[References for the original story of the Tony Arambula shooting by Phoenix PD]
© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER — ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
MOST of those who subscribe to CQ are doubtless aware of the recent catastrophic event that occurred in Phoenix, Arizona, when a police officer shot a homeowner six times in error, when responding to that very homeowner’s — and his wife’s — emergency call to 911. The homeowner had subdued and was restraining at gunpoint a home invader. the dispatcher had so advised, and, upon the officers’ arrival on the scene, the wife told the police that “the man inside with the gun is my husband — he’s holding the housebreaker on the ground.” The officers proceeded with entry, and one of them opened fire immediately on the homeowner, shooting him six times and — miraculously — not killing him, according to the news report that we heard.
When we first saw the video on the internet (CNN News) in which the wife of the shooting victim and her attorney appeared, reiterating what had occurred and — understandably — in which the wife virtually broke down, we were livid, outraged, and incensed. As is our habit, we e-mailed our commentary regarding the incident to those on our contact list with whom we strive to remain in regular touch. We also referred our contacts to the CNN posted video of what we had seen, with the request that they watch it for themselves.
One of our contacts was a seasoned NYPD Officer (Emergency Services Division, as we understand) with whom we had been in previous contact (a contact originally initiated by him), with whom we had had an extensive conversation regarding our methods of close combat and self-defense, and who had, in addition to his law enforcement experience, a military service (Special Forces, according to him) background. Subsequent to our conversation we replied to an inquiry he had made asking for our input regarding certain close combat actions and responses. The two of us had, we thought at the time, a pretty good rapport.
In response to our e-mail of outrage concerning the unjustifiable shooting of the private citizen by the Phoenix police officer we received an aggressive, angry, severely critical e-mail from this NYPD Officer. It began with the demand that we remove him from our contact list, and went on to express his livid, outraged, incensed reaction to us and to our position regarding the Phoenix shooting. There was not even a word of concern, compassion, or care for the shooting victim; and there was not even a slight degree of acknowledgement that the disgraceful (and frankly terrifying) incident was the responsibility of those charged with “serving and protecting”. All that this Officer could see, hear, feel, or comprehend was that we were not blindly supporting or excusing the Phoenix police officer. We were “being critical of cops”. (And you’re goddamned right we ARE critical — justifiably critical, according to any rational standard! — when anything of this nature occurs. We do not have an overweaning respect for police, soldiers, bookkeepers, doctors, truck drivers, butchers, bakers, or candlestick makers, or anyone else.) When the wrong thing is done, those who have done it should be acknowledged to have done wrong, and should be held accountable for their behavior!
We could not help but think (as we deleted this individual’s e-mail address and name from our contact list, and wrote him off as “one among many” of those with whom circumstances have proven to be a meaningless individual with whom to continue to relate) HOW THIS OFFICER WOULD HAVE REACTED IF THIS SITUATION HAPPENED TO HIM AND TO HIS WIFE, AT HIS HOME.
While pointing it out to him would have only resulted in denial and — likely — increased and renewed rage, what this Officer was demonstrating via his attitude was a TRIBAL mentality. His “tribe” was threatened. His loyalty is to his “tribe”. It is them or it is us according to this primitive, uncivilized, dangerous form of VERY UNAMERICAN “thinking”.
AND THIS IS HOW MANY PEOPLE “THINK” TODAY.
A reasonable human being is loyal first and foremost to principles. When a man becomes a law enforcement officer in a free and open society he is loyal to the PRINCIPLE that all persons’ rights must be respected as sacred, and that it is his solemn responsibility to PROTECT and to SERVE the private citizenry of that society. He is sworn to this concept (as a “sworn” officer), and he must never knowingly or intentionally violate the rights of any private citizen. Nor must he permit anyone else to do so; EVEN IF THAT “SOMEONE ELSE” IS ALSO A POLICE OFFICER!
Few types of people are as potentially dangerous to the safety, well-being, and life of the private citizen, than the kind of persons who regard themselves and their fellow police officers as being “brothers” — amongst whom and within whose tribe, all swear and uphold an allegiance to each other, rather than to the purpose of serving and protecting the citizenry. Sadly, this appears to be the state of affairs with all too many police officers today in our Country.
The cop who refuses to give a ticket to a “brother officer” is a disgrace.
The cop who covers up for a “brother officer” who has perpetrated misconduct is a disgrace.
The cop who uses steroids to assist himself in building his body — but who arrests others who use steroids — is a disgrace.
The cop who participates in an effort to disarm the private citizen is a disgrace.
The cop who employs unnecessary degrees of force against a suspect is a disgrace.
The cop who drives, parks, or otherwise manages control of his vehicle in any manner for which he would stop and ticket a private citizen (except, of course, during the course of official , legitimate law enforcing, when such driving or vehicle management is necessary and justifiable) is a disgrace.
Nothing destroys citizen confidence in and respect for the police more than obvious misconduct by police THAT GOES UNACKNOWLEDGED AND UNPUNISHED because such misconduct was done by police, and thus “brother officers” turn a blind eye toward the misdeed and toward “one of their own”.
In today’s decaying and decrepit society we observe all sorts of expressions of this “tribal” mentality. But in no other — save perhaps the military and the intelligence communities, as well — besides law enforcement and police work, is the negative and horrific effect upon the decent, innocent private citizen felt so bitterly, painfully, and acutely.
And, as history has shown, sooner or later, people fight back.
There is a crucial lesson to be learned from observing our experience with this police officer, and in noting the tone and style of his outrage. Instead of being supremely loyal to the principles which he presumably had been sworn to uphold and to protect, his loyalty is to PEOPLE. Specifically, it is to those people who are part of his particular “club” (or “gang”, or “tribe”); i.e OTHER COPS.
This kind of tribal thinking may be seen in other venues today. For example: black people who automatically defend any black person in any conflict where the opposition happens to be white. Or the reverse: whites who automatically defend other whites when a conflict happens to be between parties of different ethnicities. Women who assume that if any woman has any disagreement or conflict with any man, then the man involved must automatically be wrong. Etcetera.
