Urban Combatives in Denmark :

Seminar review 19-20/3/05

I was recently contacted by a man named Vidar Thorlaksson from Slagelse (pronounced Sla-else) in Denmark and asked if I could come over and train with a group of traditional Ju-Jitsu students, in order to help them access the Combative elements of their traditional art. Here we are talking about those aspects that apply to contemporary Self-Protection in today's European society. It was refreshing in itself to see a traditional martial arts school actually acknowledging the fact that their Ju-Jitsu, like a lot of other traditional systems may indeed need to be adapted, in order to meet and counter the modern enemy.

Vidar stood up and made the statement that as beneficial as their traditional art of Tsurai Ryu Ju-Jitsu is; we still need an injection of reality based training in order to help us modernise what we already have. Now Slagelse is a small town in Denmark with perhaps no more than 4-5 martial art schools available in the whole place so as you might expect Vidar's idea was met with skeptism from the shall we say, the more old school practitioners in the surrounding area.

Inspite of this Vidar and his assistant instructor Dani Johansson (both excellent young martial artists I might add) had the vision and foresight to see that they needed to take a look at how traditional training can be made, shall we say, more applicable to today's environment. Vidar came across our website whilst surfing the net for information regarding reality based training and after about a month of communication I was on my way to Denmark . I was met by Vidar at Copenhagen airport and we made our journey by train to the sleepy town of Slagelse . I checked into my hotel and then we made our way to the gym for day one of training. The reception I received from eleven extremely enthusiastic students was both warm and welcoming. It was really nice to meet such a group of friendly and intelligent young people. After a brief introduction and overview into Combatives we went on to cover an array of fundamentals including awareness, Proxemics and the use of the fence, the importance of pre-emption and the first section of practical skills and basic strikes. Here we focused mainly on impact and pad work a vital element, usually missing from the more traditional systems.

Teaching Proxemics and situational control.

Introducing the importance of impact and pad work.

Throughout the entire training program I emphasised the importance of MINDSET and INTENTION above anything else along with the important principles of ARTIFICE (deception) and VEHEMENCE (aggression). Each student worked from a good natural fence as they went through a majority of the basic hard skills; including the Tiger's claw, Chin-jab, Ax hand, Cradle blow, Cupped hand blow and cycling hammer-fists. Each strike was isolated for impact delivery and the development of the correct body mechanics before being looped together into a variety of combination drills; emphasising continuous attack, terminating the simulated engagement with clinch knees and elbows.

Practicing the Tiger's claw.

Everyone worked hard and was developing a fair degree of impact and aggression. This pretty much took us up to lunch after which we resumed practice to work on some of the elements of situational offence e.g. dealing with some of the most common unarmed attacks should we have lost the opportunity of pre-emption and now find ourselves having to react to an aggressor's attack. We started by looking at ways of employing the basic strikes learned so far as a reaction to various one and two handed grabs. Nothing complicated here just seize one of the aggressor's hands to your body so that he can't get away and strike with the other hand until your man is down. We went on to look at the side head lock and then an offensive reaction to a multiple punching attack. In all examples practiced, just as soon as the student had a grasp of the counter methods, we take partner compliancy out of the equation and pressured what we've learnt so far. Using the multiple punching attack as an example; we start with the defending student with his back to the wall so now the only way to move is forward, while your partner throws multiple punches to your head (wearing boxing gloves or focus mits) from here the student covers his/her head by placing both palms on the crown the head, leaving your forearms and elbows covering your face and chin.

This position is never static but constantly moving and covering the entire head/facial area just like an exaggerated motion of washing your hair, as you slip your body and move your head to the left and right presenting your opponent with a harder to hit moving target. The front of your forearms and elbows deal with any frontal straight punch, while the sides of either outer arm can be closed tight to cover any angular (hook line) punches from the side. In reality you want to close him down after one or two punches are taken on the arms; and finish it from the clinch. There is a progression to this drill; first you practice like this for say 20 seconds then close him down into a clinch. This will help you to develop composure to deal with this kind of multiple punching attack.

Followed by tying up into the Thai clinch for knees.

In reality you would go for the close down as soon as the attack starts. Whether we are fending multiple punches from a skilled boxer or a wind milling Neanderthal the response is the same. Cover your head with your hands and arms presenting your opponent with only the points of your elbows and forearms to hit and drive forward to close him down as soon as the assault starts. As the aggressor throws punches strive to destroy his fists with your pointed elbows as you dive through his space and guard and clinch onto his neck.

From here finish with multiple knees to the groin and thighs; follow up as appropriate. This method combines; the cover and fend developed by CQB instructor Simon Squires as depicted in the movie clip section; along with the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) concept known as the Crazy Monkey developed by the excellent Boxing trainer Rodney King. This kind of training makes your practice so much more alive and I highly recommend it.

