Barron Shepherd Judo: Tsuri Komi Goshi - Lifting Pulling Hip Throw

 Tsurikomi Goshi - Lifting and Pulling Hip Throw, is one of the original 40 throws of Judo as developed by Jigoro Kano. It belongs to the second group, Dai Nikyo, of the traditional throwing list, Gokyo, of Kodokan Judo. It is also part of the current 67 Throws of Kodokan Judo. Tsurikomi Goshi is classified as a hip throwing technique (Koshi-Waza).

Tsuri Komi Goshi - Arm Pit grip Variation

1.) Both players are fighting in a right vs right situation.  

2.) Blue punches a right armpit grip.   

3.) The opponent immediate grips Blue right sleeve reaches for a high collar or back grip with his left. As the opponent starts to reach for the high grip blue pulls with his left hand and brings his right arm under the opponents arm pit as he steps to the inside with his right foot to the inside of the opponent's right foot. The opponent misses his left high grip as blue is moving under it and to the inside. 

4.) Blue starts to pivot on his right foot as his left hand comes up under the opponent's armpit. 

5.) As Blue continues his pull with the left hand he pivots 180 degrees he bring his left foot in line with his right foot. 

6.) Blue straightens his legs popping his hips upward and pulls his left elbow to his left hip turning his upper body counter clockwise to finish the throw.

BARRON SHEPHERD - SIXKILLER KAJUKENBO KSDI

The strength of Kajukenbo lies in how techniques from the different styles that made up Kajukenbo (Karate, Judo, Kenpo and Boxing) are combined. Taking the opponent out of the fight as quickly as possible by delivering techniques in combination, as BALLISTIC as possible, to cause as much damage possible, is the aim of Kajukenbo. The most effective of its techniques are ones that effectively dole out the principles of physics quickly and forcefully, coupled with a will to achieve the goal.

Punch Counter Against Double Jab

1.) Both Fighters are fighting out of right foot forward lead.  2.) The opponent throws a straight right lead punch (jab). Parry the punch with your right lead hand.  3.) The opponent doubles up on his jab and immediately throws another. Lean back slightly pivoting counter clockwise toward nine o'clock and rolling your right shoulder up to protect your chin. Your left stays up next to the left side of your chin and jaw. 

 4.) Immediately counter the opponent's second jab with a left cock screw punch as you pivot both feet clockwise to twelve o'clock. Your left foot raises off the heel as you deliver the punch. Your right hand chambers at the right side of your chin  5.) Pivot on the lead foot as you step your rear foot toward nine o'clock and execute a right upper cut to the chin of the opponent.  6.) Shuffle forward slightly by pushing off the left foot and stepping forward with the right foot. Strike your opponent’s right shoulder with a straight left heel of palm strike and grab his clothing at the area struck. This strike should be hard enough to disrupt his posture and rock him back on his heels.  

7.) With a short quick jerk with the left hand, pull the opponent into you. This should rock him to his front and off of his heels. As you pull step your left foot toward your right foot, your knees should be bent and your belt line should be lower than his belt line.  8.) Bring your right hand up under the opponent’s right armpit. Your right foot steps forward between the opponent’s feet pivot counter clockwise on your left foot and continue to pull with the left hand. As the right foot lands between deep between the opponent’s feet the toes of both feet should be pointing straight in the direction of the throw. Pinch the opponent’s right arm at his arm pit between your right forearm and bicep. Rotate the palm of the right hand toward your head (this creates a tighter clamp on the opponent’s arm).   9.)  Step back with your left foot next to the opponent’s left foot (as you step back with the left foot between your opponent’s feet they should start to raise up off the mat).

10.) Straighten your legs quickly and pop your hips upward into the opponent.  11.) Continue to pull and twist your torso to the left, taking your right elbow toward your left knee and drive the opponent to the ground.   

Immediately after the throw you can follow up with ground and pound see steps 13,14 and 15 in previous article.       

DYNAMIC KAJUKENBO BY BARRON SHEPHERD COMING IN 2024

  

 

COMING FEB/MARCH 2024

 FOREWORD

 TRAVELLING THE PATH

 Colonel G.H. Bristol USMC (retired) Creator and  Developer of the MCMAP , the U.S. Marine Corps Martial Art Program.

 Martial artist travel along a path. Some find the beginning of that path in a dojo and remain for a lifetime. Others have a shorter experience and move on to other endeavors. Some remain with one discipline for their entire length of the path. Others travel multiple paths and experiment with that of weapons, grappling, striking, and other aspects of the combative spectrum.

But a few exponents choose a different walk. They absorb multiple aspects of well-established disciplines and patiently – yet relentlessly – fuse them into their own unique personal fighting philosophy. Barron Shepherd is one of those martial artists. A lifetime journey of dedicated training, learning, absorbing, fusing, and teaching – and training again.

