Teaching a Dog New Tricks

Today I met another instructor at the academy where I train. Guru Marc Denny (discovered on the net that he is also known as "Crafty Dog" and a co-founder of the Dog Brothers) showed me some cool take downs and submission holds. He had me demonstrate some of the moves on him so I can get a feel for the technique. The class was pretty physical. When Guru Marc got me in a painful submission he would call this uncomfortable position the negotiation position.

Guru Marc: As a short guy if you fall down you may end up on your back.

I nod.

Guru Marc: I hate to hammer the fact that you're short, but you may have noticed that.

I laughed. I'm around 5'5".

Guru Marc worked with me to show me options that I can use in the real world.

He talked about having an exit strategy. The guy you fight may have a buddy or two or a whole gang.

When fighting give your opponent something to think about so you can misdirect and hit him hard in a better place.

Some of the techniques we practiced for the hour:

When your opponent/partner has a stick and you don't circle to the outside to gain distance. As the circle gets bigger and bigger the guy with the stick has to close the gap to hit you. When he closes in to strike you wrap one arm around his stick hand while your head sinks into his neck and your other arm wraps around his neck to help squeeze your head into his neck (this also may work when he wants to throw a jab or anything else to close the distance).

My notes so I can remember (no video taping allowed):

left arm - around the top of his right arm above the elbow and grab your own bicep on the right arm

head - into the side of his neck

right arm - wrapped around his neck being pulled into your head to create a sandwich effect

left leg - left neutral/front stance

right leg - back and far from your opponent

Push your opponent until he bases.

Knee your opponent until he tries to cover the blow with his free left hand.

Your left arm is still wrapped over his right arm trap his left hand when he tries to block your knee strikes.

Variation 1: Right kick/knee with a reinforce snake disarm (prayer) and follow thru with a right forearm strike to the neck.

Variation 2: PK take down (if head is lower then spin him using your leg over his head and move his arm to turn and spin him to the ground and land on his ribs and chin with your knees

Variation 3: Pick up his leg and take him down and spin around to knee him in the head.