'Fighting Chance' Magazine Articles

Self-Defence Federation (c) 2001 2002

The First Line of Defence

By Dave Turton 8th Dan: Founder and Head of SDF

This article appeared in Issue No. 4 Dec 2001.

Self-Defence Federation (c) 2001 2002

The first few seconds, and the first few moves in ANY violent or potentially violent situation are the most vital. What does or does not occur here can dictate the whole outcome.... In other words, whether you win or lose.

The Martial Arts are full of the types of openings that not only WON'T happen in the street, actually CAN'T happen in the street. In my system and teachings, we emphasize something we call 'The Sandwich Theory'...By this I mean that nearly every Martial System on the planet teaches how to defend against an attack that has actually happened...you know the kind of thing I mean...

'If he grabs you like this... you do this in defence'..'When he steps in to punch, you do this'...

The major problem here in many cases, is that firstly you have already lost some valuable opportunities for a good defence, and secondly your defences may not work once a determined attack is already 'IN YOUR FACE'

Your priorities are to control the SITUATION, not just the ATTACK.....Distance, Time, Space etc. are all there to be influenced by YOU not your attacker...so use them. Let's now throw in a few methods of controlling these points, and then after you have read this, think how you might bring these points, both into YOUR training and subsequently into YOUR defences.

More often than not, a fight will have a verbal opening..I admit some attacks, like muggings etc. have no verbal, just someone jumping out on you...but the principles still apply here, simply you have lost the opportunity to implement some of them..But you still have some left to you.

OK..If you are confronted with a stranger yelling in your face, why argue back with him... simply TELL him you don't want any trouble, then seek a simple escape route...However DON'T plead with him, or look around in panic for somewhere to run..Just walk away looking at him, with one hand outstretched, in a 'Fence', saying something like "Look Mate, I don't want any bother...I'm going home" or similar...He has to decide whether or not to continue his assault on you...and you now have increased DISTANCE, TIME and SPACE.. You are actually taking some control over the scenario. Because you have not stayed rooted to the spot, arguing, with your octave levels going higher, and his blood getting hotter, you have taken some of HIS control away from him... If he still comes towards you still shouting the odds, the stage two sets in... Keep moving around a bit, still keeping the 'Fence' on him. After all it's harder to hit a moving target... Now make your voice more determined and stronger, ""LOOK I'VE TOLD YOU (not asked)..BACK OFF..I DON'T WANT TROUBLE...GET AWAY FROM ME".. Again using your own words and, continuing to analyze the positions of both you and him... Where are the doors, what's behind you, what can you use to your advantage...

Now HE is finding it harder to get a purchase on you... move side to side a bit, change lead hands in the 'Fence' as you do so, DON'T wave your arms around under poor control, simply maintain your opening posture, but keep it mobile.

Try to read the signs that he is either a BARKING DOG or a BITING DOG..If he is just shouting his mouth off, let him have that very poor victory, and try to walk away.. If the shouts change to single words, and become more menacing, he is probably ready to launch his attack... When it doe's turn violent you MUST do your utmost to get your shot in FIRST.

Don't plan to block his attack, instead hit him. If you are a fraction of a second too late, (and it always IS just a fraction).. The COVER UP and GRAB his head...this way his punches will not have the impact they would if you were further away, and you can start again to gain control.

Remember that although we practice and preach good ground fighting, and we also agree 100% with the statement that "50% of fights go to the ground"..don't forget 99% of them START upright!! YES! OK in training get your partners to vary their approaches, and opening verbal attacks.. If you are not using some verbal attacks in your training..

WHY THE BLOODY HELL AREN'T YOU ??

Don't just practice.. If he grabs you like this or punches you like that.. defences.. Instead get your control of the situation EARLIER in the confrontation..DO NOT get into an argument with someone shouting at you..it only fuels his anger.. If he is already in that shouting, gesturing, aggressive mode..a few pleading words from you won't alter the situation very much.

I could go on and on giving training and real examples of this aspect of your defence skill development, but this is best left for actual training sessions... so I will close with this...

THE EARLIER IN THE CONFRONTATION THAT YOU GAIN CONTROL, THE BETTER...TRY TO CONTROL SPACE, DISTANCE, AND TIME FROM YOUR OPPONENT..LOOK FOR ESCAPE ROUTES THAT ALLOW YOU TO GET AWAY SAFELY, NOT 'PANIC' ROUTES FOR YOU TO RUN WITHOUT CONTROL..

MAINTAIN AS MUCH VERBAL CONTROL AS YOU CAN WHILST PREPARING FOR HIS ASSAULT, BUT TRY TO KEEP MOBILE WHILST DOING IT.

