Dog Brothers Class: Avoiding Monkey Traps

[DancesWithKnives]

I attended one of Guro Crafty's classes over the weekend and he discussed the interesting stick grappling question, when in a fight is it advisable to abandon your stick or cane?

Guro Crafty demonstrated, as I'm sure all of you have experienced at one time or another, how in certain positions your own stick can be used to tie you up or distract your attention from potential threats (punch, elbow, headbutt, knee, kick, etc.). Guro Crafty likened it to monkey traps where bait is placed in a container large enough for the monkey to reach into, but not large enough for him to withdraw his clenched fist. The monkey won't release the bait from his clenched fist, so the hunter simply walks up and takes him.

Do you think that most stick or cane fighters place too much emphasis on their stick/cane and are too reluctant to abandon it when it becomes a liability in a stick grappling situation? Do you think instructors should place greater emphasis on releasing the stick/cane when appropriate to capitalize on other attacks?

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[thekuntawman]

yes i agree with you that too many people train only the weapons and ignore the body as a weapon. many of us carry a knife, but theres places you cant carry one, and times when you shouldnt use a knife. and when those times happen people get in trouble.

and just because you can use a weapon it doesnt mean you can use you hands, even if the movements "translate". for many people translation means to show the similarity, and maybe even practice it, but so few people actually train those similarieys or fight to see if there opinions are right.

even if you have to take another art like karate or kung fu. everyone should have empty hand uses in their fighting style.

well maybe i shouldnt say "should" have empty hand use, but to be safe i think every weapons art if it is a streetfighting style has to have empty handed fighting, realistic and tested empty hands fighting.

but i dont think any time is a good time to let go of your weapons on the street. the weapon when you let go gives somebody else an opportunity to use it on you, especially when you are wrestling with somebody. i cant see even on the ground how the stick can hurt you if you know how to use it. i think the best thing is you have to spar that way and see how many ways you can use it while you wrestle.

 

[Sidewinder]

 

[DancesWithKnives]

I agree. In fact, I tried that once but couldn't quite pull it off. Guro Crafty had Dogzilla (Mike) participating in a class and Mike was instructing me in how to get my tail whooped. I was tied up on the ground and abandoned my stick (with his assistance). I was hoping to surprise him with the Spyderco Gunting trainer in my pocket, but just couldn't access it. Nonetheless, the idea wasn't bad so I've got to concur with your observation.