The System: Patches Vs Belts
Street Hornets, SD&PT patches combine both technique and Street Awareness for the first three levels!
Patches
Street Hornets Base
Base: will introduce you to self-defense, providing insights into: fundamentals, the sphere, defense, available arsenal, defensive striking and attack defense scenarios. Along with Street Awareness One – Street Ready!
White - Technique
Center line & Defense Ready: Building the base. In this module we focus on, the centerline, along with leaning about hand and defense positioning.
Always have your chin tucked (mouth closed), and your hands either held in a protected ‘sphere defense’ position or with lead hand in attack position and rear hand in defense position.
Footwork: The foundation of every combat or self-defense system is footwork. The back foot should be raised like a spring. (Note. Never turn your back to the assailant).
Everything is done for a reason.
Center-line divides the body into two down the sagittal plane. Angled to your opponent with the front leg ready to protect the groin or complete kick defense/offence.
Footwork: Forward: move your front foot followed by your back foot, moving backwards vice versa. In the same way, you can move side to side. Even weight distribution (never cross feet). Within the system we train to have a versatile stance, but it is also important at this stage to determine your dominant hand, usually your writing hand.
- Turn fist for jabs, crosses and most hooks
- Breath out when you exert
- Back foot raised like a piston
- Punching through the object
- Head movement
- Punches same way in same way out (unless chamber)
Understand the concept of the centerline, understand chin and hand positions.
Footwork: Dominant hand is forward. Competent moving forward/backwards, and side-to-side. Heel raised. Even weight distribution.
Introducing four basic defenses: bob or slip, out of range, block, and grab or parry
Where to observe: 1. eyes (body language), 2. sternum for movement responses, 3. outer periphery for potential additional hazards.
Techniques like blocking, parrying, and evading can be used to defend against an attacker’s strikes and create an opportunity to escape.
Building on tucking the chin and return your limbs to the best position. Hand in attack position and rear hand in defense position.
Basic Defense: Roll shoulder, use forearms to block, grab attack.
Comfortable completing the four defenses on both sides and both transverse planes.
A unique tactic under Street Hornets, pertains to the sphere! Everyone has a sphere around them. It’s the zone where you are comfortable with people standing. This can vary on a number of factors including circumstances, intimacy or even geography.
The barrier created by the sphere, puts you in control. If the assailant makes contact, you can determine your next action…step back, strike, shove.
Note, protecting the sphere is non combative.
Learn your sphere, learn how to react if someone moves towards or breaks your force field in any way.
Work of the sphere being a natural response.
The ‘shove’ off the sphere provides spaces to initiate either flight or flight responses. You’re give the assailant an ‘out’ without resulting in physical violence.
In addition, you should consider the sphere when you’re static. Ask yourself: Am I using my environment, as an example if you have a wall behind you, you can guarantee nothing is going to come from that direction.
Think about how to protect your entire sphere and use tactics to efficiently & effectively ensure this happens!
Able to perform neutral body position, to sphere defense. Confidence with the action, and confidence in the approach.
In our opinion probably the best standup martial art is Muay Thai, (also known as the eight limbs feet, knees, elbows, fists). Lethwei, adds a ninth which we adopt, the headbutt. When you’re engaging, think of your jabs as pistons and turn your shoulder. Think of body mechanic and maximizing power without telegraphing your movement.
Three striking zones: high (head – jabs, crosses) – mid (torso – shovels, hooks, knees, kicks) – low (kicks).
In this module we begin to hone our tools: Jab, cross, hook, shovel, back fist, along with calf, knee, front and groin kicks will be evaluated. Kicks should never be thrown naked (unless the assailant is immobilized).
Powerful low leg kicks: are a huge part of Street Hornets. 1. difficult to block or avoid, 2. single strike can cause devastating damage, 3. Focus is not on the feet.
Understand the basic movements for all the nine limbs. All attack actions should return to the optimum position of defense, like a piston. Have an understanding of the ‘Thai Plum’ and how you can control the assailants head, with your two hands behind their head. This technique is especially effective for knees.
Comfortable and balanced stance. Strong body dynamics particularly for the jab, cross, hook and shovel.
