I'm A Baaaaaaadddd Man!!

[jds holler]

--- or at least more dangerous than I was a week ago.

About twenty of us at church who are regulars and/or members of the safety team, completed a basic two day course to familiarize us with simple and effective self defense techniques.

Emphasis was on very basic methods by which to cause damage, injury, and even death to a deadly threat attacker. Had a lot to do with mind set, being intentional, and especially effective when the time comes for action. The course was for anyone who has no previous fighting skills, or training. As a matter of fact someone with for instance boxing skills might almost be disadvantaged by that training. This is absolutely not a fair fighting technique.

Our group was mostly older guys, and a couple of gals, who are past our physical prime, and consequently, can't afford to mess around when it's time to rumble. Speaking for myself, it's been a long time since I've had a brawl and knocked heads with anyone. I was very bummed to realize how weak my punching game felt when I had the opportunity to strike and kick padded targets.

The techniques we worked on, almost never included a closed fist jab, and rely more on claws, hammer strikes, forearm, elbows, knees, feet, -- you get the picture.

It included tools such as sticks, knives, and guns, as well as any other tool at hand, including the body of an attacker who has been immobilized or brought into your control.

I don't live in a fantasy world, and realize that I'm not Chuck Norris, but I believe that the class was worthwhile for me and anyone who might find themself in a crappy situation. jd

 

[D Coots]

Kudos

 

[Ccrider]

--- or at least more dangerous than I was a week ago.

About twenty of us at church who are regulars and/or members of the safety team, completed a basic two day course to familiarize us with simple and effective self defense techniques.

Emphasis was on very basic methods by which to cause damage, injury, and even death to a deadly threat attacker. Had a lot to do with mind set, being intentional, and especially effective when the time comes for action. The course was for anyone who has no previous fighting skills, or training. As a matter of fact someone with for instance boxing skills might almost be disadvantaged by that training. This is absolutely not a fair fighting technique.

Our group was mostly older guys, and a couple of gals, who are past our physical prime, and consequently, can't afford to mess around when it's time to rumble. Speaking for myself, it's been a long time since I've had a brawl and knocked heads with anyone. I was very bummed to realize how weak my punching game felt when I had the opportunity to strike and kick padded targets.

The techniques we worked on, almost never included a closed fist jab, and rely more on claws, hammer strikes, forearm, elbows, knees, feet, -- you get the picture.

It included tools such as sticks, knives, and guns, as well as any other tool at hand, including the body of an attacker who has been immobilized or brought into your control.

I don't live in a fantasy world, and realize that I'm not Chuck Norris, but I believe that the class was worthwhile for me and anyone who might find themself in a crappy situation. jd

How old are you?

 

[jds holler]

How old are you?

I am what I consider to be a young 67. I'm in better shape than most guys my age, -- but still 67. jd

 

[hoz53]

I am what I consider to be a young 67. I'm in better shape than most guys my age, -- but still 67. jd

Oh No wonder!! I am 67 also JD but i consider myself to be in Very Poor condition- like things are heavy now that didnt used to be. Ive been exercising lately - besides a possible defensive scenario its the only way i know to keep myself able to do things i want to a little longer.

 

[jds holler]

I console myself by saying that I'm in better shape than most guys my age, and I'm probably in better shape than at least half the guys in their forties.

The sad fact is that most guys these days are likely to be fifty pounds over weight, and in terrible condition to boot.

I've been very blessed by good genes, good health, and good luck. Been working a very active job which kept me in great shape, but also busted me up a few times. Now I'm ALMOST retired, and I'd venture to say that my cardio, and general physical strength is considerably worse than it was just a couple years ago.

The point of most of these moves that we were taught, is that many of them could be implemented by a one armed guy with a bad knee.
It's all about picking your target and choosing your weapon, and YOU are the weapon. It's often about inflicting enough pain or physical damage to give you time to access a better weapon such as your gun or knife. jd

 

[Steve morgan]

--- or at least more dangerous than I was a week ago.

About twenty of us at church who are regulars and/or members of the safety team, completed a basic two day course to familiarize us with simple and effective self defense techniques.

Emphasis was on very basic methods by which to cause damage, injury, and even death to a deadly threat attacker. Had a lot to do with mind set, being intentional, and especially effective when the time comes for action. The course was for anyone who has no previous fighting skills, or training. As a matter of fact someone with for instance boxing skills might almost be disadvantaged by that training. This is absolutely not a fair fighting technique.

Our group was mostly older guys, and a couple of gals, who are past our physical prime, and consequently, can't afford to mess around when it's time to rumble. Speaking for myself, it's been a long time since I've had a brawl and knocked heads with anyone. I was very bummed to realize how weak my punching game felt when I had the opportunity to strike and kick padded targets.

The techniques we worked on, almost never included a closed fist jab, and rely more on claws, hammer strikes, forearm, elbows, knees, feet, -- you get the picture.

It included tools such as sticks, knives, and guns, as well as any other tool at hand, including the body of an attacker who has been immobilized or brought into your control.

I don't live in a fantasy world, and realize that I'm not Chuck Norris, but I believe that the class was worthwhile for me and anyone who might find themself in a crappy situation. jd

This is why I carry a gun.

 

[Will Henry]

I think courses like this are beneficial; especially if they teach situational awareness. When I was 64, I still went to the boxing club every week and sparred with the young guys. I was, at that time, fairly confident in my ability to take care of myself. Now, at 75, I know things are different and I'm not the man I was. I'm still pretty fit for a 75 year old, but that still ain't great. I can't even run away effectively anymore! I think situational awareness is my best defense. WH

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Nothing wrong with learning HOW to survive situations where your reaction time matters. Jumping the gun, pun intended, is all about situational awareness.

