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Royal Marines hand to hand combat
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 2:35 pm
by elitefitness
As a Martial artist, I've always been intrigued by what systems are utilsed and taught to the Royal Marine in regards to Hand to Hand combat.
I've spoken to a few of my friends in regards to this, and they seem to just learn one stirk kills like blows to the throat etc.
Is there a strong emphasis on hand to hand combat in the elite forces?
And what systems are used. I've studied many art forms and have covered combat techniques employed by the Us Navy seals.
I also study Dim Mak, or pressure point fighting in great depth aswell as basic forms of fighting such as Muay Thai and Brazillian Ju- Jitsu.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated and very interesting for me.

Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 2:45 pm
by Peds
Down pint, throw empty glass into air. When adversary's eyes are distracted, pointing skywards, launch forehead directly into centre of opponent's face.
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 2:48 pm
by elitefitness
lol. Are you saying not much in the way of hand to hand combat is taught?
I am seriously interested in this subject and any serious insight would be greatly appreciated.
Peds wrote:Down pint, throw empty glass into air. When adversary's eyes are distracted, pointing skywards, launch forehead directly into centre of opponent's face.
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 3:04 pm
by Artist
Royal Marines fight dirty. Sod rules.
Thats what I was taught from day one of training.
Rules are for Eijuts in my oppion. One in the cobblers ASAP worked for me when I was serving and still works when some silly civvy gets stroppy.
Artist
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 3:10 pm
by elitefitness
I see! So in you Arsenal you employ the use of eye gauges, vicous headbutts, strikes to the throat and kick/knees to the balls?
Sounds like a sophisticated fighting system.
But obviously when you need to put someone down in any given combat situation, sophisticated is the last thing on your mind! Back to basics then?!
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 3:18 pm
by Artist
It worked for me during my time as a Bootneck (Royal Marine). And I dare say it still does for the guys now in.
All this arty farty stuff is very nice in a Dojo or a ring. But Royal don't fight in Dojos or Rings he fights to win regardless of what he has to do. Loads of guys take up Judo Kung Fu and such like in the Corp. But when your in the deep stuff you just fight to win and if that involves being unfair so be it.
Soldiering is not game! It's for real. And a fair few of the guys on this site had better prepare themselves for seeing the other side of life not seen by very many people in the rest of the world. It can and does get nasty sometimes.
Artist
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 3:28 pm
by Peds
Steven Seagull using his expertly honed martial arts skills in Hollywood may look fancy on camera, but honour and all that other yuppie stuff doesnt really come into it in real-life fighting.
Whatever gets the other guy on the floor and not moving the soonest is a good way to go about it. It all depends on how extreme you want them to not be moving.
A good few punches to the head and a swift kick to the stomach will let you get close enough to wrestle them down to the floor.
NB - Speaking as someone who has never fought in a military occupation, only against people who deserve it in a civilian capacity.
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 3:57 pm
by elitefitness
Don't get me wrong, I too know that ''the arty farty'' stuff doesn't work.
I train in reality Martial arts. I don't know if anyone has ever seen cage rage, UFC or any other no holds barred MMA events, but that is what I train in and for.
So is trainig in MMA available on the side in the forces, Obviously boxing is a big thing...
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 4:22 pm
by dalo
Peds wrote:Down pint, throw empty glass into air. When adversary's eyes are distracted, pointing skywards, launch forehead directly into centre of opponent's face.
Have you been reading the book "amongst the marines" lol
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 4:33 pm
by Bliartheliar
Why butt him when you can just smash the glass across his face?
Hasnt anybody here ever been in a fight in school or wherever - first rule is that there are no rules. I always got into fights and expected to have good old fashioned punch-ups. But what happens? - you grab each other, knee, elbow, puch, butt, kick anything to get your oppenent down. And he is doing the same to you. Try and play by the rules when thier aren't any and you will loose. Real fights look like something you will see on UFC, not Chuck Norris films or pro-boxing fights.
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 4:38 pm
by elitefitness
Agreed Bliar. UFC is as close you can get to reality without going out and starting a fight, and reality is what I train for (aswell as MMA comp).
I have only ever been in 2 street fights and both were ended with one punch ko's. I find (so far) the average joe on the street who starts a fight alwys throws a john wayne right hook. Their style is very predicatable.
I suppose you guys are in the absolute real world of fighting and should you ever have the misfortune to we without a weapon you will used no holds barred. Obviously it is a litte different for me as MMA doesn't quite allow that (groin hits, eye gouge etc).
So just to confirm, there is really no hand to hand combat sytem taught in the military- just a few dirty moves?
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 4:55 pm
by Winnie
No there you are taught a general way of fighting, of course like these other guys are saying their are no rules when it comes down to it but in training you get taught a mix between general unarmed combat and judo. You dont actually do much of it in basic tho, when you get into a unit thats when you learn about it in more depth.
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 5:24 pm
by Guest
I remember some fights in school. The first time was with the hardest kid in year 7 but I didn't know this so I got mullered. The next fight was with this werid kid who I got on the ground but didn't do anymore to him. The next fight was to an idiot who I punched then ran away from

. The next was a girl who was really big. I didn't really get beaten up by her, just punched a few time while I couldn't really punch back. The next was with the same girl when I chucked a tomato at her accidently. I've just realised I've got into more fight then I knew and won one of them. If I ever got in another fight i would definaly lose. I'm not the fighting kind of person. Just the shooting kinda person.
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 7:44 pm
by sneaky beaky
Shoot the bastard. Why would you want to get as close to someone to have to use martial arts of whatever extreme variety.
They are not taught to any great degree in any of the SF except as a matter of self defence. Don't get into situations where you need to use self defence. Simply - "Shoot the Bastard"!
Sneaky
Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2005 7:54 pm
by james_m
StinkyFurby wrote:....I couldn't really punch back....
Did you fight back at all?
I would have loved to have seen it!!!
Stinky (or who ever you are) , thanks once again for making me laugh out loud!
Cheers
James