Damian Ross

My KUNG-FU is Better Than Your KUNG-FU: Which Martial Arts Style is The BEST Martial Arts Style

By Damian Ross of The Self Defense Company It first started long ago when some unkown combat aficionado first posed the question: "Which is BETTER, boxing or wrestling' ?" Since that time comparisons of combat skills and methods have become common ... Read >

Banners, Battle Axes, and Beer: Is there a better way to spend the weekend?

By William Pehush of The Self Defense Company The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is a historical reenactment group, which recreates pre-17th century Western European history, and every summer they go to war. For 17 days full contact sport mart... Read >

Does Self Defense Need to be Complicated?

By Damian Ross and William Pehush of The Self Defense Company Our society has turned into a culture where everyone wants everything right away, and yesterday isn't soon enough. But we all know good things take time, but do essential skills like real se... Read >

Time to adjust your way of thinking about martial arts and self defense

Real Self Defense is not just about technique. Yes, there is the holy grail of techniques that you will soon learn that are simple and effective by design. But that's only a small part of the equation. Unfortunately that's the primary concern of all marti... Read >

Why You Need to Know How to Fight

It's not a choice, it's a responsibility Damian Ross and BJ Pehush of The Self Defense Company Most people try to live their lives without violence or having to fight someone. This is a noble pursuit and if you're able to avoid violence you should a... Read >

Why Martial Artists and Coaches Make the Best Instructors

I always hear the argument…you don't need a black belt to defense yourself (I know, I said it). This is absolutely 100% true. Self Defense is NOT a martial art. But teaching self defense IS. I'll explain… As a martial artist or an athlete you a... Read >

Why You Should Always Trust a Wrestler

(or at least give him the benefit of the doubt) Yesterday I went to the annual wrestling awards banquet at my alma mater, Ridgewood High School. Every year my family has the distinction of honoring a Ridgewood wrestler with the Philip A Ross, Jr. award... Read >

The Acronym that Saved My Life

Frequently, I get asked about certifications, systems or methods. The only way we will do this is to actually spend time with you on the mat. The Black Belt by mail is really hokey at best, but I won't stand in someone's way who believes in what we teach ... Read >

So You Think You Train Hard?

Exerts taken from "Tokio Hirano (1922-1993) 8th Dan The Man Who Revolutionized Judo" By Jim Chen, M.D . and Theodore Chen Hirano 7th Dan At Age 42 Tokio Hirano (5'5", 75 kg), obtained Godan (5th dan) at age 19, is perhaps the greatest Judo technician... Read >

Why Even A Little Fitness Counts

Mat Pull: The simple act of lying on flat on your stomach, reaching in front of you and pulling your self across the mat. This is one exercise that helps develop your muscles for grappling. We do these as a part of our warm up. The other day, I was be... Read >

Martial Arts’ Greatest Lesson

Success at home, work or on the mat is what drives all of us. Sooner or later, you're going to want something more. It's in our very nature to succeed. It is a primary survival instinct. The benefits of success are obvious. Sense of accomplishment, self w... Read >

Women’s Self Defense

Can Anyone Defend Themselves? Of course the answer is "Yes", but each person has different circumstances. A 300-pound football player is going to have a different skill set than a 130-pound mother of two. The biggest misconception in the martial arts ... Read >

One of the Biggest Mistakes All Martial Artists Make

How many times do you practice techniques with your training partner and you stay in the same spot? Next time you are training, pay attention to how much you and your partner move. You'll find you move very little or not at all. You see, when you are trai... Read >

The Value Of Martial Arts Training

I was talking to a parent recently and they told me that their son was not going to compete in wrestling because they were afraid he would get frustrated when he lost. The parent felt the child was far too sensitive to handle the frustration of failure an... Read >

IS Vale Tudo: The Original “Mixed Martial Arts”?

By William Pehush of The Self Defense Company Described by some as "human cock-fighting," Vale Tudo is Portuguese for anything goes, and in these competitions they mean it. So violent that it is only available over the Internet in the United States Val... Read >