Part 38 of the Close Combat Files
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.
This edition of the close combat files is to provide information as to why the Todd Close Combat Systems consider skills primary and secondary or emergency for combat.
The key to skills selection is simple and is determined by the specific skill being deemed the primary option for the role and to achieve the required objective.
The aim of the expert instructor is to reduce the risk to as lower level as humanly possible and employ the most proven effective option to achieve the desired objective safely quickly and quietly.
There usually are secondary options and emergency options available but the primary option has been deemed primary by its desirable characteristics employment components and likely outcome.
We will in this file look at some primary skills and secondary skills drawn from both the urban self-defence and military battlefield modules of the Todd Group’s close combat systems.
The use of the combat boot is the primary and most effective unarmed offensive option and in limited basic self-defence training is the best and only option that need be instructed as covered in the last issue of the close combat files titled the combat boot.
The following is a brief reiteration of some of the important points of the use of the boot in combat or self-defence.
Take for example a sexual assault where the attacker is well aware the victim may well through prior training or desperation target their attackers eyes or groin.
The attacker will certainly take every effort to protect these vunerable targets.
The lower legs however will always be available for attack and once the knee joint and ligaments have been destroyed the stand up fight is all but over.
The shin is in direct line with the knee joint and the small bones of the foot making the lower leg and foot provide multiple inline targets.
The majority perception when you state kicks for combat or self defence is martial arts front, round or spinning kicks that require space time and skill not to mention athletic ability and don’t go well with boots webbing weapons and packs.
The military combat kicks are what I call close combat stamping kicks that could be employed in a phone booth. Check out from the archives the previous issue of the close combat files titled the combat boot for a detailed record of combat kicking.
There are also times when secondry static hand or entry hand combination attacks are required and this file will cover such combat strikes and the reasons for the individual skills options selection.
Other reasons for selecting hand, forearm and elbow strikes over combat kicks are that the combatant is a highly skilled striker (personal preference) or leg injuries that make balance or long range movement difficult or terrain that is not safe for combat kick applications or low lying obstacles that hinder combat kick applications. The final reason I will cover for employing close range hand, forearm and elbow strikes over long-range combat kicks is target availability.
If a target is open and immediately available to be attacked with ease then it may well be the primary means to achieving the objective.
Close Range Hand, Elbow and Forearm strikes.
The hand edge strike performed in the flat hand position is a primary option over fist formation strikes for the following reasons.
Hand edge strike
The hand edge strike preformed in the flat hand position is a narrow blow well suited to special operations unarmed lethal close combat.
By the very nature of its slim rigid line it is well suited to dealing deadly blows to the nape of the neck behind a seized helmet or to the throat above body armour and below chinstraps.
The hand edge strike is a sharp line blow that focuses on causing maximum damage across a definite target in a thin line of attack right through the target.
From the hand edge position in the flat hand formation all other palm heel and chin jab strikes as well as elbow strikes, bent fork finger strikes to the eyes, and web hand throat grabs have application commonality and in a high stress life and death situation can save you milliseconds that are the difference between winning and losing or life and death.
The hand edge blow requires a lot less application power than other fist strikes and in backhand applications like with entry set up outer hand edge strikes is applied in a continuous cutting motion that combined with the forearm provides a much longer natural weapon contact surface than fist strikes.
Employing the hand edge strike in a down ward rabbit chop application ensures sharp edge power right across the target for enemy take-outs.
The hammer blow is a secondary option that also utilises the side of the heel of the palm which is preferred over the knuckles that can be easily cut or broken in combat and can lead to serious infection and inability to be combative fit.
The hammer fist is a good less-lethal substitute for the hand edge strike for self-defence or roughhouse applications where lethal take out skills would not be employed.
The hammer fist is also more applicable to employing heavy blunt trauma to non-lethal large targets.
Like wise in urban encounters injuries such as boxer’s breaks and the risk of infection are a definite concern with strikes with the knuckles that make them non-primary options.
While both the hand edge and hammer fist strikes employ the durable side of the palm heel and power and velocity will greatly depend on the individual combatant, for special operations unarmed take outs the long narrow and sharp hand edge and forearm strike is my preferred option.
