD U6

THE OVER SCISSORS 145

THE RROSTEOKIE Ue

‘THE CHICKEN WING 151

TH COLLAR AND CROTCH SLAM

Hee SHOLLIER TISLOCATOR 156

DEFENSE AGAINST THE BOXER 140,

tne Erunt Neckbreaker 19

12

Contents
Preface

‘This book was writen to meet the expross needs of the
many peuple i this courlyy who we concerned about their safety
and who want protection in their homes, em the sects, and every
place that they gu. Defer! Yourclf Is intended to present the best
techniques for self-defense, desevibed in a logical order, frose
simple comuupts tu alvanicel applications. The photegeaphs show
ppecple of both sexes, with » wide divergence in age, demcmsteat-
dug the various skills ut «| quamber of nateral settings. These
‘Ufustrations shotdd mae st escy for my vender to identify wink te
text, Supporting motensl is provided that, itis hoped. will help
the student develo att insight iolo the problems of personal
detente.

‘The bou's offers u eonglete psecontation of self-defense tech
riques, By selucig ose techniques Hest suited to the individ
vals personality anu (o Ue fume he or she is willing to devote to
procticing, the student ear develop 3 perscmal system uf defense,
Jt is possible lo raster ll of the skills presented, and a number of
people have done eo, But it i also possible lo select # lesser
umber, concentrate on them, and stil secome a very proficient
personal defezder,

Lefend Yenrssif is intended to be the detiritive work about
sdf.deferce. It's different from other works in the eld because oF
ity broader seape, the practicabitity of its exhniques, wid Ure
sunpleaty of the presentations, The Seidler system af personal
‘defense ie hase! om the principles of physical exfueatiosy kinesiol-
ogy, and biowechanics. It is no: concemed with tradition, art,
situa, or foreign terminology.

‘his book is desigied fer the orliaacy an or woman whe

u

Rn

DEFENSES AGAINS! WEAPONS 166

[DFFERSES ACAINST KNIVES AND CLUBS 167
Tae Reverse Wristlack asa Counter 109 The Outside
Reverse Wristlock 16. “The Kear Wristhresker 176
‘The Front Wristbreaker 177 Use oF 9 Stick io Conntera
Kite 187

DFFENSE AGAINST A CLIAIN 190

PGSTIL DISARMING 161
Front Pintol Disarm 199 Rear Pistol Disaa (Gast
Low) 19% Rear Pistol Disnren (Gun High} 199

PRISOREK CONTHOL METHODS 206
COME ALONGE. 2%
‘The FipTeader 206 TheCheekwalker 206 Collar ard
eh 206 Harametlock and Vaie 207
CHE INDIAN DRATH LOCK 204
POSITICNS HOK CRISOMER SEARED 215

PERSONAL DEFENSE AND THE LAW 215

FITNESS TOR FERSONAL DEFENSE 215
Wan OP 219
Running and Joguing 220 Skipping Rose 220 Push-
taps 220 Bert-knee Sitens 22% Rridping 223.
Ahervate Tue Jouching 225 Body Rolatien 225,

CENFRAT ADVICE 227
APPENDIX A: SHDINES LAWS. 251

AEPENDIX B: COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT PERSONAL
DERERSE 26

APPLNDIX C: GUIDELINES FOR DEFENSE 240
1. Introduction

‘The United States Declaration of Independence states: “We
hold these Indthe to be self-ovident, that al men are crested equal,
that they are endowed by their Clestor with certein nalienzble
Rights, Wist among these are Life, Literty, nd the pursuit of
Happiness.”

Il iy ry song eeaviction that saciety should protect these
rights for every mim, woman, and ald, fit eanack provide sveh,
earanless to all—and the over one milion assaclts per year
fdicates ity inahilizy te de so— individuals aze entitled to provide
I thei evn welfare. f peaple are concerned about the personal
salagy ol Uuwir facies, fiends, and themselves, they have the
right to lem and se tehomiques that alle them the sights 0 i
betty, nd the pursuit of happiness.

