One of the most persistent criticisms leveled against Judo is surprisingly simple: “Judo won’t work if the other guy isn’t wearing a gi or a jacket.” Historically, however, the American military spent decades demonstrating otherwise. Long before modern…
Combat Judo and America’s WWII Special Reconnaissance Warriors By Barron Shepherd The relationship between the Alamo Scouts and Judo is rooted in the grueling, hand-to-hand combat training required for World War II elite forces.The Alamo Scouts (U.S. Sixth…
Understanding the Cross Hock as a Distinct Combative Takedown The Cross Hock Takedown occupies an interesting position in the history of American military hand-to-hand combat. At first glance, the technique bears a superficial resemblance to Judo’s Osoto Gari,…
Understanding the Architecture of the U.S. Army’s WWII Close-Combat Course At first glance, the World War II-era Restricted Judo course can look like a collection of harsh hand-to-hand combat techniques assembled for soldiers preparing for war. There are…
The False Lead Advantage The False Lead is an asymmetrical, highly unorthodox combat posture that completely decouples the upper-body weapons from the lower-body base. By placing your right foot forward as your heavy anchor, yet blading your torso…
Dynamic Kajukenbo emphasizes the evolution of martial arts, blending traditional systems like Karate, Judo, Kenpo and boxing with modern combatives to create a street-ready, adaptable martial art. This makes it highly relevant for those looking to move beyond…
“Barron Shepherd is a tremendous advocate for all the things that make combative training great! Martial artists travel along a path. Some find the beginning of that path in a dojo and remain for a lifetime. Others…
During WWII, military combatives programs prioritized techniques that were practical, easy to learn, and effective under stress. The reverse hip throw was one of four core throws taught across U.S. military training manuals because of its proven success…
GENERAL OVERVIEW Combat Judo is a specific interpretation and application of judo that emphasizes a strategic integration of traditional judo techniques for self-defense and combat situations, focusing on effective entry and disruption to successfully engage and neutralize…