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Training Concepts

Martial Arts Concepts

The following are martial arts concepts that will help you to improve both your knowledge and your skills in the martial arts. These are not techniques but instead are fighting concepts of how to most effectively use the skills you have worked so hard to obtain.

A.W.A.R.E. = Acronym for a process of self defense

A: Awareness/Alertness - This is the most important part of any self defense or protection program. If you do not remain alert and aware of the potential dangers around you any action you take will often be too little too late. This does not mean that you must live of constant fear but you also can not go thru life as if you are in no danger.

W: Weapons - To protect yourselves you must be aware of the weapons you have available for your defense. This would include lethal weapons, non-lethal weapons, and your own physical abilities. This will be covered in detail in another section of the seminar.

A: Assess - When you are aware of the conditions and threats around you as well as the weapons you have at your disposal you must assess the situation. At this point you must determine what actions you can take to lower the threat and extract yourself from the situation.

This could include fight or flight. Only your can decide what actions you should take depending upon your individual situation. This is a decision that will be very difficult to make if your have not conducted the first two actions. This can lead to indecision and inaction which may cost you your life.

R: Response - When your decision has been made you must be ready to take the appropriate response. Your response may be to fight, to talk your way out of it, to flee, or the surrender. This response is an individual decision but must be made quickly and followed through as fully as possible.

E: Exit/Escape - When your decision has been made and your action taken you must look for the first opportunity to disengage and escape the situation.

G.E.N.T.L.E. = Primary targets in self defense

There are several areas on the body that are difficult to harden or defend as targets. These are areas that can do significant damage and have a higher potential to stop your attacker.

GROIN = Attack with knee, kick or hand strike. This is the first area usually picked by women and the first area guarded by men. It is often better to pick one of the other targets for a first strike in order to open up the groin area.

EYES = Gouge, strike, claw. This can cause temporary and some times long term damage. Some of the effects are tears or temporary blindness making it difficult for the attacker to see. It also will normally draw the attacker’s hands to that area releasing holds and opening up other areas of attack or escape. If the attacker can not see it is more difficult to render and effective attack.

NOSE = Alternative to eye strikes. Many people can not bring themselves to strike the eyes so this can be
an effective (but normally not as effective) target that get many of the same responses.

LEGS = Destroy shins, ankles, or knees. The legs (particularly the lower legs) are often an unprotected target that can be attacked with various kicks and stomps. This can render an attacker unable to stand or pursue your escape.

EARS = Open handed slaps (single or double). This is a very effective target if struck with cupped hands and cause disorientation, extreme pain, deafness (temporary or permanent), some time temporary blindness and even unconsciousness.

Defensive Color Code = White, Yellow, Orange, Red (Jeff Cooper)

To be prepared you must develop the proper mindset for the situation you are in and use the proper level of awareness. To help you in this we have classified situations into four conditions of awareness and color coded them for simplification.

Condition White: This is the state of awareness that the majority of people live in every day. Usually they are unaware of the conditions around them, personal threats or danger. They are both physically and mentally unprepared to deal with any violent or dangerous encounter. In this condition you are easily startled and your reaction time will be slowed. This condition should be reserved for safe conditions such as at your own home or other secure areas.

Condition Yellow: This is the state of awareness that you should maintain whenever you are out of your "safe zone". It is being aware of the conditions around you and any general threats such as the section of town, people around you, other cars, etc.

Condition Orange: This is the state of awareness that you should attain when you notice a specific threat. This would include conditions where you are being approached by an unwanted person, cars following you, people hanging around where they don't belong, etc.

Condition Red: This is the highest state of awareness when a threat has escalated to a confrontation. This is where the "flight or fight" mentality sets in. At this point you have determined you are under a dangerous or lethal threat.

OODA or OOPA= Theory of Self Defense = Observe, Orient, Decide/Process, Act

O - OBSERVATION: This first stage is where the individual first perceives an event or stimulus occurring. The stimulus can be visual, auditory, etc., comprised of one or more of the five senses. I believe the stimulus may also be "contrived" or imagined, which triggers the same processes. An example of an imaginary stimulus is the "visualized" drill, where you create a situation in your mind, and imagine how you would deal with it. Nevertheless, the presentation of a stimulus elicits the response of activating the OODA cycle.