My purpese in writing this bcuk is to give leaehers ard stuc
dents the best lnovledge of pereonal defesse that I aa contrib
Ute. hope chat no one 18 ever forced to fight, bet Ilse hope that
anyone sch is will beable w deter hisosell or herself against the
basbatinns in one society. As Teddy Reesevelt said, “To be pre
pared Sor wuc is the most ellective means to promote peace.”

Throughout history, poople have beer intersted in sell
Gotense because men, women, anid chile jn raost societies
weeded protection that the suciely was [requerly unable to pro-
vide. Calturelly # hrs ssmally been the man’s sale te defend
Ininselt al lus Famuly 1. has often been a bey’s secret dream to
Aefent = bully with his Rare hands or rescue a fear muedn in
istrese

‘wishes to learn self defense mt wha has Bie ow na hackgromnd in
that type cf activity, It should also be of valwe te-niitary o7 police
personnel who wist Wy leat tu fighl more eliectively. lv addition,
the text many be nseel by a tencher whe wants tn aelp a gxenip of
students ot ary age level to leven to detered temselves. The
rate gered in such a way that the teacher can select
particular skills in eny onder desived.

leappears that the time has ecure in America forthe provision
‘of uigettized public instuuction ir personal defense th:ogh Phys-
feal educatior programs in secondary schoels ané colleges: and
through social agencies or other organizations. Defend Yourscf is
Interudod to provide the necessary infortnation for those who wisk.
to reach of leem self-defense.

hope that alter reading this book yor will be motivated 10
take the time and male the effurt necessary to aequline the si,
savvy, and determination 19 defend yourself. Tlanoce hat you can

you will A great ruber of my former sludenle ae quite
capable of doing eo

Lsirely believe that everyare—man, wootant aud lel has
the tight io live unmolested, sintinmidated, nnd fare frorn fear. TF
the infermation contained in this book helps in some measue to
romtribute to thie gool, thea J will be satisfied,

wish to express my appreciation to the following people
reviewed the manuscript: Jory Woness, San Franciseo State Uni-
versity; Roy Schroeter of Memphis State University; and Prank
Bauer, University of Norther Culerazo.

1 vould also like te thank Mrs. Kay Drummond, Mas. Sher
Jetwun Gadbretl; Mss Zue alan, Mise Ceuly MeMahan, Me
Wake Scloman, Me. Tony Sandoval, snd mp childron, Kim, Tort
and Joni, who sll posed for the illustrations. Kim Seidler con
hnibuted greatly by criticizing the manuscript. doing the original
drswinge, and making numerous valuable suggestions as the book
developed. My sincere thanks te Mrs Jean Slebrer fer let velueble
help in the prepatation of the manuscript

AS.

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Lows goueming the actions people may take
in defending fhemseives vary frm state tn stats. Readers ate
advised fo voasu. thele particular state's laws. Neither the author
nor the publisher intend any of the statements made in Defer
Yourself to be construed as advocating disregard of the law.
asses in personal defense. In the past fifteen years these have
been cordualicual, and in vecent years considecably reove hen
ball the students hava been wonwn, Some of ie very best per
foneers were wemen,

‘With the growth uf public waucemt about cxime, particularly
crinte apairst the individual, T have been ealled on to conduct
personal deferse workshoos fer teschers, wary oF thers over sity
years old, ard a good cumber of them fernale, Since personal
defence emghasizes knowledge, precision, and execution, people
don’t have 70 be handicerped Ly their age

Tor some reason, people have questioned the propriety of
teaching a met of lighlirg, ever for sellvdelense, to students in
secendary schools and celleges. Such instruction is justified
bevaune rie Li is cusidened educate! unless he or dhe can defend
self, farily, and property Frame an unprnweked 2ttack, Stucenes are
aught te semgect the laws and the sights of others. They ace taught
to avoid a fight IF possible. but to fight successfully in defense of
what they consider important if they cannot aveid fightirg.