THEN IF OR WHEN HE LAUNCHES HIS ATTACK, TRY TO HIT HIM FIRST, THEN KEEP MAINTAINING CONTROL.

There's a lot more to this that can be practiced in class work, if and when anyone wants it...It can even be the subject of one of the SDF National Courses. Let me know and stay safe.

By Peter Ratcliffe 4th Dan Goshindo Jujitsu

This article appeared in Issue No. 4 Dec 2001.

Self-Defence Federation  (c) 2001 2002

A prime motivation for people taking up study of the Martial Arts is to become skilled in self-defence. After a short period of training many fall into the trap of believing that the techniques they are studying will transport directly into a street situation. Often techniques are emphasised in training because they easily catch the eye of a judge in competition or combination techniques are practised to show flamboyant displays to the public. There is nothing at all wrong with any of this, providing it is recognised for what it is and not confused with self-defence.

I encourage my students to develop their own physical self-defence repertoire using techniques from the overall system, but within a fairly strict framework of selection. The techniques should be few in number, perhaps only four or five, be able to be used pre-emptively, versatile in application and based on Gross Motor Skills, not intricate or complicated, resulting in breakdown under pressure.

An analogy I like to use when explaining the formulation of personal self-defence drills is that of a motor mechanic with a garage packed with tool chests containing specialised equipment to carry out work on all vehicle systems. If we now place our mechanic in the situation of planning a driving holiday with the family, where space will be at a premium, it is obvious he cannot take all his equipment along in case of breakdown. What the mechanic can do, however, is select a small number of his most versatile tools, wrap them in a doth and store them under his seat.

Providing our mechanic has chosen wisely, if a breakdown should occur, he will have a good chance of effecting a roadside repair sufficient to get him out of a spot. It is fair to say that some tools may be used in a manner which is not technically correct, but if they get the job done ..........what the hell!

As Martial Artists we can regard our full system as equivalent to the mechanics garage full of equipment. As the equipment was too space intensive to take on holiday, so our Martial systems can be too extensive for a sudden, in your face situation. So we must develop our limited, but versatile emergency tool kit.

The practise of the total Martial system is not wasted effort, because it provides support to cover 'the unknowns' or 'what ifs' of an attack. If we recognise that winners and losers are determined in the opening seconds of a confrontation, the emergency tool kit will get the job done in the majority of cases, with the Martial systems in support if needed. A student should beware of adding to his emergency system as his overall repertoire of technique increases. The secret here is to substitute techniques, if they are identified as being more versatile or effective than those already in place. Think how easy it would be if one single piece of equipment could undertake roadside repairs to all the systems of a car! Because we are all different in height, build, weight, skill etc., it is important that the emergency self-defence system is designed by the student instead of him struggling to perform techniques of somebody else's choosing whilst in a highly stressful situation. All chosen techniques should be practised regularly and realistically under pressure situation and they should be considered only a small part of self-defence with the non-physical and psychological strategies and tactics providing the remainder.

The Dave Turton Interview

By Neill Hall 4th Dan & Darrin Richardson 4th Dan

These extracts are from an article that appeared in Issue No. 5 Spring 2002.

Self-Defence Federation  (c) 2001 2002

Neil Hall. Can you describe the GOSHINKWAI COMBAT SYSTEM for us?

Dave Turton. The Goshinkwai is, more or less, a Combat Ju-Jitsu. In fact, the only associations back in the 60's to let us in were the Ju-Jitsu ones. Yet it is more than Ju-Jitsu, because of the extras. The kicking techniques are from several systems, with a great emphasis on the French systems of Savaux, Chausson and Boxe Marseilles. (And from Savate, but not a lot). Because it is a Japanese name, most people want to link it with something Japanese, but the origins are both Orkinawan and Japanese. But because we try to cater for all shapes, sizes, individual personalities etc. of students, there has to be enough variety to cope with these differences.

The Principles and Theories of the Goshinkwai are more important than the actual moves. If you are not following a Monkey See - Monkey Do approach, and don't wait to be hit, like many systems seem to advocate, and that the moves work in reality, regardless of how NICE they look, then you are following many of the tenets of the Goshinkwai.

Dave Turton. We have 4 titles on video at the moment, and these are quite popular thankfully. I hadn't ever intended being a writer or video maker, I genuinely thought there was enough choice around. But on courses, and through people like GEOFF THOMPSON, who has constantly badgered me to "get in print" or "get it on tape", and my students and friends, such as yourself, who have always shown faith in me to get onto this type of production. I felt the time was right, and I am working on at least 5 more Video Titles, as well as writing my first book.

