MCS Combative Fundamental #1

[mercop]

Starting today I plan to post what I call a combative fundamental every Friday. Most of them are things that anyone who has ever trained in any art will recognize as things that teachers are always telling students. Great teaching points that I believe get too little discussion. Here is the first-

· Never rely on one technique or strike to work. Always counter attack multiple targets in succession.

There seems to be a lot of training and discussion in search of the perfect technique or tactic that will work in every situation. The truth is that no such technique exists. Your strategy and doctrine can be carried into and employed in the vast majority of environment but not a specific technique.

One should never expect a tactic to work, but instead have faith in his overall doctrine. In my opinion the first tenant of any martial doctrine should be that you continue your action until the threat is neutralized. Regardless of laws, the word neutralized will mean something different to everyone. To me it means feeling confident enough to break contact with the initial threat to scan for subsequent threats. I view the first threat in an altercation to be standing in front of the rest of the altercation. They need to be dealt with expediently as possible because not only will they occupy you from seeing the rest of the situation but the matter in which you smite them will likely have a huge impact on the willingness of their friends to continue the fight.

The most important response you have is your initial one. It cannot hinge on any one tool, tactic or outcome. I must be an easily repeatable set of movements in which the effectiveness of any part will put you in an advantageous position allowing for the implementation of a measured response ranging from getting them out of your way to death if the totality of the situation warrants it in your eyes and those of the law.

What is your default position? What is it based on, your fantasies, experiences or training?

Short of firearms, all other combative defenses are likely to be initiated by someone striking, kicking, bum rushing or attacking you with and edged or impact weapon. They all involve the attacker offering something, either a hand, foot or their whole body. Is your initial response and adjustable wrench that can be adapted or a specific size which can prove worthless with the attacker refuses to play your song.

Your default position should allow you to rapidly employ open hand skills since you can always escalate if you have time and necessity, but drawing a knife or pistol against a punch in going to be a hard sell.

The MCS default position is not based on a preconception of setting up our “special move”. From the MCS default position allows you to responds reflexively to any attack with a fluid succession of moves attacking the Central Nervous System, elbow (need for open hand attacks and weapon use) and knees (needed for locomotion and base). None of it is based on pain or psychological effect because reliance of both encourages people to stand back and acknowledge their handy work instead of dealing with the next problem in the queue. In training you should be responding to the anatomical animation of your partner, not his verbalization. One you feel, the other you hear. One is involuntary and not likely to be faked, unlike verbalizations.

Try responding to different stimuli and see if you feel confident in your default response.

[pex]

There are a lot of folks who have forum combative fundamentals down. I realize that there would be benefit to the remaining noobs, but do you feel it may be somewhat remedial for many?

Will the title of seminar #2 be "How not to burn bridges as a troll?"

[mercop]

Is that an attempt at humor? I don't recognize it. Is there something you would like to share with the class? If not, can we move on.

[WitsBusa]

withdrawing from discussion -- missed the point that Headcase clarified for me.

[headcase]

While the OP has posted some informative stuff, I suggest he stop posting in this forum and start posting in the training forum. Posting these little lessons with the business tag line on his sig, makes people think troll. The training forum or the commercial forum would be much better suited to these kind of posts.

[mercop]

That was my intention, but it looks like you can only post upcoming classes there. I agree that is where it should be. Can a mod move it. Thanks.- George

[mercop]

Thanks for the move