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 mouth when executing a move? OR….is inhaling and exhaling through the nose also okay to do? How about inhaling and exhaling through the mouth?
Is one method significantly more advantageous than the other/s? If so, how or why?
Thanks again for your time and help.
Have a great week.
Hi
Some of these practices would be best taught on course to ensure correct practices are performed as there can be major or minor faults through interpretation or execution that can develop into bad habits that later need to be corrected.
Combative breathing is something I developed based on the tactical nature and requirements for employment and application of the combative specific skills. Considerations included air temperature and the various terrains and roles the skills would be employed under the takeout nature of the employments in comparison to the take on requirements for sport.
While it is true one can breathe in and out via the nose only or the mouth only the following reasons detail why in the Todd Systems combative breathing consists of inhaling via the nose and exiling via the mouth. The nose is a filter where air can be introduced in a manner of gradual inflation and where the inhaled air temperature can be increased warming it.
The nasal inhaled air can then be circulated and exhaled by the mouth allowing for a greater exit capacity than entry capacity. The greater exit capacity is important in the execution of skills by exhaling with every physical action and reaction this reduces fatigue and hyperventilation not to mention ensures maximum levels of performance. One must remember to always protect the jaw/chin and not to open one's mouth wide making it vulnerable. Todd systems skills in close range unarmed offensive assault promote protection of the jaw/chin by ensuring that you keep your chin tucked against your chest and inside your shoulder. To exhale by the mouth only requires opening of the lips to breathe out between the gaps in the teeth of the clenched top and bottom jaw however if it is safe to do so a small gap can be made by dropping slightly your lower mandible. Inhaling should be employed in a manner so as not to over inhale and cause adverse restrictive or panic effects and on exiling only two thirds capacity should be released to avoid breathlessness between combative breathing employments by emptying your full capacity, maintain a reserve.
I developed this process by testing all methods of breathing with all armed and unarmed combat skills. You can try breathing in and out through your nose and you will identify the restrictive nature of this process and how it does not produce an outcome of increased physical skills performance. Then practice inhaling and exhaling via the mouth focusing on the effects of the temperature of the inhaled air and imagining the increased effects during the cold of winter. You should also notice that the breathing cycle is short and more from the throat in an in and out motion than with our combative breathing that is more in a cycle from nose lungs and abdomen and out via the throat and mouth. Try breathing in through your mouth and out through your nose and you will also find this to be a short cycle that could be affected by adverse low temperatures and high action high stress combative actions on situations. Another very important consideration in combative breathing is that when operational in fine sandy or dusty environments or where there are insects one does not want to inhale such potential dangers.
Remember normal breathing is something you do not have to think about performing however combative breathing is a tactical employment option specific to the role and nature of the required objectives achievement that requires specific practices to achieve maximum performance in both immediate instant employments and prolonged applications. Timing is an essential part of not only unarmed combat offensive and counteroffensive skills employments but also breathing and the unison required between the physical skill mental focus and breath control is the provider of the required fuel to achieve maximum velocity and speed and power in physical skills.
Practicing walking drills without giving a thought to breathing and then going tactical like in and actions on situation whether it be offensive or counteroffensive and where you need to employ breath control inhaling immediately before any physical action and exhaling via the mouth on initiation of the physical action execution phase is a great means of determining the need for tactical breathing in combative situations.
My combative breathing research development and testing also included the assessment of performance levels of combative skills employed with all the breathing methods previously described. You should practice combative breathing for three-second actions on periods as well as 10 second and 30 second up to 60-second periods of employment of combative physical skills.
Finally the previously described combative breathing has commonality between unarmed and unarmed roles. For example in aimed combat shooting the breathing phase requires the shooter to inhale in preparation to fire and exile approximately two thirds immediately prior to squeezing the trigger.
Out For Now
Tank
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Hi Mr Todd,
Your articles are a source of enjoyment and learning. Much thanks for publishing them.
If possible, I would greatly benefit from more information on some of your inventions. re: Where to purchase or how to build my own.
