Low Tech Combat is a great site focused on applicable, scientific means of self defense proven through study and case scenarios. I've always enjoyed Adam's work there and was pleased to represent some of the traditional side. Although I hardly speak for everyone, I felt like it was a good chance to discuss the differences between classical and traditional training, and how valuable each can be to real self defense.

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When I was a kid the public perception of a police officer was, positive.  He was an honorable and trustworthy protector of the public, who could be trusted with your most valuable possessions, even your life.  This perception was reinforced by movies and televisions shows such as “Dragnet” and later “Adam 12”.  As I grew older, my perception, and that of the public, became more realistic with police involvement in civil rights violations and excessive force becoming common knowledge.  Of course these issues were addressed and continue to be.  Through all that, Law Enforcement continued to retain the public trust, though we now know that officers do make mistakes and as in all professions, there are some bad ones.  But the bad ones don’t last long due to established safeguards.

For over 30 years I was one of those police officers (a good one).  After Viet Nam, I went to the Police Academy and my destiny was set.  I also became a martial artist, teaching Okinawa Kenpo Karate for nearly as long.   Because of my history and profession, I chose the more practical approach to Karate, focusing on combat and self-defense rather than the sport aspect.  It proved to be a wise choice and served me well over the years.  Retired now, my second career is full time teaching an art that saved my butt several times.

There is one issue that doesn’t fall into “normal” self defense or martial training.  That is; what do you do when your “Threat” is a police officer or someone impersonating one?

It’s a new day and wackadoos abound, gone are the days when a regular person can venture forth in public without at least some concern for their safety and well being.  Everyone needs to take certain precautions and increase their awareness to ensure their safety and the safety of their possessions.  Even trust in our police officers has eroded, unfortunately for some valid reasons.  Though perhaps not as valid as some might think.

Police Impersonation

I have been asked, “How can I be sure the police officer pulling me over is real”?  Due to the occasional rapist impersonating a police officer to isolate his victims, this is a very valid question.  There is also the question, “How do I know the police officer who stopped me won’t rape and kill me”?  Yes, that has happened.

I’ll address the impersonation of an officer first.  Uniformed officers in marked police cars perform the vast majority of traffic stops.  I have never heard of a rapist or someone intent on committing some type of random assault go to the trouble of reproducing the “police car” and “uniform”.  So, if you learn what police cars and uniforms look like in your area, you’re OK.  If someone in a Security Vehicle or is wearing something that doesn’t look like a uniform, tries to pull you over call the police and ask for verification.  Red, or Red/Blue, means Police, don’t stop for Orange or Yellow, and call 911 if someone with these lights try to pull you over.

Police do use unmarked vehicles and there are some marked cars that don’t have overhead lights.  If you are familiar with police cars these cars should be easy to spot.  If not, look for permanently mounted lights on the bumper or grill.  Is the officer wearing a uniform that you recognize?  Is he using the radio to call in his location, your tag number and description and reason for the stop?  Fake police officers don’t have anyone to call in to and would have to “act the part”.  Be cautious of a single “Bubble Light” on the dash.  They are used by police but rare for traffic enforcement, usually reserved for getting through traffic and not stopping traffic.  Police stop traffic offenders; did you commit a traffic offense?  If so act accordingly.  If you are pulled over by an officer, marked police car or not, if you see the word “Security” or any phrase that doesn’t contain the words “Police”, “Deputy”, “Sheriff”, “Law Enforcement”, drive immediately to a well lighted and public area calling 911.  Those words are exclusive to legitimate police officers.  Other words, meant to deceive include “Agent”, “Bail Enforcement”, “Officer”, “Investigator” and “Detective”.  These are not totally inclusive, just examples.  Security Guards, Private Investigators, and Bail Bondsmen use these legally, but that also makes them available to one whom would impersonate a Police Officer.

If you suspect that the officer pulling you over isn’t legitimate let him know you see him and slow down a bit so that he knows you intend to comply with his stopping you.  Hand gestures and eye contact work well for this.  Legitimate police officers, especially those in unmarked cars understand this.  Drive to the nearest populated and lighted area.  Call the police and ask if this officer is legitimate, request another officer if they don’t know.  You may have a different agency on the phone that the one who’s officer is pulling you over.  When the officer approaches tell him you have the dispatcher on the phone to verify his identity.  A real police officer will understand, a fake will run.  On the outside chance you are accosted, drive off.  Tell the dispatcher where you are and keep them on the line.