O - ORIENTATION: The second stage is where the individual focuses on the new stimulus and evaluates its impact or importance to him/her. Is that squeak I heard just a rusty gate swinging in the breeze, or is it the footstep of a potential attacker? DOES WHAT I HAVE OBSERVED AFFECT and/or INVOLVE ME?

D – DECISION/PROCESS: The third stage of the process is the one which takes the longest time. This is the time when you decide or process the information. This is when you determine what "action/no action" you will take (to deal with the stimulus you have observed and oriented on). Depending on the simplicity/complexity of your training, how much training you have had, and the complexity of the stimulus/situation, this step can be "paralyzing" long or sweet and simple. For self-defense applications, "Hicks' Law" states that merely adding a second response to a stimulus increases one's reaction time by 58%! For complex martial arts styles, with hundreds of techniques, you can imagine the "overload" which can occur in the processing of this information!

A - ACTION: This final stage is where you implement the decision you have just reached. You may have decided that no action was necessary, or that you must dive through the nearest window to safety. Whatever your decision, this is when you complete the process.

ABC’s of Self Defense = A ?, B ?, C ?, D ?, E ? (Process of handling attacks)

A: Avoid the attack. This has many meaning such as avoiding the attack by being aware of it prior to the attack, de-escalating the attack prior to it occurring, etc. However in a physical sense it means to avoid by getting out of the line of attack or altering the line of attack (parry).

B: Blocking the attack: When you are unable to avoid an attack your best option is to block the attack. This could be soft or hard blocks and include things such as “stop hits” or damaging the attacking limb. These can help to but you in a better position for the next step.

C: Control the attacker. After you have avoided or blocked the attack (if not you can forget this step until you do) you must take control of the attacker. This can include locks, disruption of balance, taking him to the ground, etc. You must become the aggressor to allow you to attempt to prevent further attacks.

D: Destroy. This means you must destroy the attacker’s ability to continue attacking. This not necessarily the same as “destroying the attacker” but it could be in a life or death situation. This can be done thru strikes, locks, chokes, throws or any combination of these. To ensure that he is no longer able to attack you may have to shut down his though process. The only sure way to do this is with a significant impact to the head area or shutting off blood flow to the brain using a choke.

E: Evaluate/End/Escape. You must continue to evaluate the situation to determine what if any further action is needed and then end or escape the situation as soon as possible.

Effects of Fear - The three F’s

There are three primary responses to fear and they include the following:

Flight: There is an age old instinct to run away from a threat and it has helped man survive and in many cases this may be your best option (especially when facing an attacker with a weapon). However this is not always a viable option (you have no avenue of escape, you have others you can not run off and leave, etc) and in that case you must?

Fight: There are times your reaction to fear will be to fight and your fear may help you in this case. Under
stress there is often an adrenal dump that causes temporary changes such as increased heart rate, increased
breath rate, increased strength, increased energy, reduction in pain response etc. These factors can help you
Fight.

Freeze: This is the worst case scenario. You have probably heard of the phrase “frozen like a deer in the
Headlights” or stage fright. This cause you to take no action due to a negative reaction to the adrenal dump
mentioned (there are several negative reactions). This reaction must be overcome or you will not be able to.
successfully defend yourself

Survival / Commitment = How bad do you want it

Many experts say that successful defense is 90% mental and 10% physical. The numbers may be high
But the though is correct. Violence occurs with incredible speed so if you mind is not prepared neither are you. Without the proper mindset you will be more susceptible to failure. Your mindset should be to survive and escape. One way to develop this is thru visualization or working thru self defense scenarios. You should visualize being in the situation, Visualize your response (including escape) and visualize fighting thru any pain or injury. Most successful attacks are based on the victim’s fear of injury. You must decide what do you fear the most the fear of physical injury or the consequence (rape, mutilation, torture or death) of going along with the attacker.

