98. GENERAL
Hand-to-hand combat activities are offensive and defensive manoeuvres from wrestling, boxing, jiu-jitsu, and rough and tumble fighting. This type of activity, if well taught, is of interest to the soldier and is invaluable in developing a sense of confidence. Because many hand-to-hand activities are not strenuous other physical training activities should be scheduled during the same period.

99. PRINCIPLES OF INSTRUCTION
a. There must be no attempt to cover a large amount of material in a short time. It is not so important that the soldier learn to recognise numerous offensive and defensive manoeuvres. It is that he completely master the ones he does learn.
b. Only manoeuvres that will be highly effective against a violently resisting opponent in combat will be selected for presentation. The temptation to emphasise showy exhibition tricks that are of questionable effectiveness in combat will be avoided.
c. The potential skills of soldiers differ over a wide range. For this reason, only techniques that are simple enough to be mastered completely by all the men will be selected.
d. The techniques in paragraph 100 will be taught all units. All of them will be practised until mastered. However, not more than three or four different techniques should be learned at one time. New methods of attack and defense will not be presented until those practised have been mastered. After they have been mastered, they should be reviewed at least every three months. (For technique of instruction, see FM 21-150.)

100. TECHNIQUES
a. Blows with the side of hand. Where held off balance so that the mass of the body cannot be used to back up a blow, it is possible to strike a crippling blow with the little finger edge of the hand. The blow is struck with force and snap, with an attempt made to hit several inches through the objective, in a follow-through movement. Use the little finder side of the hand, at the joint between the bones of the palm and those of the fingers (knuckles). Blows may be struck, according to the opportunity afforded, at the following locations:

(1) At the saddle of the nose, striking toward the ears.

(2) At the base of the nose, striking upward toward the ears.

(3) At side of neck, just above the junction of the neck and shoulder.

(4) Between lowest ribs and hip bone, just above the belt. This blow causes the opponent to relax any hold, as it usually knocks the wind out of him.

(5) At the front of the throat just above the Adam's apple.

b. Blow with heel of hand. Where free movement is restricted, but where one arm is free strike forcefully upward with the heel of the hand if opponent's chin is slightly elevated. Follow blow with a strong push. This manoeuvre frequently results in an opportunity to use the knee to the groin. (See e(3) below.)

c. Cradle blow to throat. When caught with hands at the sides, close to an opponent who suddenly raises his fist to strike thrust the right arm diagonally upward striking opponent between chin and Adam's apple with thumb on one side and fingers on the other.

d. Fingers to eyes. Where one hand is free, and the opponent is attacking from the front with his head tipped downward push opponent's face upward and backward by placing first and second fingers in his eyes, with crotch of fingers beneath end of his nose. When used in actual combat, the push with the hand should be vicious and in a backward direction, to break the enemy's neck if possible.

e. Blows with knee. The knee can be used to incapacitate an opponent. It is usually used to the face, the solar plexus, or the groin.

(2) Knee to solar plexus. If the opponent closes in and gets a waist hold, fall backward and bring the knee against his solar plexus.

(3) Knee to the groin. In close hand-to-hand fighting, the opponent is apt to leave many openings for a knee to the groin. Lose no opportunity to get in a blow.

(1) Stamp to the knee. This is a violent stamp to the kneecap with either the inside or outside of the sole of the shoe.

(2) Kick to the shin. This should be a kick with the toe, not a stamp with the side of the foot.

(3) Stamp to the instep. Use blow as defense when grasped from behind by opponent.

(4) Stamp or kick to back of knee. Use blow as defense in a shoulder (rear) take down. (See h(1) below.)

(5) Stamping or kicking prostrate opponent. The foot can be used to stamp on (with heel) or to kick (with toe) a prostrate opponent. The most effective places to stamp are the neck, the middle of the back, the base of the spine (opponent face downward) and the neck, solar plexus, and the groin (with opponent face up). The neck, chest and back are the most effective. The most effective places to kick are the neck, the armpit, the floating ribs, and the groin. The most dangerous is the neck. Stamping and kicking a prostrate enemy should be practised on a dummy.

g. Counters for attack from the front. Since this is the most common form of attack, these counters should be well mastered.

