Why You Should Learn Wrist Escapes, 3

Continued from "Why You Should Learn Wrist Escapes, 2"

In the last post, I told about how leverage provides an efficient means to escape a wrist grab. It allows you break free from the strongest grip effortlessly.

Today, I want to point out that you must apply this leverage not only efficiently, but also effectively. Beginning at 2:30 in the video below, the instructor shows the use of leverage to efficiently break a wrist grab. As you watch, can you see the woman putting herself in a more vulnerable position?

As she pushes her elbow forward to touch her attacker's forearm, she get close enough for him to punch her upside the head with his left hand. She needs a means to apply the efficiency of leverage in an effective manner.

She can do this by changing the orientation of her elbow. Instead of pointing the elbow down toward the floor and leaning directly in where he can reach her, she can go to the side. The following video illustrates this, beginning at 1:00 and running to 2:44.

This application not only removes your wrist efficiently from your assailant's grasp, but also effectively gets you out of the way of his other hand. Additionally, it sets you up to deliver a judo chop to his face, throat or neck, if necessary.

Followup to "Can You Tell Me What's Wrong with This?"

Continued from "Can You Tell Me What's Wrong with This?"

Thanks to Bruce and the Warrior for the good points they made. Now, let me add some of my own thoughts.

First off, I don't know where the author conducted his survey, but it would surprise me if violent predators across the nation have simultaneously adopted grappling techniques in their attacks. That's not to say it couldn't happen, but if so, it would really surprise me.

Second, as a self-defense rule of thumb, you should not play your attacker's game. Don't box a boxer, don't grapple with a grappler, etc.

If someone opens an attack by going for a take-down, he'll come in low with his arms apart to encircle your legs. In the post "Self Defense: Technical or Tactical?", Steve Golden made the point that you strike the target that's open.

What's open on an attacker going for the take-down? Just about everything!

Palm heel to the forehead, nose or chin, judo chop to the neck or throat, combat slap to the side of the head, are just a few possibilities. If he manages to get to the inside before you can react, you can resort to a knee to the chin or thumbs in the eye sockets.

Finally, the article's emphasis on grappling the grappler puts emphasis on training to go to the ground. While such an outcome is possible, my philosophy is

"Don't go to the ground with your attacker; send your attacker to the ground."

Brutal Science, Modified Judo Chop & Ear Slap

Continued from "Brutal Science: Adrenaline"

Here's another clip taken from "Fighting Back", an episode in the National Geographic Series Fight Science.

It gives an interesting variation on the Judo Chop that some will find helpful at very close ranges. It reminds me of using a sledge hammer and a wedge to split a log.

The ear slap is a variation of the Combat Slap. Very simple & also very effective. 

Notice that both of these strikes involve gross motor skills, so you will still be able to perform them under adrenaline stress.

Judo Chop Drill

I thought this video of a Judo Chop drill might be of interest. As you observe the drill, ask yourself, "How easy would it be to block these chops?" & "If someone did block the backhand chop, what would I do to counter?"

This drill reminds me a little of an Arnis stick drill designed to keep an opponent on the defensive by raining blows so fast that he cannot mount a counterattack. If that's the tactical purpose, then after you master the basic pattern, you'd need your partner to do what the orc would: block & grab.

Then you'd know just what you need to do to keep him from interrupting your momentum.

Edge of Hand (Judo Chop) to Side of Neck

The Edge-of-Hand Strike, Judo Chop or Karate Chop to the side of the neck is one of the more effective blows that you can use in self defense. The reason -- or more properly, half the reason -- for the effectiveness of this strike is that so many lines of supply necessary to proper function of body and brain run through the neck.

1. Two networks of nerve fibers(each is called a brachial plexus), go down each side of the neck. A sharp blow to either complexz will send a disruptive pulse to the brain, resulting in a brachial stun.
2. The carotid artery also runs down the side of the neck. A quick strike will compress the artery, causing a spike followed by a precipitous drop in blood pressure, resulting in disorientation or loss of consciousness.
3. Finally, you have the vagus nerve -- the only nerve that directly exits the cranium without passing through the spinal cord. It's involved in monitoring and regulating internal organs, including the lungs and heart. A sharp blow can have a stunning effect by disrupting heart rhythms.

