The Police and Physical Culture

By Sergt. L. F. BUSFIELD,

Gymnasium and Ju-Jutsu Instructor to Bradford City Police.

P

HYSICAL Culture training in our public schools and institutions, boys' brigades, and the countless gymnasiums which are springing into existence all around, taken in conjunction with the tuition contained in HEALTH AND STRENGTH, is rapidly bringing the science into remarkable prominence.

In the majority of the above institutions, boxing, ju-jutsu, and catch-as-catch-can wrestling are subjects which are receiving very serious attention. In fact, so much is being done for the physical welfare of the rising generation that in a very short space of time almost everybody will be possessed of some knowledge of self-defence, more or leas scientific.

What are the Police Doing?

The question arises, what steps are our police taking to enable them to cope with those, degenerates who, though to a certain degree proficient in boxing and wresting, have from some cause, hereditary or otherwise, deplorably drifted into the criminal class. Such men when cornered prove to be very formidable antagonists, for they frequently resort to drastic and very dangerous measures in order to escape arrest.

Which is the Best Method of Defence?

There has been much controversy as to which is the best system of self-defence, "Boxing or Ju-Jutsu," and to decide the matter efforts have been made to arrange a contest between representative exponents of each art, which so far have proved abortive.

If such a trial were to take place, it would be, to my mind, a test rather of individual merit than a proof of the best art. However, in gauging the relative merit of each system, it must be borne in mind that there is a very wide margin between a pre-arranged friendly contest and a street attack by murderous roughs. In the former case, the combat being between experts, caution and the best of sciences would be the aim of each, whereas in the latter the sole aim of each would be to gain the upper hand — Science or no science.

The attack would be conducted with the intention of taking the selected victim entirely at a disadvantage, and in such a crisis ju-jutsu would be the most serviceable defence, on account of the numerous methods of escape from perilous positions it affords, and also on account of its value as a means of defence against an armed assailant. If a man, versed in boxing only, were seized from the rear and his arms pinioned, he would be practically helpless, but the expert ju-jutsuan can get free whether held in front or from the rear.

Ju-Jutsu and the Police.

The value of ju-jutsu to the police when dealing with violent and dangerous criminals has been so far recognised that parts of the system have been adopted by the police authorities in some of the principal cities of Great Britain. I say "parts of the system" advisedly, because in arresting a violent hooligan by the above methods a policeman has not only to subdue his prisoner, but to convey him as quietly and unostentiously as possible to the lock-up, which in rural districts is usually a considerable distance away.

"When Constabulary Duty is to be Done."

It would not be advisable for the police man to prostrate himself in order to secure a prisoner by one of the many methods used by Japanese professors in stage displays. He must not resort to such severe measures as the "Knock-out Blow," "Flying Mare," "'Stomach Throw," etc. If he did he would take upon himself an additional and very inconvenient responsibility — that of rendering first aid to his own victim.

He must not use any more force than is absolutely necessary, and must always bear in mind that his duty is to maintain peace and order; not to create strife.

Preparatory Exercise for Self-Defence.

Special classes are held for the constabulary of Bradford and other towns, at which every member of the Force is taught the art of ju-jutsu as a means of self-defence, and in describing the following preparatory exercises and defensive methods I am confident that if performed as described they will prove of service not only to my comrades of the truncheon, but also to civilian readers who may at some future time have to resort to them in self-defence or in defence of a fellow creature in distress.

In selecting a partner to practise with it is advisable to procure one as near your own build and strength as possible, one acting as assailant, the other performing the counter moves. Whilst acting as assailant do not try to frustrate your partner's attempt at the counter, as being aware what he is about to do, you know exactly what to avoid. To facilitate proficiency it is best to practise steadily, each assisting the other, for if full resistance were used during the performance of a defensive method the performer would have to concentrate his entire energy upon the effort, without any regard for his friend, and an injury would than be the probable result.

1. TO STRENGTHEN GRIP —- Stand at attention. Bend arms at the elbows, raising hands as high, as shoulders, palms to the front, fingers and thumbs extended. Commence by clenching the hands as hard as possible, shoot fingers straight again, keeping thumbs extended all the time. Repeat until the muscles of wrist and forearm aches.

2. ATTENTION — Hold arms straight out in front, in line with chest, palms of hand upward, little fingers together. Keep arms stiff and swing them back as far as possible. At the same time inhale a full breath through the nostrils. Quickly bring hands together at the front, exhaling by way of the month. Keep palms upward during the whole of this exercise. Repeat until tired.

3. ATTENTION —- Step forward with right leg, stoop and place both hands on the floor, about the width of chest apart, fingers pointing straight to front; push right leg back and stretch body until balanced on hands and toes, lower chest to the ground, then press away to arms length again. In recovering to attention, draw the right foot as far forward as possible, and with the aid pf your hands assume the upright position by pushing from the floor and draw back right foot. Then step forward with leg and foot, placing both hands on the floor, and so on. Continue the practice with right and left leg, lunge alternately. Repeat until tired.

4. ATTENTION — Quickly drop into a squatting position on toes, feet about ten inches apart, knees bent outward, sitting on heel, body erect, hands on knees; spring to attention again. Repeat until tired.

5. WITH OR WITHOUT DUMB-BELLS — Hold arms straight out sideways in line with shoulders, palms of hands upwards. Clench hands as hard as possible. Commence by bending arms at the elbows, until knuckles touch the shoulders, straighten arms to fall length again. Repeat until tired.

6. An exercise for the body generally performed with thick rope or broomstick.

[In my next article I propose to give you a short account of the methods of Physical training and self-defence adopted by the Bradford City Police.]

Source: "Health & Strength" October 1908.