The Rare Gang

On the occasions you delivered the perfect strike; blocked without the need to think or performed a near flawless kata, did it feel difficult? Or did you get the sense it happened by itself? The ‘zone’ is a place where athletes describe this sort of experience. Studies suggest its a state of ‘effortless merging of action and awareness’. So what stops us from getting there? Factors such as stress or attempts to try harder can interfere. Often our efforts to train harder result in unnecessary muscular responses that prevent us reaching the effortless state of the zone.

How you perform a technique and how much effort you use depends on how you have done it before. The process of repeating a technique many times lays down the pattern at a subconscious level until it can be executed with minimal thought. But can you be sure that what you have learnt is the most efficient? Try these two experiments.

Experiment 1

1. Fold your arms and look to see which hand is tucked.

2. Now reverse the pattern, fold them the opposite way.

3. Notice the difference and your reaction to it.

The pattern in step 1 is your habitual ‘folding the arms’ programme that is activated without conscious thought and will feel familiar and comfortable. The pattern in step 2 requires some thought to achieve and will probably feel wrong, as this is different from your usual preference. This shows how strong the force of habit can be. Not only does it select the pattern of the movement in step 1 but also determines what feels right and wrong in relation to position and movement. There is nothing wrong with the pattern in step 2, but is it a move you would choose to do automatically? Probably not, because you will only perform movements that feel right. However, when you do what feels right you engage habitual movement patterns; those performed often enough to establish the habit.

Experiment 2

1. Sit on a chair and get ready to stand up.

2. Before you move, observe what preparations you want to make. Do you hold your breath? Do you push forward with the lower back and raise the chest? Do the muscles in your neck stiffen and pull back the head? Do you feel the need to push with your hands on your legs? Spend a little time to study this before attempting the next step.

3. Now try to stand up from the chair without doing what you have just noted (it may be necessary to ask someone to observe your actions to give you feedback). How far can you execute the move before one, or all of these patterns appear?

To successfully execute the last step can be difficult because the usual preparations you make are a part of your habitual ‘getting out of a chair’ program and are ready to go before you even begin to move. You would not attempt to start the move until the familiar conditions such as the sensation of muscle tension associated with the act are present. From a mechanical point of view the common actions mentioned in the second step actually reduce the efficiency of the movement. If your preparation and subsequent actions for this exercise are unnecessary, why do you do them?

Do the techniques of your martial art contain inefficient movements? Do they feel right because they are good or purely because they are a comfortable habit?

THE ZONE

It is my belief that our natural state is to be in the zone. Diligent practice of the martial arts can help us to experience this shift of consciousness. The zone is an altered state where things can happen with little or no perceived effort. In these moments our response appears to precede conscious thought and is executed near to perfection; right timing, right effort and entirely appropriate to the situation.

I am sure we have all experienced moments like this. For example, in one competition I scored ippon with a jodan mawashi geri to the side of my opponents exposed face. Afterwards my opponent congratulated me on my technique commenting he didn’t see it coming, to which I could honestly reply, “Neither did I”. I was only aware of the execution of the technique once my leg has started its recoil. Where had it come from? At some level my senses had registered the target, selected the most appropriate technique, fired it off, made the lightest of contact and started the recovery before I had become aware of it! This was probably my ‘finest hour’. But how can we be capable of such remarkable feats one moment and be totally incompetent the next - I lost the next round and was appallingly slow.

Whilst the patterns (techniques) residing at a subconscious level can be called upon with incredible speed and effectiveness, I believe this can only happen if we are in a balanced state. Another word for this is poise, this is not to be confused with posture. Poise is a state of totally appropriate activity, both at a muscular and ‘mental’ level. When we are in this state there is ‘optimum integration of the postural reflexes, consciousness and appropriate use of learnt patterns’. That is, we can get out of the way and let the processes just happen. Nerves, tension and stress will interfere with this process if we allow ourselves to react negatively to these situations such as stiffening the neck, an action that will impede the balance reflexes. Likewise, over-confidence has a similar affect of preventing the unity of self and action as, in my view, it will reduce our level of alertness and state of readiness. The ego really should be left at the door of the dojo!

So perhaps to heighten our chances of getting into the zone we need to focus on ‘being in the moment’. Only by being consciously aware of the moment or ‘the here and now’ can we ensure inappropriate muscular activity is not present in our actions. This takes time and involves going back to some very basic movements (pre-martial art techniques) such as everyday simple activities and zazen to experience a stillness and awareness that will help in more demanding activities.

Roy Palmer is a teacher of The Alexander Technique and has studied performance enhancement in sport for the last 10 years. In 2001 he published a book called ‘The Performance Paradox: Challenging the conventional methods of sports training and exercise’ and is currently working on a new project about The Zone. More information about his unique approach to training can be found at www.fitness-programs-for-life.com

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There has been much outcry over the recent popularity of so called “reality fighting” such as UFC (the Ultimate fighting Championship), KOTC (Kings of the Cage), Extreme Fighting, Shoot, Pride and Pancrase.

Typical comments from a perspective of ignorance include;

“bloodletting for our amusement”

“brutal and bloodthirsty streetfighting with no rules”

“legalised brawling encouraging violence”

The reality is that modern “extreme” or “reality” fighting is a contact sport with rules to protect competitors and is basically a blend of boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, judo and other martial arts which have been around for a long time, so why the outcry all of a sudden?

Many cynics believe that, as usual, it all comes down to money! In recent years boxing, once one of the most lucrative and popular spectator sports, has been suffering dwindling audiences and poor pay-for-view results. The last thing boxing needed was a serious competitor like the UFC for instance. In fact many boxing pundits lambasted the UFC in the early days convincing many that it was too dangerous and brutal to be licensed - they succeeded in having UFC competitions banned in many US states on this premise.

The reality however is somewhat different, when UFC and other “reality” fighting events are compared to boxing (or any other contact or physical sport like rugby, American Football, horseriding, skiing etc) the results speak for themselves.

Not only has there NEVER been a fatality associated with “reality fighting” there has also never even been a serious crippling or permanent injury to the fighters. It was a serious travesty when the boxing community succeeded originally in having UFC banned on the gounds of safety when you look at the number of deaths and permanent injury to many boxers!

It has been said recently that the reason there has not been a fatal injury (yet) in “reality fighting” competitions, is because of the relatively few competitors when compared to boxers, however this was recently tragically disproved with the first death of a female boxer with a total only 2,200 female boxers registered.

The cumulative blunt trauma injuries caused by repeated punching to the head with competitors wearing heavily padded gloves is without doubt the biggest cause of fatal and permanent injuries to boxers - this simply does not happen in “reality” events as competitors wear either no gloves or very lightly padded gloves which will not allow fighters to punch to the head round after round without hand injury.

To find out more about modern reality fighting
fighting news to discover self defense
secrets the special forces dont want you to know check out real self defence
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After years of study, I have come to a small understanding of the way of strategy. I will here explain some strategy as it applies to warrior-citizens. Seek whatever truth you may find here, then continue on your search for enlightenment.

