UNARMED OFFENCE - PART TWO

by Captain Rex Applegate

The edge-of-the-hand blow on the windpipe.

The mouth-and-eye gouge.

The most effective of all blows is the edge-of-the-hand blow. It can be used on vulnerable spots of the body which would not be so sensitive to blows from the fist or heel of the hand. A blow with the edge of the hand is delivered with the fingers extended, close together, thumb upright and wrist locked. The striking surface is the cushioned part of the hand between the base of the little finger and the edge of the palm where it joins the wrist. Keep your thumb in an upright position and the fingers automatically extended. Otherwise you may clench your fist. The striking surface is well padded and its length, varying with the size of different hands, is roughly three inches. The thickness of the palm in most cases is around one inch. While the striking surface of the clenched fist is much larger, the value of the edge-of-the-hand blow causes a much sharper effect. Properly done it is much more likely to cause a break, fracture or concussion because of the force it expends on a relatively small area.

Around the neck and the cords on either side of the back of the neck, the base of the skull, the sides of the neck, the windpipe area just below the Adam's apple, the bridge of the nose, the kidneys, and the end of the spine, this kind of blow can be devastating. The bones of the forearm, the collar bone, the end of the chin, and the wrist area will fracture when subjected to such a blow. It should be delivered with the elbow bent, utilizing body force behind it with a chopping motion. The last is important because it tends to localize the force of the blow in a small area. If you deliver the blow but do not quickly draw back your hand, a great deal of the striking force is expended over a larger area and is less effective.

The chin jab and trip.

The sitting neck break.

This blow can be delivered with either hand in a downward direction or directed horizontally palm down as would be done in a backhand saber stroke. The best position from which to use the horizontal edge-of-the-hand blow is with the right foot forward, and with the right hand. In this position your body weight can be utilized more fully. The reverse foot position applies for the left hand. The effect may be less but the blow can be delivered with either hand and from any free position.

The concussion-of-the-ear blow.

But of all the blows and attack methods described so far the principal one is still a blow to the testicles, for it will immediately pave the way for a quick liquidation of your opponent, if it is delivered with enough force. Any hold, come-along, or other restraining device put upon you by an opponent can be quickly broken if you can strike a sharp blow to his testicles or grab them with your hand, squeezing and jerking. These organs are the "Achilles heel" of man's anatomy.

An eye gouge, a bite, or a lip tear is always good at close quarters as a means of disengaging your opponent's hold or to weaken him for the finishing off process. The best way to do the eye gouge is to place a thumb on the inside of the eye socket next to the nose and flick the eyeball out towards the edge of the cheek. However, in itself this is not always sufficient to put a man permanently out of action once his fighting instincts are aroused. The same is true of the lip tear-hook your thumb in the corner of the mouth and tear toward the hinge of the jaw.

Using the elbow against the midsection or other tender parts of the anatomy is always good and effective. So are such other stratagems as stomping on the instep, kicking the shins, pulling hair, or breaking fingers. One or a combination of these things is usually sufficient to effect a release from nearly any hold, such as a grappling hold from the rear or front, or a standing front choke hold. Any choke hold can be broken if you can grab one of the fingers and break it off.

The following are additional tried and proven methods for use in certain circumstances where weapons are not available.

CHIN JAB AND TRIP

If you have to down an opponent while passing him on the street, use surprise. As you pass your opponent (on the left side) at the time in which you are directly opposite him, place your right leg in the rear of his right and execute a chin jab from a position of hands at side. He will go down and out. The leg in the rear has the effect of causing the body to go up and come down with more force.

SITTING NECK BREAK

If your opponent is sitting in a low-backed chair, approach him from the rear. As you pass him reach across and under his chin with the hand coming around to the back of the neck. From this position, a contraction of the arm muscles plus an upward and backward jerk will cause his neck to break instantaneously. You can do it almost without breaking your stride.

If you are standing at the side of your opponent clench your fist and strike him in the testicles with the hand on the side next to his body. This will cause him to bend forward for your follow up which will be an edge-of-the-hand blow at the back of the neck or the base of the skull.

EAR CONCUSSION BLOW

You can rupture and cause a concussion of the ear drums by cupping both hands and simultaneously striking them against your opponent's ears. This should be done from the rear. This causes the victim to become "slaphappy" and makes him easy to finish off.