As well the practical drills; we finished off day one with some sit down notes and theory. This began with an in-depth discussion about some of the psychological factors associated with combat; such as understanding the effects of fear and adrenal stress, the use of deception and methods of accessing the fight state in order to apply controlled clinical aggression. This brought day one to a close and after a nice hot shower and a brief rest I was taken into town for dinner and a look at the local night life. Then it was back to the hotel for a well earned rest.

Day two started bright and early with a traditional Combatives style warm up; after which we started with a brief recap on yesterdays hard skills, looking now at various ways to apply the same basic gross motor skills to the use of improvised weapons. Here we practiced a few drills incorporating several every day items; namely a single key, a pen and a mobile phone accessing via deception followed by application of gross motor striking with maximum forward pressure and aggression.

Next we went on to look at a little counter grappling and ground work followed by an in depth look into the edged weapon threat. I will only ever teach counter weapons if I have plenty of time to present my material. This topic is not something that you can cover in a fleeting fashion as the consequences of going unarmed against a blade weapon can offer dire consequences; there is after all no guarantee for success in such a situation. Therefore the rest of the day was now dedicated to counter knife. We started with a sit down, in-depth discussion relating to edged weapon awareness.

The introduction started by giving the student an indication of the current laws in the UK and Europe regarding the carrying of such weapons and the consequences of knife related incidents i.e. serious injuries and death. From here we looked at some medical pictures depicting some of the horrific injuries that have been inflicted on victims of knife attacks including victims of slash, puncture and defensive wounds. We talked about various edged weapons by design and those that could be adapted for use as such and went on to demonstrate various methods of weapon concealment, body language and intention concluding with our options, should we find ourselves in a possible altercation where an edged weapon may be involved. If we take a look at the statistics of violent incidents involving knifes it will become apparent that it is necessary to assume that in any potential confrontational situation that you may find yourself in that there is a good chance that your potential assailant is carrying such a weapon. The thing to understand is that any knife either make shift or by design is merely a tool, even the most dangerous edged weapon is still only a tool, stick it in a draw for hundred years and it won't hurt anyone. The essential ingredient that turns the said tool into a weapon is a person's INTENTION to use it as such in such a case a mere pencil can be turned into a deadly weapon.

If we take a look at our available options we have as a starting point what is known as the 3 E's the first E is for E scape. If you find yourself in a situation where an edged weapon could be involved and you have the option, then Escape should be your first choice without any second thoughts. If you can't escape for what ever reason, then the second E is for E qualiser, this simply means that you should pick up any thing close to hand that could be used as a weapon, a stick, a brick or anything that you could hit with or throw at your assailant.

This could also be anything that could act as a shield or a barrier between you and the weapon, perhaps a brief case, a dust bin lid or even a chair, basically anything that you could use to even up the odds against you slightly. If you can't escape and you don't have an equaliser then the third E is for E liminate the threat. This is where you will have to get into that serious do or die mindset in order to take this individual out to the best of your ability.

It was here that we started to look at an array of counter weapon options. Starting with a couple of drills that work off concealment and attempted access of the weapon here we are looking for any indication that your aggressor is about to access a blade via his body langue cues. The objective is to close him down and keep striking until the man is down, before he even gets a chance to get the knife out in the first place. Next we look at how the knife can be used, nothing complicated here as Marcus Wynne says ‘'pointy part goes in, straight part goes across!'' We covered various lines of slashing and thrusting attacks over the 5 basic angles.

Then we looked at the knife fence if your attacker has the weapon drawn and is ready to attack, the situation is now pretty dire. If escape is not an option and there is no equaliser available then you will have to now do whatever it takes to eliminate the threat. With this in mind the first thing we need to do if the attack is not immediate which would require us simply to react from wherever our hands might be, is to assume a posture that will allow us maximum offensive and defensive capability, the key here is damage limitation.

The ideal posture to assume if we have time to adopt it is what we call the knife fence this is assumed by applying the following steps;

•  Angle your body (internal organs) away from your assailant.

•  Slightly hunch your shoulders forward and let your stomach sink in.

•  Keep your head and face back and away from random stabs and slashes.

•  Keep your hands, forearms and elbows close to your body to diminish target opportunities for your assailant.

•  Cup your hands with your palms facing you as this will turn all soft tissue targets such as veins, tendons and arteries in the arms away from the blade. If you are to receive a cut the backs of the forearms are the safest place, remember damage limitation.

•  Keep your knees slightly bent and flexible, your feet shoulder width apart and your body weight equally distributed on both legs.

•  Try and stay loose and relaxed and alert as possible.