In the broad view, a warrior must uphold the values of his or her society to be of any honorable use. We all depend on one another. The warrior must quell disorder, promote peace, and cultivate character. In practicing the ways of war, one has an obligation to not use them in an illegal or immoral fashion.

Let us now consider fighting tactics. First, we must understand self defense. It goes without saying that one should exercise caution in the use of force. Awareness must have the highest priority.

In self defense, one must be able to read the situation and potential adversary. Pay attention to the neighborhood, your own mental and physical state, as well as the mental state of potential attackers. One can never be too careful. When visiting a new area, stay in well lit areas that seem safe. Also try to find good information on the right places to stay if you are going to be in town for a while.

There are many magazine and internet articles on the uses of makeshift weapons, and endless articles on disarming a mugger. It is important to note that while such magazines are easy to come across, not all of them are realistic, nor are any of them a substitute for actual hands-on defense training. At best, they may be a supplement to such training from a true instructor. The broken rhythm of fighting, the form without form, and the warrior’s mindset are difficult to learn without guidance.

However, remember that there is never enough thought given to proper timings. Blend with or break the opponent’s energy, rhythm, or attitude. Read the timing and habit of the opponent. This is applied to hand to hand combat, large scale combat, and overall strategy. Study timing and movement well.

In life, stay truthful to yourself and loved ones. Take the most honorable course of action in every situation; your enemy today may become your ally tomorrow. Your best friend can be your worst enemy because he or she knows the most about you. It is in this case you must treat them as honorably as possible. Also remember that what protects and upholds you today may hinder you tomorrow. Watch carefully, ask questions, and do not ever stop learning. This will be your lifelong progress, and contribution.

The author lives in Lake City, South Carolina, where he teaches at his Wado ryu Karate school. Please see Johnston Wado ryu Karate for more information.

Defences against Knife attacks, Firstly if at all possible get yourself and anyone else out of the potential danger area…..RUN AWAY.

Yes you heard right, run away. This is not a cowards way out, this is sensible. After all your potential assailant could be on drugs or just plain crazy. Nobody needs a dead hero.

However if you can’t get away or you are cornered, try to talk your way out of the situation, tell the guy what he wants to hear or give him what he wants, if it’s a mugging, but only if you think this will pacify him…

Let me explain. If it is apparent that your assailant is going to stab you whether you give him all your money or not then you must do something about the situation before this happens, either way you may get stabbed. Thats why this is a last resort and only attempted if YOU are certain he is going to attack you no matter what.

It’s a judgement call that only you can make and if you ever do end up in that situation it won’t be easy.

So, you’re in that nightmare situation. How do you tackle him ?

Do you use the knife defences you learned in your martial arts classes ? I hope not because you’ll very soon be bleeding to death if your assailant has any idea how to use the knife.

I tried an experiment about 5 years ago now with my training partner who is very fast with his hands and can handle a knife. We used a dummy knife (Thankfully) with some red ink on the end of it and I wore a white Gi.

I had at this time been training in the martial arts for about 16 years and had learned many many knife defences from many different styles so I was sure that whatever he came at me with I would be able to handle it.

He moved the knife very quickly from hand to hand and attacked from a variety of angles, slashing, lunging and really going for it. I successfully disarmed him several times, but each time he had also stabbed me several times (This is why the Police and Prison service use riot shields and several officers when dealing with knife attackers).

We worked this scenario using all the knife defences we had both learned from many different styles over the years but the one factor that kept coming up was the fact that this was simulating a real situation, so the attacker wasn’t in stance and didn’t come with a single attack in a straight line, he’d attack several times from any angle very fast.

What we were looking for was something that kept your vital organs as far away from the knife as possible whilst allowing you to attack the assailant.

Here’s what we came up with: (This is just my opinion, based on over 20 years martial arts experience, and this one worked time after time. But remember only use as a last resort)

First you must take your attackers mind off what he’s thinking about (I.e. stabbing you !) ………Spit in his face, not nice but remember this guy wants to stab you !

This gives you a fraction of a second to move.

Next, drop to your side, fast ! (Side breakfall) As you do this hook one of your feet round the back of his front foot and with your other foot, stamp hard onto the front of his knee. This will either snap or dislocate it (Again not nice but this guys going to stab you !) It also doesn’t matter too much if you miss with the hook as you can still get the stamp in on the knee.

Either disarm him while he’s on the floor and wait for the Police or just get out of there, he won’t chase you.

The fall and hook take some practice to get fast but it’s worth it as this is one well worth having in your arsenal.

Any comments or feedback would be welcomed

Paul Swift has been a student of Martial Arts for 22 years attaining the grades of:

5th Dan Karate Jitsu

3rd Dan Ju Jitsu

1st Dan Freestyle Karate

1st Degree Tiger Claw Kung Fu

Also studied the following arts without taking any grades:
Boxing, Muay Thai, JKD, Wrestling.

More information of this subject and martial arts in general can be found at: http://www.make-your-martial-art-grow.com

I received a returned video from a well meaning, but severely misguided, former customer. This is a rarity since over the past 2 plus years and hundreds upon hundreds of videos shipped; I can only count 3 returns. One was unopened, one included a note that the recipient thought the videos would be something else, but he intended to buy the rest of the videos we offered, hmmm smells a little fishy (incidentally, this person has been banned from buying anything from us again). And lastly, this well-meaning person. The note inside prompted me to write this article. He identified himself that he was an orange belt in Krav Maga and that he has been instructed to “relax” and be loose during a life or death struggle. Now, I have not trained in Krav Maga nor do I know anything about the modern version of it. My focus is on the “relaxing” strategy; which I have heard from a variety of different “experts” during my 30 plus on the mat.

For efficiency of movement and economy of energy, there is NO DOUBT, that being relaxed is better. In combative sport it is essential that you conserve your energy and use it when an opportunity presents its self. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works when your neck is on the line. There are two instances that “relaxing” in a real fight can happen. The first is you have had hundreds of life and death confrontations. This allows you to be inoculated against the stress (some times). In that case, I want to meet you. Now it is IMPOSSIBLE to replicate fighting for your life in training. You can get intense, but it’s not even close. Because deep down, you know you’re not going to die, no matter how intense you train.

The second is you’re a sociopath. In that case you should be arrested.
Let’s look at a non-fighting example:

Most of us drive, some better than others. When you’re driving and you get cut off, what happens? A shot of adrenalin and your moving before you can even think about it. Your hear rate increases, you start to breathe rapidly and you spit out the nearest obscenity. Are you “Relaxed?” Most of us drive EVERYDAY. If it’s something as mundane as driving (unless you’re driving with Clint, in that case it IS a life or death situation) why aren’t you able to RELAX when you are about to crash? Simple, because you realize that your life is at risk and your body prepares for the worst. And there’s NOTHING you can do about it. Now don’t start telling me about some Grand Dragon Wizard Master. I’m talking about you.

