combatives, Rbsd vs sport a good article

judomick

found this and thought it was very interesting

http://www.straightblastgym.com/problem.htm

this btw way is not an attack on anyone or thing just a good read on mindsets

Baggio...

Hmm... can't say I'd agree. I think Matt's reasoning is behind the times, and not really accurate. The difference between Combatives and sport's attitude can be summed up by this quote within the article:
"...even thinking about gouging peoples eyeballs, or biting them, is not something he would ever want to start doing. The thought itself is unhealthy to a human, and Jiu-Jitsu is supposed to be about health and well being."

I don't think I need for me to say anything further, the article really incriminates itself. There is nothing “healthy” about street fighting. I guess that's why it's called “street fighting”.

Again, it's nothing personal or an attack on anyone's style, etc.

john kavanagh

so the article 'incriminates' itself by suggesting that the thought of 'gouging someones eyes out' is unhealthy for humans. hmmmm you think thats a healthy thought?

Baggio...

John,

I think you missed my whole point.

Pity....

john kavanagh

i'm pretty sure you missed the point of the whole article

pity...

Michael O Leary

Have we not been here before? Many times?

Michael O'Leary
www.wingtsun-escrima.ie

dlofnep

lol.. Here we go again.

john kavanagh

yes, and thats the cyclic nature of MA forums

i'm not sure why people complain about the certain inevitability of patterns repeating themselves on forums......if it got to me i just wouldnt post on them or visit them??

the forums where everybody agrees fade out fast.

Baggio...

John,

I understood the article, nothing too complex in it... Just not my cup of tea.

I'd agree with Michael, were just covering old ground. Were not going to agree. So what's the point - it's been done before? I think JudoMick is trying to open up a hornets nest:D . Nice try...

Cheers,

Baggio.

PS – I don't think gauging is a very healthy option, but it may be the only option, if you are in real trouble.

Michael O Leary

I see that both of them are replying to this at the moment. Who do you think will get there first. Ladies and Gentlemen, place your bets.

Michael O'Leary
www.wingtsun-escrima.ie

john kavanagh

Baggio... wrote:

PS – I don't think gauging is a very healthy option, but it may be the only option, if you are in real trouble.

are you sure you got it?

"Does that above set of paragraphs mean that Matt Thornton doesn't believe that "When your life is in jeopardy most tend to resort to the foul tactics if it determines life or death or just plain survival." .

Of course not!

As stated above we have a heavy curriculum of RBSD, and LE training within our own organization. Which covers the gamut of all 'foul' tactics, as well as their counters. And as stated at the top of this thread, when it comes to real life self defense, FUNCTIONALITY is more important to us then anything else. Anyone who has attended any of the self defense training courses, or Law Enforcement program can testify to the functional nature, and mandatory testing of all our tactics, techniques, and delivery systems. It's not open to speculation."

judomick

Baggio... wrote:

I think JudoMick is trying to open up a hornets nest:D . Nice try...

I actually thought you would agree with the piece i think its a very logical article, theres quite a few combatives guys on here was just looking for general thoughts healthy debates are a good thing, this is what facilitates progress, my bad if you think my motives are in anyway sinister:mad:

so you think about gouging peoples eyes everyday or just sometimes?:D

seriously though, do you think its possible to train for the street using a sports based system?

Baggio...

That showed me...

Hmm.. you stick to your really hardcore Thorton syllabus and I'll stick to mine. So what 's the big problem? If your happy with your “proven” street syllabus, why do you care what a lowly individual like me thinks? I have great respect for Matt. He's a very talented guy. But I don't think that he's on the same level as Mc Cann or Carl Castari. That's just my opinion.

judomick

i just wanted an opinion on the article where did i say believe this its the gospel or my instructor is better than yours?

read my first post this is not an attack on etc etc

your reaction to the article smells of fear and paranoia, i just wanted an opinion on it im not trying to tell anyone how to train just thought the article had some interesting points, ah well im sure this will be discussed again in another couple of months

Baggio...

JodoMick,

I was only kidding BTW...

Actually, I do think you can train in a sports system and apply it to the street. As long as certain principles are observed. Such as:
1) awareness. 2) understanding the enemy. 3)Striking pre_emptively 4) Knowing what works and doesn't (blocking et.) 5) situational control.

