In the world of self defense & martial arts instruction, there are literally a ton of techniques being taught to do any one thing to your assailant. But, how do you know which one to use in any given situation? While it's impossible to explore every variable within the context of this article, what I can do is to offer you the four basic strategies that all of these mechanical techniques fall into. This way, you can find those techniques within your own training which fit into each category. You can also take charge of your self defense training and determine which tactics you might be missing and therefore add additional options to your arsenal of techniques.

You will find that each martial arts style or self defense system tends to gravitate toward one or maybe even two of these basic strategies. However, in the realm of real world self defense training, you do not have the luxury of having "favorite" techniques or preferred ways of doing things.

While you may have techniques that you think your attacker can't get out of, the truth is that, unlike your training partners in class - he won't let you get that technique on him!

To effectively apply any given technique - favorite or not - you must first neutralize the force of the initial punches, grabs, or kicks that he's throwing at you. If you can't do that, quickly, easily, and effortlessly...

...it won't matter how many powerful techniques you know!

So, here are the four basic strategies for defending against an incoming punch, grab, or kick. Please keep in mind that these are only concepts. You will have to learn how to effectively do these things so that you can have the most effect without placing yourself in more danger.

In a self defense situation against a brutal attacker who is trying to punch, kick, or grab you - you can:

1) Hold your ground or use natural, walking footwork to slip or "block" his incoming limb. From this "commanding", in-charge position, you can then employ the strategy of using strong points against weak, crushing his attack and taking him to the ground.

2) Pull your body back and away, using long-range, defensive angling, and punish his incoming limb with a strike of your own. From here, you can then crash back in with full body power, directing your attack at his most vulnerable point.

3) Quickly move inside the arc - into the space - created by his attack. In this way, you take the fight to him and attack his vulnerable targets at the same instant that he is busy "missing" yours.

4) Use turning, evasive, body shifts that avoid his attacking limb - allowing it to slip by harmlessly - and simultaneously position you in a flanking position beside him where he will have a very difficult time getting at you.

While most martial arts focus on one of these strategies, Ninjutsu - the Ninja's self defense training art - uses all three (and more!) If you are to be successful at anything, including protecting yourself against aggression, you need as many options as possible.

Are you serious about mastering the art of ninjutsu - about having the power, confidence, and control to handle any attacker - any situation?
Read my newest ninja training book, "Becoming The Master." Get your free copy at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/becoming-the-master-subsc.html

Shidoshi Miller says, "If you really want to learn ninjutsu, and become a master of the Ninja's arts, then I can show you the secrets for developing the power, confidence, and control of a true Ninja warrior!"