Shaffers Red Dragons - Anderson, SC

ARTICLES AND COMMENTARY

"REAL"

STREET STUFF

Since there is a legal risk (see article: Retreat to the wall) in initiating the action, your defensive re-action must be as good if not better than a first strike. This is not new news; but in this day of so much tournament kumite and kata, a good, practical, up close and personal counter, is advisable. At any rate, here are a couple of my favorites.

Thanks to Sempi Darrin Motes, and photographer Sensei Jason Anzur.

I like this defensive stance when an attack seems possible. It is a passive stance, but ready. Never stand with your hands hanging to your side or in an aggressive position.

I also prefer this type of block to the more traditional horizontal block. I like for my elbow to act as a weapon and better protect my head with this boxers block. It also gives you a better wrap angle. I move to the outside to avoid his other arm until I can stretch him out. At this point I follow the momentum and break him down into a guillotine . If he comes at my legs or tries a groin punch I break him to the right so he will use that hand to try to catch himself. I then trap the left arm high on the shoulder and finish with the hammer to his head ;one or more times!! If he lays his heard on the ground, it makes it easier to knock him out. I am in a disengage position. This is for multiple opponent protection. It is also our personal philosophy of disengagement when possible. We are first, stand up fighters.

The other option finds you unable to get outside after the block and stretch. I use the forearm to strike and throw at the same time. Somewhat like Wansu. I keep my left hand open and in the same position as in Seuchin. It gives you better arm control, and acts like a rudder at times, as in Chin-na. How you finish depends on where the guy goes down. I offered two finishes below. One, is a no nonsense punch. Again, if his head is on the ground, blast it!! If not, pull him toward you as you blast him.

The other, is use of the knees to do the job. I promise you this whole thing works, and has been tested in and out of the dojo, with great results.

Next, picture yourself in a big clinch. Lots of fights go here when someone grabs you to take you to the ground. Quickly slide out and break him down with your knee to the inside of his knee. Shift your hand position going down. This is easy as he will try to break his fall or lighten his grip on you at worst. Don't take him all the way down. Hold him in place for a facial. Then comes a crank, a pin, and a shuto to the back of the head if necessary. Just pretend it is.

This is called the Ranger choke, and you will find it in Wansu if you look hard enough. You stack your hands on top of each other to prevent the guy from pushing down with his chin. If and when he does, it completely wraps your fingers around his trachea. Every time I've tried it, my opponent due to the pain and panic, grabbed my arm instead of trying to hit me. I immediately pull him by his shirt (no shirt grab an ear) close to me while keeping the choke on. I roll him to his side to keep me out of trouble if I lose my hold. I then wrap his arm in a joint lock to hold him for the choke. Give it another five seconds max and you will have a very injured opponent. Suggest an immediate tracheotomy to the EMS people. The wrap and choke at the end has an application for besting a guy on the ground who has a knife.