I don't see why anybody could not incorporate these into their training. I'm personally not really into the sport side of things. But I have a lot of respect for anyone who is into it, and actually competes. Except John Kavanagh.... (I'm only kidding John!!:) )

As for gauging being the “healthy option”, I prefer Special K myself:rolleyes: .

Cheers,

john kavanagh

Baggio... wrote:

That showed me...

Hmm.. you stick to your really hardcore Thorton syllabus and I'll stick to mine. So what 's the big problem? If your happy with your “proven” street syllabus, why do you care what a lowly individual like me thinks? I have great respect for Matt. He's a very talented guy. But I don't think that he's on the same level as Mc Cann or Carl Castari. That's just my opinion.

honestly i dont really care, i'm happy with my training as i'm sure you are with yours. but seen as you replied to the article therefore showing an interest in it i engaged you in 'healthy' debate on it:D

Baggio...

“Fear and paranoia”.... Thorton must be a psychic:D .

Baggio...

John,

Have you ever seen Castari or Mc Cann, just out of interest?


Cheers,

B.

john kavanagh

no. do you have any online clips of their training methods?

Odysseus

Hi all, I been training in RBSD for about four years now, and It is merely my own experience that I have never encounted anyone that I would be aware of that train for unhealthy reasons, thought it depends on how your define health i suppose.

I train regularly enough with eye-gouges, and would not view it as unhealthy. I would hate to have to use it to its full extent, but personally I view myself as a stable enough person, who would not use that strike unless it was needed. I have found that the people I train with, train hard with these methods, but I don't think anyone would enjoy using or use them when there are not needed. But then again you can never completely vouch for people.

I'm a mental health professional, and part of my work involves debriefing staff who have been the victims of violence, and it is merely my believe that if a lot of these staff members had trained in RSBD, they would have been better prepared. By this I don't mean the use of lethal force that is often associated with RBSD, I am more reffering to understanding the mindset of an attacker, awareness, as well as basic strikes such as plam shots and breakaway thecniques that work. Situtional awareness is often viewed by some as paranoia, but in my opinion I don't think it is.

Just my own thoughts on the paper, however, I do believe that any form of training with bring around an increase in personal development, and have seen people developed a much "healthier" view of and respect for other people through RSBD. Cheers

Baggio...

Hi John,

Err... Don't think so. Castari's website is gone kaput, I'll have a look around for some Mc Cann stuff. To be fair I've not seen that much of Matt's stuff. So I can't really comment on your street syllabus. I'd be interested to see his “Functional JKD DVD”. But I'd also be interested to hear what the his premise is for the street, and how he formulated some of his concepts. Again I'm not trying to take the piss in any way. I might actually learn something new.

If you ever got the chance to pick up "The fundementals of Unarmed Comabt" by Carl Cestari on ebay I'd recomend you go for it. Don't go for his seminar stuff.

Cheers,

B.

Baggio...

I'd agree with Odysseus. I consider myself a non-violent and relatively stable individual. I'd never purposely hurt someone - unless I had no other choice. I think RBSD has a bad rap as Ody said, in the fact that many people believe that you must only use “lethal force”, etc. Nothing could be farther from the truth. You can't just beat on people 'cause they've had a few pints and start to get in your face. If a junky comes up with a blade and real intent (and you can't run away) – well that's a different story. But you still don't have to kill the guy. The object is to “stun and run”.

Again were not paranoid per se... we just use the term “relaxed awareness:)”.

john kavanagh

hi baggio (italian?)

"But I'd also be interested to hear what the his premise is for the street, and how he formulated some of his concepts. Again I'm not trying to take the piss in any way. I might actually learn something new."

well the article fairly well sums that up tbh. if you go onto the SBG forum you'll find more articles about the same thing.

as for how we physically train, our training methods. i think this paragraph sums it up

"a more contact orientated, healthy, and sane sports environment, with "alive-arts" such as boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, Muay thai, judo, and other "sports" systems. In that type of "alive-training" they will not only gain real skill within a particular delivery system of fighting, they will also achieve a higher level of personal conditioning, become used to a higher level of contact, understand exactly what an aggressive, resisting attacker feels like, and learn to perform under a certain amount of stress. They will also gain a real sense of peace that comes with understanding how to actually move the human body in effective ways against aggressive and dangerous attackers."

