Why The Limb Destruction?

I was asked recently "why do you do that?", with "that" being the straight blast limb destruction entry from Tactical Edge.

The comparison is usually to Krav -"but in Krav we hit straight to the face".  What you'll find in most, if not all, reality based systems are the same essential concepts, the main one being "simultaneous blocking and striking" or hit without being hit. But that being said the answer to why we do the straight blast is in the title, it's more "tactical" and it fits conceptually into transitioning seamlessly into weapon work.

The idea of the limb destruction comes from filipino knife work. If I was intercepting an opponent's arm with a blade I'd target the exact same way as I do with the limb destruction but rather than destroying with a punch, I'd look to sever the bicep muscle - with that muscle gone it takes that arm and the threat out of the fight. So our limb destruction works as an empty hand version of that defence.

The limb destruction doesn't just destroy the attacking limb, by getting a full destruction on the attacking arm you create a cross extensive reflex action which means for a second the body's nerves take such a blow that the opposite arm is taken out of action, this is literally for a spilt second but it creates a gap that allows a quick follow up strike:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossed_extensor_reflex (link included so you know its not just a bunch of special death touch voodoo magic)

Another very important factor is the law.  Although you're well within your rights to defend yourself the law states that you can use "reasonable force", smashing someone in the face when you had the opportunity to just stop the arm could seem a little excessive, so in tactical edge we move up a force ladder. We attack the attacking limb, destroy it as best we can (a really good limb destruction can stop an attack dead in its tracks if it's good enough) if that doesn't work then you can move up the force ladder to the opposite arm or to the head so if you have to explain your actions your able to state that you didn't just smash through his face first chance you got, you tried to be as kind as you could.

Again, conceptually the limb destruction's straight punch can be replaced with a weapon or improvised impact tool and it'll be just as good if not better.

Focus on your weakness

Work those weaknesses and pretty soon you will wonder what the fuss was all about.  Whether it's your kicking in kickboxing, your takedowns in Krav Maga or double unders in CrossFit, spend some time on them and make yourself a hard target.  Even just five minutes before a class can make all the difference over the course of a week.  Imagine you are struggling with hand position for your lifting. Get in and work on your mobility - in fact you can probably be doing this all day at work. If it's your footwork from the boxing then why the hell can't you train this? Every few steps think about how you transfer your weight and start bobbing and weaving all over the office.  That's a bit extreme but you know what I mean. In my old life I was always getting busted doing stupid things like closing doors with elbow strikes and keeping them open imaging I was working on low line traps and levers. I'd be buttering my toast - next thing I'm using the knife for a dexterity drill from Tactical Edge. 

Get into the open mat sessions at the gym and get working on making yourself better.

Kelly Worden - flow with edged weapons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGg2NSxOoUo

Great video clip here of Kelly Worden demonstrating flow with edged weapons. If you study NSI or Tactical Edge you will get a lot from this in terms of using the live hand and weapon retention.  For the guys studying Krav Maga, think about defending with a common object and how the box principle links in with your 360 defence.  Remember, the edged weapon training is merely to increase your empty hand skills as you can never afford to be sloppy in training even with a wooden knife.  It just keeps your training sharper.  We will cover some of this in class this week.  

TACTICAL EDGE ON MONDAY

Tomorrow night we will be covering material for the grading on Wednesday. If you can pay before Wednesday for the grading that would be ideal as it will speed things up on Wednesday evening and allow us to get on quickly with the grading.

Marcus

TONIGHT AT TACTICAL EDGE EDINBURGH

Tonight the guys focused on the material for the grading next Wednesday. I complimented the guys on their abilities and said that they were all looking super sharp and that they had a good understanding of personal protection and how to make the material their own.

TONIGHT AT TACTICAL EDGE EDINBURGH

There is a grading in July on a Wednesday during class time. There are posters all over the gym. You have plenty of time to get in shape for it. There is a list of names on the desk for those wishing to grade. Get your name down or if you are not sure then speak to me. It's my job to get you there but you must come to class.

There are also the new TE hoodies in stock. Get them for £35 - they are hot items.

Marcus

TACTICAL EDGE EDINBURGH

Last night we started off drilling the head tilt and then put it into a situational. From there we looked at the head under and a failure drill of this doesn't work. We worked off straight and hooking attacks. We finished the night off with a multiple attack drill and then onto some bowie sparring for developing our attributes.

TACTICAL EDGE CLASS

Tonight we focused on panantukan. We looked at empty hand applications and then with the sticks. We finished off covering the main disarms in the impact weapon curriculum.

TACTICAL EDGE GRADING WED 4 MAY

We will be holding a technical session and then a grading from 7.15-9pm during the class. Whether or not you are eligible to grade we will all train together and then people will have to demonstrate the appropriate skills for the level they are testing for. £25 per person, certificate awarded upon completion. There will be a sheet on the desk for you to register your interest in grading in the system. If you have any questions speak to Marcus or Lee. The last grading was October so almost everyone training will be ready to grade.

Marcus

TONIGHT AT TACTICAL EDGE EDINBURGH

The guys went outside for a quick mile run to warm up. When they got back it was straight into skill building using single stick and a flow drill. We took the tempo down so we could get a better understanding of the angles. Next we looked at a simple way to build a defensive matrix against incoming attacks and the fastets counters. We then looked at a few different scenarios and also the empty hand applications.

Marcus