- Handled tyre stomping target
- Battle Tech Fight Man
- Tru-Guard
- chin jab four sided stand
Have not finished all the articles yet. Nice knife design, by the way.
Much success to you,
Hi,
The tyre stomping target can be easily made from pipe. It’s just a T-Bar handle with a plate with holes drilled through it where you can put bolts through the plate and the tyre.
The fight man is more complex as it is constructed from a fibreglass shell the shape of the human head and torso. It has two pipe handgrips bolted through the fibreglass. The fibreglass shell is covered with moulded-to-shape foam and a PU cover that is attached with bungee cord and fastened with pickup tourney cover type plastic hooks. The device is shoulder worn and the shoulder straps are made of aluminium bar welded into a framework set up that bolts through the fibreglass and they are foam covered for comfort and safety. There is a vision slot in the head for the user to look through and the cover fits through the slot and is dome fastened to the fibreglass. Quite a bit of construction goes into the fight man and it is rather large and difficult to ship internationally.
The tackle bag like we use for rugby does the job better than the fight man as you can kick or punch it and it is light weight being a round foam core cover with a vinyl outer the shape of a punch bag with webbing straps to hold it by. You can also use it for clinching, taking down and ground finishing, a real simple robust multi-purpose piece of combative kit.
The Tru-guard is a simple design of mine consisting of a T shaped welded pipe with foam ends and covering. It is used for cover guarding and deflecting and is a good alternative to simply cover or deflecting against hand strikes. You can heavily pad with soft padding the three ends and then employ roundhouse or straight thrusts with higher levels of speed and force and in turn really improve ones guarding. You need to be sure than the ends are over padded and that the pipe cannot protrude or be impacted as it can cause injury.
The chin jab stand is a great piece of kit with its four sides at different heights representing different height enemy pers. You can make a metal or wooden framework and fix it to the floor and roofing beams or walls. The striking aspects are made from a strong plywood reverse L shape screwed together and covered with high density heavy duty foam rubber and a custom sewn vinyl cover that is stapled to the back of the plywood. Before fixing the foam rubber to the plywood four large bolts are put through the plywood and then they can be fixed through the framework. This device allows for straight strikes as well to the front pad and chin jabs to the upper protruding padded covered board.
Some of the best kit for CQC is the simplest. Take for example I was once in the middle of winter with snow on the ground in a large tin hanger with a concrete floor and having to teach over 200 pers ground combat. Now with this being an extensive course I did not want to get unnecessary injuries from the masses of first timers rolling around on the concrete. Mats were not practical or available and then a commander said every soldier has a bedroll so they have their ground combat mat with them. That worked great a simple way to deal with a basic problem
I very much enjoy the problem solving aspects of skills development and equipment and weapon design.
I am glad you are enjoying the articles and pleased to answer your questions.
If you want pictures of the pieces of equipment and measurements just let me know.
Hang Smart and Ready
Tank
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Dear Sir
Could you provide specific information on the Todd Group and its past and present training and how I could become involved with the intention of becoming an instructor here in the United States?
Dear Applicant
The following is a bit of background info on the Todd Group and how we operate.
The Todd Group was established in 1927 by the late Harry Baldock and when Harry retired I took over as the chief instructor. This is a link to an article on my background etc https://www.fighttimes.com/magazine/magazine.asp?article=273
Since then the group has expanded with exponents that have trained and tested here setting up there own Todd Group depot in their country or national location. We do not have a US based depot instructor right now and get a lot of inquiries for training from within the US.
The Todd Group is not a franchise and Depot instructors keep all revenue they make from conducting training in their country.
There is no charge for testing phases as rank and qualifications must be earned and the only time exponents or instructor members pay for anything is if they are attending courses and receiving training and their joining fee of $25.00 NZ Dollars and the annual country membership of $25.00 NZ Dollars.
The Group's ethos is simple: set and maintains combative standards as we have been doing for over 80 years.