Dave Turton. The "FEAR FACTORY"... I shudder at the memory, and certainly would not want to repeat the process. Certain higher ranking students were "Treated" to the advanced stuff, and part of this involved facing fear, dealing with it, and hopefully coming out of it stronger mentally. I was glad I went through it, but not sure I recommend it. Maybe I do believe in it, but it would certainly chase away some students. Maybe I do believe in it, but it would certainly chase away some students.

What happened was that I was locked in a small room, no windows, one door, nothing else in the room, other than several higher-ranking Dan grades than I was at the time. (I was 1st Dan). I simply had to get out of the room, I thought it would be just a test of my physical prowess. BUT NO, whatever I tried was countered by the sheer numbers of silent, unceasing endless pressure from my peers. I was slapped, pushed, pulled, tripped, mauled etc. NEVER actually hit that hard or kicked hard, never held long enough to facilitate a defence.

First you get angry, then you get submissive, saying things like OK I'VE HAD ENOUGH. But when you get no response, just a continuation of the slapping etc. you eventually just want to give up. Then it stops, and you think BRILL I'VE DONE IT. But no, it starts even more aggressive at some unseen signal. The 6 or so attackers continue if anything even harder, but this time they are not silent, which was pretty daunting anyway. But now they are screaming at you, spitting, cursing, wearing you down, making you feel like there's no way out. It's hard to describe the feeling or the time distortion that occurred. It felt like HOURS, I was near to tears, then I just broke down, whimpering in a corner begging them NO MORE PLEASE, NO MORE. Then it stopped, as quickly and now as silently as it began. They all left the room, and nothing was said about it, just was I OK?.. But this wasn't the real end.

A few weeks later my teacher looked at me and said "BACK IN THE LITTLE ROOM DAVE". My heart sank, my mouth dried up, legs shook etc. all the symptoms of REAL FEAR. Most of me wanted to turn and run and never see this bloody club again. A small part of thought of the shame of running etc. so with my legs shaking I slowly (bloody slowly) went in. There they were the same bunch. In all honesty, I just CRAPPED IT. They all laughed and slapped me gently this time on the back. WELL DONE. THE TEST WASN'T JUST IN THE SURVIVING THE FIRST EXPERIENCE, BUT FACING THE SECOND KNOWING WHAT WAS TO HAPPEN.

I had conquered my fear of the FEAR FACTORY. Whether it is vital to each person's development is debatable. If like yourself Neil, a person works the door for a long period, or someone who was in the Falklands etc. In other words someone who faces the terror and fear in other ways, they don't need this extra, they already have it. This is why the 70 plus pensioners in our society are less afraid than a lot of the younger ones. They have lived through WARS, deprivations, rationing, bombing etc. They are not too intimidated by what they see as a couple of snotty kids in baseball hats kicking a ball at their wall. If I faced bloody Hitler, I can face a couple of young thugs, was how one 70 plus man put it to me. I feel that you MUST find some way of knowing you can handle fear/s whether it is by hypnosis or whatever. What you need to know though, is that when you are faced with any form of danger, that you can overcome the very natural feeling of fear and get on with the job.

Neil Hall. You use the term "Training For Reality". Do you think that anyone teaching Reality Training should have to prove or qualify themselves in some way?

Dave Turton. TRAINING FOR REALITY.... If you proclaim to train for reality, then there are certain provisos to that statement. Firstly, you have to be 100% honest that you know that some methods wont work so well. You can't teach say for example ONLY sport Tae Kwon Do, and expect it to have all the answers for the street. This isn't meant to knock Tae Kwon Do, just an example in showing my explanations. Somewhere along the way, someone in the system should have had SOME form of realistic experience, whether this be a DOORMAN, POLICEMAN, or whatever.

The following example may help. I once knew a guy who was born, and lived for all his life to then, in a very small rural community of 800 people in Staffordshire. He did JUDO. He was a member of the Young Farmers etc. etc. At school, he had NO fights, he saw only a couple. He witnessed NO violence up close for nearly 40 years. Then he went to stay with a dying relative. He got into a bit of a fight in a pub, more a pushing and shoving situation. He actually had a small heart attack, brought on by the stress of the situation. His younger brother got as bit of a smacking from 3 guys, and the first man just could not help. He hadn't got a clue what to do, even with his 20 years in Judo. He had entered a realm totally alien to him. Could this man then realistically TEACH self-defence? Of course not. BUT, if HIS Instructor, or a member of his club, had been a Doorman or whatever, then at least that person could relate to the different situations.

