Fairbairn on the Fairbairn Method
March 9, 2010
Something for our shooting “enthusiasts” -
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
Background:
“Prior to my association with the armed forces of Great Britain and the United States I served as Assistant Commissioner in Command of the Riot Squads of the Shanghai Municipal Police Command from 1925 to 1940. During this period, our force handled over 2000 riot calls of all types and descriptions, including shooting affrays, many of which were against armed robbers and kndnappers. In addition, the squads were responsible for the investigation and tracking down of vice-rings and narcotics smugglers.”……….
“…….The art of close contact fighting includes fighting with and without knives; firing of a pistol under every conceivable condition and at every possible position likely to be met in actual combat during day or night……….”
MYSTERY RANGES-
Fronting
January 6, 2010
"Fronting”: The dodge to get in close to you. The frontal assault, as opposed to the ambush.
Fronting can be either a direct confrontation (intimidation) or it can make use of “artifice”, i.e. “got a light?”, “got the time?”, “how do I get to such and such?” Anything “innocent” to throw you off your guard and allow the assailant to “get into your safety zone”. That is the area where action is ALWAYS faster than re-action.
The key here is NEVER TRUST anyone’s “intention”, NEVER!
Maintaining the “reactionary gap” is the single most important “thing” in this situation. In order for ANY attack to be optimally effective three things must “work” in the attackers favor: Time - Distance - Opportunity.
NEVER “allow” anyone within arms distance. If they are close enough to simply reach out and touch you, you have a BIG PROBLEM.
How did you get there?
I wish I had a dime for every self-defense “expert” that starts with this line - OK, the bad guy throws a punch……………
WHAT? Did he just appear in a cloud of smoke? Simply materialize from nowhere? What preceded this “punch”?
Elements of Unarmed Combat
November 5, 2009
Custom build your own personal “system”:
Useful areas of training and study to find, train and develop the various “parts” -
To develop STRIKING: Western BOXING Savate Muay Thai (Burmese Boxing) Jiu Jitsu ATEMI Old style KEMPO
To develop GRAPPLING: Catch/Freestyle Wrestling Greco-Roman Wrestling JUDO Sambo (Real SAMBO/SOMBO) Brazilian Jujutsu
A comprehensive study of the above will provide methods applicable to ANY so-called “ranges” of combat.
They will also provide ALL “techniques” necessary -
Striking, punching, kicking, knees, elbows, headbutts, biting, gouging, ripping, clawing, crushing, joint breaking(from the neck to the ankles), throws, trips, take-downs, strangles, chokeholds, and other assorted “nasties”.
“Mixed Martial Arts”. BULL@#$!(sounds like a f@#$ing breakfast omelet or pancake mix). This is real Kill Or Get Killed UNARMED COMBAT, gaining the ability and knowledge to EXPLOIT any and ALL weaknesses of the enemy and to NEVER EVER be caught by “surprise”.
ADD to this the ability to USE REAL and EFFECTIVE WEAPONS and you have about the MOST comprehensive system possible.
Its not going to look pretty. It never does.
The Dojo
September 5, 2009
Just as an aside. For those who would “box” us in to specific “category”………
We don’t just write articles. There is a place we actually train in these methods every day. This is where people of various backgrounds come together and have one thing in common, TRAINING.
At the “Dojo”(which it is), we train in grappling methods drawn from many different styles. Hard HARD training in throws, takedowns, joint locks, chokes, strangleholds, and varied submissions. We drill and drill and FIGHT.
At the “Dojo”(which it is), we train in striking, punching, and kicking methods drawn from many different styles. Hard HARD training. We drill and drill, we hit heavy bags, banana bags, uppercut bags, speedbags, “makiwara”, and “spar pros”. We train full contact with Bogu and FIGHT.
At the “Dojo”(which it is), we train in hard combative oriented physical conditioning. Strength training, speed training, endless drills, grappling enhancement drills, striking enhancement drills. This helps us FIGHT. This is what we do.
The DOJO is there. It’s real and tangible. It’s where we TRAIN. Just a note to anyone who might believe we sit around JUST reading books and pontificating. The door is always open and the invitation to train is there. You can call 973.831.0315.
Does It Hurt When I Do This?
July 1, 2009
Let me tell you something. I don’t bruise too easily. You guys know after years of Wrestling, Football, Karate, Jujutsu and Judo- you develop resistance to those types of things. Well at least I That’s what I thought? Every time I work out with Carl Cestari, I am left with reminders of our time together. I have to tell you, the day after filming the Combat Jujutsu Series I had bits and pieces bruised or missing!!!
One time in particular, when Carl was on the bottom (Soon to be released CJ3 How to Build a Solid Ground Defense) and he put his thumb in my hip to create an opening. Now at the time, it hurt, so I moved. That created the little opening that Mr. Cestari wanted to move to a more advantageous position. H proceeded to take me apart with a series of strikes, locks and whatever he felt like doing. The next morning as I was getting dressed, realizing how sore I was, I noticed a quarter size bruise on my hip!
Content, Are We?
May 1, 2009
I asked a simple question at the last seminar:
“How much has everyone improved in the year since we last got together?”