Powerful low leg kicks:
Excellent fundamentals for the kick to the knee and the groin kick. You should have techniques to accommodate every angle of attack. Kicks can also, be thrown on the inside of the knee or calf.
No telegraph, fast, powerful, direct.
Note the techniques such as ridge hand, eye gauges and kicks, which don’t require knuckles conditioning.
Proficiency in the nine limbs. Return position. Basic form. Able to perform ‘Thai Plum’.
Understand the three striking zones, and favoured techniques for each zone.
Stance, form, return position will all be evaluated. Along with defense for hands, including when throwing kicks (protecting head).
Powerful non- telegraphed kicks executed with speed & power.
We need to reiterate the Street Hornets golden rule here. Only when absolutely necessary. Hand techniques: Palm strikes / palm thrust / chamber punch / knife hand / ridge hand. Kicks: kick to the knee or ankle, calf kick, stop kick or groin kicks.
Competent in the following hand techniques: Palm strikes – using the palm to make contact, palm thrust – thrusting the palm, chamber punch – straight punching on a ‘cam’, knife hand – using your hand as a knife making contact with the side of the open palm below your pinky finger, Ridge hand – using your hand open palm and striking above your index finger, tucking your thumb. Kicks: kick to the knee or ankle, calf kick and groin kick. Stop kick: foot comes up and intercept the assailant forward motion.
Competent in the following techniques: Punches: Palm strikes / open palm strike / palm thrust / chamber punch / knife hand / ridge hand. Kicks: kick to the knee or ankle, calf kick, stop kick or groin kicks. Basic understanding of where to strike and how best to utilize techniques.
Unfortunately, there is always the possibility of being attacked. Most armature aggressive techniques result in attackers initiating contact by either grabbing you in front or from behind.
Understand the basic defense attacks and the counters. Grab Defenses: One hand negates the crab and attacking with the other hand. From behind either foot stomp, elbow, or tactical groin twist (if applicable).
Assailants own momentum: This technique involves using an attacker’s own momentum against them by redirecting their force and balance. For example, if an attacker comes at you with a bear hug from behind, you might drop your weight and use your hips to pivot and throw them over your shoulder.
Comprehension of the attack defense scenarios, and an understanding of when and which techniques to use.
Understanding of momentum / balance and how to use it to your advantage.
Yellow - Street Awareness
Always be Mindful: When you’re fully present, your senses are working as designed. Your senses are the link to your instinct.
Always trust your gut over everything. Don’t try to rationalize an irrational situation.
Demeanor: Always maintain an open but firm manner and good posture (atomic natural) when talking to a people. Smile. Blend in, never show you’re a weak target.
Where to observe (when leveraging the ‘sphere’):
- Eyes (body language),
- Sternum for movement responses,
- Outer periphery for potential additional hazards
Pedestrian Crossings: Use designated crosswalks and pedestrian crossings: Always use designated crosswalks and pedestrian crossings when crossing the street. Look for traffic signals, pedestrian signs, and follow the rules of the road.
Visibility: Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially when walking or biking at night. Carry a flashlight or use a headlamp to increase your visibility to drivers.
Best Advice: The best self-defense move is to avoid dangerous situations altogether by being aware of your surroundings, trusting your instincts, and avoiding isolated or poorly lit areas, especially at night.
Remember, self-defense is about protecting yourself and getting away from the situation safely. It’s important to prioritize your safety, use techniques that you are comfortable with and have been trained in.
Observing people around you and watching how they; present, express themselves or react, etc. is the best way to both understand your environment and understand the potential ignition points for issues. Use reflections. (Be aware of cameras / audio & video surveillance / phones).
Nonverbal communication tells us about how people are feeling. Does their body language align with what they are saying or doing? You can usually tell if people are: agitated, angry, aggressive or being deceitful. Substances or medical condition could also, be a factor and impact behaviour. Do they have anything in their hands or are they clenching their fist, as examples.
Moving from verbal interaction towards physical interaction.
Be aware of your surroundings: Stay alert and attentive to your surroundings at all times. Avoid distractions such as texting or wearing headphones while walking, as they can prevent you from being aware of potential dangers.