"If you ever got the chance to pick up "The fundementals of Unarmed Comabt" by Carl Cestari on ebay I'd recomend you go for it. Don't go for his seminar stuff."

thanks for the recommendation. to be honest i'd be more interested in hearing about his training methods than seeing the latest 'eyes, throat, groin' attack. is it a dvd full of techniques demonstrated on static partners? does he talk about conditioning? has he got 'game' in the stand-up, clinch and ground ranges?






"It's very simple. If you market yourself, your school, or your products as a "streetfighting" system, then a certain group of individuals will find themselves drawn to that product for a variety of reasons. Many of which are unhealthy.

Does that sentence mean all Instructors who teach such things are filled with fear, paranoia, insecurity, and personal guilt!?

Of course not.

Does that mean that ALL RBSD schools cater to such cliental?

Of course not.

Does that mean everyone drawn to such marketing is similar to the people described above?

Of course not.

judomick

http://www.youtube.com/results?search=Cestari

dlofnep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk5wwIZj57E&search=Cestari

Ok.. He proves he can choke some guy who's already sitting down and not resisting? What's so great about this guy?

dlofnep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmwdnUWKivg&search=Cestari

he can hit some guy in the balls and elbow.. Noting that the guy is just standing there allowing him to do it? This is typical crap. Unless I see some videos of this guy demonstrating these techniques against someone who's resisting, I deem him crap.

dlofnep

Baggio... wrote:

I have great respect for Matt. He's a very talented guy. But I don't think that he's on the same level as Mc Cann or Carl Castari.

No, he's not on the same level. He's miles above that Castari guy from what I've seen.

Baggio...

John,

I'll check his SBG stuff out, it will give me something to gripe about (Jus' kidding).
I'd agree with some of his training methods. If you back up your training with good hard stuff like boxing, Maui Thai, and then progress into heavy sparring, it's one of the better ways of training. Again, one really needs to know that as "tough" as you make the training it's always going to be training (there are whistles and rules for obvious reasons – but then again, there has to be).

There are a lot of guys out there who prey on peoples paranoia and make ludicrous claims (I'm sure you know the system I'm referring to $$$$). Even Castari was guilty of this. His marketing was very much aimed at people who believe they were vulnerable. Although, I do believe his system is one of the best I have ever seen.

As for his training methods... some are excellent. Some are just plain nuts.

For his Chokes and strangles (which he's well into), he uses a BOB to practice on. As he thinks that you can't really practice properly on a live partner, as they will just “tap out”. So loads of contorting BOB's neck into very nasty positions.

He also, advocates weight training, sit ups, etc. He does not advocate “sport boxing” as he feels that the guard and some techniques is not good for the street. Instead he advocates Bare knuckle boxing (as done in the late 1800's). He feels it's much more dangerous (and the hands will be properly conditioned for rel fighting).

One of his crazier methods includes the use of a brick (nope I'm not kidding). He “conditions” his hands and forearms by trying to crush and strike the brick (full on). He also strikes himself with the brick around the arms and body. Hmm... not my idea of training, but hey. He's got his fingers to the point he can actually finger jab a wooden door virtually full force (too much free time in my opinion).

That might give you an insight...again some of it if far too extreme for a delicate sole like myself.

Baggio. (tot Italian Per se, probably that I sucked at Football in college, and it's been with me ever since).

dlofnep

Baggio wrote:

For his Chokes and strangles (which he's well into), he uses a BOB to practice on. As he thinks that you can't really practice properly on a live partner, as they will just “tap out”. So loads of contorting BOB's neck into very nasty positions.

How does he know they work? And how does he know he will be able to apply them against someone who doesn't want them applied? that's the difference between good training and BS training and I from your description - I don't think this guy has anything to offer self defense.

Baggio wrote:

He also, advocates weight training, sit ups, etc. He does not advocate “sport boxing” as he feels that the guard and some techniques is not good for the street. Instead he advocates Bare knuckle boxing (as done in the late 1800's). He feels it's much more dangerous (and the hands will be properly conditioned for rel fighting).

I don't get this. He doesn't apply chokes against resisting partners because they will tap out, but he trains bareknuckle boxing? I don't get that at all. Seems to be a bit of a contradiction to me to be honest.

Baggio wrote:

One of his crazier methods includes the use of a brick (nope I'm not kidding). He “conditions” his hands and forearms by trying to crush and strike the brick (full on). He also strikes himself with the brick around the arms and body. Hmm... not my idea of training, but hey. He's got his fingers to the point he can actually finger jab a wooden door virtually full force (too much free time in my opinion).

