Teaching Combat Skills

[USCMAAI]

Teaching Combat Skills

Those of you, who know me and have trained with me over the years, know that I feel that martial arts skills need to be taught in a practical manner. Techniques that are not combat effective, and don’t hold up under a pressured attack or defense should be discarded. Now after stating my prejudice for combat effective techniques, I must say that there are very few techniques that have no combat application. The problem with many techniques is not the techniques itself, it is the way it is taught, and the when and where the technique is applied. In this article I will deal with the way I think a combat skill should be taught.

When teaching a combat skill, there are several factors that must be considered. First, whom are you teaching? A group of Marines will generally be able to assimilate techniques faster than a group of moms taking a self-defense course. Second, you also have to consider what skills you are teaching. That same group of mothers isn't likely to be willing to do eye thrusts and neck breaks like our Marine friends (then again maybe they would). Therefore the defensive/combat skills taught to these groups would probably be markedly different. Third, you need to consider where you are teaching these skills. In the United States, there can be a huge difference in the self-defense laws from state to state. In some places justification of force must be overwhelming, or the “victim” of an assault, could end up being prosecuted for assault.

Now regardless of whom, what, and where considerations you have to deal with. I feel that the best way to train someone in combat skills is to use the motivational learning method, along with the 5-phase approach. Motivational conditioning is a very simple process that consists of the following steps:

Show the student why they need to learn the new skill. It is human nature to question something new or strange. When teaching new skills to students it has been my experience that if they know why they need to know a particular skill, they are more likely to devote more effort to learning it.

Demonstrate the technique at dynamic pace. I always like to have someone who isn’t a “expert”, but knows the skill well demonstrate technique if possible. This shows the student that the skill can be done successfully, and if you use a non-expert, this will help the student’s confidence.

Teach the skill using the 5-phase approach. This method teaches the skill in a step-by-step method, then as the student gets better, the amount of stress (realism) imposed on his/her practice is increased. This ensures that the student actually “gets” the skill down and lets the practitioner learn how deal with combat stress. I will go into this in detail later in this paper.

Have the student successfully demonstrate the skill a dynamic pace. This is the same as #2. Notice I don’t say full speed, because you want to give the student enough stress to test their ability, but you don’t want to go so hard and fast that the situation is not controlled. I generally state that 80 to 90% speed of attack and defense is good for dynamic technique. Successful demonstration of the skill(s) in a “dynamic” pace, gives your student confidence in their abilities. This confidence while not completely “combat proven” is as close as you can safely get, and have control

Have the student successfully execute the skill(s) in a real situation. This

part of the theory is beyond an instructor’s control. But it is generally accepted that the sooner a skill is used in a real situation, the more engrained that skill becomes in us. I do not advocate putting your student’s in dangerous situations, just so they can fight their way out. The successful use of a combat skill in “real life” is not an experience that I would wish on anyone. But those of us who have seen real combat and survived know the value of that experience.

In the above model, I stated that the 5-phase method of teaching a skill should be used. This method is designed to teach the student a skill or set of skills. Then as the student becomes more proficient, increase the stress of doing that skill, either by increasing the speed and or severity of the situation, or adding other variables to the situation (weapons, multiple attackers, environmental conditions, etc.). The phase model is as follows:

Phase I- Ideal Phase- In this phase the skill is demonstrated in a sanitary

environment. All participants (attacker/defender- uke/tori) do as they are expected to. This phase is what you see when you go to demonstrations, watch the movies, etc. It is done to provide the student with the “mental picture” of how the skill(s) are properly done. I break this phase down into two modes (demonstration I and demonstration II). Demonstration I is at dynamic speed, this shows the student that the skill works in a combat situation. Demonstration II is done in 3 steps at slow speed. This allows the student to see the skill broken down into beginning, middle and end, thus completing an accurate mental picture.

Phase II- Fixed/Static Phase- In this phase the student actually begins learning the

skill in the 3-step method. The skill is done in the Ideal phase mode (i.e. no variables). At this point in training any mistakes made are corrected at each step. It is very important that the student not be allowed to move from this phase until all three steps can be completed without error. Most of us are familiar with this method of training. I bet we all learned to do front kicks, sidekicks, throws, and punches in this “by the numbers” way. All steps are performed at speeds between 10% to 50%. I also use this phase to work “reverse motion” of techniques. This is like doing a technique twice each time it is executed, and helps the student learn a particular block, strike, stance, or kick faster

Phase III- Fluid Phase- In this phase the student begins to speed up the

actual execution of the skill. Any action that is a catalyst for the skill is also sped up as well. This gives a student an opportunity to practice the skill and increase in ability. When a student starts in this phase all action that is a catalyst starts at 50% speed. As a student becomes comfortable with the use of the skill the speed and intensity of the catalyst can be increased up to 70%. It is important for the instructor to teach the student to react without thought of “what he or she is doing” during this phase. This is no longer by the numbers, but is a fluid action.

Phase IV- Dynamic Phase- In this phase of training, the student should be

more than familiar with the skill and should be able to execute at dynamic speed, with a dynamic catalyst. Dynamic means between 80% and 90% speed. Full speed is not used for safety purposes, but the more automatic you can make your use of the skill the better. The purpose of this phase is to force your student into executing the skill in a stressful environment. This increases their acclamation to the stress of a real situation, and helps prevent freezing in actual combat.

Phase V-Variable Action Phase- This phase of training is actually a repeat of

Phases III and IV. In this phase the “What ifs” are introduced and trained for. This is when an instructor may add variables such as: weapons, multiple attackers, weather or environmental concerns, etc. The purpose is to get the student to “think outside the box” and to be adaptable. This is a very important and often unused phase of teaching a skill, because I have rarely used a technique in real life, that could be executed exactly they way it was practiced in training. If you don’t prepare your students for variations, then in the real world they will not be able to adapt quick enough to survive.

As you can see, the teaching of combat skill isn’t that complicated. But it does require some effort on the part of the instructor. Using the motivational learning method along with the 5-phase teaching plan will dramatically increase your student’s ability to perform in a stressful situation. And we all know that all combat is stressful!

[parkerlineage]

Great insight!

[Menjo]

Wow you should sumbit it to the article section...........

[USCMAAI]

Thank you both!

[Manabimasho1]

Teaching Combat Skills

Techniques that are not combat effective, and don’t hold up under a pressured attack or defense should be discarded. Now after stating my prejudice for combat effective techniques, I must say that there are very few techniques that have no combat application.

AMEN , I am glad to see another real martial artists out there, I get flamed and bashed for saying that.

Our style teaches a student a move slow and then after a long time they know it. Then we have them use the move in a simulated real fight where the guy flys at them throwing lefts and rights in wild punches and often times you cant just DO THE MOVE. you have to parry, dodge, combo hit or move around to soften them up and then you ONLY DO THE MOVE if its there for you. NEVER CHASE IT.

We do demos all the time and ask students from other schools to do thier Counter techniques how they were taught but we get up there and do the move for real, I have yet to see a student counter the move from another school. They freak out and get hurt because they were trained to counter such bear hugs, grabs, and chokes from a guy barely holding them and not struggling.

Any Martial Arts Dojo should teach thier moves in realistic terms so the student gets over the fear factors, and learns to take up the distance, and learns to take what they can instead of Chasing after a move from a oppenant who resists.

[ps1]

USCMAAI,

I have 2 points.

#1, I liked the article. Very nice model.

#2, How do you feel about the practice of arts/ techniques that were, at one time, combat effective (such as Kenjitsu or Iaido)? Certainly, they are not practical for today's fighting scenarios (military or civilian). But do you insist they are a waste of time. If yes, why? If no, why?

p.s. I understand that study of weapon arts can make you more effective if you happen to pick something up off the ground in a street situation, but I think you understand my question.

Thank you

[USCMAAI]

2, How do you feel about the practice of arts/ techniques that were, at one time, combat effective (such as Kenjitsu or Iaido)? Certainly, they are not practical for today's fighting scenarios (military or civilian). But do you insist they are a waste of time. If yes, why? If no, why?

Pendakarshihan: The practice of techniques that are no longer practicle for modern combat is fine, as long as you understand the reasons why you are practicing these techniques. Kenjitsu and Iaido(your examples) provide excellent opportunities for you to practice hand eye coordination skills, focus, and timing. I am opposed to practicing impractical techniques as self-defense. I once attended a seminar in which the sponser was discussing using his chi to make himself invulnerable to attack. He even demonstrated taking full power strikes to his throat and testicles. It was very impressive! He asked anyone in the crowd to come up and attack him. I volunteered, and when he was ready I delivered a straight punch to his stomach (no effect), as he began to explain to us that his chi protected him, I delivered a four knuckle punch to his bladder, dropping him to the floor! As long as he had time to prepare for the attack, he could absorb the damage, but in the street most attackers don't give you time to mentally prepare. My point behind this tale is that these type of techniques are fine for helping you develope as a person, and even as a martial artists, but as combat martial artists it is our responsibility to teach our students the difference between combat effective techniques and techniques that are used to enhance skills or increase focus (but should not be thought of as combat techniques per se). So to answer part two of your question, do I feel they are a waste of time? Well that depends on how and why you practice them. If you are practicing Iaido to be the next highlander, you are wasting your time (unless you plan on carrying a sword with you everywhere. In that case, I will probably be reading about your conviction for murder someday.). If you are practicing Iaido for its benifits of increased focus, developement of fine and complex motor skills, great. This is especially true if your instructor then teaches you how to apply those skills aquired in todays enviornment. My sensei use to make me spend hours practicing with different traditional weapons (katana, bo, naginata,sai, etc) but always showed how the principles involved in the use of these weapons could be transferred to using things like a broom stick, pool cue, machette,even a fork!

I hope my poor attempt at explaining my thoughts have helped you in some way, and I thank you for your intresting question.

[ps1]

I thank you for taking the time to entertain my question. Once again, very well said.

[Jiffy]

WOW! What a fantastic post... very well done!

Do you mind if I use and expand on this methodology?

Just as a side note to people. Ensure you teach what you KNOW works, not what you THINK would work. Some of us have had the advantage of having been in combat situations either through security or similar work (like myself) or through just living in bad neighbourhoods. For those people, only teach what you KNOW works.

For the rest of you (or for those who know, but want to study further), don't go out picking fights, but study. There are numerous texts on real combat and these days, for some unknown reason, you can buy DVD's of street fights. While these are a little on the graphic side, they are an excellent resource for seeing what really happens in the street without the danger of being there.

[USCMAAI]

Jiffy you are more4 than welcome to use, expand or counter argue any point I make at anytime. Thank you for your kind words. As far as using videos for learning techniques: Some are excellent and can give you good instruction ( I would say that you should probably have some experience with techniques from training with an accomplished instructor), but with all training you should be careful. There are a lot of videos out there and some are worthless. You should also study and know what the self defense laws are where you live. Some of those graphic techniques that work, also cross the line of self defense and can get you convicted of felony assault or worse.