© COPYRIGHT 2010 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sword and Pen – October 2010 Issue
[Reprinted With Permission]
www.americancombato.com
www.seattlecombatives.com
HARD training in close combat and self-defense skills provides a lot of extremely beneficial exercise. However, one does not (or certainly should not) approach combatives work for exercise, per se. Train in combatives for combat and self-defense, pure and simple. Let the ancillary exercising benefit be a plus that you accept as "coming with the territory".
Exercise in addition to your combatives training is all but essential. It is essential if you aspire to maximum development of your combatives potential; the technical practice alone will not get you to your personal peak. Look at the example long established by every elite military unit in the world. Soldiers who are trained as Rangers, Special Forces troopers, etc., and sailors who train to be Navy SEALs, receive hundreds of hours of technical skills work with all sorts of weapons, survival techniques, and war gear. However, no matter how rigorously these men train in physically demanding skills and activities, they always follow a rugged physical training program in addition to everything else that they do.
Perhaps a short-term student of self-defense who is "only looking for the basics" can obtain that which he is seeking simply by learning and practicing a set of combat skills. But all of us who are in this for life, and for whom combatives is a complete martial art will want to follow a rigorous, consistent physical training regimen, in addition to our technical practice.
The finest physical training is weight training — weight training done sensibly and progressively either with adjustable barbells and dumbells ("free" weights), with Nautilus machines, with pulleys, with rubber or spring cables ("chest expanders"), or even with improvised weights. But the body can be brought to a peak of strength and condition only when subjected to demands that compel the muscles to increase in strength, and the organs and bone structure to manage overload. Such exercising cannot continue progressively forever, since after two or three years of correct training a person will reach his genetic maximum. However, maintenance of the peak achieved is highly desirable, and this is easily done by continuing to workout sensibly with weights once one has built up to his genetic limits.
Weight training will do wonderful things for your technical ability. You will of course be stronger. However, if you train correctly, you will become much more agile, faster, better coordinated, and tougher. Your body will become better able to "take it", too; weight training builds resilience.
Weight training also provides great mental benefits. Confidence always increases when you can feel yourself growing stronger, and actually see the increased strength in the increasing amount of solid iron and steel that you can lift. You know that you are stronger than most people (and if you train regularly and correctly, you will be stronger than most people, since most people do not follow a regular weight training program) and this enhances your confidence in being capable of fighting back well, if any situation requires that you do so.
The only caution that we wish to leave our readers with is not to confuse the roles of technical and physical training. They beautifully complement each other — but neither one replaces the other.
If you train hard in low front and side kicks (the two key kicking techniques of serious unarmed combat) you will develop excellent, reliable kicks. If you augment this practice by working out on heavy barbell squats two or three times a week, you will greatly bolster your kicking formidability. However, merely squatting will never replace the need for technical practice of the kicks (just as no amount of kicking practice can ever produce the sheer power in your hips and legs that squats will produce). The two activities (technical practice of skills and hard progressive resistance exercise) are perfect complimentary activities. If you are after optimum development and confidence, make both of them a regular part of your routine.
The exercises that typically precede a ju-jutsu or karate class are largely useless for serious combatives. Yes, the limbering and stretching warm you up for the Class, and possibly assist you in improving your flexibility — but that flexibility is not necessary for close combat, and it just may prove injuriously detrimental if you continue it through your later years. We have known numerous individuals who, as black belt holders, had acquired lifetime injuries through too much over-stretching. Unless you are genetically predisposed to be extraordinarily flexible YOU ARE RUNNING THE RISK OF SERIOUS AND POSSIBLY PERMANENT INJURIES DOING MANY OF THE “EXERCISES” THAT ARE PRACTICED IN CLASSICAL/TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS.
The marvelous thing about properly performed weight training is that it develops you in a healthful, balanced, complete way. When you are 90 you will still be able to train with weights. And if — at 90 — you have been training with weights for four to seven preceding decades, you will be stronger, fitter, and more healthy than most men less than half your age! Look at Jack LaLanne. He‘s in his middle 90‘s, and he works out every day. He is more agile and fit at 95 than many college students are, in their early 20‘s!
Weight training is the ticket to the strength, health, and fitness that you‘re after. It is a "natural" adjunct to combatives work, since it not only builds all round solid fitness, it produces raw strength more efficiently, safely, and speedily than anything else can — and you need strength in close combat.
When, as a boy of sixteen, we began weight training, we had already been a student of martial arts in one form or another for a long time. Yet, we were not genetically favored with either strength or athletic acumen. Within two months of beginning a systematic weight training program we experienced a literal TRIPLING of our ability in martial arts work. We experienced a boost in confidence that was almost uncanny. Our hitting ability shot up so dramatically that we wondered if we were dreaming. And (in ju-jutsu) we began to experience an ability to throw practice partners with an authority that we had not up until then been able to generate; and several people with whom we trained even commented on this. "What‘s happening," one ju-jutsu partner asked us. "You‘re stronger, Brad!" Before our first month of weight training had elapsed we had already decided that this was going to remain a lifetime activity and habit, just as our martial arts work would.
We hope we can turn you onto this path, if in fact you haven‘t started on it, already. Combine your practice (regularly, consistently, effortfully) with a serious program of progressive resistance physical training . . . and watch the results!
No, you will never be a superman unless your genetics has programmed you for such development. But you can get super results — and attain the optimum level of development that your genetics permits. And NOTHING CAN OR WILL HELP YOUR TECHNICAL AND MENTAL ABILITY IN CLOSE COMBAT AND SELF-DEFENSE MORE THAN THAT!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Career progress...
A month or so ago I began looking at my finances along with alternative training options. Honestly, I’m becoming a bit discouraged looking at my savings account and the calendar when I estimate that I have another year or more to wait for the opportunity to attend the CASS training course. I still have a strong desire to attend that course and it’s focus is on International, high-risk contracts which is where I initially wish to specialize. I want to work in Latin and South America.
However, I learned something years ago that apparently still holds true: You will NOT prepare unless you are invested in that preparation. When I was studying for the A+ certification, I didn’t get serious about it until I has actually scheduled to take the test. Once I’d done that I buckled down. Before I‘d made that financial commitment, I wasn’t truly focused on it.
How does this relate to my own career plans? I’ve decided to apply for a one-week course through a company named ICON. They offer a reasonably priced, entry-level course and I hope to be accepted and attend in January of 2011. While their emphasis is celebrity and VIP protection... training is training and I believe that the exposure may alleviate some of the issues I have with my motivation. Their reputation seems to be fairly solid. I’ll be submitting my application to ICON today.
The course is a mixture of theory and practical application and while I know enough not to expect employment from this type of training alone, it’s a strong platform for additional courses. If I’m successful in this course, I may enroll in their advanced course later in 2011 in order to further strengthen my background (and pad my resume`). Taking both of these so close together may be a bit of a financial burden however. I’ve also looked into the courses offered by Sexton but I have yet to contact them and their web site is not up to date. Their Personal Protection Specialist course runs approximately 6 days. I’d like to get more details on this and their more advanced PPS course. I’m not sure about taking multiple entry-level curses. The schools may differ in their focus, but the foundation skills should overlap and I would assume they would be similar.
I can see an advantage in taking various training courses with a mixture of celebrity\V.I.P., corporate and high-risk (para-military) focuses. While I may have a preference, when entering the industry, its likely that I’ll be looking to take whatever viable contracts present themselves. It will behoove me to have training exposure to each aspect of the industry rather than specializing early on. Having exposure to a variety of markets increases the opportunities.
Taking these courses will delay my attendance of the CASS course by approximately three to six months. This means that I’ll likely be attending in Orlando in early 2012 as opposed to late in 2011. Practically speaking this may be a “smarter” approach. While I do not doubt I would do well with the CASS training, it’s a HUGE step and I was looking at essentially relocating immediately following the training. That would equate to even more expense.
