SELF-DEFENCE IN
WARTIME
AT CLOSE-GRIPS WITH AN
ENEMY
More
easy tricks of self-defence which increase your fighting power.
By
Lgr K. P. THORP
I hope that many of you readers have
seriously studied and practised the tricks of self-defence in my previous
article. In this second article I give you a number of the most elective and
successful tricks in the series of the "Buttock Throws." Learn these
with a friend and add them to your store of knowledge.
One of the phases in this war of
ours is that of guerrilla tactics and another of patrol
In all phases of warfare one must be
strong and efficient. These tricks will make you a stronger link in the chain
of our fighting forces, and they will also give you greater security and
protection for your own personal life. It is with these ideas in mind that I
write these articles. 'These tricks are the safest, surest and the swiftest way
of disposing an aggressor. Practise these throws carefully with your friend.
Before taking the throws proper, and
to let you enjoy being thrown with safety, we will first study the "art of
fall-breaking." You can practise this art by yourself in your home upon a
thick mat or on the lawn.
How to Break a Fall.
Squat down upon your toes with your
knees wide apart — as if you were doing the deep knee-bend. Rest your hands
upon your knees and relax the muscles of your body. Bend your head well forward,
resting the chin upon your chest to prevent it striking the ground. Keeping yourself relaxed, roll gently over backwards on to your
hinder quarters simultaneously striking the mat forcibly with your arms from
finger tips to elbow. Keep your arms straight.
At the moment of striking, the
shoulders should be about six inches off the ground. Your hands should be about
eighteen inches away from your body at an angle of forty-five degrees. Striking
in this fashion breaks your fall and saves you from injuries to the body and
breakages of the bones. After a few attempts of practice you will be able to
take the "buttock throws" quite easily. 'The only difference being
that you will use your disengaged arm to break your fall.
Preparatory Exercise for Buttock
Throw (Balance).
Balance is an essential factor in
the performance of a successful throw in ju-jitsu, and it can be easily learned
in a few attempts of practice. By this basic principle — the correct
distribution of weight — one can throw an opponent twice one's size. Practise
this exercise with your friend, and you will at once realise this powerful and
potent force that lies behind this principle of balance.
(Fig 3) The Balanced Buttock Throw.
Grasp your friend's right wrist with
your left hand, simultaneously seizing your friend around the waist with your
right arm. Next, step your right leg well behind his right leg, placing your
buttock (seat) well into the rear of his buttock. Continuing the movement,
instantly bend down to your left-front,
keeping your legs straight. 'This will lift your friend off his feet and brings
him across your hips. Keep your body in horizontal position and endeavour to
balance your friend across your buttock (Fig. 3). You may keep your friend
there as long as you like or throw him to the ground, but as this is only a
preparatory exercise for the "buttock throws," we will not here
attempt the throw. Try this exercise a number of times until you can balance
your friend easily, then try it as a left-handed
balance by reversing the instructions.
The Waist Attack.
When your opponent seizes you around
the waist with both arms from the front, instantly place your right hand around
his waist and into the small of his back. Bring your left hand, with the fingers
extended, up forcibly under the cartilage of his nose. Deliver the blow with
the hand's edge, not the fingers (this blow must not be given to your friend,
only indicate it). Simultaneously step your right leg high tip and pass it well
behind your opponent's right leg, bend down to your left-front and give him a
good "balance." With a slight twist of your buttock toss him
forcefully to the ground. A good buttock throw will "knock the wind "
out of him, but further submission may be obtained by dropping down and placing
your right knee into his right side, thrusting your left leg forward and
bringing the captured arm (right arm in this case) across your shin, using his
elbow as a fulcrum and bringing pressure to bear contrary to the natural
bending of the arm. This submission is known as an "arm breaking
process." Hold your opponent down by placing your right' hand on his chin
and push it away thus wringing the neck.
If your opponent has seized you over
your upper arms, pinioning the arms to your sides, instantly bring your hands
upwards behind his back and seize him by the shoulders, simultaneously lowering
the body by bending your knees. This brings you out of the powerful right grip
that your opponent has upon you. As previously described in the foregoing
trick, carry your right leg high up and pass it behind your assailant's right
leg, bringing him into the balance position for the "toss."
Submission is obtained by the "arm breaking process."
When someone behind you says "Stick 'em up" what would you
do? (Fig 4)
Hold-up from Behind.
If your assailant has presented a
gun into your back (Fig. 4), whether you are standing still or on the move, you
must watch for the right moment to perform this trick. Your opponent has the advantage
and is watching you, so your movements should never be obvious. The success of
this manoeuvre is made possible by the easy, natural manner in which it is
executed. Your hands are raised, showing submission and capture. This is good.
As you are walking forward turn left-about, pivoting on the ball of your left
foot (your turning brings you out of the line of fire) simultaneously swing
both your arms downwards, knocking away the weaponed arm with your left arm.
Circle his waist with your right: arm and step your right leg behind your
opponent, coining to the "balance" Fig, 5. Throw him forcefully to
the ground by a toss of the hip, and disarm by the "arm breaking
process."
(Fig 5) The Position at the Hip before your assailant is thrown.
Grossed-Arm Strangulation
Your opponent may attempt
strangulation by crossing his arms and seizing you by the coat collar, or by
throwing a handkerchief or rope around your neck. In order to choke you, he
must bring pressure to bear by pulling his arms outwards. To relieve this
pressure, grasp his elbows and push them inwards and upwards. This weakens his
power to strangle you. From this position step your right leg behind your
opponent and give him a good "balance." Throw your opponent to the
ground and treat him roughly.
Flying Buttock Throw
This throw is more severe than the
usual buttock throws. Because of the seriousness of the throw it is well that
you only indicate it in practice on your friend, unless he is proficient with
the backwards breakfall. Your opponent leads a
right-handed blow to the head. Parry his arm with your left forearm,
simultaneously seize him by the throat with your right
hand (fingers and thumb on either side of the "Adam's Apple"). Step
your right leg well behind your opponent's right leg and send him flying over
your hip. Your opponent will lie thrown upon his head and shoulders.
In the practice of these throws use
care and caution. A mastery of these tricks as right and left-handed throws,
along with those described in the previous article will make of you a
formidable opponent and no mean expert.
Source: "Health and Strength" May 10th, 1941.