Bottom line? You don't need to aim for a specific point. Just hit the side of the neck.

The other half of this blow's effectiveness lies in the the power you can generate with the Edge of Hand Strike. If you train properly, your hand snaps out with the speed of a boxer's jab.

On the side of the neck, you need not hit with just the edge of the hand. The ulnar bone of the forearm makes just as effective a striking edge, so precision is not an issue.

The following video shows the effectiveness of the blow on the street. If you watch closely, you will see the karate expert wind up a little before he strikes.

The street orc was evidently too high on adrenaline (or just plain too high) to notice the telegraph. This demonstrates that even an imperfect skill will often work when the chips are down.



Caution: The nerves and blood supply in the neck are vital to sustaining life. You should not use this technique casually, as it may cause fatality in some instances.

Speed Punching Exercise

I just received a link from Keith Pascal to a page with a speed punching exercise on it. Since it leads into an offer for "The Home Study Punch e-Course", I don't think he'll mind if I share it with you.

Speed Punching Exercise

I'm sure you will immediately see how adaptable this exercise is to palm heel strikes, judo chops and why not even kicks?

Empty Hand & Baton Skillset, 2

In "Empty Hand & Baton Skillset", I showed a thumb-strike that transfers into a strike with the front tip of the baton. I want to build on that, but first let's review the basic baton grip.

If you remember, my instructor taught me to grasp the baton in the middle. This provides more versatility, in that you can use both ends for striking. As you hold the baton vertically in front of you, think of the upward portion as the front of the baton and the downward portion as the back.

Now let's look at the Judo Chop as a transferable skill. The following illustration comes from my book, 12 U.S. Military Combat Techniques That Could Save Your Life.




Look at the illustration & then visualize the combatants a half-step further apart. Instead of one soldier striking the other with his empty hand, he holds a baton (in the middle) and strikes with the front shaft.

The only change in the skillset is a slight snap of the wrist at the termination of the strike.

As you read this, you may very well say, "Well, duh! Could you point out anything more obvious?" Exactly! This isn't rocket science.

The only reason I am doing this is to spur you to look at your own empty hand skillset and think about how easily it would transfer to a weapon, like the baton. Then pick up a stick and try it out.

Free Book Download

I have prepared a vintage self defense book (published 1904) for my readers to download. It's called Jiu-Jitsu Combat Tricks by H. Irving Hancock. The subtitle is Japanese Feats of Attack and Defense in Personal Encounter.

Hancock wrote at least three other books on various aspects Japan's martial tradition. This one focuses strictly on self defense applications.

Here's what I like about this book:

First, his preliminary comments on training are helpful and spot on. I'm not sure about his advice for hardening the edge of the hand, but the method he describes doesn't sound as though it would lead to damage or deformity.

He also devotes considerable space to the efficacy and application of the edge-of-hand blow (judo chop). In addition, he spends several pages giving an explanation of tripping and throwing. These two features make it invaluable, since many books of that period (and today!) focus solely on holds and locks

However, the holds and locks that you'll find in the book round it out into a nice, balanced treatment. The only major drawback to the book is that it does not contain as many pictures as I'd like. The photographs he does have are clear, though, and his explanations of each photo and its related technique is thorough.

I highly recommend that you download, read and practice the contents of Jiu-Jitsu Combat Tricks. You may also give the book away or share the link with as many people as you like (the more the better). I'll explain why tomorrow.

Here's the link:
Jiu-Jitsu Combat Tricks
(When you reach the download page, the download button is at the bottom of the page.)

New Year Evaluation

As seen on a gun forum:

I have the means, and the mindset. I will journey into Hell and darkness to protect the ones I love.

It's that annual evaluation time, again. My barber sent me the quote above, and it's one that strikes a chord with me. As I interpret it, it represents what I want to be as a warrior for Christ.

Not that I have attained to that high status, but it's what, in my best moments, I would like to be.

I have the means . . . .

I believe this includes both knowledge and training as well as weapons. And the former far outdistance the latter in importance.

Tony Blauer has spoken of the naked warrior. (As an aside, Pavel Tsatsouline has an excellent physical training book by that name.) It's a concept that means if you strip away everything from a true warrior right down to his skin, he's still a warrior. Heart and skill make the warrior, not the sword, not the firearm.