The conditions for Depot instructors are simple.
- Vet all applicants before accepting them for training.
- All information in the public domain like advertising and promotions as well as web sites and any media releases must be approved by the Todd Group HQ to protect individuals and services and departments identities and any security contracts and conditions we have in place.
- Testing can only be conducted by the HQ to ensure the highest standards are maintained and there are no political or Buddy passes.
- Although we encourage our rank and file to be flexible and innovative and train in any combat sports or martial arts we insist that they instruct the Todd systems with out compromise by insisting the exact package is instructed and that no non package techniques are introduced that could cause confusion for the exponent and could jeopardise their ability to successfully phase test.
The Todd Group is the oldest private training provider of European military close combat in existence and not being a franchise and by maintaining the previous conditions and setting the standards and leading the way in our field has ensured we have never suffered break away rogue individuals simply because they would lose all access to continuation training and the advantages of being part of the official recognised organisation etc.
I have had a privileged life in military close combat being a civilian and while I have not served in the military like many my close combat instructor association member friends have I have committed my whole life to learning training testing qualifying and instructing close combat.
I was an exponent that was around when the expert pioneers were still living and was trained and qualified by such experts when close combat was somewhat dormant and such training very restricted.
I have done over 100,000 hours over the past 30 plus years in my combative trade and have been a chief CQC instructor to a Special Operations Group for the past 16 years and am the chief instructor to the Army in CQC.
That's a little background info.
Link to organisation and structure https://www.toddgroup.com/organizational-and-structure.html
From the Todd Group website www.toddgroup.com you will find info on the history etc and also info on continuation/distance learning phase one support DVDs etc.
I do not produce such material on phase 2 AND 3 as this is the advanced and specialist skills I currently instruct to the military elite and out of respect to those that have tested and earned the right to such training.
The Todd System is a complete package based on European military armed and unarmed combat that has commonality is simply brutal battle proven easy to learn and with low skill fade over time.
It is not a collection of various martial arts styles skills that do not have commonality and often contradict or conflict with one and other.
From basic phase one to advanced phase two and specialist phase three the system has complete commonality and cohesion.
These are links to my articles that may be of interest https://www.toddgroup.com/close_combat_articles.html
https://www.fighttimes.com/magazine/magazine.asp?author=11
The International Close Combat Instructors Association was established by the late Col Rex Applegate Sgt Major Lawrence Jordan and I to protect and preserve as well as ensure military close combat stayed at the forefront of enemy threats and to ensure members were all trained and qualified in military close combat with no back door entries or risk of compromise by individuals looking for credibility by association.
This is a link to the association web site https://closecombatinstructors.com/
I conduct an international course here at the old HQ and camp the end of March every year and this is a link to details https://www.toddgroup.com/combative-challenge.html
This would be a good course if you can make it and you could possibly get a military hop, as the operation Deepfreeze base is here in Christchurch only a domestic flight away to us in Dunedin.
These are my contact details [email protected] Cell 64 21 480 999 Office 64 3 4778 902
I will sign off for now and look forward to hearing from you when you have waded your way through the previous.
Hang Ready
Tank
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Hi there,
I’m interested in doing the annual CQB course; I was wondering if there are any training pre-requisites you would recommend someone having beforehand?
Cheers
Hi
The best prep you could do is simply practising the phase one unarmed offensive and counter offensive assault and self defence skills in high reps to ensure skills wise you have a good grasp of the skills and through drilling high reps you will be well accustomed to such practise and will not be affected so much by high repetition initial training.
The DVDs are a far better option for distance prep training over the manuals and we have them in the US NTSC format.
The two links below will take you to the two DVDs that cover the entire phase one package and would be all you need to prepare skills wise.
https://www.toddgroup.com/dvd/military-unarmed-combat-phase1.html
https://www.toddgroup.com/dvd/phase1-self-defence.html
While combat conditioning or PT does provide advantages they are far less essential with military close combat than with combat sports or martial arts simply because we work on dirty tricks and deadly take outs over take on.
