A Basic Combat Judo Course Part 9 by Mark Tripp

Combatives Part 9

From: MTripp
Date: 16-May-00

Well, lacking any evidence of psychic energy; I guess we have to go back to training the hard way.

"Mastery of Hand Strength" by Brookfield. This book is a MUST for any combative program. It forms the core of EVERY combative technique you will ever use.

Should the day ever come that you are fighting for your life; I PROMISE you that you will not be saying you trained your grip strength too much. ESPECIALLY if the only thing between you and death is your hand on his weapon.

More importantly; we must now dispel a major myth of personal assault. To wit; that there will be time to get "set".

Almost EVERY martial art teaches a set position to fire off a given technique. This may be the way you stand; the way your body is to his body; whatever. The grim reality is that will NEVER happen in a street assault.

With only a 3 to 5 second window; there is no time to set your position. Worse; setting position does NOTHING to stop the other guys attack.

We have to take a principle from Gene LeBell and Wally Jay here, which is: Put them in pain NOW; keep them in pain ALWAYS.

Brad just learned how well that works as he submitted a person MUCH larger and with very strong grappling skills. The simple concept of put them in pain, keep them in pain, allowed him to work his way to a win.

In combatives we have to understand a simple concept. The person who attacks you has a plan. He has practiced this plan. He is good at this plan AND he moved first so he has the advantage.

Your LIFE depends on interrupting his plan (read Bruce Lee on this concept); and taking the advantage by "putting him in pain and keeping him in pain".

How do we do that? If we can't get our feet set striking is out. If we can't choose the position many grappling moves are out.

BUT; if we train our hands to have say 195lbs of crushing force; THAT works VERY well.

Think about it; personal assaults are very close encounters. The ability to crush the balls or the windpipe; or gouge out an eye instantly WILL END A FIGHT RIGHT NOW!

Even if you reach down and find a cup; your grip strength will let you grab the cup; pull it out and over, then slam it home a few dozen times!!!

You MUST get on the Captain of Crush program! Get the grippers; throw the bag; pinch grip the barbell plates; make up the softball lifter; etc.

Your time in the weight room should be at least 50% on your grip for a combative program. This is not about looking good; it is about being VERY strong at what will win the fight.

Get the book and get to work!!!

BEWARE: I am NOT responsible for all the things you will break as you get used to your new gripping power!

You'll find out...