Japanese Physical Training/9

by H. Irving Hancock

CHAPTER IX

PRELIMINARY FEATS OF ATTACK AND DEFENCE

It is quite probable that the average reader will glance through the preceding chapters and will turn then to this and to the succeeding chapters and try to pick up at once the principles of self-defence. If he does so he will make a mistake.

The principles of jiu-jitsu that are to be described now must rest on a foundation of thorough physical training. The work prescribed in earlier chapters, in the way of exercise, diet, bathing, fresh air, etc., should be faithfully followed before the student can hope to reap any benefit from the tricks that are to be described. Physical strength, and the conscious knowledge that comes from the possession of it, are requisite to ability to make the greatest use of the tricks. A weakling can employ them—but not to the best advantage. Yet the Japanese do not employ their full strength in combat. All that they do is to use their opponent's strength so as to defeat him.

It requires some time to grasp this idea. A Japanese who seizes his adversary does not employ all the strength that he has acquired. What he does is to take hold of his adversary at the weakest point presented. Then he holds on firmly, and allows the adversary to use his own strength to the point that brings pain or exhaustion. For instance, the man on the defensive who secures the wrist-pinch that has been described already has nothing to do but to hold on until his assailant's strength has been exhausted to a point that renders the latter unable to keep up the contest.

All of the tricks of self-defence must be practised by two opponents. It is to be hoped that neither of these combatants will need the work for actual self-defence, but friendly contests are to be encouraged, as every one of the feats will make for actual strength, for courage, and for what is worth most of all in emergencies—presence of mind and agility.

There can be no doubt that, for purposes of

THE HAND-GRIP USED IN THROWING AN OPPONENT.

self-defence, the Japanese feats are superior to the tricks of the American pugilist. A Japanese cannot enter the ring and conform to ring rules with success, but when he meets the American and employs his own tactics, allowing the American to follow the rules of boxing, the victory will go every time to the Japanese. It is the idea of the little brown man that any blow is allowable that brings victory.

In friendly combat the victory may be arranged for beforehand, and, as a rule, it is preferable that this be done. In actual tests of strength and skill there should be always a determination on both sides to win success. After studying the tricks that are to be described in this and in succeeding chapters, the student should be able to grasp the whole idea of jiu-jitsu. Muscles or nerves should be seized and severely pinched. Some of these muscles and nerves will be indicated in the descriptions that follow. The rest can be discovered most easily. After the student has practised some of the elementary feats he will be able to locate the unmentioned nerves and muscles for himself. The defensive tricks of jiu-jitsu are easily discovered by him who wishes to know them, and who has ascertained by practice upon himself the locations of the most sensitive nerves and muscles.

First of all the tricks taught is the hand-grip that is used in throwing an opponent. The hand is seized in such a manner that the fingers rest over the adversary's palm, at the same time enclosing his thumb and forcing it as near as is possible to the assailant's little finger. At the same time the man who attempts to make the throw presses his own thumb severely over a muscle that may be found just below the base of his opponent's third finger. The location of this muscle may be obtained by experiment.

As soon as the hand is so seized the man who has secured the grip gives his enemy's wrist a violent wrench outward and over, and endeavours to throw him. If there is any doubt as to the ability to make the throw, the right foot of the thrower should be placed behind the left foot of the one to be thrown. A quick shove with the disengaged open hand under the chin will increase the chances of success in throwing. This grasp is taken generally

THE THROAT-BLOW WITH THE FLAT OF THE WRIST.

This is a sure "knock-out." (The author has employed it in earnest with results most satisfactory to himself.)

by the one who endeavours to make the throw employing his right hand to seize the adversary's left hand, but the left hand may be employed in seizing the other's right hand. Too much strength should not be employed in the practise of this feat, or else the opponent's wrist is likely to be broken. But the Japanese practise the feat continually. It is of no value in opposing a blow, but it is most valuable when it is desired to throw an opponent on his back before he has thought to clench his fist and strike out from the shoulder.