This will prepare you for the following survival rules (by Sanford Strong- Strong on Defense)

• React immediately – Your best chance is in the first few seconds
• Resist - Your only other choice is to submit.
• Crime scene – Never allow yourself to be taken to another location
• Never give up – The never quit attitude can keep you alive and motivated even when fighting injured

However, not all violence begins with a rapid attack since many times you may be set up before the attack. A good con will lull you into a sense of security to make you more vulnerable to freezing up. If you gut instinct tells you something is wrong them go with it (a little fear can keep you on your toes).
Some pre-attack indicators include the following (from Gavin Debecker - The Gift of Fear):

• Forced Teaming: A false sense of camaraderie (such as using the word we to try to make a connection)
• Loan Sharking: Offering of a favor (let me carry that for you) to make you feel you owe them.
• Too many details: If someone gives you too much info it is probably a lie.
• Unsolicited Promises: If someone is promising you something you did not ask for (I won’t hurt you)
• Type Casting: Someone labeling you negatively in order to get your to react in an opposite manner
• Too Friendly: If someone seems overly friendly or charming consider (what do they want)
• Refuses “NO”: If someone refused to accept NO then they are after something

In most case there is some type of indication that something is going down. Many people refuse to be aware of them or deny anything could happen to them. The second reason is we are too concerned about what people will think and are afraid of either being embarrassed or hurting someone’s feelings. Consider the following as a rule to live by.

“Your Safety comes First and their feelings Second”

A.O.I. - ABILITY, OPPORTUNITY, INTENT

These factors form a triangle that must be completed for a successful attack or defense. If one of the legs from this triangle is missing then the triangle collapses.

Ability: The attacker must have the ability to attack. This could be physical (size, strength, etc) or weapons (guns, knifes, impact weapons, etc). This is the most difficult side to remove since it is the one you have the least control over and would take some type of physical action (disarming, stunning, choke out, etc.) to remove.

Opportunity: The attacker must have an opportunity to make his attack. This can be taken away with good safety practices and awareness (stay out of dangerous area, avoid confrontations, be aware of your surroundings, etc). Without an opportunity there is no attack.

Intent: Someone must have the intent to attack in order to do it. (It does not happen by accident). So how do you take away intent? It is not easy or guaranteed, but the best way is to make yourself a hard target. Walk with an awareness of your surroundings, walk tall and alert, make eye contact so they know you are aware of them, prepare yourself physically by being in good condition, carry a weapon if possible (non-lethal or lethal), do not allow anyone (suspicious) in your personal space, etc. If you make yourself to difficult most criminals will pass in favor of an easier victim.

Self Defense Concepts

The cardinal rules of self-defense
1. Avoid confrontational situations.
2. Avoid becoming easy prey.
3. Stop! Look! Listen!

HICKS LAW

• Hicks Law basically states the following: the average reaction time given one stimulus one response is about ½ second. If we now teach a student a second technique (response) to the same attack (stimulus) we WILL increase a person’s reaction time by 58%. A researcher in the 1950’s (Hick) found that "as the number of response options (techniques) increases from one to two, reaction time increases by 58%." This later led to the development of what is now known as Hick’s Law of Reaction/Response time.

Hick's Law, a motor learning and reaction time principle. Hick's Law states that reaction time increases approximately 150 milliseconds when the response option (technique) increases from one to two. You must take this with some consideration but so not let it override your training since there have been much further studies showing the effect is minimal for trained persons.

Five Fighting Ranges - Projectile, Kicking, Punching, CQB, Ground.

There is some overlap in the ranges. You must know the ranges as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Projectile range: At this range neither person can reach the other with physical contact so the danger is from projectiles such as gunfire, object thrown, etc. This is normally a range of four feet or more.

Kicking range: At this range the available weapons include long range kicking techniques and many impact weapons such as clubs, sticks, canes, longer bladed weapons and firearms. This is normally a range of four feet or less.

Punching range: At this range you can use closed hand strikes, open hand strikes and some kicks. You can also use firearms, impact weapons or bladed weapons. This is normally within 3 feet or less.

CQB or CQC: Close quarter battle or combat range is the in your face range. This is a very effective range for those trained in it. You have a number of weapons including short range hand strikes (closed or open) elbow strikes, knee strikes, head butts, biting, low leg kicks, and stomps. This is also the stand-up grappling range for a number of throws, takedowns, chokes and joint locks. Weapons could include impact, blades or firearms.