This kind of primitive, tribal LUNACY and lack of basic CIVILIZATION is indicative of the crumbling of Western Civilization, per se. It is at once frustrating, alarming, disgusting, and dangerous. Give the matter a few minutes serious thought and, if you’re intelligent enough to appreciate CQ and that which this Publication stands for, espouses, and presents, you ought to be able easily to see why.
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Monday, October 19, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The Value Of Blows To The Head
© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sword and Pen – September 2009 Issue
[Reprinted With Permission]
American Combato
Seattle Combatives
WHILE it is no secret that clenched fist punching to the bony facial and head area will often result in more serious injuries to the one who delivers such punches than they inflict upon the recipient, the student of close combat must understand that not only are blows to the head critically important in real hand-to-hand engagements, but also that there are powerful and reliable methods of delivering such blows that — although banned in competition — are pure gold for emergency application when one is playing marbles "for keeps"!
Blows to the head are potentially very dangerous. They are also INSTANTLY DECISIVE, which makes them outstanding techniques to employ in an emergency. When the head is struck powerfully there is extreme shock to the brain. And if the head is struck ferociously in one direction and then in the opposite direction the result will almost invariably be a KNOCKOUT, since concussion is the likely outcome. The knockout results from tissue being torn inside the head as the brain is shaken violently within the skull from the successive hits. This accounts for the famous "one two" knockout sequence so often referred to in boxing: A left jab is snapped smartly into the opponent's face, and then a powerful straight right completes the job!The only problem with this excellent sequence is that it is a boxing sequence. The clenched fists sans gloves are not good for striking blows to the head (as stated earlier) outside the ring.
Besides, it can take six to eight months for a novice to train to the point where he can reasonably expect to deliver sufficiently accurate and forceful clenched fist punches to effect a reliable "one-two" sequence.
NOT SO with the following blows:—
• Edge of the hand
• Heel of the hand
• Hammerfist smash
• Elbow smash
• Head butt
Those blows — normally banned (and quite properly so!) from full contact application to the facial/head area in sporting contests, are perfect for employment against a violent attacker, when the "prize" is SURVIVAL.
No one struck viciously and solidly with any one of those five blows will fail to be at the very least disoriented long enough for a second blow — executed with the same or with one of the other natural weapons — that smashes his head powerfully in the opposite direction of the original blow. Here are some suggested combinations to work on:—
a) Snap a speedy leading edge-of-the-hand blow to the opponent's face, then drive your body forward as the chopping hand returns and smash a forward elbow blow across the opponent's temple.
b) Leading hand delivers an edge-of-the-hand blow, then step in and drive a chinjab smash (heel-of-the-hand blow) upward under the opponent's jaw with your rearmost hand.
c) Chinjab smash rapidly — alternating hands — driving two blows, one into each side of the opponent's head, in rapid succession.
d) Execute a sharp, untelegraphed vertical hammerfist smash to the opponent's temple or jaw hinge area with your rearmost hand. Followup instantly after impact by slamming a lead arm elbow smash into the opponent's head.
e) Head butt your opponent smartly as he moves in close to you (or you to him), then drive a hooking heel of the hand blow using your foremost hand into his temple or jaw hinge.
f) Deliver a chinjab smash using your rearmost hand to the opponent's jaw, then followup with a lead arm elbow smash across the opponent's temple or jaw hinge.
CAUTION!: The foregoing sequences are extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury. They are NOT to be practiced with contact to a live training partner, and they are NEVER to be used against anyone, except in a case where self-defense action is unavoidable in order to prevent grievous injury from an attacker. Work the blows in the air, on dummies, on a heavy bag, or on some other striking apparatus.
When you train, observe the following points:
• Always launch your attacks by surprise. Make no "cocking" or other telegraphing movements — just HIT!
• Get your entire body into the blows by utilizing waist-hip turn and driving forward into the attack.
• Although the sequence will almost certainly drop your man if successful, be prepared to followup relentlessly — just in case.
• Give lots of thought to all of the situations in which the sequences may be applied.
• Develop other sequences, according to your inclinations, experiences, and personal preferences.
• Become a "HEADHUNTER"! Go after your attacker's head with powerful barrages of successive unarmed combat strikes whenever you are in danger, and attacking in this manner appears to be suited to the situation!
• Never forget that the purpose of these specific combinations is to JAR and SNAP the opponent's head viciously in one direction and then suddenly in another — with the aim of causing concussion.
REREAD THE "CAUTION" AND PAY ATTENTION TO ITS MESSAGE! We do not assume any responsibility for your use or misuse of this or any other information imparted here or elsewhere. Be a responsible, law-abiding, non-troublesome and peaceful person. Use these types of actions ONLY in legitimate self-defense!
Sword and Pen – September 2009 Issue
[Reprinted With Permission]
American Combato
Seattle Combatives
WHILE it is no secret that clenched fist punching to the bony facial and head area will often result in more serious injuries to the one who delivers such punches than they inflict upon the recipient, the student of close combat must understand that not only are blows to the head critically important in real hand-to-hand engagements, but also that there are powerful and reliable methods of delivering such blows that — although banned in competition — are pure gold for emergency application when one is playing marbles "for keeps"!
Blows to the head are potentially very dangerous. They are also INSTANTLY DECISIVE, which makes them outstanding techniques to employ in an emergency. When the head is struck powerfully there is extreme shock to the brain. And if the head is struck ferociously in one direction and then in the opposite direction the result will almost invariably be a KNOCKOUT, since concussion is the likely outcome. The knockout results from tissue being torn inside the head as the brain is shaken violently within the skull from the successive hits. This accounts for the famous "one two" knockout sequence so often referred to in boxing: A left jab is snapped smartly into the opponent's face, and then a powerful straight right completes the job!The only problem with this excellent sequence is that it is a boxing sequence. The clenched fists sans gloves are not good for striking blows to the head (as stated earlier) outside the ring.
Besides, it can take six to eight months for a novice to train to the point where he can reasonably expect to deliver sufficiently accurate and forceful clenched fist punches to effect a reliable "one-two" sequence.