KICKS AS "COUP DE GRACE"

After your opponent has been downed, the coup de grace can be given with a kick. This can be done with either the toe of your foot or by driving the heel into the rib section, heart area, throat area, or temples with great force. In either case, it is best to be wearing heavy boots or other heavy footgear. To kick an opponent use only one leg driving into the rib section or other vulnerable point. That way you can keep your balance better than if you jump on your opponent with both feet. The latter method is dangerous if the ground is uneven or if the fallen man rolls, because you are apt to lose your balance and go to the ground with him. Unless you have unusually good footwork and balance it is not advisable to try to kick a standing man at any point above the knee unless his hands are otherwise engaged. "La Savate" or the French method of fighting with feet is a very difficult art to master and if faultily employed, can be disastrous to the attacker.

NECK PRESSURE POINTS

There are numerous pressure points on the body which will cause severe pain if certain nerve centers are pressed. However, they do not have any permanent damaging effect and can only be used to break holds. Blows already described before are better for this purpose. However, for a specific use, one nerve center is worth mentioning. If a man is lying on the ground, feigning death or unconsciousness and you desire to arouse him, lean over him and with your middle fingers press on each side of the head into the points on his skull where the jawbone hinges. By pressing in and up toward the top of his head, you will cause such pain that no man who is playing possum can stand it. He will come to his feet or give himself away instantly.

In conjunction, with all of these tactics, anything unusual or unexpected that can be done to confuse an opponent is worthwhile. If you can distract his attention, throw dirt in his eyes, or hit him with any object which comes readily to hand or create any other mental diversion, you have placed yourself at a decided advantage. It is not a bad idea when anticipating rough-and-tumble tactics to have a small amount of sand in your pocket which may be thrown into a man's eyes, or to have a handkerchief in the breast pocket of your blouse containing a little pepper or cayenne to throw in your opponent's eyes. If in the middle of a fight you find yourself on top of a man trying to throttle him, you may hasten his end by beating his head up and down on the ground to stun his thinking process.

Steps in the Jap strangle hold. Step 1 (left): The blow to the back throws your enemy off balance; Step 2 (center): Bring your left forearm around your enemy's throat; Step 3 (right): Leverage applied with the right arm and hand will either break your enemy's neck or strangle him.

JAPANESE STRANGLE HOLD

Much has been said about various types of strangle holds, principally for use in wiping out a sentry by an attack from the rear. It is obvious that in this case a knife is best. If you must accomplish the task with your bare hands, the following basic fundamentals should be remembered: The approach should naturally be a noiseless one. Your attack should be launched from a leap over the remaining four or five feet between yourself and the sentry. This leap is important because a great many people, especially when they are on the alert, have a super-developed animal instinct which gives them warning of hostile presence, although they do not see or hear anything. Your first and most important objective, of course, is to strangle the man quickly and silently. In conjunction with your leap, your fist should be driven into the man's right kidney section with such force that he will bend backward and come off balance. At the same time, your left forearm should be swung around his neck in such manner as to strike him across the Adam's apple. These two blows are enough initially to stun him for the few vital seconds which are necessary for you to be able to apply a quick, scientific strangle hold.

From this position with your left forearm across his neck, place your right hand on the back of his head and hook your left hand inside the bend in the elbow of your right arm. With your hand in this position, you can exert enormous leverage by pushing forward with your right hand and pulling him back with your left at the same time. In a matter of seconds, you have strangled him completely or broken his neck. One of the most important things about this particular hold is that you must be continually pulling your victim backward so that he is off balance at all times. This is even more important in case you are shorter than your victim; in this case the use of the knee in place of the fist is best for the first blow. This technique is known as the Japanese strangle hold, and it is regrettable that the name was originated by the Japanese through their use of it, in place of having been named from its frequent use on them.

FRONT STRANGLE

A strangle hold may also be applied from the front by swinging your right arm forward and around bringing the palm of the hand against the back of your enemy's neck. By giving your body weight to the swing, you will cause him to bring his head forward and downward to a position where your left arm can be brought across up under his throat and locked around his neck, with your right hand taking a grip on your left as a reinforcement. When you have him in this position, all you need to do to cause strangulation or a neck break is to push your hips forward and your shoulders well back, lifting upward as you do so. This is a severe application of what is known in wrestling circles as the "front chancery."

