Captain Atom and Jiu JItsu

I have found one lesson on jiu-jitstu from the Captain Atom series of comics. Rather than a how-to, it gives a rather general overview.

Visit the Comic Book Self Defense Page to see self defense comics previously posted.

Before Comics, Trading Cards

I have previously shared some of the comic book instruction in self defense that peaked in the 1950's. It may interest WARSKYL readers to know that long before comic books, someone might receive instruction in jiu-jitsu by purchasing cigarettes. (NOT an endorsement!)

A publication of the New York Public library explains about cigarette cards:

Cigarette or tobacco cards began in the mid-19th century as premiums, enclosed in product packaging. They were usually issued in numbered series of twenty-five, fifty, or larger runs to be collected, spurring subsequent purchases of the same brand. Typically, these small cards feature illustrations on one side with related information and advertising text on the other. (This digital presentation enables both views.) The height of cigarette card popularity occurred in the early decades of the 20th century, when tobacco companies around the world issued card sets in an encyclopedic range of subjects. After a slump during the First World War, popularity resumed, with new emphasis on film stars, sports, and military topics.

I have discovered that jiu-jitsu appeared as one of the topics in a cigarette card series. Here is an example.

This series shares some of the deficits of the least helpful comic book instruction. Sparse details in both the drawings and the instructions leave a lot to the practitioner's imagination. This leads to practice based on trial and error, which may well result in injury. 

Simple Wrist Lock (My First Screencast Video)

I have [finally] made my first screencast. Although this is a test video, a learning experience for me, you may find it instructive as an introduction to the most basic wrist lock.




As mentioned in the video, the illustrations come from a book by Teddy Roosevelt's jiu jitsu instructor, John J. O'Brien. If you're interested in this vintage self defense book, I have republished it to make it available to a new generation. Click below to find out how to purchase it.

A Complete Course of Jiu Jitsu

Who Says Wrist Locks Don't Work?

Who says wrist locks don't work? Not I. I own a copy of Keith Pascal's Wristlocks, and I found it packed full. It not only has techniques, but important suggestions on training, personalizing and practical application in self defense.

The animated video below is an ad for his book, but as always, Keith gives you something to think about.

JudoMaster Self Defense

I have previously written about the instructional pages in the JudoMaster comics which was published in the mid 1960's. Today, let's look at the comic's instruction for dealing with bullies.

To see the techniques illustrated on the WARSKYL comic page, CLICK HERE and then scroll down to the JudoMaster section.

In terms of practical self defense, I agree with JudoMaster. It would take years of practice to use these techniques effectively on the street.

Bernard J. ("Dr. Barney") Cosneck, Combat Judo and the Comics

I have written about Bernard J. Cosneck's book American Combat Judo here, here and here. Today, I'd like to give you a peek at some of the fascinating facts I've discovered about the author.

Cosneck came from Russian immigrant stock and gained prominence as a Two-Time Big Ten Champion intercollegiate wrestler for the University of Illinois (1932, 1934). He later performed in professional wrestling exhibitions as Barney Cosneck.

Somewhere along the line, in addition to wrestling, he picked up some instruction in jiu-jitsu and savate (French foot fighting). His boxing experience may have come from his association with heavyweight boxer Jack Dempsey.

During World War II, he served along with Dempsey as an instructor in hand-to-hand combat for the U.S. Coast Guard. Together, they produced a manual of close quarters fighting for the USCG entitled How to Fight Tough.

Cosneck poses with Jack Dempsey for cover photo

Published in 1942, the manual bears Dempsey's name as the author (along with sports writer, Frank G. Menke). This makes sense because everyone knew his name as a heavyweight champ, even though the book contains no real boxing moves. The photos show Dempsey performing various grappling techniques on Cosneck. I surmise that Cosneck did most of the actual coaching for the volume while Dempsey supplied the name-recognition.

In 1944, Cosneck saw his own American Combat Judo published. It presented a lot of the material found in How to Fight Tough, plus much more.