NOT SO with the following blows:—
• Edge of the hand
• Heel of the hand
• Hammerfist smash
• Elbow smash
• Head butt
Those blows — normally banned (and quite properly so!) from full contact application to the facial/head area in sporting contests, are perfect for employment against a violent attacker, when the "prize" is SURVIVAL.
No one struck viciously and solidly with any one of those five blows will fail to be at the very least disoriented long enough for a second blow — executed with the same or with one of the other natural weapons — that smashes his head powerfully in the opposite direction of the original blow. Here are some suggested combinations to work on:—
a) Snap a speedy leading edge-of-the-hand blow to the opponent's face, then drive your body forward as the chopping hand returns and smash a forward elbow blow across the opponent's temple.
b) Leading hand delivers an edge-of-the-hand blow, then step in and drive a chinjab smash (heel-of-the-hand blow) upward under the opponent's jaw with your rearmost hand.
c) Chinjab smash rapidly — alternating hands — driving two blows, one into each side of the opponent's head, in rapid succession.
d) Execute a sharp, untelegraphed vertical hammerfist smash to the opponent's temple or jaw hinge area with your rearmost hand. Followup instantly after impact by slamming a lead arm elbow smash into the opponent's head.
e) Head butt your opponent smartly as he moves in close to you (or you to him), then drive a hooking heel of the hand blow using your foremost hand into his temple or jaw hinge.
f) Deliver a chinjab smash using your rearmost hand to the opponent's jaw, then followup with a lead arm elbow smash across the opponent's temple or jaw hinge.
CAUTION!: The foregoing sequences are extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury. They are NOT to be practiced with contact to a live training partner, and they are NEVER to be used against anyone, except in a case where self-defense action is unavoidable in order to prevent grievous injury from an attacker. Work the blows in the air, on dummies, on a heavy bag, or on some other striking apparatus.
When you train, observe the following points:
• Always launch your attacks by surprise. Make no "cocking" or other telegraphing movements — just HIT!
• Get your entire body into the blows by utilizing waist-hip turn and driving forward into the attack.
• Although the sequence will almost certainly drop your man if successful, be prepared to followup relentlessly — just in case.
• Give lots of thought to all of the situations in which the sequences may be applied.
• Develop other sequences, according to your inclinations, experiences, and personal preferences.
• Become a "HEADHUNTER"! Go after your attacker's head with powerful barrages of successive unarmed combat strikes whenever you are in danger, and attacking in this manner appears to be suited to the situation!
• Never forget that the purpose of these specific combinations is to JAR and SNAP the opponent's head viciously in one direction and then suddenly in another — with the aim of causing concussion.
REREAD THE "CAUTION" AND PAY ATTENTION TO ITS MESSAGE! We do not assume any responsibility for your use or misuse of this or any other information imparted here or elsewhere. Be a responsible, law-abiding, non-troublesome and peaceful person. Use these types of actions ONLY in legitimate self-defense!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Yaye! Let the job hunt begin!
Sheesh!
Without another extension, my contract will expire about the same time I return from Vacation. (I'm tempted to cancel my vacation becausse of this... )
My rep has been e-mailing the manager for the last month or so asking about their intent. Do they wish to extend my contract? No response. We see this a lot around here; partly because people are so busy with product and team org issues, partly because of the inefficiency of the Exchange servers and peoples e-mail service dropping off of the face off the earth.
So it may be that I come back from work and have no job: cannot even get into the bulding and will possibly lose my work e-mail access before I find out whether or not I've been extended.
This doesn't really make sense because we just got an assload of tests dumped on us and barely have enough people to run them weekly as it is. We're automatically losing one more tester next month because his one-year term will be up. Then we lose another after that if she doesn't get extended. She wass hired a month or so after I was. So the entire team is disappearing one at a time.
This drops a urine soaked rag on my vacation plans. Even if I were to go anywhere I'd be completely preoccupied with the future, the fate of my job here. I may end up conducting a job search while I'm out next week. I'm probably not going to be spending any money.
It pretty much sucks! I'd like to hear one way or another... and that's what worries me. In the past, with other employees, there have been times when it was "Today's your last day." I think that's BS. If it were an issue where someone was a suspect employee then I could understand it. When it's semi-policy it's bogus.
This comes right at a time when I'm shelling out around $500 to start up in Combato again... and trying to get the savings account back up to $3500 so I can submit my applicatin to CASS for EP training next year. BOGUS I SAY!!!
Without another extension, my contract will expire about the same time I return from Vacation. (I'm tempted to cancel my vacation becausse of this... )
My rep has been e-mailing the manager for the last month or so asking about their intent. Do they wish to extend my contract? No response. We see this a lot around here; partly because people are so busy with product and team org issues, partly because of the inefficiency of the Exchange servers and peoples e-mail service dropping off of the face off the earth.
So it may be that I come back from work and have no job: cannot even get into the bulding and will possibly lose my work e-mail access before I find out whether or not I've been extended.
This doesn't really make sense because we just got an assload of tests dumped on us and barely have enough people to run them weekly as it is. We're automatically losing one more tester next month because his one-year term will be up. Then we lose another after that if she doesn't get extended. She wass hired a month or so after I was. So the entire team is disappearing one at a time.
This drops a urine soaked rag on my vacation plans. Even if I were to go anywhere I'd be completely preoccupied with the future, the fate of my job here. I may end up conducting a job search while I'm out next week. I'm probably not going to be spending any money.
It pretty much sucks! I'd like to hear one way or another... and that's what worries me. In the past, with other employees, there have been times when it was "Today's your last day." I think that's BS. If it were an issue where someone was a suspect employee then I could understand it. When it's semi-policy it's bogus.
This comes right at a time when I'm shelling out around $500 to start up in Combato again... and trying to get the savings account back up to $3500 so I can submit my applicatin to CASS for EP training next year. BOGUS I SAY!!!