Following the alternate path allows me to “get my feet wet”, get the basics down and then build upon that. It will also give me exposure to this type of training without blasting on a 29-day juggernaut course. Finally... and this is the primary reason I’m electing to take this path: I can begin training NOW rather than 18-months from now. One other contributing factor is that I can remain employed and yet still attend the training.
Financially, I can actually manage both of these courses much easier than I can the CASS course (assuming I’m still employed at my currentjob after 01/01/2011). The two of them together cost about what the CASS course does when I include airfare, food and lodging. However, the expenditures are spread out over several months. The trick may be scheduling so much time off so close together. Then again, it’s normal to get two weeks of vacation annually. I’ll simply be taking my vacation periods separated by about 1 month.
However, I learned something years ago that apparently still holds true: You will NOT prepare unless you are invested in that preparation. When I was studying for the A+ certification, I didn’t get serious about it until I has actually scheduled to take the test. Once I’d done that I buckled down. Before I‘d made that financial commitment, I wasn’t truly focused on it.
How does this relate to my own career plans? I’ve decided to apply for a one-week course through a company named ICON. They offer a reasonably priced, entry-level course and I hope to be accepted and attend in January of 2011. While their emphasis is celebrity and VIP protection... training is training and I believe that the exposure may alleviate some of the issues I have with my motivation. Their reputation seems to be fairly solid. I’ll be submitting my application to ICON today.
The course is a mixture of theory and practical application and while I know enough not to expect employment from this type of training alone, it’s a strong platform for additional courses. If I’m successful in this course, I may enroll in their advanced course later in 2011 in order to further strengthen my background (and pad my resume`). Taking both of these so close together may be a bit of a financial burden however. I’ve also looked into the courses offered by Sexton but I have yet to contact them and their web site is not up to date. Their Personal Protection Specialist course runs approximately 6 days. I’d like to get more details on this and their more advanced PPS course. I’m not sure about taking multiple entry-level curses. The schools may differ in their focus, but the foundation skills should overlap and I would assume they would be similar.
I can see an advantage in taking various training courses with a mixture of celebrity\V.I.P., corporate and high-risk (para-military) focuses. While I may have a preference, when entering the industry, its likely that I’ll be looking to take whatever viable contracts present themselves. It will behoove me to have training exposure to each aspect of the industry rather than specializing early on. Having exposure to a variety of markets increases the opportunities.
Taking these courses will delay my attendance of the CASS course by approximately three to six months. This means that I’ll likely be attending in Orlando in early 2012 as opposed to late in 2011. Practically speaking this may be a “smarter” approach. While I do not doubt I would do well with the CASS training, it’s a HUGE step and I was looking at essentially relocating immediately following the training. That would equate to even more expense.
Following the alternate path allows me to “get my feet wet”, get the basics down and then build upon that. It will also give me exposure to this type of training without blasting on a 29-day juggernaut course. Finally... and this is the primary reason I’m electing to take this path: I can begin training NOW rather than 18-months from now. One other contributing factor is that I can remain employed and yet still attend the training.
Financially, I can actually manage both of these courses much easier than I can the CASS course (assuming I’m still employed at my currentjob after 01/01/2011). The two of them together cost about what the CASS course does when I include airfare, food and lodging. However, the expenditures are spread out over several months. The trick may be scheduling so much time off so close together. Then again, it’s normal to get two weeks of vacation annually. I’ll simply be taking my vacation periods separated by about 1 month.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Next Time You Hear Of “Challenges” To “Prove” Combat Skills, Think About This!
© COPYRIGHT 2010 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sword and Pen – September 2010 Issue
[Reprinted With Permission]
www.americancombato.com
www.seattlecombatives.com
WE have never, do not now, and never will have anything to do with that aspect of what some people consider today to be "martial arts" that is known as “challenge events”, “cage fighting”, MMA, UFC, etc. and so on. If you like that stuff, then be our guest. Enjoy yourself. But it isn’t something we wish to be associated with.
Since there is such popular coverage in the martial arts mainstream media pertaining to this relatively "recent kid on the block", as it were, a percentage of those who are looking for practical combat and defense skills may be led to believe that the ground fighting/challenge event/competition/MMA/UFC venue is where they should apply themselves in order to acquire the skills and tactics that they wish to possess.
We are all for freedom of choice, so, again, if that approach to “martial arts” is your cup of tea, then go for it. However, with all this talk of "challenges", we wanted to clarify something that many apparently just do not get. Namely, there is no correlation between competition and combat. None. And this fact is perhaps most eloquently and clearly proven beyond doubt by the very nature of all of these "challenges". We do realize that this is not the intention of those who push the venue as being in fact "combat" or "self-defense" training. The popular challenges are in effect challenges that prove NOTHING WHATEVER ABOUT CLOSE COMBAT OR SELF-DEFENSE.
A notable point: Remember that since the serious introduction of the numerous karate and combat-oriented ju-jutsu systems (those that stress atemiwaza, remaining on your feet, and throwing the other guy to the ground, etc.) there have been — nationwide — literally thousands of incidents where individuals thusly trained have done a splendid job of defending themselves.
Just as a matter of interest, it might be enlightening to know how many individuals have successfully employed the competitive groundfighting and the other popular contest-oriented skills and tactics successfully in REAL MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND PRIVATE CITIZEN SELF-DEFENSE ENCOUNTERS — i.e. in ACTUAL SELF-DEFENSE AND HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT.
It might interest people to know this. As far as a proven track record — i.e demonstrated effectiveness in and under real world combat conditions is concerned, not only the karate (taekwon-do, Okinawa-te, ch’uan fa or "kung fu", etc.) but ESPECIALLY the WWII system-based and modern close combat methods built on and expanding upon those war-tested principles, have ALL come through "field testing" — again and again and again, for decades — in actual wartime, and in peacetime. Even if those trained in these methods and approaches were all to be defeated 100% of the time in the contest arena, that means NOTHING in regard to their efficacy in actual combat (which is their forte, just as the competitive arena is the grappler/groundfighter/challenge event entrants’ forte). Such frequent defeats as have occurred (when, we believe unwisely, karate and other combat-oriented martial arts experts have been duped into playing the sportsman’s game) prove nothing, since actual combat experiences have often been very well handled by these very contest losers. THERE IS NO POINT IN EVEN TAKING LOSSES IN CONTESTS SERIOUSLY insofar as any conclusions about proficiency in actual combat is concerned.
IF a genuinely meaningful venue were to be established through which entrants might be "challenged" to test, verify, and validate the merits of that which they train in, then the following would have to be implemented:
• Testing the individual’s ability to respond to full force, unrehearsed surprise attacks from behind
• Testing the individual’s ability to meet the challenge of unrehearsed attacks from all and any quarter by multiple (2, 3, 4 and possibly even more) attackers
• Testing the individual’s ability to counter weapon threats (handgun, shoulder weapon, knife) and outright weapon attacks (knife, club, etc.)
• For members of military and special law enforcement (SWAT) as well as normal duty police patrol officers IN FULL DUTY COMBAT GEAR : testing their ability to meet the challenge of all types of hand-to-hand engagements under all sorts of battle and field conditions, against all types of potential assailants — armed and unarmed
• Testing how well the individual can meet the challenge of defending himself when one arm and hand is completely disabled. Against all types of attack — multiples, weapons, from behind, etc.
• Testing how well the individual can cope with attacks that catch him off guard in normal, everyday environments:
— speaking on a public phone
— in a restroom
— in a restaurant
— on staircases
— in wooded park areas
— on cement sidewalks
— in crowded stores
— in a darkened theater or night club
— in an office setting
— in his home
— in a parking garage
— when handicapped in all sorts of ways (even blindfolded, or when
at reduced efficiency due to illness, etc.
