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

THE REVERSE HIP THROW: Neck and arm variation

REVERSE HIP THROW (Neck and arm variation) Straight forward and aggressive this variation of the reverse hip throw is very ballistic and powerful in application. It combines forward movement with the impact from striking the opponent’s throat with…

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COMBAT JUDO: THE HIP THROW

The Hip Throw is not only a basic technique, it is one of the four major combat throws still seen in military combative manuals to this day. There can be frequent opportunities to execute this throw in an actual fight. One can easily transition into a hip throw from various striking and grappling situations, when done correctly, it can throw an adversary into the floor with enough force that there is a good chance your opponent will be injured.  The throw has the capability to be strong enough to actually end the fight.....CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

DERMOT PAT O’NEILL’S WWII EXTREME CLOSE QUARTER FIGHTING METHOD

DERMOT PAT O'NEILL TRAINING THE FSSF FIGHTING FROM THE CROSS ARM GUARD

The cross-arm guard, referred to in combatives circles as he O’Neill Cover is often credited to Pat O’Neill. Dermot Pat O’Neill was the legendary hand to hand combat instructor for the FSSF First Special Service Force the precursor special forces group to the Green berets and army special forces. O’Neill’s methods differed from his mentor Fairbairn as in that O’Neill was tasked to train commandoes to fight in close quarter combat behind enemy lines. On this type of mission taking on multiple combatants from all angles and directions was a distinct possibility. What O’Neill came up with turned out to be an extremely effective fighting method for extreme close quarter fighting......CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

DERMOT PAT O'NEILL'S KNIFE METHOD

The purpose of the study of O’Neill’s only knife technique is to provide a specific knowledge regarding the use of the knife in Hand-To-Hand combat; to describe positions and movements used in attack and defense/counter offense, and to set forth a program for instruction in the O’Neill system of Hand to Hand combat...…..CLICK TO CONTINUE READING

IN MEMORY OF SAMUEL JOSEPH LONEWOLF 11/28/1948 - 1/10/2013

It has been almost 8 years since Sensei Sam Lonewolf passed away on January 10th 2013. Sadly it appears that some online "unofficial biographies" have cropped up from people who took advantage of Lonewolf's passing and falsely claimed to have trained and received rank from him. Some claimed to be partnered or affiliated with Lonewolf and promoted themselves to higher rank abusing Lonewolf's name and actual martial arts rank. 

I feel the need to somewhat try and clear some things up. 

Lonewolf was an 8th Dan black belt in Kajukenbo Kenpo karate, he also held 6th (1990) and 7th degree black belts (1997) in Tracy Kenpo. His name is found on both Kajukenbo and  Tracey kenpo family trees. Lonewolf did have some honorary ranks awarded him but he didn't consider himself as tenth degree or master, even in his own system he only claimed a 8th degree Black Belt. 

https://web.archive.org/web/20030826061145/http://www.tracyskarate.com/Tracytree/Shichidan.htm

7th Black 1997

6th Black 1990

Over the years he had operated schools in Florida then later Texas. His approach to Kajukenbo and kenpo was unique not just for its technical aspects but also for its deliberate inclusion of Native American traditions, culture, faith, and values in his teaching and personal philosophy.  

Lonewolf identified with Native American culture and he explicitly merged his Kajukenbo Kenpo Karate  with Native American philosophy and traditions. Lonewolf openly credited the strength and resilience he drew from Native American spirituality as crucial not just in martial arts, but also in overcoming personal adversities such as illness and family hardship. 

Lonewolf’s Native American beliefs shaped his martial arts by instilling values of spiritual balance, respect, service, and adaptability, blending combat techniques with indigenous wisdom and social responsibility. This synthesis set his philosophy apart from more traditional Asian martial arts approaches. He emphasized the importance of spirituality and respect for nature, drawing from Lakota and Apache traditions. This was reflected in his connection to animals (such as running a wolf sanctuary) and using martial arts not just for fighting but for healing, empowerment, and community service.

His blend of Native American philosophy with his Kajukenbo kenpo practice formed the foundation of his teachings, school ethos, and approach to life. Lonewolf’s training involved both the physical techniques of Native American weapon use (tomahawk) and survival skills and Kajukenbo. This resulted in a unique, practical self-defense system. His system emphasized survival and practical self-defense, paralleling warrior traditions from Native cultures that focused on real-world threats and adaptability. Traditional Native fighting methods include the use of weapons such as knife and tomahawk. Lonewolf’s curriculum adapted these tools into both historical study and modern application. 