Proper Protective Distancing
© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sword and Pen – October 2009 Issue
[Reprinted with Permission]
American Combato
Seattle Combatives
Correct distancing is a matter that is always addressed in the classical/traditional martial arts. Unfortunately, actual practice of this aspect of dealing with an adversary comes — in the classical/traditional approaches — from sparring and from competitive matches; both unrelated to close combat and/or the requirements of actual self-defense encounters. When you train to "square off" with an opponent, to "get set", to "ready yourself in a stance", etc., and to anticipate that your adversary will either strike or grapple in a conventional (or at least in a restricted and regulated) manner you are not duplicating the kind of DISTANCING TRAINING that the real world requires, should you need to actually defend yourself.
First of all, forget about "fighting stances". These are for agreed-upon matches (or mutual combat — neither one of which is related to that which a self-defense or close combat practitioner concerns himself with). In the real world you will either be AWARE of an attacker’s approach prior to his onslaught, or you will not be aware. If you aware, go to a ready position and if/when the first indication of aggression manifests, PREEMPT! If you are not aware, you’ll simply be reacting via the best counterattacking actions of which you are capable. (There is a third possibility for military and intelligence people: You may be ATTACKING THE OTHER GUY. If this is the case, then take him by surprise — if at all possible from behind — and finish the job. Do not walk up in front of him and get into some ridiculous stance!).
In any case, you will advance your development and readiness to deal with real violence from a troublemaker who makes his approach apparent, by applying the following INVIOLATE RULE:
Whenever you face anyone who you do not know, personally, off angle yourself (into a "relaxed-ready" position), and maintain a distance from that person that is no closer than OUTSIDE ARM’S LENGTH.
What the assumption of that distance does is insure that, when and if this unknown individual initiates an attack, he will need to step forward toward you in order to reach you. This make a genuine "surprise attack" from him (assuming that you are in an ALERT MENTAL STATE) virtually impossible. The most skilled individual in the world must still be able to reach you, before he can harm you. And the fact that you have distanced yourself outside the range of his reach insures that his FORWARD STEP will telegraph his intention.
Question: "Suppose the individual merely intends to step closer to me, and nothing more? Might I not be making a tragic error of judgment if I attacked him as he moved?"
Answer: Indeed, you would be making a terrible error by attacking a non-aggressive individual. However, doing so is easily avoided, and you ought never have such a problem. Just STEP BACK if the step toward you is apparently non aggressive. REESTABLISH the outside-arm’s-length distance. Politely say, "Sir, please step back," if you wish, as you yourself move. That gesture and statement is neither provocative nor offensive, and will do all that is necessary without incurring any possibility of "misapplied aggression". A person whose intention is not aggression will keep his distance.
By maintaining this out-of-reach distance you will enjoy another advantage, should the individual whom you face decide to attack you. His attack and your preemptive reaction will bring about a COLLISION EFFECT, and add whatever weight and momentum your attacker generates toward you, to whatever power and momentum your preemptive action directs toward him.
Violent offenders, generally speaking, will not attempt to attack if they do not feel that their onslaught will be effective, if they feel that they will be hurt, and if they have no assurance that they will be able to get away before the police arrive. Since the impression conveyed by a person who remains steadfastly distanced, alert, and not readily approachable is NOT that this person is susceptible to a surprise attack, assuming a proper off-angled ready position and holding to the right distance might discourage some attacks, to begin with. This of course is what we would most hope for, but we cannot expect it in all cases.
Correct understanding of the principle, and unwavering use of the strategy of employing PROPER DISTANCING will go a long way toward assisting you in both avoidance and in being prepared for preemption, should avoidance be impossible.
One final thing: Whenever you are approached by two or more individuals who you do not know personally, STEP TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE PAIR/GROUP and assume your relaxed ready position facing the closest person. Keep your distance relative to him, outside arm’s reach.
Sword and Pen – October 2009 Issue
[Reprinted with Permission]
American Combato
Seattle Combatives
Correct distancing is a matter that is always addressed in the classical/traditional martial arts. Unfortunately, actual practice of this aspect of dealing with an adversary comes — in the classical/traditional approaches — from sparring and from competitive matches; both unrelated to close combat and/or the requirements of actual self-defense encounters. When you train to "square off" with an opponent, to "get set", to "ready yourself in a stance", etc., and to anticipate that your adversary will either strike or grapple in a conventional (or at least in a restricted and regulated) manner you are not duplicating the kind of DISTANCING TRAINING that the real world requires, should you need to actually defend yourself.
First of all, forget about "fighting stances". These are for agreed-upon matches (or mutual combat — neither one of which is related to that which a self-defense or close combat practitioner concerns himself with). In the real world you will either be AWARE of an attacker’s approach prior to his onslaught, or you will not be aware. If you aware, go to a ready position and if/when the first indication of aggression manifests, PREEMPT! If you are not aware, you’ll simply be reacting via the best counterattacking actions of which you are capable. (There is a third possibility for military and intelligence people: You may be ATTACKING THE OTHER GUY. If this is the case, then take him by surprise — if at all possible from behind — and finish the job. Do not walk up in front of him and get into some ridiculous stance!).
In any case, you will advance your development and readiness to deal with real violence from a troublemaker who makes his approach apparent, by applying the following INVIOLATE RULE:
Whenever you face anyone who you do not know, personally, off angle yourself (into a "relaxed-ready" position), and maintain a distance from that person that is no closer than OUTSIDE ARM’S LENGTH.
What the assumption of that distance does is insure that, when and if this unknown individual initiates an attack, he will need to step forward toward you in order to reach you. This make a genuine "surprise attack" from him (assuming that you are in an ALERT MENTAL STATE) virtually impossible. The most skilled individual in the world must still be able to reach you, before he can harm you. And the fact that you have distanced yourself outside the range of his reach insures that his FORWARD STEP will telegraph his intention.
Question: "Suppose the individual merely intends to step closer to me, and nothing more? Might I not be making a tragic error of judgment if I attacked him as he moved?"
Answer: Indeed, you would be making a terrible error by attacking a non-aggressive individual. However, doing so is easily avoided, and you ought never have such a problem. Just STEP BACK if the step toward you is apparently non aggressive. REESTABLISH the outside-arm’s-length distance. Politely say, "Sir, please step back," if you wish, as you yourself move. That gesture and statement is neither provocative nor offensive, and will do all that is necessary without incurring any possibility of "misapplied aggression". A person whose intention is not aggression will keep his distance.