A man of considerable physical capability and capacity, a keen eye for technique, and a humble yet disciplined pursuit, he has walked a long winding road in JUDO and KAJUKENBO – first as a student and now as a teacher and advocate for both. Those who know him agree that he seeks to find the best within the training continuum and then pass it along to others for their benefit.

Talking with him regarding his latest book "Dynamic Kajukenbo", he is – as always – passionate, well-informed, and trains himself and others in what has become a lifetime of learning and DOING. As you read and see the in-depth technical and explosive application of a martial discipline that is at its core a FIGHTING art, you will better know the author.

I know him, so I will give you a thought as you begin to read. The author is a man who can execute – at a high and lethal level – every technique and application he describes. He is a lifelong learner and exponent. But more importantly, he is a man who – to those he knows and trains – would answer the call to those oppressed of the beginner who desires to learn. That combination is at the heart of a fighting man with a pure love of what he does.

Get to know Barron Shepherd in this book. I believe that you will find it informative, motivating, and strikes at the heart of what martial arts is all about. - SEMPER FIDELIS! GH Bristol

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The original concept of Kajukenbo was to build a fighting system that worked in the street. Kajukenbo was NOT the peaceful way, nor was it the way of de-escalation.  Kajukenbo’s mindset was and is one of approaching or attacking violence with greater overwhelming violence. Hit first, hit fast, hit hard and finish the guy! Kajukenbo was never about avoidance. Engagement and destruction were the strategy and tactics of Kajukenbo.

1.) Both you and the attacker are in a right foot forward fighting stance. Your knees bent and your rear foot is slightly raised off the ground.  2.) The attacker shuffles forward and executes a lead round house punch. Pivot on the right foot counter clockwise toward nine o’clock and strike the attacker’s right arm with the boney area of both of your forearms.  3.) From the point of contact, bend the knees and drop into right hammer fist and left forearm strike knocking the attacker’s arm downward. 

4.) Immediately turn clockwise toward twelve o’clock and execute a right hammer fist to the attacker’s jaw or neck. Your left hand chambers at your right shoulder  5.) Pivot on the rear foot clockwise toward ten o’clock and deliver a straight left punch to the attacker’s jaw. You right hand chambers at the right side of the head.   6.) Pivot counter clockwise toward nine o’clock and strike the left side of the attacker’s jaw with an left outward hand sword turning his head to this right. 

7.) Dropping the hips, deliver a right hammer fist to the left side of the attacker’s jaw. The right left hand rechambers at your right shoulder.  8.) Pivot clockwise toward twelve o’clock and strike the front of the attacker’s right shoulder with a hard left open hand check and grab his shirt at the area struck.  9.) Pull with the attacker toward you as you shift your right foot back slightly and push off it to move toward eleven o’clock.

10.) When you drive of the left foot step your right foot to eleven o’clock and to the outside of the attacker’s right foot  11.) Pulling with your left hand bring your right knee forward and up in between your left leg and the outside of your opponent’s right leg. Swing your right leg downward and back without letting your right foot touch the ground. The back of your calf should make contact with the back of your opponent’s calf. Continue your pull with your left hand bringing your left elbow to your left hip.  Continue with the sweep taking your opponent’s leg upward. Sweep his leg high. While sweeping your opponent’s leg drive his shoulder downward to the ground by continuing to pull your left elbow to your left hip.   12.)  The attacker lands on his left side and is turned away from you. Keeping control of his right arm, immediately place your right knee and shin against the attacker’s ribs and back. 

13.) Drop your hips pivoting counter clockwise on the ball of your right foot and deliver a right straight punch downward to the side of the attacker’s head. Your left hand chambers at your right shoulder.  14.) Twisting your hips back clockwise immediately follow up with a open hand check or a left outward edge of hand strike to the attackers jaw or side of head.  As your left hand checks or strikes your right hand chambers.  15.) Pivot again counter clockwise on the ball of your right foot and drop your hips downward as you deliver a straight punch to the attackers jaw, rechambering your left hand at your right shoulder.

Shoulder Throw vs Rear Hand Straight Punch

“THE STOP” can be found in the US Army combatives Field Manuals 21-150 from 1954 through to 1971. It can also be found in earlier works such as Willaim Jacomb’s 1918 book on Practical self defense where it is referred to as “THE STOP”. It is also used in the 1905 book, The Complete Kano Jiujitsu/Judo. Simple, gross motor driven direct and effective, it takes our natural survival instincts into consideration and allows those survival instincts to work as a foundation for a very rapidly delivered technique. Turning this instinctive reaction into a hit, thrown much like a straight punch in boxing as opposed to a push, you can stop the rotation of the attacker’s torso at his shoulder. This tactic is incorporated into my boxing skills and combinations. It can be utilized as a preemptive strike or when the attack is recognized early or late.