After the war, he collaborated with Paul W. Stoddard to produce a comic book with the title Judo Joe. It lasted only three issues, and each issue contained instruction in self defense. Interestingly, the moves taught seem to have come directly from American Combat Judo.

Compare the technique below with the one I have posted on the WARSKYL Comic Book Defense page. Note my comments below.

What has always struck me about this illustration is how high he is when he enters the throw. Two different jujitsu instructors (and various judo and jujitsu books) have taught me to enter low, with my hips below that of my opponent. I'm not saying that what Cosneck shows won't work, but that it will take a lot more strength to complete the throw. In the comic book illustration, you see the same high entry. 

WWI Hand-to-Hand "Training Video"

While I doubt that the army used the video below for training purposes in World War I, it does contain footage of WWI training as it took place. The action looks fast and choppy because it was played at today's projector speed which differs from that of this film's era.

1909 Middleweight Champ Mike Gibbons demonstrates the boxing techniques, and Captain Allan C. Smith leads in the Jujitsu demonstrations. You will find my comments below the video



Boxing punches are much faster than traditional karate punches, and contests -- sans kicking, of course -- of boxers vs. karate practitioners have borne out their superior effectiveness. I have discussed the advisability of striking with a closed fist as opposed to open hand strikes here.

The come-along holds demonstrated in the video might have some practical application for military police, but I fail to see its application in hand-to-hand on the battlefield. The nest series demonstrates the palm heel to the chin and the palm heel in combination with the knee to the groin and shows that these techniques were around long before Fairbairn incorporated them into his system of combatives.

Interesting use of games to teach teamwork & coordinated effort.

I know I didn't cover it all. That will leave room for you to comment. Please do.

Wrist Stretches: Gateway to Solo Training

I hope that you are on Keith Pascal's mailing list. Perhaps you've heard the expression, "He's forgotten more about martial arts than most people know." That would probably be true of Keith, but for one thing: he hasn't forgotten.

Here is his video on some of the prime values of wrist stretching. After you watch it, I'd like to present what I believe is an even more important value.



As usual, Keith's advice is spot on. However, I'd like to supplement his advice with something my Jiu-Jitsu (old spelling) instructor taught me.

One day, we were discussing practicing wrist locks, when he pointed something out that I had not noticed before. He told me that every wrist stretch we practiced was also wrist lock.

For me, it was one of those "Aha!" moments. One of the big difficulties with practicing joint locks is that you need a practice partner -- you can't do it solo (or so I thought).

Below is a series of photos taken in the summer of 2009. (As an aside, my belly has shrunk somewhat since then, and now I just have the two chins.) The photos show one wrist stretch followed its application as a wrist lock.

My third daughter Raquel appears in the pics with me, and my fourth daughter Merrianna took the pics. Thanks to them both for their help.

First, a close-up of this particular wrist stretch:

Jiu-Jitsu girl meets The Incredible Bulk:

Rather than thinking of this as a technique, I think it's better to consider it one application of this particular mode of stressing the wrist joint:

Utmost concentration! When your attacker is that much bigger than you, you don't want to get it worng (intentional joke).

I want to put these photos (and others, showing different angles and more transition phases) into an e-book. The book would detail four wrist stretches that can also be applied as wrist locks.

I'd appreciate your input as to whether you think this would be a worthwhile project.

Vintage Self Defense Classic

A Complete Course of Jiu Jitsu

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Rear Naked Choke & Multiple Assailants

Normally, you don't think of grappling as a way of dealing with multiple assailants. The following video, however, demonstrates the rear naked choke as a means of controlling one attacker and using his body as a shield to fend off the others

Notice the importance of taking away your opponent's balance. In my opinion, you can get better control by taking his equilibrium than with pain compliance techniques, because the fear of falling is an instinct everyone has from birth.

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.)

John J. O'Brien: Basic Wrist Lock

John J. O'Brien is the man reputed to have taught Jiu Jitsu to President Theodore Roosevelt. In the pictures below -- from his book A Complete Course in Jiu Jitsu -- he demonstrates Katate Tori, the basic wrist lock.

