I’m looking for some cool new drills/exercises to take my crew to the next level in their combatives training and I figured I’d start here. I’d like to see this thread used in such a way that the martial arts/combat oriented people here can share and find things to incorporate into their classes to improve their game.
Since I primarily train military, I prefer a reality based program. Some of my more routine drills include having two opponents sit with their backs to each other, placing a fake knife between them and saying “go”.
We also do the blindfold thing, tie one arm up, or set three people on one defender who has to protect a VIP.
One other thing I’ll share is to take everybody outside and have a team of 3-6 (can be done with one) move through a crowd which has a handful of unidentified, armed hostiles…this can be modified for civilians by slipping weapons to attackers without the defender’s knowledge (i.e. attacker pulls a knife the defender wasn’t aware of, after he’s been taken down).
Are you familiar with the necktie position or plumb from Muay Thai kickboxing ? If so I teach LEO and I always start with the clinch positions. Simply start two guys together and teach them to work for inside control, go easy and naturally they find the balance points where to off balance each other where a sweep or trip will work, elbow, headbutt etc.
Another thing I found is in working with LEO guys is in combat situations they forget to move. I work them on footwork drills all the time. A easy way is to get the idea across is the “frankenstein” drill. The badguy walks just like frankenstein and the goodguy sidesteps or circles away if not the Frankenstein guy simply pushes on the goodguy’s chest.
Another good drill is one guy places his forehead on another guys chest. Its important that the forehead is flat against the chest not looking down at your boots. The other guy simplys walks forward and backwards etc and the forehead guy has to stay in contact with him.
Let me know if this helps and I can add more or clarify the above.
If you really want to train for “reality”, go to the nearest large city and find the crappiest neighborhood. Slowly ride an expensive bike around and where a very expensive looking watch, wearing loose clothing so you don’t look strong. If by sunrise you aren’t checked into a hospital you have succesfully completed the course.
[quote]KombatAthlete wrote:
If you really want to train for “reality”, go to the nearest large city and find the crappiest neighborhood. Slowly ride an expensive bike around and where a very expensive looking watch, wearing loose clothing so you don’t look strong. If by sunrise you aren’t checked into a hospital you have succesfully completed the course.[/quote]
I don’t have any solutions really, just clearing up the fact in case you don’t know, blondeguy is active duty military, taking ANOTHER tour to the sandbox. So, I think he’s got a slightly different goal in mind for his crew.
Those are some good drills. I’ve done the 3 v. 1 drill (modified), but no VIP. I’m afraid most of my drills are probably not useful to you as you seem to be concerned primarily with group tactics. I hope to learn something from other people who might post here though.
Those are some good drills. I’ve done the 3 v. 1 drill (modified), but no VIP. I’m afraid most of my drills are probably not useful to you as you seem to be concerned primarily with group tactics. I hope to learn something from other people who might post here though.
So I’ll just bump this thread.
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Thanks for the bump…I wondered if I’d get any hits on this. I do try to work on group tactics a lot, but any drills are good right now. We got a bunch of new guys in last month so the first goal is to get them comfortable taking on one person by themselves then adding allies opponents…please share what you got bro.
[quote]Rob951 wrote:
Are you familiar with the necktie position or plumb from Muay Thai kickboxing ? If so I teach LEO and I always start with the clinch positions. Simply start two guys together and teach them to work for inside control, go easy and naturally they find the balance points where to off balance each other where a sweep or trip will work, elbow, headbutt etc.
Another thing I found is in working with LEO guys is in combat situations they forget to move. I work them on footwork drills all the time. A easy way is to get the idea across is the “frankenstein” drill. The badguy walks just like frankenstein and the goodguy sidesteps or circles away if not the Frankenstein guy simply pushes on the goodguy’s chest.
Another good drill is one guy places his forehead on another guys chest. Its important that the forehead is flat against the chest not looking down at your boots. The other guy simplys walks forward and backwards etc and the forehead guy has to stay in contact with him.