Here’s another example:

First responders, people who deal with life and death regularly, Fire Fighters, EMT’s, Police and Soldiers all get that gut-churning feeling when they know SOMEONE’S life is at stake. No matter how many times they go to a call, they get the same feeling. That’s why training is simple, routine and repeated thousands of times. You need to perform common tasks during uncommon circumstances. And this is the ONLY way to do it. It’s only your training that prepares you. And it’s the repetition of high percentage techniques that will save you at that critical moment. It has to be instinct. During these times, your body is only going to allow you to perform certain functions. Relaxing is not one of them, pissing your self is. On the site I talk about the effects of your body’s mobilization for battle (www.how2fight.com). These are biological functions you can not over ride. IT IS AUTOMATIC.

This is where combat sport and real combat part ways. No matter what is “allowed” in competition, you know the other guy is not going to kill you. It doesn’t matter if it’s the UFC or the Olympics, you may get beat up, but you won’t get dead. You will be nervous, tense, and even scared. But deep down you know that if you get into trouble, the fight will be stopped. This is ALL the difference. Men like Carl Cestari, Charlie Nelson, W.E. Fairbairn, EA Sykes, Biddle, Applegate and others all experienced this first hand. Even Bruce Lee talked about using the “straight blast” when really pressed. Why not use the straight blast EVERY time?

This is the value of the videos @ www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com are why they are so successful with military, police and seasoned martial artists. They know the difference.

When you fight for your life your body operates in a way that is beyond your control. You need to train in such a way that allows you to operate in this “zone”. Did you know that a typical adrenaline blast lasts only 30 seconds? Then you need about 3 minute to “reboot”. That is a lifetime when you are fighting the unknown. Weapons, multiple assailants, broken bottles on the ground, snow, sleet- all must be factored in. Standing toe to toe and practicing your contrived techniques….where does this happen. Even trying to practice your breathing is ludicrous (not the rapper, that’s ludakris). How many first hand accounts start with “He came out of no where” or “he suddenly appeared”. If you see him or “mark” him, chances are he will pick another victim. He will come out of no where!
The other element that should be mentioned is your assailant. Personally, I train for the meanest, toughest SOB I can imagine. I picture him appearing at my door. I think about him coming into the door of my dojo and only one of us is going home. And I guarantee you, if some one is standing between me and my family- there’s no question of the outcome. Incidentally, you should feel the same way too. It’s easy to practice to beat your training partner; it’s easy to do something on your friends or even the local blow-hard down at the pub. That’s 70% of the world. You should worry about that psycho 1% and let the other 99% take care of its self.
If you think that you ARE trained you will be surprised what happens when you are in this situation. You never think you are going to act the way you think you are.

True story: Famous Okinawan Karate man, was serving as a Marine in Viet Nam. This person had trained in Okinawa under Choki Mobotu for several years prior to his deployment in Vietnam. During his training with Mobotu he endured endless hours of makiwara training and bogu fighting. During a firefight in Viet Nam the conflict degraded in to hand to hand. As I am hearing the story, I was waiting to hear how he decimated a V.C. Platoon with a reverse punch, I mean real “One shot- one kill”. Since grenades was all he had left and they were too close to throw them, he proceeded to bash people in the head with the grenades. After that, did he start knocking dead with a front kick, no he proceeded to use his helmet as a club and smash guys the enemy in the face. Was his training a waste of time? Definitely not, in fact, it was probably his training that gave him the stones to do what he did. Did he ever imagine his reaction, no. But it worked. The point is even if you think you’re “trained, you won’t know what will happen when your life is on the line. When your gross motor skills kick in and you CAN’T EVEN SPEAK, do you think you will be able to “RELAX”.

©2005 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

Damian Ross is the owner of Zenshin and instructor of Tekkenryu jujutsu and Kodokan Judo. He started competing in the combative sport of wrestling in 1975 at the age of 7 and began his study of Asian martial arts with Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do at the age of 16 in 1984. In 1989, Shinan Cestari gave a seminar at Sensei Ross’s dojo. Sensei Ross has trained under Shinan Cestari’s direction ever since. In addition to Tekkenryu Jujutsu, Judo and Tae Kwon Do, Sensei Ross has also studied Bando. Sensei Ross continues his study of Judo under the direction of 8th degree black belt Yoshisada Yonezuka and Tekkenryu Jujutsu under it’s founder, Carl Cestari. Below are is a list of some of his title ranks

Yodan (fourth degree black belt) Tekkenryu Jujutsu under Carl Cestari
Shodan (First degree black belt) Kodokan Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Varsity Wrestling Lehigh University under Thad Turner
2nd Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do
http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

It’s a question that we went back and forth with for awhile ourselves many moons ago. The “how” and “why” of our conclusions may be of some interest. Whether or not anyone agrees with them, well at the least you’ll fully understand the basis for them.

The question is this:

Why does Fairbairn stress the straight thumb in line with the barrel, even for one handed shooting?

Years ago when we first began our attempt to sort out the mechanics, methods and reasoning behind this type of shooting we had the exact same question! It really is an excellent question.

We need a little history here. When a group of us started to “experiement” with this method of shooting we had all been indoctrinated and trained in one or both of the prevailing “practical” shooting methods extant. One being the “cutting edge method” of the time, that owing to Jeff Cooper and the methods being taught at Gunsite. The other being the fairly standard FBI clone known as the “Practical Pistol Course”. Most police recruit training of this period emphasized the PPC tactical course of fire over any other method, including the much touted “Weaver”. Full sight alignment, “positive” grip with a two-hand “isoceles”, barricade firing with both single and double action(most departments carried wheel guns) all done at varying distancesand various battery firing positions. The only time ANYTHING approaching “instinct” shooting was even mentioed was at the six foot range distance when passing commentary went something like…….”Maybe you won’t be able to get the gun all the way up, so……………”

This was the prevailing situation at that time for those interested in “combat” or “practical” shooting either by vocation or hobby. To make matters worse, MOST if not all “civilian” instruction STILL was based on the old “Olympic” style of competitve target work.

Now REMEMBER this was at a time when specially trained units like ESU or SWAT were still in their infancy! And William Shatner’s ONLY claim to fame was as Captain Kirk. When cops went on a job they were fully expected to handle it. ONLY the most EXTREME situations were responded to by “something” resembling a special tactics unit. At BEST most departments had only a semi-organized squad of “hats and bats”, and that was it. So the street cop responded to EVERY type of call and was FULLY expected to handle whatever emergency arose.

So that gamut runs from Bank alarms, to convenience store robberies, to building, warehouse and residential searches, from alleyways and stairwells to rooftops and basements. Sometimes you creep and sometimes you run. Sometimes you know there’s a potential threat, sometimes it just leaps out at you. Sometimes there is plenty of light(good and bad), sometimes just a dim streetlight near an alleyway that YOU have to clean out. Sometimes, and more often than not, there is NO real light, just dark. And shadows!

