Copyright 2010 by Bradley J. Steiner ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The Most Effective Blows

In
Unarmed Combat
(A text and reference for students of
American Combato (JenDoTao) and for
students and teachers of other modern
combative disciplines)

by Prof. Bradley J. Steiner

-1-

The Most Effective Blows In Unarmed

Combat
(As Taught In The American Combato [JenDoTao] All-In
Close Combat And Self-Defense System)

INTRODUCTION

Unarmed combat is a method of fighting and personal protection that is called

upon when the employment of weapons is either not possible, or when the use of
weapons is not advisable. The unique characteristic of unarmed combat is that,
unlike the use of weaponry, its effectiveness depends completely upon the motor
skills, mindset, and physical capabilities of the individual. It is the users body and
mind that accounts for the successful or unsuccessful employment of unarmed
combat techniques. There is nothing per se formidable about the techniques,
themselves, unless backed by a forceful application of speed, strength, accuracy,
and will. Thus, whereas a knife, gun, or stick may be depended upon to
compensate for the users size, strength, personal agility, speed of movement, and
other psychophysical factors, unarmed combat skills depend solely upon those
factors being present in the user of the techniques, for the techniques
formidability when used by the combatant.

-2A physically under par man will certainly be able to use good unarmed combat
techniques if he has learned them well, and if he is possessed of the proper
mindset, but a physically powerful and well-conditioned man will always be able
to employ those same techniques with greater effectiveness. This is not always
true when weapons come into play. It matters not whether the trigger of a pistol is
pulled by a person who is confined to a wheelchair, or by an Olympic athlete.
Providing the bullet finds its mark, the prowess or lack thereof of the one who
fired the weapon will be irrelevant to the outcome.
We say this to make one point clear at the outset: While this presentation describes
what are undoubtedly the most practical and efficient blows of unarmed close
combat known to the author after a lifetime of study, training, and research into
nearly every form of the worlds martial methods and arts, there is nothing about
this material that promises magical or superhuman possibilities. Excellent and
war-proven as the blows that we shall herein describe are, they rely upon the user
taking the time to learn and to practice them assiduously, if they are to be reliable
in a real crisis. And they are, make no mistake about it, bolstered and enhanced by
every step forward the individual takes in becoming fitter, stronger, faster, more
agile, and more intently possessed of the attack-minded, combative mental state.
We hope that the reader takes these words to heart, because the last thing that we
wish to do is encourage any false beliefs about what unarmed combat can and
cannot do, and what he himself can and cannot do, with the instruction and
information in this treatment.
Any individual who truly masters at least half a dozen of the sixteen blows
enumerated in these pages, and who maintains a reasonable level of fitness and a
proper mindset will be formidable, indeed. However, mastering is not the same
thing as reading about, or remembering. Mastering implies, as we mean the
term, making the technique a reflexive, natural part of ones personal reactive
mechanism. It means developing a motor-memorized body employment procedure
that is required in order to employ the technique with all available speed, power,
and accuracy and with the tactical components of surprise, aggression, and
ferocious, ruthless brutality under combat conditions, to DESTROY the
enemy.
If what we have said sounds unpleasant, then so be it. We are speaking of combat

-3and we are advocating combat skills for emergency self-defense. Such situations
as might arise to necessitate the use of such skills in such context are always most
unpleasant. We are not speaking about sport. The blows that we have
painstakingly culled over the years have been selected because they are dangerous.
They are effective in enabling their user to speedily deal with a determined
adversary in real combat. Sane people do all that it is in their power to do to avoid
rather than to participate in such occurrences. The rational person fights when he
must, not when he can.
The blows that you are about to learn are for employment exclusively in situations
and circumstances where you have no choice but to take aggressive physical action
to save innocent life and limb. They are not to be played with. Nor are they to be
brought into play in circumstances where simple disengagement and avoidance is
possible. We urge only the lawful and moral use of physical force.
Readers who have had experience in any of the karate type Asian martial arts, in
the atemiwaza branch of ju-jutsu, and in either conventional Western boxing, or in
the sport of kickboxing may have developed some of the attributes required for the
employment of the blows that we advocate. There is a similarity between many of
the unarmed combat blows, and blows that the reader may have been exposed to
during his training and practice of one of the fighting forms mentioned. Readers
who have had prior experience in some of the older methods of military close
combat that were once taught in the U.S. or British armed forces will have a
certain advantage in learning the material in this publication.
Sources
The blows described in this monograph are, as we have said, the result of a not
inconsiderable amount of researching, studying, training, learning, and
experimenting. They owe their origins (but not necessarily the manner in which
we now advocate their use) to the following sources:
Taekwon-do
Kenpo-karate
Ju-jutsu

-4 The Fairbairn, Applegate, ONeill and other

commando type systems of WWII
Rough-and-tumble street and alley fighting
Western boxing
Chinese chuan fa
A degree of innovation on this writers part
There is no required prerequisite training or experience for the individual who
wishes to learn these blows. He only needs to pay close attention to the
description, and then work hard at practicing the techniques.
Why Blows For Close Combat?
We have never met an accomplished catch-as-catch can wrestler, or an
experienced competitive judo man who could not defend himself quite well
against most unarmed individuals. Providing the attacker comes at the defender
without assistance from one or more other punks, does not possess a weapon, and
attacks in such a manner that the defender has some moments to see it coming and
ready himself, and so long as the terrain in which the onslaught occurs is not
unfavorable to grappling, and the attacker is not fast and accurate with the
delivery of hand and foot blows, wrestling and judo are very effective in
countering the opponent.
Those who have trained in ju-jutsu have something of an edge over wrestlers and
judo men for personal defense, even though their art teaches a lot of holding and
throwing. Ju-jutsu also emphasizes atemiwaza (body smashing techniques or
blows), and providing the ju-jutsu user is highly proficient in the application of
the strikes and kicks of atemi, he will often fare well in a real world emergency.
But the best all round approach to combat preparation is arduous training
predominantly in the delivery of BLOWS. And here we must add, Not
necessarily the blows that one emphasizes when training in a classical/traditional

-5karate forms. The reason why may be seen by visiting most schools where the
various arts of karate (ie kenpo-karate, taekwon-do, chuan fa, Okinawa-te,
Japanese karate, etc.) are actually taught. Their weaknesses (for combat) relate to
the following
Placing way too much emphasis upon the employment of clenched fist
punching
Placing too much emphasis upon high and fancy kicking
Literally conditioning the students to square off and to spar when using these
blows
Suggesting and encouraging the goal of training as being, a one punch stop
capability, which in the real world of hand-to-hand combat is nearly
impossible to achieve
Often focusing upon classical/traditional delivery systems for excellent blows
(such as the handaxe chop, the heel-of-the-hand strike, front and side
kicks, fingertips thrusts and jabs, and even basic punching, etc.)
Encouraging a ridiculous amount of awe in students, regarding the
possibilities of the unarmed blows that are taught suggesting
superhuman possibilities for them when employed against
adversaries in combat
Failing to adopt better principles of offense-based methodology (such as Jack
Dempseys falling step) for a more combatively adaptable
employment of the blows (especially hand, finger, arm, and elbow
blows but to a degree, head butts, knee attacks, and kicks, too)
The infusion of mystical nonsense and pointlessly absurd exotica in the
training atmosphere, which leaves the gullible with the impression
that, somehow, the techniques acquire their effectiveness from the
incorporation of this foolishness into their application
Failing to stress without reservation the absolutely essential use of effective
blows as preemptive weapons, with which the combatant attacks first

-6and keeps on attacking, whenever danger is perceived to be imminent

and unavoidable. (Who has not heard: In karate one never makes the
first move and/or Karate begins and ends with blocking? These
admonishments are true enough [and, well even grant, noble
enough, if you are into art and fantasy more than you are into real
world survival]; but this will not do for real close combat when life
or death may be the outcome and the result of that which one elects
to employ against his foe).
So, love whatever style or version of classical/traditional karate you wish; but do
not turn to its teachings, per se, for real world close combat and self-defense
training!
The BLOWS of Unarmed Combat are superior to other forms of combatives
because . . .
1. BLOWS ARE THE SPEEDIEST COMBAT TECHNIQUES THAT CAN
BE GENERATED BY THE HUMAN BODY.
It takes a relatively long time to secure any kind of hold or grip on a person or on
the clothing that he is wearing. Even the fastest grab that is executed by an expert
in, say, judo or ju-jutsu, takes a fraction of a second longer than a blow requires
to execute, since a grip must be a part of the action, or no hold occurs.
2. ANY OPPONENT, REGARDLESS OF HOW HE IS DRESSED, AND
EVEN IF HE IS NOT WEARING ANY CLOTHING AT ALL, IS
SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING HIT AT ALL TIMES.
There is absolutely no need to concern yourself with how or even if your
adversary is dressed when you rely upon blows to stop him. Just hit! Nor does
clothing offer any significant degree of protection against the well-delivered
blows of unarmed combat. In certain instances heavy winter wear might provide a
modicum of protection against some of the force, when certain blows are
generated. However, this would rarely if ever be significant enough to prevent the
recipient from be affected seriously by the blows impact.
3. BLOWS CAN BE EFFECTIVELY GENERATED FROM SITTING,
STANDING, OR EVEN LYING POSITIONS, AND TO ALL
DIRECTIONS. THEIR VERSATILITY IN ACTION MAKES THEM
INDISPENSABLE FOR SELF-PROTECTION SINCE YOU MIGHT

-7NEED TO DEFEND YOURSELF WHEN IN ANY POSITION.