We have about 7 or so EX Bouncers as Black Belts in our system, including myself. This way, between us, we can say with varying degrees of authority what WE feel works and doesn't. Provided of course, that is what you want to train in, in the first place.

Neil Hall. My own experiences taught me to adapt and personalise my Martial Arts techniques in "Reality". Did this happen to you, and how much did "Reality" influence your Martial Arts training?

Dave Turton. Yes, you are right Neil.... Real situations did help me change, or rather adapt my knowledge. It wasn't so much altering the actual techniques, moreso the timing, distances, different attacking postures, and more the totally different postures etc. of the attackers. I went back to the drawing board trying to remember as much as I could about situations both I and my fellow Doormen were in. I thought about "where was the attacker when he moved, what openers did he use, physical, verbal or whatever". In other words, I recreated the events, and tried to alter what I knew to fit these instances.

Neil Hall. Pressure Point Fighting is on the increase, what are your views on this area of Combat and where do you see it fitting into the scheme of things with regard to Self Protection?

Dave Turton. A CAN OF WORMS MY FRIEND.... PRESSURE POINTS, VITAL POINTS, ATEMI POINTS, NERVE STRIKES, MUSCLE STRIKES ETC,, are ALL different. Some work on the alternate" Acupuncture Meridians" Others, the neuromuscular response lines, others, the electro-biological impulses etc. They look and sound the same, but in fact are different.

I know 308 "points" on the body to cause various pains, damages etc., but 90 % of these are useless in a real fight. I have used SOME in real situations, but either I wasn't skilled enough, or I didn't have enough confidence in them, or whatever, but I didn't feel I could put my life in their abilities.

Another point worth mentioning, without trying to cause offence to anyone, is that with say THROWS, you can put these under all forms and all degrees of pressure. This way you will KNOW that they will work for you when you need them. I have yet to see anyone, other than one or two dead old timers, actually perform these strikes under attack.

By Johny Verheyden 5th Dan and Founder of Yamato Martial Arts

This article appeared in Issue No. 3 Sept. 2001.

Self-Defence Federation (c) 2001 2002

Hi! My name is Johny Verheyden, I'm 38 and I come from Belgium. I'm working and living in the UK at the moment. I'm in the Martial Arts for more than 25 years now and have been practising many different arts, styles and systems. I obtained several Black Belts and Instructor Certificates in various disciplines. My highest rank at the moment is 5th Dan in Karate. I became a member of the SDF in April this year and also took a subscription on "FIGHTING CHANCE" which I enjoy reading a lot.

I'm a flight attendant and work as a Purser at British Airways on International long distance flights. Thanks to my job, I have the wonderful opportunity to travel extensively and to train in the Martial Arts all over the world. So I could train in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, America, South America and all across Europe. I also had the honour and privilege of meeting and sometimes training with famous Martial Artists and Grandmasters such as Bill Wallace, Benny Urquidez, Hee II Cho, Bong Soo Han, Dan Inosanto, John Liu (Movie star), Kurosaki, the late Ed Parker, Tom Harinck, Henri Plee, Lee Kwan Young, Dominique Valera,....

In 1997 I created a method of fighting called "YAMATO MARTIAL ARTS" based on the fighting spirit and rich cultural heritage of old Japan. This method contains full contact striking, grappling and ground fighting and is only for Self Defence, without forms (Kata) and without any competitions. Technically "YAMATO MARTIAL ARTS" is very similar to Nippon Kempo, Daido - Juku Karate and Japanese Shootfighting. After all my years of training and studying of the fighting arts world wide, I'd like to share some of my thoughts with other fellow Martial Artists and SDF members.

"Best" Martial Art

According to me there is no "Best" Martial art. I don't think any style is superior to any other. The different Martial Arts styles usually work within the context for which they were designed. They each work in certain situations, but no one of them works in all situations. It also depends on the person, on how good or how poor the individual is. Every existing Martial Art is good and can be very efficient if the practitioner is an expert in it and also has enough knowledge and experience of "real" fighting. Asking which martial Art is the best is like asking which car; aeroplane, video camera or computer is the best. The answer is that it all depends on the intended use and the ability and skills of the user. In the case of car races for example, all participating automobiles have more or less the same power and performance abilities, but it is the skill of the driver that will be the deciding factor at the end.

