In his video, Icy Mike pokes holes in the typical self-defense firearms narrative. He underscores the significance of physical grappling skills, indicating that they outrival shooting mechanics and marksmanship when defending oneself. Mike emphasizes the need to be prepared for potential close-range confrontations where conventional gun handling techniques are irrelevant. In fact, he warns that without grappling knowhow, a gun intended for self-defense may end up aiding an adversary. Dispelling misconceptions about self-defense, he adamantly encourages viewers to learn wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Mike’s insights challenge common preconceptions, providing an evidence-backed and incisive look into practical self-defense strategies.
Revolutionizing Self-Defence: A Blend of Martial Arts and Concealed Carry Weaponry
In the current times, many people are gun owners, specifically those who tote around a concealed carry weapon (CCW). They often believe that they are adequately armed to handle any sort of physical threat. However, according to Icy Mike from the YouTube channel Hard2Hurt, they might need to learn some combat skills from martial arts as well.
During his latest video on self-defence training for CCW owners, Mike challenges the notion that skilled marksmanship alone is enough for true self-defence. Instead, he argues that physical skills, specifically those from martial arts like wrestling or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, are critical for survival in most self-defence situations. This is due to the fact that many defence incidents occur at close range, requiring grappling skills, rather than precise shooting.
In his trademark straightforward yet friendly style, Mike frankly calls out “gun guys” (and “knife guys”) who critique his emphasis on physical combat skills. These individuals often underestimate the possibility of close encounters and maintain that they would never allow an adversary to come close enough for physical grappling. Yet, from his professional experience and observations during force-on-force training, Mike observes that these are often the same people who end up getting their weapon taken away from them due to a lack of grappling knowledge.
Interestingly, Mike suggests that gun guys who think “range time is more important than mat time” and believe that “weapon selection is more important than holster selection” are actually at risk of failure in self-defence situations. Mike’s unexpected recommendation shines a light on a different aspect of self-defence, that is, mastering both distances and close-range encounters.
During the video, Mike demonstrates a series of concealed weapon techniques and explains their relevance in real-life situations. He argues that contrary to popular opinion, control over one’s opponent through grappling can actually provide opportunities to safely draw a weapon and utilize it if necessary, even in a close-range situation. He adds that if a gun owner isn’t adequately trained in martial arts, they may be simply providing a weapon for their opponent in a real-life confrontation.
Mike advances his perspective with energy and expertise, debunking many preconceived notions about self-defence pertaining to CCW. He makes a captivating argument that it’s not about choosing between martial arts and weapons but about combining both for a comprehensive self-defence plan. Underscoring this is his core message: simple shooting mechanics cannot replace the bold ability to physically engage an opponent, disarm them, and take control of the situation.
In this day and age, when crime can strike out of nowhere, it is more important than ever to have an all-encompassing approach to self-defence. Hence, Mike suggests gun owners to not just rely on their shooting skills but also learn combat manoeuvres from martial arts as proudly as they show off their CCWs. The video presents a refreshing take on how martial arts can empower a person and redefine self-defence for those in the CCW community.
Though the idea of blending martial arts with CCW may seem unconventional at first, Mike’s passionate and knowledgeable explanation serves as a wakeup call for those favouring one over the other. His video encapsulates the reality that ‘might’ doesn’t necessarily lie solely in weapons but rather in one’s holistic capability encompassing physical strength, tactical maneuvering, and weaponry.
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Hard2Hurt is a popular YouTube channel run by Icy Mike, a self-defense trainer and former undercover police investigator. Mike shares credible self-defense knowledge combined with real-world experience. He’s highly respected for his practical insights into fighting techniques, fitness drills, and lessons drawn from real danger encounters.
Self-Defence Block
Go check to see if your gun and light combination is available at http://www.werkz.com
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That surprise scenario at the end was a critically important lesson. A gun can help you, but it's not a guarantee.
Gun guy here. Can confirm through personal experience, train in both. Got into a fight with a guy trying to go for my gun and it took me having to go for the eyes with my free hand to get him off me. Scariest moment in my life.
Go hard my lion 🦁, good shit!
Thanks. I’m 54 and been carrying for 20 365 & last month I just started a gym with JJ and Wrestling. Can wait for the next few months to grow!
Begin your robbery. 😂😂😂
Thanks god bless
i have no trained fighting ability but weighing over 400lbs and able to move, twice in my life i have been reacting to physical insult and have used the environment to protect myself
I carry a fake dead man switch on me, works better than any dog or gun
as an avid gun guy, and someone who carries every day, force-on-force is the most important skill to train, bcs you can't miss from self-defense distances, but you can lose your gun
“You’ve got a 50/50 chance of failing at self defense, or succeeding…at murder.”
That’s brilliant. Thank you for putting my thoughts into words better than I can.