If you practice with a friend, go slowly and apply pressure gradually. Have a prearranged signal to stop.

WARSKYL: A Christian Martial Art?, 3

Continued from "WARSKYL: A Christian Martial Art?, 2"

Now that I have related how I differentiate a martial art from a civilian art, it is fair to ask into which category WARSKYL falls. My answer is that it has components of both.

The strong emphasis on self defense skills, including avoiding and evading assault within the context of loving one's enemy (Seth Ben-Ezra's excellent presentation at the conference), provide a strongly practical civilian component to the art.

I have carefully adapted WARSKYL's adrenaline stress control techniques along with the simple, brutal & effective physical skills, including point shooting, from proven practical combat methods. Those components of the system constitute a combat art suitable for the battlefield.

There is another component of WARSKYL that I have not yet finished systematizing. It includes the skills necessary to take control of another person in less-than-lethal circumstances. While it will include locks & holds drawn from jujitsu and other grappling arts, I am looking for simplicity and effectiveness in both the skills themselves and the training methods.

Self Doubt & Fear of Failure

The following comes from an email sent out by Damian Ross of the "The Self Defense Company":

My question is how do you destroy self-doubt? What I mean is I want to be confident and I do try, but there is still always some worry that it won't work or I'll fail-how do I stop that? I tend to give my opponent to much credit and myself very little even if I try shaking it out of my system. Thanks Regards Bob from, Northern Alberta, Canada

Answer:
Bob, that is a very human and normal response. First, knowing that what your practicing actually works helps a lot. . . . When I was young I always had self doubt, especially in the street; even though I was an accomplished wrestler and karate tournament fighter. But once I began learning this method, my common sense and experience told me that this was the real deal. Finally and perhaps most important, you must practice and train harder. . . . Training consistently will erase most self doubt. Since we're human, you can't get rid of it all, even the biggest and the baddest till have a little voice in their head. What you want to do is minimize it and the only what you do that is through training. When trained properly you will automatically go into action.

I think that this is good advice. Before I started training in jujitsu, I harbored a lot of doubts about how I might do in a physical confrontation. My training in Shito Ryu karate did not do much to alleviate those doubts.

But my jujitsu training was different. I could feel the effectiveness of techniques both when I used them on my partner and when he used them on me. This gave me confidence in the system.

The WARSKYL self defense system gives me even more confidence. I designed it around the startle response and the simplest & most effective gross motor skills. These techniques work; I have seen and felt them. Moreover, they work with minimal training.

When you stop training altogether, however, you lose your edge. Then the doubts begin to creep back in. They are simply the messengers of the inner man, telling you what you already know -- you need to get back in training.

WARSKYL: A Christian Martial Art?, 2

Continued from "WARSKYL: A Christian Martial Art?"

Having arisen out of the heart of Buddhist faith and practice, the Eastern civilian arts developed as more than methods of self-defense. They served as a means to pursue self mastery & perfection and, ultimately, to escape the limitations of existence.

Under the Meiji regime in Japan, the samurai were suppressed, along with the unarmed combat arts. In response, the arts downplayed their self-defense applications and emphasized their disciplines as philosophical paths to enlightenment.

Thus karate (whose ideograph can be interpreted as Chinese fist), became karate-do (now interpreted as "the way of the empty hand"). Jigoro Kano transformed jujitsu (supple technique) into Ju-do (now interpreted as "gentle way").

Jujitsu seems to be the first Eastern art to gain a following in the West in the late 19th & early 20th Centuries. Among the best of the various manuals of jujitsu published in the US during that period was Secrets of Jujitsu by Captain Allen C Smith.

As a logical-thinking Scot, Smith was able to assimilate, analyze and explain the aspects of Eastern arts that are difficult for Westerners to understand. He transformed his jujitsu into a Western art by separating it from its Eastern philosophical and mystical environment.

