Bookmark Website  | Free Registration  | The Team
The Lounge  | Champions  | The Wire |  Schedule |  Audio  |  Arcade  |  The Top Ten  |  Historical  |  Email  |  Video

COMBATIVES A Rose by Any Other Name?....Part 2


The advent of World War One (the war to END all wars) brought warfare into a new and foreboding era of man to man killing and slaughter. Air power, mechanized warfare, chemical warfare and the general widespread use of machine guns changed the face of battle almost completely. However the solitary fact remained that in the end it was STILL man against man in a desperate, brutal and deadly struggle for survival. The static and stagnant lines created by entrenched warfare demanded new and innovative tactics and strategies. Among these was the advent of "raiding" parties. Small groups of lightly armed men who ventured out into "no man's land" for the purpose of recon, probing, intelligence, prisoner grabs, and psychological "demoralization" missions. The nature of fighting under these conditions became popularized as "trench warfare". This was close-in knife to belly hand to hand combat. All manner of expedient, purpose designed and improvised close-combat weaponry was employed. While technological advances were being made in all other forms of warfare, this particularly nasty and vicious man to man fighting reverted to the most barbaric, primitive and bloody "methods" imaginable. Just as it has been since Cain slew Abel and how it WILL be until the last two humans clench fists or seize stones in raging anger during the final melee of the Apocalypse.

Fostered by this, most military forces researched, developed and implemented fairly comprehensive and rigorous training methods specific to close-combat and "trench fighting". The bayonet, the knife(especially the trench knife), and hand to hand combat became prime training doctrines along with advancements in general physical conditioning and battle preparation. The unarmed hand to hand methods were drawn from any and ALL sources of man to man combat. Boxing, wrestling, Savate, jiujitsu, and any number of "rough and tumble" gouge and kick back alley tactics were employed. Those charged with the task of developing such training programs were well AWARE of the fact that NO ONE SINGLE "approach" to combat was SUFFICIENT in REAL man to man kill or be killed battle!

Punching, kicking, striking, butting, stomping, biting, gouging, throwing, tripping, choking, strangling, bone breaking and the use of ANY and ALL weapons of close combat expediency were STRESSED! The foregoing should satisfy and fulfill anyone's "definition" of MIXED martial tactics and techniques (even if Muay Thai or more accurately Siamese boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu were not included). And to be fair, I do have English language books circa the late 1920's - early 1930's that detail Siamese boxing quite well. As an aside, one manual details the "favorite" attacks of Siamese style boxers as being directed at the liver with brutal kicks and at the throat while grasping the hair with one hand and smashing the throat with the other fist (gloves were NOT worn at this time). The liver attack was lethal in many cases because of the widespread epidemic of malaria which left the spleen swollen and distended even if you survived and made it a deadly focal point of attack. DEATHS occurred DAILY in these matches and were considered just a routine hazard of the "trade".

The years after WWI saw an increase in self-protection "systems" designed for and "marketed" to the average citizen. Law Enforcement organizations also began to pay more heed to this area of training. This was just part of a movement to increase the professionalism of law enforcement personnel in general. Virtually ALL of these "systems" advocated an all-around well-balanced approach to personal combat. Elements of boxing, wrestling, foot-fighting and jiu-jitsu as a "mixed" toolbox of personal defense tactics became quite popular. Even methods that relied primarily on western boxing and wrestling maneuvers acknowledged that a well rounded combatant MUST be able to BOTH strike effectively as well as grapple. Other methods that touted "jiu-jitsu" as a singular answer to personal attack and defense were advocating a "jiu-jitsu" THAT was quite comprehensive in it's syllabus of blows, strikes, kicks and grappling methods. It would be VERY good to remember here, that for all the "talk" about W.E. Fairbairn, during this period the Shanghai Municipal Police academy trained their recruits in BOXING - WRESTLING and JIU-JITSU! OR as one veteran of the SMP put it????????."our training in this area was a MIXED BAG of physical skills"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There was virtually NO "authority" or "expert" in this field who DID NOT advocate a "MIX" of striking/kicking and grappling either as a combined "method" or as found singularly as in "real" Japanese jiu-jitsu. When it was "for all the marbles" NO ONE would be as short-sighted as to negate ANY and ALL possible methods of attack and defense. As far an "aliveness" training goes, jiu-jitsu (NOT Kodokan Judo) "free practice" of this period allowed virtually ANYTHING. Including atemi to almost ALL kyusho points, including the testicles, base of skull etc. The ONLY "advisement" proffered was NOT to hit so HARD as to KILL your training partner, SAVE that for "matches" against OTHER jiu-jitsu schools!