Preemptively, “THE STOP” is used just before the adversary is within striking distance and when your intention is to take him to the ground. When delivered it stops the forward motion of the attacker and brings his arms up toward the front(1st picture below).

When it is used to intercept a punch early, striking the pocket of the shoulder stops the rotation of the adversary’s torso at his shoulder (2nd picture above). “THE STOP” is also effective when you pick up on the attacker throwing a punch late. For example, if the attacker throws a right haymaker, step off line of the punch and at an angle to your right and deliver the strike with your left hand to the attacker’s right shoulder (3rd picture above). This tactic basically short-circuits the power of your attacker’s punch at the root of its motion.

“THE STOP” is not a push, it is a strike, delivered much like a straight punch in boxing either with the lead hand like a jab or the rear hand. Targets the area where the shoulder meets the chest and immediately follow up by grabbing the adversary’s shirt at the area struck. Once the adversary has been rocked backwards, immediately follow – up with a pull bringing up off his heels  and toward you for more strikes or a throw or take down.

Shoulder Throw vs Rear Hand Punch

1.) From a ready position, you see the aggressor start to throw a rear hand punch. Push off the left foot and step forward with your right foot at a slight angle along the right side of the triangle slipping to the inside of the punch. Simultaneously strike the aggressor’s shoulder right above the armpit jamming his attempted punch. Immediately grip his shirt at the area struck.

2.) Pull the aggressor toward you with the left hand rocking him forward up off his heels. At the same time that you start your pull with the left hand, your left foot moves up toward the top of the triangle.

3.) Then Immediately step your right foot to his right foot. The toes of your right foot should be almost touching the inside of his right foot, next to his big toe. Your right arm moves under the aggressor’s right armpit.

4.) Pivot counter clockwise on the ball of your right foot and continue to pull with the left hand. Your left foot steps back all the way through the triangle between the opponent’s feet. The toes of both feet should be pointing in the direction of the apex of the triangle. Pinch the opponent’s right arm at his arm pit between your right forearm and bicep. Rotate the palm of the right hand toward your head (this creates a tighter clamp on the opponent’s arm).

5.) Pull downward with your right hand as you straighten your legs quickly by driving upward off your heels, popping your hips upward into the opponent.

6.) To finish the throw, continue to pull and twist your torso by turning your right elbow toward your left knee and drive the opponent to the ground.

COMBAT JUDO: OSOTO GARI

Being able to utilize judo and its principles in a street encounter requires more attention to the technical aspects of throwing an aggressor not wearing a judo gi (uniform). I have in the past two years written three books addressing this very thing, two of which got great reviews and have sold out. My third book (pictured left) "Combat Judo" will be published 2024. 

Personally as a long time Judoka, I look at what I do with the sole perspective of; If this is the system I am fighting with, how am I going to do that and be effective in a realistic context? In my first book, REAL COMBAT JUDO, I worked off a very specific tactic called “THE STOP”. This tactic can be found in the US Army combatives Field Manuals 21-150 from 1954 through to 1971. It can also be found in earlier works such as Willaim Jacomb’s 1918 book on Practical self defense where it is referred to as “THE STOP”. It is also used in the 1905 book, The Complete Kano Jiujitsu/Judo.  The stop is a simple, gross motor driven direct and effective movement, it takes our natural survival instincts into consideration and allows those survival instincts to work as a foundation for a very rapidly delivered technique.

 “The Stop” capitalizes on the natural human reaction to extend your arms when someone attacks you by pushing him away.  Turning this instinctive reaction into a hit, thrown much like a straight punch in boxing as opposed to a push, you can stop the rotation of the attacker’s torso at his shoulder. “THE STOP” can be utilized as a preemptive strike or when the attack is recognized early or late. “THE STOP” can be used preemptively, just before the adversary is within striking distance and when your intention is to take him to the ground. When delivered it stops the forward motion of the attacker and brings his arms up toward the front (1st picture below).

The Stop can also be used to intercept a punch early, striking the pocket of the shoulder stops the rotation of the adversary’s torso at his shoulder (2nd picture above). It is also effective when you pick up on the attacker throwing a punch late. For example, if the attacker throws a right punch, step off line of the punch and at an angle to your right and deliver the strike with your left hand to the attacker’s right shoulder (3rd picture above). This tactic basically short-circuits the power of your attacker’s punch at the root of its motion. 

The Combat Judo one - two 

You can use "the stop" in combination with another strike to keep the opponent's balance and posture disrupted. Think of a boxer throwing a one - two combination.  

