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IMPACT WEAPON TRAINING PROGRAM

WW-2 STICK FIGHTING MODULE

 WW-2 STICK CONCEPTS
The stick is an essential element of any self protection program. Along with the rock it
was man’s earliest weapon, and numerous systems of stickfighting have been developed over
the centuries. We must understand how to use the stick, and defend against the stick.
Today this study is still relevant. The stick in some form is found on the belt of
virtually every uniformed police officer. Whether using an Expandable Baton, a Straight
Baton, a Side-handled Baton, or, a riot baton, the weapon is, essentially, a stick.
Civilians may have a stick to hand, such as an umbrella or, cane; or, they may adapt
any one of numerous possibilities into an expedient impact weapon.
In the past fifteen or more years South East Asian weapon systems, such as Escrima,
Silat and Kali have flourished and have provided new and valuable methods, drills and
systems for both edged and impact weapons training.
However, the use of the short/light stick in street situations is not always clear cut, and
while SE Asian methods are interesting, they may not always fit the bill. Some considerations
Targets
Escrima targets hard, bony surfaces, such as the hands, wrists, elbows, knees,
shins and head. In the street these targets may be mobile, or, protected by heavy clothing.
Also, current police doctrine eschews these targets as being potentially injurious, so,
for liability reasons mandates striking muscle mass targets. However, a light baton does not
have the mass to induce Fluid Shock Wave impact, so may be ineffective against these
targets.
Strike methods.
Fairbairn rejected strikes that required you to raise your arm. Essentially, these
are the lobtic type slashes of the SE Asian systems. The big slashing strikes are easily seen,
and easily blocked. An aggressive enemy will close and grab the stick, nullifying it’s effect.
I suggest studying Escrima/Kali, there’s a lot of great material, but in considering a
system based solely on SE Asian methods we are in danger of “throwing the baby out with
the bath water” WW-2 Systems have a lot to offer. In this presentation we will examine the
main concepts taught by the various military training agencies.

US NAVY V-5 PROGRAM

Emphasis on thrust over slash
Keep it simple.
Bar-grip useful to parry punches/kicks.
Poking like a rapier to eye/mouth/throat. (Note; beware, single handed long thrusts
can injure your own wrist)
Two-handed grip, like Fairbairn, thrust to Solar Plexus/under chin/ groin/kindney
(from rear)
Slash to arm in what is now called a defanging action. Strike similarly to neck/jaw.
cont..
 WW-2 Stick concepts

USMC STICK TRAINING

Much of the material came from Colonel AJ Biddle, and Colonel W. Kengla.
According to Terry Haglund, Kengla trained with Fairbairn. Styers trained with both Biddle
and Kengla, and offered his concepts in Cold Steel. We have devoted a complete section to
this.
The Combat Conditioning program offered the following main points for stick use:-
Ø Stick size, ideally 1”-2” dia, and 24”-30” long.
Ø Long hold, used against knife, keep blade at bay using the length. Avoid disarms.
Ø Short hold, 6”-8” protrudes from thumb-side of fist, shaft along forearm. Ideal against
unarmed enemy who will try to rush/grab weapon. Can use the index finger pointing for
thrust. Free hand can ward/grab
Striking
Short end thrust, groin/guts/kidney/head
Long end flick, groin/shin/knee
Sequence
i] Short-end thrust to guts...
ii] Catch long end with left in vertical position, thumbs on top...
right tip strikes upwards raking Soloar Plexus on way to spearing under chin...
iii] Raise left hand bringing shaft horizontal, then Bar-strike down onto bridge
of nose...
iv] Finally, Bar-thrust horizontally forward into throat, with optional knee to
fork.

REX APPLEGATE PROGRAM:

Following WW-2 Colonel Applegate became a senior figure in law enforcement
training for impact weapons and crowd control. He modified some of the more aggressive
WW-2 techniques for peacetime police use.
In KOGK (1961 edition) he goes into detail on the various types of police baton, and
the intracacies of the wrist thong.
He suggests that slashes are done to the same targets as for the EOHB.
He demonstrates the techniques from the Fairbairn sequence, but singly not as a
combo.

Cont...
 FAIRBAIRN STICK DRILL
This drill is outlined the Umbrella Drill in Hands Off-Self Defence for Women and
Girls. Although designed specifically for the umbrella, which is suited for thrusting because
of the distinct tip, and rather unsuited to “slashes” due to flimsy body, in fact this drill is ideal
for any impact weapon. Subsequently WEF included it in All-in-Fighting. The sequence is
as follows:-

GRIP: Hold the stick horizontally across body, with Right hand palm down; Left hand palm
up. If using a weapon with a “business” end, such as the umbrella tip, it should be in the left.

