Unarmed Combat

SELF–DEFENSE NERVE CENTERS & PRESSURE POINTS is a practical guide to the most efficent use of weaponless selfdefense using the least possible force. The results of self–defense actions are described in the most accurate way possible, taking into account the factors of relative size, strength, health and emotions.

Modern knowledge of physiology and anatomy is applied to this subject which has long been much obscured by myth, superstition and legend. The so–called “deadly” blows are evaluated. Fantasy and fact are separated.

Appropriate body targets for practical self–defense tactics are compared with point targets used in stylized and traditional martial arts and in … Continue Reading

This is a reprisal of the classic guerrilla manual of Nazi Germany. It tells the story of Hitler’s only organized resistance units, the SS Werwolf; shows rare photos of their members, equipment and training areas; and reveals a storehouse of scarce info about the technical aspects of guerrilla warfare. Includes an exact reprint of the Werwolf manual and an English translation

Werwolf. The name struck terror in the hearts of Germany’s enemies at the end of World War II. Instructed by seasoned SS officers–veterans of brutal combat on the Eastern Front–Werwolf units were last–ditch resistance troops ordered to fight … Continue Reading

Chapters 1 & 2: First Steps in Offensive and Defensive Close Combat
Chapters 3 & 4: THE FIST AND OPEN HAND TECHNIQUES
Chapters 5 & 6: SNATCH SQUADS, Arrest and Restraint Team and Stalking Team Tactics and Training

The purpose of this text book is to present the reader with both offensive and defensive examples of close quarter battle and combat. A very wide spectrum of techniques and tactics will be described in this text book. The original purpose of this approach was to allow the reader to select techniques that suit them personally and also meet their operational requirements.

The techniques of close … Continue Reading

This book deserves a place on the book shelf of any Martial Arts enthusiast. It may not be the most clear ‘idiots guide’ to the use of the Wooden Dummy, but it is probably not intended to be. It is a sincere and comprehensive run through of the form as practised by Yip Man/Yip Chun.

The book also contains a section in which applications of the dummy form on an opponent are demonstrated, and various paragraphs on Yip Man and also a little on Bruce Lee.

It may well be that with the proliferation of Wing Chun organisations, the form may … Continue Reading

Who was that masked man?

Ninjutsu, the way of the ninja, is not only an arsenal of martial arts moves. Secrets of the Ninja: Their Trianing, Tools, and Techniques also reveals their methods for surviving in the wild, accupressure, meditation, and the diet and exercise that kept the ninja in top form.

Secrets of the Ninja leads you through a ninja’s home with all its tricks and traps. You’ll learn to send a message using their clever codes and secret languages, as well as how to use their ingenious weapons and gadgets. Modern–day ninja experts demonstrate centuries–old techniques for stealth, fighting … Continue Reading

Techniques described in this book are meant to damage and even kill your opponent, though being properly executed are very damaging and some are potentially lethal. Practice and use them with caution – it’s your and own responsibility.

This book covers not only the basic Muay Thai strategies, but also history, cultural significance, pre–fight rituals, training and the author’s own personal experience in Muay Thai and in writing this book. Anybody in any martial art would do themselves a favor by reading this book and for anybody who trains in Muay Thai, this book is one you cannot afford … Continue Reading

This publication describes multiservice tactics, techniques, and procedures (MTTP) for consideration and use during the tactical employment of nonlethal weapons (NLW) in support of warfighting personnel conducting training and tactical operations.

This publication:

a. Provides an overview of NLW.

b. Provides NLW system description/ interoperability.

c. Describes the capabilities of NLW.

d. Discusses training with the NLW capability set.

e. Discusses the tactical employment of NLW.

f. Discusses lessons learned from previous NLW use.

This publication provides a singlesource, consolidated reference on the tactical employment of NLW and supporting systems on the nonlinear battlefield of today. Additionally, it will fill the void … Continue Reading

by Mikonosuke Shihan

Published in 1957.  125 pages full of illustrations of each technique.  Including sections on –

Part one – Basic self–defensive positions, defences against frontal attacks, rear attacks and blows with the fist, kicks, knee and head.  Defences against a stick, knife, and revolver.

Part two – Atemi waza with the hand, fingertips, elbow, head, knee and foot

Kata Dan’te is composed of twenty–seven of the deadliest iron hand strikes ever devised by man. Each one of which is guaranteed to kill, cripple, or main any attacker. In order to defend oneself, one need not spend years practicing nor suffer the indignities of training under the many brutal black belts who now abound in the world, nor disfigure the hands to turn them into weapons or “talons of terror.”

This book teaches all twenty–seven of these strikes in impecible, illustrated detail.

Ninjitsu has been called the most savage and terrifying martial art known to … Continue Reading

In recent years, the ancient eastern art of Karate–Do (a Japanese word, literally translated as the way of the empty hand ) has become popular in the western world. Karateka—practitioners of Karate—often break boards, cinderblocks, and other solid materials in order to demonstrate the strength that their training develops. Much can be said of the history and culture associated with the expansion of martial training, but this essay—it is, after all, a physics paper—will examine the collision mechanics of a hand strike to a solid target like a board.

