In response to the "sling/no sling" debate going on in another thread, I thought I'd offer up some thoughts regarding combative principals when using a sling.

First, a few ground rules.  Every move has a counter-move.  It would be somewhat pointless for me to say "When X happens, do Y," as there are many variations in specifics and circumstances and I don't want this thread to degenerate into a "what if" discussion that will spiral into oblivion.  I absolutely do have techniques that I teach and endorse, but that is not the focus of this thread.  Instead I wanted to touch upon some principals, theories, and ideas for close quarters combatives when using a sling.  My goal is to hopefully make you think about a topic that really gets lost in the mix because everyone gets focused on the hardward and not necessarily the software.  Maybe it will even motivate some of you to put some more effort into your combatives skills.

Now for a few thoughts.

1. Make the second move, first.

Regardless of the circumstance or body positioning, when someone grabs onto your sling with the intent of using against you in some manner.  The first and maybe the most important thing to remember is this, whomever makes the second move first, will most likely win the fight (the first move being the threat grabbing your weapon/sling.)  To achieve this goal, your actions must be stimulus response based and not cognitive based.  Just like when your arm is pricked with a pin and it reflexively retracts without conscious thought, so must be your response to the stimulus of someone grabbing your weapon/sling.  It's not enough to know what you want to do, your body must be conditioned to do it reflexively without you actively controlling the response.

2. Close the gap.

Anytime a threat is presented to you in a compressed time frame, our natural reaction is to back away and distance ourself from the threat.  This response works against us.  Once a threat has a secure hold on our weapon/sling, creating space between ourself, our sling, and the threat, it will multiply his power and leverage.  Think about a baseball player swinging a bat.  The greatest amount of power and force is located at the end of the bat, not in close where the hands are gripping the bat.  Allowing space between you and the threat places you squarely in the arc of power of the threat, magifying the power and leverage that a threat can bring to bear upon you.  This space also allows the threat room to advance his manipulation techniques to the next steps upon you.

Instead, close the gap.  Get inside your threats arc of power and trap the weapon and quite possibly one or both of his hands in between your bodies.  Most threats will not expect you to close the gap.  There is a natural human expectation that if I pull on you, you will pull back and seek to separate from me.  Closing the gap and aggressing on the threat is not a normal response and in many instances this will cause the threat to freeze or if your an OODA Loop fan, it will cause the threat's clock to reset.  As this is not a normal human reaction, it requires dedicated training to properly program this stimulus reponse.

3.  Occupo Mens

This is a fighting style that I've been developing for some time.  Quite simply, it means seizing the mind by force.  It focuses on taking control of your opponents mind with physical force.  It's a fighting style that allows me to control you mind without your knowledge.  I don't have the space or time to explore this with any depth, but here is a quick concept.  A threat grabs my weapon/sling.  I make the second move first and close the gap.  At this point, I want to seize control of the threats mind.  Refocus his attention and priorities.  Any technique to accomplish my goal will work, so this is not necessarily a physical overpowering process, it's a mental process.  To accomplish this goal, I decide that as I quickly close the gap and trap my body against my threats, I drive my thumb into the eye socket of my threat.  The instant my thumb makes contact, the threat is no longer focusing on my weapon/sling.  I have refocused his priorities to relieving the mounting pressure he is feeling in his eye socket.  At that moment, I have seized his mind.  I am controlling what he does, how he responds.  The threat is no longer trying to grab my weapon and he doesn't even realize it.  

I'm not sure if I really explained this concept, but I guess it's a mental process for controlling stimulus responses.  Because these responses are based on a given stimulus, they are reflexive and not cognitive.  If I can control your reflexive responses, which by their very nature are not cognitively controlled, then I am, in effect, controlling your mind.  And if I can control your mind, then I control your most potent weapon, and you cannot win.

To bring this back to a more physical discussion, once you close the gap.  Using whatever technique your prefer, look to attack the face/ throat area.  This will cause a reflexive defensive response that will cause the threat to release your weapon.  You can either continue the attack or if the initial response was effective enough, you can create space and bring your weapon back into the fight.