So as far as any physical training goes any form of fitness or strength training would be fine but not essential.
Wrestling training exercises are great for combat conditioning like Hindu squats, Hindu push-ups, bridging etc.
For any weight training, squats, bench press, dead lifts, power cleans, shoulder press, or the Olympic weight training clean and jerk and snatch.
For combat conditioning with weights I tend to recommend varying the training from one-day light to medium weights with high reps to failure and another day heavy weight low reps and do about 3 to 5 sets.
Skipping is also another good combat conditioning exercise.
I have been working on a mental toughness program for close combat for most of my combative life that will come out soon in the form of paper check lists, audio CDs and DVDs for learning the combined physical and mental requirements and exercise phases. I have titled it Brain to Boot and it will be released via the Todd Group web site. Heres a sneak preview of the inclusions.
A major part of it is controlled breathing to remain ready and be able to endure the physical aspects of CQC breath out via the mouth with every action and in through the nose prior to.
Self-reassurance by in your mind repeating to yourself ready willing able as well as doing mental and physical checks prior to any employment or actions on.
Maintaining an affinity with the ground for aggressive or evasive movement and ground to target unarmed power and velocity as well as most importantly balance maintenance.
These are physical and psychological aspects that should be applied to practise and definitely employment of CQC skills.
So when you practise the skills from the phase one DVDs focus on ground affinity checks and rechecks breathing self-reassurance for starters and this will provide real advantages.
I am pleased you are going to begin training and come down under next march and will give you any assistance your require which outside the skills training wont be much with your back ground.
We are always looking for good men that are self-motivated and realists as exponents and instructors and ex Spec Ops Pers with a genuine interest in CQC fit the bill.
Hang ready and willing
* * *
To whom it may concern,
My friend and I were on board the Train, which went to Palmerston in which a group of your students were on and doing a drill. My friend and I were asked to be principles in which we accepted, I would like to say that the Guards, which took care of us, were extremely professional and we enjoyed being a part of it. We really liked the professionalism and company onboard the train from our designated protectors, they made us feel comfortable. Again on behalf of my friend and I we would both like to say that your company is very professional and it’s good to see that you are able to take members of the public and bring them in a comfortable environment and be apart of the development of your students.
Thank you,
Kind regards
* * *
Tank,
Just wanted to thank you for the DVDs. I can see why this is used for military CQB, very simple and efficient.
Much appreciated
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To: Coms
Subject: Todd Group in PerthGood morning,
I received information on where to learn CQB. My colleague (Armed Forces) advised me to contact the Todd Group in Perth.
I have an interest in martial arts. I am only a beginner. I wish to use my knowledge purely as a means of self-defense and also being able to diffuse a situation if it arises. I have done some basic defence to grabs and holds and touched on knife defence.
I am a technical person, so I might take longer to learn, but I want to make sure I get the technique 100% correct in order to be effective.
Could you please e-mail me and advise of course location and costs.
I also understand that under Australian law only phase 1 & 2 can be taught to civilians. These two phases will cover what I require.
Thank you in advance.
Kind regards,
Hi
This is a link to our Todd group depot's instructors contact details https://www.toddgroup.com/todd-group-depots.html
In regards to the phases of training they are instructed on the exponent being a responsible citizen and achieving rank and being accepted for advanced training post testing and not by any outside laws.
The exponent must be vetted for training and then complete the phase one course of instruction clocking up 100 hours of training prior to testing.
Phase two requires 400 hours of training before testing and the individual exponent based on personal attributes and if the phase three training is deemed necessary for the individual exponent will be accepted for phase three training and the 500 hours required for being qualified.
This is a link to structure information https://www.toddgroup.com/organizational-and-structure.html
Thank you for your inquiry
Tank
* * *
Tank,
I have a question from the US.
Last September my son was injured (he was a pedestrian) by a driver who was talking on his cell while behind the wheel. His legs were badly damaged, titanium rod in his right leg and total reconstruction of his left knee.
