How this art may be used in street fighting and why it has become a major weapon in the JKD arsenal.
With so many talented and sophisticated martial arts today, why do we sometimes still hear about a trained and experienced black belt who gets flattened by an unorthodox brawler? Certainly, with all of the hours of training and sparring logged by a dedicated practitioner, one would expect that person to have some advantage over a unsophisticated, inexperienced street kid.
Let me introduce Dumog and explain how and when it car be used in street fighting, along with its relationship to the concept, of JKD.
Dumog, a hidden treasure of the Philippine Islands, has recently been drawing the attention of some high-tech leaders of the contemporary martial arts. Traditionally, Dumog was practiced as a sport, wherein two enthusiastic opponents faced off in a circular arena. The objective was to uproot the opponent and toss him out of the circle, with the victor emerging as the one who had acquired superior balance, sensitivity and knowledge of the proper technique.
The Author executes a head twist, grabbing and pulling his adversary over the railing separating them.Note that the attacker is now set up for an elbow strike, if necessary.
Technique, in this case, is an understanding of controlling points, or choke points. A choke point is a military term meaning "controlling area". For example, if five water tributaries feed into one major river, it follows that whoever controls the river, controls the tributaries. That makes the river the controlling point When you choke the river, you choke the tributaries
These points, which are grabbed, pushed or pulled, are used to put the opponent off balance, causing the body to go out of control into a swirling, whirlwind effect.
The student who has developed the skill to know where the choke points are can easily fling a 275-pound opponent around, despite a handicap that could approach 150 pounds.
We have borrowed this terminology to illustrate the importance of control. Now, let's look at a few examples with which you can experiment.
The Biceps Push
With both hands, one opponent grabs the other by the biceps, twisting in toward the front of the body. Push the biceps directly into the ear and then walk or run forward.
Because of the twisting of the body, the opponent receiving the push must walk diagonally, thus causing him to become extremely off balance
The bicep push is used to either move an opponent or, as in this instance, to pin him against an environmental obstacle ( wall/fence).The adversary is now set up for a knee spike to the right thigh.
Remember, as with the use of any technique, nothing is foolproof. Soon, the opponent will regain balance, and at that point the biceps pull can be implemented.
The Biceps Pull
The grip of the pull is identical to that of the push. The key to this techniche is in the timing and sensitivity. You must sense, or anticipate, the moment when your opponent will plant his foot to regain the balance that was lost during the biceps push. At this point, the opponent's energy will shift and come toward you. You must respond-not by fighting his energy, but by pulling it. In effect, you are using your opponent's energy to your advantage
The biceps pull and biceps push are best used in cooperation with each other. Either one may start or finish a sequence, depending on the energy presented by the opponent
The Head Twist
Another very simple technique used in Dumog is the head twist. Here, the opponent places both hands over the other opponent, ears (similar to the method used in grabbing the steering wheel of a car). Grabbing the opponent's hair instead of his ears is a technique that can also be used, With a quick jerk, twist the head sideways, step back and then tip the head upside-down, pulling it backwards. As the opponent regains balance, simply twist the head in the opposite direction and repeat the process.
The head twist can be a very effective technique because, with this motion, you are contorting the spinal cord and causing a disturbance to your opponent's equilibrium.
In the sport of Dumog, proper technique and process calculation are critical to victory. When these same techniques are used in a realistic street fight, other elements must be incorporated to produce maximum devastation.
In most cases, "plain and simple" sophistication and precision in a down-and-dirty street fight is, to say the least, a joke. Street fighting is deceptive. It takes on many shapes, characteristics and conditions. For example, a street fight may take place in rain or snow; it may happen on a flat or hilly surface, or even on a stairway. Such a fight may easily involve multiple attackers or weapons.
Growing up in the streets of Boston, I had the opportunity to witness numerous beatings by "inexperienced" street fighters. It's true, they may not have logged hours in sparring, but they have certainly had many hours of experience in actual fighting. Without question they know the difference between fighting for a trophy and fighting for their lives.