The use of holds and throws almost without exception require that the one
employing them assume or maneuver into a very definite position relative to the
opponent against whom he is employing the action. Blows of the variety that we
describe and teach do not have such limitations. With training and practice they
can be snapped, driven, slammed, thrust, or whipped into whatever vulnerable
target area one perceives to be open at the moment.
4. BLOWS IMMEDIATELY AFFECT THE RECIPIENT
INTERFERING AS THEY LAND WITH HIS OWN FOCUS ON
THAT WHICH HE HIMSELF IS DOING. HOLDS AND GRIPS
(LEADING EITHER TO CONTROL/SUBMISSION ACTIONS OR TO
THROWS) ACTUALLY ALERT THE OPPONENT WHEN
EXECUTED.
In a hand-to-hand engagement, unlike a contest in which the adversary is
obligated to abide by the rules of the game, the likely instant reaction of a
determined and dangerous foe will be a fast punch or kick the very second he feels
you grab him. If, on the other hand, you hit him, you are not in the same kind of
vulnerable position that grabbing him would have left you, and it is highly
probable that your blow will disorient him. Followup with more blows becomes
easy and a surefire way to end the encounter.
5. EXPLOSIVE STRIKING AND KICKING MAY BE LAUNCHED
WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST HINT OF A WARNING FROM THE
KIND OF NONCHALANT RELAXED-READY STANCE THAT
WE ADVOCATE (OR FROM A SIMILAR NON-TELEGRAPHING
POSITION, AS TAUGHT PERHAPS IN ANOTHER SYSTEM).
Since action is always faster than reaction, a surprise blow will land. Whether or
not a hold or throw works is always doubtful . . . especially in real combat.
6. WHILE THERE ARE CERTAINLY SOME HOLDS (NOTABLY
STRANGLEHOLDS AND CHOKES) THAT CAN DECISIVELY
BRING EVEN A POWERFUL AND DETERMINED ADVERSARY
QUICKLY UNDER CONTROL AND RENDER HIM HELPLESS,
THESE ACTIONS TAKE SKILL, TIME, AND A LOT OF TECHNICAL
MASTERY. THE BLOWS OF UNARMED COMBAT CAN DROP
THE STRONGEST MAN OR STUN HIM AT ONCE SO THAT
FOLLOWUP BECOMES EASY. AND THEYRE SIMPLE.

-8In any emergency you want to get your enemy worried about you and about your
attack against him as soon as possible. Swiftly driving your fingers into his eyes,
stomping his knee, chopping him across the neck, etc. will almost invariably bring
his full force onslaught to an abrupt HALT.
Closing with him (or attempting to do so) with the aim of grappling with him,
only gives your enemy an opportunity to employ blows against YOU. The quicker
you simply strike at the aggressor hit him somewhere and hurt him the
sooner you will have him set up for whatever finishing blows make the most sense
at the time. It is almost axiomatic that whenever you are in a position to use a
throw or commence a hold, you can much more easily HIT HIM. Blows are the
simplest actions you can take.
The skills of hitting are easier and more natural to learn and to retain than are the
skills of grappling.
7. ELDERLY PERSONS, PHYSICALLY UNDER PAR PERSONS,
WOMEN, AND THOSE WITH ONLY MARGINAL INTEREST IN
TRAINING CAN BE MORE RELIABLY TAUGHT TO EMPLOY
BLOWS IN DEFENSE OF THEMSELVES, THAN THEY CAN BE
TRAINED IN ANY KIND OF GRAPPLING.
We whose lives revolve around training in and teaching the arts of combat might
do well to consider, every now and again, that those who come to us for our
services in learning how to protect themselves, normally do not share even a
significant degree of our interest in the subject. They want a relatively brief
program of training (How long is the course? continues to be a popular question
that we are asked by most prospective students).
During WWII, by a carefully planned system worked out by the celebrated W.E.
Fairbairn, complete beginners were trained within a period of HOURS to use
primarily a few simple blows of the hands and other natural weapons, and to fight
against even trained adversaries and win! They then put that basic, short-term
training into use by giving it the acid test: WAR.
Those with more time to learn should certainly avail themselves of more than that
which was, of necessity, crammed into brief wartime programs and hurriedly
taught. However, the wartime programs stressed BLOWS, and grappling was
specifically eschewed for the purpose of hand-to-hand combat. Whats more,
those wartime experts who discarded grappling were among the then worlds most
highly regarded exponents of grappling arts! Fairbairn, ONeill, and Biddle were
ju-jutsu/judo men. Brown and Begala were wrestlers . . . etc. But they knew as
you ought to! that when a person needs the real deal in a hurry, he needs

-9techniques of hitting, not of grappling.

8. THE TYPE OF TERRAIN IN WHICH BLOWS MAY BE EMPLOYED IS
LIMITLESS. GRAPPLING IN CRAMPED AREAS (IE OFFICES,
HALLWAYS, ELEVATORS, RESTAURANTS, PARKING
GARAGES, INSIDE APARTMENTS OR HOMES, ETC., AND/OR
ON IRREGULAR, DEBRIS-STREWN GROUND, OR STAIRWAYS,
ETC.) IS JUST AS DANGEROUS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL WHO
USES GRAPPLING AS IT IS FOR ONE AGAINST WHOM IT IS
BEING EMPLOYED.
Violence can erupt anywhere. Training in skills that demand a safe, cleared area, a
mat on the ground, and the absence of nearby impediments such as mailboxes,
store windows, parked vehicles, fire hydrants, etc. in order to be fully employed
without restraint or reservation are perhaps formidable under ideal conditions.
However, combat does not always offer ideal conditions. And, for example, if
you are attacked while in a public telephone booth you may well find a good deal
of the holds, grips, and throws that appear to be so spectacular, uncomfortably
useless.
9. WEAPONS ARE INTEGRAL TO HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT. WHEN
YOU MUST OPPOSE A MAN WHO IS ARMED, SAY, WITH A
KNIFE, YOU WILL NEED BLOWS, PRIMARILY, IN ORDER TO
DEFEND YOURSELF. GRAPPLING WITH SUCH AN ATTACKER
AS A BASIC STRATEGY WOULD BE SUICIDAL. ALSO, SHOULD
YOU YOURSELF BE ARMED, BLOWS PROVIDE THE IDEAL
ANCILLARY ACTIONS WITH WHICH TO EMPLOY YOUR HANDHELD WEAPON IN CLOSE COMBAT.
Counterweapon skills the ones that work often involve some element of
seizing and retaining a grip of some kind on the enemy. However, that holding
is not elaborate grappling, nor is it ever the primary action to be undertaken
against whatever weapon is being employed. Rather, such grabs or holds as may
be appropriately taught when opposing a weapon-bearing adversary are entirely
for the purpose of remaining in close, balanced, and able to repeatedly smash the
attacker with more and more blows. It is blows relentless striking to his vital
target areas that enable a man to stop an armed enemy, in those fortunate
instances when he is skilled enough to do so (and where his enemy is unskilled
enough to permit him the opportunity to do so!). Remember that many of the socalled disarming skills that are taught in the classical/traditional systems were

