Interview: Matthew Apsokardu on Traditional Martial Arts and Self Defence

MATTHEW APSOKARDU

Do Traditional Martial Artists have their head in the sand when it comes to self defence?

Some do, no doubt, but some do not. This interview is an example of one who most definitely does not.

Traditional Martial Arts are not just focused on self defence. Students are also studying an art. Some students practising Traditional Martial Arts are learning self defence skills they would never have been exposed to otherwise. Some would never have sought out a self defence class or course. So this exposure is a great thing for people. Traditional Martial Arts is how I began on the path.

I asked Matthew Apsokardu to do this interview as I know him from his blog (and you probably will too), Ikigai Way. Matt has been studying the martial arts for 16 years and has acquired the rank of 4th Dan Okinawa Kenpo Karate and Kobudo of the Nakamura Shigeru, Odo Seikichi, Bruce Heilman lineage. He is a good guy who always offers some straight up commentary on matters I raise here on this site about violent behaviour such as knife attacks. He has also written some very interesting posts on his site as well that make for interesting reading. He is very experienced and knowledgable in the martial arts world yet still very humble.

5 Most Important Skills For Protecting Yourself

Note: This is the first guest post published at Low Tech Combat! Go to Authors Box at bottom of post for more details of Author. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Low Tech Combat. 

It is unfortunate but we seem to be living in a more and more violent society. Inner city crime rates are on the rise again and the recent widespread riots across London and other major cities in the UK highlighted the extent to which criminal gangs control our cities.

As stupid as many muggers and thugs appear to be, some really are not completely dumb. Like any successful predator they target the easy prey. If someone is walking along the street looking confident, strong and alert then a mugger will often steer clear. It is when people are looking nervous, timid, day dreaming or simply too weak to defend themselves that a mugger will attack. So, to avoid a dangerous situation learn to carry yourself in a more assertive way by following these safety tips.

Is Killing Someone Who Broke Into Your Home, Self Defence?

FORCED ENTRY

A number of cases in the UK recently are certainly saying YES, it is Self Defence.

There seems to be a big trend in the UK this year for both law makers and politicians (including the PM, David Cameron), for wanting to clarify the law to state that stabbing a home intruder to death should never be punished. It should only ever be determined as acting in self defence.

"put beyond doubt that homeowners and small shopkeepers who use reasonable force to defend themselves or their properties will not be prosecuted"

            - David Cameron, British Prime Minister

Below we will be having a look at three cases where all of the people featured were found to have acted in self defence where no charges were laid. The defenders were deemed to have used reasonable force. All of the intruders were killed by stabbing wounds from a knife.

One other case will highlight what was NOT considered reasonable force and this person was sent to prison. This was a controversial case at the time.

Let's get into it.

Human Combative Behaviour Manifesto

It's finally here.

The Human Combative Behaviour Manifesto.

Understanding human to human violence enables you to recognise a violent encounter before it happens. It enables you to avoid places, activities and times that are high risk for certain types of violence.

It enables you to avoid violence.

Understanding human to human violence better enables you to de-escalate a situation if you have been unable to avoid it.

Sneak Peak Inside

Have a sneak peak inside the Manifesto below.

Understanding Human Combative Behaviour is about knowing that broadly, there are only two types of violent encounter...

An Alpha Male encounter.

And a Predatory encounter.

The Human Combative Behaviour Manifesto provides details of both of these types of violent encounters. You will learn the following:

• Know how to recognise high risk places, times and activities for each of the two types of human combative behaviour
• Understand the vast differences in the Alpha Male and the Predator
• Know the different goals of each
• Know how to avoid each
• Know how to de-escalate each (they both require two very different approaches)

There is a whole lot more in the Manifesto. It is over 8000 words and 40 pages.

Yes! Enter your name and email address and get your FREE copy of the Human Combative Behaviour Manifesto sent straight to your inbox.

Name:

Email:

BONUS Case Studies

Besides the Manifesto, you will also be sent 5 Case Studies. These will explore 5 real attacks and look at how they happened. The case studies will show you what type of combative behaviour the attacks were, the locations they happened and what the victim was doing at the time (and what they were not doing...) and more.

These case studies will showcase real incidents in the light of the knowledge learned in the Manifesto and will show you how you can apply the knowledge learnt in real life.

The case studies will show how a knowledge of human combative behaviour could have enabled the victim to recognise early what was going on and avoid the incident altogether or evade it or de-escalate it.

You will also be sent updates from this site, Low Tech Combat, as new articles are published as well as future special newsletters that will be sent only to newsletter subscribers. Subscribers will also be sent any future updates of the Manifesto as new information is obtained or refinements are adopted.

Get it all Now

Simply fill in your first name and email address above or below or in the top right of the sidebar of this site.

Once you have done that you will receive an email shortly after.

You will need to confirm you want to opt in to receive the Manifesto.

Once you have done that, you will receive your first newsletter which will tell you how to download the Manifesto.

Not convinced? Have a look at some of the feedback which has begun coming in about the Manifesto already, below.

Enjoy :)

Adam at Low Tech Combat

The Manifesto will be Released this Weekend :D

Announcement: The Human Combative Behaviour Manifesto will be released this weekend! 10 - 11th December 2011

Check out the short Promo video below :)




It will be available at some stage over this weekend. Not sure of the exact time as yet. Depends on the technical set up. I am very proud to be able to release this for free to all of the Low Tech Combat tribe. I am hoping this will be a very valuable resource.

Not long to go now.

Adam

Intro to Low Tech Combat: Video

YouTube link http://youtu.be/hKqulsW6OHs

Welcome to our brand new video :) 

It is just a short 1 minute introduction to Low Tech Combat. Please share it around and let people know what Low Tech Combat is all about. 

And while you're at it, let them know about the upcoming release of the Human Combative Behaviour Manifesto... It's coming soon.

Collection of Videos From Gathering of Modern Master Minds

Here is a sample of three audio based videos from a gathering of some well known and highly skilled and experienced martial arts and self defence instructors and practitioners. The following videos include such names as Kris Wilder, Rory Miller, Marc “Animal” MacYoung, Al Peasland, Nicholas Yang & Iain Abernethy.




What do you think? Some interesting stuff for sure.

The rest of the series of 11 videos can be found HERE.

Finally, the Differences Between Strategy and Tactics Explained

Too many people use the terms ‘strategy’ and ‘tactics’ incorrectly or even talk about a particular ‘thing’ or topic as being both a good strategy and tactic. Usually, this is actually referring to a tactic but the person likes to throw in the word strategy because it sounds cool, they don’t know better or believe it somehow implies a deeper thought process and means more...

Not any more. No more excuses.

There are unquestionable and very fundamental differences between strategy and tactics and these will be clearly detailed in this article. Not only are these words used poorly and often interchangeably, but a poor understanding of the meaning of the words can inhibit or mislead a persons overall training outcomes and objectives. It can muddy a persons goals and lead people down the wrong path. Sometimes, years can be spent training a certain way or in a certain system that is not really in line with their long term overall goals, purely because the meaning of ‘strategy’ and ‘tactics’ is not clearly understood.

These matters and more will now be discussed in detail.