TWO EXCELLENT COMBINATION ATTACKS FOR EXTREME OCCASIONS

HOW TO STOP A PASSING FUGITIVE IN THE STREET—HOW TO OVERTAKE A FUGITIVE AND RE0UCE HIM TO SUBMISSION

Oeveral hints have been given already as O to certain edge-of-the-hand blows that, while they should be given lightly in friendly bouts of practice, should never be employed in actual combat except under stress of dire necessity. In other words, these dangerous blows should not be resorted to in any con­dition of encounter where the jiu-jitsian would not feel equally justified in using a deadly weapon.

These dangerous blows are those that may be struck against the "Adam's apple," slant­ingly across the temples, horizontally just over the ear, and at the base of the brain. The blow on the "Adam's apple" is not deadly but he who uses it runs the risk of smashing the hyoid bone, and thus of doing irreparable injury to the vocal apparatus and to the swal­lowing processes. As has been explained be­fore, the blow over the jugular will answer every purpose of defence as well. Blows on the temples, or just over an ear are likely to result in serious and lasting brain injury. Even an edge-of-the-hand blow at the base of the spine, if delivered with too great force, is likely to cripple the recipient for life.

But the most dangerous of all these blows is that at the base of the skull. It may cause death. The concussion of the blow may result in injury to the medulla oblongata of so serious a nature as to stop the action of the heart and lungs, and thus put an end to life itself.

None of these dangerous blows would have been mentioned by the author but for the fact that the student, in experimenting, would be very likely to find them out for himself and to employ them in ignorance of the consequences. With this premise we will pass to the consider­ation of two tricks that may be employed in cases of extreme personal danger. Photograph No. 30 illustrates the first of them. Here the assailant employs his left hand in taking a momentary body-hold at his opponent's right side. This blow may be taken squarely at the side, but should be in the soft part below the last rib, and should be delivered with as much force as the assailant can employ for the im- pact. The aim in striking hard at this point is to incapacitate the victim as much as possible at the outset. If the relative positions of the two combatants permit it is even better that the blow be landed over the right kidney, but this would require a rather wide reach around the victim's body when the second half of the attack is made.

Instantly after striking at the right side the assailant should employ his own right hand in delivering a sharp edge blow at the base of his adversary's skull. If both hands of the ag­gressor are used with sufficient smartness and force the collapse of the victim is instantane­ous. Skill in this feat should be acquired by all women students as it will be of value to them in any case where they are attacked in the absence of their natural protectors. And a woman is peculiarly able to use strategy in the use of such a trick. A male assailant would not look for effective resistance from a woman, and in the first few seconds of surprise she can pretend shrinking fear, throwing the would-be assailant off his guard. Then like a flash she can dispose of the intruder. If she plants her blows skillfully and forcibly there will be no immediate need of a police officer's presence. There will be time enough for her to get her breath and to take a parting look in the glass before setting out in quest of a blue-coat. As much may be said for the situation that is suggested by photograph No. 31. Here the assailant begins the attack from the opponent's side. The first move is to seize the victim's nearer wrist with the hand of the arm that is farther from the victim. This wrist is to be held in a tight grip until the victim is pros' trate. The victim shown in the illustration, at the moment that his wrist was seized, has bent swiftly forward to seize his opponent's leg, near the ankle, for the purpose of making a throw. This, however, renders it all the easier for the aggressor to follow the capture of the wrist swiftly with a blow at the base of the skull—and the encounter is ended!

No. 32. ONE JIU-JITSU METHOD OF HALTING A RUNNING FUGITIVE.

Once or twice in a lifetime it may happen that a citizen will have occasion to stop a fugi­tive fleeing through the streets. The same need may arise with a policeman several times in a month. It is an easy matter to stop a fugitive from behind, for, in running he is at his worst for self-defence.

