What type of knife fighting would you teach for combat?
Remember all knives are always loaded, they don’t need to be cocked.
A knife used in any way is dangerous.
However all things being equal, the quickest way between two points is straight.
I instruct double edge straight-line offensive thrusts for combat not slashing.
Are there any Special Forces Combatives Master Chiefs in Australia?
No however we do have civilian depot and individual tuition instructors through out Australia.
Why did you invent the Todd 45 baton?
Simply because, although we live in extremely violent times, violence is not acceptable. Most of my baton and riot stick practises were designed to incapacitate or eliminate an enemy.
Many of the operators from law enforcement I trained had serious concerns with law suits and excessive force complaints and even more concerns with the defensive capabilities of their batons, especially against street weapons.
So I thought about it long and hard and decided to design a baton that was as safe defensively as humanly possible and also provided sound offensive capabilities as well as control and restraint applications.
What do you see as the main difference between a professional fighter and a military close combatant?
Outside the basic required attributes for all forms of fighting or combat such as footwork, balance, vision, coordination, speed, power and reactions and of course the most important, psychological requirements, they are very different.
Professional fighters are highly trained athletes skilled in the techniques of their code and the rules of competition.
Military close combatants are also highly trained and physically capable in the execution of their duties. Military combatants don’t compete for titles or prizes, they use weapons and unarmed methods to eliminate their enemy with only one rule; kill or get killed.
The skills are predominately take-outs or at least preventative measures prior to a take out. They could never be employed in competition, could you imagine a gut gun being used in competition.
While they share many common physical components they have very different applications and that is the way it has always been, war is not a sport and sport is not war.
Does close combat have ninja type poisons?
I’m not sure what the ninja arsenal consists of.
However European military close combat has always had an exotic weapons element and this was a big part of the OSS assassination arsenal. Its not common knowledge with current close combat instructors.
The OSS was not only into the invention of exotic weapons but also communications, disguise, air and sea methods of infiltration, exfiltration and elite and exotic weapons delivery systems. There was also a considerable demolitions component.
What is the difference between a bodyguard and a close protection specialist?
There is a considerable difference.
Many bodyguards are either big guys or trained fighters that are there for overt reasons as a kind of deterrent or scare tactic.
Some are selected simply for their martial arts or fight ability.
The close protection specialist is a highly trained individual that has knowledge in a wide range of subjects such as specialist driving and close protection related weapons.
He is qualified to plan and execute close protection operations that are required to be very detailed and cater to every possibility.
Surveillance counter and antisurveillance threat assessments, pedestrian escorts, security planning, close protection related close combat, premise and vehicular searches, communications, protocol and etiquette, land, air, maritime and rail close protection. These are some of the specialised areas of expertise of a close protection specialist.
Have you ever heard of Alf Vockler?
Yes he was a former Australian Army unarmed combat instructor that my good pal Blue Curran told me of and had trained from.
I live in Melbourne do you know of any Australian or New Zealand instructors qualified in military close combat that run civilian training?
No, however I have a phase tested assistant instructor who will soon be setting up in Melbourne teaching the Todd Systems.
I have read your manuals and have your video series, do you have any other titles coming out?
Yes I have several other titles and more specialist videos and DVDs in the pipeline that have been held up by my capacity instructing work load since Sept 11th.
Do you use protective gear like big padded suits for close combat?
No. I believe you should train the way you intend to operate, but remember you’re only training.
Control the committment and hone the skills accurately building up the intensity with time.
Some tactical training requires protective suits for safety and legal duty of care reasons. Especially because of the level of the exponents and the duration of training courses.
I prefer not to rely on accessories.
Interested in Close Combat Training? Todd Group Depots are located throughout New Zealand and at various overseas locations.
For more information on Todd System of Close Combat see the following books, dvds and cds:
- Close Combat Books
The Do’s and Don’ts of Close Combat – Tactical C&R – Control and Restraint – No Nonsense Self Defence – Military Close Combat Systems Phase One – Combative Masters Of The 20th Century - Close Combat DVDs
Self Defence of the Elite – 80 Years of Combative Excellence – Primary Option Control & Restraint – Military Unarmed Combat – Phase 1 - Close Combat CDs
Technique To Command – Combative Code of Conduct