Search a warehouse for a suspect and you may get shot from a distance, from behind cover or concealment. Search an apartment building or private residence for a suspect and you may get shot from “sneezing” distance. You may see the threat and “prepare’ yourself, or maybe the threat just SPRINGS out at you. Maybe the badguy is in front of you, maybe he’s lurking and creeping just there behind you.

Maybe it’s a car stop gone bad. Maybe it’s a “nut” who approaches YOU while you’re in a patrol unit sipping coffee and shooting the shit with your partner. Maybe you’re off duty.

The point is this: In the real world ANYTHING can and probably WILL happen. As bad as it gets, is about as BAD as it WILL GET.

Now add THIS: Will you be wounded, injured, or in someway incapacitated, less than at optimum ability. Will you be firing your duty weapon, or will you be using your “back up” or has the shit degenerated to the degree that you have to use your last ditch “hide out” piece. I’ve known situations where an officer has HAD to grab and use one of the “downed” perps weapons, to save his wounded partners life. What POSITION will you be in when all hell breaks loose? Maybe you CAN’T run for cover, maybe there is NO cover. You can do everything RIGHT and still die, and you can do everything WRONG and survive. Life’s kinda crazy that way.

The obvious part of this, at least to an open-minded and “thinking” individual is that it IS impossible to train and/or prepare for EVERY situation, every contingency. Can’t BE DONE.

What CAN be done is to figure out what method or system of training will GIVE YOU the BEST all around overall preparation for survival.

The “PPC” wasn’t the answer, and neither was Copper’s “Modern Pistolcraft”. Something was missing.

A round about way to answer a single question, huh? Well without understanding the genesis or the seed that all of this begins with and the “base” of experience that FORCED certain questions to be asked and answered the whole point will be missed. The “straw man” arguements will flair up, and the whole “thing” will turn into a pile of shit. And NO one will learn a goddamn thing.

The group of men that formed the core of our “cadre” so to speak were mostly cops drawn together initially by interests in other areas than firearms. Most I had met thru my martial arts training, some were from the “iron” pit(what a shithole, I loved it), some we met at competitive “practical” matches. We had at one time or another guys from local, state, and federal agencies. A tremendous amount of experience and the desire to really “train” was the bond(not the shaker joints and sundries). A rare quality for cops in those days.

So we weren’t stumbling in the dark here. We had the access, time, opportunity and means(most of us were single and making a pretty good payday) to really travel, and train. And….get in a whole helluva lot of range time. There was one point where at any given time I had several 5 gallon pails filled with spent brass in my trunk waiting for their weekly drop off at my buddy who was a reloading fanatic. With no real responsibilty in life you can live PRETTY LARGE(right Boyoo?).

Frank Behlert(remember him?) still had his old shop on Lehigh Ave. in Union. That was a great hub of activity and a great place to meet all sorts of interesting characters. It was also one of the first places that really took an actice role in pushing the “practical” shooting matches in the metro area.

Now when some street “cherries” or FNG’s get out of the academy and hit the streets they clam up tighter than an asshole in a bath house. Sometimes it is good to just shut the fuck up and keep your eyes and ears open. But by the same token, if you don’t ask you don’t learn. So when ever a dicey situation arose I would always “debrief”(sometimes that took on a WHOLE ‘nother meaning) myself and sort out what went “good”, what went “bad”, what could have been done better and what could have hit the fan. If I needed to question something I did. Still do.

Alot of the older cops were really playing the old “salty dawg”. 30 years and a wake up and the papers were in and off to Florida they went. Probably to drop dead of heart failure in a year. Life sucks and then you die, or life sucks, you relocate to Florida and THEN you die. Doesn’t matter, end result the same.

Still these guys were a TREMENDOUS source of knowledge. On a whole RANGE of “police” related subjects. Most, if not all of these men were combat vets of WWII or Korea. So when I had a question I asked. If my screwy facial expression betrayed my disbelief at the answer, I usually heard the following refrain(if I had a dime……),
“Listen wet nose, that’s the square, the real deal, just remember I got more time in the shithouse than you have on the road”……followed invariably by…….”So just shut the FUCK up and learn”. Well as things go, I never did learn to shut the fuck up, but I did learn.

“They teach you what they teach in the academy ’cause they got to”…………………………”The street has it’s own rules, and only the street really knows what the hell those are”. Rule # 1 - CYA. Rule # 2 - Never EVER forget rule # 1.

So where does this lead us? Well, this attitude between what is “percieved” as real and what really is REAL caused us to constantly question, examine, and re-examine everything we were “taught” to do against everything we “really” DID.

The bulbs really began flashing when we got hold of a copy of “Kill or Get Killed” followed by “Shooting to Live”. At first we all, myself included, looked at these old pictures, drawings and “dust covered” verbiage as absolutely outdated, “know what I did during the BIG ONE……………” bullshit! But “Get Tough” had my sincere interest. One of those old timers I mentioned had been a US Navy “landing force” instructor during the “BIG ONE”. I had seen him in action for real, unflitered “Lucky Strike” hanging out the side if his mouth and wreaking holy havoc on some young “puffy chested” bucks. It was a thing of beauty! I on the other was “fighting” these guys and looked like I was “rode hard and put away wet”.

Something didn’t add up. The methods my tour sargeant used WERE right out of “Get Tough”, even how he handled a “nightstick” and BOY he did that with relish(remember NO ONE knew what a camcorder was!). Maybe there was something to this “Farburn” guy. I mean, up to this point “Fairbairn” was a good tan we got during “I & I” down at LBI. And “Applegate”? Sheeet, that was the entrance to an orchard, right?

So then we ACTUALLY started READING these texts. Really trying to keep an open mind. After ALL if “Guru” Jeff said it was so, well damn youngin’ IT’S SO!

Now here’s the “bitch” in the whole thing…………Pretty much EVERY reason WEF and Colonel Rex GAVE for the validity of the methods(THEY ARE DIFFERENT BOYS & GIRLS) were exactly what we all knew were “missing” from the “practical” shooting we were doing. The difference in a nutshell…….”How you are SUPPOSSED to do it, and how you REALLY do IT”.

Yes, if I have the “drop” on a suspected badman, like on a hinky title 39 stop when YOU KNOW the shit is just hanging in front of that fan READY to go SPLAT all over everyone, then YES, ALL the “rules” get followed. If I had to arrest a suspect on a felony warrany or who was a known “A & D” then yes……ALL the rules got followed. In those situations assessing, finding and moving to real “cover”(as opposed to just concealment) was viable, actually anything else was STUPID. If that was NOT an option then covering the skel from a stable picture perfect “Weaver” or “isoceles” with positive sight alignment and all things neat and tidy was the way to go. ANYTHING else would have been STUPID.

BUT……………….then there were those multitude of OTHER TIMES.

SEE there is a HUGE difference between having “IT” your way, playing your “game”, ACTING by your rules and being forced to “REACT” to someone else’s “gamebook”. You get forced into playing the other guy’s game and you’re probably gonna lose. Especially when the rules change constantly.