— when with a loved one (or two!) and forced to defend them (either in
addition to or instead of, oneself)
A "challenge" insofar as being relevant to hand-to-hand combat and self-defense is concerned must logically be a challenge to demonstrate technical superiority in dealing with hand-to-hand combat and self-defense contingencies — not competitive matches.
Now that we have presented that which we have presented, let us once again emphasize this: WE ABSOLUTELY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ANY “CHALLENGE” OR CONTEST EVENTS OUGHT EVER TO BECOME A PART OF COMBAT AND SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING. OUR PURPOSE HERE IS MERELY TO SHOW THE ABSURDITY THAT PRESENTLY EXISTS IN THE “MINDS” OF THOSE WHO INSIST THAT CONTEST AND COMBAT ARE SYNONYMOUS.
The combat arts and methods have ALREADY met the necessary challenge; which is, of course, that of actual combat. To introduce competitive methods and means would, as Fairbairn so aptly noted during WWII, merely serve to dilute and greatly weaken the value of the skills and of the training.
We cannot resist adding this one, final note. It actually speaks to something that embarrasses those who have permitted themselves to be duped into the "challenge" nonsense much more than it is a criticism of the groundgrapplers and MMA, etc. crowd . . .
Historically, the challenged has always enjoyed the choice of weapons, location, terms of combat, etc. Yet the modern "challenges" amount to something more along the lines of: “I challenge you to fight my game on my terms, according to my rules, in the venue I am most at home in, and with all of those restrictions that may well block off and completely prevent you from doing or using that which favors your approach to combat."
This sounds to us uncomfortably like dirty pool. Just a thought.
How about someone accepting one of those (in our opinion) ridiculous "challenges" but demanding HIS terms for the encounter? Perhaps fighting with one arm only used in the fight?
Well, we’re back to what we began with. We have no quarrel with those whose thing is competition. We do know and wish to teach all who are looking for the truth, that contest and combat are completely different — in all ways. Decide which you prefer, and go for it. But know that a choice is involved here.
Don’t be duped by the "challenge" thing. The guys who excel in the contests are terrific, tough athletes, and are formidable, indeed. But their art is that of competitive sport, not hand-to-hand combat. Besides, the finest champions of all (in judo, boxing, wrestling, sport karate, kick boxing, etc.) restrict their challenges to those who, like themselves, are avid participants in the same sport that they - the champions - are champions in!
We love what the late Bruce Tegnér used to say about two genuine experts each attempting to "prove" that his art was superior by fighting the other expert — for real. Quite correctly, Tegnér said that all that the two would ever end up "proving" is that each of them is a FOOL. We cannot escape the feeling that many people have, during the last couple of decades, been solidly establishing their foolishness by attempting to prove something in a context that is irrelevant and entirely beside the point!
Sword and Pen – September 2010 Issue
[Reprinted With Permission]
www.americancombato.com
www.seattlecombatives.com
WE have never, do not now, and never will have anything to do with that aspect of what some people consider today to be "martial arts" that is known as “challenge events”, “cage fighting”, MMA, UFC, etc. and so on. If you like that stuff, then be our guest. Enjoy yourself. But it isn’t something we wish to be associated with.
Since there is such popular coverage in the martial arts mainstream media pertaining to this relatively "recent kid on the block", as it were, a percentage of those who are looking for practical combat and defense skills may be led to believe that the ground fighting/challenge event/competition/MMA/UFC venue is where they should apply themselves in order to acquire the skills and tactics that they wish to possess.
We are all for freedom of choice, so, again, if that approach to “martial arts” is your cup of tea, then go for it. However, with all this talk of "challenges", we wanted to clarify something that many apparently just do not get. Namely, there is no correlation between competition and combat. None. And this fact is perhaps most eloquently and clearly proven beyond doubt by the very nature of all of these "challenges". We do realize that this is not the intention of those who push the venue as being in fact "combat" or "self-defense" training. The popular challenges are in effect challenges that prove NOTHING WHATEVER ABOUT CLOSE COMBAT OR SELF-DEFENSE.
A notable point: Remember that since the serious introduction of the numerous karate and combat-oriented ju-jutsu systems (those that stress atemiwaza, remaining on your feet, and throwing the other guy to the ground, etc.) there have been — nationwide — literally thousands of incidents where individuals thusly trained have done a splendid job of defending themselves.
Just as a matter of interest, it might be enlightening to know how many individuals have successfully employed the competitive groundfighting and the other popular contest-oriented skills and tactics successfully in REAL MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND PRIVATE CITIZEN SELF-DEFENSE ENCOUNTERS — i.e. in ACTUAL SELF-DEFENSE AND HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT.
It might interest people to know this. As far as a proven track record — i.e demonstrated effectiveness in and under real world combat conditions is concerned, not only the karate (taekwon-do, Okinawa-te, ch’uan fa or "kung fu", etc.) but ESPECIALLY the WWII system-based and modern close combat methods built on and expanding upon those war-tested principles, have ALL come through "field testing" — again and again and again, for decades — in actual wartime, and in peacetime. Even if those trained in these methods and approaches were all to be defeated 100% of the time in the contest arena, that means NOTHING in regard to their efficacy in actual combat (which is their forte, just as the competitive arena is the grappler/groundfighter/challenge event entrants’ forte). Such frequent defeats as have occurred (when, we believe unwisely, karate and other combat-oriented martial arts experts have been duped into playing the sportsman’s game) prove nothing, since actual combat experiences have often been very well handled by these very contest losers. THERE IS NO POINT IN EVEN TAKING LOSSES IN CONTESTS SERIOUSLY insofar as any conclusions about proficiency in actual combat is concerned.
IF a genuinely meaningful venue were to be established through which entrants might be "challenged" to test, verify, and validate the merits of that which they train in, then the following would have to be implemented:
• Testing the individual’s ability to respond to full force, unrehearsed surprise attacks from behind
• Testing the individual’s ability to meet the challenge of unrehearsed attacks from all and any quarter by multiple (2, 3, 4 and possibly even more) attackers
• Testing the individual’s ability to counter weapon threats (handgun, shoulder weapon, knife) and outright weapon attacks (knife, club, etc.)
• For members of military and special law enforcement (SWAT) as well as normal duty police patrol officers IN FULL DUTY COMBAT GEAR : testing their ability to meet the challenge of all types of hand-to-hand engagements under all sorts of battle and field conditions, against all types of potential assailants — armed and unarmed
• Testing how well the individual can meet the challenge of defending himself when one arm and hand is completely disabled. Against all types of attack — multiples, weapons, from behind, etc.
• Testing how well the individual can cope with attacks that catch him off guard in normal, everyday environments:
— speaking on a public phone
— in a restroom
— in a restaurant
— on staircases
— in wooded park areas
— on cement sidewalks
— in crowded stores
— in a darkened theater or night club
— in an office setting
— in his home
— in a parking garage
— when handicapped in all sorts of ways (even blindfolded, or when
at reduced efficiency due to illness, etc.
— when with a loved one (or two!) and forced to defend them (either in
addition to or instead of, oneself)
A "challenge" insofar as being relevant to hand-to-hand combat and self-defense is concerned must logically be a challenge to demonstrate technical superiority in dealing with hand-to-hand combat and self-defense contingencies — not competitive matches.
Now that we have presented that which we have presented, let us once again emphasize this: WE ABSOLUTELY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ANY “CHALLENGE” OR CONTEST EVENTS OUGHT EVER TO BECOME A PART OF COMBAT AND SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING. OUR PURPOSE HERE IS MERELY TO SHOW THE ABSURDITY THAT PRESENTLY EXISTS IN THE “MINDS” OF THOSE WHO INSIST THAT CONTEST AND COMBAT ARE SYNONYMOUS.
The combat arts and methods have ALREADY met the necessary challenge; which is, of course, that of actual combat. To introduce competitive methods and means would, as Fairbairn so aptly noted during WWII, merely serve to dilute and greatly weaken the value of the skills and of the training.
We cannot resist adding this one, final note. It actually speaks to something that embarrasses those who have permitted themselves to be duped into the "challenge" nonsense much more than it is a criticism of the groundgrapplers and MMA, etc. crowd . . .
Historically, the challenged has always enjoyed the choice of weapons, location, terms of combat, etc. Yet the modern "challenges" amount to something more along the lines of: “I challenge you to fight my game on my terms, according to my rules, in the venue I am most at home in, and with all of those restrictions that may well block off and completely prevent you from doing or using that which favors your approach to combat."
This sounds to us uncomfortably like dirty pool. Just a thought.
How about someone accepting one of those (in our opinion) ridiculous "challenges" but demanding HIS terms for the encounter? Perhaps fighting with one arm only used in the fight?
Well, we’re back to what we began with. We have no quarrel with those whose thing is competition. We do know and wish to teach all who are looking for the truth, that contest and combat are completely different — in all ways. Decide which you prefer, and go for it. But know that a choice is involved here.
Don’t be duped by the "challenge" thing. The guys who excel in the contests are terrific, tough athletes, and are formidable, indeed. But their art is that of competitive sport, not hand-to-hand combat. Besides, the finest champions of all (in judo, boxing, wrestling, sport karate, kick boxing, etc.) restrict their challenges to those who, like themselves, are avid participants in the same sport that they - the champions - are champions in!
We love what the late Bruce Tegnér used to say about two genuine experts each attempting to "prove" that his art was superior by fighting the other expert — for real. Quite correctly, Tegnér said that all that the two would ever end up "proving" is that each of them is a FOOL. We cannot escape the feeling that many people have, during the last couple of decades, been solidly establishing their foolishness by attempting to prove something in a context that is irrelevant and entirely beside the point!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Ear, Nose, And Throat Specialist — YOU?
© COPYRIGHT 2010 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sword and Pen – September 2010 Issue
[Reprinted With Permission]
www.americancombato.com
www.seattlecombatives.com
WELL, not exactly the kind of ear, nose, and throat specialist that we find in reputable medical facilities, but you might one day find it very helpful to have developed the ability to zero in instantly on one of those three extremely vulnerable target areas of the human body, and destroy or injure it, in order to save your life.
EARS:
Just about everyone has two of them. They are within reach, and they are delicate. Seizing them violently is one of the tricks we teach our students in American Combato, in order to facilitate multiple knee blows to the enemy’s testicles.
"Boxing" the ears with that which Fairbairn referred colorfully to as the “thunderclap” (cupped palms blow) is a terrific way to drop an adversary. This dangerous blow can cause concussion and cerebral hemorrhage, under certain conditions. A great blow when you are seized from the front and pulled toward your attacker, or when an attempt is made to apply a frontal underarm body hold. The double ear box is also a great followup blow, after your man has been injured and disoriented.
(Do not open the attack with this blow, since it leaves you wide open for a moment).
After ear boxing — or simply after grabbing the ears suddenly — a strong grip on each ear followed by an archer’s movement will rip one or both ears off the enemy’s head. Grabbing one ear and then chinjabbing with the other hand is also likely to rip an ear off. But you’ve got to do it powerfully!
Smacking an ear always distracts a man. It may be done with the back or with the palm of the hand.
One hand ear boxing is excellent on the attack. It turns the adversary’s head upon impact, and automatically cocks your hand for a handaxe chop or hammerfist blow.
Biting an ear (we hate to say it, but like Mike Tyson did, except with a REAL BITE) and then ripping it off the head, is an excellent action to take when close in to the adversary.
If, in a lethal situation (military combat, for example; or defending against a home invader) you happen to have a sharp commando type dagger, driving it into the ear and through the brain will prove most decisive.
Remember that the ear box places both hands in a perfect position to drive thumbs to the eyes, following impact. A nice bonus.
NOSE:
Always a sensitive, easy target — and usually a convenient one — to hit. A powerful normal fist punch in the nose is always effective, but we would STRONGLY recommend using a heel of the hand blow, instead. Just direct a powerful heel-of-the-hand blow to the center of the attacking individual’s face and you will hit his nose. While not per se a "fatal" blow, it can always be counted upon to be a disorienting blow, and followup of a severe and aggressively destructive kind should end the encounter.
The bridge of the nose is a great target — especially for the handaxe chop and the hammerfist smash. By breaking the thin bone normally covered by the bridge of a pair of glasses, profuse bleeding, complete disorientation, and intense pain, coupled with an inability to see for at least several moments is the near certain result. This is an easy bone to break, and even a child or a small woman can do so, in an emergency. The heel of the hand is also a good weapon to employ against the bridge of the nose, especially in a downward smash, following a chinjab blow that landed only lightly, or that missed its mark.
The point right underneath the nose, above the upper lip (the “philtrum”) is extremely vulnerable to a handaxe chop that is directed into it. A slightly upward directed blow is best. Pat O’Neill favored this particular strike and target point, and always urged the "Forcemen" whom he trained to use it automatically in an encounter, when they could do so.
By striking a hooking heelpalm blow (like a boxer’s “hook”, but employing the heel of the hand as the striking weapon) to the side of the nose and into the corner of the eye or inner cheekbone of the enemy, an excellent disabling hit can be rendered.
Biting the nose always makes good sense in an anything goes fight for survival and defense — and you can actually bite the nose off the enemy’s face if you exert full force and determination with your jaw muscles and teeth.
Driving a finger deep up an adversary’s nostril will make him pull his head back, and will expose his throat (for a blow or for a bite).
Either nostril is an excellent target for a pen, pencil, thin blade, or other object capable of penetrating deep. Deep enough and the brain will be struck — which if hit with a sufficiently forceful and penetrating thrust, will be fatal.
THROAT:
The throat is probably the closest to a "certain stop" target there is in the human body — providing a forceful, crushing blow is directed against it (the handaxe chop being the best). In a long time ago conversation with that marvelous producer of practical firearms training films, Alec Jason (ANITE PUBLICATIONS — producer of DEADLY FORCE, and other classic, outstanding videos) the retired SFPD detective asked us "What shot would you take to what target area with your handgun, if you only had one shot and you had to stop the guy right now?" Our answer, which we recall pretty much word for word was: “In a situation where we had only the chance of one, single hit, and it was life or death, we’d rather rely upon a powerful open hand chop to the attacker’s throat than we would any single shot from any handgun.” Retired detective Jason was a little surprised by our answer, but he did not disagree!
Obviously, when it’s life or death, a powerful, fast chop to the throat should be employed without hesitation.
The web of the hand (hand yoke) strike is a non-lethal blow that is sometimes useful to discourage a pest, or to set a suspect up for a restraining hold (if you are a police officer). The best use of this strike however is to index the hand for the potentially lethal throat lock. The fingers seize the upper part of the windpipe — under the jaw — in a pincher grip. By crushing hard and jerking forward, a fatal injury to the breathing apparatus of the body will be effected.
The throat lock is an excellent attack, and should be perfected by anyone training in practical self-defense.
Remember, when you secure a throat lock with your fingers, if you hold onto that grip and then smash your attacker’s head powerfully with a heel of the hand blow, hammerfist smash, or elbow strike, using your opposite arm, you will effect an injury that will likely prove lethal.
Biting into the throat (or neck) is always effective — but please, it’s got to be a ripping, tearing animal-like bite, not a reluctant nip!
The area immediately to either side of the throat is highly vulnerable to any sharp blow (again, the handaxe is best).