1] Rake the tip violently across his abdomen from your left-right (striking his right
waist/floating ribs/liver area). Step in with your left leg as you do so, and use full force of
your hips behind the blow. Allow it to penetrate, don’t “pull” the blow. This strike has
numerous benefits:-
a] It is very difficult to defend, there is no telegraphing, no “wind up”. The stick
moves instantly from Ready to strike.
b] It is very strong. Full body-dynamics and weight-transfer are used behind the blow.
c] It disrupts the muscles. It is very difficult to tense against a raking action, the
abdom muscles are strong frontally, but weaker from a side strike.
d] If using a friction-lock Expandable Baton this thrust is unlikely to collapse the
weapon, whereas a direct thrust might.
This strike was described in Knights of the Floating Silk “like striking a giant match”

2] Immediately strike vertically upwards under the chin. The position ends rather like your
are presenting arms.
a] If he has bent forward, which is likely after the initial belly thrust, the tip will strike
his throat, with fight-stopping potential. However, we are not supporters of the “predictable
reaction” theory, so , the sequence allows for the fact that he may show little, or, no reaction.
In the real world, the strike might hit belt-kit, or become snared in clothing, with little effect.
Cont….
 Stick Training Module, cont…

However, an aggressive enemy tends to angle forwards, presenting targets to the second
strike. In this case the tip will strike under his jaw, into the soft tissue, with a high degree of
shock. In either case a good effect.

Note, I asked the RSA Paramedics about this strike, and they said that there would be
massive haemorrhage plus tremendous swelling [closing off the airway]. They agreed it
would be a potentially lethal strike.
b] If the belly strike fails and enrages him the vertical strike acts as an instant shield
against his aggression, until you continue with...

3] From the previous strike, raise the weapon an extra measure, as you raise your left/lead
foot...then immediately bring the tip down in a violent raking action, drop-stepping in with
full body commitment. Any target in the way is struck. This has two implications:-
a] You have missed, because he’s managed to lean back. In this case drive forward,
striking down into face/neck/chest.
b] Your rising thrust connected and you are following up with the logical action.

4] Follow up, with a round strike, bringing your right hand in an arc to impact with the butt
end against his head/neck This strike has the same dynamics as an elbow strike
Note, if using a weapon with a crook (such as certain umbrellas, and canes), at this
strike the crook will be positioned to ensnare the neck, for a throw.

5] Keeping the shaft horizontal, retract slightly, then ram it in/up to his throat, and up to his
chin. This double hand action is very strong, and is very difficult to defend. It has two
implications:-
a] A fight-finishing bar-strike to the larynx/throat.
b] A contact breaking shove to the upper chest, Kelly McCann’s “car crash”, making
space for further thrusts.

6] As an optional final technique I suggest bringing the bar-thrust up, over his head, and
ensnaring the back of his neck, pulling in to a knee-strike.
Cont….
 Stick Training Module, cont…

NOTES:
i] It is unlikely that you would complete the entire sequence on a single assailant. The
drill links several techniques in a logical progression, with some options built in. We tend to
consider the techniques as pairs. In my own street use of this drill I did the first two strikes
then my assailant fell down the stairs. This is an example of how a drill fits reality.
ii] Malcolm Harris adapted the Fairbairn stick drill for police truncheon use in his
Lethal Unarmed Combat (1972).
iii] Fairbairn designed this system to work with any kind of stick…. If all else fails
you can break a branch off a tree. There are no sliding actions, or, grip changes which would
get your hands ripped by thorns, bark, or, knots. [Note, if using a proper baton there are a
couple of useful additional techniques outside of the Fairbairn system; see Baton Notes trg
key]
iv] Bob Koga took big chunks of the Fairbairn, and the Styers systems into his LAPD
Baton Program.
v] SMP had a special baton, with “teardrop” shaft.

OTHER WW-2 METHODS

BAYONET THRUST
Taught in the US Navy V-5 Program. A good option for an attacker at a
distance, where you need to close in, or, one that’s moving in on you.
Grip baton in both hands [as in Fairbairn system], thrust to midline, groin, throat, then
withdraw for follow up.

POOL-CUE THRUST
A fast strike allowing the leading end to slide through the front hand, propelled
by the rear hand plus body dynamics. Especially effective to target the eyes; also throat,
solar-plexus, belly and groin.

STICK SWING-STRIKE
As mentioned, Fairbairn advised against swing/slash type strikes. He was especially
wary about such strikes on the high line [FMA angles ½], because they are the easiest to see,
and thus, potentially defend against.
In the SMP 1915 manual he taught to target the shin/knee if delivering a swing strike.
Close in with Offhand Fend, strike low.

COMBINATION ATTACK DRILL

1] Initiate with a Bayonet Thrust to solar-plexus, moving in, keeping low, ram with
leading shoulder to unbalance first if necessary….
Follow-up a] If your thrust makes full contact he should bend forward, exposing the
throat. If so, immediately uncoil and strike with the Vertical thrust.
Follow-up b] If your thrust pushes him back [protective clothing/armour etc] then
follow with a Swing-strike to the shin/knee.

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