Of course, if he is running away from you, the first matter is to catch up with him. Un­fortunately in this detail jiu-jitsu has no help to offer. All depends upon the pursuer's sprinting abilities, and the running track is the best place to acquire speed.

But, if you can overtake your fugitive, the simplest plan is to throw both arms around his neck, clasping one wrist with the other hand at the front of his throat. Stop the instant that you have the hold. In the next second spring back, dragging the fellow to the ground.

There is another way of doing the thing, which consists in seizing the fugitive by the shoulders. Throw your right leg in front of his right leg, and throw him over your leg.

In chasing a fugitive it must be always borne in mind that merely seizing him is not a safe programme. The throw must follow instantly. Even though he seems a man of slight physique, the fugitive may be master of some dangerous fighting tricks. If he is merely caught and held he is likely to make use of some trick whose least effect will be to leave the pursuer behind, hopelessly humiliated over a defeat for which he had not looked.

There is another way in which a fugitive can be stopped from behind, and it is so effective that it is worth a good deal of practice. The chances are that the pursuer will be wearing either a coat or a jacket. As he sprints after the fleeing fellow let him strip off this garment, holding it in readiness in both hands.

At the instant of overtaking the fugitive throw the garment over his head, enveloping it, and make the garment fast by gripping it tightly in a hold around his neck. Then, as the victim is dragged back to the ground, his head is closely enveloped. Unable to see any­thing, his chances of fighting effectively are re­duced to next to nothing.

In case the fugitive halts and turns quickly, try to throw the garment over his face before he can prevent the attack. In this position, too, his inability to see what his assailant is doing to him will make defence much more difficult.

How shall a fugitive be stopped by a citizen toward whom he is running? Ninety-nine men out of one hundred would, under these circum­stances, make the effort by thrusting a foot sideways and tripping the fellow. But this method has its dangers. The writer remem­bers a case that occurred in San Francisco more than a dozen years ago. A Chinaman, after having committed a murder in the street, took to his heels with a howling mob pursuing. The murderer was fleet, and seemed to have a fair chance of getting away.

Up the street, in the opposite direction to that taken by the fugitive, came a young Italian. He saw the Chinaman coming toward him, pistol in hand, and with the mob behind. Taking in the situation, the Italian halted for an instant, then, as the Mongol went by, thrust out a foot to trip. Quick as a flash the Chinaman raised his weapon and fired. The bullet went into the Italian's leg. Swerving but a foot or two, the Chinaman kept on without hav­ing abated his speed for an instant. Had it not been that a young man fleet of foot joined the mob behind and set a swift pace, the yellow criminal would have gotten away for the time being.

Of all ways for stopping a fugitive who is running toward you is that which is depicted in photograph No. 32. As soon as you catch sight of the runner make up your mind just what is to be done and do it coolly. The situation calls for strategy. Continue your pace toward the fugitive, neither slackening nor increasing your speed. Do not seem to be looking at him at all.

If you act the part well the fugitive will not plan any attack upon you. He has just gotten himself into trouble, and he does not want any more. He sees nothing suspicious in your conduct and keeps on. The whole thing hap­pens in a few seconds.

Just as the fugitive is passing—when it is too late for him to act against you—throw out your nearer arm, catching him across the abdo­men. Hold on tightly. In the same instant swing around so that your farther arm may be employed in striking him squarely across the front of the throat.

The hold at the abdomen has checked the speed of the runner, and, of itself, will almost stop him. But the blow across the throat sends him backward at the very instant when his speed has been greatly lessened. The re­sult of this double attack is that the fugitive goes over backward. The jiu-jitsian who has read this far in the book with profit will know just how to secure his man when he has sent him to the ground.

The very act of stopping the runner when going at full speed has all but destroyed his balance. It requires but a little more of im­pulse to carry him wholly off his feet. Fall upon him, securing, if feasible, a hold that will enable you to make his arm "bend the wrong way"—and the fugitive will find his career stopped as thoroughly as if he had collided with a stone wall.

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