1.) Executed similar to a one - two combination in boxing, from a fighting stance or non violent posture, push off the rear foot and step forward with your left foot shuffling forward and strike the opponent at the pocket of the shoulder with a lead straight open hand strike (picture the movement of a boxer throwing a jab as he shuffles forward). The impact should rock the opponent back on his heels. The left hand immediately grabs the opponent's shirt at the area struck.  2.) Pull the opponent into you bringing him forward off his heels as you push of the rear foot again stepping toward 11 o'clock with your left foot shuffling forward.  As you pull the opponent into you deliver a hack with the outer boney area of your right forearm to the left side of the opponent's neck (picture this movement as that of a boxer throwing a rear hand straight punch). 

1.) From your fighting position your attacker attempts a right punch. Push off the left foot and step forward with your right foot off line and strike him hard in the pocket of his shoulder. The strike should stop his rotation and knock him back on his heels.  2.) Grab his shirt at the area struck and pull him into you as you push off your right foot and step with your left foot toward 11 o'clock. Simultaneously strike him with the blade of your right forearm in the throat or the side of the neck.  3.) Draw the right arm back and execute a horizontal elbow strike (when doubling up the hack with the horizontal elbow think of rechambering the hack more the like the action a pump shot gun. Rechamber then execute the elbow).  4.) Swing your right leg up between your opponent's right leg and your left leg. Sweep his right leg up  high with your right leg to finish the cross hock takedown/osoto gari/major outside reap. 

See related articles:

http://combatjudo.net/combat-judo-blog/boxing-the-sweet-science-unleashed/ http://combatjudo.net/combat-judo-blog/the-judo-arsenal-osoto-gari-for-practical-self-defense/

ONE HANDED JUDO: Gripping and Grip Fighting

 

Ippon Seoi Nage off Arm pit grip only.

       

There probably was not a greater judoka than the man who literally introduced to the world a one handed style of Judo, the legendary Toshiko Koga. Koga is regarded as having the greatest Ippon Seoi Nage ever.  He is the sole reason I fell in love with not only his one handed style but many variations of Seoi Nage. 

The one-handed style of judo is very effective and allows for great adaptability and the ability to execute like Ippon Seoi Nage from multiple angles and directions. Being able to throw with either foot forward and to the right and left side leaves your opponent questioning from which direction your will attack.

 Ippon Seoi Nage - Koga variation

In this style you get a grip with one hand while your free hand fights off the opponent’s attempts to get their grip. Most judoka look to get their grips with two hands this makes the seemingly minimal contact of just getting a grip with only one hand extremely dangerous. Why?  Often the opponent doesn’t even feel threatened. The opponent is more inclined to be focused on fighting off the other hand to keep his opponent from getting his second grip. The one-handed grip allows numerous possibilities for sudden attacks. This method also frustrates your opponent and generally, they will open themselves up for you to attack.

Get the first grip

A judo throw requires the establishment of a strong grip. An offensive gripping strategy can help keep the opponent or adversary on their heels both literally and figuratively. Not having a solid plan for your grips can leave you vulnerable and at the mercy of your opponent.

Arm pit grip (waki)

Outside of Japan the arm pit grip is a pretty rare gripping method. Some of the great Japanese judo players have used this grip successfully in their offensive arsenal. Gripping the folds of the cloth at the area of arm pit is extremely versatile. It provides incredible defense and distance control.

1.) Insert your fingers in the fold of the gi just above the opponent’s arm pit with your left hand. 2.) Grip the gi with primarily the bottom three fingers of your left hand and turn the hand over clockwise palm down. 3.) For gripping over top, it is same as steps 1 and step

The arm pit grip is very useful in blocking an opponent’s attacks, restricting his movements and keeping him at a safe distance. It is extremely effective in a right vs right situation or an opposite stance, right vs. left situation (Kenka Yotsu). It helps control his arm making it harder for him to put his hand down to block a throw, it also keeps him from reaching over the top of your shoulder. In the one-handed judo style you have the added benefit of the opponent not feeling threatened by only a single grip. Unlike a pull on the sleeve or the lapel pulling at the armpit is a much shorter pull.

Posture and punching in your grip

1.) Stand with the right foot forward. The knees should be bent and center of gravity low. Feet are shoulder width apart. Twist your upper body clockwise bringing your left hand and shoulder to the front closer to your opponent. You left hand is your attacking hand and should be positioned closer to your opponent. The right hand acts as the defensive hand. 2.) Much like delivering a cross in boxing, punch in with your left hand and grip your opponent’s gi right above the armpit. Your right hand is up and defending any attempts by the opponent to get his grip.

