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The swivel transition in Todd System CQC

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The swivel transition in Todd System of European Military CQC is a straight line slide and pivot action. There is an orthodox option and an unorthodox option.

The orthodox option is employed for centre line alignment offensive actions delivery and the unorthodox option for off centre line side quadrants targeting. The orthodox slide and pivot transition from side on to front on requires the lead boot to slide straight line backwards and the unorthodox variation requires the rear most boot in relation to the target to slide straight forward.

With both the orthodox and unorthodox options post the sliding of the relevant boot both boots pivot frontal towards the target and the offensive action is executed from a frontal stance and guard. The slide and pivot swivel transition allows the maintaining of positive ground contact throughout the side to front stance and guard transition.

The hard cover guard component maximizes safety and if combined with an offensive hand edge or elbow swivel action component provides an offensive assault means simultaneous with the side to front stance and guard transition.This reduces the opportunity for the enemy to execute a counter engagement against you during your side to front stance and guard transition.

The unorthodox option provides the capability to target exposed side quadrants targets if the frontal targets are well protected. The slide and pivot swivel transition can also be employed when the enemy seizes you from the rear flanks including in rear pull downs and garrote attacks.

Rear flank seizure  assault resistance from a frontal stance combined with an open stance pivot straight line boot rearward sliding action and secondary pivoting action to face your foe can all be conducted with high level stability and sound ground affinity control. The slide and pivot swivel is an  effective means of both risk reduction and counter engagement threat neutalization options employment. On slippery or uneven terrain the slide and pivot swivel action is a primary means of target orientation and threat neutralization. It is also a far safer means in battle dress body armor or with a pack on your back where dynamic footwork actions are not possible or increase risk.

Up against a foe that is physically bigger and stronger the slide and pivot swivel transition combined with half through full squat resistance provides high level positional control reducing enemy force level capabilities to move, lift or decentralize you. Combine the slide and pivot swivel transition with dirty or deadly threat neutralisation offensive actions and your chances of objective achievement are maximized.
The slide and pivot transition is also a primary component of armed combat target alignment and engagement.

The variation of the swivel that I was taught by my former instructors was a more curved transition and I changed it to a straight line action to maintain stance width throughout the transition and reduce travel distance and time of execution and increase the likelihood of a clear path during the transition. The Todd military CQC skills are made up of straight line actions to exploit the most direct line of travel between points.

Pivoting and sliding have proven to be the most effective means of directional change and safe and  secure footing movements in military actions on CQC encounters.

Article written by Tank Todd

Special Operations CQB Master Chief Instructor. Over 30 years experience. The only instructor qualified descendent of Baldock, Nelson, and Applegate. Former instructors include Harry Baldock (unarmed combat instructor NZ Army WWII), Colonel Rex Applegate OSS WWII and Charles Nelson, US Marine Corps. Tank has passed his Special Forces combative instructor qualification course in Southeast Asia and is certified to instruct the Applegate, Baldock and Nelson systems. His school has been operating for over eighty years and he is currently an Army Special Operations Group CQB Master Chief Instructor. His lineage and qualifications from the evolutionary pioneers are equalled by no other military close combat instructor. His operation includes his New Zealand headquarters, and 30 depots worldwide as well as contracts to train the military elite, security forces, and close protection specialists. Annually he trains thousands of exponents and serious operators that travel down-under to learn from the direct descendant of the experts and pioneers of military close combat. Following in the footsteps of his former seniors, he has developed weapons, and training equipment exclusive to close combat and tactical applications. He has published military manuals and several civilian manuals and produced DVDs on urban self protection, tactical control and restraint, and close combat. He has racked up an impressive 100,000+ hours in close combat.