WHAT IS IT IN GENERAL?
Cold War Combatives is our initial program. All new members must complete the Cold War Combatives program before being able to graduate to the broader Jujutsu syllabus.
The program, like most modern combatives, has its roots in the specialised training courses developed by men like W.E. Fairbairn for the training of SOE and OSS agents & Commandos during the Second World War. These courses were originally cut-down subsets of the most contextually useful techniques and training from Jujutsu-based police systems, such as that devised by the Shanghai Municipal Police.
These Fairbairn-style systems formed the basis of much of what the world considers reality-based self-defense nowadays - the original techniques can still be found in systems such as Krav Maga and the like.
The original systems were somewhat bare-bones - as an example, Fairbairn did not include falling skills in his original military systems as he believed there wasn't sufficient time to develop the skill and believed that what time there was would be better spent in physical conditioning and aggressive combat skills.
Following the Second World War, with the onset of the Cold War, much of the world remained on a war footing but there was a lot more time for training soldiers who were no longer being readied for immediate deployment. As a result, the systems of close quarter combat were expanded to include a wider range of skills.
The Cold War Combatives course mirrors the content of these early Cold War era expanded Fairbairn systems with some technical corrections. It works with the body’s natural flinch responses to build an effective and usable set of skills in as short a time as possible, whilst beginning to lay the foundations of broader skills for those that continue.
Cold War Combatives is our initial program. All new members must complete the Cold War Combatives program before being able to graduate to the broader Jujutsu syllabus.
The program, like most modern combatives, has its roots in the specialised training courses developed by men like W.E. Fairbairn for the training of SOE and OSS agents & Commandos during the Second World War. These courses were originally cut-down subsets of the most contextually useful techniques and training from Jujutsu-based police systems, such as that devised by the Shanghai Municipal Police.
These Fairbairn-style systems formed the basis of much of what the world considers reality-based self-defense nowadays - the original techniques can still be found in systems such as Krav Maga and the like.
The original systems were somewhat bare-bones - as an example, Fairbairn did not include falling skills in his original military systems as he believed there wasn't sufficient time to develop the skill and believed that what time there was would be better spent in physical conditioning and aggressive combat skills.
Following the Second World War, with the onset of the Cold War, much of the world remained on a war footing but there was a lot more time for training soldiers who were no longer being readied for immediate deployment. As a result, the systems of close quarter combat were expanded to include a wider range of skills.
The Cold War Combatives course mirrors the content of these early Cold War era expanded Fairbairn systems with some technical corrections. It works with the body’s natural flinch responses to build an effective and usable set of skills in as short a time as possible, whilst beginning to lay the foundations of broader skills for those that continue.
How Long is the Course?
To go over the basic course content takes 8 weeks, however, to become proficient to the point of graduating from the course you will need to repeat the lessons a few times - exactly how many times depends on where you find yourself on the bell curve and how much training you put in.
To go over the basic course content takes 8 weeks, however, to become proficient to the point of graduating from the course you will need to repeat the lessons a few times - exactly how many times depends on where you find yourself on the bell curve and how much training you put in.
The course operates either on cycle or off cycle - on cycle we look at the course as a whole (when new members begin the course etc), off cycle we look at parts of the course in more detail.
What is Actually Taught in the Class?
What is Actually Taught in the Class?
- Close-quarter striking with open hands and elbows, gouging, headbutting etc.
- Close-quarter kicking & kneeing below the waist (to the groin and knees).
- Basic grappling (standing).
- Footwork and body movements.
- Rolling and falling.
- Escaping grabs and holds.
- Shoulder and elbow armlocks and restraining techniques.
- Knife attack and defence.
- Baton attack and defence.
- Improvised weapons.
- Disarming common weapons.
- Dealing with Doorways.
- General self-defence concepts.
What Equipment is Required?
The program is designed so that the student does not need to provide any equipment. No uniform is required. Inside training is done in bare feet - 'activewear' such as shorts and a t-shirt is fine. Note that the clothing will be grabbed - you should wear a cheap, plain t-shirt as it will be stretched. You are encouraged to wear a rash guard under your t-shirt.
What are the Goals of the Course?
The course has three broad goals:
· Gain a usable self-defense capability in a minimum timeframe
· Begin learning the fundamental skills of Jujutsu
· Mutual assessment of suitability & interest in further training
GAIN A USABLE SELF-DEFENSE CAPABILITY IN A MINIMUM TIMEFRAME
There are a lot of commonly held misconceptions regarding martial arts, influenced by pop culture, advertising and generally poor quality widely available ‘information’. Unfortunately, like most new things, people who are interested in starting a martial art or self-defence program for the first time need to make an assessment on what their needs are and what sort of training will meet those needs from a position of total ignorance.
Some of the misconceptions many people hold include:
· All martial arts are useful for self-defence
· Self-defence and martial arts are the same things
· The skill level between different arts and belts/grades is equivalent, properly regulated and a reliable source of information
· A black belt means you are an expert in everything martial arts related
· Training in martial arts can unlock mystical or esoteric powers
· A trained martial artist can fight off several attackers with ease
· The more complex and acrobatic a technique is, the more devastating it will be
· Many, many more…
One main reason for adults to seek out martial arts training is to fulfil their perceived need for a self-defence solution – often after something has prompted them to take action, be it a disturbing news report or something that happened to an acquaintance or even themselves. Due to this being the case even before the importance of keywords in google searches nearly all martial arts schools are forced to list self-defence as an outcome of training.