After this grip has been studied there is a blow taught that is most effective in cases where the opponent is threatening to fight, but where he has not raised his hands for attack. Either one of the opponent's wrists may be seized, but this is not always necessary. The main point is to employ the edge of the wrist in striking a sharp, decisive blow against the thorax—in other words, in giving a blow with the edge of the wrist that will land severely on what is commonly called the "Adam's apple." This blow is bound to floor any man who is not looking for the attack.

After the adversary is down it is only necessary to fall upon him and to jab one knee into the solar plexus, and to employ the throat-grip that is soon to be described. All of the points of this trick should be most carefully studied, for it is one of the most effective methods of stopping a threatened fight. It has the advantage, too, of not injuring the man who is repulsed, that is, not unless he has the misfortune to fall upon the back of his head. Where a mattress is employed in friendly bouts this disaster of a cracked head cannot occur. In delivering the blow there is usually advantage in placing the nearer leg behind the nearer leg of the opponent. This makes a trip possible at the same time that the blow is given—and between foot and wrist the result is sure to be decisive. When employed upon an asphalt sidewalk the trick is apt to be wicked. When used upon mattresses, or upon a hay-mow, no harm results to two men who are in ordinarily good health.

There is another feat employed by the Japanese that is simplicity itself. Nowadays, it is used mainly by the police. It is known

"THE COME-ALONG."

A trick employed by the Japanese police for overcoming a troublesome prisoner.

as the "come-along." It is better to attack the opponent on the left side. While the attack is effective on either side, the left-side assault will be described. The assailant throws his right arm over the left arm of his intended victim. In this clinch the tops of the opposing shoulders must be as close as possible. Just the second that the clinch has been made the assailant must grasp his own left wrist with his right hand. He then bends forward as much as is necessary. Except in actual combat this trick should not be carried to extremes. It will be noticed in the photograph that the assailant has his foot placed in advance of that of his intended victim. This is done in order that the man making the assault may be able to bend forward far enough, and quickly enough, to throw his man to the floor by a trip.

Where the trip is employed there is danger that this feat will result in a broken arm or forearm. If the man on the defence resists with sufficient strength, and if the assailant employs just barely enough power to accomplish his end the man so attacked is certain to have broken bones. In friendly bouts this exercise may be taken without the exertion of undue strength on either side.

For him who knows the ways of jiu-jitsu there is a very simple counter for the "come-along." The man attacked has his leg back of that of his assailant. All he has to do is to use his unemployed open hand under the chin of his adversary. If he secures this clinch in time he can push his assailant over backward to the ground, and land with his knee in the solar plexus of the man who has attacked him.

The next trick is one that may be most simply described. It is so easy that it may be learned in a few minutes. The man on the attack throws his left arm with great suddenness around his adversary's waist, digging the fingers with great severity into the base of the spine. At the same time he presses his open right hand up under the chin in such a manner as to throw his enemy's head back. The man so attacked is likely to have his neck broken if the assault is made savagely enough. The assailant may, if he wishes, bring up his right knee against the abdomen of his adversary. This is such a dangerous form of attack that

A VERY HANDY CLINCH FOR STOPPING A THREATENED ATTACK.

(It is possible to break the opponent's neck if the grip is taken too strongly.)

no Japanese will ever employ it except when it is necessary in a matter of life or death. If the man attacked receives the knee-blow in the abdomen he has no counter-blow. In breaking the clinch alone he can use the throw-off for the throat-hold that is illustrated in this volume.

The feat above described is practised in the jiu-jitsu schools with great assiduity. It is one that calls for the utmost agility. It is a form of assault that cannot be countered if it is used with enough swiftness. But where the attack is meant to be decisive and ugly the knee must be brought to the abdomen at the very instant of attack. After one experiment it will be evident to the student that his left arm must go between his opponent's right arm and the body. If his arm goes around outside of his opponent's right arm the man attacked will have some added advantage in resisting the assault.