Weekly safety tip,
1) When jogging always try to run with a partner
2) If that is not possible run in an area that is well lit and there are other people around
3) Change up your route and times so you are not so predictable
4) Always let someone know where you are and when you will be back, communication is essential for your personal safety
5) When running with head phones still allow yourself to hear and be completely aware of what is going on around you
6) If you have a bad feeling about someone around you leave immediately

Palm Strike and Front Kick Pad Work Drill for Self Defense

FRONT KICK

PALM STRIKE

Self Defense-Pad Drills
This week we will focus on pad drills and why they are so beneficial and essential to your Self Defense training.
Let’s start off by looking at 3 different methods the Rapid Fire Self Defense and Fitness System uses:
1) Doing the strikes in the air
2) Hitting Pads
3) Situational training drills
Hitting pads are one of the most effective ways to help you increase your speed, develop power and get a true feel for the technique. Once you start to see and feel how your strikes are getting stronger, faster and more powerful you can now start to develop a real sense of self confidence in yourself. I cannot emphasized enough how important of a role self-confidence plays in your ability to defend yourself. When you train hard and give it all you got then you will be able to believe in yourself 100%.
How can somebody develop self-confidence for self defense?
One method is to practice what you have learned over and over again and be honest with yourself. Patients play a very important role in developing the skills necessary to defend yourself in an attack situation. Always keep in mind that it takes practice, patients and time to get to that level.
Can pad work help your fitness level?
The answer to that question is yes by hitting pads you will help to strengthen and tone your body and improve your overall conditioning and fitness level.
Here is what I recommend to students when doing pad work drills,
1) Start off slowly emphasizing proper technique
2) Slowly begin to increase power and speed as you become more comfortable with the strikes
3) Don’t sacrifice technique to try and hit harder
4) Always use proper body mechanics
5) Don’t hold your breath
As you consistently train these drills you will start to become faster more powerful and develop the confidence you need to learn how to defend yourself.
Pad drill for the palm strike and front kick
-1st set half speed for 10
- 2nd set full power for 10
Then repeat with the other side, go through this drill 3 times.

Good luck and be safe,
Joel Wasel
Ps. For the complete Rapid Fire Training system go to the Rapid Fire product’s page.