Things Not To Do

Here are some things not to do.  Don’t have a bad attitude.  It never makes the situation better and anger is not fear.  If you suspect the officer is not legitimate, you should be afraid, not angry.  Anger tells me, and it should tell you, that you don’t really suspect the officer to be fake.  Don’t drive to any other location at the direction of the officer, except to clear traffic or get further off of the road.  Don’t be afraid to ask for credentials, identification, or another officer to be present if you are still suspicious.  Don’t be an unreasonable idiot, if the uniform is legitimate, the car properly marked, and he has all the appropriate equipment such as gun, radio (working), citation book, pepper spray, and black shoes.  It would be unreasonable to not comply with this person.  Do not let your opinion as to the validity of the reason for the traffic stop influence your “suspicion” as to the validity of the officer’s identity.  You may have committed an infraction that you were not aware of or he may have stopped you for some other legal reason of which you have no knowledge.  In most cases a simple question will result in a proper explanation.

I have arrested and successfully prosecuted a police impersonation/rape case.  It was a terrible thing and had several things in common with many such cases.  Solitary woman driver, isolated location, alcohol (the victim had been drinking), bubble light on the dash of a civilian car, uniform shirt with a badge.  Healthy skepticism would have prevented this case, but the first thing alcohol does to you is impair judgement, before anything else.  After this victim was pulled over she did become suspicious, but she didn’t know what to look for and how to react.

In all my years I only know of two cases that involve real Police Officers committing crimes such as Rape/Murder while on duty to random victims during traffic stops.  So the odds are very good that this kind of thing won’t happen to you.  But the horrendous nature of such a crime, who the criminal is, the vulnerability of the victim, and the law requiring compliance with a supposed trusted public servant, makes this an issue to be addressed.

On December 27th 1986, California Highway Patrol Trooper Craig Peyer stopped a woman on an isolated off ramp in San Diego and killed her.  On March 4th 1990, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Harris stopped a woman on I-95 in an isolated area of Indian River County then raped and killed her.

The odds of even knowing one of these guys is so remote it warrants no concern.  So being a victim of an officer like this is nearly impossible.  But only nearly, there is no guarantee that it won’t happen again.  Life doesn’t work like that.  Years ago I worked with Harris when he was a rookie, and no, there wasn’t a clue to what he would ultimately do.

There are some common factors in both of these cases.  A lone female driver, isolated location, both victims were relocated to more secluded locations nearby.  Neither trooper called in the traffic stop.  Both troopers appeared to have some type of issues involving “power”.  Both victims were traveling greater distances and not near their home or destination.  Both crimes occurred at night.  The fact that both cases involve troopers of large state agencies whose focus is traffic only and that both cases were on Interstate Highways suggests a dynamic that is beyond my understanding.  Investigation into both of these cases revealed that both of these officers engaged in obviously questionable behavior in traffic stops and other incidents leading up to their ultimate crimes.  If at any time an officer acts inappropriately or overly personal, you should report this to a Police Supervisor as soon as possible.

Prevention Tips

Preventing this type of crime is best effective by the Law Enforcement Agency and the certification process of police officers.  But there are things you can do.  Avoid being a lone female driver or driving at night if you can when traveling.  If stopped in an isolated area, ask the officer to call for another officer to be present, especially at night.  If stopped, pull well off of the roadway making a request to move to a “safer location” unreasonable.  Turn off your radio/music but not your car, leave it running.  Check to see if the officer is using the radio to call in his traffic stop, if not ask for another officer to be present.  If the officer asks you to exit your vehicle, ask him to have another officer present. If you are uncomfortable for any reason, say so and ask for another officer to be present. If the officer refuses, call 911 and ask yourself.   Be reasonable, the odds that the officer will assault you are extremely remote.  But if he does, drop it in drive and leave, immediately and call 911.  But you have to remember; unreasonably fleeing an officer will put you in jail.  Unsubstantiated allegations will probably get you little sympathy from other officers, but an immediate call to 911 will verify, something happened and you were not fleeing police, just that officer.