-10worked out by people who never handled firearms, and who likely never had any
training in either functional commando-type military knife, stick, tomahawk, or
other weaponry arts. We have seen, for instance, demonstrations of ju-jutsu where
meticulously orchestrated actions of catching the knife thrusters wrist as he stabs
(!!!) are followed by employing fancy throwing movements, followed up by
restraining actions on the ground. COME ON! Anyone who entertains the notion
of being able to do this sort of thing against an honest-to-goodness assailant who
comes at him with a knife in his hand and murder in his heart has a lot to learn
about weapons, and about dangerous men who use them!
If you are in possession of a weapon, it is not at all unlikely that you will need to
employ some unarmed actions in conjunction with your weapon, during the battle.
Blows will be your essential forte in these instances; and we would hope that by
now the reason is becoming quite obvious why this is so.
10. THE SIMPLE, DESTRUCTIVE, PRACTICAL BLOWS OF SERIOUS
UNARMED COMBAT ARE READILY RETAINABLE, ONCE
LEARNED. AND ALTHOUGH BEING IN GOOD PHYSICAL SHAPE
GREATLY ENHANCES AND ASSISTS WHEN THESE BLOWS ARE
UTILIZED AGAINST AN OPPONENT, PROVIDING ONE HAS
LEARNED THESE BLOWS WELL HE OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO
EMPLOY MOST IF NOT ALL OF THEM AT ANY TIME EVEN
IF HE HAS BEEN OUT OF TRAINING AND EVEN IF HE IS IN
RELATIVELY POOR SHAPE.
For every individual who begins training in combat skills (martial arts) and who
stays with his training for a year, there are thousands of dilettantes who drop out
of their training after less than two months. And, of ALL OF THOSE who train
in the martial arts at all, the number who continue their training as a part of their
lives is so small as to be insignificant. Maybe its one in a million. We suspect its
less than that.
A person who has learned how to execute just a few basic blows stands a pretty
good chance of being able to do them at any time in the future even if he no
longer practices those blows in an emergency. Naturally the speed and power
of those blows will be somewhat if not greatly diminished. However, the blows of
unarmed combat (remember, we are not talking about competition type blows) are
very dangerous and damaging . . . and even application of them at reduced
efficiency may prove adequate in an emergency. When you allow for the
inevitable desperation, adrenaline, increased blood pressure, intensity of mental
focus in a crisis, etc., it is not difficult to see that some simple blows learned long

-11ago might well save the life of the man who learned them! We in fact have
knowledge of instances where this has occurred.
11. BECOMING EXPERT IN THE BASIC BLOWS ALLOWS A MAN TO
DEFEND HIMSELF IF ONE HAND AND ARM OR ONE LEG IS
RENDERED USELESS OR ENCUMBERED. YOU CANNOT
GRAPPLE AND APPLY HOLDS, THROWS, AND OTHER
WRESTLING OR JU-JUTSU TYPE ACTIONS WITHOUT THE USE
OF BOTH HANDS AND ARMS!
This is a rarely-if-ever considered fact, yet for actual combat obviously it is
of vital importance.
We have taken this time to enumerate why blows are superior to other methods of
hand-to-hand action because we want you to have confidence in that which you
are about to begin studying, and because it is necessary to dispel the myths and
misconceptions about what does and what doesnt work in real combat and
why.
There are no secrets or mysteries in the art of close combat and self-defense.
Nor are there any supermen or ways of developing supermen. There are no
guarantees. There is no art, system, method, or teacher who can provide you or
anyone with unbeatable or invincible capabilities. However, as actual warfare
and other venues of close combat have demonstrated time and again, if you will
make yourself expert in the simple, basic, intentionally dangerous hand, arm,
knee, and foot blows of real world unarmed combat, you will be as likely to
prevail in a deadly engagement as anyone can hope to be.
And thats a lot.

The Most Effective Blows In Unarmed

Combat

-121. THE CHINJAB SMASH

This great blow is the brainchild of William Ewart Fairbairn. Long before
Fairbairn, the classical/traditional arts of Asia espoused the heel-of-the-hand blow
in various forms, to be sure. However, it was Fairbairn, to the best of our
knowledge, who pioneered the use of the heel of the hand in the unique manner
that it is employed when this blow is executed. That is: the chinjab smash is
driven up and deeply underneath the enemys chin. The blow is not delivered
straight into the target as it is taught in the various karate systems.
There are two fundamental methods of execution for the chinjab smash. We
advocate that the student employ Jack Dempseys falling step whenever possible,
whenever this blow or any other hand or arm blow, for that matter is
employed. We saw Fairbairn in an old wartime training film entitled
Gutterfighting in which he personally demonstrated chin jabbing, singly and in
sequences. We observed that Fairbairn advanced aggressively, but it is our
opinion, after studying Jack Dempseys method (which we acquired from his
book, Championship Fighting, eons ago!) that Dempseys method of advancing is
superior to Fairbairns and so we incorporate this superb boxing technique with
Fairbairns commando blow.
The two basic methods for chin jab delivery are:
The Direct Strike Method
Stand slightly off-angled to whomever you are facing. Never stand head on to any
stranger or potential troublemaker. Your hands are relaxed, but held roughly
around your sternum level. You will deliver the chinjab with your rearmost hand
in this relaxed-ready position. Note: Always distance yourself from whomever
you face so that you are just outside of arms reach. This will oblige the person
you are facing to take a step toward you in order to reach you. This will be his
giveaway, and the moment you perceive such aggression commencing you will
attack. You do not need to worry about being in close enough to your enemy. It
will be his attacking action combined with your forward attacking action that
cause the collision effect, making the counterblow(s) you generate optimally
powerful.
With no warning (absolutely no cocking or chambering action!) you turn your
body violently toward the enemy, driving all of your weight, and your straightline hitting rearmost arm, directly up so that your open hand connects deeply

-13underneath his jaw. Your hand is flexed back, hard, and your fingers are flexed
and spread. Commit bodyweight to this full force forward-striking action. You
cannot fall or overcommit because you will be literally crashing into
your adversarys body. All of your forward momentum will be absorbed by him.
The trick is to direct your blow so that a fraction of a second prior to your
forward body movement being stopped by your advancing forward foot, your
chinjab connects. This gives the blow the full force of both your bodyweight
and the momentum of your bodyweight in motion.
The Upward Driving Method
Same beginning position. However, in this version a pronounced forward falling
step (ie with your left foot, if we assume that you are facing your man with your
left side leading) is executed, allowing this foot to step in beside (not in front of)
your enemys right foot. A fraction of a second before this step is completed your
rearmost hand, with forearm parallel to your adversarys chest, smashes solidly
and deeply underneath your enemys chin (almost hitting his larynx with the heel
of your hand). If your forearm smashes simultaneously into your adversarys
sternum, so much the better! The damage of the blow is enhanced.
When employing the upward driving chinjab smash your lead arm can often assist
your striking rear arm by:
Whipping around the enemys lower back and smashing him with the palm of
your hand in his kidney area. (If your left arm is leading, and is the one used
around the enemys back, then your left open palm smashes into his left kidney
while the chinjab smash with your right hand lands).
Seizing the enemys wrist, arm, elbow, sleeve, belt, or ear.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING VARIATIONS
OF THE SIXTEEN BASIC BLOWS
THIS WORK DESCRIBES THE SIXTEEN BASIC BLOWS OF
UNARMED COMBAT THAT ARE TAUGHT IN AMERICAN
COMBATO (JENDOTAO) THE BLOWS, ONCE MASTERED,
WILL AUTOMATICALLY ENABLE THE
CONSCIENTIOUS STUDENT TO DISCOVER PERHAPS EVEN
TO

-14CREATE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF VARIATIONS FOR

DIVERSE SITUATIONAL APPLICATIONS, ON HIS OWN. IN
FACT WE DO TEACH A RATHER SUBSTANTIAL
CURRICULUM OF VARIATIONS, OVER TIME, TO OUR
SERIOUS, LONG-TERM PERSONAL STUDENTS. IN THIS
PRESENTATION WE ONLY MENTION BRIEFLY SOME OF THE
VARIATIONS OF THE KEY BASIC BLOWS. SPACE
LIMITATIONS PREVENT OUR DESCRIBING THEM IN DETAIL.
ALSO, WE EMPLOY ADDITIONAL BLOWS, AND EVEN SOME
VERY BASIC THROWS AND TAKEDOWNS ALL OF WHICH
ARE INCORPORATED INTO OUR CURRICULUM OF ATTACK
COMBINATIONS AND OF COUNTERATTACKS (IE SELFDEFENSE TECHNIQUES).SEPARATE PUBLICATIONS ARE
NOW IN PREPARATION IN WHICH OUR ATTACKS AND
COUNTERATTACKS ARE DESCRIBED AND EXPLAINED.THE
READER MAY REST FULLY ASSURED AND CONFIDENT THAT,
SHOULD HIS PERSONAL REPERTOIRE OF BASIC BLOWS
BE LIMITED TO THE SIXTEEN OR EVEN TO MERELY
EIGHT OF THE SIXTEEN THAT ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS
WORK, HE WILL BE A VERY FORMIDABLE COMBATANT,
INDEED.

-15-

A PAGE FROM THE

MASTER TEXT KILL OR GET KILLED, BY ONE OF OUR
GREATEST TEACHERS, THE LATE COL. REX APPLEGATE. PHOTO
AT LEFT ILLUSTRATES HAND FORMATION FOR THE CHINJAB
SMASH, AND PHOTO AT RIGHT SHOWS ITS APPLICATION
EMPLOYED IN COMBINATION WITH A KNEE-TO-THE-TESTICLES
THAT BRINGS THE ENEMY FORWARD FOR THE CHINJAB. MANY
COMBINATIONS SUCH AS THIS ONE ARE A PART OF OUR
EXTENSIVE ATTACK COMBINATION SYLLABUS. THE BASIC BLOWS
ARE FOUNDATIONAL TO GOOD, EFFECTIVE ATTACKS.

