This month I would like to discuss a few concepts related to the subject of urban tactics. These are the tactics that can be used to detect, disengage or diffuse hostility within a city based environment. But the subject of urban tactics goes further than this. It also covers principles that help a person to adapt to their surroundings and merge with the pace of movement found within bustling, crowded cites. More importantly, urban tactics are designed to help a person to understand how the environment itself can influence or affect mind and body.

Hard Terrain: One of the most vital aspects of self defence training is to make sure that the skills practised in gyms or training hall can be transferred into other environments. The trouble is- the physical techniques and movements carried out in some training schools are not always so effective when applied in the urban setting. Some people feel very comfortable when delivering certain kicks and punches on the firm, even surface of the training all; but they find it much harder to apply such moves, while defending themselves on a slippery, uneven street surface. Many times, I have seen people trying to throw kicks on concrete; only to end up slipping over. Concrete offers a painful landing. Of course, there are other reasons why people slip over during a fight. Tension in the body, nervousness, and alcohol are just a few of the factors that can cause a loss of balance. But it could be the surface of the road or street that contributes to this fall- especially if the pavement is wet, uneven or icy. So be aware of the techniques you are learning for self defence- they may feel comfortable and effective when applied in class; but they may also cause you a nasty injury if applied in a street scenario.

KO by Floor: It is not just certain kicking techniques that can be risky when applied in the urban zone. Those involved in grappling tactics must also consider how certain moves will affect them; if attempted on a hard compromising surface. Just as people can end up damaging themselves when throwing kicks on a street; there have been situations where people have been knocked out, while attempting to throw or takedown their opponent. But it wasn’t some head hunting fist fighter that knocked them out: it was the floor. In such scenarios, what sometimes happens is that the thrower ends up being dragged to the floor by the resisting opponent. The opponent’s falling body weight causes an equally hard landing for the thrower, especially if he has really committed to the throw. So the floor really amplifies the damage caused by a throw. For this reason, another important part of training is learning to counter and protect oneself against throwing techniques, takedowns and trips.

Street Obstacles: Another important principle we try to consider in training is the effect that obstacles can have on a confrontation. In this case, we are referring to obstacles found on streets or within buildings. Chairs, tables, walls, static vehicles and even lamp posts can represent obstructions. Some obstacles are fixed into the surroundings; but others such as a chair or bar stool can be used by the aggressor as a weapon. The thing with certain obstacles is that they too can cause damage to falling bodies. In some cases, the damage caused when a head collides with a hard surface, such as a wall or pavement curb can be fatal. And some street aggressors are also aware of the damage caused by obstacles. They also know that obstacles, such as walls and vehicles can be used to trap or pin their victim.

Crowd Factor: The pace of life is obviously a lot faster in the urban environment and sometimes violence can even occur when there are lots of people walking by. So understand how some street aggressors will use the crowds as a type of camouflage. Amidst the city noise and activity, they can move within the crowds to close in on their prey. Or if there is more than one attacker they may try to make you feel overwhelmed and trapped by crowding around you. So in training, we sometimes practise drills where one student has to break away from his training partners, as they try to crowd around and obstruct him. Gradually the drill is carried out in a more intense manner, with the crowding students getting closer and closer. Then the drill is modified so that the student trying to breakaway actually has to defend himself from various attacks. This gets the student used to protecting themselves in a more confined setting. It also helps people to see the way attackers operate as a pack.

The Development of Urban Tactics in Russia… During World War 2, the Russian army was engaged in fierce fighting with the Nazis. Many of these battles took place in the cities. These urban conflicts were intense; the Battle of Stalingrad being perhaps the most well known. In the confines of the city, amidst the rubble and biting cold air, fighting took place in and around bombarded buildings, factories and crumbling remains. Fire fights often occurred at close range and the buildings, walls and fallen debris would sometimes provide life saving cover for soldiers. And in the post war period, perhaps with the memories of these brutal urban conflicts still burning strong, it seems that Russian close quarter instructors were able to incorporate a lot of urban conflict knowledge into their systems. And to this day, innovative instructors of the Russian martial arts include various tactics that can be used within the urban sphere. Such tactics include: ways of moving efficiently through crowds; ways of negotiating built up terrain and methods of entering or exiting rooms, vehicles or vulnerable surroundings. This type of training may sound a bit colourful, but it gives people a chance to understand how they would apply their self defence skills in very real scenarios. For example, some drills help people to learn how to escape from hostility if cornered against a wall, or shoved against a car door. There are also mobility drills that allow students to understand how they might move around obstructions in the most efficient manner. This type of training also makes people aware of the different ambush spots found within the urban environment.

Here are some of the other subjects that be covered in urban tactics:

Movement and Distancing Avoidance Work

Empathic Concepts

Verbal Redirections

Co operation Drills

Rapid Disengagement

Edged Weapon Awareness

Awareness of the Different Types of Opponent

Adapting to the Setting:

In Systema, we train to develop an awareness of the threats around us; but we also consider the surroundings and how they can affect or restrict us. In training, one of the objectives behind Systema drills is to make practitioners more adaptive. In this way they discover that there are many ways of applying urban tactics. Now, in modern day cities, life can be hard and some people can be on a short fuse for a host of reasons. There are all sorts of tensions and pressures – so it’s not surprising that aggression will sometimes erupt. That’s why urban tactics must offer a diverse range of safe, accessible options. Now earlier in this feature, I mentioned how a throw can cause significant damage when fights take place on concrete; so maybe as part of next month’s feature for The Negotiator, we will take a look at takedown defences.

If you would like to organise training or workshops with Aran; then email:aran@globalkick.com

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