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INSTANT GRATIFICATION
Author: Matthew Temkin
A long-term study of the martial arts is not the only way to acquire effective unarmed combat skills. With the proper selection of techniques and training procedures, nearly anyone can become skilled in close combat within six months. Black belts who find this statement laughable need only look to the Special Forces of the U.S. military.
It has been proved time and again that mastering one flexible technique is more effective than learning a dozen others in a half-hearted way. Too many instructors demand a set response for each attack, then regularly introduce new techniques for similar attacks delivered at slightly different angles. At best, this approach requires years of training; at worst, half the class gains a false confidence in techniques unsuitable for them. Teaching an armbar to a man who stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and is built like a sumo wrestler is one thing, but insisting that a 5-foot-1-inch, 100-pound housewife rely on the same to subdue an enraged rapist twice her weight is unfair and dangerous.
A proper “average person’s” technique has to work regardless of differences in size, ground surface, lighting conditions or physical obstructions. The defense must be simple enough to be learned quickly and executed automatically —without constant practice because most of us have other responsibilities besides learning how to fight.
The hand and foot skills offered below are culled from commando handto- hand combat and jujutsu. They do not require exotic stances, warm-up exercises, hand conditioning, meditation, chi (internal energy) or the years of instruction demanded by many martial arts. Rather, they are basic, simple and ideally suited to a home-study course. Most importantly, when delivered with surprise, speed and reasonable power against the body’s vulnerable areas, they get the job done.
1. SIDE OF THE FIST A blow with the side of your fist eliminates the risk associated with using a boxing punch—breaking your knuckles, thumb or wrist, or failing to knock out your opponent—but still allows you to land a damaging strike. It’s a natural motion that uses the sturdy bone along the edge of your hand. To form this weapon, make a tight fist with your thumb pressed against your middle and index fingers. Keep your wrist straight and rigidly locked. Deliver it with a chopping, whip-like motion.
It should impact with the fleshy side of your hand between the pinky and the wrist, and snap back immediately afterward. The best targets include the groin, neck, nose, temple, jaw and chin.
2. HEEL OF THE HAND With the heel of your hand, you can break any frontal grab—provided, of course, that you have one hand free. You can also use it in many other close-combat situations. Form the weapon by bending your hand back at the wrist, with your thumb tucked in and fingers spread. Strike with the base of your hand and the little hollow produced in the lower part of your palm. When you’re very close to the enemy, ram it under his chin; this forces his head back. Follow up by gouging his eyes with your outstretched fingers.
If the opponent keeps you at arm’s length, start throwing heel-of-the-hand blows in quick, piston-like combinations. Aim anywhere on the face, but the nose is usually the preferred target. At the very least, this will keep him offbalance and vulnerable to other strikes.
Even if none of the blows reaches him, the mere fact that you are now on the offensive will keep him busy enough protecting himself that he can no longer hurt you.
3. CUPPED-HAND CLOUT Cup your hands like a swimmer and simultaneously bash them over your attacker’s ears, whipping your hands back after making contact. At the very least, the opponent will be punch drunk, but more likely he’ll drop like a rock.
4. THUMB GOUGE The eyes are the most delicate part of a person’s anatomy, and this gruesome technique can rip them right out of his head. Sharply bend your thumbs and place the tips on the inside corner of each eye. Now straighten your thumbs with a jerking motion and drive them deep inside and toward his ears.
Practice this on your partner’s forehead —never on the eyes themselves— and you will be amazed when you observe how far back his head snaps. The thumb gouge is an ideal follow-up to a cupped-hand clout but must be reserved for actual life-or-death confrontations only.
5. KNUCKLE PUNCH This strike is used against the throat, neck, midsection, groin or other soft parts of the body. Bend your fingers at the second joint with the fingertips pressed against the upper part of your palm, and place your thumb on top of your index finger. Strike with the first three knuckles in a jabbing fashion.
Surprisingly little force is required for effectiveness, especially when you hit the windpipe.
6. FRONT SNAP KICK This technique requires more balance and practice than the others, but it is worth the effort. Raise either leg waist high and keep your supporting leg bent to enhance your balance. Quickly move your kicking leg straight forward without twisting your knee. Whether you strike your target or not, snap your leg back immediately to prevent your opponent from grabbing it. If you wear sturdy shoes, you can kick toe-first; otherwise, strike with the heel or ball of your foot. The best targets are the shins and knees, but the groin shouldn’t be overlooked. Since most men expect a groin attack, attempt one only when your opponent is visibly weakened or distracted.
7. KNEE THRUST Many instructors warn against relying on the knee thrust because, in their words, “The testicles are difficult to hit, and a bungled attempt will only make your attacker angrier.” That may appear logical on paper, but those who have street experience will agree that in some situations, such as being lifted in a front bear hug, a knee thrust is the only practical solution. Such a technique delivered anywhere in the groin area or even the outer thigh can cause substantial pain—not the knockout type of pain a testicle kick produces, but enough so you can launch additional blows which will take him out of action. Furthermore, a knee thrust is the only technique that automatically deflects a knee thrust aimed at you, so whenever hand-to-hand grappling ensues, the wise man gets his shot in first.
For those who still aren’t convinced that knees are prime weapons against the groin, I offer this test: Strap on a sturdy protective cup, then stand with your legs together to shield your testicles and invite your partner to ram his knee into your crotch. You’ll soon find out what a wooden floor tastes like.
To execute the knee thrust, grab your opponent’s lapels for balance, bend either knee and start ramming it upward. If he hasn’t dropped after one or two attempts, stick your thumb in his eye, ram a finger up his nostril or bite his nose. He’ll be too busy guarding his “family jewels” to see it coming. Then you can launch additional thrusts at will.
8. SCRAPING KICK This kick is a short-range version of the powerful side kick—one that can be mastered in a fraction of the time. A scraping kick is more practical than karate-type kicks because most fights occur with blinding speed and in such close quarters that an attempt to throw a traditional kick often gets the wrong man hurt. To deliver a scraping kick, turn slightly to the left to protect your groin, smash the outer edge of your right shoe into his shin and scrape downward. Finish by stomping on his foot with your heel. You’ll notice the funny way he lurches forward, chin exposed, almost inviting the heel-of-thehand blow as a follow-up.
Spend plenty of time practicing these eight techniques until they become as reflexive as driving a car. You will soon discover that some work better for you than others; those are the ones you should concentrate on in training so they become reflexive on the street. ...
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