Ground: Often though of as only a grappling range a true ground fighter will use an arsenal of weapons including most of those in the CQB range as well as various locking and choking techniques particularly suited for ground work

Window of Combat = Zone for combat

The window or zone of combat refers to the area where you can effectively target your opponent. This is normally a rectangle from just outside your shoulder width from head to feet. Your weapons should stay primarily in that area. To go outside that area often is wasted motion leaving you vulnerable to counters.

Inside/Outside = Concepts of the body targets, striking points and where you should be.

Inside: The inside area or centerline presents a target rich area from the head to the feet (eyes, throat, groins, knees, shin, etc. If you are inside of your attackers weapons you have an equal opportunity to strike the targets so the advantage will usually go to the fastest and most aggressive.

Outside: When you zone to the outside of your attacker you gain and advantage by reducing the targets you present to him and maintaining most of the targets he has available. The outside targets (side of arms, sides of legs, etc are less can be injured but are less vulnerable to damage.

Action / Reaction = Covers attack sequence and opponent response.

This is simply the fact that action is faster than reaction. The reason for this is that both parties will go thru
the same OODA loop of observation (detecting the threat), orientation (determining the threat) decision
(deciding what to do) and action (taking the action). Since the reacting party is already behind in the
process his chance of catching up are slim.

A second area where it applies is when setting up defensive techniques you must consider what the
reaction is most likely to be to you attack and flow your next attack to use it.

Example: You knee someone in the groin/. You next move should consider that he will probably bend over
to some extent and you react to this new target of attack accordingly.

Motion causes Motion = Theory of movement in setting up opponents

You can use this to gauge an attacker’s intent and set him up for an attack. An example: You are confronted
by a hostile person who will not let you pass. You move back and he steps in to close the distance. Since
you have now determined his probable motion you step back again and as he steps forward you attack
while he is in motion. Another example is you make a fake motion high to draw his attention and as he
motions to cover that attack you strike somewhere else. You can fake/throw a back fist to have him block
it this let you know where his limb is and sets up a trap.

Two Angles of Attack = Linear and Circular

No matter what attack is presented it can only come from one of two angles (linear or circular). An easy way to determine which a particular attack angle is used it to let the attack complete its motion and see in which direction it continues.

When your opponent charges straight in and attacks, you should use your feet to move your body along a circular path. You should also consider moving your arms in a circular pattern to deflect the oncoming force. Example: your attacker throws a straight jab. You circle to the outside of the arm while deflecting it inward.

When your opponent attacks you in a circular fashion, however, you should respond with a fast linear attack —along a straight line from y o u r weapon to his target. Just as the circle can overcome the line, the line can overcome the circle. Example: Your opponent throws a roundhouse punch. You counter with a straight step in and shoulder or neck jam.

Closes Target /Closes Weapon = Covers efficient use of weapons in combat

To prevent wasted effort and delays in your strikes use the closes weapon to the target whenever possible.
This will increase the speed of the attack reducing the chance for counters/blocks. Etc.

Example: is it faster and more effective to kick someone in the head or strike him with the hand that is already in the area. Like all concepts there are always some exceptions to the rule but in general this is the preferred method.

Fighting Multiple Opponents

AWARENESS

• Positioning relative to each other (movement in conjunction, setting up)
• Attackers glancing at each other (silent communication, waiting for attack cue)
• Word(s) that don’t make sense ( to confuse, may be attack signal)
• Unusual body language (inconsistent with conversation, assailant may do something-remove hat, wipe hair back, drop something-usually attack cue)
• Secondary subject distraction (may attempt to divert attention to other assailant(s) in order to attack)

IDENTIFY GROUP MENTAILITY

• Who is the strong link; this is your greatest threat. This person may be identifiable by virtue of position or leadership role.
Who is the weak link; this is your weakest/least threat. This person may be identified by distance or in a protected position
• Remember that the above two are dynamic, and we have the ability to effect change on these

GENERAL STRATEGY WHEN FIGHTING MULTIPLES:

Dialogue, Deception, Distraction, Destruction.
Preemptively ATTACK, ATTACK, and ATTACK then escape.
Hit with Power and Move.
No Defense.
Avoid clinching and grappling (to the best of your abilities-good luck!).
Psychological battle is as important as physical battle
If possible identify the leader and take him out of the fight quickly and decisively. This will create a new leader, by destroying the old one- see if anyone else wants to assume the role
If you can’t take out the leader right away, take away his leadership role by showing the rest of the group that he can not protect them. Make the strong link psychologically ineffective- keep him at bay will defeating others
Create a weak link by injuring an attacker but leaving him standing so that he may be used against the group later on
Create a psychologically devastating and overwhelming visible injury to those you attack disempowering the group
The use of real or improvised weapons should be used
The first few seconds are critical in establishing psychological control
CONTINUED MOVEMENT is a must. If you remain stationary the pack will triangulate
Don’t be predictable move and strike erratically and viciously to the vision, wind and limbs of opponents using gross motor skills. Strike the person you are not looking at

STRIKE FIRST

This principle has several meanings. First, it indicates that your defense should primarily striking since
grappling uses more energy and ties you up. Seventy percent hands and 30 percent feet is typical
breakdown, but will change according to your preference, circumstances or your body build. The
second meaning is that when a confrontation is inevitable you should not wait for the aggressor to attack
first (remember action/reaction). You need to hit him first with and effective strike. You also need to hit
hard and hit continuously until he is no longer a threat.

A first strike is defined as the strategic application of proactive force designed to interrupt the initial stages of an assault before it becomes a self-defense situation. The first-strike principle states that whenever you face a dangerous adversary and have no way to escape, you should strike first, strike fast, strike with authority and keep the pressure on.

One inescapable fact is that the longer a fight lasts, the greater your chance of being seriously injured or killed. Common sense suggests that you must end the fight as quickly as possible. Striking first is the best method for achieving this objective because it permits you to neutralize your adversary swiftly while you eliminate his ability to retaliate. No time is wasted, and no unnecessary risks are taken.

The element of surprise is invaluable. Launching a first strike gives you the upper hand because it allows you to attack him suddenly and unexpectedly. As a result, you demolish his defenses and ultimately take him out of the fight.

Recognizing the Threat of Violence

Various signs of aggression preface physical attacks. The following are some nonverbal cues:

• • Red face
• • Heavy breathing
• • Veins protruding from the face, neck and forearms
• • Clenched teeth or fists
• • Taut neck
• • Sweating
• • Hunched shoulders
• • Shoulder shifts
• • Staring at the target (your jaw, groin, etc.)
• • Looking through you (also called the 100-yard stare)
• • Hand concealment
• • Parental finger (pointing at your chest or face)
• Attempted distractions (hand movements, talking nonsense, etc)
• Pacing back and forth or a rapid forward movement.

Weapons Capability:

Always try to determine whether your adversary is armed or unarmed. If he is carrying a weapon, what type is it? Does he have an effective delivery method for the particular weapon? Is he armed with more than one weapon? If so, where are they? There are four general points of concern when assessing weapons capability:

First are his hands and fingers. When you scan him for weapons, glance at them. Is one hand behind him or in his pocket? If you cannot see his fingers, he could be palming a knife or some other edged weapon. Remember to be extremely cautious when his arms are crossed in front of his body or when he keeps his hands in his pockets. A key to look for is a bend arm (the V of danger). To access a weapon in the most of he common carry locations ( rear of hip, cross draw, shoulder carry, small of the back, etc) the arm must bend in a “V” formation.

Second is his behavior. Is he patting his chest frequently (to check that a weapon is still there)? Does he act apprehensive, nervous or uneasy? Does he seem to be reaching for something? Is his body language incongruous with his verbal statements?

Third is clothing. It can clue you in on what he may be concealing. For example, is he wearing a knife sheath on his belt? Could there be a knife concealed in his boot? Is he wearing a jacket when it seems too hot for one? Could it be to conceal a gun?

Fourth is location. Does he seem suspiciously rooted to a particular spot? Is he running back to his car, possibly to get a gun? Is he close enough to grab that beer bottle on the bar? How far is he from a makeshift weapon?

Hard / Soft = Covers types of attacks, blocks and target selection

There are many so called hard styles and soft styles of martial arts. In general when you here this term the
“Hard style” typically stresses strong linear attacks and power blocks where you stop the attack (or
successfully attack) using greater force. A “Soft” style stress more circular attacks and blocks. This
stresses more deflection of your attackers attack and countering with multiple selected strikes
to vulnerable areas of the body. In some arts the conflicting concepts are called yin and yang. Most style
incorporate a mixture of hard and soft as needed.