The attacker's initial push is countered with a bicep pull, bringing the attacker over a garbage can as his balance is disrupted. At this point in the encounter , Joe might deliver a headbutt or series of elbow strikes.
The following is a discussion on what makes the "inexperienced" street fighter such a dangerous adversary.
One reason is the street fighter's experience in actual, live combat. Another is his unpredictable attitude. Most important, though, a seasoned street fighter has developed an ability to adapt and adjust to whatever situation presents itself.
With so many factors involved in street fighting, the questions are how and when does Dumog fit in.
When engaging in empty-hand combat, one destination may be in close-quarter range, where the ballistic head butt, knee or elbow may be used. To get maximum benefit from these tools, we could use Dumog to put the opponent off balance. This would enable us to use centrifugal force against our adversary, causing a tremendous collision and allowing us to attack a weak portion of the opponents body with a powerful tool of our own.
Dumog is most suitable if used intermittently. Your objective is to attack. When your opponent is resisting or when you find yourself in a choke-point position, execute the techniques of Dumog to put your opponent off balance. Then resume attacking.
In light of this, Dumog is not an end result, but rather a means to an end. It develops a certain kind of sensitivity or attribute that adapts to environmental conditions and blends harmonious with close-range arts.
I would like to create a few concepts that will incorporate other elements that are applicable to street fighting.
You use your briefcase to smash the hand holding the blade, disarming your opponent. You clash and struggle. You offer a knee to the groin, then grab to the head, giving it a quick twist get free, simply push down on the head and smashing it off your car bumper. This will lock the arm and until you feel secure. Using Dumog induce pain. By understanding Dumog, along with your environment can produce some amazing results.
2.On the lighter side, imagine that you are attending a family gathering and someone who's had one too many needs to be escorted outside for some fresh air The biceps push may be easily used if your subject struggles. You come closer to having the ability to injure, to a degree.
3.This final example has little to do with hand-to-hand combat, but has a lot to do with the modern warrior's combative attitude on the street. Most of us have heard of the increasing number of carjackings taking place. In this instance, let's borrow the concept of Dumog to assist us in solving a potentially serious problem. Always, when behind another vehicle, give yourself plenty of room to pull out if it becomes necessary. Don't pull up bumper to bumper, because this is putting yourself in a choke point position.
1.This first example may not involve the pulse or grace of the artist, but it suits the purpose quite well. Imagine that you are entering your car in a dark parking garage with a brief case in your hand. Your opponent slashes at your ankles from beneath the car. Unable to flee, you must fight.
Joe Maffei, selling a little self-defense insurance of his own to those willing to learn.
In lieu of addressing Dumog from a traditional Filipino standpoint, I have chosen to approach the issue through the looking glass of JKD concepts. The arsenal of JKD is the home of many systems-Wing Chun, kali,Thai boxing with each offering its own valuable contribution in the pursuit of personal growth.
A portion of Dumog, or choke points, has been integrated in the growth process because of its simplicity, effectiveness and ability to blend harmoniously with the family of arts found in the JKD arsenal.
Conclusion
In reality, street fighting is an unpredictable and chaotic mess that most trained martial artists unfortunately approach with a textbook solution.
To be better prepared, keep an open mind toward anything that works. Regardless of your style or the system to which you adhere, Dumog is an effective and useful weapon when it is incorporated into your arsenal. Likewise, it is an excellent antidote to controlling the unorthodox and "inexperienced" street fighter
To contact Joe Maffei, call or write Integrated Martial Development
Center Inc. Waltham ma 02453 tel (781) 290-7559 mafjkdimdc@aol.com
About the Author: Joe Maffei has more than 20 year, of experience and holds ranks in judo and ju jitsu, internal and external kung in and is a full instructor of Jeet Kune Do Concepts and Filipino Martial Arts under Paul Vunak.