Cross-Training

No Martial Art has it all. Every art, style, system or method has it's own limitations. So it really all depends on how good and skilful someone is and how much that person is open-minded and willing to add knowledge, techniques, strategies, tactics and training methods from other arts, styles, systems or methods to his art to make it more complete and as efficient as possible. In the first and most important stage a practitioner of the Martial Arts should try to acquire strong basics in any chosen art, (their "core" art), which acts as fundamentals on which many other things can be built successfully afterwards. This base should be supplemented later on with techniques, strategies, tactics and training methods from other arts called cross training. No martial Art fits every ones needs in all situations. In some cases there will even be a need to modify and adapt certain techniques, strategies and tactics to fit realistic self-defence situations.

Techniques, Strategies, Tactics?

Confusing, isn't it? You're strategy when facing an opponent for example Could be to fight him on the ground. The tactic you are going to use is slightly dropping your guard so that he will see an opening and try to punch you. You duck and then shoot in with a tackle to the ground and then finish him off with a punch to the face, a choke or leg-lock, which is the technique.

The Different Ranges In Combat

In order to become a good and well-rounded fighter, every Martial Artist should be proficient in the four different ranges of combat; foot/kicking range; hand/punching range, close/grappling range and ground/wrestling range. _ Most arts, styles, systems and methods only specialise in one or just a few. ranges of fighting and only in certain, specific situations. You can be a master kicker, but if someone grabs you from behind in a telephone booth and puts a knife on your throat, you can't kick. If you are very good with your hands like a boxer but are taken o the ground, you are pretty helpless. A grappler, used to fighting one unarmed person at a time (especially on the ground), will feel very uncomfortable when surrounded by several armed attackers. It doesn't matter how good someone is in a certain range, he must gain expertise in all other ranges. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link!

Knowledge Is Power....Only If You Can Apply It!

It's not "how much" you know in the martial Arts that counts, but "how well" you know. No amount of knowledge has any value if it cannot be put into practise. Some people know countless techniques, strategies or tactics but not always seem to be very efficient in a "real" fight. Others, on the contrary, sometimes only have a handful of techniques, strategies or tactics but are devastating fighters!

The Way You Train Is The Way You Will React

When confronted with a "real" threat and fighting skills have to be used to defend yourself, you will most likely react the way you have been training. Therefore it is of the utmost importance to learn simple but good, strong, efficient and reliable techniques and always to train as realistically as possible with non-cooperative opponents in different situations and environments. Correct training, use of equipment, conditioning of the body and mind are crucial in the development of a proficient fighter.

One Strike - One Kill

Several Traditional Martial Arts are based on this theory of finishing your opponent with (only) one fatal blow. People who have lots of experience in realistic fighting, self-defence and combat know very well that it is extremely difficult to completely neutralise an attacker or totally end a fight with only one fatal blow, in most cases one will need several hard and well placed strikes in order to be able to get away safely or to control the situation. However, a "real" fight should be ended as quickly as possible. The longer a fight lasts, the more chances your assailant has to counter and hurt you. A real "fight" is not a kickboxing or wrestling match lasting several rounds! The "3 second fight" theory from Geoff Thompson is the perfect example of what I want to make clear here. A quick and sudden blast of just a couple of finishing blows and it could (or should at least) be all over. If not, it should be enough to be able to run away like hell!

Traditional Martial Arts vs Combat Sports

Everything is changing in this world. Every living creature or any other thing cannot escape the constant process of evolution, neither the Martial Arts. We no longer live the same way as several centuries ago nor do people fight or use the same weaponry as during the old days. That's why some Traditional Styles are not really up to date anymore and lack a certain kind of realism in their approach to a real fight. Some even use techniques that could really get you into serious trouble when having to fight for your life. Combat sports on the other hand might seem more realistic and practical but are still diluted and watered down forms of the original Martial techniques that were used to kill on the battlefield or to fight for one's life in a self defence situation. Also, on the street there are no rules, no referee, no mats, no time limits, no protective gear,.... A "real" fight is even more devastating, dangerous and unpredictable than a NHB cage fight like in the UFC. I respect all Traditional Martial Arts and Combat Sports and have lots of admiration for those who train hard and diligently to be on top in what they are doing. But if we talk about pure self defence (and that's what the Martial Arts are all about basically), I think it's important to be aware of the need of a realistic, practical and no-nonsense Self Defence Art in order to cope successfully with real threats. Although one tries to perfect his techniques for decades or one is physically fit and conditioned to stand several rounds in a full contact fight, it still takes more to get alive and unhurt out of a deadly confrontation. I cannot over emphasise the importance of actual experience in real fights. I'm convinced that a vicious and experienced street fighter can certainly be more dangerous than a Black Belt in the Martial Arts.

Striking vs Grappling