Another use of this concept is in choosing targets for various weapons. For example if using an impact
weapon “hard – such as a stick” it often advised to attack hard targets such as the head, bone joints such as
hands, elbows, knees, etc since they have little give or protection against impact. A “soft “or non-impact
weapon such as knife is typically more effective against soft targets (throat, midsection, inside of arms or
legs, etc) since it depends on cutting and penetration.

The Effects of the Adrenal Response in Combat

Loss of fine Motor control: When adrenaline is flushed into the bloodstream during a "fight or flight" episode, the individual often loses a good deal of their ability to control their limbs. This is especially true of "fine motor" skills such as many martial arts techniques demand. On the other hand, gross motor skills are much better retained under adrenal stress.

Loss of Access to the "Self Aware ", Non Adrenal Mind
This maybe the hardest concept to grasp if you have never faced death or serious injury at the hands of another human being. But perhaps you have heard people who have survived an assault say things like "I don't know what happened, it all just happened so fast I just couldn't think." If they were martial arts people perhaps they said, “I don't know what happened, or why I couldn't use my training against that guy." The reason is because it is the adrenal mind that largely controls the body in combat and not the "self aware" mind. Thus, if you train in the adrenal state then you will be preparing yourself for that one thing you can count on in any real attack, the adrenaline rush itself! Training your combat motor skills under adrenal stress puts them into your body permanently so that it is then the adrenal stress of the "crisis incident" itself that cues up your motor responses and thus allows them to be employed effectively.

Auditory Exclusion
In many police shooting reports one can read officers reporting something like this: "I didn't hear the shots I fired, I don't know for sure how many, all I felt was the buck of the gun in my hand as I fired" Under adrenaline the body shuts down or reduces some body functions to be able to enhance others. In general hearing can be greatly impaired under adrenal stress.

Tunnel Vision:

Vision often tunnels into the perceived visual threat and peripheral vision can thus be greatly reduced. Armed robbery victims will tunnel into the gun or knife and thus they often report to police "it was the biggest gun I ever saw!" Until you learn to deal with these adrenal reactions you can be very vulnerable to the "MO" of criminal assailants and even just "bully types" as you may not see or hear that second assailant you are being set up for by the first one. You may not see the man reaching for his weapon in time either if you tunnel in on his barking face! Conversely if you do see these things, then they may just decide to pass you by as just too alert to be acceptable victim potential.

"Tachi Psychi " Effects: Some researchers place these adrenal effects in the same "box" as auditory exclusion or tunnel vision. But when applied to self defense training it is significant to distinguish between them. Tachi Psychi, is the speeding up of both the visual processing centers and the accelerated triggering of the motor control functions. A passenger during a car accident may report " I saw the guy turn in front of us and then everything seemed to be moving in slow motion" The reason is that under adrenaline his visual processing speeded up! When you train under adrenal stress you may well develop some ability to see the sucker punch coming as if it were thrown in "slow motion".

COMBAT MINDSET

It is often been stated that to win a confrontation you must have the proper mindset and a will to survive no matter what your injury, pain or what ever you have to do to your assailant. You must have a will to survive and want to win as if your life depended upon it (since in many cases it does). Some people call it developing your “killer instinct” or using the “animal within”. This is something that you must be able to turn on or off and can sometimes mean the difference between your surviving a confrontation and losing it all.
The following is adapted from a writing by Jeff Cooper who is well known in the firearms community for his emphasis on practical gun combatives.

THE COMBAT MINDSET
Man fights with his mind. His hands and his weapons are simply extensions of his will, and one of the fallacies of our era is the notion that equipment is the equivalent of force.

What, then, is the "combat mindset"? It is that state of mind which insures victory in a fight. It is composed of awareness, anticipation, concentration and coolness. Above all, its essence is self-control.

Anyone who trains in self defense is presumably aware that he may have to use it, but there is a large difference between the hypothetical possibility and the actual event.

