In the Gunji Taiho Jutsu (GTJ), we have in our curriculum different types of blocking techniques and strategies.  This has been a hot topic during the '70s throughout the '80s.  Today the discussion has made its way back into different Martial Arts communities as the newest generation brings up the question of If Blocking Works?  I will expand on this in this article.

GTJ looks at blocking in different points of view.  The guiding strategy is to use PCS 1-3 distances that are unique to our system of taiho jutsu arresting technique.  Distance management is the key to success in many aspects of the application for both grappling and striking based Martial Arts & Combatives systems.  Managing distance equals managing the damage.  You will hear this in different circles of training.  I would like to add to this catchphrase by stating that managing distance can also influence the magic of timing.  This...

We were in our 5th or 6th week of Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in 2015. The story I am going to tell occurred during BEAST Week. BEAST week was designed to challenge us both mentally and physically enduring long hours of physical training, combatives, and tactical skills tests. I will never forget the training night where I had to stand guard in the late hours of the night only to transition back to a cold, hard and stiff genuine US Army issue folding cot with an aluminum frame. This was the night I did not sleep because I was coughing and had the beginning of the flu. Many of us in the flight were sick as we caught it from another trainee. The next day we all met under a large roof area with open walls. The ground surface was small rocks and dirt. There was a stage with BEAST instructors on it. The topic of Air Force Combatives was next.

I can remember the instructor showing basic stance work, use of the M-16 training weapon for...

Recently social media showed a video of an NYPD officer who was kicked by a suspect onto the train tracks during an arrest.  This was a serious mishap, but lucky the officer was not injured.  See video below :

NYPD Officer Attacked <<< Video of attack here.

After review of the video, we felt it would be informative to share one of our videos from Gunji University on how to assist and control the legs of a suspect during an arrest.  In Gunji Taiho Jutsu (GTJ), this stage of the arresting technique is called: PCS 3.  This is a classic situation where two officers work together to make the arrest successful.

Please take the time to watch our video from Gunji University.  Note that this specific video is from week-12 in the student curriculum and up until this point in the curriculum there are weeks of content, both written and videos, structured by design to build a student's knowledge base in GJT through Gunji...

In the Gunji University student curriculums and in the system of Gunji Taiho Jutsu (GTJ) arresting arts, there are techniques that are applied during the PCS 2 stage of apprehension that are modified from classic Aikido throwing techniques.  A few I can think of off the top of my head are what we call in GTJ "The Bull Position."  This type of technique is essentially an Aikido Irimi Nage technique (or Entering Throw) that has been put through a wrestling filter, combatives filter, and Thai boxing filter to make it work against full 100% resistance. 

Irimi Nage example:

GTJ Bull Position Throw example:

 
A second classical Aikido technique that has been modified for GJT is the Kaiten Nage throw (Wheel Throw.) In GJT we use a "Modified Bull Position" that has been through the front headlock filter of wrestling and submission fighting filter.

Aikido's Classic Kaiten Nage example:
  

GTJ Modified Bull Position Throw To Pin example:

...

The Gunji University Support Group will have videos and information that falls outside of the structured material at Gunji University. In the video, we explore a modified hubud drill that fits nicely into the Gunji Taiho Jutsu's approach of "The Press".  This video led to a great discussion with our students and instructors.

If you are a student of Gunji University, you can request entry into the Gunji University Support (Private) Group on Facebook.  Please see the menu tab above in the header to for the link or visit this facebook link: 
private Gunji University Support Group

This video is taken from content from the student curriculums and modified with the coloring.  In the video, I am discussing that so many sport style clinches of Martial Arts such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, etc are not ideal when training with weapons on your person.  Too often the attacker will have his or her hands all over your tool/weapon belt or near your weapon side leg.  

Training in Gunji Taiho Jutsu focuses on the strategies of PCS 1, PCS 2 and PCS 3.  Using these strategies and training while being mindful of your weapon side leg is critical for your success.  Distances are different, objectives are different and training needs to be different for Security Forces and Law Enforcement.  You should no longer be thinking that you are going to do Martial Arts training or train jiu jitsu with the word or expression, "Let us be tactical with our jiu jitsu moves and dress up."

Gunji Taiho Jutsu is different.

This video explores a nice top cross side position arm control and lock flow drill.

The term 'Taiho Jutsu' 逮捕術 was first used during the latter years of feudal Japan. "Jutsu, or Jitsu, roughly translated as 'Fighting System' and 'Taiho' for 'Arresting'. Together, Taiho Jitsu, could be translated as Arresting System, as a thread of the JuJitsu fighting family. 

Originally used by Street Police of feudal Japanese Cities. Police who would need these techniques during encounters with thugs and criminals. A major difference between the Taiho Jitsu techniques and other JuJitsu concepts was found in the fact that Street Police were not permitted to use lethal force or force that caused serious injury to their detainees. The majority of techniques were unarmed and aimed to restrain, pin & arrest instead of a strike or submit.  As times & cultures evolved, so did basic Law Enforcement and street defense tactics. The need for an unarmed Street Fighting Martial Art used by Police began to become a thing of the past. As did many other Martial Arts of feudal...