Note: Determined attackers that can handle a devastating right cross to the head can certainly equally cope with a hammer fist.
The hand edge however applied to its primary targets in military battlefield combat is employed to incapacitate or eliminate it is considered target take out specific and not general take on or fight orientated.
I am a believer in using the right and best tool for the job and where possible employing one option for many similiar situations over having to choose or change options in a high stress high risk low reaction time situation.
I have had reports of hammer fists being employed in street encounters where the effect was reduced by the target being on the move and offensive making the holding and hitting desirable application unachievable and of course the hammer fist is hardly the most desirable straight line entry means.
The hand edge applied from a flat hand formation in a neutral stance promotes the usage of combative open hand strikes over clenched fist strikes and the hand edge entry strikes with the less dominant hand combine well with dominant hand palm heel or chin jab finishing strikes in combination form.
The hand edge flat hand formation in a neutral stance also is more likely to maintain the element of surprise over a clenched fist position.
In a high stress ready to react to any sign or movement, maintaining the element of surprise to the last possible moment is crucial.
The hand edge in the open or flat hand formation also allows for immediate follow up with chin jabs and bent fork finger attacks to the eyes or elbow strikes with minimal changing of the formation of the hand.
Hand-edge strikes are more in line with specific target destruction and are less likely to see the combatant employing multiple fist strike take on over take out skills.
I promote the usage of the hammer fist in combat when the combatant is employing the use of a fist blade,combative spike or blunt trauma protrusion device and then it is only for specific target applications.
The hand edge strike provides fast entry set up strikes, rabbit chop type finishing blows, and has complete commonality with palm heel and chin jab combination finishing strikes.
It is easily applied in a self defence situation as part of an offensive assault combination or for a lethal take out blow to an exposed or seized vital point in military combat.
The hand edge employed from a flat hand formation also has commonality with double hand strikes and sharp edge strikes employed to prevent or escape holds.
Seizing the back of the head post back hand edge strike is a natural continuation progression after a hand edge strike that has not downed the subject but has moved and lowered their position to where they can be seized and finished off.
Sharp chopping strikes to the mound of the forearm attacking the radial nerve to cause a disarm or force the weapon holders own weapon down towards themselves are employed in short weapon disarming.
A good example of a hold escape employing the hand edge would be to escape a rear body hold by utilising the sharp edge of the hand to strike under the crotch and contact with the genitals.
The web hand and pouch seizures of the throat or genitals respectively also have natural commonality with the hand edge strike.
Compound handgrips to seize and secure or crush the throat, upright in the clinch or in ground combat footing recovery, are fast and simple variations of the hand edge formation.
Open hand strikes are more immediately compatible with side guard initiated combination entry strikes. Slight variations for a specific entry target or range such as a palm jab for facial and eye targeting or hand edge for throat carotoid or bridge of nose targeting or elbow entry strikes for very close range soft target destruction or clearing of the target are easy fast mappping on the move variations.Finishing strikes after the swivel manouver from the entry side guard position to the finishing front guard position when your enemy is injured incapacitated or off balance include the palm heel strike, chin jab combined with bent fork eye gouges and flat hand strikes to the throat as well as the axe kick and hand edge strikes to the back of the neck etc. for military close quarter take-outs only.
Striking and seizing of clothing or webbing by employing the palm heel strike and seizure is an effective immediate means to achieve this objective.
Stalking a sentry unarmed with your hands in the flat hand edge ready position also provides the best and quickest way to employ silencing and stunning incapacitation blows on the way to enemy elimination skills applications.
These hand ready positions also provide the most immediate hands ready to employ contingency options to silence and incapacitate the enemy should you be compromised when beyond the point of no return.
You can also effectively palm and conceal weapons in the flat hand edge ready position for covert surpise employments.
Signalling is also easier from a hand edge position as it instantly provides the easy application of a range of common operational open hand signals.
I have trained many fighters that swear by the clenched fist knuckle strikes for self defence and even combat that is until I demonstrate my practise strikes with the side of the palm heel on a steel pipe and then request they punch the same steel pipe with their preferred bare knuckles.