Whatever floats his boat, but all that beating a brick off of yourself is no substitute for real live training. I think you've been sold to easily on this guy. I wish you'd prove me wrong and show me something worthwhile from him, but I somehow don't think he has produced anything worthwhile.

Baggio...

I'm not really into his later stuff myself (i.e. most of the stuff that's there)....
The ones you want to look at are the grainy ones, that look like they are filmed in a besement. He's a lot younger. However the actual tape I'm referring to is "The fundamentals of unarmed Combat". Not the stuff where he's training with Damien Ross or at the seminar.

Dlofofnep, I don't think Matt's in the same league when it comes to experience or knowledge (re. RBSD). Castari is quite a bit ahead. And when he was younger physically superior (again my personal opinion). If you basing your opinion on those clips - that's naive. Check out a few of his articles and background.

dlofnep

Baggio... wrote:

Dlofofnep, I don't think Matt's in the same league when it comes to experience or knowledge (re. RBSD). Castari is quite a bit ahead. And when he was younger physically superior (again my personal opinion). If you basing your opinion on those clips - that's naive. Check out a few of his articles and background.

Experience or knowledge about what? Reality? I'm not apart of SBG, so don't think I'm trying to light Matt's spotlight or anything close to that - But Matt is more in tune with reality than this guy is. This guy grapples with a dummy, matt with the worlds best grapplers.

And when he was younger physically superior..

I don't think you finished this sentence, what was it you were trying to say?

If you basing your opinion on those clips - that's naive.

How is it naive? What else have I to go on? I just looked at about 6 or 7 videos of him on youtube and they are all the same thing. Are you saying I've naive because I'm basing my opinion on 6 or 7 videos of someone? You could prove me wrong by posting some videos of doing this against real partners.

Baggio...

He does use live partners also...But he goes to the extreme on the BOB.

Will his stuff work? His OSC1,2,3,4 series will.

Again, he does not take credit for the system that he just passes on.
He gives credit to people like:

Applegate
Biddle
Brown
Fairbairn.

Does it work. Well, I'd take their word over most other people as they used HTH for real.

dlofnep

Baggio... wrote:

He does use live partners also...But he goes to the extreme on the BOB.

I haven't seen anything from him that would suggest he trains with live partners. Perhaps there is an instructional from him that proves this? If so, I'll have a look at it and get back to you.

Baggio...

Old School Challenge:

That's the stuff worth checking out... I'm not mad on the later stuff as I keep bleating.

john kavanagh

ok have to pick at your post...

Baggio... wrote:

Again, one really needs to know that as "tough" as you make the training it's always going to be training (there are whistles and rules for obvious reasons – but then again, there has to be).

yes but training against a resisting opponent is a hell uva lot more realistic than repeating a move against a static opponent - regardless of how 'deadly' the move might be.

Baggio... wrote:

For his Chokes and strangles (which he's well into), he uses a BOB to practice on. As he thinks that you can't really practice properly on a live partner, as they will just “tap out”. So loads of contorting BOB's neck into very nasty positions

its quotes like that that give RBSD guys a bad name. tell him to go to a BJJ school and see just how 'easy' it is for him to make them 'just tap out' lol

Baggio... wrote:

Instead he advocates Bare knuckle boxing (as done in the late 1800's).

its funny how there's nearly always a ref to some 'long forgotten style' - matt furey has the same marketing strategy. i do agree with him that you have to make slight adjustments to western boxing to make it suitable for fighting. however i'd still much prefer to fight somone training exclusively against static opponents than someone with a couple of hundred rounds of boxing behind them.

Baggio... wrote:

One of his crazier methods includes the use of a brick (nope I'm not kidding). He “conditions” his hands and forearms by trying to crush and strike the brick (full on). He also strikes himself with the brick around the arms and body.

er...yeah....

Baggio... wrote:

He's got his fingers to the point he can actually finger jab a wooden door virtually full force

and that will help with??

i watched those video clips and it looks like the same stuff in any of the RBSD/CQC stuff i've seen. eyes/throat/groin techniques with a couple of judo throws demonstrated against a non-resisting, static opponent. its all about the training methods imo.