-16Variations:
The chinjab smash is an incredibly versatile blow. It may be employed to the solar
plexus/sternum area (and if it misses or strikes only lightly, it will continue
upward to smash the jaw). It may be employed against the temple, jaw hinge,
eyeball, back of the skull, into the liver or spleen. It may also be employed using
both hands simultaneously (either to the eyes or to the undersides of the jaw), or
in alternating blows (leading with the rearmost hand). In this latter variation, the
lead hand can delivers its strike to either the side of the enemys face or in a kind
of hooking blow, to the temple or jaw hinge almost certain to cause a
knockout. Chinjabbing may also be done to good effect repeatedly, using the same
hand to strike three, four, or even more blows in rapid, piston-like succession.
This is excellent when an opponent is backed against a wall.
Once the chinjab blow connects, a beautifully effective hand claw, gouging the
eyes, may be executed simply by raising the elbow of the chinjabbing arm. Leave
the hand in contact with the enemys face. The fingers will slide naturally forward
to effect a powerful claw action against the eyes and face of the adversary. This
action will also cause the adversarys head to snap backward, and a very
dangerous throw to the rear can then be employed, driving his skull directly into
the ground. This throw is greatly facilitated by whipping the lead arm around the
enemys back while applying the chinjab. This action has been previously
described.
If, when the chinjab blow lands, it drives the attackers head backward and the
hand continues up, past his head, you can followup by continuing a wide overhand
and backward circle with the striking arm, culminating with a fingertips jab to the
testicles, or with a punch or an elbow smash to the solar plexus with the
momentum of the striking arm. Also, if the chinjab smashes upward past the
enemys head, the heel of the hand may then be brought abruptly downward,
striking the enemys chin, skull, or collar bone.
2. THE STRAIGHT HEELPALM BLOW
This blow approximates the straight heelpalm blow as developed and taught in the
classical/traditional karate arts. About the only real difference here is that we
emphasize more of an advancing body action (vis a vis the falling step) and we
employ the blow as Fairbairn taught it, against the sternum target, as well as

-17against the facial and head area targets. (This blow, delivered to the sternum, is
referred to as the rock crusher in Fairbairns original outline of his wartime
Silent Killing Course).
You can deliver the straight heelpalm from whatever position you are in at the
time you perceive danger and see an opening for the blow. However, always
assume the relaxed-ready stance (off-angled to the person you are facing, hands
relaxed at sternum level, eyes on the fellow in front of you, distanced outside
arms reach, feet about shoulder width apart) whenever you are aware of an
approach. Use the rearmost hand in the ready stance when you have the option.
This provides a greater opportunity to turn the bodys central axis, and to employ
a powerful falling step that results in optimum impact. Execute the straight
heelpalm by bending the hand as far back as possible and keep the fingers together
(unlike when you employ the chinjab smash). Thrust your heelpalm in as precisely
a straight line to the target as you can; obviously with no telegraphing. Contact
point is the base of your hands heel. Never hit with the palm.
Targets for this blow include: eyes, nose, jaw, jaw hinge, temple, sternum/solar
plexus area. Although this blow offer four inches less reach than the clenched fist,
it is under most conditions a far superior weapon. Besides, reach is a
questionable advantage, since we can assume that the attacker will be attacking
and that most often means moving in toward you. The collision effect then, of
your blow hitting with your bodyweight falling into your opponent, as he
moves in against you, can be extremely formidable.
Variations:
This is one of the simplest blows in unarmed combat. We are completely
convinced that regular practice of this particular method of striking a man with
the heelpalm is indispensable for combat training.
Although we always prefer to employ this blow (like the chinjab) with the
rearmost hand in an off-angled relaxed-ready position, it is quite possible to
deliver a snappy, powerful lead hand straight heelpalm. Experiment.
Rapid-fire alternate blows smashing first with the rearmost and then with the
foremost hand is an excellent way to use the straight heelpalm (as it is with the
chinjab).

-183. THE HANDAXE CHOP

During WWII the edge-of-the-hand blow was introduced to our G.I.s by such
masters as Fairbairn and Sykes, Applegate, Brown and Begala, Hipkiss, ONeill,
Biddle, etc. It was recognized then, as it should be recognized today as the
premier hand blow in unarmed close combat.
Opinions differ regarding the best hand formation for this blow. Fairbairn, Sykes,
and Applegate taught the fingers-extended stiffly and thumb upright position.
Brown and Begala simply advocated extending the hand and hitting with the little
finger edge. So did ONeill.
Although it has been suggested that the stiffened hand position was favored (as
opposed to the karate type clawed or flexed fingers with thumb pressed into
the meaty web of the hand position, now commonly taught in the martial arts)
because a simple open hand with thumb extended is more natural, that is not the
reason. We know, because we knew Rex Applegate, frequently discussed all
matters pertaining to how and why he and Fairbairn taught as they did, and we
learned a great deal about what the wartime teachers didnt know.
Specifically, they didnt know karate. Their backgrounds were in judo/ju-jutsu,
wrestling, and Western boxing primarily. Such exposure as men like Fairbairn
(Chinese chuan fa) and ONeill (Japanese Wado-ryu karate, and Chinese cheena
adi) etc. had to the striking arts, was superficial. They did possess knowledge of
ju-jutsus atemiwaza, however; and in the early atemiwaza it was the formation of
the hand as was passed on to the G.I.s in WWII that was utilized.
Rex Applegate once told us, after we went into some detail about how and why
we teach a more karate like hand formation, that their method was simpler. Quite
so. It was. But that is not why they taught it that way! They taught it that way
because it was the way that they had been taught to do it, themselves. They really
had not been exposed to protracted training in the percussionary Asian systems.
Forming the open hand karate style hardly takes any great deal of time and
practice to acquire, and it is as natural and fast as the straight fingers, thumb up
position. It may be too complex to employ when teaching someone a short-term
six to ten hour course. However, anyone enrolled in any formal school for
training lasting three or more months can easily accustom himself to the karate

-19hand formation.
Always remember: FORM THE HANDAXE (OR ANY OTHER WEAPON) IN
FLIGHT. NEVER, EVER PERMIT ANYONE TO SEE YOU ACTUALLY
FORM A NATURAL WEAPON BEFORE USING IT!
For the information of those who are not our personal students we will point out
that we favor a handaxe blow in which the hard bone at the base of the heel is the
contact point. In classical/traditional karate there is a blow called the ox-jaw
hand strike that utilizes this hand formation, and emphasizes a downward blow
when the hand is thus formed.
We feel that there is merit in each version of hand formation, and we are not
doctrinaire regarding the matter. We advocate that the hand be formed in a
partially clawed finger position, flexing the hand back, and striking with the
balpeen hammer like bone at the base of the heel; but we do not insist upon that as
being the only way.

-20-

THE MOST POPULAR OF

THE WWII METHODS OF DELIVERY OF WHAT WAS REFERRED
TO THEN AS THE EDGE-OF-THE-HAND BLOW. HERE IS A PAGE
FROM THE 1943 EDITION OF APPLEGATES CLASSIC WORK. THIS
IS IDENTICAL TO THE STYLE OF DELIVERY TAUGHT BY
FAIRBAIRN. WHILE WE HAVE ENHANCED THE DESTRUCTIVENESS
OF THIS BLOW SOMEWHAT TODAY, BY INCORPORATING HOW
THE KARATE SYSTEMS TEACH IT, AND BY STRESSING A SLIGHTLY
MORE PENETRATIVE PORTION OF THE HAND FOR IMPACT, THIS
BLOW IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME ONE THAT IS UNIVERSAL TO
ALL PRACTICAL CLOSE COMBAT SYSTEMS. WE ALSO FULLY
EXPLOIT THE DELIVERY OF THIS STRIKE WHEN EMPLOYED IN A

-21VERTICAL FASHION, AS WELL AS IN THE LATERAL VERSION THAT

WAS STANDARD IN WWII.
For the reader who is not taking personal instruction from us, or from another
competent teacher, the simplest thing is probably to pick up a copy of Get Tough!
or Kill or Get Killed, and form the handaxe as described therein. Former or
present students of one of the karate type arts can suit himself.
Deliver the handaxe chop laterally using the lead hand and arm in an off-angled
relaxed-ready stance. The hand is whipped without windup or warning directly
forward. The body is turned smartly into the blow or the falling step is executed
and the chop lands in a whipping action anywhere on the face, throat, head, or
neck it doesnt matter. There will be followup blows, and the best effect of all
for the first blow is that it lands, hits, disorients and sets up the opponent for
followup blows. There are no one shot stops.

