Best Defense (Outdoor Channel).

[arnisador]

I just watched an episode of "Best Defense" on the Outdoor Channel with Michael Bane, Michael Janich, and Rob Pincus that is similar in nature to the previous version but at least in this episode places greater emphasis on empty-hand self-defense with Mr. Janich and less on pistolry. I liked it! There was some technique but a lot of discussion of self-defense notions like being aware of one's environment, de-escalating, etc.

[Brian R. VanCise]

Best Defense, well I am going to have to watch that now. Thanks! http://www.fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

[arnisador]

I just watched the "Carjacking Pt. 1" episode. It was primarily about pistolry (seated, on the ground, and with cover), book-ended by brief segments on carjacking that did (correctly, in my view) emphasize awareness, mobility, distance, and staying safe rather than winning the fight. For me it was less interesting than the previous episode as I am more interested in Mr. Janich's empty-hand self-defense segments than Mr. Pincus's well-done segments on the pistol, which I don't use.

[arnisador]

Spun off from here (http://www.fmatalk.com/showthread.php?t=1023).

-Arnisador
-FMAT Admin

[arnisador]

I just watched the "Carjacking Pt. 2" episode. It was primarily about pistolry from within the car but there was an open-hand vs. the knife sequence with Mike Janich. He used a generally FMA-style approach against a low-line knife attack, explicitly disparaging the karate-style X-block. Rob Pincus then showed a variant for a person who was buying time to access a firearm on his person rather than trying to control the knifer empty-hand; it was essentially an exaggerated (to make space) passing technique.

[Rob Pincus]

Thanks for watching the show. Janich has a very strong FMA background, hence the flavor his preferred techniques!

-RJP

[Brian R. VanCise]

It would appear that my cable company just dumped that channel. I can no longer get it. http://www.fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

[arnisador]

Thanks for watching the show. Janich has a very strong FMA background, hence the flavor his preferred techniques!

Thanks for posting! My personal interest is the empty-hand material but I like the overall emphasis on awareness and safety and staying/getting out of sticky spots. As an FMAer, seeing the use of the free hand together with the weapon is always of interest, regardless what the weapon is.

[arnisador]

I just watched the "Prepare for the Unexpected" episode. No empty-hand material but as usuall good general advice on preparedness, choosing the right time to act, etc.

[silat1]

I've liked the last couple of episodes of the Best Defense. It's about time some of the tv conglomerates show practical tactics for the general populus who cannot carry a firearm. I missed the first couple of episodes when I was working nights, so will be looking for them on the outdoor channel.

[arnisador]

I watched the most recent episode. The main subject was awareness, which really highlights how this series focuses on self-defense rather than martial arts/CQC alone.

I liked the discussion of tactical flashlights. Michael Janich made two points about them that point out deficiencies in mine--the front end extends past my fist but the back end (where the thumb press is) does not, meaning a hammerfist strike would be questionable for me, and it lacks a strobe feature (which I did not expect to find in such a small flashlight). I think I need to upgrade my tactical flashlight! Heh, I was pleased that he didn't mention brand names but now I have to go searching for one with that capability.

[arnisador]

I just watched another episode. It was about defense in the great outdoors ("the backcountry"). There was some basic self-defense with the walking stick and a discussion of why the reliability and size of a revolver may be desirable in the wild.

They talked about what to do if a mountain lion appears...and according to the news, there's one loose in the woods behind us!

As usual there was a welcome emphasis on awareness and avoidance! That's always good to see.

[PG Michael B]

When I'm in the woods..I always have a good brush gun handy..usually my marlin 45/70 guide gun..it's short and easy to carry but will knock down a grizzly when needed...for a side arm I go with my old standard Ruger Super Redhawk 44 magnum....and of course a good puma skinner and my hawk...never can be to prepared....if you go SNAFU in the bush it's a long way back.

[Shaun]

Good point about being prepared against animal attacks.
I know this seems obvious,but I (quite) recently saw a program about how a mountain lion had killed one and maimed another recreational mountain biker.
This was close to a major city.

Mountain lions are apparently great ambushers.

[arnisador]

I watched "Acquaintance Dangers" which did a very good job of highlighting some of the early signals/dangers w.r.t. body positioning for a date rape situation. There was also some empty-hand material standing including a segment with Michael Janich (http://www.martialbladeconcepts.com/about.htm) and a female LEO who had a great instep-to-the-shin kick. Somewhat surprisingly for the title, it then also included a segment on the shotgun for home defense.

I next watched the season-ender, "Dropped Gun--Active Shooter (http://www.downrange.tv/bestdefense/)". It gave a basic guide for gun novices (like me) of what to do if you must pick up a firearm that had been used by a LEO who was hit by a gunman in a school-shooting sort of scenario--simple stuff like how to check for the safety being on and such. It was actually very good. They then did some unrelated firearms material, such as use of laser pointer. (I also learned something I hadn't known there, but as someone who doesn't own a firearm it was less relevant to me.) It ended with Mr. Janich showing the tactical flashlight in empty-hand self-defense, including a basic tapping drill. Left-right-left-right cycling was emphasized.

I hope there's a next season! They do refer to this as Season One (http://www.downrange.tv/blog/?p=2211).

[arnisador]

They did a "Best of the Best Defense" highlights show tonight, and I did see a couple of segments I hadn't seen before! I knew I had missed the first couple of episodes.

[5thprofession47]

2009 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

24-26 April 2009, The Best Defense "Street Skills" Workshop:
Grove City Karate, Grove City, Ohio
The newest personal defense television show The Best Defense has taken the self- defense industry by storm and set a new standard in personal protection programming. As one of the co-hosts of the show, Michael Janich has shared his insights into all aspects of personal safety, from home defense strategies to unarmed combatives to the practical use of defensive weapons and firearms. In this dynamic three-day workshop, Janich will bring this instruction to life and give you the opportunity to learn critical self-defense skills firsthand. This "Street Skills" workshop will present detailed instruction in all aspects of personal protection on the streets, from critical skills of awareness, avoidance, de-escalation, and boundary setting through hard-hitting, hands-on combative training. Instruction will include basic, intermediate, and advanced elements of Janich's unarmed fighting system (Damithurt Silat), empty-hand defenses against weapons, the use of flashlights and other improvised weapons, and the mechanics of extreme close-quarters shooting skills. It will also present a crash course in Janich's new, streamlined system of Martial Blade Concepts (MBC)—his acclaimed edged-weapon tactics curriculum. This landmark event is one of only two major Michael Janich seminars scheduled this year. Tuition is $300.00 for three full days of training and attendance is limited. A $75.00 registration deposit is required (non-refundable after 1 April) to guarantee your slot. To register, contact Dave Holloway at Grove City Karate, 4068 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH at (614) 539-5425 or e-mail hollowaysos@aol.com (hollowaysos@aol.com).
All participants should bring eye protection, a purpose-designed training knife (folders preferred), and a protective armguard or Ace bandage. Inert training pistols ("blue" guns), appropriate holsters, and tactical flashlights are also recommended.

[arnisador]

Neat idea!

[arnisador]

I've been catching the episodes of "Best Defense" that I had previously missed, as they're repeating them. As usual, lots of emphasis on awareness--a great self-defense concept that is all-too-often missing from "martial arts" classes.

[5thprofession47]

Season one is now on DVD.

http://www.staysafemedia.com/siteadmin/images/products/tbddvd.jpg

http://www.staysafemedia.com/product.php?proid=80