(1) Low attack from the front. If opponent drives for hips, place hand against his right shoulder to slow his momentum. Slip right forearm under opponent's throat and grasp your left wrist. Apply pressure by lifting with the right forearm. Hold opponent's head under right armpit. A variation of this hold is to grasp the little finger edge of your right hand with the left hand and pull back strongly.

 (2) Cross hock throw. As opponent approaches, grasp his shirt or jacket and manoeuvre him into placing his weight on his left foot. Then extend right leg to the outside of and behind opponent's right knee. Kick backward vigorously with calf of right leg striking back of opponent's right knee. At the same time pull opponent with left hand and push him with the right so that he is thrown on his right side to the ground.

(3) Flying tackle. The best defense against the flying tackle is to bring the knee up in violent contact with the face of the opponent. (See par. 100(e).)

(1) Jab thumbs strongly into opponent's groin to force his hips backward. Then pivot on left foot and place right foot outside of, and pointing in same direction as, opponent's right foot. Slip right arm up under opponent's left arm and with left hand grasp opponent's upper right arm. Then thrust hips vigorously into opponent's midsection. At same time lift with right arm and pull with left so that opponent is propelled over right hip to the ground.

(2) Jab thumbs strongly into opponent's groin to force his hips backward. Follow with a violent blow with knee to his groin.

(3) If held tightly in an overarm bear hug by a powerful opponent who does not move back when thumbs are jabbed into his groin, squeeze his testicles hard.

(1) Form a fist and place thumb underneath base of opponent's nose. Pressure on this tender spot will cause opponent either to pull his head backward or release his hold. Circle waist of opponent with other arm. Then push with thumb and pull in with the opposite arm which is around opponent's waist, until opponent is borne backwards.

(2) Press strongly upward and inward with the thumb underneath the ear lobes.

(3) Thrust fingers to eyes (See d above).

j. Counter for front choke. Step forward with right foot. Cross right arm with some force over opponent's arms, keeping palm of hand down. Then turn body to the right and strike the little finger edge of the hand (not the little finger itself) against the right side of opponent's neck just below the jawbone. Strike blow with great force.

k. Attack from behind. The following attacks are usually used to surprise an enemy:

(1) Shoulder take down. Grab shoulders of opponent from the rear. Pull him backward and kick his knee forward. This attack leaves opponent on ground and vulnerable to foot attack.

(3) Helmet neck break. (This method can be used only when attacker is sure opponent's helmet strap is fastened.) Spring up as high as is necessary to grasp front rim of opponent's helmet with right hand. At same time place left forearm against base of the back of his neck and place left hand on his right shoulder. Jerk the front rim of opponent's helmet upward, backward, and then downward toward his back. At the same time press the left forearm forward. At the extreme of the downward pull, the left forearm acts as a fulcrum under back edge of helmet against which neck is to be broken.

(1) Counter for one-arm strangle from rear. Place chin in crook of opponent's elbow and grasp back of his arm just above his elbow with hand on same side. (Grasp his right arm with your right hand.) Place the right foot outside of opponent's right foot. Thrust backward with hips against opponent's midsection, and retaining a firm grasp on opponent's upper arm, propel him over your head and shoulder to the ground.

(2) Counter for underarm bear bug from rear. Reach down with left hand, placing it just above opponent's left knee. Resting your weight in this manner, pivot left leg behind opponent's right leg. Then bring left hand under opponent's left knee-joint and right hand under opponent's right knee-joint. By lifting and leaning backward, you can easily overbalance adversary over your left knee.

(3) Counter for underarm bear hug from rear. When opponent braces himself by placing one leg between your legs, bend forward swiftly from the waist and grasp his ankle. Keeping grasp on the ankle, straighten body causing opponent to release his hold and drop on his back. If opponent maintains his hold, fall backward on top of him, sitting on his midsection with great force. (See par. 97, h(3).)

(4) Counter for overarm rear body hold. When grasped over the arms from rear, cause opponent to loosen hold momentarily by either stepping on his instep or kicking him in the shin with the heel. Then raise elbows high and lower body simultaneously by bending the knees. Reach up with right arm and grasp opponent's right upper arm just above the elbow. Also grasp opponent's right wrist with your left hand. At same time move right foot outside of and in line with opponent's right foot and bending swiftly from the waist, throw opponent forward over your shoulder.