UC seminar in

Milan/Italy 27th & 28th 

May 2006

 

 

This was the 3rd UC seminar held in Italy for M.E.T.A (Metodologie e Tattiche Autoprotettive) or Methodology and Tactics of Self-Protection. This was

hosted by UC apprentice instructors Fernando and Massimiliano.

 

 The first day was a closed session for the instructors of the M.E.T.A group, topics focused on ways of improving body mechanics and striking power from a

very short range applied to our hard skill basic strikes.

 

Max and Freddy, Paulo and Christian working basic hard skills.

The rest of the session looked at applying the same said skills to a variety of situational attacks as a support system for our game plan. This included an

 in-depth look and discussion into the dynamics of the so called natural flinch response and at the way in which can employ a trained emergency cover

 or default position to that via the tactics of covering, crashing forward and countering with close quarter tools.

 

  

Freddy and Paulo working cover, crash and counter.

Next we looked at some methods of counter clinch such as dealing with a variety of one/two handed holding attacks to the clothing and throat, with the

addition of a side headlock standing and after being taken to the ground. In all cases of lost initiative, the emphasis is on applying an immediate explosive

counter response with the intention of halting the struggle and bringing the fight back to us.  This concluded the session for day one and the evening

followed with good food and great conversation. Then back to the hotel for some much needed rest.

 

Day two started with an attendance of some 20 plus students, among them were instructors and practitioners in JKD, Wing Chun, Thai boxing, fencing, body

 building and rugby.  The group was mixed with some ladies present, including two sisters, who were perfect examples of little lady/big attitude, cultivation

 of mind-set was not a problem here.  

   

Big attitude behind that elbow and hammer-fist strike. Christian and Fernando working pads.

 

The day started with an introduction and warm-up, followed by basic hard skill strikes; namely the Tiger’s claw/Slap/Hammer-fist/Elbow & Knee along

 with the fundamental development

of power and impact.  Next up was a discussion on the game plan in which I integrated into a modified version of Southnarc’s Contact Management drill. We

 then took this to the point of pre-emption employing our said hard skills. 

  

                Depiction of the Game Plan.        Working elbows and knees as our primary follow up strikes from Close Quarters.

This took us up to the point of lunch break, where I had the opportunity to meet one of Italy’s foremost knife fencers. Among the great food, nice hotel

and superb hospitality shown by my hosts Fernando and Francesca, one of the additional highlights of my weekend was a brief training session with

Sistema Scrima instructor Antonio GG Remendoni. 

Sistema Scrima instructor Antonio GG Remendoni.

Scrima is the ancient Italian word for fencing which included a more all in approach to combat.  Antonio Remendoni favours the knife, in particular some

the early family styles from Southern and Central Italy. Many of these methods are practiced secretly among families from the south and central parts of the

country.  Their styles employ typical Italian style blades, carried and favoured for duelling.  The Old Italian styles employ a variety of deceptive tricks, such

as changing hands, using the environment, tactics of enticement and also the use of the jacket and knife. One example being, to whip the jacket into the

face as you wrap it around your arm for distraction and cover, followed by an immediate thrusting attack via the very sharp point.  If necessary, further

attacks may follow from behind the jacket.  Antonio is one of the most knowledgeable people in Italy on this subject and has written a variety of manuals for

the military and law enforcement, a couple of which he kindly gave me.  I plan on a little historic research and training of my own in these Old Italian

knife styles during further visits to Milan and Venice. 

   

 

Getting to grips with clinch knees and relocating position.

 

After lunch and back to the seminar we focused on combination attacks, tactics of forward pressure and flanking to use our aggressor for cover.  We then

looked at working from a clinch as a counter-offensive from an aggressive tie-up. The final module for the day looked at fast take-downs from the clinch and

as a follow up to striking. 

 

 

A takedown is no problem if you understand leverage here a young woman neck twists a body builder at least 5 stone heavier than her to the ground. This is one of Francesca’s 2 sisters who attended the

seminar, unfortunately I didn’t manage to get any more photos than this, but all 3 girls displayed good skill backed up with a tenacious resolve.

 

Both apprentice instructors Max and Freddy took the class through a warm-down then a de-brief and group photo brought events to a successful

conclusion.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the weekend, I know I did!  Italian hospitality is among the best in Europe, very nice people who treated me

very well.  In addition to this Max and Freddy successfully sat the first two grades of their instructor’s exam, passing with no problem at all.  The

improvement among all of the META group was clearly evident particularly with Freddy and Max.  In addition to this, it is clear that  Combatives are slowly

becoming better known in Italy, thanks to the efforts of the META group.  This being the case things can only look better for the future.

Peace LM

Group class photo of our 2nd UC seminar in Milan.