This is for all those that believe my old Instructor, Carl Cestari, ever thought that a solid grounding in Grappling shouldn't be part of their Personal Protection training along with Combatives. (Article circa 2003);
“Your Personal Self Defense Program”
by Carl Cestari
The following is a base line, “nuts and bolts” approach designed to get you the maximum
output from the least amount of input time. Remember, anything you do is better than
nothing. This is not meant to detract from any serious course of training you are doing
now.
This method of self training has been proved to work. It is designed to bring you up from
no previous training OR even serve as an adjunct to your current training.
BARE MINIMUM (Better than nothing)
1. The Old School Series – This will give you the background and the fundamentals
you will need.
(Go To: http://www.carlcestari.com/1-os1-os5-old-school-series-set-of-5-by-carl-cestari)
2. The Seminar Series – Here you will discover a few drills along with some added
tidbits of information like, how to REALLY strangle someone in 0.5 seconds.
(Go To: http://www.carlcestari.com/12-the-fairbairn-seminar-by-carl-cestari )
3. Get a Spar Pro or BOB – This will give you a realistic target so that
you can really develop power and condition your weapons. It will also desensitize
you a bit and prepare you for really hitting someone. I have known a lot of
“thick” people, but none of them ever looked like a heavy bag. Also, the Spar Pro
gives you a chin, collar bone, neck and all the essential target areas you will want
to focus on. You will also be able to practice strangles and gouges as well!!
4. Develop a combination YOU like. One long range (eg- front kick w/ drop step,
tiger claw, edge of hand, chin jab upper cut, knee), one mid range (Short axe
hand, long axe hand, chin jab uppercut, knee) and one close range combination
(Ear box, eye gouge, knees). Choose combinations you are comfortable with. If
you have one arm however, you may not want to practice the ear box…. Practice these until
you curse the day you heard from me, and then do 11 more.
5. Get your self in better shape.
LEVEL 1 (Better than the minimum)
6. Sucker a friend into practicing with you. Especially for the grabs and holds
practice. You should get used to moving with another person and pushing them
around. Remember to continually take ground and knock your man off balance.
(Remember always be where he is standing)
LEVEL 2
7. Start training in Judo or some other grappling method. The reason I choose Judo
over anything else has more to do with the overall impact and effect rather than
technique. I like wresting and Brazilian jujutsu but judo willgive you what you want.
Even if you only go once a week.
Why Judo is appealing:
A. Most Fights start standing - going to the ground is discouraged in Judo. It
is not the goal to take the guy to the mat. You will develop a good defense
quickly. You will become difficult to take to the ground.
B. You will get the essential principles of ground grappling and
submissions. Most of the quality Judo clubs spend a lot of time on ground
technique (thanks to the Gracies). You will learn what not to do – the
purpose of your training is to not make a mistake and look for an opening
to gouge or tear to distract them to end a fight.
C. At the very least you will be difficult to move, or take down and submit.
D. You will get in awesome shape. Personally, basic uchikomi (fit in drills)
combined with ukemi (break falls) develop grip, core body strength and
toughen the body faster than anything I have done. Now, I am talking
about doing hundreds not tens.
E. Judo is a traceable, Olympic sport. The quality control of the overall
product is there. Usually it’s affordable and available in most YMCA’s
and Universities.
LEVEL 3
8. Pick up the Combat Jujutsu Series (These Videos are No Longer Available) You can
add these little bits to your Judo.
LEVEL 4
9. Do what ever you want to do.
Keep in mind, this isn’t about studying a martial art or training for competition (of which
I DO BOTH). It’s about what is a proven way to develop a fantastic self defense
program. This isn’t saying that your method won’t work. You do what’s best for you. If
you already wrestle, do submissions, whatever, great. You don’t have to worry about
Level 4 or Level 2: But you better incorporate some grappling in there.
Why don’t I talk about Muay Thai, Boxing or Karate? Again I would be lying if I said I
didn’t practice or partake in studying these arts.
The reasons they are not included is one or all of the following:
A. They take a long time to develop (So does Judo, but the effect you want has
nothing to do with scoring)
B. The require the use of protective equipment
C. The allow you to relax in the clinch
D. As you get older, you can’t participate as much your body takes a lot of
punishment in impact, striking arts, than in grappling arts. Case and point. When’s
the last time you saw a master’s Boxing or Muay Thai tournament? Not to say
they don’t exist, but there not exactly popular.
NO SYSTEM IS PERFECT
This is just a guide line for your training. It’s a big world out there and this is what
I know to work because I have seen it work. That doesn’t mean other ways don’t exist.
My experience lies in Jujutsu, Judo, Wrestling and Karate. I have seen other methods,
but it would be unfair for me to judge or comment on them because I spend all my time
doing this stuff.
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