Part II (Ending a fight in One Move)

Friday Knight News

“The same hand that can write a beautiful poem, can knock you out with one punch that's poetic justice.” Wayne Kelly

Often we find that it is not prudent to maim, cripple or kill in an altercation. So as I mentioned last week here are some additional methods at the disposable of every martial artist to end a fight in one move. Starting from the concept that martial arts are only for defense please consider the fact that a block can end a fight in several ways.



First using a hard block has dislocated the shoulder of many very enthusiastic attackers in the past. In the very least it has taken a lot of steam out of people wanting to fight without having to stop their heart from the shock of a powerful or pinpoint accurate blow. Secondly, a block can be utilized as a setup for a throw and they can flow together in one move, the effect of the throw can be devastating, especially if the receiver does not land properly.

Blocks can also flow into joint locks or dislocations, but locks only work for as long as they are employed. Remember also that when the attacker has used drugs, pain compliance often goes out the window. Once the attacker is released and the pain has disappeared, they regain their courage, perhaps deluding themselves to think that you only subdued them by mere luck. So you must always consider this while often a dislocation or break ends a fight but not always. Unconsciousness ends fights that is another reason for using a block as a setup to either take a free shot at striking a vital point or setting up a choke. A triennial method is to use a soft block to do the same as listed above. This more subtle block can also often be utilized to get the attacker to strike an unyielding surface, such as a power pole or other damage inflicting structure, but again it is not the same a rendering the attacker unconscious.

I've been told that chokes take too long for good street defense, but I have used a vascular restriction choke for years that works almost as fast as I can snap my fingers. I've lost count of the people that I've had pass out from it; both in and out of the dojo. In fact, I've had people come into my dojo to challenge me, this was before the UFC came into vogue that didn't respect grappling. I've seen them pass out before they could lift their hand to tap. Another method that has worked well for my students and LEO's that I've trained, is utilizing a joint lock as a take down. They have used gravity (which can be unforgiving), to render attackers unconscious. This is generally more damaging than just a strike as their whole body weight plus the acceleration of the throw increases the force of the attack. The attacker often slams into the wall, floor, or pavement hard enough to knock the wind out of them or knock themselves out from the trauma of the impact. Plus, a joint lock can often result in a break (usually a spiral break, I've had several), or a dislocation, which as mentioned early can often end a fight.



The problem is sometimes even a break or dislocation doesn't stop the other person. I have completed several throws or fight ending strikes after receiving both breaks and/or dislocations. This has led to often times tapping out the other person in the dojo, I've never suffered either one during a street encounter. I had an old sensei that dislocated my ankle during a sparring session and he wouldn't let me stop. He told me in broken English that in the street, no stop. I guess this is where I came up with the idea that if I was attacked by someone on the street it might require such a response. So be prepared as it take multiple breaks or dislocations to end a fight, however these forces together greatly increase the chance of a one move fight ending technique.

Still one day you might have to continue breaking or dislocating limbs until the attacker is unable to fight, if you rely on dislocations alone. Luckily for me I generally have only had to do one of the above to end a fight. Although one time in high-school, I had to lay out a fellow three times in one fight to end it, but that was different, as we were fighting in a gentlemanly way. On the street a knock out, or stopping a heart, stops a fight in an instant and both generally only require one move to perform. Still any method from a strike, choke or throw can render someone unconscious which yields maximum effectiveness, but can result in severe bodily trauma.

"Son, never throw a punch at a redwood." Tom Selleck 

My stories are about martial arts adventures that are intertwined with paranormal or supernatural events. The following links are to the Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker” series. Our adventurers find themselves on a quest where they are confronted with both conspiracy and mystery. Their challenge is to unite their mind and body skills together utilizing what they have learned in the martial arts with the transcendental power of dream mediation. They attempt to do this while they are trying to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.

Conversations with a Sage (Book 1 of the Dream-Walker)

Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past. 

Xander and the Assassins Gift (Book 2 of the Dream-Walker)

The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.


Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)

Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.

Jace Lee The Shift (Book 4 of the Dream-Walker)

Jace Lee The Shift: We find a new apprentice, Adam, that is fighting for his life. He is struggling to understand the amazing skills of his mentor, Jace Lee; a younger man that has trained under Xander Davidson. All the while his mentor attempts to reconcile the fact that his skills do not match up with the other Dream Walkers.


Jace Lee No Agenda (Dream Walker Book 5)

Jace Lee No Agenda: Jace Lee attempts to find himself on a self-imposed vision quest of sorts. Instead he finds himself being stalked by the same group that had previously sought after his teacher, (Xander Davidson). Instead of mastering his odd Dream Walking skills he finds love and the potential loss of his powers.

Jace Lee and the Tutelage of Ming Wu: Dream Walker 6 

Jace Lee The Tutelage of Ming Wu: Jace Lee rejoins his teacher Xander Davidson as they cope with a possible combined threat (the mysterious), Ming Wu and the Council that has continuously monitored the Dream Walkers.