Now there is good news.  The process to become a police officer takes a long time.  They don’t take just anyone. There is a lengthy waiting list.  A candidate has to pass a background check and a psychological examination to get into the Police Academy.  The Police Academy is designed to weed out poor candidates as well as teach.  There is another waiting list for employment at a police agency.  There is another background check, more detailed, and another psychological examination, also more detailed.  There is written, verbal, and physical testing, as well as oral review boards, followed by interviews by administrative heads.  All of this is designed to weed out the less than acceptable.  If a candidate makes it this far he may be offered a job.  This job is “probationary”, one year in some cases, two in others.  The new police officer now becomes the property of a Field Training Officer.  The training officer has two jobs.  One is to train and familiarize the new officer to policies and procedures, and to teach him how to be a police officer.  The other is to weed out the less than acceptable.  The likes of Craig Payer and Tim Harris are looked for throughout the entire process and I have faith that the system works.

After the “Field Training Process” and “Probation”, officers are still held to the highest standards.  Any complaint of inappropriate behavior is treated seriously, thoroughly investigated and appropriately dealt with.  Many times it is a misunderstanding, or a mistake that can be corrected.  Sometimes it’s not and the officer looks for a job more conducive to his character, not to forget that criminal acts result in appropriate prosecution.  Just remember that revenge for a citation is not a good motive for an officer complaint.  Providing false information on such a complaint is not only illegal and can result in you being prosecuted, you can also be sued for liable by the officer.

Being familiar with the contents of this article, paying attention while using common sense and logic while being stopped by that officer will result in a safe encounter, though maybe not an enjoyable one.  Nobody likes that citation.

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3 Reasons to Learn Boxing:

1. Functionality

Boxing at its purest forms is functional and brutal. By partaking in boxing, you very quickly learn what works and what doesn't work. Fighting goes so far beyond throwing and defending attacks. It's about learning how to fight without getting tired, how to minimize damage of landed punches, how to follow up after a missed punch, how to counter a counter, how to apply offensive pressure without striking, how to use defense as offense. Beyond on all that is how to let a fight unfold as it should.

While form and technique are important, destroying your opponent is even more so. This distinction is often lost when fighting arts take the route of being "less brutal". All fight training by nature will become brutal if they dare to be functional.  There are few things as brutal as learning how to trade blows at high speed with an opponent only an arm's reach away. The use of boxing gloves prolongs the beatings making it possible to exchange more blows without fight stoppage due to cuts.

2. Athleticism

While every fighting technique should emphasize the use of technique over physicality, athleticism is still of utter importance. Being athletic is what allows you to train at higher intensity, train for longer periods, and develop higher level efficiency. In reality, athleticism and skill go hand in hand. As you become more athletic, your skill and ability will rise, furthering the upward spiraling cycle of athleticism and skills.

Boxers are in incredible shape, there is no denying that. Boxers are however made of a different kind of athleticism. They are stronger, faster, have more endurance, and can take far more punishment. YET, they can do all this without really trying. They remain strong throughout an entire fight yet rarely fight above the 50-70% pace. This is a result of boxers learning how to fight while relaxing. In fact, it's the only way to fight.

At some level, there is no excuse for not having superior athleticism. There is no excuse for being slower or weaker than your opponent. If you are athletically superior to other fighters, boxing will allow you to exercise that advantage. Moreso, boxing will help you develop that advantage to new levels. An extra inch of arm reach can help you win unscathed. A split second difference in speed will help you knock out opponents before they can respond.

3. Rhythm of Attack

I dare say that boxing is fought at the highest speed of attack. Why? Because the combatants are almost always in range of each other, in a style that is fought in combinations. When you have an art like kicking, it's common to see distance used as defense. (Using distance as defense in boxing is unpractical because you spend more energy running than you do blocking.) With an art like grappling, smothering can be used as a defense. (Using smothering as a defense in boxing can be dangerous because you run into more punches.) The main difference is that grappling & kicking attacks are more easily thwarted with a single evasion.

With boxing, evading one strike still allows the attacker to threaten with many more. Not only will you learn how to fight at a higher pace, you learn how to defend at a higher pace.

