Applicability, Methodology and Implementation of Combatives Training
By CPT Luke Slatton
Utica, NY –-(Ammoland.com)- Applicability-Why do we train combatives?
Reality; in our contemporary combatives environment our ability to carry concealed is becoming more constricted on a daily basis, not only in location but in types of tools as well.
Thus your chances of being involved in a physical altercation are much greater than being involved in a gunfight.
So training in combatives becomes absolutely critical if you are truly serious about your ability to survive a life threatening encounter.
Methodology-How do we train combatives?
MDTS advocates any and all types of combatives and martial arts, and if given the chance you should train them all, but many traditional methodologies don’t necessarily fit into the context of a true combative encounter. Also, with the way many schools train, in the short term there is no real expectation that you have gained any true fighting ability. This reason is directly related to the explosion of MMA/BJJ as a fighting style.
The initial training in MMA/BJJ puts person against person on the mat and in a fighting context, even from the first session you are building innate fighting skills.
So, when selecting a combatives program critically analyze how training is conducted:
- Will I be able to walk out of the gym today better prepared for a fight than when I walked in?
- Is the training of this organization really oriented on increasing my survivability, or just perpetuating its own dogma, school of thought or financial gain?
- How much training is dedicated to combative sparring or man v. man? Is this sparring or training “pressurized” involving some contact, aggression and aliveness?
Implementation- What are the benefits of combative training?
While training combatives is not as “sexy” or “cool” as firearms training, the benefits of combatives training carryover into all other facets of personal protection. Combatives training should drastically increase your General Physical Preparedness (GPP).
Every time I spar or roll with an opponent I am immediately reminded how physically demanding a fight actually is, and this always motivates me to increase my level of physical fitness, which increases quality of life in countless other ways.
Combatives training gives me the confidence of knowing that I CAN survive an unarmed encounter, and confidence is a key ingredient in successfully negotiating a life threatening encounter. Another major benefit is that many of the basic movements, stances, and fundamentals of unarmed combatives easily correlate to fighting with a Tactical Folding Knife and many other weapon platforms.
About Modern Defensive Training Systems:
Chris Fry is the owner and director of training and curriculum development for Modern Defensive Training Systems in Utica, N.Y. where he conducts courses in reality driven practical combatives skills, extreme close quarters physical defense, tactical folding knife and edged weapon combatives and combative pistol, carbine and shotgun skills. MDTS offers a variety of courses for responsible citizens, corporations, law enforcement and the U.S. Military with a singular goal of providing up to date, realistic and practical personal protection training. Visit: www.mdtstraining.com