Let me know if this helps and I can add more or clarify the above. [/quote]
I like the forehead thing. I’ll try it out. We do something similar to Frankenstein already, but I’m not sure what you mean by plumb position. What’s that? I assume by necktie, you’re talking about the clinch with a bit of a turn…sort of like a modified standing headlock? What else you got?
-B
Those are some good drills. I’ve done the 3 v. 1 drill (modified), but no VIP. I’m afraid most of my drills are probably not useful to you as you seem to be concerned primarily with group tactics. I hope to learn something from other people who might post here though.
So I’ll just bump this thread.
Thanks for the bump…I wondered if I’d get any hits on this. I do try to work on group tactics a lot, but any drills are good right now. We got a bunch of new guys in last month so the first goal is to get them comfortable taking on one person by themselves then adding allies opponents…please share what you got bro.
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Well, the only martial training I’ve got comes in the form of wing chun. I do tai chi, but let’s be honest, that isn’t going to really hurt anyone now is it? :). It helps to calm my mind and focus me though.
Anyway, you said you had new guys coming in and you wanted to get them used to 1v1 first. I’ll be honest, I don’t really know a lot about how the military teaches hand to hand drills. I understand it’s a lot of locks/holds/throws etc., stuff that can be done with pack on your back. You’ve probably also done these drills anyway. So this may not work the same as my empty hand striking drills, but here goes–
Start from striking range, or maybe 6"-1’ outside that. Defender can’t move. May switch foot position, or sidestep but cannot retreat or advance more than 1 step (the finishing step). Attacker comes in with unrehearsed attack, not a “sold out” punch. Usually this is a punch or stab/slash at first. Later drills include kicks, rushes, whatever. Defender’s job is parry/block the blows and get inside to a killing stroke. This is a basic drill for us, usually done with simple, but not sold out, punches. Attacker should attempt to finish the defender while not leaving his arms out to be grabbed (like a boxer, not like someone demonstrating an judo/aikido technique–not that there’s anything wrong with judo/aikido). Attacker should focus on advancing into the defenders personal space and closing to a killing stroke as well. Key is defender is immobile and has to deal with the invasion of his space by an attacker.
Defender can move. Kinda like a counterpunching drill. Once again start from striking range. Defenders job is to parry/block attacks to create a hole so that he can get inside and kill. The ideal is of course, only needing to parry 1 blow to step inside/outside and get to a vital target. Defender should think about closing in to end the threat, not trading punches or keeping distance. Obviously, one wouldn’t want to stay in stabbing/slashing range for too long. Knives, clubs, whatever, all good. Obviously, no rehearsed or sold attacks.
I like the 2-3 v. 1 drill. A couple variations come to mind
Start with both attackers in contact with the defenders arms, wrist to wrist. The 3rd attacker (if present) is either behind or to the side. This is a stationary drill, meant for simply starting to get used to multiple attackers. Can also be used to help a person get used to not having any mobility (ie-corner, or some such limiting environment, althogh it’s usually done in the open ground) The defender has to try to control both attackers and toss them off their feet or into each other. There are no punches, just joint locks and throws. You can adjust your feet to throw, but cannot move away from the attackers. The drill ends when the defender loses balance or falls. 3rd attackers job is not to joint lock defender but to throw his balance off by continuously pushing on his back.
Probably limited usefulness for what you’re talking about, but it’s meant as kind of a break-in drill anyway.
variation of above. Free movement or stationary, start: one arm of the defender is immobilized by an attacker (hold, grab, etc.), but not in a full lock (defender should have an opportunity to escape/reverse). Then 2 other attackers come into play. defender’s job is to kill/disable all attackers, or hold out as long as possible.
I have the uncomfortable feeling that you already do all these drills, but as I said, the only training I’ve got is traditional wing chun. I hope you find something useful from someone.