Fighting with your grip

When you have gotten your grip keep your wrist, elbow and shoulder loose and constantly hunt for the opportunity to throw your opponent. A common error after you have punched in your grip is to constantly hold the opponent away with a stiff nonmoving arm.

Get in the habit of fanning your elbow up and down. Keeping the left arm loose will enable you to block your opponent’s grip attempts, as well as push, pull to position him and keep him off balance and even counter his attacks. Neither your gripping hand nor the arm should be stationary. Keeping the arm active pushing, pulling and fanning it up and down also makes it more difficult for your opponent to grip and control your arm.

Blocking opponent’s hand before he gets a grip

This blocking method is similar to throwing a cork screw punch in boxing. As I rotate my gripping hand clockwise turning my thumb downward, I push the knuckles of my hand into my opponent.

1.) You have established an armpit grip with the left hand. 2.) As your opponent reaches over the top with his right hand, turn your left hand over clockwise turning your thumb to the floor and roll your elbow upward to block his hand before he is able to get his grip. 3.) As an option knock his hand away by striking his forearm with the heel of your right hand.

Blocking the opponent’s over the top grip attempt

1.) From a fighting posture, 2.) punch in your grip. 3.) The opponent immediately tries to reach over the top of your arm to grip your lapel. 4.) Drop your center of gravity and roll your elbow upward to block his arm before he gets his grip on the lapel. 

Blocking opponent’s grip attempt under arm

1.) From your fighting stance, 2.) punch in your grip. 3.) The opponent immediately tries to reach under your arm to grip your lapel. 4.) Drop your center of gravity by bending your knees. Simultaneously, twist your torso to the right and roll your elbow downward to block before he gets his grip.

 Breaking your opponent’s lapel grip

When breaking grips you have to be careful not to put yourself in a bad or compromising position to get thrown. In this scenario you have secured your grip first and the opponent manages to reach over the top of the left arm and grip the lapel with his right hand. Punch the left arm straight out and at the same time knock his grip loose with your right hand.

1.) You have gotten the first grip at the armpit grip with your left hand. 2.) The opponent reaches over the top of your left arm with his right hand and grips your lapel. Immediately straighten your left arm. 3.) Simultaneously break his grip by hitting his forearm with the heel of your right hand.

Keep in mind that breaking grips and even off balancing your opponent work hand in hand with the movement of your feet. The arms, hands the legs and feet are used in conjunction to move your opponent around off balance break his grip and set him up for your throw.

When opponent grips lapel over the arm

You can also use your opponent’s lapel grip against him using his grip on your lapel as a set up for a throw.

1.) From your fighting stance, punch in your grip first. 2.) The opponent immediately counters by reaching over your arm and gets his grip on your lapel. Push slightly against his armpit by turning your gripping hand clockwise palm down. 3.) Drop your center of gravity slightly by bending your knees. Simultaneously pull with the left hand. This will bring his head forward and off-balance him. 4.) Immediately pull upward and back bringing your elbow high during the pull. Simultaneously, step in with your right foot to get into position to enter for your throw.

 When opponent grips lapel under the arm

1.) From your fighting stance, punch in your grip. 2.) The opponent immediately counters by reaching under your arm and gets his grip on your lapel. 3.) Drop your center of gravity by bending your knees. Simultaneously twist your torso to the right and roll your elbow downward pressing downward on the top of the opponent’s forearm with your forearm. This will bring his head forward and off-balance him. 4.) Immediately pull upward and back bringing your elbow high during the pull. Simultaneously, step in with your right foot to get into position to enter for your throw.

When opponent grips right sleeve

1.) Punch your grip in. 2.) The opponent gets a grip with his left hand on your right sleeve. 3.)  Make a fist with your right and and bring it to your chest and roll the right elbow over the top of the opponent’s left arm. Simultaneously take a half step toward your opponent’s right foot with your right foot. 4.) Bring your elbow downward to the inside of his left arm. Simultaneously step again with your right foot to the opponent’s right foot.

Keep the gripping hand and arm active. The most effective movements are performed in an explosive manner. The simultaneous and explosive movement of the different parts of the body in a coordinated way allows for greater speed and force.

Ippon Seoi Nage from Armpit Grip (Back Step Entry)

1.) White stands in a right foot forward position. His right foot is at the bottom corner of the triangle and his left foot is back deep behind the other corner of  the triangle. Blue is in a right foot forward position. 2.) Blue punches in his grip with the left hand gripping at the area of the opponent’s armpit. 3.) The opponent attempts to reach over the top of your left arm with his right hand to get a grip on your lapel. 

