Close Combat Training: Distance After Control

Cecil Burch

Duration: 3 mins

Description
Discussions

PDN Contributor Cecil Burch demonstrates a close combat training technique. There are a lot of options once we have established the body lock and have broken the attacker’s posture. We can put him on the ground and run away. We can put him on the ground and go to the ground with him and strike from there. We can hold onto him and maneuver him someplace. We can slam him into a wall.

Instead of covering all these options, in this video Cecil deals with one end goal that he believes is a good one in close combat training: creating distance between you and the attacker.

The Sumo Step

After establishing the body lock and breaking the attacker’s posture, he wants to get into a better position so he can choose what he wants to do. During this, he figures that the attacker will be fighting back. Using leverage, Cecil goes to the attacker’s back by using what he calls a Sumo Step: a deep step and when he plants the step, he drops his waist. He has moved toward the back of the attacker.

As appropriate for this type of self-defense training, Cecil demonstrates the Sumo Step a few times, both in slow motion and at speed, so viewers can see what the different parts of the body should be doing while executing this close combat training move.

Creating Space

Once at the back, Cecil releases the lock and puts both his hands on the attacker’s back as a wall so the attacker is not able to turn into him. Then as quickly as possible, Cecil disengages and creates space by pushing off the attacker’s back with both hands and stepping away.

From here, Cecil can deploy a gun if he has one, or he can run, if this is an unarmed self-defense incident.

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2 Responses to “Close Combat Training: Distance After Control”

steve September 3rd, 2019

The "sumo" step is fine as long as the person does not have you in a head lock. If he does, chances are, you are not going to side around behind him.
Paul September 2nd, 2019

Well I suppose this is good if your assailant isn't 'too much' into attacking you, such as I have seen in surveillance video, where the attackers is constantly throwing punches/elbows. I prefer what I just read in this months issue of USCCA magazine, when caught in a headlock just use your 'outside' arm/fist to sledgehammer the assailant in the nuts! Its quick, needs very little thought, minimal movement, just swing your fist into his cahonas! Done! Then while they are lying on the ground with snot flowing out of their nose and tears from their eyes, gasping desperately for a breath, you can walk away or stomp his ankle then knee, further limiting his ability to come after you.