He must train himself into a state of mind in which the sudden awareness of peril does not surprise him. It is essential to react to a sudden threat with the knowledge and confidence that he can handle it. His response should not be "Oh my god, I'm in a fight!" but rather "I thought this might happen and I know what to do about it". Instead of feeling that the situation is unheard-of, he must feel that the situation is distinctly heard-of, and that he is in charge of it rather than his aggressor.

The critical point is the creation of a "mental trigger" in the mind which is decided upon in advance of the action. This mental trigger may be any one of a number of things, but it should always be sufficient in the mind of the fighter to justify his taking lethal action. In any case, it should be fixed upon in advance so that there is no need to hold a conference with oneself at the moment of truth. It cannot be delayed and it cannot be equivocal.

The combat mind-set, therefore, should be:

A. Before the fact - alert, prepared and aware. If there is time for fear to build up it should be overcome by a conscious effort toward anger.
B. During action - total concentration upon doing whatever it takes to survive
C. After the conflict--probably relief, gratification, and pride-- approximately in that order.

Hit and Get = Redneck version of Stop and Go for strikes

This is the theory of constant striking from one position to another with minimal loss of momentum or power. The strike must flow from the first strike to the next with no hesitation using the momentum form you first strike or the motion for the retraction to set up you next strike. In other words “Hit” what you are aiming at and “Get” on to the next one. This is some time taught on the “beat method” (similar to music)
where each strike is a beat. To be most effective the follow up strike should begin prior to completion of the preceding strike so you can shorten the time (half-beat) between strikes

The Four P’s = Push, Pull, Pin, Pass

This deals with the most common methods of trapping a limb. The limb can be pushed, pulled, pinned or passed to temporarily restrain or immobilize it. Each method should be learned as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.

High and Low = Theory of confusion

If you continue to focus your attack on one area your opponent will concentrate his focus on protecting that area. By alternating your attack from high to low and vice versa you can cause confusion and reduce his ability to anticipate your next attack. This allows you to open up different target areas and should be done in a continuous motion with maximum flow.

Base Destruction = Covers the manipulating the opponents balance

By destroying the attackers base you can impair his ability to continue his attack. The best way to accomplish this is to destroy the lower legs with striking techiniques such as kicks and stomps to the feet, shins and knees. This was best stated in a line from the classic movie “Roadhouse”. “Give me the biggest guy and if you take out his knees he will drop like a rock”.

Closing the Distance = Ways to pass thru the ranges from strikes to locks and vise versa

To get to the close quarter fighting range you must close the distance. This can be done in two ways “defensive or offensive”. In the defensive method you allow the attacker to attack and close the distance during you defense. An example is your attacker takes a round house swing and you step in blocking the strike allowing you to counter attack.

In an offensive closing you close while attacking. An example is the typical shoot used in grappling to take down an opponent. Another is using a kick and letting the leg come down closer to the opponent to close the distance.

Shock / Lock = Priority steps to successful joint locks

Locks can be an effective method of controlling an opponent in order to render him unable to continue his aggression. It can also be used to cause temporary or even permanent injuries to the various joints. However in a real self defense situation it is often difficult if not impossible to go straight to a locking situation for many reasons including the following:

The opponent is too strong to control effectively
The opponent is too large to control effectively
The opponent is constantly moving so you can not apply a lock
The opponent is on drugs or otherwise impaired so as to increase his pain threshold

It is most difficult to obtain a good lock on an opponent that is functioning at 100%. So what do we do?
about it. Reduce him to less than 100% efficiency with striking techniques. Effective strikes
Can reduce his available strength, speed, mental capacity, etc. It can bend him or bring him to a lower
level so as to reduce the size advantage. Once you have effectively “shocked” him with strikes to render
him at less than 100% capacity you will find it becomes much easier to apply an effective lock. With the
exception of a very minimal threat situation (controlling a buddy with too much to drink, etc) you should
always “Shock” them before you attempt to “Lock” them.

Push / Pull = The secret to effective throws, takedowns and locks

People have a natural reaction to being pushed or pulled by reacting with an opposite reaction to the motion. You can use this reaction to set your opponent up for a throw, takedown or lock. This often use in grappling arts such as Judo or Jujitsu who use this reaction to manipulate their opponent into the desired position.

