I’m not sure I remember MapWrap, I tried a user name search and couldn’t find this person. Or maybe I did it wrong.
Also, Londonboxer123, Big Boss, i realize Dark Ninja got too heated, and others were a rich source of information.
This The Tactical Life thread is almost the only thing going these last two years.
Yes, they were, and I miss their insight and experience.
Motivational Monday: We all have days where we have to fight the “mental grind”. At those times, I have a quote which makes me man up and get it done:
Monday Extra:
2JarSlave and other BJJ practitioners, thought you would enjoy this:
Guard passing in sport bjj is such a deep rabbit hole, especially in the gi. All kinds of grips are in play when strikes are not. This opens the door to all kinds of techniques that, for practical purposes, only exist in sport. Great stuff if sport is your thing.
MMA has definitely evolved as well. I don’t completely in MMA, but I’ve had some interesting conversations (mostly while working the door) about the effectiveness of jiu jitsu in mma and real life.
The basic idea that’s been shared with me is that jiu jitsu is somehow obsolete technology since it no longer dominates high level mma like back in Royce Gracies day.
That’s ridiculous. Just because professional mma fighters know how to counter stuff or, in this case, avoid submission from inside the guard doesn’t mean that your untrained ass can.
All of the stuff that worked against trained fighters who didn’t know grappling still works just as well as it did back then. Humans haven’t grown extra limbs and knowing some jiu jitsu will put you way ahead in any struggle with another person.
If you happen to run into someone who can stuff your tricks, well, it just may be your day to die no matter how good you are. There are no guarantees in a fight.
Could some of the LE guys offer any insight into this situation?
Friday night, all 4 cars in my driveway were unforcefully broken into. I say unforcefully, because there was no damage to the cars for the perp to gain entry. I’m thinking they either have a universal key-fob that they can reprogram very quickly, or a AAA style inflatable card to separate the door from the frame.
The odd thing is, none of the car alarms went off, and 2 out of 4 cars will absolutely be set off by using the AAA tool and unlocking from the inside. Hell, my car starts beeping if you look at it funny. My roommate was also awake until 4am and has ears like a friggin grizzly bear, he didn’t hear any doors or cars beeping to unlock.
They stole from 2 out of 4 cars. One of two pairs of sunglasses and about $10 from my car, and a portable phone charger from the other. I keep my car fairly empty by design, but my friends are less cautious. Still, the thief(s) found but did not take: hundreds of dollars worth of lifting gear, a laptop and ipad, and another laptop, from the other three cars.
Seems like a lot of time and effort to walk away with next to nothing when there was a lot available to them.
Perplexing to say the least.
Simplest (and most common) ‘unforced’ entry explanation is the cars were unlocked. If someone was using tech or more sophisticated tools/methods to enter a car; they are most likely stealing the entire car or targeting specific valuable items suspected to be inside. Given a low dollar loss and passing expensive computers, I’m guessing the crooks are tweeks/kids looking for a quick score. Lifting gear though expensive does not have a well known value to those outside the gym community.
Another reason for not taking the computers, they may have been on foot with no means to conceal the items. A guy strolling down the street with 3 laptops under his arm draws attention but a pocket full of change/bills isn’t noticeable or traceable.
Agreed, though I have sincere doubts all four of us forgot to lock our cars on the same night. A couple of them are newer and auto-lock once the keys are outside a certain proximity as well.
Good point about the lack of mobility. Also could’ve snagged the backpack the laptop/ipad were in if they so desired.
They also left weapons behind too now that I think of it. A pocket knife and a box cutter from two of the cars.
Might the weapons have been a threat left behind? Maybe there wasn’t much else to do as an intrusion attempt.
In addition to mobility, I would say ease of movement - how easy it is to fence.
Friend of mine years ago had someone break into his house through a back room window, only thing taken was from the room he entered - used water cooler jug full of change. Probably a couple hundred worth in it, but it was sitting right next to a $1K+ laptop. Laptop would be worth more, but I’m guessing harder to get rid of. The jug of change on the other hand - don’t have to sell change, just spend it, but the thing had to weigh 50 pounds (his description). Kind of odd to see someone walking through a residential neighborhood in broad daylight carrying one of those. Suppose you could say you were walking it to the grocery store to dump it in the coinstar…
K gents, I didn’t parse through posts looking, but I don’t recall seeing anything here about this particular type of striking method so thought I’d bring it up. I had a bit of training for this to shut someone down really bad really quick…i.e., a heel stomp to bust small rib into a kidney, the proper method to gouge and pluck an eyeball versus just poking, etc.