Not every distraction can be fully eliminated; kids, issues which you need to address immediately on your mobile. The best option is to limit distractions; stay off any device and if you listen to music have one headphone off or have it at a low volume etc. Be assured distractions create the possibility of issues. Unscrupulous individuals aways seek out the weakest and a distraction makes you vulnerable.
Listen to any intuition your senses are providing. If you ever feel uneasy about someone or something, remove yourself from the situation or place. It is always best to trust your gut instinct and be on the safe side.
Always trust your gut over everything. Don’t try to rationalize an irrational situation.
How to remove yourself from a situation or place. You should always be aware of your emergency exits everywhere not just on a plane.
Always be aware of exits or ways which will become exits, if needed.
Always being alert, always understanding which zone you’re in. Ensuring you walk with good posture and limit your distraction. These are all essential components to situational awareness. Unscrupulous individuals aways seek out the weak.
Mike Tyson famously said, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”
Escape and Run: If you feel threatened, the best course of action may be to escape and run to a safe place as quickly as possible… evade, distract, run, use your environment to your advantage (sun in eyes).. Remember, your safety is the top priority.
Sphere & Center-line
Video Support
- Note: not all techniques are included in the videos
- More videos coming soon!
White - Technique
Yellow - Street Awareness
Virtual Dojo
Street Hornets Intermediate
Intermediate: will provide you with footwork progression, defense striking, defense forms the attack, ranges / combinations, along with immobilization and trapping. In addition to Street Awareness Two – Street Radar!
Orange - Technique
Moving on from our basic footwork, which we learnt in Base. The spaceman shuffle (or displacement shuffle) allows you to cover distance, we will also, introduce diagonal movement. Switch stance describes both your ability to be versatile on both side, along with being comfortable with the transitions. Fluid stance is a build on that as you seamlessly transition from one side to the other.
Spaceman Shuffle moving forward: your back foot takes the place of your front foot, your back foot propels your front foot forward. Moving backwards uses the same concept vice versa. Switch stances seamlessly and fluidly from southpaw or orthodox. As you advance you will learn about direction, either cutoff or positioning yourself in the optimum way for attack.
Comfortable with diagonal movement. Comfortably transition from one stance to another. Effectively perform spaceman shuffle in both directions.
Striking effectiveness is key. The worst case scenario is an escalated situation, where you lack effective tools. Certain areas of the body are way more venerable than others. The majority of these striking techniques are banned from competition, due to the highly effective and damaging nature resulting from the techniques.
If physical confrontation is unavoidable, aim for the attacker’s vulnerable areas such as eyes, nose, throat, groin, and knees. Strikes to these areas can be effective in incapacitating an attacker and creating an opportunity to escape.
The great equalizers (maximum effectiveness): groin (if applicable), neck, throat, eye gauge (excluded with eyewear/patch), liver shots, and direct strikes to the solar-plexus. Any or all of these techniques can bring an end to any physical confrontation.
Other advanced striking techniques include, Hyper extend elbow or elbow to ribs.
Comprehensive understanding of why and where to effectively strike the body for maximum effectiveness.
Defense forms the attack: Effective defense can lead to a strong simultaneous counter-attack. For example, forearm blocks/elbow (step through) or block/back fists or block & roll (behind the limbs).
Defensive Progression: In addition to the four defenses on the transverse plane. We’re going to add some techniques to reestablish distance. We will also, introduce the check-kick as a defense to your assailant kicking.
Learn & become comfortable with using the following techniques:
- forearm blocks/elbow (step through)
- block/back fists
- block & roll (behind the limbs).
The shove is a powerful tool to reestablish distance for your sphere. The push or teat kick, also reestablishes distance. In addition, we want students to be aware of the phycological effect, adrenaline and the basic fight or flight response.
Check kick, is essentially lifting your rear leg, so the blow from the kick is concentrated on the upper shin (although this can hurt, it hurts the assailant more.)
Able to perform the following: forearm blocks/elbow (step through), block/back fists and block & roll (behind the limbs).
Review competencies in both push kick and shove techniques. Understand the physiological response.
Able to execute check kick on both sides.
