The Todd Group and Todd Systems basic phase 1 testing has a reputation for being as close to operational unarmed contact as it gets and the best test of skills guts and smarts. In this edition of the Close Combat Files I will outline the test phase and the reasoning behind why so many candidates […]
Training as many as 260 exponents on their individual primary centre of gravity for maximum resistance against lifting or movement reducing their target mass and not compromising their stability by squatting to low is not an easy to task. No easy task when you consider although you may have an instructing cadre of 18 instructors […]
John Findlay Burt August 24th 1948 to August 12th 2009.Johnny was the only son of John Telford Burt and Catherine Ann Burt of Fairfield Dunedin. Johnny Burt CQB intake photo I would like to begin this look into the life of my dear friend Johnny Burt with some facts of Johnny's life and then cover […]
The following is but a brief overview of what I have identified as positives and negatives in tactical control and restraint. For over 30 years I have instructed tactically correct control and restraint to a wide range of services. For over 20 of those years I headed crowd control teams where we employed restraints on […]
The Todd Group have an unequalled history not only in New Zealand and Australia in military CQB /CQC defensive tactics and self protection training dating back to our founder, the late Harry Baldock, but also globally. The Todd Group, formerly the Baldock Institute, was established in 1927 making it the oldest private training provider of […]
Having spent 15 years as a military CQB chief instructor and over thirty years training and qualifying in armed and unarmed combat and I am well accustomed to the terminology and tradecraft practises relating to my trade an unusual circumstance for a civilian. This edition of the close combat files will outline the importance of […]
Long weapons can range from specific type weapons like swords and machetes to riot sticks and baseball bats. Improvised long weapons can be as diverse as fence palings, carpenter’s saws, pipes, waratahs (star pickets), pool cues, broomsticks, jimmy bars, reinforcing rods, etc. From top: machete, baseball bat, pipe, e-tool, and waratah fence post (star picket) […]
The following accumulation of comments was formulated from the knowledge and opinions of exponents and instructors of the Todd Systems of CQC. The following material is also from the research and writings on the Todd Group undertaken by members and freelance writers. There is a massive amount of both historical and current information available from […]
Caution: The contents of this article are for education purposes only. The principles described are extremely dangerous and are for military close combat training and operations only. Their application applies solely to the military. My question is: Is there only one correct way to combat breath i.e. inhale through the nose and exhale through the […]
Grahame Reid was born in Otahuhu Auckland the 29th of March 1937. Grahame’s mother was a nurse and his father was a wool classer and he had two younger brothers. Grahame’s family moved to Wellington during the war and he attended primary school at Kilbirnie and Ngaio in Wellington. The young Grahame. In 1948 his […]