| Note: I wrote this essay regarding the development of | | | | Damian is a highly skilled grappler in any venue, i.e., |
| Tekkenryu jujutsu. However, I think it is applicable for all | | | | wrestling, judo, and submission. Clint is a walking |
| methods of self defense. It may also explain why | | | | encyclopedia of "waza"; Ralph is amazing in his |
| martial arts are the way they are. | | | | knowledge of close combat and weapons. Each of |
| Catholic, by definition, means universal or "broad | | | | these men could teach to a high level of SKILL and |
| minded". | | | | COMPLEXITY with NO PROBLEM. However, they |
| I could pull out STACKS of manuals, syllabuses, films, | | | | fully understand that you must "walk before you run". |
| and related research material that cover an ENTIRE | | | | So, they are strong advocates of BASICS. First! |
| range of unarmed combat. | | | | Judokas (like any other combative athletes) have a |
| Some methods advocate wrestling as their base, | | | | term called "Tokuiwaza" or "favored" technique. It is |
| others use boxing or savate. Some jujutsu and judo | | | | that one method that it is worked on incessantly, |
| while others call their systems "rough and tumble" or | | | | continually for YEARS in search of "perfection". |
| "all in", and there is even a system based on American | | | | Whether it be "Judo" Kimura, Gerry Cooney, |
| SPORTS. I have an old manual on YOGA for self | | | | "Strangler" Lewis, or Georges Carpentier, this approach |
| defense. The material ranges from current to OLD, | | | | holds true. So, realistically, does this apply to MOST |
| some very old. | | | | PEOPLE? NO. That's why "champions" are revered. |
| These varied systems have everything! Striking and | | | | They are the EXCEPTIONS. |
| kicking methods drawn from EVERY method and | | | | Why would anyone "teach" a middle aged |
| "nationality", GRAPPLING methods from Lutte to Judo, | | | | businessman or a small petite housewife a technique |
| from Sambo to All-In Wrestling. They range from | | | | or method that requires complex skills developed over |
| standing to the ground; all aspects, all methods. | | | | YEARS and that requires a "set" of physical adjuncts |
| The guys in our crew have trained in an impressive | | | | in order to be even somewhat effective? |
| array of systems and methods. They have a fantastic | | | | Well, you wouldn't, at least NOT initially. Like building a |
| "pool" of knowledge, SKILL, and TRAINING to draw | | | | house, you start with a SOLID foundation, and then |
| from. | | | | BUILD from there. So the simplest approach in regards |
| OKAY, so WHAT? | | | | to personal protection is to start with techniques based |
| See if this makes sense............ | | | | on what the "smallest can do to the largest". Is that a |
| Damian, Clint, and I worked out a comprehensive | | | | guarantee of SUCCESS? NO, that's not how life |
| syllabus of instruction. It is based on a catholic | | | | works. Is it a LOGICAL place to "start"? I believe so. |
| approach to combatives. We drew these methods | | | | Damian, Clint or I could teach DOZENS of different |
| from a number of varied sources and training. The | | | | chokeholds and strangleholds. Ralph could teach |
| problem as we saw it was in the PROGRESSION of | | | | DOZENS of highly complex drills and methods of stick |
| instruction. Here's how we attempted to solve this | | | | and knife work. DOZENS! So what! Without the time, |
| fundamental problem: | | | | training and dedication to master these techniques they |
| Very few individuals will start so-called "martial arts" | | | | are WORSE than useless. The same goes for any |
| instruction or training and stay with it for any real length | | | | "class" of techniques. Training and the |
| of time. Many combative skills are JUST that, SKILLS! | | | | DEVELOPMENT of skill is what makes ANYTHING |
| They require dedicated time and training to inculcate to | | | | "WORK". |
| the extent that they will be "useful" in a REAL fight or | | | | So ALL we advocate is that simple common sense |
| even in a controlled "free sparring" environment. | | | | basic approach. Start with the SIMPLEST methods |
| Japanese Judoka have a saying - "One year for | | | | and build from there. |
| Newaza, TEN years for Tachiwaza". In other words, | | | | It has NOTHING to do with "blind" allegiance to any one |
| proficiency in groundwork can be gained in a year, | | | | method or man. It has NOTHING to do with being a |
| standing techniques require ten. So, here we see an | | | | "zealot". It has NOTHING to do with following any |
| acknowledgement that "different" SKILLS require | | | | "gospel" in ignorance. |
| varied amounts of TIME, TRAINING, and DEDICATION. | | | | It has EVERYTHING to do with a sincere dedication to |
| So that was our problem. MOST people will simply | | | | seeking the best, most rational and logical "solutions" to |
| NOT invest the time and effort to "master" MANY of | | | | the multitude of complex problems inherent in real |
| the skills involved. MOST people will "train" for a limited | | | | world survival. |
| amount of time and then move on to the next "thing" | | | | This is why on going, dedicated research is SO |
| that catches their interest. | | | | CRUCIAL. Some question that "validity" of certain |
| What then is OUR responsibility as "instructors"? What | | | | methods. DO NOT assume that these "questions" |
| we did is set a curriculum that takes this into account. | | | | have NOT been asked and answered by others. Only |
| The syllabus, for the first three to six months, includes | | | | a fool would blindly follow any "doctrine" without |
| NOTHING but the most BASIC, easily UNDERSTOOD, | | | | questioning and validating the information presented. |
| SIMPLEST METHODS of EFFECTIVE PERSONAL | | | | Can a skilled grappler apply his craft? Of course. Could |
| PROTECTION. Someone can train for a limited time | | | | a skilled boxer or muay thai fighter ply his trade with |
| AND still get something USEFUL in terms of "SKILL". | | | | success? Of course. That's NOT the question. The |
| What was our basis on selection of "method"? | | | | question is "what can YOU do?" What one can do at |
| "Hence the reason for a simple type of instruction with | | | | twenty is different than what one can do at fifty. |
| a great deal of emphasis on the FEW elementary | | | | What one can do after several years of training is |
| methods which can be easily and instinctively used in | | | | different than what one can do after several months |
| combat after practice.....basis of selection was the | | | | of training. What one can do against an opponent of |
| theory of what the smallest man can do to the | | | | equal strength and weight is different than what one |
| largest." | | | | can do against a much larger, stronger adversary, or |
| I'm quoting Applegate from the 1943 edition of Kill Or | | | | for that matter, a much smaller, lighter one. |
| Get Killed (This DOES NOT, I hope, portray me as a | | | | So what's the point to all of this? Simple. Know who |
| zealot). | | | | you are. What YOU are capable of. What YOUR |
| Continued training and "dedication" will result in learning | | | | abilities are. YOUR strengths, YOUR weaknesses, |
| more and more "complex" skills. However, if an | | | | YOUR goals. Take a hard long realistic appraisal and |
| individual ceases practice after a "limited" amount of | | | | find the answer to that question. |
| time, we feel that we have at LEAST given something | | | | And then work from there. |
| of VALUE in terms of personal survival. | | | | |