Basics and Principles of Self-Defense

However, when the topic of »self-defense« comes up, many people often ask themselves questions such as:
- How would I behave myself in such a situation?
- What can or may I do; what is allowed or forbidden?
- (How) can I prepare for such a situation?

This book is aimed at interested readers of all ages and is intended to help to find answers to these questions. Furthermore, it should give the reader a good first overview of the broad topic of »self-defense«.

In this book principles and techniques for typical self-defense situations are described that can still work under stress. The techniques presented here are intended only be understood as a recommendation from a number of different possibilities and not at all as »the best« solution in a certain self-defense situation. Also it is not about to emphasize one particular of the many different fighting styles, but rather to create an understanding that in a self-defense situation neither one nor the other fighting style is the »better« one.
The only thing that counts in the end is: Any solution that works in an emergency is a good solution.

Bernd Irmscher was born 1960 in Essen, Germany, gaining his first experiences in Judo at the age of 10 and practicing Karate since the age of 15.
One of the main reasons for his interest in Far Eastern Martial Arts is the fascination of being able to neutralize a seemingly superior opponent more through technical skills than sheer violence. On vacation or whenever a good opportunity arises, he enjoys to explore and learn about various Martial Arts.

In 2013 he obtained the certification as a self-defense trainer from the the German Karate Association. In addition to Karate, since around 2009, he has been training the Israeli self-defense system Krav Maga and obtained the qualification as a Krav Maga Instructor from the Krav Maga Union in 2015.

For many years, he has been conducting self-defense courses, workshops and training sessions in clubs, companies and public institutions.