4.) Blues rolls his elbow upward and blocks white's lapel grip attempt. As Blue blocks with the elbow he bend the knees to drop his hips lower (this creates a space for you to move into to execute a throw). 5.)  Blue pulls white toward his front with the left hand keeping the elbow high as his right foot steps slightly down the side of the triangle toward White's right foot. 6.) Blue's left foot steps behind his right foot through the triangle to the baseline of the triangle (back step). As Blue back steps his knees are bent. Blues belt line should be lower than white's belt line.

4.) Blue brings his right hand up under the opponent’s right armpit as his right foot steps back all the way through the triangle between the opponent’s feet. The toes of both Blue's feet should be pointing in the direction of the apex of the triangle.  Blue pinches the opponent’s right arm at his arm pit between his right forearm and bicep.  Blue rotate the palm of his right hand toward his head (this creates a tighter clamp on the opponent’s arm).  5.)  Blues legs straighten quickly and he pops his hips upward into the opponent. 6.) Blue continues to pull and twists his torso to the left, taking his right elbow toward his left knee to finish the throw.

Fighting Judo: Ippon Seoi Nage (Arm Pit Grip Variation)

Gripping, fighting and getting your grip is a means to an end...the end being executing a successful throw. The first point of contact for a judoka is getting their grip or grips on the opponent. It is of the utmost importance to get a dominant grip. Your grip should control the opponent. Both judoka fight for the dominant grip so It's also just as important to know how to neutralize your opponent’s grips and counter them.

It will be difficult to cover every gripping situation and many different ways to grip in a single article. I will just start with one and cover others in later articles. I liken a judoka getting their grips in a manner much like that of a boxer throwing a 1-2 combination. One hand punches in and is immediately followed by the other.

One handed judo style

The one-handed style of judo is very effective and allows for great adaptability and the ability to execute throws like Ippon Seoi Nage from multiple angles and directions. With this grip one is able to throw with either foot forward and to the right and left side. It leaves your opponent questioning from which direction you will attack.

In this style you get a grip with one hand while your free hand fights off the opponent’s attempts to get their grip. Most judoka look to get their grips with two hands this makes the seemingly minimal contact of just getting a grip with only one hand extremely dangerous, often the opponent doesn’t even feel threatened. The one-handed grip allows numerous possibilities for sudden attacks. This method also frustrates your opponent and generally, they will open themselves up for you to attack.

Get the first grip

A judo throw requires the establishment of a strong grip. An offensive gripping strategy can help keep the opponent or adversary on their heels both literally and figuratively. Not having a solid plan for your grips can leave you vulnerable and at the mercy of your opponent.

Arm pit grip (waki)

Outside of Japan the arm pit grip is a pretty rare gripping method. Some of the great Japanese judo players have used this grip successfully in their offensive arsenal. Gripping the folds of the cloth at the area of arm pit is extremely versatile. It provides incredible defense and distance control.

The arm pit grip is very useful in blocking an opponent’s attacks, restricting his movements and keeping him at a safe distance. It is extremely effective in a right vs right situation or an opposite stance, right vs. left situation (Kenka Yotsu). It helps control his arm making it harder for him to put his hand down to block a throw, it also keeps him from reaching over the top of your shoulder. In the one-handed judo style you have the added benefit of the opponent not feeling threatened by only a single grip. Unlike a pull on the sleeve or the lapel pulling at the armpit is a much shorter pull.

Right vs Right – Punching in your grip

A right vs right situation refers to both players being right-handed meaning the majority of their throws will be to the right side. In a right vs. right situation (pictured) your right shoulder should be more toward your rear. The right hand is held further back and away from your opponent and not out front and easily accessible for your opponent to grip and attack.  Your left hand or the gripping hand is active and offensive. Your right hand or rear hand is ready and active as well to defend against your opponent’s gripping attacks and can be used for feints to set up your throw.

1.) Stand with the right foot forward. The knees should be bent and center of gravity low. Feet are shoulder width apart. Twist your upper body clockwise bringing your left hand and shoulder to the front closer to your opponent. You left hand is your attacking hand and should be positioned closer to your opponent. The right hand acts as the defensive hand.

2.) Much like delivering a cross in boxing, punch in with your left hand and grip your opponent’s gi right above the armpit. Your right hand is up and defending any attempts by the opponent to get his grip.

Fighting with your grip

When you have gotten your grip keep your wrist, elbow and shoulder loose and constantly hunt for the opportunity to throw your opponent. A common error after you have punched in your grip is to constantly hold the opponent away with a stiff nonmoving arm.

Blue punches in his grip, white immediately tries to grip over the top of blues arm. Blue rolls his elbow up to block white's grip attack and simultaneously drops his lower by bending his knees. 

Get in the habit of fanning your elbow up and down. Keeping the left arm loose will enable you to block your opponent’s grip attempts, as well as push, pull to position him and keep him off balance and even counter his attacks. Neither your gripping hand nor the arm should be stationary. Keeping the arm active pushing, pulling and fanning it up and down also makes it more difficult for your opponent to grip and control your arm.