Traditional weapons like the tomahawk were taught with emphasis on flow and adaptability in combat reflective of Native American fighting techniques. Lonewolf adapted Native American weapons techniques alongside Kenpo/Kajukenbo weapons work to create realistic, versatile weapons and modern applications. 

He integrated Native American fighting skills with Kajukenbo/Kenpo striking and joint work for a comprehensive stand-up and close quarter system. (Some tribes, such as the Apache, practiced grappling, wrestling, and striking as both training and real combat skills). Lonewolf’s teachings stressed quick adaptability, using environment and situation awareness alongside mixed martial techniques.

Lonewolf was known for his no-nonsense and direct approach to his martial arts system which was dear to him. Because he held it so close he only promoted a couple of people to the level of black belt within it.  I was one of the two and I along with his daughter were solely left in charge of his system. This was verified by Lonewolf in his own words. 

COMBAT JUDO: THE STRAIGHT PUNCH

LEAD HAND STRAIGHT PUNCH 

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 self-defense. Combat judo’s roots stem from WWI. It was established as a combination of judo and boxing that was extremely effective in trench warfare during the latter half of WWI. It wasn't until WWII that it was referred to as Combat Judo this was done to distinguish it from traditional martial arts systems. 

Basic Punches for Combat Judo

In the early stages of learning techniques, all punches, straight punches, the hook, and uppercut must be practiced in standing position. Then practice the punches together with boxing steps. The training approach for punches must be in following sequence:

● Punch in standing position

● Punch with forward and backward step

● Punch with side steps.

First learn single punch with boxing stance and then with movement. Then learn the next punch with boxing stance and then with movement. After mastering at least two punches (in this case the  straight punch with lead and rear hand) with both standing and with movement, learn to use these two punches as a combination by standing, then with the movement. Example Lead hand straight punch to head followed with rear hand straight punch to stomach or solar plexus.

The following is some common mistakes to look out for:

● Punching without rotating body

● Bodyweight shifted to the wrong side

● Lifting chin upward

● Chin not protected

● Head leaned forward, backward, or sideways

● Legs in wrong position before and after punching with steps

● Fists not rotated correctly

● Retract arm low or sideways after striking a blow

● Slow retracting hand to base position

 

Straight Punches

Straight punches are very useful against an opponent standing at long distance. Long distance refers to the distance between two fighters being far enough that the one cannot deliver the punch without stepping forward.

In SSGT Robert Carlin’s book entitled "Combat Judo", he describes combat Judo to be a streamlined fighting method and Carlin shares example after example of what he classified as "streamlined". Some very often misinterpret the word "streamlined" used in the description of Carlin’s Combat Judo to mean "simple" or "easy", something that one can be proficient in with little to no training. One description of combat judo that gets bantered around the internet a lot is that “combat judo is a easily learned dirty trick fighting method".  This really couldn't be any further from the truth. 

Streamlined techniques are techniques that share the same tactics, strategy, principles and movement. The straight punch is no exception to this rule. The straight punch is an important mechanical movement that can be used to prepare for the main attack whether it be used as a strike or utilized to set up a throw. 

USING THE STRAIGHT LEAD TO SET UP HIP THROW

The utilization of the straight punch's same exact mechanics can be used to set up a throw. In relation to Combat Judo as opposed to boxing, the straight punch also be used as a heel of palm strike to one of both of the shoulders to disturb the opponent’s actions and disrupt the opponents balance before executing a throw. 

In order to effectively train the following sequence of training is recommended:

● Lead arm straight punch to the head in standing position

● Lead arm straight punch to the head with forward step

● Lead arm straight punch to the head with backward step and side steps

● Rear arm straight punch to the head in standing position

● Rear arm straight punch to the head with forward step

● Rear arm straight punch to the head with backward step and side steps

REAR HAND STRAIGHT PUNCH 

After the fighter masters the straight punches with movement, you should begin training basic defense against and counter attack setting up to execute throws. 

Barron Shepherd is a 3rd degree black belt instructor and USA JUDO certified coach, a USA BOXING certified boxing coach and certified NASM Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist.

Barron Shepherd is an instructor and member of USA JUDO, USJA (the United States Judo Association) and the USJF (the United States Judo Federation), the National Governing Bodies for Judo in the United States.