Search - Brave Way Training Systems: Self Defense Training on DVD

Pretty techniques that don't work on the street

Seppo Vesala | Helsinki, - Finland | 06/08/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"In this film, Michael Theriault teaches the viewer The Brave Way Training System self defence system. At the beginning, Theriault states that most self defence systems are at fault because they use techniques that are in his opinion not universally applicable because they rely on inflicting pain (like stomping on your attacker's foot) or a short person can't perform them on an much taller opponent (like finger jabbing your attacker in the eyes). So, as a solution he teaches techniques that rely on inflicting pain (like pinching your opponent's skin) or a short person can't perform them on a much taller opponent (like ripping your opponent's ear).

On paper and in training environment these techniques are deceptively simple and seem to work. In reality they would fall short. The basic mistake they make is to rely on inflicting pain, instead of really hurting your opponent. In training it would really seem that by pinching your opponent's triceps would cause significant pain (which it does - in training environment). In combat situation, however, your bloodstream is filled with adrenaline and other chemicals that subdue pain, so you would not probably even notice this kind of pinching! In addition, the when techniques are performed, all attention is directed towards the limb being handled, and the other hand is left totally free. As the pain-inflicting technique used would probably not work, the attacker would have a free shot on the defender. There are also some defences against knife and gun threats, but they are downright dangerous to the defender, because they don't incapacitate the attacker or allow the defender to control the weapon fast enough or reliably enough.

The film is not entirely bad, however. The finger-manipulating techniques presented will work in real life, but they don't work alone, just by themselves. And there are some self defence situations covered in the film that I have not seen covered in any other film. One of the situations is somewhat realistic, but most are quite marginal, in my opinion. So, if you know what to avoid, you can learn some useful tricks from the film. But don't use the techniques as they are presented here as a complete self defence system.

Run time: 0:54"