 Ippon Seoi Nage from Armpit Grip (Back Step Entry)

A triangle and a straight line have been taped on the mat to give a clearer reference of foot placement for executing the throw. 

1.) White stands in a right foot forward position. His right foot is at the bottom corner of the triangle and his left foot is back deep behind the other corner of  the triangle. Blue is in a right foot forward position. 2.) Blue punches in his grip with the left hand gripping at the area of the opponent’s armpit. 3.) The opponent attempts to reach over the top of your left arm with his right hand to get a grip on your lapel. 

4.) Blues rolls his elbow upward and blocks white's lapel grip attempt. As Blue blocks with the elbow he bend the knees to drop his hips lower (this creates a space for you to move into to execute a throw). 5.)  Blue pulls white toward his front with the left hand keeping the elbow high as his right foot steps slightly down the side of the triangle toward White's right foot. 6.) Blue's left foot steps behind his right foot through the triangle to the baseline of the triangle (back step). As Blue back steps his knees are bent. Blues belt line should be lower than white's belt line.

4.) Blue brings his right hand up under the opponent’s right armpit as his right foot steps back all the way through the triangle between the opponent’s feet. The toes of both Blue's feet should be pointing in the direction of the apex of the triangle.  Blue pinches the opponent’s right arm at his arm pit between his right forearm and bicep.  Blue rotate the palm of his right hand toward his head (this creates a tighter clamp on the opponent’s arm).  5.)  Blues legs straighten quickly and he pops his hips upward into the opponent. 6.) Blue continues to pull and twists his torso to the left, taking his right elbow toward his left knee to finish the throw.

A COMBAT JUDO TESTIMONIAL

Being able to utilize judo and its principles in a street encounter requires more attention to the technical aspects of throwing an aggressor not wearing a judo gi (uniform). I have in the past two years written three books addressing this very thing, two of which got great reviews and have sold out. My third book (pictured left) "Combat Judo" will be published 2024. 

With that being said, it is not often I get stories from people who had to defend themselves from some overly aggressive individual hell bent on doing someone bodily harm using my particular method of judo. However, I recently received the following from one of the guys, Marty, who purchased both of my books on Combat Judo and practices my Combat Judo methods and system. He wanted to share this particular incident and I thought I would share his story/testimonial:

"Well, some shit hit the fan last night. Apparently, my wife’s ex-boyfriend got a little aggressive with her last night when he was dropping off my stepdaughter. My truck was parked around back because I doing an oil change on it. He thought I was gone. I walked up on them asking this guy, whose name is Jim, “why don’t you push me around?” Jim stands 6’1” about 300 pounds, big guy. Now mind you Jim is supposed to be this serious boxer and he told my wife that if I ever got lippy with him he’d have to show me. He starts to come towards me. Well the first thing I did was jab, pushed him back, grabbed him and did the Cross hock takedown. Needless to say his he bounced off the ground and he’s just lying there. I thought I killed him. Turns out the impact from the throw knocked him out. The police were called. The officer asked what happened. I gave him all the details about Jim attacking my wife and I. The officer said I guess he got a free lesson in judo. I just wanted to let you know that I love your stuff, its great stuff AND IT WORKS!!!!" - MM 

Personally as a long time Judoka, I look at what I do with the sole perspective of; If this is the system I am fighting with, how am I going to do that and be effective in a realistic context? In my first book, REAL COMBAT JUDO, I worked off a very specific tactic called “THE STOP”. This tactic can be found in the US Army combatives Field Manuals 21-150 from 1954 through to 1971. It can also be found in earlier works such as Willaim Jacomb’s 1918 book on Practical self defense where it is referred to as “THE STOP”. It is also used in the 1905 book, The Complete Kano Jiujitsu/Judo.  Simple, gross motor driven direct and effective, it takes our natural survival instincts into consideration and allows those survival instincts to work as a foundation for a very rapidly delivered technique.

 “The Stop” capitalizes on the natural human reaction to extend your arms when someone attacks you by pushing him away.  Turning this instinctive reaction into a hit, thrown much like a straight punch in boxing as opposed to a push, you can stop the rotation of the attacker’s torso at his shoulder. “THE STOP” can be utilized as a preemptive strike or when the attack is recognized early or late. Preemptively, “THE STOP” is used just before the adversary is within striking distance and when your intention is to take him to the ground. When delivered it stops the forward motion of the attacker and brings his arms up toward the front (1st picture below).

