Lesson 32.

 

THE ELBOW BLOW

Assailant aims a blow at your head with a straight swing.

Step in with your right foot, lowering your body and ducking so that the swing passes harmlessly over your head.

At the same time swing your right elbow into position shown in Figure 159.

Swing your elbow in the opposite direction, right into his ribs or midriff.

This is one of the most wicked blows known and will knock him out.

In practice, put all your force into the blow but stop it three or four inches from Assailant's ribs.

Practice ducking, so that when you are in position of Figure 159 your body is erect and balanced. At first you will probably be in too bent a position, in which you cannot move quickly nor strike strongly.

As Assailant knows you are going to duck every time, he will be tempted to strike lower and catch you as you duck. He must not do so however.

The ruffian who makes such a blow would not know you were going to duck, and you would "get him" before he could change his plans.

The straight swing is not the kind of blow a boxer would deliver, but is often used by an uneducated and ignorant Assailant. A man with a club might also attack you by such a swing, and against such an attack, this is the best defense.

Let Assailant aim a blow at your temple with his open hand. It is unnecessary to use a stick in practice.

This exercise will quicken the eye.  

Lesson 33.

THROW YOUR HAT IN HIS EYES

Face to face with an armed man, try to throw your hat in his eyes and spring in before he can see clearly.

If you have not your hat, use anything, your handkerchief, a plate, a bottle or glass.

If a man comes at you with a knife, particularly if he assumes the boxing attitude, the left foot and hand advanced and the knife held in the right hand thrusting upwards, you are up against an ugly customer who knows how to use his knife. If you have a pistol you had better shoot him before he gets near you.

If you have no pistol do not rush him, but make a "strategic retreat," "spar for an opening." If you are in a room, keep the furniture between you, never let him get you in a corner. Use a chair or something and threaten his head with it, and if he gets too near, bring it down on his head.

Try above all things to throw something in his face, water or some stronger beverage. If you are in the open pick up stones, mud, anything, and try to get it in his eyes.

The above instructions will be so simple and obvious to some people that their inclusion here may seem superfluous. All people however are not equally gifted and there are some to whom this advice may be welcome.

Unless you discipline your mind by thinking along these lines in times of safety, the moment of danger may find you unprepared.  

Lesson 34.

WRIST TWIST WHEN THROAT IS SEIZED

Tricks like the Wrist Twist are best done after an Assailant has actually got hold of you. See Book Five.

They are not so practicable when an Assailant is apparently going to strike you. The proper defenses for such cases have previously been taught in this course.

Assailant seizes your throat.

Bring your left thumb onto the back of his right hand and your fingers around the root of his thumb. (If Assailant’s hand is stronger than yours, you cannot secure the wrist twist by hand strength. You must unbalance Assailant to the point where his hand exerts only 20% of its power. Experiment and study the figures.)

Hold his right hand tightly against your body and step back with your left foot, thus pulling him off balance.

Bring your right thumb onto the back of his hand and your right fingers onto his palm.

Twist his wrist, bringing him into the position of Figure 163.

Keep him off balance all the time you are twisting. Make him give the signal of defeat.

It is easy to force opponent onto his back by the pressure on his wrist. It is unnecessary to trip him. In this position you can easily hold him prisoner as long as you choose.

If the circumstances call for it, you may disable him by breaking his wrist.