His mobility is limited. I thought about your self defense system, but he can't crouch or stamp. Are there some tactics that you can think of that I could teach him to use to defend himself?
I have provided the following information below in reply to your questions.
Well, here's what he can and can’t do. No crouching, neither leg can take that strain.
I taught him to be aggressive when needed, he's logical.
He's 30, 250 pounds and 6' 1" and quite strong.
There are no physical threats at the moment, but there are too many crazies running around and would put their mark on a handicapped person.
He can't run now, but fast walk for a short distance. If he falls getting up again is very difficult. He does have a good attitude and doesn't quit.
I hope that you can come up with something for him and I thank you for it!
If you need any more information please let me know.
Thank you! If anyone can think of something, Geoff can!
Happy Easter!
Regards,
Apologies for taking so long to respond brought about by the annual course and related duties.
Anti combative over the offensive or counteroffensive combative options is always a priority by planning, preparation, practice to avoid danger areas etc. Making oneself a hard target in the home, workplace, socially, in transit and any other time place or aspect of one's life is very proactive.
Thinking like a bad guy, identifying holes in your life’s security plan that could be exploited, and ensuring they are plugged is very important. Likewise, reading warning signs and discreetly keeping the potential threat in your peripheral version and changing direction or tact can make all the difference. Little things like if you are approached and asked a question, take a small diagonal step forward which will enable you to identify any additional threat to your rear flanks and also provide angle against the initial perp meaning they would have to turn and attack, giving you better warning.
Using surveillance detection routes when pedestrian or for that matter when driving by without panicking, changing direction several times to identify if the perceived threat is in fact zeroing you is a good detection option. There are lots of such tips for hard targeting that make you a hard target and assist in preventing situations or promote early recognition.
Visually, when going pedestrian or when riding a bus or subway, do not make unnecessary eye contact but do keep any potential threat discreetly in your peripheral version. Once confronted by an assailant look them in the eyes to meet them on even ground and portray yourself as confident and ready. This aids identifying any aggressive movement as early as possible.
In an armed threat always focus on the weapon point, as it is the immediate and usually greater danger. Always assess any threat or situation decide on the best plan and execute it from the correct range with controlled aggressive ruthless commitment. One of your greatest strengths should be the ability to use cunning deceit distractions or downright Hollywood performances in the process of achieving your objectives.
The following is a collection of skills and principles to accommodate when lower quadrant injuries make mobility or stability difficult and when close range hand strikes must replace low stamping kicks. I will provide two options, the first being a stationary evasion option that requires pivoting both boots and the second being a totally static stationary unarmed counter offense if the pivoting is not possible in relation to the injuries.
When stamp kicks are not possible and hand strikes become the only unarmed option I believe prior to any unarmed options consider employing an improvised robust self-defense tool to target your attacker’s vitals. Obviously there are legality issues in this part of the world, however the laws of self-defense in the United States seem far more user-friendly.
Excluding firearms, that are not a valid option unless one has a carry permit, the next best option for ease of use and achieving the effect is pepper spray or the like. If this is an option, learning how to use it from just the correct range and not into the wind etc. would be necessary.
The other two types of improvised self-defense aids for extreme close quarters are either sharp or blunt. Having a small self-defense aid whether it is sharp or blunt provides both physical and psychological advantages. Physically it can be used covertly to target either primary vitals to incapacitate the assailant and in a thrusting ice pick or forehand or backhand slashing manner depending on the type of improvised weapon.
If balance is a consideration, seizing the assailant and securing them with one hand while employing the improvised device covertly with the other is a primary option. I recently manufactured the safe-t-pen as a means of improvised protection.
When seizing and securing your assailant by the head slide, your hand through past the side of the neck and with an open palm, aggressively slap hand grab the nape of the neck stunning the assailant and simultaneously employ the improvised device covertly to the required vital to incapacitate. Seize and secure and target employing a straight thrust or ice pick downward attack. Forehand and backhand slashing motions with the improvised device can be employed in an X configuration across the target area.