Have I grown in knowledge and training over the past year? Yes, but not as much as I wish I could have. Shin splints in August really put a crimp in my fitness training.

Although the condition is better, recovery has been slow. Both lower legs are still tender & swell if I don't elevate them. I resumed taking regular walks about six weeks ago, and have modified my knee-kick anaerobic exercise so that it does not require my feet to impact the floor. Started that just this past week.

I was experimenting with dropping energy when the shin splints developed, and I will not resume until I fully recover from the condition. It puts a lot of stress on the lower extremities.

I did practice the combat wedge for presentation at the WARSKYL conference in October. That's a skill which bears further practice & development.

I have also practiced my palm heel strike and judo chop. The other morning, I think I finally made a breakthrough in speed with both skills.

In October, after the conference, some of us had a shooting session at the house of deolexrex. For the first time, I actually hit clay pigeons in the air. I guess that's the beginning of a rudimentary shotgun skill.

My preparation for the WARSKYL conference pushed me into a deeper knowledge and understanding, as well. It forced me to into a needed review of some concepts and new research. Also, Seth's conference presentation on loving one's enemy provided new insights.

To be continued.

James Cagney Does Judo

Hope you enjoy this.

It's a Hollywood fight scene from "Blood on the Sun" that goes on much longer than a real one would. (That hasn't changed, has it?) It's interesting to see screen legend James Cagney & opponent using real judo (or jujitsu) moves, though. Great fun, & thanks to my barber for sending me the link.

Did you notice the use of the judo chop (edge of hand blow) by both actors?

Judo Chop -- Multiple Attackers

On my walk this morning, I got to thinking about training my judo chop (known to you youngsters as a karate chop, to WWII practitioners as edge-of-hand blow and to many martial artists as knife hand or sword hand).

The strike can be devastating, especially when directed at the side of the neck. (And it doesn't matter much where on the side of the neck because you're sure to hit something important: brachial plexus, carotid artery, vagus nerve.) It's also effective when directed at throat or temple areas, but be warned that hitting those targets can be fatal.

I started thinking about it this morning because of a dream in which I had used the judo chop against multiple opponents. It worked pretty well, in the dream ;-)

The thought occurred to me that if I stood with my back in a corner -- not a good place for a real fight, by the way -- I could chop out at both walls at the same time, as though at assailants who were trying to flank me.

After the walk, I went to my training room and tried it out. I stood in the non-challenging ready stance, and lashed out (see fig. 3 below) at both walls as I visualized orcs.

Hitting the wall is no problem, as long as you're using the meaty edge of your hand and not your little finger to strike. (Illustration comes from Get Tough by WE Fairbairn.)



I recommend you train with two strikes simultaneously as well as one, then the other. Also, try facing the corner, then whipping around to engage the two orcs coming up behind you.

Of course, effectual training for multiple assailants requires practice partners. That's a luxury I don't have, so I'm forced into these somewhat less-than-ideal creative solutions. If you train solo, you know what I mean.

Cane Fighting vs. Fighting with a Cane

In Friday's post I suggested you pick up a weapon and ask yourself what empty hand techniques would work with it. Yesterday morning, I decided to take my own advice.

I normally take my Cold Steel walking stick on our morning walks, in case of aggressive dogs. After we got home, I took the stick to the heavy bag to see if I could fight with a cane.

I held the cane horizontally in front of my chest, with both hands. If I palm-heel jabbed quickly toward what would be the heavy bag's face, the stick snapped into the neck or side of head area. I tried a combination: jab, jab, right hook. The stick snapped into the neck area twice, and then the solid stainless knob connected with the "jaw".

Previously, when I've practiced striking with the cane, I've held it in the same manner but concentrated on swinging it, as though it needed its own technique, separate from my empty hand strikes. Using my hand strikes to set the shaft in motion is a lot faster. And the hits feel more powerful.

The cane extends my effective striking range. And mechanical advantage makes the tip travel faster than my hand, which adds speed to my strikes.

Next time, I think I'll try letting go with one hand while I perform a Judo Chop action with the hand holding the stick. Seems to me that would really whip the cane around, giving me a devastating long-distance chop.

By the way, if I were attacked by a knife wielder, I would hope it was at a time when I had my cane. It would have a longer reach than the blade, and I wouldn't have to worry about drawing my weapon in time, since it would already be in my hand.