Books 1 through to 7.

Jujitsu as a means of self–defense will teach you to take care of yourself in dangerous situations whether armed or unarmed.

It is a valuable study as it trains you to evade the impact of an opponent’s strength and attack him at a point where he can bring only 20 per cent of his strength to bear. It teaches you to unbalance your opponent.

Conversely it trains you to retain your own balance and to bring 100 percent of your strength to bear in every effort you make. A man trained in jujitsu will instinctively … Continue Reading

Many people know Kano created Judo, but few know of his contribution to Jujutsu. The roots of modern Jujutsu began at the end of the 19th Century when Kano Jigoro was given the task of taking the old, separate schools of Jujutsu, taking the best of what was, and creating a hand=to–hand combat school befitting the new, modernised Japan. This new art, Kano Jujutsu was adopted rapidly by schools and military, as well as progressing overseas, gaining practitioners and advocates such as Theodore Roosevelt. Kano Jujutsu still survives in martial arts schools, albeit in very few, and as hand–to–hand combat … Continue Reading

In 1914, Farmer Burns, a world champion catch wrestler and the teacher of Frank Gotch, put out a by–mail wrestling and fitness course entitled, Lessons in Wrestling and Physical Culture. This incredible course, divided into twelve different lessons, is a literal gold mine of information on catch wrestling; including throws, pinning and submission holds. Lesson XII is even entitled, Jiu–Jitsu ––– Self–Defense and Their Relation to Wrestling. Farmer Burns, the man with a 20–inch neck at a bodyweight of 175 pounds; the man who could do a six–foot hangman’s drop and remain unharmed, is legendary for his wrestling … Continue Reading

Marines’ martial arts training features “a blend of proven disciplines including judo, karate and jujitsu, and bayonet and knife-fighting techniques”.

The Marine Corps and the Army - America’s land combat forces — are the leaders among the services in teaching troops hand-to-hand combat and martial arts skills.

Bristol, who has 35 years of martial arts experience, said the training is necessary because of changing world events.

“Right now, the world environment is more uncertain than it has ever been,” he said. “Within a few days, a situation can escalate from humanitarian missions to full-scale combat.” Bristol said the martial arts program integrates three … Continue Reading

This Marines Handbook covers the fundamentals of Marine Corps Martial Arts. It include the purpose of close combat, ranges of close combat, weapons of the body, target areas of the body, pressure points, basic warrior stance, and angles of approach and movement, and body hardening.

This is the US Military field manual of combatives. This field manual contains information and guidance pertaining to rifle–bayonet fighting and hand–to–hand combat. This manual serves as a guide for instructors, trainers, and soldiers in the art of instinctive rifle–bayonet fighting.

This is the definitive guide to combatives. No other publication surpasses it for skope and detail of combatives training.

1. Objective: The objective of the Individual Combat Course is to develop the individual through a process of physical conditioning and individual combat to his fullest potentialities as a fighter.

2. Composition: This Individual Combat Course is composed of 5 phases:

1. Bayonet Fighting … Continue Reading

The father of modern hand–to–hand combat, Capt. W. E. Fairbairn, taught the famed British Commandos from this classic, long–out–of–print manual on unarmed combat. Known for his “get tough” attitude, Fairbairn designed these practical methods after years of training troops and watching ruffians, thugs, bandits and bullies. Now you can profit from his experience.

This is an excellent introduction into what is commonly called CQC: Close Quarter Combat or Trench Warfare. It is often described as a method of immediate threat elimination. It is the dawn of the ‘attack before you defend’ method of self–defence. It is designed to extremely shock … Continue Reading

This handbook presents the most effective ground attacks and defenses known. It is thouroughly illustrated and is an excellent starting point on learning ground combat.

This manual provides a basic reference for training Special Forces soldiers in hand to hand fighting techniques with special regard to tae–kwon–do / karate.The particular hand to hand techniques and programs found in this manual will develop an effective hand to hand fighter, are relatively easy to train and learn, utilize effective techniques and provides a program which starts a basis for attaining expert capabilities.

Personal safety tips for the home, the street and the workpace.

A no–nonsense approach to protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your posessions from crime. Written in an easy to read – easy to understand format, “Be Your Own Bodyguard” is the perfect starting point for those wishing to upgrade their personal security.

To watch Bruce Lee on film is an amazing experience. Those who have read Tao of Jeet Kune Do, however, know that Lee’s prose can also be exhilarating. This origianl manuscript of the praiseworthy and enduring bestseller (mainly written over six months when Lee was bedridden with back problems) compiles philisophical aphorisms, explanations on technique, and sketches by the master himself.

This is Bruce Lee’s complete philosophy on the martial arts as a way of life, illustrating its principles and core techniques, and offering a treatise on the nature of combat

By Jack Dempsey

This is the original, the best boxing/punching book in existance still today. Originally published in 1950, it boasts over 100 pages of illustrated technical information on how to box, and how to punch.