-22-

A RARE PHOTO
TAKEN FROM A.J.D. BIDDLES WORK, DO OR DIE, SHOWING HOW
BIDDLE TRAINED THE MARINES IN THE USE OF THE EDGE-OF-THEHAND BLOW
The handaxe chop is whipped smartly from the elbow, almost like snapping a
towel or whip. This is best referred to as the snapping chop.
Variations
Often it is possible, after breaking a hold or otherwise maneuvering in after a

-23snapping chop has been executed, to deliver a full-arc chop, swinging the entire
arm with arm flexed, never straight) in a circular cutting stroke almost like
swinging a hatchet or a sword in a decapitation stroke and turning the entire
body into the blow. This is an extremely powerful strike, and when directed
anywhere at the face/neck/head of an adversary will almost certainly knock him
senseless upon impact.
A vertical type chop (ie forearm almost parallel to the adversarys chest on
delivery) is an excellent offensive or defensive blow. Be sure that you do not
swing the arm overhead or outward from the side of the body when executing, as
this telegraphs the blow significantly. Target the temple, the side of the neck, the
jaw hinge, or the collar bone. This blow is delivered with the rearmost hand in an
off-angled relaxed-ready stance. Note: When executed as a second or third
blow, following up after another or other initial attacking action(s) a wider arc is
permissible. But never permit the adversary to be forewarned by any preparatory
or obvious move on your part, when he is in full possession of his faculties.
Hand axe chops can be extremely effective against a downed attacker or when
you are down, and the enemy is on top, in some situations. Rapid-fire delivery is
best, smashing without hesitation into the adversarys facial, neck, and collar bone
area.
A double handaxe chop attack can be excellent. Following an eye gouge with the
thumbs, or whenever an attacker reaches under your arms or pulls you in very
close with both of his hands, slam both handaxes simultaneously into the sides of
the adversarys neck (vertical style chopping).
4. THE KNEE ATTACK
The knee attack is a powerful, reliable blow. There are two basic targets for the
knee attack: The testicles and the face. Under certain conditions the sternum may
be targeted, or the pubic bones/bladder area even the kidney or small of the
back but the student and teacher should regard the knee attack as a limited
purpose but very valuable and important blow, and almost without exception
restrict its use to the two key targets.
Certain fundamentals should be adhered to when drilling in the knee blow. First,
always remember that body-to-body is kneeing distance. Never knee out at a

-24person. You may be able to reach him with that knee blow but you wont hurt
him with it. Every man automatically pulls back when his groin area is attacked,
and combining that reflex action with a too distant kneeing stroke will add up to
only the lightest and most useless degree of impact, or to no impact.
Grab the enemy and yank him in close to you when you knee him in the testicles.
This is to disorient him, stabilize yourself, and keep him as close in as possible.
Grabbing the ears is a favored technique in our System.
Flex the knee as sharply as possible. Do not keep the leg at a right angle. Rather
drive the point of the knee like a spear, upward, hard. Strive to drive your knee
out between the enemys shoulder blades.
Knee twice when training the basic blow. Always set the foot of the kneeing leg
down before executing the second knee attack. If the first knee blow doubles your
man over, the second goes to his face.
Do not use the knee in a roundhouse type blow. This opens up your own groin
area and is needlessly time consuming and acrobatic.
Knee fast and HARD! The testicles must be struck powerfully. This is one of the
bodys vital points that has a lot of natural protection and every man
instinctively moves very quickly in response to an attack at this part of his body.
Form the habit of kneeing hard and fast whenever any close-in frontal attack
occurs pulling, holding, etc. At the very least your kneeing will protect your
own groin area while distracting the enemy and making him aware of your
movement against his groin area.
Variations
The knee attack is one of those techniques that is both excellent and limited in
applications. It is an absolutely indispensable basic blow. The following are
additional potential uses for the knee . . . but experience and the situation of the
moment will determine if and when their use is indicated.
Knee drops. When an adversary has been dropped to the deck dropping onto him
with one knee crushing his ribs, kidney, head, etc. can be an excellent part

-25of the followup you employ against him.

Assuming the a low tackle attempt has been halted momentarily by either a pivot
away from the incoming attacker or a shoulder block, a smashing knee blow to the
face can be effective. Caution!: Do not attempt to simply remain in place,
confronting an incoming tackle, and drive your knee into the adversarys face.
Even if this worked, it would almost certainly result in you being driven
backward to the deck possibly on your spine or head.
5. THE FRONT KICK
In just about every martial art that includes striking and kicking, the front kick is
the first kick taught. It is certainly the simplest kick, and it is closest to that
movement made instinctively when a completely unskilled and untrained
individual kicks anything. Some of the Korean and Northern Shaolin Chuan Fa
Chinese martial arts teach a literal array of front kick variations. There is the
thrust kick, the snap kick, the push kick, etc. And there are variations of the
variations! But in the American Combato System we teach one, single, basic front
kick. There is an adaptation of this kick which we shall explain, but it is executed
simply by positioning the foot differently not by delivering the bodys power
in a manner that differs from the basic, fundamental form. We strive always to
keep everything as basic and as simple as possible. Our front kick employs the
elements of thrusting with the hip and thigh muscles for power, snapping from
the knee down for speed, and kicking no higher than the testicles for destructive
force and safety to the kicker in a combat situation.
The targets against which kicking is directed are easily conceptualized as a
triangle: The knees and the groin/testicles. A powerful kick that impacts
accurately with one of the three points on that triangle will almost invariably
cause an adversary either to cease offensive action, or to be so disoriented for the
necessary second or two, that an effective concluding followup against him can be
easily made.
Obviously, when boots or shoes are worn the toes can safely be the impact point
of the front kick. However, since it is entirely possible that one may be barefoot at
the time of kicking (pool side, at the beach, at a picnic, at home, as a prisoner,
etc.) it is urged that the ball of the foot be utilized at all times when training and
developing the basic front kick. Even if wearing boots and unable to flex the toes

-26back sufficiently, try to do so whenever you kick. It develops the right habit. Never
kick higher than groin level, even if you are unusually flexible and agile. There is
a huge difference between kicking in the air and kicking a determined, murderous
enemy in hand-to-hand combat.
From a natural Relaxed-Ready Stance the front kick is delivered by using the
rearmost leg. (There are some advanced attack combinations that utilize the lead
foot for a front kick, but in general and always as a basic blow the front kick is
executed using the rear leg to deliver the kick).
The first part of the front kick is similar to a knee attack executed with no grab.
The leg is brought up quickly as if kneeing to a point approximately at your
own waist-high level or slightly lower. Then the action transitions smoothly into a
hard hip-and-thigh-thrusting forward drive of the leg, which culminates in a
whipping snap from the knee down, delivering the ball of the kicking foot up and
between the attackers legs, to smash into his testicles. The kicking leg retracts
after contact, and the standing position is resumed.
Distance for all fully extended kicking actions is ARMS LENGTH. IT IS
CRUCIAL THAT KICKS NOT BE DELIVERED AT TOO GREAT A
DISTANCE!
A kick that merely makes contact with the adversary will not necessarily be
effective. Not in real combat. One of the bad habits that sparring develops, for
example,is that of kicking from too great a distance (partly for safety, and partly
because the nature of the encounter (i.e. it is one in which both opponents are
utilizing the same kinds of long distance kicks against each other) In hand-tohand combat things are much closer, and the kick must crush or seriously smash
directly into the targeted point on the enemy. No one can pull back from a front
kick that travels up between his legs. Nor can one grab or block such a kick.
THAT is the kind of front kick you want to develop.
When you train, avoid making a sharp and obvious chambering movement when
you bring up your knee for the kick. There should be a smooth and seamless
transition from the knee-coming-up part of the kick to the thrusting-snap that
concludes the technique. This is almost like but not quite identical with the
manner in which the old French la savate experts executed their kicks. We want a
bit more of the two-stage momentum generation that the classical/traditional

-27karate type arts taught; yet we wish to take advantage of the speedy and non
telegraphed type of sudden whipping or lashing kicks that la savate wisely
advocated for real street encounters.
Variations
Like all of the basic blows in our System, the front kick is adaptable to an almost
endless number of situations, and those students who find that this particular blow
suits them perfectly, would be well advised to emphasize its use in their training.
If you are shoved back into a wall immediately throw a front kick as your back
hits the wall. You will have perfect stability and balance for the kick, and it will
catch your attacker powerfully and by surprise as he moves in against you.
Often the simplest way to break any grip on both your wrists from the front is to
simply feign fear and weakness, then kick the attacker powerfully in the testicles.
When close in a front kick delivered to the shin or knee can be a beautiful setup
for a blow to the head area or for the followup use of a stick or knife.
The knee attack is delivered body to body; the front kick as a basic blow is
delivered at arms length. If midway between body-to-body and arms length, use
a kick in which the CROOK of your foot (the bend where the leg bone meets the
foot) smashes your man in the testicles. This shin bone instep kick variation of
the front kick drives the shin up between the opponents legs so that the crook of
the foot (not the instep per se) hits the testicles. Same kicking movement as the
basic front kick, but you press the foot down so that it passes easily between the
enemys legs and to the target.
The front kick is also effective against the downed opponent. Kicks to the head,
face, spine, kidney, and sternum should insure that an enemy stays down once
downed.
It is possible to train low front kicks against a heavy bag by removing the bag
from its chains and bracing it against a solid wall or tree. Then practice kicking
barefoot. This will help to harden the natural weapons, give you confidence that
you are kicking hard, and let you feel what impact is like when you execute the
kick.