Stullets why luke oucls « course ace much less likely to be
involved in confiantarons. There appear to be tore mein reason,
(1 Because they ave aworeof the risks usey face, students who take
Fersonal defense manage to stay out of teuuble better Mian
urtwainal persons, (2) The abilities they heve acquired incroase
their cei confidence anc apponr to make thein less alleedtive
targets for amgyers aod hoodhuras.

‘One af the intangible beneiits that often accrues to de Ualned
individual ss an. aura of selfcenfidence, whieh sistingpishes the
avilly capable ‘ighter. When men and women becorne excellant
personal defense performers, opponents cat freyues tly sense that
it swould be unevise to langle with ther

'A mimber of years ago L observes aus ineifert that demon-
suiales chis point A gray-heined, middle-aged, eaively small
man became involved in a fight with Uuce Iursberjacks, each
lager and younger thar he. After ettempting t tak his way eut of
the fight, the man said te de tree, “Tim sovry that yeu insist on
fighting, buti€ you wart, TT guess wel have in. However, Ivar
lo give you a lite advice. I'm an expert in street fighting, and you
thee sill have a better churce Wy get ove if you all rush me
tngether. would bike 4e warn you, however, thar Il break the fest
leg or arm I put rey hauls on.” Tote Bisee tough lumenacks, who
‘were often involved in fights, sensed that this was not the sight
‘Roy to aack, ancl they le

Developing the slal to protect oneself ané the weak was fe
goemly a steppingstone 10 social success. Often this skill pro
duced 2 noticeable incresse in confidence and poise urd, «
resule, 2 significant change in secial behavior. Today, womer. are
called on to defend thereselves, as muni wad to be (and still are).
Many good men. and woo hepe that we oan ive in a society

fn which ear parsun is treated with neypect, Kindness, arc cou
lesy. The prolem is that nowhere in the civilized world have we
been able tu build such a seciety, Lint thae wonderful day when

‘xe can, all individnats, men and svosten, adul's esta children,
sunist be prepared te protect themselves and thoir own.

muy seem sttange to tak about the individual's need for ser
defense, Ine it has ewer been a rece sipmiticant conuesn thus itis
leday. although we are at one of te highest levels of evilizaticr
in history, it seem Uiat the individual is more at the mercy of
Csiminnls tha ever before. Crime rates axe the highest in the
bistony of this country. Murders, rapes, assaults, wobbvvies, ard
burglaries are ennstantly increasing, and tke average man or
\womar. is the innocent victim

‘Many people maintain that @ person living in civilized sartery,
nae ro need for any knordadge of or skill in personal detense,
{hse people cite the large number of police officers and the great
amantits af money spent ia tanus for Uke protection of etizens,

‘A citizen should be able to rely en the Iaw erforsament ages
cige for protection, but it is obvious that we simply do not have
enough police to go around, Every day we read of assaults on
innocent people of the streets, in thely Kames, in thelr work

ice, in thei cary, and it. pazhs. Those who say Uhat we don’t
need to knw how to dufead vuelve are wrong. A glance at any
sally newspape: inoishes adequate proof of this. Ie i ue Hat
the low pfaverages is with you aly # swall percentage of the
population ever have to defend themselves. But its small ely to
tall un the stetstial average when yeu ats the ene who is being,
stnckee

With my expercence im woeklag, with the combst infantry
soldier, ome might tink thal sy expertise would not be vsefel for
osdinary nonmilttiry men and werner. 1 nave Leen leaching
personal defense to soldiers and civilians for more than thiety-five
years, ard in that Lime, | have discovered tut the basic skills of
scientific persanal defence are helpfel to bovh
‘Participation in persons! defense sctivtige is not limited to any
group, ror should it be, For uwwiy years 1 have taught colle

Defend yeurctp
personal endeovers, and ip wany other areas of life by saying thal
they just dev't have the tie. There is no easy way to ecome
‘goad al anytbing. Daydreaming wil not help, ane wishing will
rot rake itso, Bveryere knews that ifyou really wart suiaethiny,
Ls renlly important, then you can find tke time for it. Yonr
ability to Ucluin! youcsell will be diseclly selsted to the time ead
‘he effom gen invest in learning persia defen

have often besn assed why [teach pemorial defense. do i for
lie eeasana. (1) {think tie wexy important that people who want
lo lea ‘0 dafend themselves have the oppawtinity tm de so, and
want to help as such 4 T-can. @) Maintaining a high skil level
requires ergulae practice, ond teaching clases allows wwe Io keep
iy skills homed and polished. 1 I's great fun, both for the
participants and for me.