So let’s answer this “job” together. Straight up and no bullshit. You’re working the graveyard tour mid-week. From your experience you figure that this tour on this day is usually pretty quiet. So it’s around 3:00 am, you have made your “beat” rounds, done your shift reports, answered a few calls, shitcanned them and now need a little “resting of the eyes”. You coop up. Oh YEA, it’s winter time. Snow, ice, and it’s bone chilling cold out. Just as you find that “comfortable” position and settle in the radio goes bananas. Two seperate confirmed alarms at a warehouse that has been hit several times before. OFF to the races you GO!

No siren, just the overheads, a couple of blocks away you go “silent”. You make a cursory pass in the unit and spot the probable position of enrty (an open window, in JANUARY). Maybe. Maybe these guys followed the “rules” and immediately left a second avenue of escape available to them. Maybe you get a back up unit, maybe you don’t. Doesn’t matter, you gotta roll with punches and you got a JOB to do. The warehouse is HUGE, completely dark, multi-level with more “nooks and crannies” than a Thomas’s muffin. And it’s BEEN months since YOU answered a call here (or maybe never) so the layout is NOT “fresh” in your mind.

You approach the window cautiously and realize that the snowy, slushy, muddy ground beneath has a distinct set of LARGE boot prints, NO, wait, TWO sets of distinct footprints. Let’s see………okay the window has been jimmied. Pretty secure industrial window. These pry marks were done by something pretty big and pretty sharp. Keep that in mind.

Enough bullshit, time to go into the “party”.

Let’s stop for a moment and take stock of our situation:

1. NO light, either inside(if we could even find them) or OUTSIDE.
2. At least two potential threats.
3. Unknown area of operation. Little if any idea of how the joint is layed out.
4. At least one perp is armed with something big, and sharp. At the LEAST.
5. Have other officers to worry about.
6. Cold as a sonofabitch. Stiff, wearing winter uniform, can’t move all that well. Adrenalin pumping like a MOTHER.
7. Why didn’t I become a dentist like Mama wanted?

So you go IN. Your partner or your back up takes the “shit catcher” position at the rear, you handle the “flush”. C’mon now, in you GO……………………………..

I know what I’ve done in those situation, I know what OTHERS have done in those situations, and I KNOW how we were TRAINED to do it, and MOST importantly, I know how it was REALLY handled. Here’s the “rub”…………pretty much everything WEF states in Shooting to Live is EXACTLY what I have seen, and experienced BOTH in my OWN actions and those of others. ALL well trained, diligent and “good” cops, knew their business. AND this was before we EVER heard of these methods or researched these sources.

SEE………………………THIS was the MISSING link that we all KNEW, but COULDN’T really pin down. This was IT. You can forget the “stats”, the “percents”, ignore the over SIX decades of emprical knowledge from agencies all over the WORLD including the FBI, the DOJ, and virtually every major department throughout the free world( not even to mention a worldwide conflagration then went on FOR years). Forget all of that. I KNOW what my “instinct” was and what was the “instinct” of a host of others in similar situations. Does that make it RIGHT or WRONG? Does it matter? It is what it is. Kinda like death and taxes, or at least death. You can talk up a storm about it, still is what it is.

Okay. So, comparing what I knew to be relevant in my experience and having seen first hand, as well as thru various first person accounts, the reasoning that WEF outlined as WELL as the method of use and mode of INSTRUCTION made a great deal of sense to me, as well as others whose opinions I had grown to respect. What we HAD experienced was IN that little old manual.

The task NOW was to do more research and to make these methods come alive. That meant studying as much material as we could find on this topic, and then understanding it and perfecting it.

BUT, you may ask, what about the “instinct” part. Didn’t you KNOW this already? Yes, we did KNOW how many(certainly not all) individuals will react when placed in sudden life and death emergency situations. The JOB was to rip this method apart, find any flaws, find any strengths, and to make it fully our own. ONLY then, once we really KNEW what the hell we were doing(and talking about), could we DECIDE if it offered any REAL solutions to us. ANYTHING less than FULLY studying, inculcating and UNDERSTANDING the method would constitute INTELLECTUAL FRAUD in terms of any real incisive and HONEST comparison with any other “method”.

How the hell do you judge something without that mind-set.

During this period(mid to late 70’s) there were a growing number of “experts” entering the field. Cooper first and foremost, then names like Taylor, Farnam, Ayoob, and many others. For the most part, all “towed” the party line. Weaver was IT. Everything else was outdated, outmoded and “old” fashioned. Well, at this point I started collecting EVERYTHING I could about shooting. Everything. From the oldest manuals and books to the most up to date. Magazine upon magazine, and of course continued ACTUAL training. What I was constantly learning was really eye opening.

Studying McGivern, Hatcher, Roper, Nichols, Weston, Gaylord, Askins, Jordan, “old” works by Copper, and so many other men and other sources like Leatherneck and the Infantry Journal, old issues of the American Rifleman was astonishing. My research collection has NEVER stopped growing. I don’t “stop” learning, but more on that later.

The only contemporary voice getting a little play in the popular gun journals was Brad Steiner. Much of what he wrote reflected what I had known to be true based on MY experience. There really WAS a gap and a need for methods that dealt specifically with CLOSE QUARTERS GUN BATTLES. The only really close quarters method being bantered about at this time was the “speed rock”. Steiner’s contemporary articles were very interesting and he stirred alot of resentment and controversy.

I remember one slam made aginst Steiner and John McSweeny by Mas Ayoob. It concerned the use of a mirror to check and adjust firing poistion, alignment and so forth. This was a method advocated by MANY “old timers” as a tried and true way of DAILY practice away from the range. Easy. Simple. No “brainer”. Everyone has a mirror. Made perfect sense to me. And it WORKED. Great! Well, Ayoob likened this to “mental” masturbation. I’m not really one to mince words, it’s usually(not always) better to just speak plainly. I couldn’t help but wonder what the reaction of men like Paul Weston of the NYPD(who advocated this mirror training highly) or “Jelly” Bryce would have been to that comment. I also pondered what Brad Steiner’s reaction, and perhaps more SO, John McSweeny’s reaction would have been to Mr. Ayoob had he made that comment nose to nose instead of in print. Basically, what Ayoob was saying, thinly veiled as it was, was, you’re a “jerk off”.

Where were we? Oh YEA…………………………………………………….

What to do with ALL of this information, both new and “old”. Well, logically the thing to do was to look at the most basic problems presented by any situation and BUILD from there.

Easy enough. Right? Well, actually no………………………………..

First thing we did was to DEFINE the terms that we would use. When so and so said this, made this statement, what did he REALLY mean? When Shooter A talks about this to Shooter B are they REALLY understanding the terms being USED. Or is one party ASSUMING he knows what a certain phrase or descriptive term means. Damn, w’re back to that logical foundation jammy again. Let’s see…………….I stop some guy on the street and tell him in NO uncertain terms that I LOVE his wife, and always will. As a matter of fact, I have loved her for years. The man may be pretty shocked, he would have a right to be, maybe even take a swing at me. But, if we defined what was really said, well, the situation changes. The guy’s wife is MY sister. And yes, I love her deeply, always have, and always will. Before any honest up front dialogue seeks to edify we should make sure we’re on the same page. That was job 1. As I said anything less is intellectual fraud.

