Crash, Smash, and Dash – KTC

In a modern day attack, we have no control over any of the variables, except one; our own response. But even that is impeded because of our limbic system, thrusting us into a mode of “fight or flight”, causing adrenaline to course through our bodies, making any sort of complex thought or movement extremely difficult. If you were ambushed from behind, and turned to find three attackers and one of them with a knife coming at you – your own biology would make it next to impossible to formulate a plan in that moment. It is because of this that we created a 3-step physical roadmap to follow in just such a situation – CRASH, SMASH, and DASH.

It is this skeletal frame that we attach all of our physical tactics to. Through our drills and simulations, we apply this roadmap to several different contexts, hardwiring us to respond in this way regardless of the stimulus.

CRASH

In most modern street attacks, when the assailant actually INTENDS to hurt or kill the victim, the assailant does not allow the victim to see the attack coming. This is called an ambush. The assailant has a significant advantage at this moment, and it is at this moment that it is crucial for the victim to remove further opportunity from the assailant to cause continued damage.

Author and self-defense instructor Rory Miller suggests a “golden standard” for a response to this type of attack in his book “Meditations on Violence,” which would:

1. Improve the victim’s position
2. Worsen the attacker’s position
3. Protect the victim from damage
4. Allow the victim to damage (or control) the assailant

In Urban Defensive Tactics, we have developed our “Trinity Block” (based on instinctive movements under threat) into a multi-tool that meets all of the criteria in the “golden standard,” allowing the victim to weather incoming attacks while crashing into the assailant, thereby beginning to flip the script in the situation.

SMASH

Using the Trinity Block to crash into the assailant and close the gap, we then utilize Urban Defensive Tactics’ uniquely applied Combative Controls as a means of gaining anchor points from which to apply our close-quarter offensive tactics.

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DASH

When sufficient damage has been done to the assailant such as to create a legitimate opportunity for safe escape, we run to a safe place where we survey ourselves for physical damage and contact the appropriate emergency services.

T.J. Kennedy

Kennedy Tactical Concepts

An Interview with T.J. Kennedy ||| HFM

T.J. Kennedy

Hybrid Fighting Method

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Benefits of Being a Self-Defense Instructor

When I first took krav maga I fell in love and immediately dropped out of school to pursue martial arts in a modern urban context. It was so amazing to me. Fast forward to 2005 when my love for self-protection and self-preservation burned in me and I wanted to understand as much as I could about violence and how I could most effectively prevent and counter it in my life -and then translate that via instruction to my students.

The best way to understand violence is to study it’s chief perpetrators – us.  So began my personal journey really studying everything I could get my hands on – a habit I still keep today: human behaviour, violence, sexuality, conditioning, sociology, evolutionary biology and psychology- the list goes on and on.

The human animal/machine is such a fascinating, often infuriating phenomenon, but the more I understood how this clock ticked the more I was able to mitigate emotional responses to non-physical threats in my life.  As I objectified them, and understood them in the context of an abused child acting out their traumas, I could even feel compassion for them.  Coupled with these fields was an interest in neuro-criminology, which is the study of brain anatomy and the effects of head trauma, brain mal-development, and other biological influences on the brain with respect to anti-social and violent criminal behaviour.  It also helped me objectify my prejudices and perspective to allow me more rational decisions under pressure.  Grouping these areas of knowledge together lends to a broad understanding of violence – which was my first goal – and that hunger grows and burns more every day.

Also gained were/are the social skills that are necessary to successfully navigate confrontational behaviour.  And at the end of it all, if my social skills failed, or in most cases of all-out attack, my physical skills were enough to do the required job at the time.  So being a self-defense and combatives instructor has really made me a better person all-around- and geez, you get to help people along the way, and help them find the same heights of growth you did.

Life is good.

–T.J. Kennedy

Founder, Hybrid Fighting Method

Kennedy on “What is Martial Art” : RTD 018

Bruce Lee said in his infamous television interview with Pierre Burton, that martial art is the expression of self. That, in my opinion, is what “art” is. When applied in a combative context, what component of the “self” is one expressing, exactly?

It is my opinion, that martial art can be defined as the following:

The articulation of one’s combative intent through the medium of human movement.

To have an objective in mind, and to achieve this objective using the only instrument one has – his or her body (and weapons, if present, as an extension of the body).

Each individual will articulate his or her movements differently, and will indeed choose different tools to perform different tasks. This is where individuality comes into play. Where the expression of self is seen. The differences in articulation are the result of differences in physiology, culture, personal ethics, etc.

The more one practices using their body to articulate combative intent, the more prolific and efficient they will become in their art. There will be a singularity – a cohesion of techniques and increased fluidity of movement.

That is the denotative meaning. However, there is a significant connotative interpretation of martial art that I’d like to discuss.

That is, the more one engages their mind to act in tandem with their body, the more centered and aware they can become. This union of mind and body can lead to expanded consciousness.

There is an ineffable quality to martial art. A difference in intent. A fighter will fight for status, for resources, etc. A true martial artist…..or warrior…..will fight to protect that which he or she values. Their motives may be love, justice, compassion, etc.

A “fighter” is a role, whereas “martial artist” is a way of life;

a state of being.

These are my thoughts on what “martial art” is. 

I welcome any comments.

T.J. Kennedy

Founder of the Hybrid Fighting Method

MORE ON ‘WHAT A MARTIAL ART‘ IS COMING SOON

Israeli Defense Force Sergeant Praises HFM

In a recent interview with former Israeli Defense Force 1st Sergeant Naama Budin, T.J. Kennedy talks with her regarding Krav Maga and the Hybrid Fighting Method.  Listen to the interview below and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

“On the street, you’re on your own.”

T.J.Kennedy

Founder/CEO of the Hybrid Fighting Method