THROWS

There are any number of throws which could be described, but one of the simplest and most effective is the good old "flying mare." It can be applied swiftly by grasping your opponent's right wrist with both hands, stepping in with your right foot, and bringing his arm over your right shoulder with the hinge joint of his elbow up. In this position, you will have a firm grasp of his arm on which pressure will be exerted against the hinge resting on your shoulder so that any sudden downward movement of your body combined with a quick back thrust of your hips will send him sailing through the air. If he doesn't go, his arm will break from the leverage exerted, and he can be finished off in some other way. The flying mare used with the elbow hinge in the reverse of the above described method has been used in wrestling circles for years as a spectacular type of throw. If you are working on a hard surface, in place of letting go of your opponent, flip him over your shoulder, maintain your hold on his arm after the throw and bring him down on his head and shoulders at your feet with a resultant concussion or neck fracture when he strikes the ground.

The flying mare.

WRIST THROW

The wrist throw should be mentioned because it has several practical applications. Its most practical use would be in a situation where a man has reached out and grabbed your shirt or blouse lapel with his right hand. With your left hand reach over and to the inside of the grasping hand and place your left thumb in the back of his hand between the small knuckle bones of his first and middle fingers. Your fingers will pass underneath the palm of his hand. With your hand in this position; twist his hand sharply back toward him and to his right and force it toward a point on the ground three or four feet to his right. He will immediately be forced to the ground and from there you can either release your hold as he goes down or retain your hold upon his hand, pulling his arm out straight about his head as he goes down, and kicking him in the temple with your feet. In many cases, particularly when there is a great difference in size of opponents it is advisable after making the initial hold with your left hand to use your right to give additional pressure and leverage to complete the throw. The same instructions can be applied by doing just the opposite in case of a left-handed procedure.

COME-ALONGS

The subject of "come-alongs" or a means of bringing in a captive is a large and varied one, but no such hold yet developed that is applied by bare hands can be maintained successfully over long periods of time without being weakened to such an extent that it may be broken by the captive. It is true that in some of the escapes from these come-alongs, the victim will hurt himself, but at the same time if he is desperate enough, that will not deter him from an attempt to escape. The only way to keep a prisoner being taken in by come-along methods over any distance with no danger of his escaping is to keep him in a perpetual state of semi-consciousness by edge-of-the-hand blows on the neck, short jabs on the chin, or any means which will keep his mental processes foggy. It is well to take his free hand and stick it down inside his belt to help prevent possible escape attempts.

The most effective of all come-alongs, particularly when you are forced to walk a man a long distance and keep him under control is the following: You are facing your opponent and as the come-along is not an attack, you have already subdued him to a point where he is submissive. With your right hand outstretched, palm up, grasp his left hand on the back, with your hand holding across the back of his fingers. With your left hand, reach over on the outside of your prisoner's elbow find pull it toward your right foot to a point where you are directly opposite the victim. You will find that the victim's left elbow will be next to your body with your right elbow between his arm and his body. You have not changed your grip from its initial application during this process. By keeping his elbow close to your body and locked in place by your right arm and raising the forearm to a vertical position, you have a very effective come-along which is maintained by twisting his hand and wrist toward you at any sign of rebellion. By applying a few pounds of pressure on the wrist, you can raise your victim on his toes and it is by this means that you will know that he is completely under your control. This come-along has the advantage of allowing you in most cases to be able to maintain sufficient pressure with one hand to enable you to walk along with a weapon or some other implement in your left. This application can be reversed for the purpose of leaving your right hand free if desirable. Ideally the initial grasp on the victim's hand should be done by hooking thumbs, as illustrated. Due to poor light, gloves, weather, and so on, this cannot always be done easily. You can change to the interlocked thumb position once the hold is applied if you so desire.

Another come-along which has a great deal of merit is the armlock. Properly applied, this lock makes a hold sufficiently strong for escorting a prisoner a short distance, gives control of your opponent completely if pressure is maintained on the forearm, and is very desirable as a torture hold or in taking a man to the ground before tying him. The proper speedy application of the lock can constitute an attack. However, it is easier applied as a mastering hold after your victim has once been subdued by other means.

How to break up a push. Left: Grasp the pusher's hand above the wrist with both of your hands and bend forward. As the pusher goes down hit him in the chin with your knee (right).

