CombatSombo Techniques
A Lesson from Grandmaster Martin Clarke
It must nearly 25 years ago that I came up with name CombatSombo to differentiate my style of self defence from all the others. My experiences as a doorman had soon taught me the most effective stewards were those who could grapple, yes Boxers and Kick boxers were very efficient at a distance but if they hadn’t knocked out their opponent before they got into a grappled situation it was a different matter. Also if Boxers and Kick boxers were successful there would be bodies covered in blood every where, this may have been OK in the 60’s and 70’s but by the 90’s the Police often arrested bouncers for using excessive force and today with Doorman all having to be licensed, striking a customer is out of the question.
Most Self Defence systems whether they be a Martial Art or just a Self Defence programme, teach how to attack with a specific defence against a specific attack, i.e. Rote Learning.. This is OK but can take a very long time to learn and more importantly even longer to master. My idea is to learn grappling first either as a sport or to perfect certain throws or moves, i.e. perfect a Hip Throw and you can use this one technique as a defence against many attacks. You can see results in months not years , the only drawback is you have to have a reasonable amount of fitness and the ability to think and react quickly, I call this the discovery method.
If you already participate in Judo or Sombo/Sambo Wrestling you will find what follows relatively easy
Hip Throw
The pictures above show a basic hip throw or O Goshi if you are Judoka, so how do we use this as a Defence Technique?
You are attacked with an Oblique Blow, you block with your arm and turn into your opponent in the Hip Throw position
As he hits the ground stamp on his stomach enough to make him scream, now step over and armlock. The great thing with this is you can react in a controlled manner and evaluate the situation as you performing i.e. is the opponent so violent I need to break a rib and an arm or can I just wind him and stretch his arm till he shouts enough. Now that was not to hard and I bet you that all you Somboist and Judoka are saying I can do that easily. Well I did say that CombatSombo was a quick and effective method of self defence.
Next time we will show how to defend against a kick with Inner Hook throw (O Uchi Gake) finishing with a leg lock
CombatSombo Exponents Greg Garside 4th Degree, Miles Brown 2nd Degree