So we did a thorough job of defining the terms we used and what they meant.

Now we ruthlessly went about tearing apart everything on both sides of the hill.

What does the REALITY of the street teach us, and how do we find REAL useful solutions to those problems presented.

AND, here’s the REAL catch………………………….how does all of this tie in to the LEAST common denominator. In other words what is the MOST basic overall approach to these problems, taking into account first and foremost the least in ability, skill, experience and knowledge. If we can begin to build on that, then we have something really worthwhile.

So here are the “problems”:

1. Visibility. Perfect to zero.

2. Extreme close range sudden violence. Unprepared. Reactive. Prepared. Active.

3. Enagaging adversaries at varying distances and/or heights/360 degrees. Close/medium/long range. Effective transition. Active and reactive.

4. Ability to manuever and fire.

5. Ability to effect fire on a moving target.

6. Ability to fire from dis-advantage or awkward positions.

7. Ability to fire from cover and/or concealment. Two different tactical problems.

8. Ability to fire with both hands. Tandem-strong and weak. Single-strong and weak.

9. Ability to fire when vision is impaired.

10. Ability to transition from weapon to weapon.

11. Emergency reloading and malfunction clearing.

12. The MUST DO shot.

We did NOT address specific tactical problems. This list was designed for the MOST basic overall components facing every type of “shooter” regardless of “job” specificity. A six three 200lb. police tactical officer could face these “problems” in the same way that a 5 foot five 100lb. housewife may have to. Sounds silly? Think about it.

How we put together the syllabus-

No forced or awkward positions or manuevers.
Everything based to the GREATEST extent possible on gross motor skill, natural body dynamics, and “instinctive” action/reaction. takes into account next to worst case scenario and works from there(worst case being you’re already dead).

The entire system should be as seamless as possible. One component dovetailing with another. Not just a “grouping” of techniques independent of one another. As general as possible to cover the greatest number of contingencies. Weak offhand shooting is composed of the EXACT same mechanics as TWO HANDED braced firing. The fundamentals are EASILY retainable and apply throughout the entire shooting system. The grip on the draw is the same grip for firing. The grip when running, climbing, jumping is the same for drawing and firing. The grip when prone is the same when kneeling is the same whenusing braced barricade, is the same when using the “pop out” and fire. This is a bad thing under the stress of real world violence?

The system? That we have to be another long winded thread(if I survive this one). But for many of you, it won’t be what you think or what you have “pidgeonholed”.

FINALLY……………………………..the GRIP!

Okay. First. Re-read all these parts over again. Really put some effort into understanding what is being said here.

Fairbairn admonishes us to extend the thumb along the “slide release”(for clarification). Mentions it several times. WE DON’T teach that grip as part of the basic syllabus. We practiced it alot and some liked it and some did not. BUT that’s NOT the issue here.

The grip as advocated by WEF is particular to the weapon shown, NOT to WEF. Many gunners of the period in many different manuals and sources advocate the same grip for THAT weapon. For the .45 ACP. It was almost de rigueur. Did it help some achieve the standards for it that WEF set forth, MOST certainly. For others it was a far less successful venture. Some improved with practice, others did not.

Now we have to find out why? Colonel Applegate had HIS answer and we had ours(more on that later) BUT still we wanted to understand why WEF advocated it and what we might have been missing.

First we have to remember that “Shooting to Live” was written in it’s original form(we have the manual) as a manual for the SMP. An organized UNIFORM police agency. “Shooting to live” is an expanded version of the original SMP manual. Why is that important? Because the SMP, like most agencies issued a specific “duty” weapon. A standard pistol. That was the .45 ACP. But that wasn’t all! The .380 ACP was ALSO issued and for a VERY pertinent reason. The use of the thumb extended grip advocated for the .45 ACP had more to do with the DESIGN of the weapon than with anything else. The angle between grip and barrel is such that a full “convulsive”(there’s that term again) grip with thumb wrapped DOWN will effect the horizontal barrel to floor alignment that is so important to ALL forms of accurate shooting. MORE so in the method taught by WEF. The thumb extension helped seat the weapon from backstrap to muzzle in a “better” way for THAT gun. A full “fisted’ grip tended to drop the muzzle DOWN. Also, WEF had fairly large hands and a great grip. He also realized this and adjusted accordingly. Officer’s with smaller hands who could NOT adjust or use the .45 ACP were issued the smaller .380 ACP. Now notice the line drawing on pg. 19 of STL. These drawings were made directly from still photos. Look at how far the thumb is extended in the picture. I have fairly normal size hands and a fair grip, and my thumb doesn’t come near to that position. I am certainly NOT alone in this problem. WEF recignized it too, THAT is why he issued smaller pistols for some officers.

Again, this manual was done before the second world war and done with the STANDARD issue .45 ACP or .380 ACP in mind as a UNIFORM piece of ordinance. WEF use of the extended thumb index was also obvious in his method of firing both the M1 A1 carbine and the Thompson sub-machin gun. He liked this method.

Colonel Applegate had different ideas. His duties exposed him to a VAST number of handguns that WOULD be used in combat in varying countries. From the Luger to the Walther, from a Colt revolver to an automatic, from a Browning to a Mauser. Applegate sought A SINGLE method of battle firing that was applicable to ANY handgun, anywhere in the world. THIS is why Colonel Applegate advocated the “point shoulder” locked wrist, convulsive grip method. That system alone would allow anyone to grab ANY handgun and be able to fire with effect(his words-Man Killing Accuracy). Since each design had a different angle between handle and muzzle, differing weight, balance, muzzle length, sight aperture and so on he devised a singular method to ADAPT to a GREAT number of handguns. That is GENIUS! So on this point I disagree with WEF’s approach. How about all the other shootists? Like Bill Jordan. Look at his grip, about as tight fisted and convulsive as you can get. And he is one of many that took a differing approach from what is shown in STL. All I want to do is keep it to the MOST basic FIRST. MOST BASIC FIRST. MOST BASIC FIRST! M O S T B A S I C F I R S T !

Was Applegate completely HAPPY with what he taught during WWII. NO, he wasn’t. He told us personally that he would have taught FULLY sighted fire FIRST, then “point shoulder” if he had to do it again. YEP! NOTHING is written in stone!

There are other SOLID reasons behind the differences between WEF and Applegate, as well as others extant during this time. But, hell all that’s in the past. Who cares, right?

Okey dokey. Back to WEF and the extended thumb. NOW…….try this…………even if you like the extended thumb for your .45 replace that auto with another auto, large/medium/small frame. How’s the “feel”, bet you adjust with each differing piece.

Now grab a wheel gun. Try it WITH THAT! Hmmmmmmm…..how’s that working out? No, not the Model 29 S&W, the small frame two inch……try that. Well I don’t see HOW that extended thumb grip works AT ALL with a revolver. Not for double action most certainly!

