Power Throwing

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TACTICALRESPONSE SOLUTIONS 2945 SOUTH MOONEY BlVD. .

VISAlIA, CA 93277 BY BOB TAYlOR

@1994

TACTICAL RESPONSE SOLUTIONS

@1994 TACTICAL RESPONSE SOLUTIONS

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The concept of hand-launched weapons, specifically edged weapons, is ageless. One of the most prolific and glamourous is that ofthe Samurai. A youth in the beginning of his Martial 'ftaining was expected to throw the Shuriken with deadly accuracy before beginning their formal sword training. The proverbial Blade Masters of all cultures is at least expected to be deadly throwing their knife or a secondary weapon. Hollywood has exposed us to all types of heroes of all cultures and periods with the hand-launched weapon. Many still remember the famous knife vs. gun scene in the western classic, The MagnificentSeven,to more recently Steven Segal using a Gil Hibben thrower in the hit movie, UnderSiege. Currently, the only times the general public is exposed to any hand-launched weapons is the Circus Performer or at a Mountain Man rendezvous, where knife and tomahawk throwing events are extremely popular. In both cases, this exhibition type throwing is performed under controlled conditions from fixed distances and with weapons the user is familiar with. This not to detract from what they do, especially the Circus Performers who have mastered phenomenal stunts with risk of death or serious injury to their Daredevil partner. However, the style and training of a circus performer simply is not practical to any self defensive or offensive tactics.

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While I have been a student ofthe Martial Arts most my life, and for many years taught both armed combat, unarmed combat edged weapons, my formal weapons training consisted of sword and knife-both eastern and western styles. While studying the sword gives one a foundation and is excellent for conditioning and developing attributes, swords simply are not very practical outside the current sports dedicated to the weapons themselves. The knife, however, has maintained it's appeal as a self-defense 1

weapon and an every day tool. I advocate, teach and consider knives as viable self-defense weapons. They are usually legal, concealable and quite capable of inflicting fight stopping damage. The reality of knives and so-called "knife fighting" is brutal, to say the least. The very nature of the wounds that knives are capable of creating scare the hell out of most people. Knives are typically thought of as a thug or criminals weapon, since some criminals do favora knife because you can injure to degree and the weapon is silent. Throughout my years of study, I have determined the stark reality that when facing a knife, you are going to sustain damage. While many experts refuse to admit it, even to themselves, an expert faced off against even the rank amateur will usually encounter severe injury. The reason is that using any standard technique, in order to deliver a strike, you must be in range. Also, if you're in range, then your opponent has the same opportunity as you.

All things considered, after years of studying martial arts and the various weapons systems employed within each style, only one offered any throwing style, and that was limited. Developing my Power Throwing System was slow. The techniques were developed and added as the need of being practical in combat dictated the necessity of each technique. 1b claim that I had in fact developed a system required testing of the theory behind the techniques. First, could these basic techniques be readily taught to others in a reasonable amount of time? Second, could the basic techniques and principals be retained to make them viable in the real world? Last, but more important, would these techniques provide an individual with a realistic approach to self-defense in the harsh realties of survival? Aside from the uncommon knife vs. knife scenario, the ability to strike outside the opponent's range of influence was typically extended to weapons of greater reach. A classic example of this belief surfaced during a Police Baton class. The instructor stated a person skilled with a baton would readily defeat a person skilled with ,a knife, due to

The uncommon knife vs. knife scenario presents a situation where both participants are within one another's range of attack. In this situation, even a highly skilled fighteris likely to be injured.

Because the knife offers little instant incapacitation, even a fatal strike can allow the opponent time to deliver a number of strikes in the seconds that they have left before they are rendered unconscious or are incapacitated.

The ability to throw a knife with accuracy and success provides the Power Throwing student to extend his range of attack while removing himself from his opponents range of attack.

the reach advantage. A skilled student in both traditional knife and Power Throwing caused the instructor to have to "rethink" his position. The student repeatedly inflicted crippling and fatal blows with a rubber training knife while never once being struck with the instructors training baton. There is the old controversy which always surfaces in the debate of throwing one's knife in a life or death situation. Many experts say "never should you throw your knife in a fight". Much of this reasoning comes from the fact that you lose your only weapon. In my opinion, this can be remedied by carrying multiple weapons, a practice which I subscribe to wholeheartedly. Like any system of self-defense the Power Throwing system has it's strong and weak points. The Power Throwing system has a probability factor of95% or greater rate of success. Success meaning you can place the knife point first, where you intended it with sufficient force to penetrate your target. This statistic makes throwing your knife a realistic option. Throughout the years while developing the Power Throwing system, an interesting discovery was made. While the Power Throwing System was centered around knives, the factors oflength, balance point and shape weren't as critical as everyone was led to believe. While they are a factor, the technique taught in the Power Throwing System always compensated for the difference. With experience, small adjustments become almost automatic.