-28 Once you are advanced (say, one year of regular and serious training) see if
whipping the lead leg in a front kick is natural and comfortable for you. If so,
you might employ this as well as the rearmost foot kicking, which is the basic
form for the kick. Unless lead leg kicking with the front kick feels very natural,
and you can do it powerfully and fast, dont do it.
6. THE SIDE KICK
This is the most powerful, important, and effective basic kicking action in
unarmed combat. Unless you have some serious physical handicap that prevents
you from developing this kick, make it your business to master the basic, low side
kick to knee.
This kick is directed mainly against the knee of your attacker. It is effective
against any portion of the enemys lower leg, including his instep and toes, if the
kick is directed downward.
Train and practice with knee level as your basic practice standard. This kick is
delivered using the lead leg in an off-angled, relaxed-ready position.

-29-

ABOVE: A PAGE FROM THE 1943 EDITION OF KILL OR

GET KILLED SHOWING THE MOST BASIC APPLICATION OF THE
LOW SIDE KICK TO THE KNEE. APPLEGATE CALLED THIS THE
KNEE KICK BECAUSE THE TARGET FOR THE KICK IS
PRIMARILY THE KNEE. NOTICE THE PHOTO ON THE RIGHT
ILLUSTRATES THE SCRAPING STOMP DOWN THE SHINBONE,
ENDING BY CRUSHING THE INSTEP.

-30The knee of the kicking leg is drawn up and back slightly toward the rear
shoulder, and then the leg is whipped out to the attackers knee or shinbone.
Think of the delivery of the kick by imagining the foot coming up and shooting
toward the knee in an arc, as opposed to being snapped up into a chamber and
then, in what would be a separate action, thrust outward. The drawing up and
lashing out of the leg should be a smooth continuum, with speed (as in the
application of all kicks) the crucial attribute emphasized in development.
The legs and hips are involved in kicking, and the heavy bones and large muscles
that such action inevitably brings into play more than takes care of the power
part of the equation. It takes but 80 pounds of force to break anyones knee; and
even a child can generate several hundred pounds of force at the point of impact,
after learning how to do this kick correctly.
Think of killing a fly on your attackers knee, before it gets away, when you train
in this kick.

-31-

.
THIS PHOTO IS FROM A.J.D.
BIDDLES CLASSIC, DO OR DIE. LEANING AWAY FROM THE KICK
AS IT IS DELIVERED IS IMPORTANT FOR BALANCE AND FOR
PROTECTION. HOWEVER, WE HAVE STUDENTS RAISE THEIR LEAD
ARM (THE ONE CLOSEST TO THE ATTACKER) WITH THEIR FIST
CLENCHED IN A SHIELDING ACTION. IT SERVES BOTH TO OFFER A
SLIGHT MEASURE OF ADDED PROTECTION TO THE FACIAL/NECK
AREA, WHILE PERHAPS DISTRACTING THE ENEMY BY MAKING
HIM BELIEVE THE HAND IS BEING RAISED TO STRIKE A BLOW.
While variations of this kick exist in which the outside edge of the foot or the
bottom of the foot are taught as the contact points for the side kick, we teach that
the heel of the foot always be regarded as the appropriate point of contact when
doing the standard knee breaking side kick. The heel is the hardest part of the
foot, and even if you are barefoot it will enable you to kick without the slightest

-32possibility of injury to your foot. If, as will likely be the case, you are wearing
shoes or boots, it will not make any difference what part of your foot hits, so you
lose nothing by training to employ the heel, even if at first it is a bit awkward for
you.
Variations
Fairbairns version of the side kick (the flick kick) is good. It approximates,
roughly, the side snap type kick, as taught in classical/traditional karate. It is
always delivered low, however. In this version the edge of the foot is whipped
smartly out to the side, connecting with the attackers leg, just below his kneecap.
Then, when close in, a scrape-stomping action follows through, and the shinbone
is damaged, and the instep is crushed. The illustration in Applegates Kill Or Get
Killed shows that both men taught this excellent version of the side kick followup.
Applegate, like our self, taught leading with the heel in general kicking and he
advocated a powerful lashing thrust, rather than a snap. We agree, and teach this,
too. We recommend that students train in both versions, when they become
advanced.
With sneakers on, it is helpful to kick trees. Not more than a few repetitions, and
maybe twice a week. This really builds power.
This is one of the very best ways to defend against a fist fighter/boxer. Let him
move in, look helpless, and when he advances close enough to reach you, bend
away and lash out with a side kick.
This kick may be done from a sitting position. Merely lean to one side,
withdraw the foot, and lash out.
As with all kicking it is important to remember that kicking distance is arms
length. In other words you do not kick an enemy when you can reach him with
your foot; you kick him when he is so close that he cannot possibly pull away,
defend, or avoid having the target that is kicked, destroyed.
7. THE HAMMERFIST/FOREARM SMASH
This natural weapon utilizes the hammerfist (edge-of-the-clenched fist) and the
little finger side of the forearm as a striking surface. Normally, the blow impacts

-33solely with the little finger padded edge of the fist. However, since the entire
bladed side of the forearm is an excellent weapon, we sometimes utilize that, too.
For instance, against the nape of the neck of an enemy who comes in low,
tackling.
Delivery of this blow is identical to that of the fast, direct handaxe chop to the
front, and to the downward handaxe chop, or to the vertical handaxe chop. This
blow may be employed interchangeably with the backfist-forearm smash (which
will be described later), and has the advantage of being a much more focused,
damaging blow than the backfist/forearm smash.
The hammerfist/forearm smash is especially effective close-in against various
facial/head targets (i.e. temple, skull, bridge of nose, jaw hinge or jawline, ear,
nape of neck, or point of chin).
In the Relaxed-Ready Stance this blow is normally delivered with the lead hand in
a direct, lateral, snapping blow (similar to the handaxe chop), and with the rear
hand, utilizing a vertical striking action, which takes full advantage of the body
turn, fall forward, and momentum.
Variations
This blow can be effective close-in against an opponent who is moving in
aggressively by slamming the hammerfist/forearm weapon up smartly under his
jaw and into his throat area (a movement somewhat reminiscent of the
classical/traditional rising block action that is taught in karate)
Very rapid, alternating downward smashes of the hammerfists can be effective
against an adversary who is bent over perhaps in a tackle attempt, etc.
A simultaneous application of both hammerfists can be effective against the
temples when close in (underarm bearhug, being pulled forward by a double lapel
grab, or to the kidney and groin either against a side headlock attempt, or
perhaps when standing at the side of a molester [in the case of females] who
places an arm around the shoulders
8. BASIC STRAIGHT PUNCH

-34Clenched fist punching should never be utilized against the bony facial structure.
Open hand blows, elbow smashes, fingertips thrusts and jabs, biting, spitting, and
head butting is what is called for. However, the clenched fist is a valuable, if
limited purpose, natural weapon. It may be employed to good effect against the
sternum, solar plexus, bladder/hypogastrium, testicles, and sometimes, the
kidneys. There is also a possible use for it in jabbing quickly into the nose as a
diversion for a powerful followup attack; something we use in American Combato
with one of our attack combinations. But never should full force clenched fist
punches be executed to the bony facial/head area, save in sporting/sparring type
contexts, and of course in boxing matches.
In a Relaxed-Ready Stance the straight punch is delivered with the rearmost hand.
The fist is clenched in flight so as not to telegraph to the recipient that one is on
the attack. It may be delivered with or without the falling step, depending upon
distance and opportunity. As a basic blow the straight punch is drilled as a punch
that is directed to the sternum. Obviously, this requires that the sternum be
exposed at the time of delivery, so you never use this punch against an off-angled
individual, or against anyone who assumes a fighting stance.
As the blow is delivered the arm shoots straight to the target, fist held palm-in
(i.e. referred to as the vertical fist in classical/traditional karate). This is the
strongest position for wrist support upon impact. It also avoids any winging out of
the arm as the blow goes to the target.
The arm does not lock out fully, but rather shoots straight through the intended
target, recoiling back after going just short of full extension.
This is an extremely dangerous punch, as severe blows to the sternum (and solar
plexus/cardiac plexus areas) can be fatal. Point of impact of the clenched fist is
either the middle knuckle or the first two knuckles.
NEVER train with gloves! Always train with your natural weapons as you would
use them. If they require protection in order to avoid being injured, then you
should be aware that they may not be such great weapons, after all.
Play down the clenched fist. Open hands are supreme in hand-to-hand combat!
Variations

