COMSEK SEVEN

by Evan Baltazzi and Troy Schultz

1. DEFINITIONS

a. Attack: Any technique completed with the intent of controlling and/or harming another.
b. Attacker: The person who initiates an attack.
c. Before: The initial stage of a technique.
d. Closed Side: A position that is outside of an individual's closest arm or behind.
e. Combination: The use of successive techniques by the same individual against an opponent who is attempting to foil said techniques.
f. Control: A technique often involving joint manipulation used to restrain an attacker or defender (e.g., wrist and elbow controls).
g. Counter: An technique used by the defender in response to an attack.
h. Defender: The person who defends against an attack.
i. Open Side: A position that is inside of an individual's closest arm or in front.
j. Reversal: Using the attacker's or defender's technique or similar technique as a counter. For the sake of simplicity, a wrist control countered by another wrist control is considered a reversal.
k. Technique: Any maneuver which is part of the A.S.P. program such as: punches, kicks, throws, controls, and trips.
l. Secured: The final stage of a technique.
m. Wrist Controls: The wrist controls described in the basic A.S.P. text (W-1 through W-10).

2. DISCUSSION

Comsek VII is presented for the A.S.P. Black Belt VII candidate. It is composed of two major sections. These are the Wrist Control Combination Section and Common Attacks Section. This comsek offers a unique approach to learning how to apply counters, combinations, and reversals. Specific counters and reversals of wrist controls have been covered in detail under separate cover (i.e., Wrist Control Counters & Reversals, January 25, 1997). The subject matter in this paper should be reviewed in detail prior to initiating practice of this comsek. The most important aspect of Comsek VII is the flexible way in which it is performed that makes each execution unique.

The Wrist Control Combination Section is designed to give the advanced A.S.P. practitioner the ability to combine several wrist controlling techniques in succession. In order to become fully proficient at this, the A.S.P. practitioner should complete this section in numerous combinations. For example, W-1 through W-10 in order, or any order, depending on the initial attack (i.e., the initial attack should be randomly selected by the attacker).

So long as each of the wrist controls (W-1 through W-10) is executed at least once, the Wrist Control Combination Section of Comsek VII will be considered complete. In addition, the person applying the wrist controls, the defender, must keep the attacker either off balance or controlled in some manner throughout the Wrist Control Combination. At no time should the attacker be able to regain the ability to counter or reverse the technique (i.e., within reason).

The Common Attacks Section is designed to give the advanced A.S.P. practitioner practice in countering and reversing techniques both as the attacker and as the defender. Twenty (20) attacks, taken from the entire A.S.P. program, have been selected as key attacks which easily represent a multitude of possible attacks with similar elements. In order to make the practice meaningful, there are several guidelines which should be followed. The Common Attacks Section of Comsek VII is completed as follows:

1) The person completing the comsek, the defender, receives the first attack (see attack list below) and then completes a defense of his or her choice. The defender can react as if the attack is before or secured. The attacker allows the defense to be completed without resistence unless the defense is extemely poor. The defense is not complete unless it is finished with a controlling pin or a strike to a vital area (the only exception being when attacked by several opponents). For attacks involving more than one assailant, a plan should be formulated to secure the defender. A free for all type attack should be avoided.

2) The same attack and defense sequence is completed again on the same side, with the exception that the attacker will offer some resistence (possibly even a counter, combination, or reversal). When offering resistence to a defense, the attacker should attempt no more than one counter attack, combination, or reversal. This may include a release and clean counter attack but that is all. The person completing the comsek should be given an opportunity to finish the round without resistence at this point (else the comsek begins to resemble free sparing).

3) Upon discovery of the type of resistence, the defender should either counter, reverse, or combine techniques to thwart the resistence and regain control of the situation (this may not always be possible). The attacker should keep in mind that the practice is intended primarily for the defenders benefit. If the attacker is more experienced than the defender he or she should practice in the spirit of helping the lower rank complete the comsek and learn from each situation. The attacker and defender can always change roles after completion of the comsek and start over so that everyone gets practice.

4) The same sequence of events is completed for the opposite side. There is no requirement to maintain the same defense for the opposite side. This makes sense when considering the fact that many people may not have the same capabilities on both sides. Therefore, the defender may choose a completely different defense and repeat steps 1-3 above. The same is completed for all twenty (20) attacks described below. 

COMSEK VII

A. Wrist Control Combination Section:

i. Attacker attacks defender with a random attack which can be countered with a wrist control (a direct punch is recommended for those new at this practice).

ii. Defender applies any wrist controlling technique which either takes the attacker off-balance or controls him or her.

iii. The defender must then, in succession, maneuver to all of the ten basic wrist techniques (i.e., these can be in any order, but for those new to the practice they can be applied in order W-1 through W-10). The defender, must keep the attacker either off balance or controlled in some manner throughout the Wrist Control Combination. At no time should the attacker be able to regain the ability to counter or reverse the technique.

B. Common Attacks Section (Follow Rules As Described Above). Some variation in the attacks should be expected as the motion of a particular attack is more relevant than the actual attack itself. Therefore, as long as an attack has a similar motion it can be substituted for the respective attack on the list. The following are the Comsek VII Common Attacks:

i. 2/1 Wrist Grab (A.S.P. Attack #5)
ii. 2/2 Wrist Grab (A.S.P. Attack #7 or #8)
iii. Handshake & Pull or Cross Sleeve Pull (A.S.P. Attack #10)
iv. Same Side Sleeve & Pull From Behind (A.S.P. Attack #13)
v. Front or Side Headlock (A.S.P. Attack #19 or #38)
vi. Two Hand Choke or Head Butt (A.S.P. Attack #22 or #12)
vii. Wild Punch (A.S.P. Attack #25)
viii. Sucker Punch or Jab (A.S.P. Attack #27)
ix. Direct Kick (A.S.P. Attack #28)
x. Front Tackle (A.S.P. Attack #30)
xi. Elbow Pin From Behind (A.S.P. Attack #34)
xii. Mugging Attack (with or without a knife) (A.S.P. Attack #36)
xiii. Hammer Lock (possibly against wall)
xiv. Knife Thrust, Slash, or Overhead Strike (A.S.P. Attack #41 or #42)
xv. Club or Batt Thrust, Slash, or Overhead Strike
xvi. Gun - From Front or Back (A.S.P. Attack #43, #44, or #46)
xvii. Rear Choke Standing
xviii. Axial Pin (escape from the mounted position)
xix. Attack By Multiple Opponents (standing) (A.S.P. Attack #48)
xx. Attack By Multiple Opponents (on ground without weapons or standing with weapons)