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Length limits the range on both ends of the extreme. If one doesn't need a "balanced throwing knife" in order to gain a high rate of success, then the door was open to using "knife-like" objects. The ability to use a readily available or improvised weapon from your surrounding environment or, with circumstance and time permitting, the option of making a weapon adds a new dimension to both defensive and offensive techniques. This means that weapons can be butter knives, screwdrivers, glass fragments, ball point pens, and the list can go on. The Power Throwing System was developed and based off of the sciences of Physics, Biomechanics and Mathematics. The Physics portion deals with the forces that occur with the throwing of any object. Unlike the physics of flight, we are not dealing with thrust and lift. Once the weapon leaves the hand, it no longer has thrust and unless the weapon is an air foil like a boomerang, then lift is also not in consideration. This leaves us to consider only drag and gravity. Fortunately, these effects are minor because we are dealing with a relative short range. The most important force you must have a basic understanding of is the rotationalspin. One of the basic laws of physics is "an object in motion tends to stay in motion". When force is no longer applied, the motion will remain a constant with regards to the effects of drag, gravity, arid finally the terminal effect. Basing these techniques on these principals, we can establish a specific rotation with a weapon while we are also applying a force that starts a motion that will remain constant until it strikes

Weight distribution has a slight effect, but this variance is easily overcome. With weight, the target area would be more of the deciding factor. Extremely light objects lack mass and while they can be delivered with extreme velocity they lack the penet~ation of a heavy object. The other end ofthe spectrum was ,the heavy objects, which were slower, but the mass caused better penetration. Adjusting for

the target. Thus, we teach that we are establishing the desired tumble pattern in the manner the weapon is gripped and we are applying thrust simultaneously. You also must be aware ofthe Biomechanics involved in the Power Throwing system. The effect your body has on

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the thrust and rotational spin is accomplished in two ways. First, the joints employed throughout the arm (wrist, elbow and shoulder) are critical for controlling the rotational spin of the object thrown. Initially, you are locking a joint out to where it does not add to the natural rotational spin. Secondly, we must consider the arc or the swinging type motion we use to throw any object. The wider the arc, the longer it takes the object to rotate on the axis. The opposite holds true for a shorter arc, as the weapon will rotate faster.

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DISTANCE DISTANCE DISTANCE

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Like any physical endeavor, hand to eye coordination, athletic ability and time spent studying will be the main factors of gaining proficiency. There is no magic art that can be mastered by everyone with no effort. This is why Power Throwing is taught with the more practical and less complicated throws in the beginning. As the student gains a more complete understanding of the basic throws they can progress to the more difficult throws. The true difficulty is not in relation to range, (distance to the target), but more in relation to the forces the individual must apply to the weapon. Footwork is a vital part of the system. Like a boxer or a martial artist knows that he must move in and out ofrange to use his various weapons, each throw in the Power Throwing system has its individual range for practicality of use. Thking a half or full step in any given direction may allow for a simpler, more efficient technique.

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The diagram shows that as the arc of the arm becomes wider, the rate of tumble slows, therefore extending the effective striking distance of the weapon.

we are dealing with the distance of the point of release and the target, the relationship between the rotation of the arm to rate of tumble is critical in order to maximize the effect of striking with the weapon point first. In this report, we will describe two ofthree tumble patterns which make up the basis of the system. The first involves lino tumble" where the weapon travels much like a dart and the weapon is thrown from the handle. The second involves the "halftumble" where the weapon rotates one Because

half turn, thus the weapon is thrown by the blade. For reference, the third involves a tumble consisting of one full rotation where the weapon is thrown from the handle.

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'Itaining begins first with ThcbniqueOne (Figures 1-3). This will be utilized in 40-50% of the true life situations. The target is just outside stabbing or slashing range about four to eight feet out. This is an unnatural throw where the shoulder, elbow and wrist don't move in sequence.