‘Many books and manuals have been written on she subject of
selledelonse, a number of ther celating te the oxiental arts ouch
jude, julien, and kavate. Untertonately, mary ofthese Looks and
the courses Shey represent cemtein a great deal of misleading
infortativn. They show lechmgues that doe’t work or can't be
learmed ny the average person, ancl ley site preseated in a mystic
‘ca Jeslion, ‘They pretend to encompass mysterions knowledge
nt gives the individual sapersatural powers. This is sunply net
the case, Selbdefense ultimately éepenes nn knowledge std skill
that can be used when uu ete placed in jeepardy.

Knowing, how to use the tachoiques of person dotonse is
ppothing stove than a form af personal life eed accident insnrance.
AAlthonigh many peuple utsustain that they have never hada fight
cr have never been attacked, many mon, women, ane! chiktren
have been, are being, and will be brutally essaulted. Many por
sone eazry insurance én thew automobiles fr lonys periods of Lime
fend never have an accident. The fret that they have never had se
evcidert does nt puovent them from carrying insurance against
the possibility of ascent, Suute uy! that it unladvlike to Et,
boat it is even more ulagylike to be beaten, raped, rabbed, or
murdered. You muy slso Inve head someone say that yf you are
attacker! you will "natorally” krow how to defend yourself. No
‘one “ntaiwrally” knows how ta defend himself or herself tn tact, a5
‘you loam the skill uf persons) defense, yeu will discover that the
natural reaction is invariably 9 wrong, move. Usually it core
pounds your yrcUlent ana slrengdhens the effect of the assailan's
attack 0 you.

Yet nosher common belief ie that steengeh will decide the

reraductire

Skilled performers develop svch an 9:79 for several reasons, all
elated to constant practice. (2) Because of the constant repetition,
trained inclividusls lose any fear they may have felt for the ach=
ity. (2) Farilisrity with the activity and improvercent in pexfer-
mance buced confidence which performers feel and appenents
sense, @) Many allies find th if their practices are had, the
game fa feequently ensier than the practices. Similarly, expevie fn
Petvonal defense regard a veal fight with celative equanimity

‘This isnot to seggest thatthe trained individual veo ffl
‘or world Jose an opportunity to avoid a confrontation. The skilled
performer, atter malang every affort ta stay out of toubic, 08s
Tho possibility af defensive action with Ihe confidence acquired
Muough hours of practice and high levels of skill attainec

Shents of perecmal datunse sliwokl Keep in mid that great
kilo necessary fo success, Sli the eezslt of hours oF practice.
We sould not be satisfied with merely knowing how to perfover $
vexisthteaker o¢ ¢ double wsictlock. I tabes only a few minutes 19
eam the reechanics of several efensive skills, 90 it i engy for the
uninitiated to develop a false cecurity because ofthis knowledge,
Knowledge of the mechanics of the rigger squeeze dacs mot make
a sharsshooter. This comes only from day after day spent :n target
jptactge. The sanne is cue of selledefense sills, Each skill must be
develapel to a fine ant hefore it 5 of any se

Twat lo sleees thal reading thie text wll aot iminedistely
qualify anyone in peruinal detense. & litle knowledge fs wore
han none at all. Although you may fecl after attempting thease
skills ew tuts that you hive svastered them, Hh far froea the
case Suecceatul use of many OF these techniques clls foe peactice
apd more practice, until you can instinctively exocute any or all of
the skills with tep speed and precision.