The key is multiple employments of the improvised weapon to prevent assailant recovery and being assaulted. The main targets to incapacitate or disorientate when you are talking about targeting the upper quadrants are the eyes, the airway, the carotid arteries and the cervical vertebrae (nape of the neck). The means to employ such empty hand skills include bent fork finger attacks to the eyes, hand edge or flat hand strikes to the airway, palm heel strikes to the chin or nape of the neck, as well as hand edge strikes to the nape of the neck or carotid arteries. Note: attacking the airway or nape of the neck can be fatal.
Employ multiple strikes to reduce recovery and increase the effect. Employ such strikes in a front stance for stability and preferably after seizing and securing your assailant ensuring the target wears the effects of not only the strikes but also your weight.
Apart from seizing and securing the head or arms the seizing and securing of the belt or top of the pants is a good option.
Remember if you cant escape or control distance the safest range would be at point blank bodily contact where you can use your assailant not only for cover against his own offensive but also as a public leaning post making him wear your weight while you target the vitals.
As well as bodily contact, enemy seizing and securing and making your assailant wear your weight by pushing your lower legs into the assailants opposing their knee joints not only aids in balance maintenance but also reduces their capabilities at that point in time.
The old Charlie Nelson swivel maneuver from side on to front on is a good way to reduce target mass prior to going offensive and increase the velocity of the strikes by powering them via the swivel maneuver.
You will find the described strikes and the front and side stances/ guards as well as the swivel maneuver etc. in the phase 1 package.
Counter offensively when unable to break an immediate reactionary gap or employ an evasive maneuver or crouch cover guard then either stationary evasion or a less than crouched cover guard will be required.
Stationary evasion is achieved by from a front stance pivoting both feet inwards turning your body from front on to side on reducing your bodily mass and enabling you to cover guard with only one hand that being the closest to the assailant.
When attacked and reacting employing the stationery evasion you can prevent grabs by attacking a grabbing limb with a hand edge strike then close in and employ strikes or draw your improvised weapon post stationary evasion and lead cover guard then employ your improvised weapon.
Note getting into a left front stance when approached or threatened and having your improvised weapon in your right pocket is essential or vice versa or for escaping holds by using a weapon have one on each side in each pocket.
If unable to use a stationary evasion then crouch as much as humanly possible and raise your cover guard keeping it close to your body as you do so, only guard your person and not unnecessary air space.
The front cover guard will have both hands on the highest part of your skull above both ears utilizing both forearms to cover your head against neck against Roundhouse threats and any strike that comes between your forearms in the cover guard position known as your combative sights should be deflected by the directly opposite arm deflecting the striking arm towards the enemy secondary arm and neutralizing both arms for that moment in time.
Now, as escape and evasion is not possible, close in to bodily contact range and employ strikes or seize and secure and employ strikes as previous.
To employ a cover guard from side on raise the arm closest to the assailant straight from up from your side to the nape of your neck where you can use it to cover guard or deflect strikes.
Then you can draw your improvised weapon swivel and covertly employ it or swivel and employ strikes from standing or seize and secure your enemy and employ strikes.
If grabbed from behind you need to react immediately by maintaining or regaining balance and then assessing the threat to your rear followed by immediately turning and facing your attacker if it safe to do so by employing a swivel maneuver and from your front stance attacking your attacker with strikes from point blank bodily contact range making your attacker wear your weight and preferably seizing and securing your attacker first by the back of the head or belt/pant top.
Another option to counter to a rear grab if more situationally suited is to assess the threat to your rear then step forward away from the threat turn side on raise your cover guard and attack your attacker with hand edge strikes or break the grip by hand edge striking a holding arm then hand edge striking vitals.
For extreme close range strikes where the hand edge strike is not practical employ an elbow strike in the same cock and backhand extension and retraction as the hand edge strike.