One of my favorite MACP drills was standing 15-20 feet apart and trying to draw a pistol on someone before they bumrushed you. FAR more often than not they closed the distance before you could draw and bring that weapon to bear on them. Only thing that worked was taking a BIG step back when drawing your weapon and even then it was about 50/50.
We trained with water guns, get wet, got shot. The dynamics change when people are trying to shoot you while you're focused on the gun rather than what's coming out of it.
I can so see the neighbours watching outside ”the crazy guy is again wrestling outside”
Right now I don't carry, so yeah I choose martial arts.
Pause at 7:36 for two bros being dudes.
Real talk though, when gun nerds say "i use my gun fu" I actually think they should take it a step further and do entire classes and sparring based on what your doing. And than name the school "gun fu"
Just literally an entire class dedicated to using grappling or striking to get people off you, so you can get position advantage to draw your gun. Id legit pay for that lol.
1st part of the class can be dedicated to shooting
2nd part can be dedicated to clinch work
3rd part coach makes up a scenario people try it out
4th part, literally what your doing as live sparring
Feels like this is what krav maga is SUPPOSE to be lol
Let's talk realistically… How many are shot dead each year with guns and no 'grappling' was needed? You may hear of a few cases were people did grapple over the gun but 95% of the time the guy with the gun SHOT THE OTHER ONE DEAD… Just go to the NRA magazine and look up 'The Armed Citizen' were tons of people use guns to defend themselves and I doubt many of them are into martial arts… BTW I am 'into' martial arts (5th Dan WTF) and Class A IPSC/Expert IDPA. Love 'em both but most times if the other person is alert and have the gun ready… they just shoot the other person dead.
Another great video. I would have thrown a few punches, knees and elbows in there while grappling.
Situational awareness is key and with situations that involve guns almost every time it’s between 6-7 yards… so… yes grappling is essential to self defense but you’re reaching here acting like gun owners won’t blow your lights out just because you know some grappling 😂 been studying mma for over 20+ years… most people who are armed usually have decent situational awareness and won’t bother engaging into a hand to hand combat situation before drawing they will more than likely draw far before, this is why the average 6-7 yard statistics exists. This is why most officers don’t get their guns taken because they’re not grappling with suspects 🤦🏻♂️ and it is a magic talisman it can end you with one button. Do better. You’re border line encouraging people at gun point to grapple their way out of it 🤦🏻♂️
expectation: 🔫
reality: 🫱🫲🫲🫱✋🫳🤏🫴🫱✋🫲
Worse than knife guys in my experience…but it is CLOSE.
I can't say enough just how right Mike is.
I’m about the same size as Mike. I’m 69 years old and wrestled and played football in high school. In my 30s I studied karate. All of that is helpful but at my age and with some age related health issues, there is little doubt that even a simple attack would be devastating to me. I carry and I’m extremely cautious and attentive to my surroundings because that’s about all I’m capable of doing at this point. Luckily, most people around me are so self absorbed I just have to avoid being a target most of the time.
that was f*cking great when he threw the gun at the two guys on the mat. "It changes the game" more true words.
You’re still not selling me when it comes to choosing hand to hand combat vs just carrying my Glock on me
Ima tell why "that noise" makes me laugh. I took a bit of grappling back in 2012 when I thought I wanted to fight MMA. As always it starts off really fun. But on one occasion, I was sparring a guy who had a big weight advantage over me. Even though we were sparring, in an actual gym, under a controlled manner. I ended up gassed, on my back and feeling very helpless and discouraged….Im a person that HATES biting! I think its absolutely disgusting and cheap. But in that very helpless moment of this big S.O.B on top of me…I WANTED TO BITE THE SHIT OUT OF HIM!😅 Point being, that its stressful enough ASSUMING what you think your opposition is capable of. Karate, Boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, or GUN-Jitsu! Take some time to practice being in these unpredictable and stressful situations. To be SAFE in the KNOWLEDGE of what your capable of! I swear dude when he made that noise. I can immediately picture some Alpha male, ego driven, gun toting type. Getting a necessary slice of humble pie😌 Keep doing that thing ya do Unkle Mikey💪🏾
Gun guys can't fight, that's why they buy a black Dodge RAM for close quarters combat and to drive around drunk in. You were a police officer so this description probably gives you loving memories of your coworkers.
I knew what that sound was going to be right after he mentioned it in the beginning. That sound is what Mike Tyson calls "woman gestures."
Says the guy that thinks a bitch light will save his life.
I've heard alot of people say they don't rely on a light attached to their gun because they end up flagging everyone when illuminating with the weapon light. Thereby breaking one of the first tenets of gun safety. Can you please do a video discussing it? I wanna hear your thoughts.
I knew the two noises he was talking about as soon as he mentioned it.
PREACH!!!