We all know punches work and a good pug can do serious damage but they also have too higher risk factors involved for specialist close combat.
I advise them the only time I would employ a clenched fist in combat is with the old brass knuckles a knuckle knife or sap gloves.
The hand edge strike properly employed will see the hand directly in line with the forearm and made rigid prior to impact with the hand edge slightly angled upwards to ensure the contact surface is the side of the heel of the palm and not the bones of the little finger.
The palm heel or chin jab strike must take into account the risk of injury to the wrist joint and by angling the hand in towards the centre and exposing the heel of the palm directly aligned to the forearm unnecessary backward snapping of the hand on impact that can injure the wrist can be reduced.
A right handed palm heel strike would see the hand and fingers angled and pointing to 10 o’clock while a left handed palm heel strike would see the hand and fingers angled and pointing to 2 o’clock.
The heel of the palm and edge of the hand are leathery and well padded surfaces less prone to cuts or breaks than the knuckles and can be chemically conditioned but that is not necessary.
Many of the old bare-knuckle fighters would use the brine from sauerkraut to condition their hands and military pharmacists of old would make up hand and knuckle conditioning formulas that would virtually tan your skin and make it leather-like. I can vouch that it works.
The flat hand edge is also in line with specialist close protection related close combat applications and where cameras and witnesses are a constant reality and clenched fists in the ready or during employment could be viewed as over reacting or confrontational. The flat hand is less likely to gain the same attention.
Elbow strikes for entry or finishing are target specific options that need to be employed at extremely close range to unprotected soft targets where the likely hood of bone-to-bone contact is not a consideration.
The elbows provide very sharp and pointed contact and create injuries that often bleed profusely. In combat, elbows are employed to soft targets only.
The elbow is also useful for clearing guarding forearms away from the desired target.
Finishing strikes with the elbows can also be employed if the combatant has a hand injury.
Roundhouse elbow strikes require the boots to pivot past the straight line enemy position in order for the strike to be employed with full committement and body alignment.
The final point of this column is that the hand edge strike employed from the neutral ready position employs initial lines of attack outside of the targets peripheral vision.
There is a reason for everything and this has been the reason I promote the hand edge over the clenched fist for combat.
Knowledge is power and individuals will make their own decisions based on their individual knowledge and the specific situational requirements, preferences and expertise.
The palm jab is a very effective entry set-up strike that although provides less strike impact surface does gain maximum reach. Contact being with the palm heel reduces the risks of knuckle jabs. The bent fork finger position can easily immediately follow the palm jab to gouge the eyes and the elbow is a natural follow-on entry progression.
Todd Systems close range combinations can involve one or more, or all the entry set-up strikes that will be followed by the finishing skills when the target is injured, off balance, incapacitated, or unguarded.
The finishing skills are based on Charles Nelson’s swivel manoeuvre, employing maximum hip rotation and forward commitment. The chin jab, palm heel strike, axe kick, or elbow can be effectively employed as finishing strikes.
Entry strikes in the Todd Systems are employed from the side guard providing the least exposed vitals under entry and high levels of entry speed.
The finishing strikes when safe to do so employ a full body turn and forward velocity. This method provides the desired components for both facets, the safe speedy entry set-up and the fully committed finish.
I have formulated my planning practise and preparation on having one battle proven principle in a specific combative required line of application, to combat as many similar situations as possible that eliminates as many negatives as possible and provides as many posititives as possible while maintaining maximum levels of safety and the element of surprise.
This I call my police dog principle in regards to being in a ready position that is a neutral flat hand edge position that reduces the likely hood of the high level of agitation and adrenalin rushes taking over and wild fist swinging.
I compare this to the police dog being a pet to its family but when the work collar goes on it becomes a controlled aggressive weapon.
The flat hand ready position is your police dog switch putting you in the combatant ready tactically correct mode of controlled aggression avoiding the take on fist swinging possibility.
Plenty of considerations for just one issue from the unarmed close range offensive assault module of the Todd Systems of special operations close combat.
The full Phase One Todd Close Combat System of offensive assault and counter-offensive unarmed assault can be found in the Todd Group Phase One manual.
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