ONLY in the arena of sporting combat did this division of method, pitting one against another, become a somewhat popular past time. Matching wrestlers against boxers, either of the two against jiu-jitsu men, or Savate fighters against boxers (Biddle fought in such a match while in Paris) was done under a constantly varying set of rules so that it became virtually impossible to ever really determine what "method" was superior, and even then, as some sportswriters of the time pointed out, what did ANY of this have to do with REAL fighting when NO rules applied. Even Jigoro Kano's nephew got involved in promoting these types of matches between western boxers and native Japanese Judoka. They were called "JU (as in Judo/Jujutsu) - KEN/KENTO (as in fist or fist-fighting)". Even Choki Motobu when asked if his Kempo-Karate was "superior" to boxing (after his KO of a western style pugilist) said that in order for his "method" to be used against a boxer specialized training specific for that type of match would have to be undertaken. Judoka interested in these JU-KENTO bouts sought out SPECIFIC instruction in just HOW to make Judo work against boxing. An entire book on this subject was published in Japan in the early 30's. It is of the UTMOST importance to remember that ALL of these bouts had strict rules and regulations of engagement! Few if any of these mandates would have had much bearing on what one could do in a real pier-six back alley brawl. As an example: Judoka were almost ALWAYS forbidden to use any methods of ATEMIWAZA (striking, punching, kicking, butting and smashing). However, Judo "experts" of the time have advocated often and in their writings that ATEMI would be the MOST preferable method of attack and defense in a serious engagement.

The bottom line here is simply this: for use in a REAL violent assault NO ONE, but an utter FOOL, would suggest an attitude or method approaching anything LESS than that of an ALL-IN "anything goes" doctrine. In regards to "sporting combats" NOTHING was ever, or could ever be, conclusively proven to be superior to anything else. At one time or another ANY of these various "methods" had BOTH big and impressive WINS and equally impressive FAILURES.

Next installment we'll look at the World War Two era and define the true meaning of the term "combatives"??????

2005 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement and military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl's ranks and honors.

Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsuRyokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John BurrelleGodan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu SadaNidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi SuzukiShodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada YonezukaShodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu AikijujutsuInstructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelsonhttp://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Mixed martial arts a family affair for Fagliers
The Augusta Chronicle
For the Fagliers, mixed martial arts has always been a family business. “I was in his corner and now he's in my corner,” Jason Faglier Jr. said of his father, Jason Faglier. The elder Faglier competed in various martial arts events through the years, ...

and more »


Martial arts academy reopens after April 27th tornado
Alabama's13.com
Martial arts students in Tuscaloosa are having class for the first time in their new studio. The original Bailey's Tiger Rock Martial Arts Academy was in the direct path of the April twenty-seventh tornado. The business was destroyed and the owner had ...



MedPage Today

Fighters Need Padded Gear to Cut Head Injury
MedPage Today
For instance, angular velocity and angular momentum transfer were decreased with the use of boxing gloves rather than mixed martial arts gloves because of a shorter duration of contact (0.0073 seconds versus 0.0143 seconds), according to Adam J.
Risks of traumatic neuromechanical injury associated with boxing and mixed ...EurekAlert (press release)

all 2 news articles »


Martial arts gran wants kids to get fit
icLanarkshire - East Kilbride News
Phyllis' teacher, Derek Daly, has trained with Tai Chi masters in China and was one of the first Scottish members on the British Council of Martial Arts. Phyllis says Tai Chi has helped her rediscover her youth and now she wants to encourage people, ...
Fluid movements define tai chiThe News-Press

all 2 news articles »


Pittsburgh Post Gazette

'I Am Bruce Lee' explores the power and struggles of martial arts legend
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
By Tony Norman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Bruce Lee was just achieving superstardom as a martial arts movie star when he died at 32 in 1973. A quality documentary about the life of Bruce Lee has been both inevitable and a long time coming.
New documentary explores the stylish paradoxes of Bruce LeeGlobe and Mail
An homage to legend, legacy of Bruce LeeAZ Central.com
Bruce Lee documentary honors legend in Year of the DragonOSU - The Lantern
SF Weekly (blog) -CBC.ca -Cincinnati CityBeat
all 12 news articles »


Martial Arts: Cage fighter Craven has a national title in his sights
This is Grimsby
WALTHAM mixed martial arts fighter Andy Craven is ready to unleash his potential when he bids for a national title. The 20-year-old member of Humberston's Fight Ministry gym will fight for the vacant 10th Legion Under-66kg bantamweight title on March ...

and more »


Nutley: The Introduction to Martial Arts Program
NorthJersey.com (press release)
Interim Mayor Mauro G. Tucci announced the addition of Martial Arts to the lineup of Recreation Programs that are currently offered to Nutley residents beginning March 3 for six weeks. Classes will be held Saturday mornings at the Recreation Department ...

and more »


Baize survivors carry on with martial arts studio
Clarksville Leaf Chronicle
The Baize Martial Arts School continues its legacy. From left are Brian Baize, grappling coach; Amy Miller, program director; Betsy Baize, owner, and David Baize, head coach. / CONTRIBUTED PHOTO When David Baize, respected Sensei and founder of the ...



Martial Arts: Danny lands English crown amid Strike Team trophy haul
This is Grimsby
Daniel Balch achieved a first-place finish, and a runners-up spot, at the World United Martial Arts Federation English Championships in Birmingham. SILVERWARE: Grimsby Freestyle Kickboxing Club members who took part in the first leg of the Boston ...

and more »


Dan Henderson to be first guest on Spike TV's new mixed martial arts magazine ...
Pro MMA Now
New York, NY, February 9, 2012 – Dan Henderson, one of mixed martial arts' all time greats, will serve as the first guest on Spike TV's new primetime mixed martial arts magazine show, “Spike's MMA Uncensored Live,” on Thursday, February 23 at 11:00pm ...


Google News


Advertisement



Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us

Copyright 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved.