Close-to-Medium-Range Stickwork for Training Empty-Hand Self-Defense.

[arnisador]

In another thread (http://fmatalk.com/showthread.php?t=345) I asked about the benefits of long-range stick training for self-defense. I don't know that that helps me at long-range empty-hand fighting so much. How about stick training in the corto-to-medio range? I feel this is very useful for empty-hand self-defense at a similar range. Some things I gain from it are:



*improved ability to use both hands independently
*ability to release a grip quickly and continue fighting
*improved ability to trap the opponent's hands
*ability to abort a strike and redirect it or trap my opponent's block
*greater ability to handle a fast opponent
*much better mobility
*development of good body mechanics for hand techniques
*better sense of range and distance
Of course, it's also quite useful for the case where my opponent might have an impact weapon and I must defend against it, and for my ability to use weapons of opportunity ("it's all the same"), but that's not what I'm focusing on in this post.

I feel similarly about knife training. In fact, I feel even more strongly about the value of knife training for empty-hand fighting than I do about stick-fighting for empty-hand fighting. Even if I had someone who wanted to be purely an empty-handed fighter, I'd be inclined to add some weapons work because I feel it brings out so many useful attributes and skills.

I assume most FMA practitioners agree that weapons training improves empty-hand skills. In what specific ways to people feel this is so? What exactly does it improve for you?

[kroh]

*improved ability to use both hands independently
*ability to release a grip quickly and continue fighting
*improved ability to trap the opponent's hands
*ability to abort a strike and redirect it or trap my opponent's block
*greater ability to handle a fast opponent
*much better mobility
*development of good body mechanics for hand techniques
*better sense of range and distance

Hi...My name is Walt...and I endorse this message...

Sorry, couldn't resist. I posted in the other thread that you were talking about and I agree with the points that you are making. One thing that you also mentioned in that thread was how some systems train the stick to train the blade. But sometimes you have to see the stick as a stick. You can do things with the stick that you can't do with a blade and vica versa. I also agree with your assessment of knife training. Being constantly in an evasion mode so as not to get cut and then being able to strike out at your opponent with power and intent is hard. Really displays those areas of training that are deficient and allows you to improve on them.

Regards,
Walt

[arnisador]

I also agree with your assessment of knife training. Being constantly in an evasion mode so as not to get cut and then being able to strike out at your opponent with power and intent is hard. Really displays those areas of training that are deficient and allows you to improve on them.

Yes, more and more I focus on the knife. The Sayoc seminars I went to were what finally put me fully in the knife-for-empty-hand camp, along with some of IFAJKD's thoughts on MartialTalk and other experiences I've had. It's a great training tool and a commonly encountered threat. I have been attacked by someone with a knife once and threatened by a knife another time, but have never been threatened or attacked with any other weapon (apart from fists, of course). As you say, it absolutely exposes your deficiencies!

[kroh]

As some one who has been stabbed twice (once in the back and once in the butt...don't ask), I definately think the knife is one of those essential weapons that should be in every martial programs (along with fire arms training and defense...but what do I know). I think that training with the blade definately puts your "martial outlook" into perspective and sets a new tone for training. One of my friends is a police officer and even some LEO's find facing down a knife a scary situation. He said that some principles that people commonly foget in knife altercations that occour in "everyday" life (for lack of a better term), is that the knife is not a lightsaber, requires that "cutting action," requires a sharp blade to create touch damage, and has limited range. Thick clothing can sometimes be enough to protect against a glancing slash and allow for a get away. Sometimes it is just a matter of getting a bigger weapon.

The one thing I liked about some of the Sayoc training is that they don't just teach defense against the knife weilding opponent, they also teach against the un-wielding opponent (knife versus empty where the empty is the bad guy.). Definately good stuff. Creepy and Evil, but good....does that make any sense?

I think that there are other things that one can do to improve the range of middle to short range training. I know that the Korean martial art of Hapkido favors a weapon called the Danbong (sp?) which the Japanese would classify as a yawara stick (ok...I am about to massacres some Tagalog, I believe the Filipino's would call this an illisi pilahd or pocket / palm stick....Can anyone clarify and not throw a stapler at my head for spelling funny). There is a lot of good training in this range that can be applied to the empty hand once the weapons are removed. Couple of good threads so far.

Regards,
Walt

[blindside]

My instructor's usual class structure involves teaching a single concept/technique and showing applications starting with long weapon to short weapon to unarmed.

This actually jibs quite well with a diagram of the relationship between different weapons groups in Pekiti, see:

http://www.pt-go.com/system_intro.asp

Lamont