For the best examples of boxing's functionality, athleticism, and rhythm of attack, I suggest watching videos of:

- Pernell Whitaker

- James Toney

- Floyd Mayweather

- Prince Naseem Hamed

- Roy Jones Jr

- Mike Tyson

- Manny Pacquiao

- Sugar Ray Leonard

- Roberto Duran

I would suggest for you to watch their training videos and sparring videos. There are few other arts where you can see regular demonstrations of theory and principle being applied successfully on a regular basis.

Most people don't know how to watch a boxing fight. Most people watching a pro see an even chess match. I would beg some to try watching a video of a pro fighting an amateur...two come to mind:

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Despite the amount of training I've done, I prefer to be honest with myself: the knife is one of the deadliest tools ever created. The probability of getting cut, stabbed, and killed is very high no matter what, especially if the bad guy doesn't want anything more than to hurt you.

That's why when a resource comes onto my radar about dagger defense, I make sure to watch it and learn whatever I can.

Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming is a highly respected Gongfu and Chin Na practitioner. He has published many dvds and books surrounding the Chinese arts. In this particular dvd, Dr. Yang breaks down multiple traditional ways for managing a knife attack. He covers how to:

• Distance and angle the body away from attack
• Use nearby items like belts and chairs as defense
• Utilize punching and kicking defense techniques
• Utilize Chin Na techniques
• Utilize Shuai Jiao wrestling type techniques

In each section Dr. Yang discusses particular defense methods, demonstrates their use, and then has his students come out and attempt the defense. During the student practice sessions Dr. Yang steps in and offers corrections, citing problems the viewer may encounter along the way.

Here's a video sneak peak at the quality and content of the video:

My Impressions of the DVD

For some reason a lot of martial arts products tend to be grossly overpriced for what you get. Sure, the content is a bit rare and certainly valuable, but I have some dvds that cost $30-$40 for 40 minutes of content. That's pricey!

This dvd, while $39.95 in price, comes with over 3 hours of content. It's not a lot of filler either. There is valuable discussion, demonstration, and a whole bunch of practice so you can observe the right and wrong ways to go about the techniques. The value-for-dollar is definitely high with this video.

As for the techniques themselves - most of them have a solid, logical foundation. For my taste, there was a lot more grabbing and manipulating than I care to do. Perhaps it's the Krav Maga influence, but I've always believed in quick and rapid response striking keeping the knife away from the body while not resorting to excessive entanglement.

I personally believe a dvd like this one would certainly be worth the investment, especially if you pair it with a military or Filipino based knife system.

In regards to the host Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming:

I find him to be very pleasant and knowledgeable. He has a kind way about him that helps keep the students safe and positive during their training experience. Unlike a lot of "street pros", Dr. Yang never talks down to the viewer or makes them feel embarassed for not knowing more about self defense. It's a pleasure listening to him share information and thoughts about handling the dagger.

Add It To Your Library

If you'd like to add more knowledge of knife self defense to your repertoire, this is a solid and well thought out resource. Grab it here.

Bas is exceptionally exuberant, quirky, and joyful in his pursuit of fighting and self defense effectiveness. He has made some popular videos which portray his take on street self defense. As a real life bouncer he's had his share of encounters.

Now Bas is taking his efforts mainstream with a new show entitled "Punk Payback".

Bas's energy and enthusiasm make him "a little much" for some viewers, especially those who enjoy the discipline and structure of formal traditional arts. I personally enjoy his approach because he basses a lot of his technique and theory off of his karate background while adding his MMA experience and stripping down concepts into their most street-ready form.

He mixes humor and levity with serious skill, enough to leave little doubt about his authority on the subject matters covered.

This new show will examine real life surveillance and amateur video of street encounters, breaking down the results and having Bas recreate the situation while offering his advice on successful resolution.

Here's the trailer:

The show is slated to air Wednesday November 2nd at 9:30(est) on Feul TV.

If you're a street fighter, you could see it on any given day.

There's something about the hook punch that is naturally ingrained in the human combative complex. When tensions raise and the body experiences a dump of adrenaline, some instinct in the primordial part of our brain knows how to throw a hook punch.