The skills desetiked in tats book ato nat Linstead to the stl
tiers slhustrated. Will. 2 lille thought and experimentation, you
cur fird irany pesitivns frem ashich you can use any of these

coffeases. Tor example, you can use the double vwristleck as a
counterottense agsirst several diteront modes of attic o for
airect assault Te also valle ag.» monrs af tining the tables
aller you have been thrown to the ground. In fact, these who are

proficient with the Coubla wristleck and use at 4 great deal ie
‘pent contests contend that it ie diicult to imagine a postion

Som wich al cael be used. The same is leur to 2 greater oe
lesser degree forthe other offensos deseribed in this “ext
‘Many people rationalize their fikore in business, in or, in

Tojo yoursety
iscue. The weak iadividwal thinks, “Since Ham not very skreng or
64, the chances are goed that I wall not b¢ able to defend rayselt
anyway.” Ifyou really feel this way and find yourself under attack,
you might just as well submit and hope that you will not euler

fous odily him of injury. With sch an attude, prayer is
your best ber

If you betieve that laare ing to defend yotslf rakes moms effort
than itis worth, you should realize thet yor fe or well-being, cr
these ard wel-heing ef a laved one, may he at stake. It sill then
be co Late to take oul an ixsurance policy or to accuire the skills
that you may 30 bedly ced. If you are an intuligent persan who
thinJs serionsly about the prcblem of enme and your relationship
le il, you must come le resize that mow Hs the thaw for you to
[prepare for the emergency that you may face

T yvaote this book becauw | feel that everyone shold have the
opperturity to lear. self-defense, and | hope that can help many
teachers and individuals achieve that goal. Some day it may be
essible for everyore to de anything without interference. Coil
that day comes, le’s prepare 19 delend ourselves.

‘The ideal motto for a peacetoving citizen might be the one
found or the finnt Acverican flag, shown in Kiguee t-1—s coiled
snnke and te legend “ont Tread On Me"!

DONT TREAD ON ME

FIGURE 1-1 EARLY AVERICAN FLAG (Cowtesy of US, Nao!

Defend yourself

2. The Seidler System
of Personal Defense

‘The development of the Seidler system of personal defense
isthe test of many’ years an stucy, practic, and rida el-e1 cor
lasting egainat stiong competition This system i practically and
scientifically siumd, Each ofetse, delense, or countevotfense 3s
based on athoningh krovledge of Fximar structure an its Hite
tions, The system guarantees that a skills elective In acembative
situation 4 itis properly execated. The skills resent i Is lest
val wock for aiyene who performs ther eorrectiy and én the

‘The fnuman machine has #erae of sbengtk and oF weskuess.
Knontedge of these sxeas allows uained irdivicna’s to pit theft
strength agalnst their opponent's wealuiess. Further, knowing
which arene are weak and vulnerable enable: a preson to essen
lxpusure uF hi oF har own weak azeas, A knowledge of the
function and range of motion of each of te joints ef dhe bed ic
iso very important Msny ef the skills demonstrated here are
intended to [ose join's into positions for which they neve not
designed, Ohwv'onely, applying force in Bre «rung eivection can,
jin severely, resulting in dislocation or hone fracture

‘The Seidler system of personal defense is Une culcerse of my
Letina interascin the combstive arts. Thawe studied jitsu, judo,

karate, seresting, alley fighting, soommarde tactics, and so an. 1
curcfally anslyzed the aidlls taught in Huse disciphnes and
sctually tried them cut on che mat. lsu tested them seientiicaly.

‘Ae a protessional in physical ecucation,Thed to learn muck about
human anatomy: kinesiology, the study of movement patoes of
the human bocy; and biomechanics, the study of the application
of the lows et paysics {o human movement and Lac performance of
kills, By using this knowledge, I was able to determine whieh
skills were mechanically sear and would be effective tools in
personal defense

Iw genelal, I foune that most of the skills taught to me were
onovind. They either violated Fundamental prvaphe of twos
inwveanent or were uncealistc, in Use conse that they really could
not be sed in the situations the average persurt cul! ave 10
face, Far example, ane section in a book on juts snstntets the
pefformer tn put ahold on the opponent's arm ad zxise one foot
‘Ther ir tells the perkirmer b1 milse the ether foul, My section 16
this was, "I( he can stand in sudair, he ean fy: and ifhe can Ay
why dacshe heveto learn tu defend Hime” As a ntalter of [set 1
lvied this mave and desided tha: it would be @ nice trick if you
could doit, found at empessible!