A half-fist strike into the throat is an excellent blow, or if you have strong fingers, a fingertips thrust to the throat is good.
Charlie Nelson taught us a terrific little trick for striking the throat with the fist: After clenching the fist normally, cant the wrist slightly upward. Now snap those foreknuckles (the same ones that hit with the half-fist blow) to the attacker’s throat. You will find that your fist fits very naturally into that area between the opponent’s jaw and his neck. This is a quick, snappy blow, and should be followed up immediately with more destructive actions.
Remember the classic “rising block” that virtually every style of karate invariably teaches? Well, this blow served as a striking action as well as a block in William Chow’s original kenpo-karate. It is still excellent when used to hit. In kenpo-karate the blow was normally directed against the arm or arms — ostensibly to break the enemy’s elbows. We believe that a far better use of the blow is into the throat or underside of the jaw and throat of a taller, larger attacker who moves in close. It will stop his advance cold, and followup should be immediate.
One final unarmed tactic that targets the throat is a little-known technique developed by Pat O’Neill as a counter to an enemy closing in suddenly from the side. Let’s say that your enemy is moving in against you on your left side. You snap your body toward him with a sharp pivoting action while bringing your left forearm high in a lateral movement across your own forehead (fist clenched). Simultaneously, your right arm (fist clenched) applies a lateral forward blow across your high abdominal area. Both of your forearms form a "wall" of sorts, and your attacker will drive himself into this wall as he moves in to attack you. Your left forearm will slam hard into his throat. Your right arm will hit his midsection. Followup!
Attacks to the ears, nose, and throat target areas may of course be undertaken with all sorts of improvised weapons and objects-at-hand. The main thing is: Attack and devastate those vital, key target areas, when you are in a desperate, dangerous self-defense situation! “How” you do it is important to a degree, but that you do it — and do it fast — is what counts the most.
There is no place for squeamishness or hesitation in close combat and self-defense. Remember: there is no relation between what you do without hesitation and immediately in a personal defense emergency, and that which you might do in any sporting/competitive "match". Get it clear, straight, definite, and decided, as to which type of encounter you wish to be ready for.
Sword and Pen – September 2010 Issue
[Reprinted With Permission]
www.americancombato.com
www.seattlecombatives.com
WELL, not exactly the kind of ear, nose, and throat specialist that we find in reputable medical facilities, but you might one day find it very helpful to have developed the ability to zero in instantly on one of those three extremely vulnerable target areas of the human body, and destroy or injure it, in order to save your life.
EARS:
Just about everyone has two of them. They are within reach, and they are delicate. Seizing them violently is one of the tricks we teach our students in American Combato, in order to facilitate multiple knee blows to the enemy’s testicles.
"Boxing" the ears with that which Fairbairn referred colorfully to as the “thunderclap” (cupped palms blow) is a terrific way to drop an adversary. This dangerous blow can cause concussion and cerebral hemorrhage, under certain conditions. A great blow when you are seized from the front and pulled toward your attacker, or when an attempt is made to apply a frontal underarm body hold. The double ear box is also a great followup blow, after your man has been injured and disoriented.
(Do not open the attack with this blow, since it leaves you wide open for a moment).
After ear boxing — or simply after grabbing the ears suddenly — a strong grip on each ear followed by an archer’s movement will rip one or both ears off the enemy’s head. Grabbing one ear and then chinjabbing with the other hand is also likely to rip an ear off. But you’ve got to do it powerfully!
Smacking an ear always distracts a man. It may be done with the back or with the palm of the hand.
One hand ear boxing is excellent on the attack. It turns the adversary’s head upon impact, and automatically cocks your hand for a handaxe chop or hammerfist blow.
Biting an ear (we hate to say it, but like Mike Tyson did, except with a REAL BITE) and then ripping it off the head, is an excellent action to take when close in to the adversary.
If, in a lethal situation (military combat, for example; or defending against a home invader) you happen to have a sharp commando type dagger, driving it into the ear and through the brain will prove most decisive.
Remember that the ear box places both hands in a perfect position to drive thumbs to the eyes, following impact. A nice bonus.
NOSE:
Always a sensitive, easy target — and usually a convenient one — to hit. A powerful normal fist punch in the nose is always effective, but we would STRONGLY recommend using a heel of the hand blow, instead. Just direct a powerful heel-of-the-hand blow to the center of the attacking individual’s face and you will hit his nose. While not per se a "fatal" blow, it can always be counted upon to be a disorienting blow, and followup of a severe and aggressively destructive kind should end the encounter.
The bridge of the nose is a great target — especially for the handaxe chop and the hammerfist smash. By breaking the thin bone normally covered by the bridge of a pair of glasses, profuse bleeding, complete disorientation, and intense pain, coupled with an inability to see for at least several moments is the near certain result. This is an easy bone to break, and even a child or a small woman can do so, in an emergency. The heel of the hand is also a good weapon to employ against the bridge of the nose, especially in a downward smash, following a chinjab blow that landed only lightly, or that missed its mark.
The point right underneath the nose, above the upper lip (the “philtrum”) is extremely vulnerable to a handaxe chop that is directed into it. A slightly upward directed blow is best. Pat O’Neill favored this particular strike and target point, and always urged the "Forcemen" whom he trained to use it automatically in an encounter, when they could do so.
By striking a hooking heelpalm blow (like a boxer’s “hook”, but employing the heel of the hand as the striking weapon) to the side of the nose and into the corner of the eye or inner cheekbone of the enemy, an excellent disabling hit can be rendered.
Biting the nose always makes good sense in an anything goes fight for survival and defense — and you can actually bite the nose off the enemy’s face if you exert full force and determination with your jaw muscles and teeth.
Driving a finger deep up an adversary’s nostril will make him pull his head back, and will expose his throat (for a blow or for a bite).
Either nostril is an excellent target for a pen, pencil, thin blade, or other object capable of penetrating deep. Deep enough and the brain will be struck — which if hit with a sufficiently forceful and penetrating thrust, will be fatal.
THROAT:
The throat is probably the closest to a "certain stop" target there is in the human body — providing a forceful, crushing blow is directed against it (the handaxe chop being the best). In a long time ago conversation with that marvelous producer of practical firearms training films, Alec Jason (ANITE PUBLICATIONS — producer of DEADLY FORCE, and other classic, outstanding videos) the retired SFPD detective asked us "What shot would you take to what target area with your handgun, if you only had one shot and you had to stop the guy right now?" Our answer, which we recall pretty much word for word was: “In a situation where we had only the chance of one, single hit, and it was life or death, we’d rather rely upon a powerful open hand chop to the attacker’s throat than we would any single shot from any handgun.” Retired detective Jason was a little surprised by our answer, but he did not disagree!
Obviously, when it’s life or death, a powerful, fast chop to the throat should be employed without hesitation.
The web of the hand (hand yoke) strike is a non-lethal blow that is sometimes useful to discourage a pest, or to set a suspect up for a restraining hold (if you are a police officer). The best use of this strike however is to index the hand for the potentially lethal throat lock. The fingers seize the upper part of the windpipe — under the jaw — in a pincher grip. By crushing hard and jerking forward, a fatal injury to the breathing apparatus of the body will be effected.
The throat lock is an excellent attack, and should be perfected by anyone training in practical self-defense.
Remember, when you secure a throat lock with your fingers, if you hold onto that grip and then smash your attacker’s head powerfully with a heel of the hand blow, hammerfist smash, or elbow strike, using your opposite arm, you will effect an injury that will likely prove lethal.
Biting into the throat (or neck) is always effective — but please, it’s got to be a ripping, tearing animal-like bite, not a reluctant nip!
The area immediately to either side of the throat is highly vulnerable to any sharp blow (again, the handaxe is best).
