The Combative Way

'Combatives' is a generalization of a collective grouping of principles & techniques, that should always be simple. Primarily a concept based model, techniques are secondary. Within those sentences, are the heart of the combative approach.

Generalization
Being a general term, this rightly implies that combatives is a loose framework. Being fluid, the combative approach has the versatility to adapt to most situations. This is very important. In military combat (where combatives was born), and it's newer arena of the street, improvised violence is all there is. The combative warrior must be able to adapt, improvise & overcome, if they are to literally survive the engagement.

Principles, then techniques
Being primarily a concept based model, combatives immediately makes itself highly versatile. A punch, kick, etc, will only be the optimum weapon to deploy, within a certain set of parameters. However, an idea, principle, concept is more universal. The concept is a mental construct, based upon combat sceince. Sceince that targets the highest probability events in combat. If one knows what way to move, what they should create within themselves in combat, and why this is important, then they are able to universally apply this to all actions/techniques in all combative events.

Simple is key
It is worth noting, a word of caution. Although combatives is a loose, fluid style of combat, there are some aspects that must be adhered to, if it is to keep true to the combative approach. It is very easy, and very tempting, to inadvertantly begin to travel down the road of complication, bit by bit. As Kelly Mccann says, 'when combatives is no longer simple, it isn't combatives'.
Why is this important? Combatives, to one extent or another, will take advantage of our reflex, gross motor skills. Those simple movements we have been doing all our life are the same actions we can perform faster, and stronger, under extreme pressure. Combatives has always been about teaching people how to effectively protect themselves in the shortest time possible. The path has always resided in the real world, where one mistake could cost your life. Anyone who has experienced combat either in the military, law enforcement, the civilian arena, will know that it is most likely only a very small number of simple tools will be used in that one event. The more simple, the more we are used to using that tool, the more higher skilled we are at doing it. Bruce Lee once said something along the lines of - 'i don't fear a person who has learnt 10,000 techniques. I fear the one who has practiced one move 10,000 times. I'm not sure how many times you have put your open hand out to open a door. Yet that is essentially the same movement as an open palm strike. A devastating technique, used with the proper concepts. You already are an expert in many combative techniques. Some teaching of combatives concepts, and think what can be achieved in a short time. Yeah, it is that simple.
Stay Safe
Wayne