Tropins Blog

It’s always amusing when “know it alls” dismiss certain methods out of hand as being useless or “unworkable”. One “victim” of this line of thinking is the “cross arm” or “X” block (for lack of a better term).

We often hear phrases like the “myth of the X block”. Usually this catchy “hook” leads on to a diatribe condemning this technique in the strongest terms. Those who “know better” decry the “obvious” faults in this basic method and are more than anxious to point out the disastrous consequences awaiting anyone foolish enough to use it.

Let’s take another look at this:

For our example we’ll use the “standard” overhead X block against an overhand “ice pick” grip attack with a knife.

Now many “experts” will demonstrate how this “defense” can be “countered”. How the “defender” leaves himself open to any number of devastating “follow-ups”. One of the most commonly cited methods is the “ripping” slash that will severely cut the wrists of the defender. The attacker hammers down with his blade, the defender “cross arm” blocks and then the attacker rips down and back. Sounds good but is it REALISTIC?

Usually this is demonstrated by having Mr. Expert set up the scenario. The overhand stab comes in - the victim blocks - Mr. Expert shows how easily he can counter the attempted “defense”. Masterful. Real world? NO!

Why?

Consider the elements of real world violence.

The chance that either “party” involved KNOWS the ability or “training” of the other is very remote. So neither individual KNOWS before hand what the other will do, how the “victim” will react. A violent criminal attack is SWIFT, BRUTAL, and IMMEDIATE. The assailant is NOT looking for a fight, a duel, or a protracted engagement. He is counting on SPEED, SHOCK, and BRUTALITY. Think about this. If YOU were going to “off” someone, wouldn’t you do it in the MOST expedient manner? It would be ONE violent, powerful and swift attack. ADD to this RAGE, HATE, INTENT, and the DESIRE to commit mayhem and it should become obvious that the real world attack is NOT a “chess” game of move and “counter” move. If the assailant wants to “do” you he will attempt to accomplish this with ONE fully committed ASSAULT.

To mediate one’s attack in the real world is to invite failure! NO one is going to “half-step” in this regard.

The almost instinctive maneuver of the cross block is a SURVIVAL reaction. It is a convulsive gross motor skill designed to SAVE your life NOW. It is a brutal “attack” against the assault, NOT a passive “catching” of the attack.

The ruthless swift and brutal nature of the assault is designed to SHOCK and FREEZE the “victim”. The assailant is NOT thinking two moves down the road, HE IS THINKING NOW!

The victim who REACTS in kind, with a swift brutal and committed “defense” will gain a MOMENTARY advantage by this REACTION ATTACK.

SIMPLE PHYSICS: A body in motion tends to remain in motion. The assault was “intended” to succeed. The “failure” of this immediate assault will FORCE the assailant to make a CONSCIOUS decision after the initial “failure” of the attack! The “Oh SH!T” principle. Plan “A” failed, NOW WHAT. Certainly there may be a “counter” move or an attempted “follow up”, BUT IT WILL NOT BE SEAMLESS!

Only in the “training” environment do such seamless combinations of maneuvers “work”. And usually only when one party KNOWS what the expected “response” will be. Real life ain’t like that!

Let’s say I’m walking down the street and Joey Bag-a-donuts decides to ram a hunting knife into my neck or chest, well he doesn’t KNOW me from a can of beans, right? Does anyone believe that he will mediate his attack to the extent that he is considering MY response to his assault and then plans follow-up counters to my reaction? C’mon on. That makes NO SENSE. Unless he’s Kreskin, he has NO way of knowing what will happen after his initial attack. He’s NOT hedging his bets. He IS looking for the first strike/swift KILL.

The X “block” works for the purpose it was intended for. It CAN SAVE YOUR ASS! It must of course be chained to an immediate and violent attack, but as an “opening” gambit it serves its function well.

Also consider the contingencies of the real world. Many highly touted “defenses” include maneuvers that MAY very well be IMPOSSIBLE to pull off due to any number of unforeseen circumstances. I could put an individual in any number of scenarios that would all but eliminate ANY reaction other than the one we are discussing.

Charlie Nelson would often demonstrate a technique effectively only to have the bruised ego of the “know it all” respond with……”Ok, let me see you do that AGAIN”.

Charlie would respond……….”It only has to WORK ONCE”.

And that’s really the bottom line……..

It ONLY HAS TO WORK ONCE!

Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement and military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors.

Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu
Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)
Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada
Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki
Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu
Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson
http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

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We always stress that NOTHING occurs in a vacuum. There always exists stepping stones or a progression of events that lead up to a “situation”. Whether YOU are AWARE of them or not is not the issue(it should be, but as they say “sh%& happens”).

Regardless whether you saw it “coming” or BAM it just kicks you in the ass there were any number of factors that occured PRIOR to the “trouble” you are now facing. Some of those “factors” were quite literally YEARS in the making.

The idea of developing “de-escalation” skills is generally understood as a way to defuse or lower the level of aggressive intent and minimize the possibility of serious hands on physical violence. This is done thru verbal and physical actions that are designed to calm the stormy seas.

Sometimes it will work and sometimes it won’t. I for one would RARELY place a bet on the general altruistic, logical, compassionate and thoughtful “nature” of humankind. So I would ALWAYS opt for the “mindset” that NO MATTER what I do, it most probably WON’T WORK. Somebody is GOING to get a severe asskicking or worse NO MATTER what is done to quell the “potential” violence. So it ONLY makes sense to hedge EVERY bet and do your UTMOST to insure YOU are the asskicker and NOT the asskickee.

Consider YOURSELF very fortunate that you even have the OPPORTUNITY to attempt a run at “de-escalation”. That MEANS that you haven’t just been KILLED or rendered hors d’combat OUTRIGHT. SO USE THIS “GIFT” TO YOUR FULL ADVANTAGE!

DE-ESCALTION, both verbal and physical should be a TACTICAL tool that at it’s ESSENCE has NOTHING to do with your “percieved” intent BUT EVERYTHING to do with SETTING UP YOUR MOST ADVANTAGEOUS STRATEGY FOR ATTACK OR SURVIVAL!

I don’t BELIEVE for a SECOND that Joey Dirtbag is GOING TO BUY INTO the idea of any “peaceable negotiation” ANYMORE THAN I WOULD! A grift is grift and a “front” is a “front”. I KNOW the GAME and so does HE! AT BEST we’re “dancing the dance”.

MY JOB is be MORE believeable and SMARTER than the other guy. ‘Cause we are BOTH RUNNING THE GAME. The best I can hope for is that my opposition wonders if I really am THAT STUPID to believe that my attempts at “backing it down” will really sway his intent to DO what he SET OUT TO DO!

So while I’m acting like my whole demeanor is screaming “HEY, BROTHER DEAREST, CAN’T WE ALL JUST GETTING ALONG”. What I’m really doing is setting HIM UP for the inevitable crash landing.

He’s thinking……LOOK at THIS sappy, pussy-assed schmuck. I’M gonna PLAY him right into the boneyard. I’M using ARTIFICE and guile to manuever HIM for MY BENEFIT.

Dance the dance of the biggest galatic wussy appeaser that was ever BORN. And while YOUR doing that bit of street level “pys-ops” manuever him into YOUR TRAP.

Curbs, poles, fire-hydrants, sharp edges and corners, brick facades, plate glass windows, on rushing traffic, whatever………

Get his back to the nastiest most damaging shit in your environment. Place YOURSELF in the BEST attack line which is HIS worst DEFENSE line. Manuever yourself to the BEST position to ATTACK while SETTING UP YOUR BEST AVENUE OF ESCAPE.

THAT is what the DANCE of “de-escalation” SHOULD BE PRIMARILY ABOUT!

AND……..if by some chance the gods of fortune smile upon you AND the mis-direction or your “de-escalation” PLOY actually WORKS…………………………………………GREAT!

BUT ALWAYS………..ALWAYS PREPARE FOR THE WORST!

DE-ESCALATION is the ARTIFICE that SETS UP THE VEHEMENCE.

Besides I don’t believe ANYTHING is ever going to work as “advertised”.

Don’t be a sucker.

Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement and military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors.
Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu
Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)
Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada
Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki
Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu
Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson
http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

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MMA sparring gear, mma gear online, mma gear, mixed martial arts wear, mma work out clothes and mma gears are just a few of the streegnths of House Of Pain. http://www.houseofpain.com features top of the line as well as the best mma gear, mma clothing, as well as all of the gear and apparel that you would expect to need in the ring, on the street, or in the gym. The HouseOfPain website not only features the greatest in gear, workout apparel, and clothing, you can visit our lifting and fighting news departments, in the gym section, events, links, and other information and news for the mixed martial arts and weightlifting.
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