G4 Training Program

Defenses Against Elbow Strikes G4 -Training Syllabus

Defending elbow strikes while at close range. At close distance, the attacker is striking with a resultant elbow strike. Of course, it’s a high level …

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Defending elbow strikes while at close range. At close distance, the attacker is striking with a resultant elbow strike. Of course, it’s a high level of emergency and danger, and the fact that it is at close range makes it more difficult to respond. One has to train with identification of this problem at its earliest stage. Responding with double defenses, the closed hand is defending with a forearm outward, slanted and moving a bit upwards.

All this in order to induce the impact of the strike. One should meet this elbow strike at the third part of the forearm, closer to the elbow. The back hand in an action of an inside defense, or a soft break fall, is coming to the aid of the first hand to block a successful elbow strike. As soon as possible, execute the counter strike. If your two arms are busy and your balance is good, then of course you can give a kick to the groin as your first counter-attack. Continue with additional counter-attacks.

For example, the back hand that was doing an inside defense will trap the opponent’s forearm, near the wrist is better, of course, and the close hand will strike to the head. You can use here a hook strike landing downwards as your first counter-punch. Sometimes it is possible to trap the opponent’s forearm with the hand close to him, meaning the hand that was doing a forearm defense.

Regarding the body defense. This is practically either sinking with the head under the forearm, or moving a bit away with the whole torso, with the whole upper body. In the dry drill you can see the two hand defenses. Please pay attention that the close hand is defending with the fleshy part, slanted forearm, to reduce the impact, and dangling upwards, also to reduce the impact and to send the attack over the head, especially if it is a powerful, sweeping attack.

Defending a vertical elbow strike. Here, too, we are practically at a short range, so an early response is practically crucial. We are doing hand defense and body defense and early counter-attack. The hand defense is practically with an elbow sent forward, doing an inside defense with the forearm. This unique angle, where the elbow is more forward and the palm is more backwards, doing an inside defense, is crucial to meet the attack in a 90-degree angle to deflect it sideways.

Please pay attention that the elbow is more forward than the palm. Practically, we are doing here, an inside defense with the forearm, while it is slanted outward, with the elbow outward with the palm. While doing the inside defense, your body moves diving forward, and of course there’s a pivot to get out of the line and channel of the attack.

The first counter-attack can be a knee-kick, a strike to the stomach or a hammer strike towards the nape. The rhythm here is usually one and a half. Defend while the defense is recoiling. The first counter-attack is directed and sent towards the attacker. Here doing the drill, you can see the hand defense, the body defense, and the immediate counter-attack as the defending hand is recoiling. If it is possible to do a step diagonally forward while you do the hand defense, of course it is an advantage.

G4 Lecture/Theory I

Lecture I - Got the Power Keep the Values: G4

A. Attacks

Roundhouse punch directed diagonally and downward.
Chop strikes: inward chop (palm up), downward chop, outward chop (palm down).

B. Defenses Against Elbow Strikes (using previous principles and techniques)

Against an horizontal elbow strike - with forearm and palm./li>
Against a vertical elbow strike – inside defense with forearm, elbow forward.

C. Defenses Against Attacks With a Stone

Against an overhead or diagonally downward attack - use stabbing defense.
Against an attack from the front (straight) - inside sweeping defense.

Defenses Against Attacks With a Stone G4

D. Escaping Various Grabs and Holds (Defender Throws Attacker)

Escaping a pushing bear hug from behind, arms free.
Escaping a pushing bear hug from behind, arms trapped.
Escaping a pushing, low bear hug from the front, arms free - roll backward.
Escaping a headlock from the side - attacker takes down – spinning inward.
Escaping a headlock from the side - attacker puts leverage on the neck – backward.
Escaping an arm bar with arm bent backward - bend, send opposite leg backward.

Note: In techniques 1-3, the attacker has slammed into the defender.

Escaping Various Grabs/Holds (Defender Throws Attacker) G4

E. Ground Fighting – Attacking while on the Ground (end in a standing position)

Required attacks and actions are: all relevant types of striking and kicking; locking fingers; grab and press; shouting; trapping and limiting hands of opponent. Finish by getting up.

Attacking from the mount (on top) position – when on or under.
Attacking from the cross-mount position – when on or under.
Attacking in the guard position – when in or under.

Ground Fighting Attacking while on the Ground G4

F. Defense Against a Rifle / Long Gun Threat

Rifle threat from the front – inside defense, grabs and lift weapon - to live and dead side.
Rifle threat from behind - trap with both hands - to the live and dead side.
Rifle threat from the side, high/low – outside defenses and trap with both hands.

Defense Against a Rifle / Long Gun Threat G4

G. Defenses Against Circular or Straight Knife Attacks - In a Seated Position

From long range, attacker starts in front of the defender or at his side – use the chair or kick (supported lifting body) - attacker can approach from all directions.
Hand defenses - attacker can approach from all directions.

Defense Circular or Straight Knife Attacks - Seated Position G4

H. Defense Against Knife Attacks on the Ground - Lying Down (Face-Up)

Standing op

Standing opponent, coming from the side, with a downward stab.
Opponent sitting on defender, attempting a downward stab.

Defense Knife Attacks on the Ground Lying Down (Face Up) G4

I. Rhythm and Pacing - as an Attacker, as a Defender - Including Fighting Drills

Rhythm with two or more attacks/moves - no connection, natural, broken, shattered and simultaneous. Practice in place and while advancing.
Practice defenses against combinations of attacks executed at different paces and rhythms.
Practice fighting games and light fighting.

J. Dealing with a Continuous Attacker – Whilst Executing Previously learnt Knife Defenses
Attacker launches attack during counteraction that the defender is doing against the first one.

Dealing with a Continuous Attacker – Executing Knife Defenses G4

K. Simulations of Real-Life Situations/Scenarios

After falling or being thrown or taken to the ground, dealing with a standing or a tight (controlling) attacker.
Two attackers approach a Seated Defender. Dealing with Kicks and Knife Attacks.