Next we went onto look at some of the Counter knife drills that we practice, all of the following drills must start with the defender with his/her back to the wall so that now the only way to move is forward. Also be sure to use training weapons and eye protection for safety)

Blade fending the angles: (Drill one)

Here we practice the necessary body mechanics that will allow us to fend against the edged weapon. In all cases strive to use the backs of your forearms to do so, whilst striving to jam the weapon bearing limb, getting inside the same and finishing with ballistic striking. The first part of these drills focuses on fending the 5 angles in order of sequence using understanding and compliancy. There is no counter attacking at this point.

Blade fending the angles: (Drill two)

Here we progress to fending angles at random using exactly the same lines of attack but at a fast random and unpredictable pace.

Here we can see Vidar and a few of his students fending the basic angles of attack.

Blade fending the angles: (Drill three)

Now we practice counter attacking after each of the angles are thrown; for example in reality you would never stand there fending the blade without taking the offensive at the earliest opportunity. The two preceding drills are only used to get you familiar with the lines of attack and body language cues displayed by the attacker and also for teaching you to get inside the weapon bearing arm. Your immediate response to any attack with an edged weapon is to eliminate the threat straight away, so now we put in multiple ballistic strikes as soon as the opportunity presents itself.

Here I am demonstrating getting inside and seizing the weapon bearing limb on the first two angles. My objective from here is to end the situation as quickly as possible with ballistic striking. My disarm is created by taking away his ability to function.

This progression is taken to the point where you are using aggressive role-play, and complete non-compliancy. The following sequences were offered merely as examples to demonstrate one way of applying the principles we've just talked about i.e. fend with the backs of the arms, get inside the weapon bearing limb, seizing it where possible and finishing the opponent with ballistic strikes. When you start to work at fending the angles at random, you may well find that alternatives will come out.

Just strive to stick to the principles discussed, nothing's set in stone, there are no guarantees against the knife. Just maintain intention and will to win and you've got a chance.

Here are a couple of the guys putting this practice into good effect.

As I said once you've got behind the line of attack and seized the limb you must follow up for all you're worth with ballistic strikes but sometimes something else may come out, in this case a fish hook take down.

After practicing the said drills we concluded the day with a little scenario training in this case incorporating a knife hold up threat. The thing to bear in mind here is that if you maintain a high state of alertness that will allow you to maintain awareness of your environment and of everyone and everything within it, then the chances of you finding yourself in this kind of situation before putting your game plan into action are remote. We will therefore assume that you have been caught unawares (not the ideal) and will now have to make the best of the situation that you find yourself in. Bear in mind that your body's natural initial reaction to this kind of threat especially if caught by surprise will be adrenal dump.

If you are to react with anything significant enough to regain the initiative, you will first have to get over that. Your only possible saving grace here is that if the aggressor wanted you cut he would almost certainly take advantage of the element of surprise and just cut you. The fact that he has instead brought the knife to your attention in a threatening manner indicates that he wants something from you, your wallet, your watch even your car keys.

Now in such a case it is not for me to tell you whether or not you should give up your valuables in the hope he will let you go or if you should take him out of the game right there and then, that is your own personal decision. With that said we should all agree that no amount of possessions, are worth our life. But don't rely on the fact that, if you give up your wallet that your attacker won't still cut you, he might statistics indicate that it happens. Remember the saying ‘'the shower rarely stabs'' ‘'the stabber rarely shows!'' is not set in stone. He may still attack out of panic or sheer malice you never can tell. If we've come this far and a physical response is the only decision to make, one example being if he wants to take you somewhere else or get you into a vehicle in which case NEVER go to a secondary location it is almost a certainty they he will carry out his intentions if you do so. My advice would be to finish it right there and then with everything you've got its time to ELIMINATE the threat. You need to take on board a couple of principles first.

•  Clear the weapon from its line of attack, in this case held against your throat.

•  Seize the bearing arm and maintain grip until it's over.

•  Create pain quickly through any means and keep attacking until there's no more threat.

The two examples we looked at put all of these principles put into practice there is no rigidity to the strikes you use just hit hard and stick to the principles. Here I explained that I am not going to cover an infinite number of ways that the knife could be held against your person; the purpose is not to accumulate techniques, it is about using what tools you've got and being flexible enough to adapt from where you are. First we looked at the hold up threat from the front up against a wall then a hold up threat from behind. This concluded the course from a practical sense we then had a debrief, Q&A session and finished with a few photos. All in all everyone enjoyed the training just as much as I enjoyed teaching it and each and every student went home with some logical ideas for making their traditional art more adaptable for the street. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Vidar and all of his students who took part for all their efforts and warm hospitality.

Peace…

Group class photo.