The basis of the Cold War Combatives program is to attempt to provide an immediate self-defence capability. It is an unfortunate reality that the student may face knife violence today, tomorrow, next week or next month and a large part of the course is, therefore, simple straightforward solutions that work with the body’s natural flinch response in an attempt to provide a usable solution in the short term.
The bones of the course are to be attacked at close range with a knife in a realistic manner (based on reviews of CCTV footage and crime statistics), to work with the common flinch response this will evoke and to deal with four common positions this will result in. The same positions and techniques work just as well against a blunt weapon or fists.
The student also begins practicing close range striking using bodyweight with open hands, hammer fists, elbows, knees and shins and is given the opportunity to test out what they are being taught using a range of training methods where they receive varying levels of resistance.
The course also covers training and topics surrounding self-defence, based on the pyramid of factors that contribute to outcomes in violent encounters. This sort of information may be the most important part of the course for those purely interested in self-defence, and the information is captured in a presentation 'Fundamentals of Self Defence' which is available under the resources tab.
BEGIN LEARNING THE FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS OF JUJUTSU
Learning a skill is a long process, and the course begins teaching two of the most important and useful skills in Jujutsu:
· Ukemi
· Renrakuwaza
Ukemi is the skill of rolling and falling. Preference is given to rolling over falling as it is more applicable on hard surfaces however both are needed to deal with the range of situations one may encounter. If there was one skill that I could guarantee will one day help reduce or avoid an injury in someone’s future it is the skill of falling. Being a competent faller is vital before moving on to further Jujutsu training. The initial course concentrates on one roll and one fall, being those selected as the most usable in any situation.
Renrakuwaza is the skill of changing, that is responding to resistance when it is encountered – as an example rather than struggling to apply a straight arm lock to someone who resists by bending their arm, one should respond by changing to a bent arm lock. This skill is practiced using the technique combinations taught from the four positions.
MUTUAL ASSESSMENT OF SUITABILITY & INTEREST IN FURTHER TRAINING
A natural part of the course is for the student to ‘dabble’ in the initial course to see if they have the interest in continuing on into Jujutsu proper and for the instructor to assess the suitability of the student for entering the Jujutsu school. If these things align the student is well equipped to continue training – if not they have some usable skills they will always carry with them.
FAQs
Do I get a Black Belt for Completing the Course?
No.
Can I Become an Instructor After Completing the Course?
No.
What Happens If/When I Graduate?
This program has been specifically developed as part of the broader Jujutsu system taught at Hobart Jujutsukan. It is essentially a solution for people who are unsure if they want to embark on a longer journey but would like to acquire useful basic skills - at the same time, it is an extended assessment for suitability for further training. There are several likely outcomes:
Unsafe
1 - People who are assessed as being unsafe to continue as they pose a danger to themselves, their training partners, the school in general or the community as a whole will not be able to continue once this assessment is made. In this event, the instructor will recommend a more suitable practice based on their observation of the student.
Not competent
2- People who cannot acquire a skill after a certain amount of time may very well give up. It is the people who find some things difficult but who work to overcome that tend to go on to be the most accomplished martial artists, however, people sometimes simply give up or lose interest.
Competent
3- Someone may be assessed as competent and having fulfilled their perceived need elect to take up another 'hobby' rather than continue with a more involved program. A certificate of competency will be issued.
4- Someone may be assessed as competent and want to continue the same training without going on to the more involved Jujutsu program. This can include sporadic attendance for people 'keeping their hand in'. A certificate of competency will be issued.
5- Someone may be assessed as competent and be interested in continuing with the more involved Jujutsu program. When it is clear a student is reaching the point of graduating from the initial program, they will be asked if they would like to continue. If interested they will receive further information with regard to the Jujutsu program. A certificate of competency will be issued. Should they elect to continue they will receive membership of the Ryuha and be awarded 6th Kyu, receiving a yellow belt.
No.
Can I Become an Instructor After Completing the Course?
No.
What Happens If/When I Graduate?
This program has been specifically developed as part of the broader Jujutsu system taught at Hobart Jujutsukan. It is essentially a solution for people who are unsure if they want to embark on a longer journey but would like to acquire useful basic skills - at the same time, it is an extended assessment for suitability for further training. There are several likely outcomes:
Unsafe
1 - People who are assessed as being unsafe to continue as they pose a danger to themselves, their training partners, the school in general or the community as a whole will not be able to continue once this assessment is made. In this event, the instructor will recommend a more suitable practice based on their observation of the student.
Not competent
2- People who cannot acquire a skill after a certain amount of time may very well give up. It is the people who find some things difficult but who work to overcome that tend to go on to be the most accomplished martial artists, however, people sometimes simply give up or lose interest.
Competent
3- Someone may be assessed as competent and having fulfilled their perceived need elect to take up another 'hobby' rather than continue with a more involved program. A certificate of competency will be issued.
4- Someone may be assessed as competent and want to continue the same training without going on to the more involved Jujutsu program. This can include sporadic attendance for people 'keeping their hand in'. A certificate of competency will be issued.
5- Someone may be assessed as competent and be interested in continuing with the more involved Jujutsu program. When it is clear a student is reaching the point of graduating from the initial program, they will be asked if they would like to continue. If interested they will receive further information with regard to the Jujutsu program. A certificate of competency will be issued. Should they elect to continue they will receive membership of the Ryuha and be awarded 6th Kyu, receiving a yellow belt.