Combinations are always good to know, muscle memory is real. We teach a number of fundamentals combinations, however, we strongly believe in the individuals and different styles, which is why we encourages individuals to compile combinations which work with their body mechanics and strengths.
Powerful low leg kicks: Also, provide a great way to end combinations or bridge distance.
Combinations, examples:
1. Jab, cross, hook,
2. Jab/Cross/Calf Kick,
3. Stop or groin kick/Cross/Uppercut,
4. Cross/Hook/Cross,
5. Lead Elbow/Hook/Lead Elbow
6. Direct elbow – grab head annihilate with elbow
Able to competently perform the following combinations: 1. Jab, cross, hook, 2. Jab/Cross/Calf Kick, 3. Stop or groin kick/Cross/Uppercut, 4. Cross/Hook/Cross, 5. Lead Elbow/Hook/Lead Elbow, and 6. Direct elbow – grab head annihilate with elbow
Understanding and comprehension of ranges. From close range, to medium range, to regular range and finally long range. Develop techniques which are effective in each of the ranges.
Component at the following range attacks: close range: (headbutt), grappling, knees, ‘Gaethje’ kicks, takedowns, mid range: Jab, cross, hook, shovel, backfist, regular range: Kicks: calf, knee, front kick, groin kick, long range: flying knee, running headbutt, double leg.
Understand fighting ranges and demonstrate the techniques that are most applicable in each of those ranges.
Trapping plays a significant role in self-defense and is the prerequisite prior to learning the ‘behind the limbs’ technique which will be introduced in Blue patch.
Note, you don’t need much force to redirect an offence.
Redirecting force: Sometimes with the force (trapping), sometimes against it (jab knockout, supported by assailant moving forward).
Trapping: using your hands to manipulate the assailant arms.
Redirecting force: Understanding of trapping techniques and how to leverage the assailants force.
Able to perform: Pak-Sao (push) / Lap-Sao (pull) and double Pak-Sao (double push).
Trapping: Ability to leverage assailants motion for trapping. Able to perform Pak-Sao / Lap-Sao and double Pak-Sao.
Understand why & when to utilize trapping techniques.
The golden principle of Street Hornets is preservation. Sometimes conflict is inevitable and in order to achieve preservation, we must incapacitate the assailant in-order to be able to flee the danger. In-order to achieve this, we use either a knee or ankle stomp. If you find yourself in a situation, you should use the most effective strikes available, which will allow you to run from the danger.
Understanding of when and how to use incapacitating techniques to a downed assailant. You should be able to perform incapacitating strikes from both stances.
Shows technical competency in executing either ankle of knee stomps.
Green - Street Awareness
Developed by Street Hornets ‘Street Radar’ is a tactic to keep you alert & engaged with your environment.
Street Radar: Think of ‘the street radar’ as traffic lights. Regardless of where you are or who you’re with, you will always be in one of three zones.
- Green zone
- Amber zone or
- Red zone
‘Street Radar should always be running’
i: Awareness of your environment
ii: Awareness of potential issues/concerns or ignition points
iii: Understanding of how the future situation may change or unfold
Quick tip: Assailants are less likely to create a situation, where bystanders can easily intervene.
Street Radar Zones:
Green: no issues, no foreseeable issues, comfortable in your surrounding, but still vigilant.
Amber: no issues, but conditions are changing, you’re on alert, or
Red: high potential of issues or issues, conditions are rife for issues, your goal is to remove yourself and whoever is with you.
Street Radar Zones can be further broken down in high and low. For example, you can have high amber or low amber.
The emotional wheel gives us details on emotions and what the true emotions are behind how people are feeling. Out of the more than 80 emotions on the outer wheel, they are all driven by seven key emotions.
Happy, surprised, bad, fearful, angry, disgusted and sad.
Only one of the seven key emotions, ‘happy’, results in no or low potential for confrontation.
Moving on from the sphere, which we covered in White patch, we want to continue to reiterate the importance of the sphere and how it is an essential and fundamental part of Street Hornets.
Establishing buffer / barrier – even if someone invades your personal space (if lost, reestablish). Understanding your sphere. Comfort zones – personal space.
Half Sphere: can also, be adopted with one hand creating distance / barrier, whilst the other remains attack ready (half fence to H-bomb).