When it is used to intercept a punch early, striking the pocket of the shoulder stops the rotation of the adversary’s torso at his shoulder (2nd picture above). “THE STOP” is also effective when you pick up on the attacker throwing a punch late. For example, if the attacker throws a right haymaker, step off line of the punch and at an angle to your right and deliver the strike with your left hand to the attacker’s right shoulder (3rd picture above). This tactic basically short-circuits the power of your attacker’s punch at the root of its motion.

Cross hock takedown (Osoto Gari) vs Punch 

1.) The attacker throws a right haymaker, push off your left foot and step off line of the punch toward 1 or 2 o'clock with your right foot. Deliver "the stop" with your left hand, as if throwing a rear hand straight punch in boxing, to the attacker’s right shoulder area just above the arm pit (1st picture above). Immediately grab the attackers shirt at the area struck. 

2.) The defender pulls the attacker into him with his left hand by the shirt as he pushes off the right foot and steps toward 1130 with the left foot. The defender drives his right shoulder into the attacker. He then strikes with a right elbow hook raking hard across the attacker’s ribs. 

3.) He swings his right leg up between the attacker's right leg and his own left leg. He then reaps the attackers right leg up high to execute the takedown.

Important Note: “THE STOP” is your initial entry into a throw, it is not a push!!! It is meant to disrupt an opponent's balance and posture. It is a hard strike, delivered much like a straight punch in boxing while driving forward off the rear leg. It targets the shoulder and is immediately followed by grabbing the adversary’s shirt at the area struck. The stop can be used to set up any throw in the Combat Judo arsenal.

KAJUKENBO: The First of it's Kind

“Kajukenbo is the first of its kind of all origins in mixed martial arts.  Prior to its known existence in 1947, the history of Kajukenbo began when the USA was in war with Japan.  Before it became worldly known as Kajukenbo in the 1960’s, we called it Kenpo Karate.”  – MSgt. Tony Lasit, U.S. Air Force, Ret., Veteran of WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Founder of the U.S. Kajukenbo Association.

Much like the U.S. Armed Forces military servicemen that trained in Combat Judo during WWI and WWII, Kajukenbo was designed to disarm, disable and destroy an opponent with fierce proficiency. From its beginnings, Kajukenbo was an eclectic and adaptive self-defense oriented fighting method. Its sole purpose…..SELF DEFENSE. 

                          CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE @COMBATJUDO.NET

WW2 RESTRICTED JUDO: The US Army’s Amphibious Training Center’s Judo Fighting method

 

This article is about honoring a hero…..a fallen hero…..a ‘Commando’ instructor at the Amphibious Training Center (ATC) who created the 4th Division Ranger program and the online pdf file commonly refered to as the WW2 Restricted Judo syllabus. Having been retyped on a computer the “WW2 Restricted judo” syllabus pdf has been available on the internet for years, found in websites like scribd.com and in the files sections various WWII era combatives related Facebook groups.

 

When it comes to the subject of Combat judo, one of the most interesting documents that is out there and readily available in pdf form on the old inter-web is the “WW2 Restricted Judo syllabus”. Not much is mentioned within the online pdf document itself about where it actually came from or who put it together or what units used it. You honestly couldn’t escape the title “RESTRICTED JUDO” and the motto “Kill or be Killed” CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

NEW BOOK: REAL COMBAT JUDO by Barron Shepherd

Combat Judo was originally developed to address the needs of military personnel facing new hand-to-hand combat challenges as a way to ensure a streamlined, tested, and effective method of fighting. This approach combined the most suitable high-yield, low-risk judo techniques, ensuring the best physical training for working functional techniques against violent encounters. Combat Judo’s curriculum was designed to enable one to learn much faster and build muscle memory much quicker than the kind of learning in a standard classroom setting. Students learn the ability to react with the economy of energy and motion.

REAL COMBAT JUDO is a training manual that is structured in a very progressive manner enabling one to progress from beginner level throws and takedowns to more advanced applications making the techniques more effective. The lessons are meant to be followed in the order in which they are written. The principles of the mechanics of the throws are repeated heavily to aide in instilling them in the mind of the reader for quicker development of technique. The drills and training are designed so that what the students do in practice is how they can quickly respond and do in combat. For the experienced Judoka, Combat judo is designed to help bridge the gap between sport judo and combat based judo to ensure that it can be utilized effectively for today’s violent encounters.

Combat Judo’s streamlined method of combat also incorporates techniques with the knife and the tactical baton. The Knife and Baton techniques are laced with the Combat Judo’s empty hand techniques which allows for a quick and effective method of use of both knife and Tactical Baton.

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THE CROSS HOCK TAKEDOWN: OSOTO GARI VS THE BLADE

There probably isn’t a scarier scenario than being unarmed and facing someone with a knife. Whether civilian or law enforcement or military, I think it is safe to say that if you find yourself in this situation something… CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING