THE THREAT OF THE THRUST Two versions of the popular 'thrusting triangle"that should be in your personal arsenal of edged weapon tactics! A Fun & Fascinating Look at Giving'em a Poke with Cold Blue Steel ! By James Keating S'cuse the spell'in..I'm running fast and furious theze daze ! ........................................................................................................................... The thrust is feared over the slash due to it's bullet-like capacity to enter the body cavity of an opponent and damage an organ. Boom ! Shutdown time ! A slash, as ugly and bloody as it may be, does not shut people down. It maims, wounds and lacerates true ! But, no guarantee that the bad guy will quit his attack. The thrust on the other hand, usually stops'em cold in their tracks. Just like a 6", ninety caliber bullet ! The combination of slash and thrust has long been touted as a balanced and deceptive means of personal edged weapons use. I cannot disagree a bit. But, let us not rest there too long O' pilgrim upon the thousand mile path of the warrior. Let us push onward to further discoveries and treasures. The poor old thrust has somehow gotten a bad name, probably from those too ignorant to grasp it's secrets. So they, in their well meaning fog & haste, write an article or book decrying the action known as the Estoca or thrust. The well applied thrust is a true movement of deception and devastation to a careless adversary. When we say "thrust" does it refer only to one certain kind of action ? Is it the stodgy "poke' of the hollywood Zorro as he finishes off the bad guy ? Nay, nay goodfellow. The term thrust is generic, the thrust comes in many guises. Hell, you can thrust with the edge instead of the point if ya want. It's a move with many faces. It's a motion concept over it being a specific technique. These different types of thrusts or thrusting actions have many names from each country. But rather than going into that can of worms too far, I'd rather share a more direct way of seeing the multiplcity of thrust with you. That means you dear reader, are going to get a lot out of the small bundle of knowledge that I am about to lay on you. One must thoroughly understand the thrust to first appreciate it's well deserved reputation of deadliness. To make the thrust yours is now our next step, shall we proceed ? The actions are simple, the nuances are legion, approach this exercise with cunning and courage, the movement itself shall do the rest for thee ! ......................................................................................................................... The first of lesson of the thrust is upon the standing triangle. That is where the apex is pointed skyward. As in how the pyramids of Eygpt appear to the human eye from a distance. This thrusting triangle has as it's core facet the deadly facial thrust. The "Old Spanish Guard" as it's known to some, it always shoots it's point for the place between the eyebrows. The Tibetans infamous third eye area, it was once popularized by bogus yogus T. Lobsang Rampa in the early sixties with tales of head boring-trepanning pulp. http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/thirdeye.html This spot is the "visual blind spot" or vanishing point that this version of the thrusting triangle flourishes about. The secret here lies not in the weapons play so much as much as it does within the understanding and exploitation of this most crucial tactical secret regarding inherint human weaknesses (design flaws). The remaining lower two thrusting points which comprise the rest of this THRUSTING TRIANGLE # 1. are located at the lower abdomen and hip areas. One on each side...specific target is a floater...a deliberate move on the masters part in teaching this...access gained is access to victory whatever the target...take whats offered in the nether regions of the fight and be happy to have drawn blood. Low line plays can be deadly for you, they are known as "secondarys'... a category of moves which are only to be made after something else proceeds them...a primary move example perhaps would a thrust between the eyes ...savvy ? In some cases one could read this as a #5 in between the eyes and the lower two as a # 6 and # 7 to the low line. Also known as an inverted thrusting triangle because it is less popular than it's opposite version the standard thrusting triangle which we shall be discussing next. (Caveat/Warning: Remember because something is "popular" doesn't make it "better"> Look closely at these two and seek the best version 4 U !) This method is a "Largo Mano" range type of fighting. For more check out some of my Bowie knife tapes. they can teach you the follow ups and related actions which provide support for your thrust. .............................................................................................................................. The Second lesson on combat most trusted, is another version, it too triple thrusted..... Here let us examine the worthy and more popular 'apex down" triangle most often taught as a sumbrada range skill in the Filipino martial arts. Here you must direct your thrust (never say "stab", it's not good press, THRUST has more cleanliness to it, eh?) to the lower body. It's a straight jab inward with a rapid retraction. The classic "convict who stabs someone with a sharpened spoon" scenario. If you do get in with this move, support it with the checking hand/live hand. This is not a largo system. It is a close quarter method..yeah, serrada. If you do get in, use repeated thrusts. (called "jackhammer" thrusts. Brrrrrrrt BRRRRRT...rapid fire pumping..about 8 to 10 per burst and repeat...) Ah, da hi-line moves..twin dragons from hell waiting to descend from heaven to steal the pearls of wisdom (your eyes). Arcing, gliding, faking, striding....powerful shit dude and all based around Enganyo...Each thrust is backed by a slash...and a renewed thrusting attack. Withdraw..harass the flank..attack again..just like an army.. "This knifes iron and mah udder knifes steel, If'n dis one doan getcha, den