Video Support
- Note: not all techniques are included in the videos
- More videos coming soon!
Orange - Technique
Green - Street Awareness
Virtual Dojo
Street Hornets Advanced
Advanced: will provide you insights into: angles, misdirects, feints & counters, takedowns & submissions, along with, the behind the limbs, technique. You will also, cover Street Awareness Three – Triggers & response!
Blue - Technique
Misdirect and faints will not play the biggest role is any self defense system, but always good to know. Angles and counters will play a much bigger role.
Redirecting force: Sometimes with the force (trapping), sometimes against it (jab knockout, supported by assailant moving forward).
Misdirect: is basically, as you would imagine, making your assailant think you’re going to do one thing and subsequently doing another (look an airplane).
Faints: pertain to small movement which would imply you were going to continue of an offensive (you are trying to bait the assailant into reacting) and instead offer an alternative. Angles: making the best use of angle for your offence. Counters: direct opening which present themselves depending on the assailant attack.
Understand the concepts of misdirects faints and angles. Counters: understand counters, along with some personal examples.
Taking down the assailant maybe a tactical play or a necessity. The easiest ways to take someone down is a double leg, followed by a single leg. In addition, you could catch a kick or get someone off balance. Alternatively, you can change weight distribution with throws or reaps.
Understand how to perform single and double legged takedown. Grasp of understand weight distribution dynamics for the single leg. Basic throws: able to manipulate the assailant weight, to successfully of balance and transition to the ground in a dominate fashion. Basic understanding of reaps. TD defense: pushdown on the head of the assailant or sprawling backward preventing the takedown. Once you have control of the assailant either using half guard or full guard, G&P can be utilized. Single/full guard is when you have either one (single) or both legs over the top of their hips. If you have a takedown secured, ensure you utilize your full body weight.
Able to perform takedowns: single leg, double leg, reaps and trips. TD defense: push down on the head or sprawl.
Ground and pound can be initiated if an interaction ends up on the floor. G&P basically describes controlling your assailant and offering a barrage of fists and elbows in a downward direction. This technique is extremally effective and was born out of MMA competition.
Ground & pound can be performed either using fists, hammer fists or elbows. G&P tends to be performed it full mount, with the assailant being controlled by hips & thighs.
This technique offers multiple range options as you posture up, and down. It is also, extremely effective at preventing or restricting submissions or for you to transition to your own submission.
Understand when & how to utilize ground and pound.
Perficient in posturing up and down maintaining control and utilizing both fists and elbows.
Ability to transition from G&P into submissions.
We teach a number of practical and easy to apply submissions, which can be applied from multiple positions. Standing & ground: Triangle, arm bar, head & arm choke, guillotine and rear naked choke.
Comprehension of how and when to use both standing and ground submissions. Triangle: using legs to manipulate the neck and one arm. Arm bar: using both arm to isolate a single arm of the assailant and hyperextending it using your hips. Head & Arm: using the assailant arm to press against the head, creating a blood choke. Guillotine: places an assailants head under the armpit and the forearm under their neck. RNC: from behind the assailant, one arm is in front of the neck and one arm is behind, using leverage to restrict oxygen to the brain. Legs control the body (hooks or body triangle). Basic Submission Defence: Guillotine/H&A get your head out, Triangle both arms in or both arms out, RNC: fight the hands.
Able to perform: Standing & ground: Triangle, arm bar, head and arm choke, guillotine, rear naked choke. Along with body positioning and body mechanics. Understand and able to perform basic submission defense.
Building on from the basic combinations, we want to introduce an effective Self-defense combination.
Advanced Combinations, also, include being able to adapt to where your assailant moves.
Combination: Palm strike primary strong hand – secondary hand pummels under (under hooks) the assailant right arm in case they have a weapon.
Secondary attack, use strong hand to control the assailant for follow-up knee to groin
Traverse away hook fist or forearm with strong hand.
Ability to perform self-defense combination with confidence and fluidity.
Ability to track, and predict combination response.
A unique Street Hornets technique, where we use trapping and superior footwork, to transition behind the attackers’ limbs. This leaves us able to perform strikes to immobilize the assailant and get away.