If one takes the time to study the anatomy of the upper body, then combines strikes with the full force of your bodyweight/hip rotation behind them, you can do some serious f’n damage. This type of thing is definitely not for “in the ring,” nor is it going to be effective against someone who has good close up skills and guardz. However, it’s very very good for that immediate response self-defense movement, or finishing a fight with authority once you get someone off of ya and need to move a second attacker…and no, it is not part of a fighting “system”. Just something anyone who knows how to throw a solid strike can incorporate.
Maybe I’m especially odd in having had this covered.
Thought I’d toss this ball and see what happened in this particular forum. If nobody wants to play the game with it, then don’t.
BTW → UncleGabby: I bought a “Zebra Z-701” SS ink pen off Amazon Prime since the wife has the membership - I like it! TSA should have zero issues with it, but I rarely fly so don’t care much about them for me. It certainly doesn’t go for the “tacticool” appearance I was trying to avoid - thanks!! The knurled grip is perfect. Definitely solid enough a pen to do a good puncture if so desired.
Aight gents, ya all take care! 
Sorry if I was unclear, the weapons belonged to us and weren’t taken. Seems like a thing a kid or junkie would just toss in their pocket along with cash and shades.
@s_afsoc. Regarding eye gouging and targeted strikes…
They are tools, certainly, but not something I’d invest much training time in. Neither are reliable fight enders. And I can guarantee you that eye gouging is less effective than you probably think it is. Eyelids are actually quite strong and good at protecting the eyes. It’s better than not fighting back, but even if successful it amounts to a pain compliance move that will not necessarily render someone unable to fight.
For me, eye gouging isn’t something I would do with my arms in a violent struggle except as maybe a last ditch Hail Mary. You are sacrificing protection by for a low percentage technique. Others may disagree.
I’m not much of a striker, but what little I’ve trained tells me I’d have a very slim chance of landing an effective strike to precisely targeted areas of the anatomy. I think it would be better to invest the training time in becoming a better overall striker. Get better timing, footwork, defense, etc.
Thought for the day: A view from Alex Hollings on physical size and fighting.
I may be a pretty big guy these days, but the lessons I’ve learned over the past fifteen years or so of competition and combat training tell me that size really doesn’t mean much in a fight. In my head, adding muscle just means added torque on the submissions I’d know whether I weighed 150 or 250 — but it’s really the knowledge that makes me dangerous. Judging a book by its cover (and assuming the small or unassuming looking guy isn’t a threat) is a great way to find yourself getting the life choked out of you in front of your wife in a tournament, but in a life or death situation behind a bar, it’s a great way to lose your life in general.
Take it from a pretty big guy — spending a few hours a day in the gym won’t make you a fighter, and real fighters often don’t look the part. Never underestimate an opponent, and look for body language that’s indicative of athleticism and training. Boxers tend to square their shoulders when confronted, gunfighters and certain martial artists stagger their stance.
I don’t have fifteen years of solid training or fighting, but I’ll agree with Mr. Hollings when it comes to people who have a high level of technical proficiency and good general fitness. I’ve trained with several people who I outweigh by 80+ pounds who would likely come out on top if you put us both in the Thunderdome and made us fight to the death with our bare hands. My instructor is one of those guys, and I can count the number of takedowns I’ve won on my hands after hundreds and hundreds of sparring sessions with him.
There are some seriously bad motherfuckers walking around, and the only way to know how you measure up without picking an actual fight is to train and bang with them.
When it comes to MOST fights, I’m still bullish on size and strength, because most fights involve untrained individuals. It all depends on the context of what’s actually happening though. I’ll almost always put gameness first when it comes to untrained fighters. That’s general willingness to take damage, endure punishment and continue fighting while working to impose your will on your opponent through whatever means you are able to employ.