By maintaining this out-of-reach distance you will enjoy another advantage, should the individual whom you face decide to attack you. His attack and your preemptive reaction will bring about a COLLISION EFFECT, and add whatever weight and momentum your attacker generates toward you, to whatever power and momentum your preemptive action directs toward him.
Violent offenders, generally speaking, will not attempt to attack if they do not feel that their onslaught will be effective, if they feel that they will be hurt, and if they have no assurance that they will be able to get away before the police arrive. Since the impression conveyed by a person who remains steadfastly distanced, alert, and not readily approachable is NOT that this person is susceptible to a surprise attack, assuming a proper off-angled ready position and holding to the right distance might discourage some attacks, to begin with. This of course is what we would most hope for, but we cannot expect it in all cases.
Correct understanding of the principle, and unwavering use of the strategy of employing PROPER DISTANCING will go a long way toward assisting you in both avoidance and in being prepared for preemption, should avoidance be impossible.
One final thing: Whenever you are approached by two or more individuals who you do not know personally, STEP TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE PAIR/GROUP and assume your relaxed ready position facing the closest person. Keep your distance relative to him, outside arm’s reach.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Bare Knuckle Boxing...
... And Punching In Hand-To-Hand Combat
© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sword and Pen – October 2009 Issue
[Reprinted with Permission]
American Combato
Seattle Combatives
Using the clenched fist either as a primary weapon or as a natural weapon with which to attack the facial/head area is WRONG for close combat and self-defense. Those who, correctly noting the deficiencies in the sport of Western boxing insofar as self-defense is concerned, have gravitated to the older (rougher and tougher) "bare knuckle boxing", thinking that this will give them a "boxing system for the street" are misinformed.
The old bare knuckle boxers were tough as nails, and yes, their method of boxing was superior for self-defense to the modern boxing we are accustomed to seeing today. However, the fact that bare knuckle boxing is superior to modern boxing for personal combat by no means demonstrates that bare knuckle boxing is a viable method of combat training, per se. Using a garden hose to attempt to put out a house fire makes more sense than relying on filling, refilling, and repeatedly tossing buckets of water on the fire. BUT NEITHER APPROACH MAKES MUCH REAL SENSE AS A MEANS OF BATTLING A HOUSE FIRE.
Bare knuckle boxers use their clenched fists for normal-fist punching. This is a serious mistake for self-defense or hand-to-hand combat. It is as much a mistake for the bare knuckle boxer as it is for the karate student, since other much more effective and reliable natural weapon hand blows have been proven beyond question to be infinitely better choices for close combat. (We must state here, for the overly sensitive, that we are in no shape, manner, or form deriding bare knuckle boxing, per se. We are speaking only of how this sport stacks up FOR REAL COMBAT.)
To be a true fist fighter who stands any reasonable chance of stopping a dangerous physical assailant, you must be REAL GOOD, an expert, or at least a strong, fit, boxer-in-training with conditioned fists.
Our advice: Waste no time training in bare knuckle boxing if you wish to be able to handle dangerous, real world attackers. You’ll only be getting sidetracked, and you’ll be confusing yourself by training to strike with your FISTS to targets that you should be training to strike with open hands. In the stress and heat of a real emergency you want your extended fingers to jab into your attacker’s eyes, your heel of hand to blast him in the jaw, and your hand-edge to chop at his carotid artery — or throat! Polish kicks to the testicles and side kicks to the knees. Never mind any kind of sporting stuff.
One excellent thing about boxers — bare knuckle boxers and the modern variety — is that the manner in which they hit (NOT the weapons, but the MANNER in which those weapons are trained to generate blows) is far superior to the manner in which the classical/traditional karate/kung fu/taekwondo/ju-jutsu man learns to hit. Learn this now:
Do not use the full turn "corkscrew" type punch, ever — and NEVER, EVER "counterbalance" (i.e. withdraw your opposite fist with equal speed and power to your hip, while delivering the punch)! Corkscrewing results in two problems when employed:
1. The punching arm "wings out" as the punch goes forward, and
2. The wrist twists, and this WEAKENS the critical support required from the wrist when the fist connects with the target. (You can prove this to yourself by standing in front of a heavy bag and driving your most powerful corkscrew punch into the bag. Then try a vertical (palm-in) fist punch. Much stronger.
When punching in an actual hand-to-hand battle, restrict the fist blow (either straight, palm-in, or uppercut, palm up) to the sternum, solar plexus, liver, spleen, testicles, or kidney. That’s it. Never punch to the torso area (too muscular, heavy, and well protected) or the facial/head area (bony contact surface can fracture fingers and hand bones). One minor, rare exception might be a quick fist jab or thrust to the nose, applied simply as a distraction, paving the way for "heavier guns".
Hit like a BOXER hits. No counterbalancing! Counterbalancing actually DETRACTS from the power of your blow. Here’s proof — and I offer it directly from the various karate systems:
When training their blows IN THE AIR karate students easily and naturally employ counterbalancing. The smart snap of the gi, the sharp, neat, upright posture, and the smooth symmetry of delivery, looks great. However, notice that you’ll never see any karate man counterbalance when breaking objects. Why? Because when breaking he must have full, unrestrained, total POWER — power that smashes through (not merely connect "on") the target. Intuitively, a karate man will hit by employing body movement similar to that which a boxer employs. He turns his body into the blow (whether a punch, heel of hand, edge of hand, elbow or whatever).
On a televised "Fight Science" Show comparisons were made between the power delivery of a taekwondo man, a kung fu man, and a boxer. The taekwondo man was built like Mr. Universe, and was an absolutely excellent performer of the taekwondo art. He was fast, lithe, strong, and technically expert. However, despite the boxer’s being perhaps fifteen or more years older, and apparently not in any kind of condition resembling the taekwondoist’s (or the kung fu man’s) IT WAS THE BOXER WHOSE PUNCH REGISTERED THE HARDEST HIT OF ANYONE’S!
