How To: Selected Jujutsu Techniques

In this section I will be presenting selected jujutsu techniques in picture format with an explanation and related principles.  Be careful if you decide to see if they work because I will not be held liable if you get stupid and hurt your training partner.

Handshake greeting arm lock

Handshake greeting arm lock






1.  This technique is taken from a right handshake greeting.  It can be done from a reach or a punch but for beginners it is done from a handshake.
                                                                                    

                                                                                         

2.  Use your left hand to distract or strike your opponent on the jaw (SI 5).  As you do this pull your opponent's right hand toward your right rear and turn his or her palm up.
                                                                              


3.  With your left hand encircle the opponent's right arm high on the opponent's biceps.  Use the head of your radial bone to "scrape" the muscles out of the way and expose the nerves (Triple Warmer 12) of the triceps tendon receptors.  Reach up with your left hand and create a base by grasping your own shirt or jacket.

                                                                                

4.  Press downward and toward the centerline of your opponent's body.  To make the technique more effective tighten your lats and exhale as you do the technique.  Upon submission move to a defensive position.

5.  Principles for this technique include:  create a base, elongation of the tendons and ligaments, put joints into opposition, use of pressure points (TW 12), fulcrum activation, and transitional flow.


Learn more about this technique in Volume 2 of Principles of Person Combat, available soon!  Train Hard!

Ezine Articles

Politically Incorrect Self Defense Training

 

            Why do you train in the martial arts?  Do you train to get the glory of a $3.00 piece of plastic?  Do you train to learn how to fight?  If you do a “martial sport” and that is your intent and purpose and you realize that you will never do a back flip in a street fight, that’s fine, drive on.  If you train in a “mixed martial art” format and you realize that ring fighting is still different from street fighting that’s good also and you are getting closer to the real thing.  Many times we delude ourselves into thinking that what and how we are training is the best way.  It never ceases to amaze me when I hear comments like “My style is better that your style”.  [And my instructor can beat up your instructor!]  On any given day someone can kick your butt.  Maybe it has something to do with star alignment or something or maybe your karma is off that particular day.  I have actually had people come into my dojo and make statements such as “My instructor says this punch cannot be defended against.”  He was right.  I could not defend against it.  I was laughing way to hard to even try a block or deflection.  Another was a couple of young men that asked what I would do if choked from the side.  This was the infamous TV choke.  You know, both hands around the throat.  So the young man steps to my side to suppress my arm as he is choking me.   He squeezes my throat as I do a five-finger testicular constriction.  He lets go and runs out of the dojo.  What does that tell you about his training or about my old age and treachery?

            Another issue that really irritates me is:  are you being taught to fall properly?  If not, go get your money back because you are being cheated.  Of all the neat martial art goodies that we are presented it will probably be taking a proper break fall that will save your butt.  Has mine having slipped on the ice while wearing my cop boots, dumping my motorcycle in the desert after having hit an unexpected muddy spot and also on a parachute jump where the DZ was infected by frozen irrigation ditches.  I landed in the middle of one and if I had done a proper parachute-landing fall I probably would have broke my leg.  Knowing how to fall can save your butt in a fight should you be taken to the ground, slip or get knocked down.

            A few years back I offered to let a young man use me as a punching dummy while he prepared for an up-coming tournament.  He was young, strong and fast but every time I started a counter offensive he would turn his back to me and cover his head.  You are a product of your training and nothing more.  He would do the same thing in a street fight with deadly results.  You will absolutely perform exactly as you train.  The more you train a specific way the more your response will be as you have trained.  This is as true for martial artists as it is for grunts.  Train like you fight, fight like you train.  A good reference to read is “The Talent Code” by Daniel Coyle.

            Unlike fair fights, self-defense has no rules, just the application of correct principles.  Hit any and all openings given you by your opponent and they will give you all the opportunity you need to defeat him or her.  Hit hard and fast and don’t stop until your opponent can no longer present a threat.  My concept is to deliver 1-5 strikes which include knees, kicks, elbows, palm heels, eye pokes, etc. then throw your attacker to the ground as hard as possible.  Then depending upon the tactical situation, finish him off with a constriction (an arm bar or a strangulation technique) or if the situation warrants, use your Cold Steel.  Just make sure you can justify your actions.  Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six.

            Another concern I have is about the folks that are conned into taking a “self defense” course be it two hours at the local community center or other such venue lasting as long as six weeks.  The training needs to be done to such an extent that it builds “muscle memory” and you just can’t do that in a single two-hour class.  Self-defense skills are perishable and must be practiced on a regular basis to be retained.  For us martial artists to be able to claim mastery over a technique we must do it about 5000 times.  You might be able to do that in a weekend if you are into self abuse but otherwise how many years does that take?  Depends on the depth of commitment and intensity of your training.  Some courses are good as they stress realism to a degree.  You cannot get totally real without someone getting seriously hurt but you can induce enough of an adrenalin dump to get a good idea of what to expect.  You must also train in the environment you expect to fight in.  Yes we use mats most of the time to encourage longevity but occasionally the crusty old fart has everyone line up for break falls on the concrete floor.  Someone even said it wasn’t a good workout unless we drew blood.  I’m not sure of that, but…

            An excellent source of information is available in books but reading about self-defense and getting on the mat are two different critters.  One book I do highly recommend is “Meditations on Violence” by Rory Miller.  In fact I make it mandatory reading for my black belt students.  Another good book is “The Gift Of Fear” by Gavin DeBecker.  Avoidance is the best tool of self-defense you have and your brain the greatest weapon.  A lot can be said about tongue fu and the ability to talk your way out of a confrontation.

            When you have no other course of action but to fight then you must flip the switch and become a human buzz saw.  You will probably get hit but unless you are unconscious or dead you keep fighting.  It ain’t over until it is over, never quit.

            Train hard.  Bumps and bruises will heal with time.  Not all of the lessons are found in the dojo.  Be alert to your surroundings and don’t be afraid to tell someone to back off or get lost.  Listen to your instincts and act on them.  It is best to never know if your skills would have been put to use in that dark alley you decided not to walk down because it didn’t feel right.