The question:
This is a GREAT question, because it focuses on software, not hardware. From my perspective, there are a limited number of manual weapon types. There are sticks, sharps, projectiles, and flexibles. Once you know how to use a basic type, it's fairly easy to use something similar.
There are specific things that can be done, but one of the best places to start is with an overall good level of fitness. Push-ups and crunches are good strength and endurance-building exercises, and some form of regular aerobic exercise is important, but the one part of fitness many of us overlook is flexibility. Stretching should be a regular part of your fitness routine. One exercise that may be especially useful is curling up a weight which is suspended from a small bar. You rotate your wrists, somewhat like revving a motorcycle, to raise the weight.
Sticks are a very common and useful non-firearm weapon. A good striking target is an old duffel bag, filled with rags and hung from a tree or post. Practice should involve striking and moving, because movement always happens in a fight.
If you carry a knife, you should frequently practice drawing it and executing a cut or slash.
I have to go for the moment, but I hope others will continue listing helpful training exercises and tips.
A lot of my handgun training right now is dryfire and unloaded manipulation. What sorts of home-grown training can I do for unarmed combat?
This is a GREAT question, because it focuses on software, not hardware. From my perspective, there are a limited number of manual weapon types. There are sticks, sharps, projectiles, and flexibles. Once you know how to use a basic type, it's fairly easy to use something similar.
There are specific things that can be done, but one of the best places to start is with an overall good level of fitness. Push-ups and crunches are good strength and endurance-building exercises, and some form of regular aerobic exercise is important, but the one part of fitness many of us overlook is flexibility. Stretching should be a regular part of your fitness routine. One exercise that may be especially useful is curling up a weight which is suspended from a small bar. You rotate your wrists, somewhat like revving a motorcycle, to raise the weight.
Sticks are a very common and useful non-firearm weapon. A good striking target is an old duffel bag, filled with rags and hung from a tree or post. Practice should involve striking and moving, because movement always happens in a fight.
If you carry a knife, you should frequently practice drawing it and executing a cut or slash.
I have to go for the moment, but I hope others will continue listing helpful training exercises and tips.