Dempsey may be described as the first modern boxer. Dempsey knew what he was doing. He had superior knowledge about how to punch and defense. This is clearly demonstrated in the destruction of his opponents Jess Willard and Luis Firpo. Both were much larger and presumably stronger men (Willard outweighed Dempsey by 70lbs!) but Dempsey had vastly superior skills. This book discloses the wealth of knowledge … Continue Reading

An excellent introduction to the element strikes of close combat. Illustrated throughout, there is a wealth of knowledge on the varying strikes employed as a means of self defense.

This is the Combative Measures Instructor Training (Judo) and Stead Air Force Base Student Study Guide from 1963, Stead Air Force Base.

The following is an extract from the introduction:

Presentation of Air Crew Self–Defense Techniques or Unarmed Combative Measures Training is another step the U.S. Air Force has taken to take care of its own. The crew member plays a valuable role in the defense of our nation’s heritage, and he, therefore, deserves every right to continue to enjoy this heritage. To preserve this intangible property our flyers must be able to go on to an enemy target and return. … Continue Reading

This manual describes the basic principles in the application of control and restraint techniques. The application of these principles is necessary to the development of those combative skills essential to air police personnel in the performance of their official duties. Corollary benefits will be the development of selfconfidence and the promotion of physical fitness.

The nature of air police duties is such that military personnel engaged therein must at all times be mentally and physically prepared to apply whatever force is necessary to accomplish their mission. The air policeman’s training dictates that he first resort to all means short of the … Continue Reading

The compiling of this little volume firmly establishes the fact that all persons, regardless of sex, can train themselves in this system of self defense in a manner that will be most effective in any emergency, giving not only self protection, but self confidence to the user.

For years the author has given a close study to the development of this system of self protection, which he has named American Jiu Jitsu. The work is strictly of American origin, although the Japanese term Jiu Jitsu is used in the title. The author has used this term because of its meaning bone … Continue Reading

An Excellent introduction to police defensive tactics.

From the introduction:

Police defensive tactics are NOT the same as self–defense. The role of defensive tactics in law enforcement and corrections is to assist the officer in performance of arrest and restraint, and to increase the margin of safety for both the officer and the suspect. Defensive tactics charge the officer with protecting others as well as themselves. The definition of “defend” as used here is neither punitive nor passive, but instead “to repel danger or harm while serving and protecting.” Meanwhile, self–defense encompasses any and all means of protecting oneself. Self–defense techniques are … Continue Reading

Riot Control Techniques, Manhandling, and Close Combat for Police and the Military.

This is the best and longest–selling book on close combat in history. In current use by the U.S. Marine Corps as an official training manual, it details methods of self–defense, offensive close combat, combat shooting and crowd–control techniques in riot situations. Colonel Rex Applegate is widely regarded as the father of modern close combat and combat shooting, and this book is considered the standard by which all other books on the subject are judged.

This reference publication was written in by Lieutenant Colonel Rex Applegate, USA (Ret), with the … Continue Reading

This Krav Maga handbook has been prepared and published by the US army to assist soldiers in Krav Maga and combatives training. It is of exceptional quality and fully illustrated throughout. Around 146 pages long.

The following is an exerpt from the introduction:

DEFINITION OF COMBATIVESHand–to–hand combat is an engagement between two or more persons in an empty–handed struggle or with hand–held weapons such as knives, sticks, or projectile weapons that cannot be fired. Proficiency in hand–to–hand combat is one of the fundamental building blocks for training the modern soldier.

PURPOSES OF COMBATIVES TRAININGSoldiers must be prepared to use different levels of … Continue Reading

This must–have quick guide introduces you to 10 Brazilian Jujitsu moves that are essential for everyday self defence and submission. This illustrated guide details exactly what to do and how to practice these ten moves.

Brazilian Jiu–Jitsu burst onto the scene in America when a quiet, good–looking Brazilian named Royce Gracie shocked the martial arts world by winning the first Ultimate Fighting Championship in a seemingly effortless fashion.

What the rest of the world didn’t know is that the Gracie family had been developing this art for the past 75 years in Rio de Janiero. What’s become known as Brazilian Jiu–Jitsu (BJJ) … Continue Reading

The jo is a four–foot stick used as a Japanese martial art weapon, and training in its use is called jojutsu or jodo.

The history of Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (All Japan Kendo Association, or ZNKR) jodo is essentially the history of the Shindo Muso–ryu (SMR). This is in contrast to ZNKR iai, or sword–drawing arts, which developed from several styles (mainly Muso Jikiden Eishin–ryu and Muso Shinden–ryu). ZNKR jodo is almost entirely derived from the Shindo Muso–ryu practice of Shimizu Takaji (1876–1978).

The following history is based largely on The History of Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu by Matsui Kenji with further … Continue Reading

In this article Brian Ware looks at the question of pre–emptive strikes and can they be legally justified, also the suitability of Control and Restraint Instructors teaching self defence.

An interesting and useful piece of literature for any instructor in the field.