Does a cane signify weakness and vulnerability to you?; When you think of a cane, do you imagine an elderly person using the stick as a "crutch?"; When I think of a cane, I see a hard-hitting stick with a crook and horn capable of incapacitating an opponent within seconds.; ; Within these pages, you can learn the art of one of the most unexpected self-defense tools ever created. carried anywhere-into almost any situation-the cane rarely attracts any undue attention...until you need it.; ; Octavio Ramos Jr. has ten years experience serving with the New Mexico Mounted Patrol, a statewide law-enforcement agency. He is certified in a number of weapons including pepper spray and the ASP baton and qualifies with firearms every year. HIs martial arts experience includes Filipino Kali (stick and knife) and Goju-Shorei Karate (cane and knife). He is the author of Cerro Grande: Canyons of Fire, Spirit of Community and numerous adventure novels. He lives, writes and teaches in New Mexico.

Contents; ; Introduction; Cane nomenclature; Strong and weak sides-Alive-hand placement; Perpetual blows; Stances-Strong stance; Weak stance; Neutral stance; Footwork-Triangle principle; Power strikes-Power strike one sweep down; Power strike two sweep up; Power strike three reverse sweep up; Power strike four reverse sweep down; Power strike five forward thrust; Set one Cinco tiros; Power strike six horizontal sweep; Power strike seven reverse horizontal weep; Power strike eight vertical up; Power stirke nine vertical down; Power strike ten forward thrust; Set two Cinco tiros; Flexibiity strikes-Strong-side redondos; Strong-side reverse redondo; Weak-side redondo; Weak-side reverese redondo; Figure eight the "X"; Figure eight the arrow; Strike set and flow; Stong-side low-level strike; Weak-side low-level strike; Weak-side groin thrust; Weak-side low-level thrust; Strong-side mid-level strike; Weak-side thrust; Weak-side neck grab; Strong-side neck grab; Weak-side high-level strike; Strong-side high-level strike; Weak-side corkscrew thrust; Storng-side axe strike; The flow; Executing the strike set; Supplemental strikes; Foot smash; Ankle takedown; Ankle/knee strike with horn; Rib thrust; Collarbone drop; Fan stike; Horn strike to face; Horn jab to hand; Shaft strike to neck; Bear hug release; Shoulder grab release; Leashing the bulldog; Shovel strike; Helicopter blades; Bloock set and flow; Weak-side broom block-Defensive areas; Strong-side broom block-Defense areas; Strong-side low block-Defensive; Weak-side mid-level block-Defensive area; Stong-side mid-level block-Defensive area; Weak-side roof block-Defensive area; Strong-side roof block-Defensisve area; Overhead roof block-Defensive area; Weak-side down parry block-Defensive area; Strong-side down parry block-Defensive area; Strong-side step offline block-defensive area; Weak-side step offline block-Defensive area; Weak-side fencer's block-Defeensive area; Strong-side fencer's block-defensive area; Closing the umbrella-Defensive area; Opening the umbrella-Defensive area; Executing the block set; Introduction; Building an arsenal; Assessing the threat; Combinations-A word about weapons; Sample combinations; Using the alive hand-Strong to the opponent's weak-side knee; Strike to the opponent's strong-side knee; Blocked knee strike; Blocked knee strike (variations); The quick flick; Opening the body-Closing distance; Clearing the air-The twirling "X"; Disarming-Retaining your weapon; Cunter against wrist grab; Releasing the dragon's tale; Fulcrum strike; Under-the-arm throw; Disarmng an opponent; Introduction; Alphabet soup; Heavy bag work; Weight room exercises-Praecher bench curl; Reverse curl; Wrist curl; Dumbell twist; Muscle-building system; Supplement: Cane versus knife-Introduction; cane advantages; Anatomy of a knife-fighter; The standoff; The jab'n'stab; Simple defense; A final word