dat udder one weel" OK, E-Nuff Poe-Tree..on with the lesson.. FAKING..yes, enganyo..playing not only a deadly move..but, a deadly deception as well. Yes, like the other one...but with it's own unique twist. The knife never plays without deception at it's side. This version of the triangle is DEADLY...secrets lie within it which are the core of combative edged weapon values and training. It's the living expression of the edged weapon players philosophical base. It links with several other methods, drills and ruses commonly found in most FMA circles. if your teacher don't show this within the first two days of training, then find someone else, they are just bilking you outta yer hard earned $$ pard ! .............................................................................................................................. The third and final lesson of the THRUST is upon it's many variations and applications. Let's do a fly-by on a few of these things..bring them out of the shadows so to speak. This where creativity must kick-in for you at home. You can create ! You can invent ! You do need need authorization or certification..all you need is the desire, clarity of thought and some common sense..you can add to the sophistication of the thrust if you want....hey, there you go ! I knew you could do it.., I knew you'd see it my way ! Welcome to the masters club pal ! That wasn't so hard now was it ? Ok, let's see what else those Comtechian, crusty-thrusty adepts of the fray have in store for us ! During the act of thrusting one can seperate the various energies of the thrust into individual catagories. The heavier action of going to point is more or less the classic thrust, the lesser commited actions of point are called "picks" or "picking". In other places these moves are known as "taunts"...they produce "taunt wounds"... Thrusts can be done equally well in either hammer or ice pick grips. The thrust of the knife transfers over to other objects very easily. The thrust is fast and flexible..it produces tangible effects in opponents with lighting like speed and authority. Cruelty cannot be helped, it is the nature of the bulls horns to be cruel, it is the way of the desert cactus to pierce and wound that which abraids it side...then can it not be said that it is the way that men also will act by the nature of combat and the employment of the thrust ? Yes, to thrust without serious intent to harm is to rob the very soul of your warrior spirit of it's power. Yes, realize the cruelty of your act, carry not hatred..just be natural. Be a man. Shooting is also merely a thrust..only a slight bit different from the knife..it's easy to see. Work with it some. Throwing a knife is just a way of creating a flying thrust. What else huh ? Once gone, well, you know the warning..throw wisely or suffer being un-armed. Danger ! Another version of a thrust is called coring..this is where the knife is thrust into an area then turned sharply in a U shaped hooking motion..this creates a horrible wound on top of the thrust's initial entry wound. Debilitating and painful, this one has visual shock going for it too. Once the bad guy see's his hide hanging off him like a slab O' bacon a great degree of surliness is swiftly abated. You win--they lose. As the Gods intended it. "Disgusting Thrusting" = first ya spit on yer blade then ya stabs them wit it, yep thets it...good old disgust'in thrust'in, a true blue American trailer park speshulty ! (OK, OK, Just kidding again..) Now back to biznezz ! Dangers of the thrust..over confidence in it can be hazardous....getting lax about the all important timing of the thrust... ..... Here be the true timings below..learn them well....the price paid for the thrust ill-learnt and ill-cast may well be your very life. In combat, stupidity and poor skill contain the seeds of punishment within themselves, no more need be said...... Timings: The Hand-weapon moves first The body uncoils next, adding it's part The foot or feet then come in, In this manner is the timing put forth. Only those who are not lucky enough to bear the inner circles rank of scholar do not or cannot grasp this wisgem ( a gem of wisdom)..ah, the eternal haves and have nots again... All men may be created equal, but once Comtech is learned, men are no longer equal. Superiors do walk amongst the crowds...they are the chosen ones. Knowledge is power........ You must extend your knowledge base. Explore the thrust with a spear, analyze the thrust of the bull as he hooks the Matador, watch the thrust of the hurtling bobsled in it's icy chute, see the 200 MPH thrust-dive of the Falcon as it takes a sparrow mid-flight, see the the thrust as it exists all around you ...not just the the the thrust of the knife fight. Then you may truly begin to perceive the concept of "thrusting" more completely. Perhaps I go too far though, eh ? Maybe the analogies I give are too "over the top"...well, maybe so. Ah well, "to each his own" I say, the hour grows late and weary am I from long parley with you gifted warrior readers. It's off to my hard straw mat upon the floor of our ranchhouse. The same "bed" I've slept in since I trained under the harsh rigors of japanese masters in my early youth. The ground is not fearful to me, it is my friend..... And you are whence off to good sir ? Perhaps off to bed as well or off to work and toil...? My best to you then and my compliments upon your clever wit and company upon this sultry sabbath evening of the seventh (July) month. The circle has been made again, tricked you were and upon this crossroads we shall meet again O Prince..... Thank you for thy assistance in this most magical work couched within the ancient art of the blade! Hail the cult of iron (Ferrous Cultus Antiquitous) and those from the circle of time.... Fare thee well till the next crossing of our paths ! ..............................................fin............................................................. |
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A fun look at a most serious subject--------------------------------> |