I’ve practiced the same basics everyday for decades.
Everyday Rain or shine. Summer, winter, spring and fall. Over and over and over………………………………………
And I’m never satisfied. I’m not fast enough, I don’t hit hard enough, my basic “technique” is NOT at all satisfactory.
I don’t train a lot of “techniques”. But, I train those “techniques” a lot.
Basic fundamental stuff. That’s all I can handle.
Over and over and over and over and over…………………………..
Know why?
Because I’m NEVER satisfied. I’m not fast enough, I don’t hit hard enough, my basic “technique” is NOT at all satisfactory.
Nope! I’m NEVER happy.
It might be nice to “do” more advanced, complex, and exotic stuff.
But personally I can’t justify it. I see far too much room for improvement in just the most basic fundamental stuff.
Because I’m never satisfied. I’m not fast enough, I don’t hit hard enough, my basic “technique” is NOT at all satisfactory.
Im Soooo Confused…
February 27, 2009
I was going to write about the BASICS of “practical unarmed combat”. Things like a solid and productive core of strength training, development of real speed and power. Body conditioning and toughening, Stamina. A “never say die” iron will. You know “esoteric” stuff like that.
But here are something’s you SHOULD do before any of THAT.
Get your ass into a REAL Judo Dojo or REAL Sombo academy. Get on that tatami and do randori with some REAL Judoka or Sombo men.
Get your ass into a REAL wrestling club. Get on the mat with some REAL wrestlers (old time catch hookers and rippers especially).
Get your ass into a REAL boxing/kickboxing/muay thai gym. Get in the ring with some REAL hard and fast hitters.
Invest some dough and get any of a number of “real” street-fight videos or even some good boxing/thai boxing/NHB matches. This in lieu of going out and insulting a group of inner-city gang-bangers, some “real” Mafioso, or some Eastern Block gangsters.
At this point you should be fairly black and blue, mauled a bit, and generally “worked” over. Unless you are an absolute numbnuts you should have a fairly good idea of what it takes to EVEN SURVIVE a REAL fight against a resisting and determined opponent.
Bogu Training
December 28, 2008
About four years ago Carl recommended we start using the Bogu during our kumite (sparring practice). This method was developed in Okinawa and then found its way into mainland Japan and eventually to the U.S. where only a few clubs still do this. And even in those clubs, only a few members do it. I know there is other equipment out there that looks similar and I have used most of what’s available. But it does not provide you with nearly the same overall effect that the bogu does. Rules in bogu training ? Any punch, any kick, save foot stomps, a strike to the spine and to the back of the neck. Throws and leg kicking is certainly allowed. Use, dare I say, your commonsense.
What is the training like?
When you fight, you just go and beat the crap out of each other. This is the point. Sure, you look to get that "One Shot One Kill" but you have to train in a way that prepares you for reality. If you train to stop after that first shot- you are developing a habit that will come back to haunt you. You always train three techniques ahead.
Catholic Self Defense
October 27, 2008
Note: I wrote this essay regarding the development of Tekkenryu jujutsu. However, I think it is applicable for all methods of self defense. It may also explain why martial arts are the way they are.
Catholic, by definition, means universal or “broad minded”.
I could pull out STACKS of manuals, syllabuses, films, and related research material that cover an ENTIRE range of unarmed combat.
Some methods advocate wrestling as their base, others use boxing or savate. Some jujutsu and judo while others call their systems “rough and tumble” or “all in”, and there is even a system based on American SPORTS. I have an old manual on YOGA for self defense. The material ranges from current to OLD, some very old.
These varied systems have everything! Striking and kicking methods drawn from EVERY method and “nationality”, GRAPPLING methods from Lutte to Judo, from Sambo to All-In Wrestling. They range from standing to the ground; all aspects, all methods.
The guys in our crew have trained in an impressive array of systems and methods. They have a fantastic “pool” of knowledge, SKILL, and TRAINING to draw from.
OKAY, so WHAT? See if this makes sense…………
By-Rote Combinations
August 26, 2008
Do not believe that practicing “by rote” 1-2-3,etc. type “responses” to street attacks is a viable or particularly useful training exercise. Example: He does this, I do that. For attack A I use Defense A.
Realize that in a street fight there are far too many variables, too many contingencies. Uncle Murphy rules the roost. Terrain, weather, injuries, any number of unforeseen deficits is one major concern.
The variety of assailants (size, number, weight, height, mental state, tolerance to pain, clothing) is another major stumbling block.
Train your “tools”, study your “targets” and master your “opening gambit”, anything “rehearsed” past that point, that initial sudden and explosive action is unrealistic.
ANYONE with real experience knows this. Whatever can go wrong…….WILL! So your training must emphasize instinctive and spontaneous “reactions” as opposed to attempted by rote “responses”. You “take” whatever the attacker gives you, or make whatever opening you need, but there is NO way to know this before hand!
Many so-called “combative” systems miss the most fundamental principle of training……..K.I.S.S.!
A padded syllabus may “look” impressive and “complete” but in light of the stark realities of survival, they are counter-productive.