A half-fist strike into the throat is an excellent blow, or if you have strong fingers, a fingertips thrust to the throat is good.
Charlie Nelson taught us a terrific little trick for striking the throat with the fist: After clenching the fist normally, cant the wrist slightly upward. Now snap those foreknuckles (the same ones that hit with the half-fist blow) to the attacker’s throat. You will find that your fist fits very naturally into that area between the opponent’s jaw and his neck. This is a quick, snappy blow, and should be followed up immediately with more destructive actions.
Remember the classic “rising block” that virtually every style of karate invariably teaches? Well, this blow served as a striking action as well as a block in William Chow’s original kenpo-karate. It is still excellent when used to hit. In kenpo-karate the blow was normally directed against the arm or arms — ostensibly to break the enemy’s elbows. We believe that a far better use of the blow is into the throat or underside of the jaw and throat of a taller, larger attacker who moves in close. It will stop his advance cold, and followup should be immediate.
One final unarmed tactic that targets the throat is a little-known technique developed by Pat O’Neill as a counter to an enemy closing in suddenly from the side. Let’s say that your enemy is moving in against you on your left side. You snap your body toward him with a sharp pivoting action while bringing your left forearm high in a lateral movement across your own forehead (fist clenched). Simultaneously, your right arm (fist clenched) applies a lateral forward blow across your high abdominal area. Both of your forearms form a "wall" of sorts, and your attacker will drive himself into this wall as he moves in to attack you. Your left forearm will slam hard into his throat. Your right arm will hit his midsection. Followup!
Attacks to the ears, nose, and throat target areas may of course be undertaken with all sorts of improvised weapons and objects-at-hand. The main thing is: Attack and devastate those vital, key target areas, when you are in a desperate, dangerous self-defense situation! “How” you do it is important to a degree, but that you do it — and do it fast — is what counts the most.
There is no place for squeamishness or hesitation in close combat and self-defense. Remember: there is no relation between what you do without hesitation and immediately in a personal defense emergency, and that which you might do in any sporting/competitive "match". Get it clear, straight, definite, and decided, as to which type of encounter you wish to be ready for.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The Scoop On “Pressure Point Fighting”
© COPYRIGHT 2010 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sword and Pen – September 2010 Issue
[Reprinted With Permission]
www.americancombato.com
www.seattlecombatives.com
WE have for decades now been adamant about the fact (and it is a FACT) that pain compliance techniques, and in fact pain per se, as a means of stopping a determined and dangerous aggressor, is woefully insufficient. First, because such skills almost invariably depend upon fine motor articulations. Such actions cannot successfully be relied upon in serious hand-to-hand combat. Second, because pain per se is SUBJECTIVE. As a professional, licensed hypnotherapist of more than 20 years, we can tell you that some people can — literally — ignore any degree of pain. Some people (admittedly, not too many) can have deep abdominal surgery or tooth extractions with no anesthesia. Hypnosis — the power of suggestion — is quite sufficient. They do not pay attention to that which would make most of us (our self included) collapse from the pain!
But "pain compliance" via pressure point skills does not cause anywhere near one fiftieth the pain that would be felt from surgery or from having a tooth pulled without anesthesia. Some pressure point techniques — applied correctly — will cause some people to wince and give up.
Unfortunately, fanatical murderers, gang members, home invaders, kidnappers, rapists, and muggers, etc. tend not to be in the "wince and give up" category. These bastards need to be maimed or killed, more often than not, in order to stop them.
One of the greatest law enforcement defensive tactics instructors who ever lived, and a personal friend of ours, Robert J. Koga, devised a most powerful and effective method for police control of suspects when he served as a teacher with the LAPD in the 1960’s. However . . . those skills — and all non-injurious pain compliance skills — have no legitimate use in situations when one is attacked by a dangerous assailant. Police do sometimes have need for compliance-control skills, and for them and those in similar occupations where security and peace keeping is the idea, okay, they serve a purpose. Such people sometimes need to control pests, nervous but not dangerous physically resistant suspects, and annoying riff raff. But police also need man-stopping methods for dangerous encounters, and any experienced street cop will attest to this. Private citizens and members of our armed services (possibly excepting military police, when acting within the parameters of that specific MOS ) do NOT need and should not waste their time and energy learning "compliance" and "non-injurious" methods. The political correctness of this B.S. today, and its popularity in the martial arts field certainly provides an alarming statement about the lack of common sense, the fantasy-worshipping, and the plain stupidity of those who are seeking a "nice" method of self-defense. One might also argue that it says something a bit more foul about those who cash in on these customers — but that’s another story.
Demonstrations of pressure point fighting, just like demonstrations of most martial arts skills, can be visually impressive and dramatically convincing. But a martial arts demonstration is not a violent incident, and the fact that something looks good when performed by well rehearsed experts in front of an audience does not mean that the demonstrated techniques translate into combatively effective techniques, when attempted under combat conditions.
"But what about those seminars and demonstrations in which subjects from out of the attending group or audience are invited to participate and to experience the effectiveness of the methods?" one might ask. "I have seen people rendered utterly helpless by those techniques."
The answer is that what you saw was an essentially cooperative, believing individual subject himself to a demonstration that he already was convinced would be effective in causing him to react as claimed by the demonstrators. This is what happens quite often when one observes one of those popular televangelists cause people from the audience to swoon. It is their (i.e. the peoples’) belief in and inner anticipation of that which is being done to them that causes the reaction.
Let an expert in pressure point fighting try to stop the attack of any member of an outlaw biker gang with that bulltshitty nonsense! He will quickly discover that when a really tough hombre is coming at you with murder in his heart, the last thing you can afford to try is some idiotic pain compliance nonsense.
What stops a dangerous, determined attacker in a serious physical encounter is MASSIVE SHOCK to the central nervous system or/and INTERFERENCE WITH THE ATTACKER’S BREATHING. "Subjective" has nothing to do with anything, here.
Break a man’s knee and he falls. Period. Even if, miraculously, he was so high on drugs, or so insane or drunk that he didn’t feel any pain (highly unlikely) he would fall.
Smash into a man’s carotid sinus with a powerful open hand chop, and he collapses. He likely would "feel" nothing. But he’d be unconscious (in some rare cases, perhaps dead) because when blood flow to the brain is suddenly interrupted, one collapses. Period.
Crush a man’s throat, he ceases offensive action, and drops dead.
Unpleasant as such actions are (and we concede, no decent human being would ever dream of using such actions unless his life or limb, or the life or limb of another innocent person hung in the balance) THEY WORK RELIABLY. "Pain compliance", "pressure point fighting", "humane self-defense", "non-injurious self-protection", ad nauseum does not work in those life-threatening predicaments when dangerous physical aggression by a would-be killer must be contended with. And that is the type of situation that should be of preeminent concern in any legitimate, authentic, professionally taught program of close combat and self-defense.
Sword and Pen – September 2010 Issue
[Reprinted With Permission]
www.americancombato.com
www.seattlecombatives.com
WE have for decades now been adamant about the fact (and it is a FACT) that pain compliance techniques, and in fact pain per se, as a means of stopping a determined and dangerous aggressor, is woefully insufficient. First, because such skills almost invariably depend upon fine motor articulations. Such actions cannot successfully be relied upon in serious hand-to-hand combat. Second, because pain per se is SUBJECTIVE. As a professional, licensed hypnotherapist of more than 20 years, we can tell you that some people can — literally — ignore any degree of pain. Some people (admittedly, not too many) can have deep abdominal surgery or tooth extractions with no anesthesia. Hypnosis — the power of suggestion — is quite sufficient. They do not pay attention to that which would make most of us (our self included) collapse from the pain!
But "pain compliance" via pressure point skills does not cause anywhere near one fiftieth the pain that would be felt from surgery or from having a tooth pulled without anesthesia. Some pressure point techniques — applied correctly — will cause some people to wince and give up.