Of course, a lot of the panicked and sloppy "bombs" we see are hardly efficient, but that doesn't mean they're ineffective. Sure, a drunk street punk may sprain his wrist while swinging his fists wildly, but all that body weight and tension can hurt or kill if it connects.

What is a Hook Punch?

Let's step back for a moment and define what a hook punch is. I think this video featuring Anderson Silva lays it out nicely in just over 1 minute:

You'll notice the crucial element is that the strike engages the target from a side angle rather than straight on. The punching arc can range dramatically from ultra wide, to just slightly bent.

The modern day understanding of a good hook punch derives mostly from American Boxing. The footwork (pivoting the front foot, settling on the rear, creating a snapping action) is a hallmark of good boxers and fighters like Silva.

The major difference between good boxers and street attacks is the execution of the technique. Boxers keep the hands tight in and use the hook punch when in mid-close range. The punch snaps out and back in order to maintain proper coverage of the body. Street attacks are often deep, committed swings with lots of body weight behind them.

Why Are We Assuming Hooks Are So Prevalent?

As any good geometry student will tell you, the shortest distance between any two points is a straight line. Wouldn't it stand to reason then that most attacks occur in a linear path, like a lot of TMA striking?

The reality is...no. The arc of the hook punch feels strong to novices and therefore comes out more naturally. Furthermore, American Boxing is still a very deep part of western culture and most youths grow up with a dad/uncle/friend who is willing to show them a few moves. Therefore, in times of stress, people go back to the experience they have.

Don't take my word for it though, just observe a handful of untrained attacks (sucker punch and street fight). I think you'll notice a distinct trend (warning: real violence in the following videos. Nothing deadly, but caution advised).

I didn't have to dig deep into Youtube to find these videos. If you type in "street fight" or "sucker punch fight" you're going to see plenty of examples.

Why Is The Hook So Neglected In TMA Training?

The reality of the hook punch in real engagements, especially when sucker punching, is evident. Just as evident is the lack of proportional focus in traditional martial arts.

In a lot of TMA, we are taught the efficiency of linear striking. It stands to reason that when we work partner drills, we use those same linear strikes as a means to continue our training and development. The attacker strikes linear so as to practice his/her punch, and we defend in one manner or another.

Even TMA that are much more circular can fall victim to this because they maintain good technique when attacking. A powerful circular ridge hand or quick mawashi geri is not the same as a huge haymaker from a tense and lunging opponent.

The study of bunkai for demonstration has increased the problem as well. In order for bunkai to look orderly and organized, the attacks must be laser accurate and in time with the defender. Slapping and windmill punching from the attacker would be troublesome for the demonstrator, and disrespectful to boot.

Traditional training can be beautiful, but it can also distract from reality at times.

How Can We Avoid the Neglect?

If we conclude that the hook punch is an oft used weapon in real violence, then we should make an effort to improve our ability to handle it. Doing so is fairly easy if we take the time. To integrate more hook punch practice into your martial arts life, follow these steps:

1. Assess the amount of time you spend dealing with the hook and determine if you could benefit from more practice.

2. Learn how to throw a hook punch well...and poorly. Use the videos above and elsewhere online if you don't have an expert in your dojo.

3. Communicate your desire to focus on the hook punch with your partner, show them the proper& improper ways to throw it, and have them attack you with it.

4. Attack slow at first so you can begin to analyze which of your techniques work and which are dangerously ineffective against the new arcs of attack.

5. Increase the speed and impact of the attack so as to feel the body weight and momentum.

6. Receive the attack from unspecified hands and at unspecified times. Remember, a sucker punch is tough to see coming so you want to practice natural response defense, not just thoughtful defense.

One thing has been made clear though - effective grappling is a very useful part of self defense. If that's the case, was there ever any emphasis on it during karate training?

That's the question posed in today's video:
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Hope that helps in understanding the overall importance of grappling in karate. As for specific techniques...that will have to be a video for another time.

Check out question 3 - Should Japanese Be Used in the Dojo?

Himanshu's finished article can be found here. He did a great job.

Unfortunately, as I was answering questions, I gave him way more information than he could possibly include in a reasonable article. So I thought to myself, where could I expound on this topic to an unreasonable degree?

That's right. Right here.