Leverage trapping and superior footwork, to transition behind the attackers’ limbs.
Follow-up with immobilizing techniques, such as kick to the knee, stomp to the ankle or kick the groin from behind.
Ability to perform techniques required to position yourself behind the attacker.
Brown - Street Awareness
Reptilian Brain: Fight or Flight (heart beats fast and redistributes the blood to the brain and muscles, giving you x5 the amount of oxygenated blood, enhancing speed and power). Control the adrenaline dump. Your body receives a huge release of adrenalin from the adrenal glands. You have to direct it versus it directing you. We are still essentially evolved animals.
This is what is commonly described as ‘fight or flight’.
Controlling emotions and adrenaline dump are major elements of the Vertex patch.
Considerations: People are all going through more trials job loss, break-ups, diagnoses.
Respect, goes a long way!
Body Language: Some assailants or attackers will track their victim, much in the same way an animal will tracks its prey. Be vigilant of uncomfortable eye contact.
If you hear someone shouting the same thing over and over again, that’s a good time to keep distance.
Awareness: Remember you never know whether more individuals/assailants are coming or which individuals know, which individuals. Always prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Where to observe:
- eyes (body language),
- sternum for movement responses,
- outer periphery for potential additional hazards.
Physiological Response: In certain circumstances alcohol or drugs may have been consumed resulting in ‘perceived’ courage. In contrast, this can also, negatively result in lack of coordination and a belly full of drink. Individuals under the influence can become unpredictable, aggressive and lack the capacity to reason.
Pause…are you or the people you protect in imminent danger. Respond don’t react. Be assertive, take control of the situation.
- Access
- Breath
- Calm
- Decide
Human physiology is complicated, but every individual earliest memory is being told what to do and having to do it.
Act Decisively!
Look for Vulnerabilities’: Footwear Flip-flop’s / sandals – foot stomps. Eyewear preventing eye gauges.
Distractions: can be used to increase your odds or ability to get away.
Muscle memory: Muscle memory, is required to deal with highly charged situations.
When we have conducted the same sequence over and over again, our brain subsequently does not have to think about the process and therefore the response becomes automatic. Ultimately, this leads to a faster response.
Prevention discourse, deescalate the situation. Getting away, ‘art of fighting without fighting’.
Diplomacy: Escalation on both side = escalation….Think of ways & techniques to deescalate the situation. Assertive response / seek authority / seek to avoid.
You will also, often encounter people trying to impress other people: colleagues – would be suitors. Remember a lot of the time they want an audience or a heightened reaction -don’t give the fire fuel.
Also, be aware of groups or gangs who sometimes want to prove themselves.
Verbal De-escalation: If confronted by a potential attacker, using assertive and confident verbal communication (a stern…behave … or calm down, calm down. Always, read the situation) can often help defuse the situation and give you an opportunity to escape.
Egos: Males (in particular) have egos (some women have them too). They never want to lose face. 90% bravado. Give them a way out without losing face (cornered response), most people are conflict adverse. First check open fist stops motion forward, second more force ‘definite demand’ if you don’t stay back. Pick your battles.
Seeing weaknesses in your assailant (limp, brace). 2nd location: Don’t go to 2nd location, potentially want to take you to a more secluded area. You don’t know who is with who and who is about to join the ruckus. Distract: If a situation occurs, try to find something to throw or create a noise. Note they also, may be trying to distract you or trick you.
Use your environment: Leverage you environment for prevention, for example leverage reflections in water or windows. If a situation occurs, can you use your environment either as a weapon or means for escape.
Inside Environment: be aware of exits, restrictions, barriers and obstacles. You should always know where your nearest exit is and what your escape routes and strategy would be, if a situation presented itself.
Video Support
- Note: not all techniques are included in the videos
- More videos coming soon!
Blue - Technique
Brown - Street Awareness
Virtual Dojo
Street Hornets Elite
In this patch: Setting-up power punches, multiple aggressors & weapon basics. Finding your flow, the art of the knockout, standing submissions & control.
Street Hornets Vertex
In this patch: Dealing with multiple aggressors, dealing with weapons, reality simulator, and ‘the swarm’.
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