CON- batives!!!

Among other things, I teach a type of martial conditioning designed to make my students more proficient in the application of violence while shielding themselves from it.

It is often described by observers as "Combatives." I used to take that title with pride, but unfortunately, that is no longer the case.

Too many popular combatives instructors, following the business model of ‘Krav Maga,’ have shifted away from combatives, replacing them with pseudo-self-defence combatives, or what I like to call ‘CONbatives.’

These versions only resemble the real thing in their sales pitch.

The reality is that ‘Kata’ or ‘Forms’ from traditional martial arts like Karate and Kung Fu have become the teaching method of choice. Why? Because it’s easier for instructors and, some might argue, more client-friendly, more marketable in the self-defence industry.

In my humble opinion, this approach defeats the purpose of spontaneous movements, which combatives should teach.

Now, a shielding move (cover) to protect your head leads to a specific contact blow, followed by a 'set piece' like an elbow, a clinch, a headbutt, a snatch, a knee, a stamp, and repeat.

What’s wrong with that? You might ask. My reply:

EVERYTHING.

Combatives, 'genuine physical solutions to real-world, life-threatening violence' cannot and should not be taught in a “cookie-cutter” Kata style. The whole premise is spontaneity, not reproduction, not striving for perfection, and certainly not learning by rote.

We aren’t learning Latin; we’re learning violence!

Let’s be honest here: Combatives weren’t designed (if “design” is even the right word) for the restraint needs of a security guard, hospital orderly, or even for arrest and detention by police officers. It wasn’t meant for the civilian self-defence market. Combatives were developed with military applications - CQC (Close Quarters Combat) - in mind. Hence, it’s considered a modern martial art.

Combatives should expand your options for surviving "assault with murderous intent" from opposing combatants, predatory criminals, and similar threats. It’s not something to use during a dispute with your drunken uncle at your sister’s wedding!

Knowing the difference is crucial.

Influencing instructors love to show their slick videos, demonstrating their “combat” skills on their assistant instructors with prearranged, rehearsed combinations that make them look good (at least in their own fantasy version of what looks good). Often bringing military weapons into the shots to add credibility!! They explain this away with phrases like, “You wouldn’t use these techniques in this exact way—it’s just a learning aid to help you master the techniques!”

What a load of 'CONbatives' mumbo jumbo. (I’m being polite for my LinkedIn audience.)

Nothing about Combatives is pretty. Choreography undermines every principle and objective of real combatives training.

Techniques must be practiced, obviously, but predetermined sequences and combinations should be used sparingly, if at all. It’s well known that under stress, we default to what we feel most comfortable with. "Trust your training". Repeating set techniques over and over will be of little use in a fluid combat situation. Instant recall of an obsolete technique or sequence won’t help.

Learning transitions is also important, but practicing set transitions repeatedly will have the opposite of the desired effect. This has been well-studied and documented.

My advice, if asked, would be: "Switch it up."

There is a lot to be said for learning individual techniques until you are confident in your competence to deploy them on demand whilst at the same time developing the mindset to be able to adequately join them into combination sets should that become necessary. As opposed to learning combination sets and then trying to separate the techniques when situations are not favourable to their application.

It's about teaching your students to think for themselves instead of becoming your mini-me!

Practice combinations if it helps you learn techniques, but always change your combinations—don’t repeat the same one twice in a row. Change your visualization of every perceived attack scenario so as not to form bad habits.

Shield (protect your head), close, headbutt. Shield, elbow, snatch. Pre-emptive strike, strike, strike!

Transitioning is essential, but spontaneous transitioning is even more important.

Timing, hand-eye coordination, movement, balance points, mass, base and stability, body mechanics, destabilization techniques - these are all crucial. Learning them, knowing them, and having spontaneous recall is essential for successful application in a real moment of need.

Just don’t turn them into a dance sequence, practice them for hours, and then make a video showcasing your “spontaneity” calling it Combatives!

You’re not only deceiving your audience and potential clients, but you’re also deceiving yourself.

So many experts lack both experience and understanding of violence.

Yes, they may understand the technical aspects of combat sports and martial arts, and they may even have some knowledge of antisocial behaviour (offends people) or social aggression (hurts people’s feelings). But none of that has anything to do with combative violence.

At its best, self-defence removes you from a situation before it escalates into violence. At worst, it involves a series of progressive escalations (when de-escalation fails) until physical contact is made.

Too often, in common scenarios, it boils down to this: an obnoxious aggressor insults your ego to the point where you feel you cannot walk away, so you confront them. They, in turn, feel their ego has been insulted, and some form of physical retribution ensues. In most cases, this situation is still well within the realm of de-escalation and avoidance. However, because of a lack of control and experience in handling such situations, people often view it as an unpardonable assault.

This type of situation is what most people encounter, what most people think of as violence, and what most instructors teach "self-defence" to nullify. It’s not true violence, but it’s what most people experience, so many instructors sell a "magic pill" to combat it. The problem is, they’re selling the wrong magic pill. Combatives, in its pure form, is not a self-defence solution. It has many useful attributes, but they are all physical and should be reserved for when everything else has failed.

Self-defence is about avoidance; Combatives is (or should be) about completely destroying your enemy.

There are laws governing the use of physical force for personal self-defence or the defence of others, and they rarely accommodate the use of Combatives.

Even for professionals, you must be in a dire situation with no other exit strategies available before physical intervention will be deemed "REASONABLE" by Our modern judicial systems.

This, of course, differs from those tasked with 'hunting' bad guys in the Badlands, where they have more leeway as far as prosecution is concerned, simply because their lives are perceived to be in danger from the moment they lace their boots.

Do not confuse your perceived civilian 'rights' to self-defence with the action scenes you see on Netflix. Otherwise, you may find yourself practicing your combative skills in a real-life scenario—in a prison yard. There, you’ll meet those most skilled at predatory violence in all its forms, and you’ll be better served by thinking in terms of pre-emption rather than self-defence.

Options are available to those who wish to increase their personal safety, the safety of their loved ones or clients, or who wish to advance their careers in Close Protection with professional no-nonsense skillsets.

I teach private, mainly academic, online classes, and in-person; private, family, and group classes in Cádiz province, as well as Barcelona, Tarragona and Madrid, in Spain.

The subject matter I cover includes but is not limited to: My D.A.D.A. program. Detect-Avoid-Distract-Attack (CQC). Situational awareness and avoiding problematic situations; Behavioural Analysis-People Profiling for your safety. Situational control and tactical conversation. Physical solutions for violent situations. Security at home and protection solutions.

In-person classes can include in-depth physical combative training. The use of physical violence for your safety and security.

If you would like information on any of the above subjects feel free to DM me and we can have an informal "chat" old school style!

Alternatively contact me at: www.insafehands.net

mike@insafehands.net