Check out my take on how video can add exceptional value to your training, or dupe you out of time, money, and even safety (bad advice can be dangerous).

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1) Firstly, terminology - martial arts vs self defense.
How do experts distinguish between the two? Is a video that uses "martial arts" in its title or promotional material promising something different than a self defense video?

Although there is no set line that distinguishes martial arts and self defense, it is generally understood that you are getting a slightly different focus between the two. When talking about self defense, the intent will likely be centered on scenario based situations. Most of the instruction will be relegated to likely street scenarios, such as getting grabbed, choked, punched, etc etc. Instructors will also often discuss things like street awareness, avoiding bad situations, and using body language and voice to further discourage attackers.

When talking about martial arts, you can generally expect a much wider array of topics. "Martial Arts" might include things like forms (kata), sparring, basic movement drills, as well as self defense applications (defending against choke, punch, etc).

Ultimately, one of the primary goals of both self defense and martial arts is to assist the individual in protecting themselves during altercations. "Self Defense" seminars and videos will go directly into it via scenarios, while "Martial Arts" will try to approach it from a more fundamental and holistic perspective.

2) What, in your opinion, has video added to training from the point of view of both student and teacher?

The recent increase in video availability has proven valuable in a lot of ways for both students and teachers. Not too long ago students were relegated to the specific experience of their direct instructor. There are plenty of good things about that, but it also creates a bit of a narrow window in regards to ideas and methods of growth. On Okinawa, many of the older masters would train under various different instructors to get the benefits of their combined wisdom and experience. The increase in video has allowed for a similar kind of sharing over much longer distances and time.

For students, video also helps ensure that their material stays in line with that of their instructor. If a student must be away from his/her instructor for extended periods of time, memory and natural growth will cause certain changes and adaptations. To properly pass on a tradition, that student must then go back and make sure they can teach material in the method they were taught (so as to properly preserve their art for posterity). While their personal art grows and evolves, the student can use video to stay grounded in tradition.

For teachers, video can help in the management and coordination of both long distance students and larger organizations. As experts (or "masters") pass away, there are often schisms in opinion from their students as to how the master wanted techniques performed and preserved. Video can help reduce the amount of argument and misunderstanding, especially as more and more generations progress from that original source.

From a practical standpoint, learning a technique, be it for self defense or any other goal, requires plenty of rote practice and development. Having access to video, which you can rewind, slow down, pause, etc. is a great addition to in-person training (albeit not a substitute).

3) Conversely, what do you think are the downsides of videos and how are these pitfalls best avoided?

One of the major problems with video comes from an over-reliance upon it. The development of martial skill is extremely subtle and requires strong guidance. A live teacher will provide the necessary adjustments and corrections to make technique excellent and efficient in dangerous circumstances. Video alone simply cannot provide the kind of personal guidance needed to become a good practitioner of any style.

The dojo (dojang, gym, etc.) setting is also crucial to proper development. The ability to train with people of different body types and emotional dispositions allows a student to build mental toughness as well as physical technique. A video at home with one or two training partners will result in a very limited skill set, no matter how enthusiastic the trainee.

Another problem with video comes in the form of fraudulence. Ego is a very big factor in the martial arts, and people are all too quick to list their experiences and styles. Many needy individuals will purchase and watch a dvd of a certain style (let's say Krav Maga just as an example), and then add Krav Maga onto their checklist of "mastered arts". These individuals will claim a long list of black belts and personal experience with top experts. They'll usually buttress these lists with a series of ill-gotten certificates and a host of trophies.

To avoid the common pitfalls of video, you have to use them for what they really are - a reference point. Video can help inform and enhance a solid foundation, but cannot be used in substitution of one.

4) There is a huge amount of material out there now. Is there any regulation of this or standards bodies that would give consumers a way of sifting through it all? Is there a perception of Snake Oil Salesmen?

Unfortunately there are no regulating or standard bodies in place to cull the good from the bad. If you so chose, you could photoshop a promotional degree, declare yourself a 10th Dan, and start your own martial art style tomorrow (it happens frequently actually).

There are many federations and associations that attempt to maintain the quality of practitioners inside their own style or system, however there are many more federations designed to prop up their mediocre headmasters and legitimize a whole lot of quickly and questionably gained rank. The various martial art associations have no effect upon one another.

