Practical Self Defense

SOME years ago a pupil said to me: “Boxing is a splendid exercise, and is no doubt of service as a means of defense after one becomes proficient, but it does take a long time to become good enough to offset the natural advantage of a rough fighter who ignores even the suspicion of rules. Would it not be possible to have a system of defense, easy to learn and adaptable to the tactics of the ordinary tough about town?”

The answer to this question is the method of defense fully outlined in this work, which is to enable one to defend himself against the tactics of the bully, the thug or the quarrelsome drunk.

Investigations have been made in this country, in Canada and in England of the various methods of attack made on the police, car conductors, waiters in quick-lunch restaurants and in bar rooms and of the various methods of the local street fighters, and a list has been carefully compiled from the information gathered. The most astonishing fact brought out by these investigations was the very limited and primitive nature of the attacks. Nearly all such attacks, with the exception of genuine hold-ups, started during an argument or immediately after. Therefore, to keep out of trouble do not argue, and when possible walk away. It is not always possible to do this, and the evidence shows that sometimes arguments are forced on people for a sinister purpose. Women are insulted, old people are jostled and otherwise maltreated and a bully having once “tasted blood” successfully becomes a seeker of trouble and a menace to society.

The course of self-defense here advocated is what it is called and nothing more—self-defense. There is not an attack in the course, nor is it a plaything, and what is more, it is dangerous when used as such. All movements should be practiCed slowly, and at first without much resistance, until one becomes familiar with the object of the movement. The methods have had thorough trials, and pupils have reported very favorably of their successes.

To simplify the course the defense moves have been purposely cut down to as few as possible consistent with success. A large number of “moves” are not required. As a matter of fact, one or two good moves which maybe learned quite easily and used with effect are all that is necessary.

The following list is the result of investigations into the methods used by street fighters:
1. Grasping the throat with one or both hands.
2. Pressing forearm across the throat and attempting to strike at the face.
3. Striking for the face with either hand, usually the right hand. '
4. Kicking at the stomach.
5. Running in and taking a front waist-hold and attempting to lift and throw opponent.
6. Throwing arm around neck and pulling opponent into the position of the side chancery.
7. Turning opponent and securing a back waist-hold and attempting to throw.
8. Turning victim and putting one or both arms around neck and pulling him over backward, or striking with fist or some weapon.
9. Attempting to strike at head With some weapon, such as a stick or bottle.
10. Attempting to stab or cut with a knife.
11. Hold-up with a revolver.
12. Attacked by a dog.

POSITION FOR DEFENSE
STOP ON THE BODY
STOP ON THE THROAT .
THE FOOT STOP
THE TURN AND PUSH
FIRST'METHOD AGAINST A THREATENING ASSAILANT
SECOND METHOD AGAINST A THREATENING AssAILANT
LEFT BLOW FOR FACE .
RIGHT BLOW FOR FACE
GRASPING THE THROAT
THE FRONT WAIST-HOLD
THE CHANCERY HOLD
THE BACK WAIST-HOLD
ARM ACROSS THROAT FROM BEHIN
ASSAILANT KICKING FOR STOMACH
SINGLE-HANDED HOLD-UP WITH REVOLVER .
STRIKING WITH SMALL IRON BAR
KNIFE-THRUST AT THE STOMACH .
THE COME-ALONG HOLD
WHEN ATTACKED BY A DOG
CONCLUSION