SO now what? How about this………..You carry a primary duty weapon that is a large frame auto. Okay. You also carry a small frame “snubby” on your ankle….the “just in case” gun. And, maybe a Beretta .25 as your “oh SHIT” gonna be late for dinner piece. THREE different guns, three DIFFERENT grips and THREE differing “feels”. Or look down the firing line at people who are looking to YOU for instruction. All shapes and sizes, all different in so many ways, and probably all preferring a different handgun. Damn, you HAVE to find the most fundamental starting point.

My answer? A strong, natural and (dare I say it) convulsive grip. The same GRIP you have used since INFANCY to hold and use tools and objects, to make a fist, to lift weights, etc. etc.

Opposable thumb. Simple. This is THE most basic action possible. Everyone can do it. Everyone understands IT. And it is APPLICABLE across the board for a GREAT variety of hand types, builds, disabilities and WEAPONS. It can be used for any size autoloader or any size wheel gun.

NOW!!!!! READ THIS………………………..Did I EVER SAY IT WAS THE ONLY OR BEST METHOD? NO, I did NOT! I only said it was the MOST basic!

What I did say was that it was the most basic, simple, accessible GRIP to USE as a FOUNDATION. Get something SOLID under your belt NOW, then work towards whatever method and/or goal you wish. AND all the MORE power to you!

My philosophy in a nutshell: I could teach you very effective techniques that would take a bit of time to master. But along with that I can teach you something you can USE right now when you leave here and cross that deserted parking lot. Master BASICS first and then the sky’s the limit. Even WEF said given more time he would have taught different methods. Ernie Cates when he set up the USMC close combat program with Nakabyashi choose his basics carefully. he told me that rule one was: The part of the hand with NO hair is the palm! At it’s core that’s all I’m saying.

I’m sure I’ve missed some salient points (combat draw and some other issues), but I’ve wasted a whole day on this and I’m pretty wasted by now. I did my best to offer sound reasoning. That’s all I can do. This line of thought can be applied to just about anything, certainly all aspects of armed and unarmed close-combat.

Copyright 2003 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. He is continually improving himself through his studies. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement, 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 jujutsu

Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle

Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)

Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada

Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki

Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka

Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka

Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu

Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson

The two most common martial arts practiced in North America are karate and tae kwon do. Many wonder what the difference between these two martial arts is. This is especially the case for those who are just starting to look around for a martial arts studio. After all, most practitioners in both karate and tae kwon do seem to wear the same type of white gi uniforms with various colored belts.

Modern traditional karate was developed in the islands of Okinawa in Japan after some influences from Chinese martial arts. There are actually different styles of karate but they are all commonly considered as Japanese martial arts today. The colored belt system was developed to show the various ranks of karate practitioners with white depicting novices and black belts (with various degrees) representing instructor levels and higher. There is a whole range of other different colors in between. Modern tae kwon do was developed in Korea after much influence from Japanese karate during the occupation by Japan. Indeed, tae kwon do is sometimes referred to as Korean karate. The Koreans adopted similar white uniforms along with a colored belt ranking system for tae kwon do. Today, there are two main styles of tae kwon do, one under the International Tae Kwon Do Federation and the other under the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. Many tae kwon do schools have added a black lining to their white uniforms for black belt levels. A V-neck top is often seen in schools affiliated with the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. There are also older Korean styles including tang soo do and moo duk kwan. Some of the more Americanized karate and tae kwon do schools also use uniforms with other colors such as red, black and blue in addition to the traditional white.

It can be generalized that in karate, one would use their arms or hands for 60% of the time for strikes or blocks while the use of legs for kicking will be about 40%. This breakdown is seen in the many forms or katas of karate which are set routines which simulate fighting against imaginary opponents using martial arts techniques. The forms from tae kwon do would have the opposite percentage breakdown with 40% hands and 60% legs. In tae kwon do, there is also more emphasis on higher kicks to the head level than in karate. Tae kwon do practitioners also utilize more jumping or flying kicks where one is airborne while executing kicking techniques. The tae kwon do forms or patterns are generally a bit shorter and less complex than the karate forms. Some tae kwon do schools have been known to use the odd karate form in its curriculum as well.

In North America as well as other parts of the world, there are separate traditional competitions for karate and tae kwon do. However, the open martial arts tournaments in North America often have competitors from both karate and tae kwon do competing together. Some of the larger open martial arts competition events will have separate forms divisions for Japanese karate and Korean tae kwon do competitors but the fighting or sparring divisions will usually be combined. Many black belts in tae kwon do end up studying karate as well and the opposite has been true too. Tae kwon do has received more publicity in recent years since its introduction as an Olympic sport. The style and rules used for the Olympic version of tae kwon do fighting comes from the World Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF). Both karate and tae kwon do are considered as hard style martial arts in North America today (as opposed to soft styles such as the many versions of Chinese kung fu).

Clint Leung is a lifelong martial artist with over 32 years of training experience in kung fu, tae kwon do, karate, kickboxing and martial arts weaponry. He has won Canadian and world championship titles (NASKA, NBL and WSKF). He is also owner of Free Spirit Activewear (www.FreeSpiritActivewear.com) , an online retailer and designer of premium martial arts activewear. Free Spirit Activewear has martial arts info articles.

By far the most common misconception associated with randori is the notion that it is just club-based or friendly competition. It is not hard to see why this is so and why randori very frequently degenerates into either Uchi Komi (repetitive fitness and fluidity building), or Shiai (score orientated competition).

Let us state from the outset that the term “degenerate” should NOT be taken to mean that these practices (Uchi Komi and Shiai) are lesser pastimes, but that they are quite distinct and separate activities of their own, with their own solid merits. The closest thing to randori, in terms of say tennis or squash is the “hit up”, where two players are playing hard against each other, but NOT SCORING!! That is to say, the concept of winning and losing MUST be eradicated entirely from the mind, in order that technique can be polished, and knowledge can be converted to instinctive physical ability, or in order that one can see the effect of various tactics in a relatively full blooded contestual environment, DEVOID OF THE PRESSURE TO WIN.

We can`t help ourselves, most of us; it is after all human nature to enjoy victory, and so we find ourselves having a bit of a pull around on the mat with a friend and we execute a nice throw. Someone mutters “nice throw” and we feel quite pleased with ourselves, and the other guy mutters to himself, “dam! - how did I fall for that?” Sound familiar?

Three things have to happen for this process to evolve into randori . . .

1. Mutual Benefit - randori is the perfect opportunity to hone a strong sense of ethics and unselfish goodwill towards your comrades on the mat. Whatever you “give” in randori will be repaid many times over in good fellowship, respect, trust and perpetually improving skills.

2. After doing that aforementioned throw, we should refrain absolutely from feeling pleased with ourselves and instead, wonder what exactly allowed it to happen. If it was because of a blatant weak spot in your partners defense, then he/she should be given the opportunity to understand that, maybe you should keep doing it until the other has closed the gap and you are not pulling it off any more. Both of you will benefit enormously if this thinking pervades the exercise.