With Technique One, the student can actually feel the stress in the elbow joint when performed properly. The second check point is the position of the hand after release. If the thumb is pointing directly at the target, the throw was incorrect and the weapon will strike the target flat.

Fig. 1. - The knife is gripped by the handle. The initial position appears similar to a baseball throw, although the ensuing movement is much different. 1'/" /; J'i'h";'l'/"4{/7"""" .,/1 . .,,;,.-

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Fig.2 - The 1',/knife is pushed forward in an "..J

unnatural motion that requires the wrist to remain stationary.

Fig. 3 - Pushing the hand forward, similar to a jab punch, at the release of the weapon the wrist remains stiff. Any movement or rotation of the wrist will cause the weapon to strike flat. When this technique is done correctly you will feel an uncomfortable stress in the elbow.

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The thumb should be pointing straight up with the wrist locked.

ThchniqueTwo utilizes the natural throws. Here the knife is held by the blade and only rotates one half turn. The student first has to find their natural distance. Because ofthe difference in everyone's arm length and natural arc this is individualized and will vary up to three feet between students. The range of the Technique 'TWonatural throws are between ten to fifteen feet with this variable being accomplished by the slight variations in the arc ofthe throw and wrist manipulation. Fig. 1. - This is a natural throw performed by gripping the blade between the thumb and index finger.

"1 Fig. 2 - Push the blade forward without allowing the elbow to lead in the motion.

Once the interval extends past the fifteen foot mark, the unnatural throws are taught. This is where the wrist and elbow are locked out, the rotation is centered in the shoulder and the extreme arc is necessary. In teaching, I stress consistency of movement with the range variation adjusted more by point of release. This approach keeps the muscle memory of the movement constant, so that the student can target his concentration on the point of release. Like the forced throw in Technique 'TWoconsistency of movement is stressed and the range variation is also controlled by point of release. Putting the system into a viable fighting form and integrating Power Throwing into all of the various edged weapons systems is best described as free form. Much like the late Bruce Lee's theory of Jeet Kune Do the student should build on his strengths and allow the art and form to surround them. You now have three basic throws described that allow a range of three to thirteen feet. TECHNIQUE1

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This chart shows the approximate distances in which the techniques remain effective at directing the weapon to strike point first.

Fig. 3 - At the release point rotate the wrist downward and point your thumb towards the target.

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Safety in training is an obvious concern. If a student utilizes live blades, the question isn't if a injury will happen but when and how severe the injury will be. Because the system isn't dedicated to balanced throwing knives, the primary training device that I recommend is a dowel stick. While this won't stick into the target, it will allow you to discer:J. whether you hit the target point first. As you advance, apply duct tape at various locations to change 11

the balance of the training dowel and give you a simulated handle feel. If you can get the dowel to go point first, the technique will transfer for a knife or improvised weapon quite easily. Tb integrate Power Throwing into an existing system of sparring, unless the students are padded with helmets on, full power throws are not used. A simple rubber training knife can break ribs when delivered point first with full power. Obviously, without a helmet, head shots are out of the question. Aside from the military and special operations aspect of the system, the application in self-defense is obvious. The ability to strike outside the opponents sphere ofinfluence coupled with the ability to injure to a degree.

He delivered the strike using the bound corner ofthe book to the suspects nose from seven feet. The blow took the guard out of action before he could even think about using his shotgun. The reason the strike was so devastating is all of the energy was concentrated in a 1/4square inch. The book actually cut into the suspect's face, along with breaking his nose. Look around you at any given time or place and you are surrounded with potential weapons that can stun an attacker giving you the tactical edge, if you can master Power Throwing.

For example, a person threatens you with a broken bottle and you have no easy means of escape, a reliable technique one throw with a three or four inch pocket folder targeted to the thigh or foot should effect the attackers thinking. If they persist (98% will quit), you can easily out run them considering they will have only one useful leg. Consider another scenario, you're in a restaurant and being threatened by multiple opponents, the same technique using a butter knife or a fork could trim the odds down considerably. Improvised weapons can be implemented from many different objects. A coat hangar bent to shape, a broom stick (which always break sharp), a tree limb sharpened on a rock, a broken bottle or a piece of window glass all make possible improvised weapons. Even objects which are not oblong like a knife. In my experience, the prize for the most creative improvised weapon used in Power Throwing goes to an undercover narcotics agent who used a paperback novel delivered to the face of a door guard at a shooting gallery. 12

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