Don’t fight with your clenched fists, per se. Use them sparingly, as we have instructed. But do use your body’s natural weapons in the fluid, natural, logically powerful and well-coordinated manner that a boxer uses when he punches. Perhaps boxing lacks the "mystery" and the "intrigue" that appeals to many who gravitate to the martial arts. But boxing teaches practical, fast, natural, and EFFECTIVE use of the body for proper delivery of blows when attacking a human adversary.
If you can find a copy of Jack Dempsey’s classic, CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTING, buy it and study it. This was our source for learning the "falling step" that we teach in our System. Dempsey was one of the greatest boxers in the sport’s history, in our Country. You will learn more about how to deliver all of the hand and arm blows of hand-to-hand combat and self-defense by studying the principles of hitting as taught in Western boxing than you will by training in classical/traditional karate. Just remember as you begin to apply these principles: Use of the fists per se is strictly limited insofar as actual close combat is concerned.
If your purpose is to become and to remain combat ready then understand clearly that — whether of the modern gloved or of the older "bare knuckle" variety — boxing per se is NOT an adequate or even a recommended skill. Its methods of hitting are superb — but those methods must be applied to and with proven, combat-viable blows, not with clenched fist punches.
Clenched fist punching is for the competitive and for the classical practitioner. Make no mistake about it. And pay no attention to any "bare knuckle fad. Stick with open hand chops, heel of the hand blows, edge of the fist blows, elbow smashes, fingertips thrusts and gouges, and low area kicks. Just learn to employ those devastating actions the way a boxer employs his punches; and you’ll be well prepared for any emergency!
© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sword and Pen – October 2009 Issue
[Reprinted with Permission]
American Combato
Seattle Combatives
Using the clenched fist either as a primary weapon or as a natural weapon with which to attack the facial/head area is WRONG for close combat and self-defense. Those who, correctly noting the deficiencies in the sport of Western boxing insofar as self-defense is concerned, have gravitated to the older (rougher and tougher) "bare knuckle boxing", thinking that this will give them a "boxing system for the street" are misinformed.
The old bare knuckle boxers were tough as nails, and yes, their method of boxing was superior for self-defense to the modern boxing we are accustomed to seeing today. However, the fact that bare knuckle boxing is superior to modern boxing for personal combat by no means demonstrates that bare knuckle boxing is a viable method of combat training, per se. Using a garden hose to attempt to put out a house fire makes more sense than relying on filling, refilling, and repeatedly tossing buckets of water on the fire. BUT NEITHER APPROACH MAKES MUCH REAL SENSE AS A MEANS OF BATTLING A HOUSE FIRE.
Bare knuckle boxers use their clenched fists for normal-fist punching. This is a serious mistake for self-defense or hand-to-hand combat. It is as much a mistake for the bare knuckle boxer as it is for the karate student, since other much more effective and reliable natural weapon hand blows have been proven beyond question to be infinitely better choices for close combat. (We must state here, for the overly sensitive, that we are in no shape, manner, or form deriding bare knuckle boxing, per se. We are speaking only of how this sport stacks up FOR REAL COMBAT.)
To be a true fist fighter who stands any reasonable chance of stopping a dangerous physical assailant, you must be REAL GOOD, an expert, or at least a strong, fit, boxer-in-training with conditioned fists.
Our advice: Waste no time training in bare knuckle boxing if you wish to be able to handle dangerous, real world attackers. You’ll only be getting sidetracked, and you’ll be confusing yourself by training to strike with your FISTS to targets that you should be training to strike with open hands. In the stress and heat of a real emergency you want your extended fingers to jab into your attacker’s eyes, your heel of hand to blast him in the jaw, and your hand-edge to chop at his carotid artery — or throat! Polish kicks to the testicles and side kicks to the knees. Never mind any kind of sporting stuff.
One excellent thing about boxers — bare knuckle boxers and the modern variety — is that the manner in which they hit (NOT the weapons, but the MANNER in which those weapons are trained to generate blows) is far superior to the manner in which the classical/traditional karate/kung fu/taekwondo/ju-jutsu man learns to hit. Learn this now:
Do not use the full turn "corkscrew" type punch, ever — and NEVER, EVER "counterbalance" (i.e. withdraw your opposite fist with equal speed and power to your hip, while delivering the punch)! Corkscrewing results in two problems when employed:
1. The punching arm "wings out" as the punch goes forward, and
2. The wrist twists, and this WEAKENS the critical support required from the wrist when the fist connects with the target. (You can prove this to yourself by standing in front of a heavy bag and driving your most powerful corkscrew punch into the bag. Then try a vertical (palm-in) fist punch. Much stronger.
When punching in an actual hand-to-hand battle, restrict the fist blow (either straight, palm-in, or uppercut, palm up) to the sternum, solar plexus, liver, spleen, testicles, or kidney. That’s it. Never punch to the torso area (too muscular, heavy, and well protected) or the facial/head area (bony contact surface can fracture fingers and hand bones). One minor, rare exception might be a quick fist jab or thrust to the nose, applied simply as a distraction, paving the way for "heavier guns".
Hit like a BOXER hits. No counterbalancing! Counterbalancing actually DETRACTS from the power of your blow. Here’s proof — and I offer it directly from the various karate systems:
When training their blows IN THE AIR karate students easily and naturally employ counterbalancing. The smart snap of the gi, the sharp, neat, upright posture, and the smooth symmetry of delivery, looks great. However, notice that you’ll never see any karate man counterbalance when breaking objects. Why? Because when breaking he must have full, unrestrained, total POWER — power that smashes through (not merely connect "on") the target. Intuitively, a karate man will hit by employing body movement similar to that which a boxer employs. He turns his body into the blow (whether a punch, heel of hand, edge of hand, elbow or whatever).