3. After being thrown, we should refrain absolutely from being disappointed at falling for it. For therein lies a GREAT OPPORTUNITY to learn something, if only our disappointment can be made to step aside for a minute and make room for objective egoless study of what happened.

If you are not quite sure what happened, it is quite in order and quite common in true randori to ask your partner to “do it again” - so that you can fall for the same trick again, and again, and again, until something reveals itself to you. If you are not prepared to fall for the same trick repeatedly, then clearly you are sliding into a Shiai mentality because you would rather stay upright and “win” than learn why you are able to be thrown or locked up by this particular partner using that particular technique.

For this reason also, do not be tempted to “referee” a randori session. One sees this a lot, two players are supposedly indulging in randori but a third player is actually refereeing and awarding points and penalties, furthering the notion that someone is going to win this bout. It isn`t a bout! The third player`s job, if indeed there is a third player, is to be an analyst, not a referee. That is to say, he/she (very often your sensei or other “higher belt”) is there to help the players with useful third party tips - “keep those elbows in!” - “keep him moving!” - “relax!” - “try the other side for a change!”

Similarly, if one is successfully executing a technique despite your best defenses, let it happen, let yourself be thrown. You failed to prevent it initially, so let it happen, let him prove his point and let yourself observe the complete process, there are no points to be lost. In doing so, your partner gets a chance to control you right to the mat and practice his “control” and kake, an opportunity that does not present itself too often in shiai, or for jujitsu practitioners, in a street self defense situation. The opponent (as against “partner”) will be doing everything in their power to disrupt control and clean kake, of course! Only in properly executed randori will these opportunities to learn present themselves and only in randori do you get a good opportunity to study your own ukemi and transition into ground work. His success is your opportunity to study, therefore, his success should be something you begin to look forward to rather than view it as your “defeat” or failure.

After being thrown, pause for a second on the mat, rather than scramble away before groundwork can commence. Eventually your partner will see the opportunity to fall straight into ne waza, practice a smooth transition and thus give BOTH of you the opportunity to study this process as well. Later, as this improves, these openings or invitations can be reduced or eliminated as both of you get better and better at these smooth and speedy transitions.

Being a good randori partner is quite an art - and applies with equal importance to both jujitsu and judo, for if done properly, presents no threat to the underlying motivators of these two closely related disciplines. Randori, done properly, will have no dilutory effect on the need of the judo player to maintain a “match” mentality, nor will it weaken the jujitsuka`s drivers to “get in quickly, finish it quickly”.

Both philosophies are “win” orientated, one for a competitive sport scenario, the other from a self defense perspective. With the “win-lose” thinking entirely removed from the equation, a randori mentality will not encroach or threaten in any way the mindset necessary to succeed in the aforementioned “contests”. Indeed, quite the opposite - for when there is a sudden and compelling need to win, emotions are running high and your well being (or that gold medal) is under threat, one cannot afford to be thinking about “technique”, there will be quite enough to worry about without the added burden of last minute technical revision. We have an opponent to study, a strategy to implement, courage to muster, emotions and “situations” to be controlled. On the competition mat, or in the street, one wants all one`s resources focused on WHAT to do, or WHEN to do it, not HOW to do it.

Contrary to popular belief, the concept of randori was not the invention of Dr Kano coincident with the development of judo. Kano did further refine and define randori principles and he introduced groundwork randori and the long sleeved judogi for safety and a wider range of new throws, but true randori was the dominant training tool of Hachinosuke Fukuda, Kano`s teacher at the Tenjin-Shinyo School of Jujitsu.

Where does this place randori in the larger training regime? Let us consider five major elements of on-the-mat training and how they fundamentally differ - or more precisely how they SHOULD differ:-

Technical instruction - obviously, before we know anything about anything we have to be taught the basics, the how-to of a technique. Most dojos do plenty of this and many teachers and coaches, including coaches of many non martial art sports may feel that unless they are providing a constant stream of technical instruction they are somehow failing to meet obligations to their students. Boxers are the least guilty of this, their emphasis is not in knowing a thousand techniques, but in doing a small number extremely well.

Uchi Komi - includes “fit-ins”, “throw for throw” and repetitive combinations, counters or escapes, or strings of hold downs. Osae Komi is principally a physical conditioner and technique builder, practised without the added burden of philosophical/cultural considerations or a resistive opponent. Modern “western” non-martial sports such as tennis and squash place great emphasis on the value of repetition of the essential “parts” of a larger technique set.

Kata - Often underrated as a training mechanism, kata in fact helps transfer intellectual knowledge into body knowledge - “learning by doing” - such that the mechanics of a technique or set of techniques and their interrelationship is understood at both a physical and intellectual level. Kata, most importantly, also serves to connect the physical to the philosophical or spiritual and cultural/ethical. “Physical meditation” some have called it - Tai Chi, Karate and Yoga students are the clear leaders in this genre of practice. As with randori, there is no concept of winning or losing in kata, nor is there any opposing pressure against proper execution, outside of the practitioners own internal barriers. It is at the opposite end of the spectrum to Osae Komi, although some katas and particularly Yoga Asanas are also extremely physically taxing.

Randori - As with kata, there is no concept of winning or losing, yet conversely, as with Uchi Komi, it is highly physical. Randori requires that there be added (measured) opposing pressure. BJJ players and wrestlers put great emphasis on a randori like training regimen or something that falls approximately between true randori and “moderated” competition.

“For real” - Testing the theory - the bit we either hope we never have to indulge in if it is self defense we are referring to, or, if sporting competition, the bit we view with either relish or trepidation, depending on what we think our chances are! For jujitsukas, self defense pressures can be emulated to some degree in the dojo with a shiai like combative sparring match under prescribed rules for safety plus “prohibited” techniques; or in the case of judo players, a standard judo tournament under IJF rules - “Shiai” in other words. Whatever the format however, most disciplines need some method by which the skills can be validated or put to the test in order that they may evolve. One could argue that martial arts grading tests do this if they are sufficiently arduous and challenging, but for many of us it might be a long time between gradings, for others it is the journey not the result and for still others, the “proof of concept” is found inescapably in improved wellness and a sense of achievement or fulfillment. There are other ways to test the theory besides competition, to be sure. I don`t see many Tai Chi tournaments out there but I do see a lot of happy healthy practitioners.

So which of the five is missing from your schedule? Chances are, its randori. “No” you retort indignantly, “we put aside time for randori every training session!”.Is it randori? - or is it Shiai? To an outside observer, there seems to be little difference, however those differences, whilst subtle, are critical.

Yellow and orange belts, ask yourselves, did you feel you “won” your randori session with the green belt? If the answer is “yes”, then you were indulging in Shiai, while the green belt was randoriing.

Blue and brown belts, did you feel you got the jump on your sensei this time? Perhaps the black belt was using you to study his own weak spots instead of working towards a win. THAT’S randori!

Campbell Dunstan is the author and webmaster of http://www.tweedjudo.com - a NSW Police and Citizens Youth Club activity