The phrase "buyer beware" is in full effect when it comes to purchasing martial arts and self defense videos, or even believing that anything stated within them is effective or true. Buyers must keep a keen eye out for snake oil salesmen and women because there is an abundance of them. It can be frustrating trying to sort through them, but there is a little hope developing at this time...

Video is getting free. Not too long ago the only videos available were roughly shot and expensive as heck. People couldn't really know the quality they were getting until it was too late. Now they can utilize websites like youtube to sample "experts" before spending any money. If the expert in question turns out to be terrible, or doesn't offer free samples of his/her work, shoppers can easily go to a different resource and spend their money there.

5) It seems (and please correct me if I'm wrong) that there are new cultures of training videos.
Firstly, there are the MMA/UFC style videos.
Secondly, there are the "Real Street Fighting" videos.
Then there are the pseudo-military instructional videos which claim to teach methods from elite fighting units.

As a traditional practitioner of martial arts, how do you view these kinds of videos and their claims?

I think those videos should be treated with the same skepticism and critical eye that you would use for videos of traditional arts. Conceptually, I have no problem with their growth and existence. That's really more a matter of what consumer's desire. Traditional arts involve a full spectrum of drills, forms, fighting, etc. and some people don't want to get involved in all that.

Much in the same way that scammy traditionalists will fake and embellish whom they trained with, "modern" fighters will fake and embellish their military service as well as their real fighting experience. These individuals will create false pro fighting records, phantom street encounters, military assignments, etc. etc. Once again, the buyer must beware.

6.) Going back to the newer styles (eg Krav Maga, SCARS, etc). I've seen a lot of promotional literature that emphasizes the speed of their training. Very often this is set in implied opposition to the traditional martial arts (adverts to the effect of "Why spend 15 years in a dojo when we will teach you what you need to know in the quickest most efficient way possible).

Is this because these styles are purely focused on combat technique and the traditional martial arts are more holistic in nature, and therefore have more knowledge to impart? Or is this just a way for an instructor to differentiate himself from the competition?

Some of it is marketing and some of it is factual . A large portion of individuals who buy these aggressive modern products are looking for a quick solution to their problems. They want the nastiest techniques that they can learn in a few sittings. Therefore, the makers of these videos key in on how quickly it takes to learn the techniques. It's like a lot of other products that address complex art forms or skills. Think about materials that are supposed to teach you how to play the guitar or learn a second language in X amount of days or weeks. How often these products work, I leave to your judgment.

That being said, there are a lot of foundational things in traditional arts that modern programs do circumvent. Traditional arts will often spend lots of time on stances, basics, forms, etc. etc. Modern arts tend to go right for the techniques of doing damage. There is something to be said for these modern methods. After all, we don't see Marines and Navy Seals doing kata and moving up and down dojo floors in stance. There's no time for that.

Modern military programs need to install as much combative programming as they can in a short amount of time. Therefore they cannot slowly build soldiers in a gradual way. Furthermore, mental programming is significantly different for a soldier than a civilian. A soldier can use different levels of force in their environment and have a broader array of tools available to them, all while utilizing a soldier-specific mindset in order to survive.

Traditional arts use the slowness of their teachings to weed out excessively violent individuals who are likely to misuse the art. The gradual progress of development in traditional arts can result in significant power and effectiveness, but in addition provides a window for character development and philosophical theory. Needless to say not all traditional styles and schools do this well, but the opportunity is there.

One individual I study with, Major Bill Hayes, is a Vietnam Marine Veteran. He is also a 7th Dan in Shobayashi Shorin Ryu, a very classical style of karate. He was directly involved in the development of MCMAP and it's growth over time. His karate is absolutely combat effective, so much so that he is a highly utilized resource for many "modern" fighting systems. This is true of other individuals as well (a surprising amount of modern techniques and programs are developed off of traditional styles). But I doubt he would substitute his karate in for MCMAP. The needs of the soldiers are different, and MCMAP is developing to try and meet those needs in the time allotted.

I think video-goers need to be honest with themselves regarding what they need, what they are willing to invest in the process, and what real-life resources they have available to them.