Michael O Leary

Baggio... wrote:

I'm not really into his later stuff myself (i.e. most of the stuff that's there)....
The ones you want to look at are the grainy ones, that look like they are filmed in a besement. He's a lot younger. However the actual tape I'm referring to is "The fundamentals of unarmed Combat". Not the stuff where he's training with Damien Ross or at the seminar.

Dlofofnep, I don't think Matt's in the same league when it comes to experience or knowledge (re. RBSD). Castari is quite a

Don't eat while reading. I was halfway through Baggio's post when as I carefully put my knife into my organic beef burger, the whole plate tipped over and burger, salad and french dressing went over my nice Tommy Hilfiger(?) trousers. Bah! The perils of doing martial arts.

Regards,

Michael O'Leary
www.wingtsun-escrima.ie

Baggio...

Class advise...

Please bring us some more of your informative and useful tips.

Baggio...

Howdy,

Don't want you guys to think that I'm having a go at Mat Thornton or anything like that. I've a great respect for him as a Martial Artist and Grappler.. I would say this about most other Martial Artists in existence today - when it comes to Castari anyhoo'. You could say I'm totally biased – and you'd be right. To my mind he is one of the best guys that I have ever seen (In my top 3 anyway). Technically, Realistically, etc. Again most of the MMA guys will dispute this, that's fair enough. But that's just my opinion. So if I offended anyone, apologies that was not the intention.
Again, I'm referring to the “Old School Challenge DVDs – I.E. -WW II syllabus”, not particularly his new material. Again he's getting on a bit at this stage. The newer stuff revolves around grappling and choking, again not something that I'm too partial to. Hope this clears up why I defend Castari so vehemently. And apologies if anyone thought I was having a go at Mat. As he says himself – it's nothing personal.

Baggio.

john kavanagh

theres no need to apologise my man! i certainly didn't pick up that you were having a go at matt, we're just discussing training methods

Baggio...

John,

That's cool:) Just in case anyone thought I was having a go.

I'm considering my answers for your "post picking" earlier:D . Too late now, I'll drop you new post that you can have a go at tomorrow:) .

Cheers,

Baggio.

dlofnep

Don't worry about anything you post on here. It's all just fun and games.

Baggio...

Cool...

Just makin' sure people don't get the hump. That's why I never post on those Kenpo forums. Some people take it very serious:D .

Cheers,
B.

PS – I meant to say this to you before, like the Denmark thing.

Baggio...

Hi John,
Pick away... that's what there here for. I'll try and give you some more info.

“yes but training against a resisting opponent is a hell uva lot more realistic than repeating a move against a static opponent - regardless of how 'deadly' the move might be”.

Yeah I'd agree. There is only one way to see if it will actually work. Castari is a pretty familiar with grappling. He's got a 6th degree in Judo and a good few other qualifications (Nelson system etc.). So I'd assume he's tried out some of those methods on a live opponents. Again he brings it to the extreme on the old BOB. I thought it would enhance your training assuming you can do it for real in the first place.
“its quotes like that that give RBSD guys a bad name. tell him to go to a BJJ school and see just how 'easy' it is for him to make them 'just tap out' lol”

I'm sure it's not easy to put one of those guys out. But the idea is to strike multiple times before any type of choke is performed. Or gauging/head butting, and then apply the strangle/choke. The earlier WW II stuff uses much less chokes, unless you are talking about sentry removal, and for me as a Civie, it's not really applicable.

“its funny how there's nearly always a ref to some 'long forgotten style' - matt furey has the same marketing strategy. i do agree with him that you have to make slight adjustments to western boxing to make it suitable for fighting. however i'd still much prefer to fight somone training exclusively against static opponents than someone with a couple of hundred rounds of boxing behind them.”

Again I would not practice “bare knuckle boxing” per se. But I have taken some of the strikes and incorporated them into my own style, swings, etc. One other point Castari makes about the standard guard in sport boxing, is that it's is ineffectual for the street. As you wont be able to use your gloves with the defence. Also that the hands are too close to the face. So in theory you can just punch through the guard (while still creating referral shock). Where as if you are in a Bare Knuckle stance. You hands are outstretched and therefore in a better position to deflect an incoming blow. He also states that if a grappler was to come in low, he would be walking right into a fist. But I prefer Mick's active posture (very much how an MMA guy would stand – but looks non threatening. Also castari states the hands are not conditioned properly due to tape and gloves, etc. It's worth taking a look at there are some pretty cool cheap shots, of course they were legal back then.