-35 The straight punch to the sternum may be employed following an outward
circular block, as a followup using the rearmost hand
When backed to a wall a straight shot to the sternum is often applicable, since
the tough guy tends to face you head on. This also applies when anyone
confronts you (bully style) and places both hands on your shoulders, talking
down to you, or attempting to intimidate you, etc.
9. THROAT LOCK
Very technically speaking, this is a simple and immensely effective method of
strangulation that may be applied in a wide variety of circumstances and
situations; it is not a blow, per se. However it is applicable in numerous
instances, and in a manner similar to that in which a blow is applied. The caution
is: Use only in a life threatening situation, as this action is lethal when carried
fully through!
You may use your index finger and thumb, your second finger and thumb, your
index and second finger and thumb, or your thumb and either other three or all
remaining four fingers to effect the throat locking action that this basic blow
achieves.
Facing your enemy, close-in, normally in a Relaxed-Ready Stance, your rearmost
hand whips up in an untelegraphed arc; and the fingers positioned during
delivery of the action in a pincher-like position lock onto the enemys
windpipe or thyroid cartilage. The higher up under the jaw ad the deeper in,
the better. You must go high in order to avoid the neck muscles. Upon impact
you strive to bring your fingertips together, behind the vulnerable inner throat
area, and then jerk out violently. The initial gripping of the windpipe must be
powerful, and the jerk forward quite violent. Death will almost certainly result.
Variations
Although this blow is normally most effectively executed with the rearmost hand
in Relaxed-Ready (or any off-angled position) it certainly may be applied with the
lead hand, if you find it comfortable and practical.
The head of the attacker may be shoved away or possibly struck perhaps with

-36a heelpalm blow once the throat lock has been secured, using your opposite
hand. This facilitates tremendous damage, and is practical in some instances.
Important points
Strong fingers are valuable for this technique. Strengthen them in as many ways
as possible.
Never attempt this blow in a two-step action: i.e. by first raising your hand and
then driving it to the throat. Always ARC the blow from low to final position
in a single, untelegraphed action.
10. EAR BOX
Another absolutely reliable and excellent technique for use when close in to the
enemy, from the front. In its basic two-hand delivery, this blow should never be
attempted as an opening strike from in front of an attacker unless his hands are
fully occupied (i.e. holding onto your lapels and pulling you forward, seizing you
under the arms from the front in an underarm frontal bearhug, etc.) or he is
otherwise distracted (reaching for something, etc.).
Both hands are cupped strongly in a manner similar to the way in which you
would position them if you were about to scoop up handfuls of water. Fingers are
pressed tightly together so that no air will escape between them.
Both cupped palms are powerfully smashed over the enemys ears. This will, if
delivered perfectly, burst his eardrums and cause concussion and cerebral
hemorrhage. At the very least this attacking action will disconcert the most
powerful man if the palms smash over the ears.
Variations
Excellent attack from behind, to defend a third person or drop a sentry.
May be applied with one hand, too. In this case the palm is whipped smartly
using a turn of the body to increase power. Follow through. As the head turns in
reaction to the blow, the striking hand automatically cocks for a return handaxe
chop to the neck, throat, temple, or face.

-37 Upon impact one or two-handed delivery seizing the ears is an effective
action. With a two-handed delivery this may be followed up by wrenching the
hands in a movement similar to drawing back a bow, and one or both ears will be
ripped from the head.
May be applied against an enemy who has been doubled over (i.e. by a kick to
his shin, punch to his solar plexus or sternum, etc.). The blow is executed as
though to were striking cymbals in front of you.
11. BACKFIST/FOREARM SMASH
We developed this blow because the classical/traditional backfist strike is so
potentially dangerous, and may crack the hand bone if any miscalculation occurs
on impact with the bony facial area.
The entire flat back of the forearm bone is the striking surface for this blow.
From a Relaxed-Ready Stance the lead arm is used to deliver a sudden,
untelegraphed smashing blow to any part of the opponents face Thus a big
weapon if used to attack a big target making execution of this blow simple
under high stress conditions.
The fist of the striking arm is clenched hard, but only during the course of
delivering the strike. Never clench the fist ahead of delivery as this telegraphs.
This is almost a foolproof set up shot, and can be followed up with nearly any
of the many blows and combinations learned. The attacker will either be hit with
the blow, or he will block, grab, hold, or move away as it is delivered, thus
setting him up perfectly in any case, to effective followup. (It must be noted that
if this blow is delivered in close and without telegraphing as it ought to be
delivered it will hit home 99.9% of the time.
Variations
Like the hammerfist/forearm smash, this blow may be delivered downward,
against a man who attempts to tackle.
12. FINGERTIPS THRUST

-38We adopted this from the ONeill System of hand-to-hand combat. Using either
the rearmost or the foremost hand in a Relaxed-Ready Stance, shoot the hand
directly forward fingers extended but not tensed and drive finger tips
through eyes. The only other viable target for this blow is the throat.
Always train to avoid telegraphing. If this blow strikes home, then it is easy to
follow up with a knee breaking side kick or any other convenient attacking action.
The rearmost hand is employed when the opponent is very close.

COL. BIDDLE DEMONSTRATES

HIS VERSION OF THIS BLOW. NOTE HIS FINGERS ARE SPREAD.
THIS IS OKAY, BUT WE PREFER TO TEACH A HAND FORMATION IN
WHICH THE FINGERS ARE HELD TOGETHER NOT RIGIDLY, BUT
NEVERTHELESS TOGETHER,

-3913. FINGERTIPS JAB

We adopted this from the WWII Fairbairn System of hand-to-hand combat. Using
either hand foremost or rearmost the weapon is formed by holding the hand
exactly as it is held in the formation for the ear box, except that the fingertips will
be the contact point upon impact. Most often greater power is achieved by using
the rearmost hand to deliver this blow.
There are three targets for the fingertips jab: Primarily, the eyes; secondarily, the
testicles; third and lastly (and only if this suits you), the solar plexus. The blow
arcs up and over when attacking the eyes, arcs under and up when attacking the
solar plexus, and arcs under and up when attacking the testicles.
Practice delivering this blow as a basic strike by using the rearmost hand while in
an off-angled stance position to arc up suddenly and jab into the eyes and bridge
of nose of an enemy in front of you.
Variations
As a speedy surprise action when backed to a wall, this is a great technique.
After snapping the fingertips jab to the enemys eyes, whip a handaxe cop
downward into the side of his neck or collarbone, using the same hand.
14. FORWARD ELBOW SMASH
While the elbow is a most versatile weapon and can deliver powerful, reliable,
accurate blows to all directions and from many different positions and angles, we
utilize one single basic elbow smash in our basic blows repertoire. It is the
forward elbow smash, directed to the facial/head/neck area target of an enemy
who is positioned in front of you.
In an off-angled stance you deliver the elbow smash with your lead arm. Making
certain that your fist clenches as the blow is begun, you snap your elbow forward
and across with or without the falling step to your front. Be careful to utilize the
full body turning action using waist and hips to augment the power of this
strike. If you do use the falling step, step through and between your attackers
feet, just as though it was your intention (which it is!) to knock your adversarys
head off.

-40Anything that you hit, from the neck up, will result in a probable knockout when
this blow is delivered full force and correctly.
Variations
A circular (Thai boxers) type elbow smash may be preferred, executed with or
without the falling step, still using the lead arm. Unlike the Thai boxer, however,
always clench your fist when striking.
A most natural followup is a handaxe chop, delivered after the elbow connects
and follows through, using the same arm.
An alternate and equally natural followup is a back-elbow smash, using the same
arm following the basic elbow smash. This would be done when the attackers
head was in very close following the initial elbow smash.
15. THE TIGERS CLAW THRUST
Both Fairbairn and Applegate regarded this particular action as being the single
best all round response to any frontal attack. As a brief aside, we have always
wondered why neither All-In Fight/Get Tough! nor Kill Or Get Killed described
this blow.
Either the front or the rear hand may be utilized for delivery of the tigers claw,
when facing an enemy in an off-angled ready position. The hand which, as
always, does not form the weapon until it is on its way to the target forms the
tigers claw by positioning exactly the same as for the chinjab smash. The contact
area for the tigers claw is, however, the tips of the fingers which meet the facial
target when thrust directly forward and straight-in, first. Then the heelpalm
collapses onto the face in a smacking blow.
The only target for this blow is the face.
Variations
Some have found that simply clawing the face when close in is a good
technique. Biddle taught this, and it has merit.