Combat Slap

The combat slap is a tool that should be in your war chest along with the other open hand strikes. Open hand -- as opposed to closed fist -- blows like the judo chop, palm heel, tiger claw & combat slap don't get enough credit for the devastating power they can deliver.

Properly executed, the combat slap is a potent and effective strike. When directed at the eyes and ears, it can disorient your attacker and cause intense pain. And, if you accidentally hit the orc's cheek or forehead, you don't risk breaking your hand as you might with a closed fist.

The following video is a continuation of the series that began with the chin jab & the knee spike. I think it was a mistake to entitle the series Fight Like a Girl, because page hits for those posts were uncharacteristically low. Macho pride?

That's too bad, because the techniques are good, solid CQC moves straight out of WWII combatives. The same caveat applies as with the knee spike video (my not-so-subtle way of encouraging you to go back, if you missed it). Here's the video clip:



Continued in "Combat Slap, 2"

Movie Fights

ME: "Tell me, O Master Warrior, can I truly learn anything from watching movie fights?"

MASTER WARRIOR: "Yes, Clodhopper. You can learn choreography."

As the master warrior indicates, movie fights are not generally like real fights. If you recall the "Sucker Punch" series, you realize that real life confrontations are usually abrupt, brief and brutal. And whoever hits first, wins.

Movie fights are scripted for entertainment, not to instruct you in self defense. Like professional wrestling, they present exhibitions that showcase the participants' slick moves. You have to comb through a mountain of old films to find anything that resembles real fighting.

A favorite fight scene from my childhood came from the movie Bad Day at Black Rock, starring Spencer Tracy as a one-armed WWII vet. In it, he absolutely destroys the bully played by Ernest Borgnine. It's not all that realistic (especially the final windmill throw), but I like it because Tracy's character uses some actual WWII combat techniques -- notably, the judo chop or edge of hand blow.

Here's the scene:

Another fanciful feature of that fight is that Spencer Tracy keeps waiting for Ernest Borgnine to attack him rather than finishing the fight. Some people might think that's the fair and honorable thing to do, but if orcs were fair and honorable, you wouldn't have to defend yourself in the first place. In a street situation you must quickly neutralize the threat to a degree sufficient enough to make a safe escape.

Recently, lt (who is my barber and my friend) sent me a link to a fight scene from Cloak and Dagger. It's a spy thriller from the 1940's starring Gary Cooper. Fritz Lang, the director, did not shoot a fight scene like one you'd see in today's action movies.

You see no wide, looping punches, nothing really slick or impressive. Just two men, struggling to kill each other with their bare hands (okay, a gun and a knife appear, but they don't really come into play). It's gritty and nasty and brutal, and it has more realistic elements than the fight in Bad Day at Black Rock.

Here's the video clip:

Whoever scripted this scene also knew something about WWII combatives. The Tiger Claw to the eyes came straight from W.E. Fairbairn's Get Tough. So did Gary Cooper's use of the Judo Chop (Edge of Hand Blow). The bending fingers, stomping and kicking give the impression of desperate men looking for any opening to take the other out.

It's not neat or slick or pretty, but real fights aren't, either. The drama comes not from cinematically appealing techniques, but from the desperate, anything-goes, life-or-death struggle itself. I do question whether the two-hand front choke would be the real fight ender, since there are so many ways to break free. On the other hand, fighting mano a mano is exhausting, and it's possible that whoever runs out of gas first has nothing left to make even an elementary escape.

ME: What do you think of movie fights now, O Master Warrior.

(Master Warrior feints a kick to the groin, and when I flinch, he delivers a dope-slap to my head.)

MASTER WARRIOR: I think you need to spend less time watching movies and more time practicing, Clodhopper.

Sucker Punch, 6 (From Reaction to Action)

Continued from "Sucker Punch, 5 (Defense Against)"

In summary so far, defense against the sucker puncher requires:

1. Perception of surroundings and acknowledgment of reality (vs. denial);
2. Non-challenging defensive posture;
3. Line in the dirt;
4. Startle response launches combat wedge technique.

Everything up to this point is designed to protect you from the initial assault. But if you do not follow up the combat wedge technique, you have only postponed an inevitable beating. If your wedge is powerful enough to drive that assailant back or throw him off balance, you may be able to get away.