On a televised "Fight Science" Show comparisons were made between the power delivery of a taekwondo man, a kung fu man, and a boxer. The taekwondo man was built like Mr. Universe, and was an absolutely excellent performer of the taekwondo art. He was fast, lithe, strong, and technically expert. However, despite the boxer’s being perhaps fifteen or more years older, and apparently not in any kind of condition resembling the taekwondoist’s (or the kung fu man’s) IT WAS THE BOXER WHOSE PUNCH REGISTERED THE HARDEST HIT OF ANYONE’S!
Don’t fight with your clenched fists, per se. Use them sparingly, as we have instructed. But do use your body’s natural weapons in the fluid, natural, logically powerful and well-coordinated manner that a boxer uses when he punches. Perhaps boxing lacks the "mystery" and the "intrigue" that appeals to many who gravitate to the martial arts. But boxing teaches practical, fast, natural, and EFFECTIVE use of the body for proper delivery of blows when attacking a human adversary.
If you can find a copy of Jack Dempsey’s classic, CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTING, buy it and study it. This was our source for learning the "falling step" that we teach in our System. Dempsey was one of the greatest boxers in the sport’s history, in our Country. You will learn more about how to deliver all of the hand and arm blows of hand-to-hand combat and self-defense by studying the principles of hitting as taught in Western boxing than you will by training in classical/traditional karate. Just remember as you begin to apply these principles: Use of the fists per se is strictly limited insofar as actual close combat is concerned.
If your purpose is to become and to remain combat ready then understand clearly that — whether of the modern gloved or of the older "bare knuckle" variety — boxing per se is NOT an adequate or even a recommended skill. Its methods of hitting are superb — but those methods must be applied to and with proven, combat-viable blows, not with clenched fist punches.
Clenched fist punching is for the competitive and for the classical practitioner. Make no mistake about it. And pay no attention to any "bare knuckle fad. Stick with open hand chops, heel of the hand blows, edge of the fist blows, elbow smashes, fingertips thrusts and gouges, and low area kicks. Just learn to employ those devastating actions the way a boxer employs his punches; and you’ll be well prepared for any emergency!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Two Unpleasant Facts
© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sword and Pen – September 2009 Issue
[Reprinted with Permission]
American Combato
Seattle Combatives
THE first is that most violent attacks today involve multiple assailants.
The second is that most violent attacks also involve assailants who are armed.
The above (for anyone having a problem with reading comprehension) does not mean that "all" attacks or that "every" attack involves multiple assailants and weapons. There are still plenty of instances when punks, bullies, and assorted other scum who like to make trouble, "go it alone and unarmed" and simply attempt to gratify their despicably insane desires and drives by targeting some soul whom they feel that they can push around, injure, humiliate, beat up, rob, or even kill without the assistance of fellow bacteria to back up their efforts. However, THE MAJORITY OF UNAVOIDABLE, VIOLENT AND DANGEROUS PHYSICAL ATTACKS THAT OCCUR ON THE MEAN STREETS AND IN THE HOMES OF URBAN AND SUBURBAN AMERICA TODAY involve multiple and/or armed scum.
The implications of these two facts are profound. They at once tell us volumes about the state of moral and cultural decrepitude that our society has degenerated to, while at the same time teaching us some valuable lessons regarding THAT WHICH WE NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO BE PREPARED TO DEFEND OURSELVES.
Since even the worthless dailies and the carefully prepared and doctored evening "news" reports on TV have (unwittingly) presented all that any intelligent and objective individual might require in the way of evidence that Western culture is FINISHED, we will not dwell on this fact. Besides, it makes us nauseous even to think about it.
We'll shift right to the matter of preparing for the possibility of being forced to defend against more than a single adversary who attacks us, and/or for the possibility (read: probability) of having to contend with WEAPONS during any physical encounter.
What — really — must we understand about these types of situations, and what must we do to be reasonably sure that, if one of them ever comes to us, we stand a good chance of surviving and prevailing over the odds?
The first thing to understand is that life-threatening physical attack situations amount to situations of WAR. We are not "competing" when we undertake to fight a war — we are battling for survival! There are no rules in war, save one: WIN! The very concept of ethics, fairness, sportsmanship, or even decency, is suspended "for the duration". And when the "war" is a self-defense emergency that has been foisted upon an unfortunate victim, IT IS THE ATTACKER(S) WHO BEARS FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT OCCURS, AND IT IS THE ATTACKER WHO HAS CHOSEN TO SUSPEND ETHICS, FAIRNESS, SPORTSMANSHIP, AND DECENCY, BY VIRTUE OF THAT WHICH HE HAS CHOSEN TO DO. If a defender is to have a chance to prevail in such an awful situation, he cannot and must not be burdened with concerns for such humane considerations that his attacker(s) has disregarded.
The second thing to understand about these situations is that THEY ARE ALWAYS LIFE-THREATENING. Whether multiple/and/or armed assailants are youngsters or older individuals, and regardless of their gender the threat that they pose is a lethal one. Thus, the reaction that a defender is not only justified in generating, but also URGED TO APPLY WITHOUT HESITATION, is deadly force.
The third lesson we must learn is that tactics must be suitable to the emergency. "Training for self-defense" by restricting oneself to one-on-one type predicaments, or to the assumption that no weapons will be involved (unless we SEE a weapon) is ridiculous. The proper tactical imperative for the student of close combat and self-defense is to train in the skills that he is acquiring by assuming that — even when he is not initially aware of the fact — the individual whom he initially confronts has assistance, and is armed. Statistics conform the validity of such an assumption.
The fourth lesson that offers is that those who train for self-defense must train in techniques that enable them to — a) Inflict immediate and grievous injury, without tying oneself up with any single, individual adversary, and b) React under any conditions, anywhere, with skills that are reliably simple and that have been retained without any need for excessive practice. "Training for a contest" is a short-term, young man;s game. Training for self-defense is a LIFETIME PURSUIT. If the skills with which an individual trains are not retainable and DOABLE when he is in hs 70's and 80's, then what possible value can they have for real world self-defense? Remember: One becomes a more attractive target for human scum when one becomes old; one cannot claim that one is "retired from competition" and expect a trio of armed home invaders or street bacteria to retreat!