There was some discussion about not being able to get to a knife or other weapon, especially if you end up on the ground.  For this reason, I carry two knives.  One on my thigh rig next to my pistol and one high up on the center of my chest.  Here's a quick pic of it.  You can see the handle covering the flag in the center of my chest rig.



Regardless of where I end up, I usually have access to one of the other, should I need it.

Hope this encourages some of you to take a moment and really think about what you'd do if someone grabbed your weapon/sling.  Remember that a surprising number of police officers shot in the line of duty are shot with their own weapons.  Some POS was able to get the weapon away from the LEO and use it against him.  If it happens to them, it can happen to you.  Be ready to deal with it if it does.  If you accept the responsibility of carrying a weapon, then you also must accept the responsibility of preventing that weapon from being used against you or someone else.  And the only way to effectively do that is to train, train and train some more.  At least you'll save some money on ammo, right?

Good shooting and Occupo Mens,
USSA-1  

So when is USSA going to host a class in Ga ? Or have you and I had my head in the sand?

I thought you were in OK, I heard a lot about you guys while in the Big D.

Hi Eric,

Once again, thank you for sharing your knowledge.  The idea you describe above was previously told to me as 'controlling the tempo' of the fight.  You force your opponent to go from attack to reaction mode.  They're a move behind, trying to counter your attack.  Of course, knowing effective techniques to make that happen is a big help!

I wonder how many medics we'll need on hand if Eric and panzer get together to teach a HTH fighting class?

Allen

Quoted: I wonder how many medics we'll need on hand if Eric and panzer get together to teach a HTH fighting class?

My thoughts exactly!  LOL.  I'd love to see those two get together for some HTF demos.  

I'll bring the pizza and beer.  

Mark

So when is USSA going to host a class in Ga ? Or have you and I had my head in the sand? I thought you were in OK, I heard a lot about you guys while in the Big D.

Cold,

I've already done a couple and I intend on doing some more in the future, but during the later summer/fall, my schedule gets real busy and it's tough to find the time.  It's usually easier for me to do a quick, informal 1/2 day or 1 day workout as opposed to a full blown 2 or 3 day program.  The nice thing is this format gives me some flexibility in the subject matter.  Currently, I'm thinking about doing a one day AK course or a Full-Auto course.

No, I still have a day job and I live in Atlanta, but I fly out to USSA on a regular basis and instruct at the facility.

Allen,

I've heard of that one also.  I guess I'm exploring a variation of that theme.  I'm working on the idea of using a human beings reflexive response against themself.  Like when someone trys to smack you in the balls and your hips reflexively shift backwards and your hands drop to protect the family jewels.  This causes your head to shift forward, making it easier to strike and your hands are not in a position to protect your head/face.

I'm sure I'm just re-inventing the wheel here, but it's a concept I'm exploring.

USSA-1

Guys,

Sorry I didn't mention this but I was pressed for time yesterday during my initial post.

Please don't misconstrue this thread or topic in any way as a shot (no pun intended) against Wade or Bushido Tactical.  Wade offered up some valid concerns and reasons to support BT's training doctrine.  Take the techniques they offer and do your own evaluation as to whether or not they work for you.  Issues like this are exactly the reason I encourage people to expose themselves to many different trainers.  Experience what they have to offer.  Evaluate what works for you.  Keep what does and discard the rest.  Customize your own toolbox for you, no one else.  There were some good points brought up in the BT sling thread and I simply wanted to offer up some other options for you guys to consider, so please don't take this as a "my stuff is better than his stuff" thread.  That is not the intent at all.

Thanks,
USSA-1

USSA-1


I would love if you offered a 1 day AK class, it is something I would love some work in, I am sure others would too.  I rarely see these classes offered and have been looking for one. I know Gomez does one but he is not near by last I checked.

This is true, but Eric is a mountain

Funny, I seem to recall something about the bigger they are.....

Panzer,

I did, thanks.  You've got one coming your way.

USSA-1