Unfortunately, fanatical murderers, gang members, home invaders, kidnappers, rapists, and muggers, etc. tend not to be in the "wince and give up" category. These bastards need to be maimed or killed, more often than not, in order to stop them.
One of the greatest law enforcement defensive tactics instructors who ever lived, and a personal friend of ours, Robert J. Koga, devised a most powerful and effective method for police control of suspects when he served as a teacher with the LAPD in the 1960’s. However . . . those skills — and all non-injurious pain compliance skills — have no legitimate use in situations when one is attacked by a dangerous assailant. Police do sometimes have need for compliance-control skills, and for them and those in similar occupations where security and peace keeping is the idea, okay, they serve a purpose. Such people sometimes need to control pests, nervous but not dangerous physically resistant suspects, and annoying riff raff. But police also need man-stopping methods for dangerous encounters, and any experienced street cop will attest to this. Private citizens and members of our armed services (possibly excepting military police, when acting within the parameters of that specific MOS ) do NOT need and should not waste their time and energy learning "compliance" and "non-injurious" methods. The political correctness of this B.S. today, and its popularity in the martial arts field certainly provides an alarming statement about the lack of common sense, the fantasy-worshipping, and the plain stupidity of those who are seeking a "nice" method of self-defense. One might also argue that it says something a bit more foul about those who cash in on these customers — but that’s another story.
Demonstrations of pressure point fighting, just like demonstrations of most martial arts skills, can be visually impressive and dramatically convincing. But a martial arts demonstration is not a violent incident, and the fact that something looks good when performed by well rehearsed experts in front of an audience does not mean that the demonstrated techniques translate into combatively effective techniques, when attempted under combat conditions.
"But what about those seminars and demonstrations in which subjects from out of the attending group or audience are invited to participate and to experience the effectiveness of the methods?" one might ask. "I have seen people rendered utterly helpless by those techniques."
The answer is that what you saw was an essentially cooperative, believing individual subject himself to a demonstration that he already was convinced would be effective in causing him to react as claimed by the demonstrators. This is what happens quite often when one observes one of those popular televangelists cause people from the audience to swoon. It is their (i.e. the peoples’) belief in and inner anticipation of that which is being done to them that causes the reaction.
Let an expert in pressure point fighting try to stop the attack of any member of an outlaw biker gang with that bulltshitty nonsense! He will quickly discover that when a really tough hombre is coming at you with murder in his heart, the last thing you can afford to try is some idiotic pain compliance nonsense.
What stops a dangerous, determined attacker in a serious physical encounter is MASSIVE SHOCK to the central nervous system or/and INTERFERENCE WITH THE ATTACKER’S BREATHING. "Subjective" has nothing to do with anything, here.
Break a man’s knee and he falls. Period. Even if, miraculously, he was so high on drugs, or so insane or drunk that he didn’t feel any pain (highly unlikely) he would fall.
Smash into a man’s carotid sinus with a powerful open hand chop, and he collapses. He likely would "feel" nothing. But he’d be unconscious (in some rare cases, perhaps dead) because when blood flow to the brain is suddenly interrupted, one collapses. Period.
Crush a man’s throat, he ceases offensive action, and drops dead.
Unpleasant as such actions are (and we concede, no decent human being would ever dream of using such actions unless his life or limb, or the life or limb of another innocent person hung in the balance) THEY WORK RELIABLY. "Pain compliance", "pressure point fighting", "humane self-defense", "non-injurious self-protection", ad nauseum does not work in those life-threatening predicaments when dangerous physical aggression by a would-be killer must be contended with. And that is the type of situation that should be of preeminent concern in any legitimate, authentic, professionally taught program of close combat and self-defense.
Friday, October 1, 2010
When To Defend Against Armed
© COPYRIGHT 2010 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sword and Pen – August 2010 Issue
[Reprinted With Permission]
www.americancombato.com
www.seattlecombatives.com
RECENT news stories brought to our attention by students have reported individuals being murdered by armed scum after complying with the felons’ demands, surrendering their money or other property, and offering no resistance. Regrettably, this is nothing new. There exists — as there always has existed — an element of the so-called "human" species who revel in the taking of human life; homo sapien bacterial filth that, in a reasonable world, would be snuffed out of existence the moment it made its propensities for predation known. Unfortunately, today‘s deteriorated social milieu sees academically credentialed morons standing firm as apologists for these unconscionable pieces of s—t, spewing their advocacies of "tolerance", "forgiveness", "mercy", and "understanding" from ivory towers. Ivory towers which, in our opinion, ought to be toppled, when you consider the subversive garbage that emanates from them today.
If you doubt that the very concept of justice is no longer regarded as important or as being a necessary guide for that body of codified custom which we refer to as the "law" in our society, then think about this: MARTHA STEWART HAS DONE MORE HARD TIME THAN USAMA BIN LADEN.
In any case, armed, violent felons abound. This is the age of the psychopath. Psychopaths comprise that collection of sewage that are regarded by the mentally challenged as our "national leaders", and they are in that class which in a better time might have been referred to as constituting "the dregs of society". The only hope for your protection, security, and defense, and for the protection, security, and defense of those you love, is YOU. Never before in the history of this Nation — and Western Europe — has the private citizen needed the ability to defend himself and fight back against dangerous predators as badly and desperately as he needs it today.
The question arises: “If you ever find yourself facing an armed adversary, how do you decide whether to take defensive, counterattacking action, or simply comply with his demands?”
First of all, let us dismiss the matter of how one must deal with an outright attack. That is, a situation where there is no "threat" per se, during which the armed criminal employs his weapon so as to intimidate you into surrendering your money, car keys, etc.; but where the criminal forthrightly attempts to use the weapon to injure or to kill you.
Obviously, if running away is possible, that is what you should do. IF YOU CANNOT RUN AWAY, AND IF YOU FIND YOURSELF CONFRONTING SOMEONE WHO IS EMPLOYING A DEADLY WEAPON (OR AN IMPROVISED ITEM AS A DEADLY WEAPON — WITH LETHAL INTENT — THEN YOU FOLLOW THE PROPER TWO-STEP COUNTERMEASURE:
1. DODGE, EVADE, PARRY, BLOCK ASIDE, OR OTHERWISE REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE IMMEDIATE PATH OF THE WEAPON, AND THEN . . .
2. USE EVERY MEANS AT YOUR DISPOSAL TO NEUTRALIZE YOUR ATTACKER, LETHALLY. SHOW NO MERCY, HAVE NO RESTRAINT, DO NOT RELENT UNTIL IT IS OBVIOUS TO YOU THAT YOUR WOULD-BE MURDERER IS UNCONSCIOUS. (WHETHER HE IS ACTUALLY DEAD OR NOT IS IRRELEVANT).
Okay. That is the procedure to follow (using the best techniques you know and have command of) when the attack is outright. Now, let‘s address the matter of a "threat"; a threat in which the armed felon expresses a demand for property, and says or implies that if you comply you will not be injured. What then?
The answer is that IT IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOUR JUDGMENT AT THE TIME/ With a deadly weapon pointed at you, you have every right to use deadly force to defend yourself. It makes no difference whatever what the criminal says. He has given up any right to forbearance on your part the moment he leveled the weapon against you.
No one — not even the most highly qualified teacher of close combat — can make your decision for you, ahead of time. You need to decide.
Our personal advice is: If you believe — really are convinced — that by giving the scum your money or your vehicle, etc., he will leave and injure neither yourself nor any other innocent person, then give him what he wants. Not because it would be wrong, for instance, to kill him. It would not be. It would doing a great public service, and acting in a reasonable, moral, and — assuming you felt that your life was at stake — it would in our lay person’s opinion also be acting in a lawful manner. (Note: Check with a lawyer for any actual legal advice, or for a reliable statement of how the law might regard any action that you take).