If not, you must strike with palm-heel, edge of hand, knees, elbows and feet until you open an opportunity to escape. My book, 12 US Military Combat Techniques That Could Save Your Life explains and illustrates a dozen of the most simple and effective blows, in the best tradition of WWII combatives. In any case, the combat wedge is generally going to be your opening move, not the closing.

Once more I give you a link to a video clip by Tony Blauer. In it, he demonstrates that the combat wedge is simply a Bridge to the Next Move. (You may find some of his language offensive.)

That about wraps it up for the sucker punch. If you would like to review from the beginning, go to "Sucker Punch (Overhand Right)" and follow the links through this series of posts.

Taking Stock

I've never been one for New Year's resolutions. Not that I don't have a lot of room for improvement -- I obviously do. It's just that the idea of New Year's resolutions doesn't motivate me.

Nevertheless, this time (the 7th & 8th Days of Christmas) is good for taking stock. I want to do an inventory of my own warrior readiness. Perhaps you'll join me.

Warrior Fitness

How fit am I compared to this time last year? Better, but still not where I want to be. My body composition has improved -- a lot more muscle under the "fat suit". Also, Laura noticed last week that I was wearing a shirt which I used to have a hard time keeping buttoned around the middle. The change is subtle, and it has been so gradual that people who see me from week to week have not even noticed.

Over the past three years or so, my endurance has gone from extremely poor to poor and now to fair. My general condition really deteriorated during the year I spent chained to my desk writing, but if I take the intensity of my workouts up another notch, I think I'll be satisfactory or better in another year. That's still not where I want to be, but I'm not 50 anymore, and as long as I'm improving, I won't complain.

What about you? Are you moving in the fitness direction you want? If not, make just one small change in the right direction. Make it tiny, but make it a change you can live with for the rest of your life.

Warrior Techniques

I have a lot of techniques that I've picked up from my martial arts training. But do I have three techniques that I've developed and honed to a level of mastery? I've really worked on striking with my knees. I can generate power & speed, and I have practiced the technique straight ahead and to either side.

I haven't worked as hard on my palm heel strike. I've done some slow motion practice (which is one method of developing speed, believe it or not). I think I'll concentrate on generating power and on using it from various positions, including seated.

I love the judo chop. It's fast & powerful, and it's most versatile. I think I'll duct tape some padding to our oak tree to practice this technique a few times every day. A little extra padding would allow me to also use it to practice the palm heel strike without hurting my shoulders.

Do you have three good, versatile techniques you could use in a violent encounter? If so, how about adding a fourth? If not, why don't you start by learning one or two and practicing them?

Warrior Body Skills

I have just started working on some balance drills from the AttackProof book and video. My balance has always been poor, and now I'm finally doing something about it. It took me several practice sessions just to do the Ninja Walk and Vacuum Walk the wrong way. Now I have to work on improving to the point where I'm doing them correctly.

Maybe your balance is acceptable (even great), but you may have other body skills that need sharpening. Do you need to work on agility, coordination, timing?

Warrior Weapons Skills

I need to spend more time dry firing both handgun and long gun. At this time, my knife skills are not what they ought to be. My training with a blade was good, but rudimentary and too short. I am thinking about one knife fighting system which utilizes a technique that looks just like one of my favorite empty hand strikes. Perhaps I'll get a hold of some of their training materials this year. In learning to use a knife, I also hope to learn how to better defend against one.

How are your weapons skills? Is this the moment where you decide that you will become master of one type of weapon? Or if you've already reached that level of competence with one, how about adding another type to your repertoire (e.g., if you're a rifleman, become an archer or a knife fighter)?

Scenario Based Training

Maybe this will be the year I find a dedicated practice partner. It's a matter of prayer. I'd like someone with whom I could practice spontaneous reaction drills and do some scenario based training to aid in adrenaline stress conditioning.

Et Cetera

There are other areas where you can take stock, like Warrior Philosophy, Warrior Mindset and Warrior Strategy, but you get the idea. I've tried to be brutally honest about where I need to improve as a warrior, How about you? I'd like to see some comments on your own inventory and steps you've taken or are about to take to improve in just one specific area. Your comment might be just the spark some fellow Christian Martialist needs take his own training program to the next level.