In popular text on judo, the anthers advacate a terhniqae
called Ce eb daw, it wld you allewapl lo tcp your opponent
by launching yourscf ia the air at your Foe. As you fly toward the
antagonist, you should turr on your side, legs e2tead, groin fist:
‘Yeu hope to scissor your antagonists legs and upset him. Skept
cal of the effectiveness of disabling an opporent by attacking him
with my emt, Lreolved to exuniow this technique i vetual
performance. When I tested iten the met, [found that [sufferesa
blow to the groin before I could execute the technique, dt twok me
three weeks te recover.)

‘One anaiwal states that the second principle of enarmed
efense is the nse of Irtemat oblique musces. Accunbiny Wo Wis
innual the potver for every defense must come from cr be ean
tered iv these muscles. This is an ebviously absurd ststement
Any student of clase cembat fighting knows thet srany: vicious
blfenses do no require the use ef the internal oblique muscles, 1
raiser a sircessiul oye pnuge am effective offense, and! it eat be
executed very easily without ary cocperation from the muscles
Ynented in the ablomen,

“The same manual Jlustiates as many as ten different pistol
disarm fora the same pesition (for example, with the holdup
men steading behind the vivir}. Obviously there is little sense in
leaning 5a many ways of defending yoursell im a pasticlar situa
Hlon. The more ways you know, the mere doubt vou may have
about whicr course ef action Is best. Also, if you spend whatever
practice time yom have cn antimberof defini tee uttack, you

‘connot become as good al cleiing with this situation as you can if
you select the best way and spend al your rime practicing that.

‘Most people wonder whether 2 small man er woman, or the
typical pescetes, sedentay Ameriear, can defend himself or her
self agzinst a nnget, stronger assailant. By property applying
scientific principles, the eral] person em have same advantage
ves a larger atlecker and may be able fo use the opponent size
and dirsensions agus! bir. For earsple, stualer people have
lower centers of grvity, whieh tend to make them more sable
‘Ak, their litabs ave shorter, So as they apply leverege ageinst one
fof the levers of their upjuneit’s body, they have a mechanical
advantage over their opponent's longer and core vulswzeble
levers. Canevally, the stronger your opponent, the more affective
the levernge applic again hig joints, Lecause the joints axe
tighter and less slexible

“Whose who ate emaler and wenker do not necessarily have 19
lee. I you know the vulnersble cas of the body and have the
skiLs to attack thre efeticaly, you may suecced! in making
yourself selatively invulrersble to alarger, stronger, but antrained
opponent. Altheugh: size aud strength ave significant in Sighting.
they are rot as signifcart as Imowledge and leverage applied
kilflly acd sciclifically. This system of self-defense is hated or
‘aot of principles that can make you a ciffieult person to attac
scceseflly

‘he mechanical principles most relevant to personal defense
azo stability. leverage, and metion,

STABILITY Ssbuhty 36 proportional to the orea of the bace. The
[boouer your base, the moxe stable you are. Spread your feet ard
‘pom pain stabil.

‘Stability in» pavticalae dineetion is proportional to the ori
_eoulal dislonce of the cenler of gravity from the edge of the base
toward the given disectiunal nevenent. yuu lean forward, you
are hnider fe Hp backware than forvar

Stability fs proportional @ lke weight of the sass. The mex
you weigh, the hesder its to move you.

‘Stability i indirectly pmparicnal to the beightof the enter ef
gowily above the base The taller you are, the poorer your
fsquiliteiue.

‘To be in bolance, your center of gravity must be aligned ves
tically abuve yous base, Your center of gravity isthe concentration

The Sesser sto of pervensl defense