The fifth critical thing to learn from looking at the facts is that ONE MUST INCLUDE MODERN WEAPONS IN ONE'S TRAINING AND STUDY OF SELF-PROTECTION. Criminals carry and use firearms, knives, and other deadly weapons. There is no reason on earth why decent people should not avail themselves of such weapons, also — and make themselves MUCH BETTER SKILLED AND DANGEROUS WITH THOSE WEAPONS THAN ARE THE SCUM WHO WOULD PREY UPON THEM.
In our advocacy of the attitude, skills, armament, and tactical considerations that we have presented we wish to make it clear that in no sense do we condone, advocate, or in any manner sanction the breaking of any laws. We are simply trying to provide a wake up call to those whose sense of practicality may have been less than desirable in their efforts to prepare for actual, real world emergencies.
We have never believed that there was any reason why decent human beings should not avail themselves of the fullest measure of readiness for dealing with any who might attempt to violate them. And in today's sick and violent world, "those who would attempt to violate them" generally move in packs (like hyena), and carry weapons to assist their evil purpose.
Sword and Pen – September 2009 Issue
[Reprinted with Permission]
American Combato
Seattle Combatives
THE first is that most violent attacks today involve multiple assailants.
The second is that most violent attacks also involve assailants who are armed.
The above (for anyone having a problem with reading comprehension) does not mean that "all" attacks or that "every" attack involves multiple assailants and weapons. There are still plenty of instances when punks, bullies, and assorted other scum who like to make trouble, "go it alone and unarmed" and simply attempt to gratify their despicably insane desires and drives by targeting some soul whom they feel that they can push around, injure, humiliate, beat up, rob, or even kill without the assistance of fellow bacteria to back up their efforts. However, THE MAJORITY OF UNAVOIDABLE, VIOLENT AND DANGEROUS PHYSICAL ATTACKS THAT OCCUR ON THE MEAN STREETS AND IN THE HOMES OF URBAN AND SUBURBAN AMERICA TODAY involve multiple and/or armed scum.
The implications of these two facts are profound. They at once tell us volumes about the state of moral and cultural decrepitude that our society has degenerated to, while at the same time teaching us some valuable lessons regarding THAT WHICH WE NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO BE PREPARED TO DEFEND OURSELVES.
Since even the worthless dailies and the carefully prepared and doctored evening "news" reports on TV have (unwittingly) presented all that any intelligent and objective individual might require in the way of evidence that Western culture is FINISHED, we will not dwell on this fact. Besides, it makes us nauseous even to think about it.
We'll shift right to the matter of preparing for the possibility of being forced to defend against more than a single adversary who attacks us, and/or for the possibility (read: probability) of having to contend with WEAPONS during any physical encounter.
What — really — must we understand about these types of situations, and what must we do to be reasonably sure that, if one of them ever comes to us, we stand a good chance of surviving and prevailing over the odds?
The first thing to understand is that life-threatening physical attack situations amount to situations of WAR. We are not "competing" when we undertake to fight a war — we are battling for survival! There are no rules in war, save one: WIN! The very concept of ethics, fairness, sportsmanship, or even decency, is suspended "for the duration". And when the "war" is a self-defense emergency that has been foisted upon an unfortunate victim, IT IS THE ATTACKER(S) WHO BEARS FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT OCCURS, AND IT IS THE ATTACKER WHO HAS CHOSEN TO SUSPEND ETHICS, FAIRNESS, SPORTSMANSHIP, AND DECENCY, BY VIRTUE OF THAT WHICH HE HAS CHOSEN TO DO. If a defender is to have a chance to prevail in such an awful situation, he cannot and must not be burdened with concerns for such humane considerations that his attacker(s) has disregarded.
The second thing to understand about these situations is that THEY ARE ALWAYS LIFE-THREATENING. Whether multiple/and/or armed assailants are youngsters or older individuals, and regardless of their gender the threat that they pose is a lethal one. Thus, the reaction that a defender is not only justified in generating, but also URGED TO APPLY WITHOUT HESITATION, is deadly force.
The third lesson we must learn is that tactics must be suitable to the emergency. "Training for self-defense" by restricting oneself to one-on-one type predicaments, or to the assumption that no weapons will be involved (unless we SEE a weapon) is ridiculous. The proper tactical imperative for the student of close combat and self-defense is to train in the skills that he is acquiring by assuming that — even when he is not initially aware of the fact — the individual whom he initially confronts has assistance, and is armed. Statistics conform the validity of such an assumption.
The fourth lesson that offers is that those who train for self-defense must train in techniques that enable them to — a) Inflict immediate and grievous injury, without tying oneself up with any single, individual adversary, and b) React under any conditions, anywhere, with skills that are reliably simple and that have been retained without any need for excessive practice. "Training for a contest" is a short-term, young man;s game. Training for self-defense is a LIFETIME PURSUIT. If the skills with which an individual trains are not retainable and DOABLE when he is in hs 70's and 80's, then what possible value can they have for real world self-defense? Remember: One becomes a more attractive target for human scum when one becomes old; one cannot claim that one is "retired from competition" and expect a trio of armed home invaders or street bacteria to retreat!
The fifth critical thing to learn from looking at the facts is that ONE MUST INCLUDE MODERN WEAPONS IN ONE'S TRAINING AND STUDY OF SELF-PROTECTION. Criminals carry and use firearms, knives, and other deadly weapons. There is no reason on earth why decent people should not avail themselves of such weapons, also — and make themselves MUCH BETTER SKILLED AND DANGEROUS WITH THOSE WEAPONS THAN ARE THE SCUM WHO WOULD PREY UPON THEM.
In our advocacy of the attitude, skills, armament, and tactical considerations that we have presented we wish to make it clear that in no sense do we condone, advocate, or in any manner sanction the breaking of any laws. We are simply trying to provide a wake up call to those whose sense of practicality may have been less than desirable in their efforts to prepare for actual, real world emergencies.
We have never believed that there was any reason why decent human beings should not avail themselves of the fullest measure of readiness for dealing with any who might attempt to violate them. And in today's sick and violent world, "those who would attempt to violate them" generally move in packs (like hyena), and carry weapons to assist their evil purpose.
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