Its application is as follows: Facing your opponent, reach out with your left hand, palm down, and grab the opponent about the right wrist. Shove his arm to the side and rear of his body; in conjunction with this move take the flat of your right hand and strike his left arm on the inside of the elbow joint. The hand should be immediately withdrawn after the slap has been given causing the elbow to bend. From this position disengage your left hand which has been about his wrist and shove it under and up between the point of shoulder on his arm. By bending forward with his right arm locked in this position you have him completely under control. Your right hand can then be used to exert extra pressure on his pinioned arm by pulling it out from his back. This will force him to do as you will because of the pain or possibilities of a broken elbow. This come-along can be maintained over a long distance but has a disadvantage in the fact that your own body must be bent forward alongside and slightly over your opponent's body to keep him under control. However, this is offset by the fact that it can be used for the other purposes mentioned above.

WRIST RELEASE

Mention should also be made of the principle of a simple wrist release as it is an invaluable aid when someone has grasped your arm with one or both hands. The first thing an opponent does is to grab either your wrist or forearm. This is obvious because he wants to protect himself as well as to immobilize your own offence. When a man grabs you by the wrist, he will have four ringers on one side of your arm and thumb on the other side. Regardless of how strong a man is, the thumb, which is the weak side of his grip, will not be stronger than your entire arm. By a twist of your wrist outward against his thumb, you can break his hold with a sudden effort. The entire movement must be made rapidly. If you will always twist your wrist against your opponent's thumb, regardless of whether it is his left or right hand, you will be able to break his grip. If he grabs your wrist with both hands, jerk upwards toward the thumbs and the same release can be effected with a little more effort. This type of wrist release is well known in all unarmed combat, wrestling and life-saving circles.

PUSHING COUNTER

Every man at some time or other has been in a position where a belligerent opponent or a drunk has attempted to antagonize him by placing a hand on his chest and shoving him backward. The counter is simple and effective. As your opponent's hand is placed on your chest, take your own two hands, laying one flat on top of the other, raise them above your opponent's pushing hand, and come down sharply with the edge of your hands at the angular bend where his wrist joins his hand. As you do this, bend forward. Your opponent will go down for a very simple reason. When he is pushing you, his wrist is already at a right-angle bend. Any additional bend will cause a break when you strike his wrist with the edge of your hands; he can do nothing but go to the ground to protect himself from a broken wrist. As he goes down, you can use the knee in his testicles or chin or do whatever you will, depending upon how you desire to dispose of him. It is important that you bend forward in applying this at the time of the blow on the wrist angle. By so doing you force him to the ground and also pin his hand against your chest in such a manner that he cannot pull away.

TIES

It is also well to cover this well known means of tying a prisoner securely. It is initiated from the armlock with your opponent face downward on the ground and with the forearm bent up behind his back in a painful position. A little additional pressure on his arm when in this position will force him readily to place his other hand behind his back at your request. With your rope, tie the two wrists tightly together. Take one end of the cord and run it around his neck and tie it

again to the pinioned wrists. Have enough pressure on the cord around the neck to force him to hold the hands high up toward his shoulder blades. Cross his ankles and take the other end of the cord after doubling his legs up behind him and tie them with it so that they remain in that position. Any struggle to free himself will result in strangulation. Correctly applied, there is no escape from this tie. There are various knots advocated in making such ties, but any standard tying knot may be used. The essential thing is the fact that the victim will be unable to make any effort to release himself, regardless of the type of knot used. Another simple tie can be effected by using a man's shoelaces for cord. Place him with his back to a tree or post, preferably of ten or more inches in diameter. Have his arms placed around and behind the pole, tie his wrists, two thumbs and his two little fingers together with the shoelaces. In these ties, practice is most important because a faulty procedure in tying is glaringly apparent.

In this last section, it is well to emphasize again the fact that in applying the numerous holds and come-alongs and throws that have been and are being shown throughout the country, you cannot always assume you are up against an untrained adversary, particularly so in case of the Jap. If this is not the case, you will lay yourself open to attack while attempting their execution. If you are in a position to apply any of these encumbering holds, you are also in a position for a killing attack initiated by hand or feet blows.

Dummies are absolutely necessary in training of this type. They should be of standard size, complete wit arms, heads, and legs. On the dummies, the vital spot should be marked and the student should be made to practice daily, with no restraint, all hand and foot blows he has learned. It is easy to see that if in practice of this type of combat you use a sparring partner, great care must be taken in application of this instruction. Submission signals should be arranged to avoid damaging each other. A man who masters the blows emphasized in this article and practices them enough to be able to use them as readily as he uses his fists need fear no one. Even if he never has a chance to use the technique in actual fighting, it still will be worthwhile because of the supreme self-confidence he will develop.

Source: Infantry Journal, April 1943