To increase your stability when side on slide the boot furthest from the enemy either backwards or forwards in a straight line to end in a front stance but side on to your enemy and now you could employ hand edge or elbow strikes.
For disarming street weapons when you cannot escape or employ an evasive maneuver, employ the stationary evasion as previous when employed against unarmed threats can be used to transfer your major bodily mass from front on to side on.
By raising the closest arm to the assailant straight up from your side and then using it to either attack the weapon holding forearm as in the phase 1 self-defense knife disarming where you attack the weapon holding arm to force a disarm then target the weapon holders major vitals, if it's safe to do so you could then seize and secure the weapon holding wrist joint with an opposing forces grip and lever them into position or you move into position to attack their major vitals.
When you cannot stamp kick post-seizing and securing the weapon holding wrist you may need to when it is safe to do so release your grip on the forearm with the hand closest to the assailant and employ a hand edge strike to the airway, carotid artery or nape of the neck depending on situation position and the laws of the land etc.
Another disarming option prior to striking when you have effected an opposing forces grip of the wrist joint of the weapon holding hand is to ram the point or end of the weapon into a solid surface potentially causing the weapon to slip through the weapon holders hand hopefully relieving them of some digits in the process and reducing the threat to that of an injured unarmed attacker ready to have strikes employed against them to incapacitate them.
Weapon disarming is always a last resort and potentially dangerous option and the danger level is increased by considerable with a lack of mobility.
The key to effectively being able to employee stationary evasive type weapon disarming is high repetition practice and remaining focused on the weapon and ensuring your timing is correct when the weapon is fully committed and beyond the point of no return.
This is a critical time to employ a stationary evasion making the weapon miss you its target and providing the opportunity of attacker disarming and or neutralizing.
If stationary evasion is not possible then against upper quadrant slashes or thrusts you would have to twist your torso from front on to side on at the point of enemy weapon full commitment raise your cover guard arm closest to your attacker and disarm or neutralize as previous.
You may need to immediately post twisting your body change your footing to improve balance and stability.
Finally anyone that may have problems with balance should practice safe side falling to be well versed in how to reduce the effects of hard ground falling combatively through correct combative falling and recovery.
To practice crouch as low to the ground as possible look to the ground on the side you intend to fall to identify terrain related dangers. Raise your arm closest to the sky up into a cover guard seizing and securing the nape of your neck right where your neck and head join and cover as much of the top cervical vertebrae as possible with the palm of your hand. Your hand closest to the ground should be raised up across your body and seize your own bicep reducing the risk of the point of your elbow coming into contact with the hard surface. Now pull your chin down to your chest as you fall from as close to the ground as possible on your side and never have ground contact during the fall with your back neck or head. The ground contact surfaces of your body will be your side of your buttock closest to the ground followed by the outside of your shoulder blade closest to the ground. The motion is a banana like rocking motion reducing ground impact. To recover swing the leg closest to the ground back underneath the skyward closest leg turning your hips. Employ the palm of the hand closest to the ground to push up to kneeling on the knee closest to the ground and then rise back up to standing. Good exercise to practice for safety and to increase mobility.
I hope these principles and suggestions are of use and if there is anything you do not fully understand or cannot find from your phase one material then just let me know and I can take some pics for you and email them.
Loyalty is everything
Tank
* * *
Comments received re the Todd knives
Just used that Todd knife I got from you and it is the sharpest knife I have ever had.
The package arrive safe and sound State side (green role model) what a great blade.
I read the article on your Todd knives in the Dec issue of Tactical knives and have since purchased your black and green role knives.
I can tell the Late Applegate taught you well and that you must be in the know and listening to the guys on the ground.
These are truly the best I have had and even more than the great craftsmanship is the all included practical features.
Thank you for thinking of the operators.
* * *
I congratulate Mr Michael Janich and Tactical Knives for venturing so far from home to bring readers a story on the Todd knives and the man who designed them.
This was an interesting story and they look like serious knives.
It’s good to read that allies are so committed to hand to hand combat and that they have such a history in hand to hand.
