Master Self Protection With This New Self Defense Weapon Classification System

In the world of martial arts and self defense, it seems that there is no end to the number of self defense weapons available. Open a martial arts magazine or self defense supply catalog and you'll find everything from ancient models like the long staff to modern inventions like pepper spray - from nunchaku to firearms.

The problem is often, not which weapon is best for self defense, but...

...how do you go about training with several without spending the rest of your life trying to develop sufficient skills with them all, or choose the right ones so that you'll have one at hand in case of an attack?

And, it's easy to see how you might think and feel this way. There are very few schools, instructors, or self defense systems that make it any easier. With each one claiming to have an "official" number within their own particular style, students find it very difficult, if not impossible, do develop the critical faculties of strategic thinking and creative application with regards to effective self defense.

However, rather than focus on specific weapons, you could use an alternate method - a classification system which serves to do 2 things:

1) Helps you to see beyond a set list of "official" weapons, and...

2) Increase your overall ability in the realm of self defense weapons

This is not to say that there are no set weapons to learn. But, instead of limiting yourself to set "items," this new classification system allows you to focus on the common principles and concepts of each "group" - thus maximizing your effectiveness and personal power to accomplish the results you need.

Again, this classification system does not focus on set weapons. So, instead of seeing a list with individual tools like "long staff, knife, nunchaku, etc," your new list will be broad enough to allow for many more self defense weapons than any closed system with a predetermined set.

Here is a brief outline of this new self defense weapon classification system that I use with my own students:

Remember - rather than seeing each class of weapons as having a set example or three items, try to look around your world and see how even everyday items can be included in any particular class.

Also note that the following list is not numbered in order of importance, power, or effectiveness. No one class should be seen as any more or less effective than any other. And, in fact, doing so actually serves to further limit your abilities - rather than help you to develop true mastery.

The 5 Weapon Classes are:

1) Staff and stick - This includes both the obvious martial arts weapons, as-well-as other common items like rolled up magazines and newspapers, the closed umbrella, and even pens and pencils. The thing to remember is that we're talking about anything that fits the "blunt and solid" definition, and that can be used for striking, crushing, ramming, and levering.

2) Bladed - While knives seem to be the only thing which naturally fits this category, which can also include the sword for the traditional martial artist, we can also see how even pieces of broken glass, as-well-as other thin or pointed objects that are also capable of cutting and/or stabbing fit into this classification.

3) Flexible - Belts, chains, and cords are natural items which fit this category. And, since the idea here is any item which is "flexible," even things like an open newspaper - which can be used to catch or parry - can be easily adapted to the same concepts and principles.

4) Projectile - Anything that can be thrown, or that can cause something else to fly out and cause damage to your assailant is a natural part of this category. Everything from rocks to shuriken - from credit cards to firearms - and everything in-between which can be used as a missile and thrown in your defense is grouped here.

5) Combination - As with all "ninja" lists, this is the part of the list which recognizes that there are some items which do not fit neatly into any one class of weapons. This category includes weapons like the nunchaku (combining the stick and flexible classes), and even firearms which are typically seen as projectile weapons but can also be used as clubbing members of the stick and staff group.

Effective self defense requires more than just a few "karate moves." It involves the ability to think strategically, and understand how to defend yourself with as little wear-and-tear on you as possible.

For more information on what you MUST know to survive a real street attack, read my newest self defense book: "Fight Smarter - Not Harder!" It's available free at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/street-fighting-self-defense-book.html

Jeffrey M. Miller is an internationally-known self defense expert. Each month he teaches literally thousands of students through live seminars, corporate training events, and his in-demand Self Defense Success Secrets Home Study Courses, the lessons to be able to survive in Today's often dangerous world.