Strength and size are a close combined second when it comes to untrained fights I’ve witnessed and/or broken up. Especially in confined areas where the smaller guy can’t maneuver or just run the fuck away. Small rooms. Bars, etc. All it takes is a guy with a big size advantage, a drink or four too many, an aggressive streak and most importantly, a target. Now the show is on.
I agree . You never get any better training with people who have less skills than you. It may be good practice for keeping sharp, but, unless you are challenged, you are no going to grow.
I agree.
Thought for the day: Speaking of going up againist trained individuals, I feel that most of military/LE people don’t take advantage of learning from the civilian world, especially combat shooting. I have noticed a general aura of contempt among my side, when it come to entering a civilian shooting match. This is just stupid, since being “good” is not limited to any one trible. I am going to post a video of Mike Pannone, one of the knowledgeable instructors I have ever known.
For the shooters out there, Mike was a right eyed dominant shooter, who lost is right eye in an explosive entry. He has taught himself to shoot with left eye and went own to train and compete. For those who are experienced shooters, you know how hard this is. I will list a short bio of Mike and then the video where he talks about the importance of competition. Now, I believe this is not only for shooting, but, applies to all of us in training. KM, BJJ, Boxing, MT, whatever, seek out some competition, sharpen you sword.
Mike Pannone is a former operational member of U.S. Marine Reconnaissance, Army Special Forces (Green Beret) and 1st SFOD-D (Delta) as well as a competition USPSA pistol shooter holding a Master class ranking in Limited, Limited-10 and Production divisions. He has participated in stabilization, combat and high-risk protection operations in support of U.S. policies throughout the world as both an active duty military member, and a civilian contractor. After sustaining a severe blast injury Mike retired from 1st SFOD-D and worked as a Primary Firearms Instructor for the Federal Air Marshal Program in Atlantic City and the head in-service instructor for the Seattle field office of the FAMS.
That small confined space thing is a big deal. Especially with the untrained. Try applying panic pushes and bum rushes (gross motor skill and direct forward intent). They are hard as hell to counter if you can’t move. Especially if that person is bigger and gets the momentum on you.
Thought for the day: In honor of California’s latest insanity, the new ammo law going into effect on 7/01/2019.
When it comes to MOST fights, I’m still bullish on size and strength, because most fights involve untrained individuals. It all depends on the context of what’s actually happening though. I’ll almost always put gameness first when it comes to untrained fighters. That’s general willingness to take damage, endure punishment and continue fighting while working to impose your will on your opponent through whatever means you are able to employ.
Blockquote
I have a comment -
There is nothing more dangerous than one SCARED man.
Moving on to the targeted strikes, eye gouges…I need to rephrase the eye gouge to eye “pluck” or “ripping out of the f’n socket” properly. As in, one hand holding the back of the head to brace, inserting a thumb by the nose into the eye socket, when thumb is fully inserted, bend it to go behind the eyeball, then rip out, at which point eyeball hangs from face by optic nerve and pluck-eee indeed loses interest in fighting I promise.
Now, other targeted attacks as fight - enders. IF you can land a solid strike to the carotid artery with your ulnar bone, using your body weight and good waist rotation, that mother-f’r is going down for about 10 minutes. Won’t end the fight, but will give time to address next scumbag and/or move to a position of tactical advantage, or get the hell away.
Other one I mentioned is but one example. If perchance you have an opponent face down whilst you’re standing and have the ability to do so, applying a solid heel strike to the rib just by the kidney can break the rib and puncture the kidney.
Now, are these worth putting a bunch of time into training? Probably not. But I personally believe they’re worth knowing how to execute because there can be situations in which that level of mean is warranted. The eyeball thing is, again, something I’ve taught my wife. The vast majority of serial rapists who have been captured have been found to have scratch marks under their eyes. If their victims had known how to execute that pluck, I tend to believe the criminal would’ve ceased their attack…
I’m not attempting to argue here, I promise. Just trying to illustrate my points and the reasons behind the strikes/attacks I mentioned.
i do agree that a bunch of time training for these is likely not warranted, but I think training them is worthy of consideration once a primary system is reasonably trained.
K, pax gents!