Tight is Right = Mandatory for effective locks

In grappling situations you will find that it no matter if you are attempting and throw, lock, takedown, choke or simple to dominate the position that distance matters. If you allow too much distance between you and you opponent in any of these attempts you will find you greatly reduce your chances of success. Locks, chokes and holds should be applies so as to minimize you opponents space to maneuver. So keep it tight to make it work tight.

Tripod Balance = Discover the fall line

Because we walk on only two legs and not four we have a natural fall line that affects our balance. It takes
a complicated system of visual reference, physical reference and mental reference to allow us to walk
Upright. The reason is we have a minimal support system structurally. Picture a chair with four legs. Now
remove one of those legs and see how unstable it becomes but it can still balance on three legs in a tripod
stance. If you remove a second leg it will topple to the ground along the line where the legs were
removed. We have the same problem. Imagine we have four legs to stand with in an upright position. For
maximum balance we would have a leg in the center of our body both front and back. Since they are not
there that is the fall line. Any time you want to break a persons balance you can attack disrupt it most
effectively by an attack in one of those two angle. So push or pull in the line that would be between the
legs for maximum efficiency.

Defensive Flow = Flowing

Flowing is developing the ability to move seamlessly from on attack/defense to another. This allows you to use one move to set up another or move from an ineffective move to a better one with minimal thought. This flow combines body movement, striking, locking, etc for effective techniques. To do this at a high level is referred to as “Mushin” in Japanese meaning doing something with no mind or thought. This develops after numerous repetitions of techniques or self defense. This shows the importance of practicing your techniques and combat scenarios until they become they become a part of you.

A common everyday example of this is driving a car. As a new driver every move must be though out turn, stop, change lane, accelerate, etc. After a few years of driving you are doing all these things and more (reacting to other driver’s moves) becomes so common place that you do it without any conscious effort. You zip long at 70mph changing lanes and flowing with traffic with a skill level you would never have thought possible when still a new driver

Weapons Clearing = Inside / Outside

Weapons should be cleared from the body when performing weapons disarms of self defense. This will normally be done to the outside or inside of the body (sometimes above if the weapon is held high). There are advantages and disadvantages to each method and you should practice them repeatedly to determine which work best for you.

THE FORWARD DRIVE

There has been some discussion concerning the aggressive forward drive, it's use and lack thereof.

What hasn't been fully addressed is the why.

Here are the reasons why this manuever is so all important.

This method of close combat is based wholly on aggression. Fairbairn fully emphasised that these are methods of ATTACK-OFFENSE and not DEFENSE. Lyle L. Shook in his 1968 manual on self-defense titled "ATTACK" put it quite well.........."You MUST carry the ATTACK to the ATTACKER".

The constant forward drive allows you to use full bodyweight and momentum behind each attacking method.

It forces the assailant off balance and into a "defensive" posture and attitude. It forces the assailant to move into unseen/unknown quarters, i.e. backwards. Obvious tactical advantage for you. You can see were you're going - he can't.

Fosters an aggressive offensive spirit! By the very nature of the physical movement you help develop the proper aggressive mind-set and offensive spirit.

You are more difficult to knock down or to take to the ground. This is NOT "sport", restricted by rules or parameters of constraint.

Is a "built in" hedge against multiple assailants. You are NOT a sitting duck. By constant aggressive movement, other assailants will be playing "catch up". Always having to adjust and set themselves against an ever moving target.

Allows for immediate "E & E". You are already in motion, so manuvering for escape and evasion tactics is far easier. It gets you out of "tight" confined spots.

For police and military personnel who are burdened with tactical loads this forward aggressive movement is an AID and not a hinderance to movement in a close quarters battle when weighed down with equipment.

A proven maxim of war - "always take ground".

The inclusion of the forward drive is perhaps the best method for seizing and maintaining the initiative in close combat. It is also almost always overlooked.

By Carl Cestari

10 Rules of Combat


1. Be in good physical condition

2. Do not be devoted to any one particular fighting style z9kivking, punching, groundz0

3. Keep it simple.

4. Train hard to fight easy.

5. Positive mental attitude

6. Scenario training (role playing).

7. Practice from A to Z.

8. Dress as you fight.

9. Adaptability.

10. Aggressive Defense.

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