I have had enough jujitsu training to know what will likely work & what won't. Smith's book teaches principles and includes training exercises that provide a practitioner with the necessary kinesthetic sense to achieve a measure of proficiency in the art.

One of my long-range plans is to include Smith's instruction, along with comments and supplementary drills, in a Big Book of WARSKYL Self-Defense and Combat Skills. It would also include material from my "12 Techniques" book and from the WARSKYL Conference.

At any rate, World War II rekindled an interest in the combat arts. W E Fairbairn combed through the techniques of the Eastern arts to isolate a few that were brutally effective and simple enough to learn in a short period of training.

Thus, WWII Combatives came into the world as a true martial art.

To be continued.

WARSKYL: A Christian Martial Art?

Since I started discussing the origin and development of WARSKYL in "Defining Terms, 7", the question has arisen as to whether or not it may be considered a Christian martial art.

First, I think you have to determine what you mean by martial art. Merriam Webster defines martial as follows:

1. of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior
2. relating to an army or to military life
3. experienced in or inclined to war : warlike

It is plain that most "martial arts" taught today are not really martial in this sense.

In the East in particular, many of the arts practiced are and always have been civilian arts. Historians credit Buddhist monks at the Shaolin Temple with origins of Kung Fu (gong fu) in its various permutations.

Kung Fu passed over the waters to Okinawa where civilians modified and adopted it under the name Karate. It arose as a measure of self defense in a society where their Japanese overlords forbade common folk from carrying weapons. (Sword control? Disarming the populace has always been a tactic of tyrants.)

In Japan, the various forms of Jujitsu descended from the hand-to-hand techniques of the Samurai warriors. Therefore Jujitsu is, in a historical sense, a true martial art. And, although many think of it as a grappling art, it includes the handstrikes and kicks that you would find in other arts.

Continued in "WARSKYL: A Christian Martial Art?, 2"

Vintage Self Defense

I like to collect old books on self defense & jujitsu (although I prefer an older spelling: jiujitsu). It doesn't matter if they're original or reprints or even in electronic form.

I thought today I'd share a couple of older items I ran across on the internet. Don't bother trying to read them. Just savor the pictures from a past age.

The Other Name for Krav Maga?

Thanks to my barber for this one!

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?

Sheepdog Strategies, 5

Continued from "Sheepdog Strategies, 4"

"If it doesn't work, hit it with a hammer, and if it still doesn't work, get a bigger hammer." It is part of the typical American male psyche to think that the 8lb sledge hammer -- as opposed to the 12 -- was made for delicate work.

A little of that attitude goes a long way when you're doing everyday maintenance -- like watch repair. But real disaster results when you use the metaphorical hammer to drive points home to your womenfolk. Especially if they've been hurt by the "women are helpless" message of certain subcultures.

Even a woman with a healthy self-confidence will be put off by, "Me Tarzan; you Jane."

I remember a rather diminutive woman in our jujitsu class. One day, when she was still a white belt, I was working as her partner on wrist escapes. She confided in me a problem she had at home.

"My husband wanted me to show him what I learned in class, so I told him to grab my wrist. He just grinned at me, as I tried to escape, but couldn't."

As you know, any new technique requires partner cooperation, at first. Then gradually, as you learn the mechanics of the technique, the partner ceases cooperating, becoming passive. Then the partner resists, and, finally, the technique is placed in a dynamic give-and-take context.

This woman was still in the cooperating-partner stage, and her husband used her inexperience to "prove" his male superiority. Even a macho jerk is still a jerk.

I asked her if she had snap-kicked his groin or poked a finger in his eye (all Goshin Ryu techniques are taught with such diversions) to distract him. She said, "No," that she would never do that to her husband. In that, he is blessed -- he is a providentially blessed, egotistical moron.

My point (hand me the 12lb sledge) is this: If a woman in your life resists learning to defend herself, it's a better than 50/50 chance that YOU ARE APPROACHING HER ALL WRONG. You can't approach her the way you would another guy and expect her to say, "Okay, let's go." It doesn't work.

Continued in "Sheepdog Strategies, 6"