The reason we would suggest the possibility of complying as an option is because you must use deadly force when defending against a deadly weapon, and once you begin to counter the armed scumbag you will use that level of force, and it will be you or him. This will entail risk for yourself; and we‘d rather not see a decent human being risk his own life when he needn‘t do so — even if there is a good chance of his eliminating an element of subhuman trash from the social landscape.
If you have any slight doubt or "hunch" about what an armed individual truly intends to do; i.e. if you do not feel 100% convinced that his intention is robbery only, but that he will kill yourself or another innocent person, THEN ACT FAST AND KILL HIM FIRST!
That‘s it, people. Like how we put it or not, we are giving you the scoop, and we are not perfuming it for those with sensitive ears.
Concern Number One is protecting innocent life and limb. You want to crush or rip apart the armed enemy‘s throat, gouge his eyes, smash him in the carotid artery/break his knee/or strike him in one or another of his vital points, in order to drop him to the deck, eliminate his ability to use his weapon, and then set him so that you keep on attacking him with kicks, downward blows of the knees, heel palms, handaxe chops, etc., until he is absolutely, clearly, and positively NO LONGER A THREAT. If at any point you can safely run away and escape, we recommend doing that.
Tips:—
• Never allow yourself to be tied up
• Do not permit yourself to be locked in the truck of a car
• Never submit to being handcuffed
• Do not enter a closet, cell, or other area of apparent inescapable confinement
• Do not allow yourself to be ―proned out‖ (except in a bank robbery scenario)
• Do not allow yourself to be taken away in a vehicle of any kind, from the scene where the threat originates
• Do not get down on your knees
Feign compliance in all of the above instances, then ATTACK LETHALLY. YOU WILL BE FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE, AND POSSIBLY FOR THE LIVES OF THOSE YOU LOVE.
Sword and Pen – August 2010 Issue
[Reprinted With Permission]
www.americancombato.com
www.seattlecombatives.com
RECENT news stories brought to our attention by students have reported individuals being murdered by armed scum after complying with the felons’ demands, surrendering their money or other property, and offering no resistance. Regrettably, this is nothing new. There exists — as there always has existed — an element of the so-called "human" species who revel in the taking of human life; homo sapien bacterial filth that, in a reasonable world, would be snuffed out of existence the moment it made its propensities for predation known. Unfortunately, today‘s deteriorated social milieu sees academically credentialed morons standing firm as apologists for these unconscionable pieces of s—t, spewing their advocacies of "tolerance", "forgiveness", "mercy", and "understanding" from ivory towers. Ivory towers which, in our opinion, ought to be toppled, when you consider the subversive garbage that emanates from them today.
If you doubt that the very concept of justice is no longer regarded as important or as being a necessary guide for that body of codified custom which we refer to as the "law" in our society, then think about this: MARTHA STEWART HAS DONE MORE HARD TIME THAN USAMA BIN LADEN.
In any case, armed, violent felons abound. This is the age of the psychopath. Psychopaths comprise that collection of sewage that are regarded by the mentally challenged as our "national leaders", and they are in that class which in a better time might have been referred to as constituting "the dregs of society". The only hope for your protection, security, and defense, and for the protection, security, and defense of those you love, is YOU. Never before in the history of this Nation — and Western Europe — has the private citizen needed the ability to defend himself and fight back against dangerous predators as badly and desperately as he needs it today.
The question arises: “If you ever find yourself facing an armed adversary, how do you decide whether to take defensive, counterattacking action, or simply comply with his demands?”
First of all, let us dismiss the matter of how one must deal with an outright attack. That is, a situation where there is no "threat" per se, during which the armed criminal employs his weapon so as to intimidate you into surrendering your money, car keys, etc.; but where the criminal forthrightly attempts to use the weapon to injure or to kill you.
Obviously, if running away is possible, that is what you should do. IF YOU CANNOT RUN AWAY, AND IF YOU FIND YOURSELF CONFRONTING SOMEONE WHO IS EMPLOYING A DEADLY WEAPON (OR AN IMPROVISED ITEM AS A DEADLY WEAPON — WITH LETHAL INTENT — THEN YOU FOLLOW THE PROPER TWO-STEP COUNTERMEASURE:
1. DODGE, EVADE, PARRY, BLOCK ASIDE, OR OTHERWISE REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE IMMEDIATE PATH OF THE WEAPON, AND THEN . . .
2. USE EVERY MEANS AT YOUR DISPOSAL TO NEUTRALIZE YOUR ATTACKER, LETHALLY. SHOW NO MERCY, HAVE NO RESTRAINT, DO NOT RELENT UNTIL IT IS OBVIOUS TO YOU THAT YOUR WOULD-BE MURDERER IS UNCONSCIOUS. (WHETHER HE IS ACTUALLY DEAD OR NOT IS IRRELEVANT).
Okay. That is the procedure to follow (using the best techniques you know and have command of) when the attack is outright. Now, let‘s address the matter of a "threat"; a threat in which the armed felon expresses a demand for property, and says or implies that if you comply you will not be injured. What then?
The answer is that IT IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOUR JUDGMENT AT THE TIME/ With a deadly weapon pointed at you, you have every right to use deadly force to defend yourself. It makes no difference whatever what the criminal says. He has given up any right to forbearance on your part the moment he leveled the weapon against you.
No one — not even the most highly qualified teacher of close combat — can make your decision for you, ahead of time. You need to decide.
Our personal advice is: If you believe — really are convinced — that by giving the scum your money or your vehicle, etc., he will leave and injure neither yourself nor any other innocent person, then give him what he wants. Not because it would be wrong, for instance, to kill him. It would not be. It would doing a great public service, and acting in a reasonable, moral, and — assuming you felt that your life was at stake — it would in our lay person’s opinion also be acting in a lawful manner. (Note: Check with a lawyer for any actual legal advice, or for a reliable statement of how the law might regard any action that you take).
The reason we would suggest the possibility of complying as an option is because you must use deadly force when defending against a deadly weapon, and once you begin to counter the armed scumbag you will use that level of force, and it will be you or him. This will entail risk for yourself; and we‘d rather not see a decent human being risk his own life when he needn‘t do so — even if there is a good chance of his eliminating an element of subhuman trash from the social landscape.
If you have any slight doubt or "hunch" about what an armed individual truly intends to do; i.e. if you do not feel 100% convinced that his intention is robbery only, but that he will kill yourself or another innocent person, THEN ACT FAST AND KILL HIM FIRST!
That‘s it, people. Like how we put it or not, we are giving you the scoop, and we are not perfuming it for those with sensitive ears.
Concern Number One is protecting innocent life and limb. You want to crush or rip apart the armed enemy‘s throat, gouge his eyes, smash him in the carotid artery/break his knee/or strike him in one or another of his vital points, in order to drop him to the deck, eliminate his ability to use his weapon, and then set him so that you keep on attacking him with kicks, downward blows of the knees, heel palms, handaxe chops, etc., until he is absolutely, clearly, and positively NO LONGER A THREAT. If at any point you can safely run away and escape, we recommend doing that.
Tips:—
• Never allow yourself to be tied up
• Do not permit yourself to be locked in the truck of a car
• Never submit to being handcuffed
• Do not enter a closet, cell, or other area of apparent inescapable confinement
• Do not allow yourself to be ―proned out‖ (except in a bank robbery scenario)
• Do not allow yourself to be taken away in a vehicle of any kind, from the scene where the threat originates
• Do not get down on your knees
Feign compliance in all of the above instances, then ATTACK LETHALLY. YOU WILL BE FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE, AND POSSIBLY FOR THE LIVES OF THOSE YOU LOVE.
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