I was originally going to write a post about the difference between intra-tribal and extra-tribal violence but figured it worked better this way. Not all violence is the same and as a man you should be proficient in multiple kinds of violence to be well rounded and the strongest and most prepared man that you can be. For example we all know the gun nut who can’t punch his way out of a paper bag or the grappler who has a chin (and other body parts) made of glass, and so on and so forth.
As men it behooves (my dollar word for the essay) us to become familiar with multiple kinds of violence because more likely than not we will encounter multiple kinds of violence in our lives. For example it’s different throwing down with some kid at a bonfire because you’re nailing his ex and he’s got a problem with it and some junkie jumping you in an ally. One you’d be stupid to use deadly force and the other you’d be stupid to not use deadly force (nothing I say should be considered or construed as legal advice or taken seriously, as far as it’s concerned these are the ravings of a mad man that should not be taken as advice).
Type Of Violence #1 – Grappling
Let’s first talk abut non lethal violence and intra-tribal violence (though obviously these things have many things that transfer to extra-tribal violence). You’ve probably heard the phrase “80 (or some high number) percent of fights end up on the ground” so while I have some problems with it there is certainly wisdom to this phrase. So first off yes most fights do end up on the ground but that’s generally because the fighters suck ass at striking. If everyone was required to become a halfway decent boxer or get killed I guarantee you that 80 percent of fights would not end up on the ground (unless you count K.O.’s).
But no matter what learning to grapple is essential because at some point or another you will likely end up on the ground and need to know what to do from such a position. Sometimes you’ll end up there through a square fight others times through being blindsided and others times just because life likes to take a shit on you every now and again. There are plenty of options out there for good grappling work. I’m biased to wrestling because I’ve been a wrestler but I’ve lately taken up Jiu Jitsu that’s grappling focused (seems to be a mash up of Japanese and Brazilian with a combative flavor thrown in) and gotta say I’ve been challenged and impressed. Pick whatever works for you and become proficient at it. Wrestling, Jiu Jitsu, or whatever else.
Type Of Violence #2 – Striking
I feel that striking is an extremely underappreciated art and something that people discount greatly (until they’re struck by a good striker). Here we’re talking about non lethal striking though obviously striking of any kind can end up that way. So we’re talking about striking that isn’t meant to be lethal but meant to win a fight. A single good strike placed properly can end a fight just like that (not that you should ever count on one strike ending a fight just letting you know it’s a possibility.
Striking is just as essential as grappling for complete development and being able to defend yourself and hold your own in a violent situation. Now y’all already know what type of striking is my favorite and what I’m going to recommend. And that is the great sport of boxing. You won’t find any better type of punching and I think having a base of boxing with some elbow and other work thrown in and adapted from other practices is your best bet. To me there’s not much as beautiful, crisp, and effective as a well placed punch but again you have to do what works for you. I recommend boxing but other striking schools works as well, find what fits best with you and do that.
Type Of Violence #3 – Combatives
Here I’m going to be talking about both combative in the hand to hand sense and the blade sense. I’m going to consider combatives anything self-defense or attacking practice that is designed to maim or kill an enemy and does not involve using a firearm. So obviously this covers a whole hell of a lot of ground. A book like Cold Steel or The Dirty Dozen is a great introduction to one I’m getting at here though obviously it’s practice that is going to make the difference here. Combatives is for life or death situations not for messing around. It’s a completely different animal than other types of fighting. It involves the fists, feet, elbows, knees, knives, sticks, stones, and whatever else can be used to maim or kill an enemy. Combatives is also a mindset.
Again I’m covering a very wide subject in very little space. Unlike say boxing or jiu jitsu it’ll be hard to find a quality combatives place to train around you. Everyone has their pet theories, practices, and hair splitting nonsense with this stuff but just find what works for you and practice, practice, practice. If you have buddies who are LEO or military even better cause they’ll know the basics they can show you (how I learned) also you should get one of those “bob” dummies that’s shaped like a person but it’s a punching bag. Helps to practice shutos to the side of the neck, knife hand to the trachea, eye gouges, palm strikes to chin, ear claps, and all that fun stuff your shouldn’t be doing to your buddies. Don’t get too caught in pet theories and realize that mentality is just as important (if not more) than anything else with this.
Type Of Violence #4 – Gun Fighting
Again broad but I’ll break it down as much as I can. If you can carry a firearm I believe that you absolutely should (and if you can’t carry a blade and if you can’t carry a blade then learn the living shit out of combatives and awareness) but that also you should be well trained with and not just have it as an accessory piece. I think you should be non-retarded (my way of saying learn the basics) of basic pistol, shotgun, and rifle combat and some small unit tactics. Don’t have be a Navy S.E.A.L. but just be proficient enough where you wouldn’t be a liability to yourself or your tribe were you needed.
Though pistol I would become better than just competent with. Understand the difference between combat shooting and target shooting, learn point shooting. Again if you have buddies who are LEO/military you got a big advantage here (again how I learned). Regardless of what you do become proficient with firearms and the basic tactics behind them, as well as learn the difference between shooting at a target and point/combat shooting. Also understand that there is a very big mental component to all of this that if it’s lacking none of this is going to matter. But I don’t have time to go into all of that here.
Be Familiar With & Competent In Violence
Violence is a part of our world and being able to harness, use it, and defend against it is simply part of being a man. Obviously there is another mental component that goes along with all of this things like awareness, “fighting spirit”, knowledge of the law, and so on and so forth. You must be competent in intra-tribal violence (for challenges, respect, and other matters) and you must also be competent in extra-tribal violence (to keep your neck attached to your head and your balls in tact to your body). Violence is chaotic and different, familiarize yourself with it so you can use when you need to do use it.
If you have any questions you would like to see answered in a future post send them to me at charlessledge001 (at) gmail (dot) com. If you found value in this post then I would encourage you to share this site with someone who may need it as well as check out my books here. I appreciate it.
-Charles Sledge