-41 When simply clawing, try to actually take powerful hold of the face. This is
completely disorienting and offers the possibility of numerous destructive
followup options.

COL. ANTHONY J. D.
BIDDLE DEMONSTRATES A SIMPLE FACE CLAW-GRAB TECHNIQUE.
NOTE HOW BIDDLE HAS SECURED A GRIP ON HIS ADVERSARYS
BELT TO FACILITATE POWER AND DAMAGE TO THE ENEMY.

-4216. THE SNAP KICK

This kick is delivered with the rearmost foot in an off-angled stance. The foot is
snapped smartly forward inside edge of the shoe or boot making contact
and is cracked into the shinbone, just below the knee. The knee itself is also a
good target for this kick.
Essentially this is a perfect close-in contact kick, because it can hit hard without
the necessary travel distance required for a standard front kick or
shinbone/instep crook-of-the-foot type kick. What is more, it lends itself, when in
very close to the enemy, to a powerful, bodyweight-behind-it scrape-stomping
action down the shinbone that ends by crushing the instep. It is a good, speedy set
up kick, and when impact is made the opponent is usually susceptible to a chinjab
or other powerful attack perhaps using a knife or stick, etc.
This kick can be done to good effect when barefoot, and should be practiced
barefoot; however, even more so than the front and side kicks, the snap kick is
especially enhanced by stout footwear.
Variations
Excellent version is when the inside foot edge is thrust straight into the shin or
knee. This version of the kick does not suit everyone, however. And if it cannot
be done speedily, without telegraphing, and with power, forget it.
Along with the knee attack to the testicles, this kick is excellent when seized and
held close in, as for example in a bearhug or close-in pulling two-hand lapel grab.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE
BASIC BLOWS
For solid confidence and proficiency to be acquired you must train in actually
hitting something. The blows are far too dangerous to be applied to training
partners, so striking posts, dummies, heavy bags, and even steel bars (for

-43hardening the edge of the hand and the hammerfist and heel of the hand striking
points only), should be employed.
Additionally, drill in high repetition practice over and over in executing the
blows in the air against imaginary opponents must be practiced. The motor
memory must be conditioned so that these blows feel and come naturally to you
bypassing any conscious, deliberate decision to use them (which cannot be
made fast enough, under combat conditions).
When, as part of counterattacking (self-defense) techniques, these blows are
employed with a training partner, CONTACT MUST NOT BE MADE! Blows
must always and invariably be conditioned to attack the vital targets of the human
body again, and again, and again . . . and this can only be done safely when the
blows are stopped short of contact. Even light contact can, in some instances,
cause serious injuries!
Master the blows by repetitious drill.
Develop the blows by training on impact aids.
Become acclimated to their defensive application by careful use and no contact
practice of the blows, with partners.
Note: The offensive (preemptive, or for military persons the assaultive and
aggressively offensive) application of these blows either spontaneously or through
the mastery of attack combinations, can be easily acquired, since you will be
taking the initiative. This is always the most desirable way of concluding
hostilities, when avoidance is impossible.
TIPS FOR ATTACKING AND HITTING:
Always advance into the enemy. In military action an army endeavors to occupy
the enemys ground. In personal combat, always advance and strive to displace
your enemy from where he is standing. occupy that spot and continue to
advance and to do this, never allowing the enemy to get set or to recover.
Primary attacks are best directed against the enemy from the base of the neck up,
or from the testicle area down. Severe trauma to targeted points in these two areas

-44drastically affect balance, and avoid encountering muscular and heavy bodyweight
resistance to impact. There is little or no protection of muscle, weight, strength, or
clothing in those two areas, and thus they generally represent the best places to
smash into first.
All hand blows teach you how to use improvised hand-held objects as weapons.
Simply substitute the objects point, edge, hard end, or hard surface for the
natural weapon impact point of your body.
Yell and GROWL and grimace like an insane, wild animal, whenever you go into
action.
Certain other very important and fundamental actions, like BITING, HEAD
BUTTING, THUMB GOUGING OF THE EYES or RIPPING OF THE
MOUTH, etc. are specifically trained and taught as part of both counterattacks
(self-defense techniques) and attacks (combinations of offensive techniques).
These actions may be recalled, remembered, and focused upon individually in any
case where you find one or more especially to your liking, and particularly
compatible with your personal taste and abilities. Never quarrel with that which
your personal development, self-knowledge, and experience tells you suits you
best.
While there are approximately 50 basic blows (which include variations of the
16 described in this Manual) QUALITY should always, always, always be
emphasized over mere quantity. A dangerous, effective close quarter combat and
hand-to-hand expert generally has a few highly polished and perfected techniques
upon which he comes to reply and focus upon in his ongoing training. Your job is
to discover through long term exposure to al of those techniques that are good,
those techniques that are particularly good for you.
It is the Western boxer much more so than the karate stylist per se, who has
truly mastered the proper way to move and to hit. Boxing is not desirable for
hand-to-hand combat and self-defense. First, because the art is a sport, and is
extremely limited in its scope and in the attitude and tactical orientation that is
necessary for combat and real emergencies. Second, because the clenched fists are
simply not as effective as the types of blows that we have presented in this
Manual. However . . . it must never be forgotten that the right way to move and
to hit is that of the boxer. Different natural weapons should be utilized; but they

-45should be utilized as a boxer is trained to use his weapons. Only the kicks of
unarmed close combat are better trained according to the doctrine generally extant
in the karate type arts.
Never chamber a striking hand. Never draw it back or cock it, before striking.
Just lash out or strike out without the slightest warning. Since you will never
under any conditions anticipate success after delivering a single blow, or making
but a single movement, you must followup, anyway. Landing blow number one
is crucial! That paves the way for the relentless, ferocious, and merciless barrage
that you will generate. Use the most available natural weapon straight into the
most readily accessible target, at the outset of any hand-to-hand engagement.
While it is always desirable to be in what we refer to in American Combato as
the Relaxed-Ready Stance, or some similar alert, ready, balanced, and nontelegraphing position prior to launching any blow, it is nevertheless desirable that
you experiment constantly and explore how you might employ any or all of the
key 16 basic blows, and variations, from all sorts of normal, natural, everyday
positions that you might normally be in when an attack comes. For example:
Sitting at a counter or at a table
While waiting for a bus or subway train
While at your desk
When on line at a movie theater, or in a grocery market
When in the park, taking a walk, while with your family, etc.
When sitting on a bus or in a subway car
On a commercial aircraft
Etcetera!
Work around any handicaps or physical shortcomings that you may have. This is
part of the benefit of being exposed to a complete and comprehensive system in
which all of the best techniques are taught. Over time you tailor everything to

-46yourself, you can work around weaknesses and shortcomings, and you can take
advantage of your unique strengths and abilities (we all have them).
Always strive to catch the adversary off guard and crush him before he knows
what is happening.
Self-defense and close combat skills are weapons. They are not to be played
with or used save in grave and unavoidable situations of personal peril.
Never wait to be defensive. The second that you realize that danger is imminent
and that you are indeed facing an attacking adversary, attack him! Allowing
someone to proceed from an initial movement that is indicative of his intention to
physically attack you, to a full blown attack (so that, presumably, you can block
or otheriwse avoid that attack) is foolish. Drive in and destroy the enemy, once it
is clear to you that you are in fact facing a dangerous enemy.
For those with strong wrestling, judo, or ju-jutsu backgrounds:
Make it always a rule to hit before attempting any throw or takedown action. This
will provide you the opportunity to disorient and distract your adversary, and thus
minimize the chance of him being able to thwart your attempt to throw him by
hitting you. Also: It is almost always the case that if or when you are in a position
to apply a throwing action, some very effective blow can be utilized and
utilized more speedily and with much less risk of failure instead. Followup
blows can then finish the job.
Unless you are committed totally to studying and perfecting a martial art that
emphasizes or advocates grappling type skills, wed strongly suggest placing
techniques of that kind on a distant back bruner, and focusing on BLOWS for
self-defense and hand-to-hand combat.
One final admonition if you do apply a throw in combat: Finish the enemy with
repeated kicks, once he is down. Or use downward handaxe chops, heelpalm
strikes, or knee drops. Do not go to the ground in order to apply a submission
hold!
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Bradley J. Steiner
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Seattle, WA. 98115
U.S.A.
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-48-

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When you are attacked, attack the

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Bradley J. Steiner
(1973)
end

COPYRIGHT 2010 by Bradley J. Steiner - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.