 

[AccelR8]

Good that you are doing this. One thing you mentioned that stood out...at our age, no punching with a closed fist! Bone breaks too easily! Palm heel, hammers, knife-edge (the old “karate chop”), elbows, etc. Bending and twisting of joints...but whatever situation presents itself, once it’s go time act quickly and decisively!

Our church security team has not had such training. We did have a meeting in which a recently retired detective came in to speak and I guess kind of educate us. Very nice and likeable guy. He had a therapy dog! One of the things he told us was, you are better off not carrying a gun because you have the temptation to use it, and now you’ve introduced a deadly weapon into a “very dynamic situation” saying you’re more likely to shoot innocents or get shot yourself when the “professionals” arrive on scene.

Of course we didn’t take his advice. But our “team” is not very organized. We’re lucky to know who each other are. I dealt with a series of health issues that kept me off my feet pretty much for about 5 months and when I went back to church I found out the old team leader was not the leader anymore and the new leader was a lady whom I never would have guessed would be suited for the role. We’ve got guys who haven’t had any shooting practice or training in years. Like 4 or 5 years. Or more. I personally know guys who carry pistols they have never fired!

Some of the things you said remind me of that Jethro Tull song Wounded, Old, and Treacherous

We had a situation years ago where 4 guys came in early before Sunday service looking for the Pastor who wasn't there yet but the janitor who is an honest-to-goodness ex Marine and taught some form of martial art at a local school...he confronted them and they beat him badly and put him in the hospital.

 

[hoz53]

I console myself by saying that I'm in better shape than most guys my age, and I'm probably in better shape than at least half the guys in their forties.

The sad fact is that most guys these days are likely to be fifty pounds over weight, and in terrible condition to boot.

I've been very blessed by good genes, good health, and good luck. Been working a very active job which kept me in great shape, but also busted me up a few times. Now I'm ALMOST retired, and I'd venture to say that my cardio, and general physical strength is considerably worse than it was just a couple years ago.

The point of most of these moves that we were taught, is that many of them could be implemented by a one armed guy with a bad knee.
It's all about picking your target and choosing your weapon, and YOU are the weapon. It's often about inflicting enough pain or physical damage to give you time to access a better weapon such as your gun or knife. jd

those things would be good to know IMO

 

[jds holler]

One of the vids that we watched, was of the White Settlement Texas church shooting where the perp pulled a shotgun from beneath a trench coat. One of the security team was within arms reach of the guy, and took three seconds trying to unlimber his handgun before the guy stepped back and unloaded on him..

In this particular case, the good guy probably would have done better (and lived) if he had simply grabbed the guy and hugged him close. There was much help close by, one of which killed the bad guy with a running head shot, but only after he killed two good men. jd

 

[markT]

How old are you?

“What is your age?”
Kinder and gentler. Just saying.

 

[jds holler]

“What is your age?”
Kinder and gentler. Just saying.

I may be 67 years old, but I've always been very immature. jd

 

[DShortt]

Armed shooter strategy for church members.

I understand the reason.

What a sad commentary on society as a whole.

 

[joshb]

These days, my “attack strategy” would start with a swift kick to nuts. Old guy rules.
I recently got my concealed carry again. A little soul searching and honest self evaluation made me admit that any confrontation would end with me down and out.
I also can’t run any more. Bad feet.

 

[AccelR8]

One of the vids that we watched, was of the White Settlement Texas church shooting where the perp pulled a shotgun from beneath a trench coat. One of the security team was within arms reach of the guy, and took three seconds trying to unlimber his handgun before the guy stepped back and unloaded on him..

In this particular case, the good guy probably would have done better (and lived) if he had simply grabbed the guy and hugged him close. There was much help close by, one of which killed the bad guy with a running head shot, but only after he killed two good men. jd

Yes. I have seen security camera footage, one that I recall specifically, of cases where a cop was close enough to grab the attacker's gun and control it but chose to grab with just one hand at arms length and attempt to draw his own gun and got shot. Contact head shot, dead right there. I have told our team on more than one occasion, if there's a gun and your within arm's length the quickest and best action is probably get control of that weapon with both hands and twist, or kick, stomp, sweep a leg. I went to the police academy years ago and we learned disarming techniques. Yeah, you're going bare handed against a weapon and might get cut or shot but it's a safe bet you WILL get cut or shot if you don't take action.

 

[Ccrider]

“What is your age?”
Kinder and gentler. Just saying.

I’m too old to be kind and gentle. Waste of time and runs the risk of being misunderstood.

 

[DirtySteve]

I may be 67 years old, but I've always been very immature. jd

People often confuse me as being an adult due to my age..
If you are not cheating, you are not trying hard enough in a fight..

 

[G Man]

I have had the same issue and experience with my church wanting to have a church security meeting and doing nothing about the issue. So I started having guests come from all church to my house for an evening cookout and then asked if they would like to shoot for fun. I would do that about every other weekend for about two months. Then It was taken up by the minister and the outreach team as a Men’s ministry. The first time they had an event they named it God Guns and Grills . With 27 men and some teenagers involved. 6 months they were holding the event 2 times a month and invited the other churches in the area to join them. As a result all the churches have a special security team and are now having private events for their members with firearms. I don’t know if this will work for you but it has been a great experience for many people.