I can't say I'm mad on the whole brick thing either. I found it a bit OTT and unnecessary.

“and that will help with?? “

Again, I think he's too much free time here. I guess it shows that he has the mother of all eye jabs. So the point here is not to get one in the eyeball. He's just trying to illustrate the trauma you could do (well, he could do, I'm not banging my hand of a door for anyone).

“i watched those video clips and it looks like the same stuff in any of the RBSD/CQC stuff i've seen. eyes/throat/groin techniques with a couple of judo throws demonstrated against a non-resisting, static opponent. its all about the training methods imo.”

The later stuff is very standard. Judo, locks, chokes etc. That's why I keep bleating on about the OSC stuff. It's just very quick and dirty, but I also think very functional. That system was not created by Castari - just knowledge he is passing down from those WW II guys. Those clips don't do him any justice to be honest. He's got a lot of articles on the net. I have some, I'll dig them out and pop one or two on the board and see what you guys think.

To be honest I would not agree with everything he says, or some of his “wacky training methods”. Bit I do like his early stuff. Well, that's it for now. Until the next post.

Cheers,
B.

Tim_Murphy

Again I would not practice “bare knuckle boxing” per se. But I have taken some of the strikes and incorporated them into my own style, swings, etc. One other point Castari makes about the standard guard in sport boxing, is that it's is ineffectual for the street. As you wont be able to use your gloves with the defence. Also that the hands are too close to the face. So in theory you can just punch through the guard (while still creating referral shock). Where as if you are in a Bare Knuckle stance. You hands are outstretched and therefore in a better position to deflect an incoming blow.

You should check out Rodney Kings Crazy Monkey Defence Program, it's really suited to striking without big gloves. www.mymalife.com

Alternatively check out www.irishbareknuckleboxing.com :rolleyes:

Baggio...

Hey Tim,

Cheers for the info, I'll check his site out. Is that Bare knuckle guy good do you know? Might pick up his DVDs if they are a decent price.

I've seen the Crazy Monkey thing alright and also seen "the fend". I'm working on more of a "flinch response" at the moment. From a pretty cool drill that Mick showed me (even if it freaks me out!:) ). It's all to do with you being ambushed.

Cheers,

B.

Tim_Murphy

I haven't seen the bare knuckle DVDs but I would very much doubt if they were any good (posted link as a joke!:) ), I'm imagine your money would be much better spent on some of Rodneys material, which is really good (we had him over here a while back for a seminar).

Ger Healy

Baggio I think Tim was taking the p##s about the irishbareknuckleboxing.com web page.
If he wasn't then his got to be making money of it :eek:

Baggio...

Ger,

I'm not mad on the guys sales pitch, "You will be able to defeat all enemies with a single blow!!!", etc. But I'd be interested in seeing the guys DVDs if they were on ebay and he was considered to be a decent bare knuckle boxer. But I'm not going to lash $99 out for no reason.
I don't really go for all that “Death secrets of the SAS”, and all that jive. Like I said, not mad on the way Castari tries to sell his gear either. Cashing in on fear.

Baggio...

Hello,

I've seen King's stuff before. It's pretty good - but I think working off “the flinch” is better for Combatives. I feel his stuff is more suitable for a match fight. Although, I see Lee Morrison is well into the Crazy Monkey thing.

Hah! I'm still curious to see if this Dermot fella is any good, after all he's got the biggest number of students in Ireland apparently:D .

Millionaire

Ah the great debate rages again!!!

Sitting in Starbucks in Koh Samui, I shall add my 2 cents..

I like combatives training methods, they have proven themselves to
me in a few street attacks I suffered.

I hate the thoughts of gouging and biting, however about 6 years back I was violently attacked my 2 thugs (they mistook me for someone they were out to get) and if it was not for gouges and bites, I probably would have spend months in ICU. for the record, I was a kickboxer then (I never heard of RBSD or KM ), though I was familar with these techniques from reading JKD mannuals.

So yeah I think Combatives works. and the psychological training, for the situation is good.

However...

You will NOT learn this in a weekend or a 12 week course.

It must be backed up with good basics and punching and kicking, and sparring , pad work and bags etc.

I have read that article of Matt Thornton as few times in the past.
I find his writing style quite abstract for some reason!

Baggio...

I'm with you there M.