John styers

Most people have only been exposed to the work of John Styers through the book “Cold Steel”.

It is important to remember that, first and foremost, this book describes a BASIC hand-to-hand combat instruction course. Items covered in this system include bayonet, knife, stick, and unarmed combat. Styers developed this “system” for BASIC training.

The framework for all of these methods remains CONSISTENT at all times. The basics of using the bayonet, the knife, unarmed combat, and even stick work are ALL the same.

Note in particular the “posture” used for the bayonet, the knife, and for unarmed combat. SAME postures. The “body” mechanics involved in all of the methods presented are, fundamentally, ALL similar. This in itself shows “genius”.

What we see in “Cold Steel” is NOT the STYERS method! It is a “system” that STYERS developed for use in BASIC training. John Styers was a man of great knowledge and SKILL in various man-to-man combat.

Those who knew Styers personally have told us of his great interest, knowledge, and proven skill in various methods of close combat. From the “French” style of bayonet fighting, to “Russian” knife fighting, to boxing, wrestling, jujitsu and, of course, “dirty” fighting.

In regards to working with the STYERS knife as shown in “Cold Steel”, it should also be noted that this was but a SMALL part of Styers’ overall skill and KNIFE FIGHTING skill. Again, this was a BASIC TRAINING system!

Other sources show this quite demonstrably. The man was a MASTER in swordsmanship.

Now the blade system taught in “Cold Steel” is excellent. The “problems” that are often cited by others have MORE to do with a lack of understanding of the tactics and techniques as “they” present them, than with practical flaws in the STYERS method.

ABOUT THE METHOD ……………………………….

First, Styers was training men for COMBAT on the battlefield. NOT for a “duel”. He assumed (rightly) that in the so-called “fog” of war, men will revert to pure “animal” instinct and move directly to “kill.” Think about this! During the frenzy of actual combat, you and your enemy are REDUCED to fighting with knives. Men are killing and being murdered FOR ALL TIMES. YOUR natural instinct for SURVIVAL will grab you by the neck. You’ll grip that knife as tightly (your LIFE NOW depends on THIS WEAPON) as possible and MOVE FORWARD TO KILL! (WASTE ANY TIME and someone else is going to KILL you). duel “, you are going to KILL, survive and move on to your next threat or target. Styers KNEW what true” kill or be killed “combat was like. He realized that MOST men in this dire situation WILL instinctively SECURE their knife, either with an “overhead” or “ice pick” grip or with a “covert” type “hammer grip.” They will attack with a determined KILL intent. THAT IS THE BASIS of the Styers method!

Now the “elements” of the Styers method rest on the BODY position, the ARM position and the KNIFE position.

This is where so many “experts” get out of the way. Forget any “technique”, lunge, slash or “whatever.” WITHOUT the FOUNDATION of proper BODY, ARM and KNIFE position, all the “technique” in the world is NO SENSE!

Without a REAL understanding of Styers’ FUNDAMENTAL tactic and what MUST be done to make it EFFECTIVE, THIS all becomes NO MORE than two guys trying to cut and stab each other. THIS IS NOT what Styers envisioned.

Moving on to the “meat and potatoes”:

1. Posture

Whether you are assuming the “Styers” position from a “classic” fencer pose, as demonstrated by Styers (for continuity) or just moving forward (lead leg), take one step back (actual leg), as long as your upper torso stay straight and your body rests “like a spring” on your legs, you’re fine. THE BALANCE should rest at its center point and the rear heel ELEVATED. Toes and KNEES point FORWARD!

KEY POINT: SQUARE body. ERECT torso. Chin pulled in. Centered BALANCE. RAISED REAR HEEL.

2. Arm position

Grasping the KNIFE: Blade vertical to the ground. Thumb EXTENDED down the strap. Slight CANT or “cocked” blade up.

Weapon-bearing arm and hand: Shot IN. Upper arm is slightly BACK from vertical. Elbow tucked in, not away from the side. LOWER ARM raised on a plane EVEN with opponents THROAT / EYES. The weapon hand MUST NOT break the lateral plane of the upper torso! THIS IS KEY!

Clumsy Hand: Thrown like the hand that carries a weapon.

COMMON MISTAKES:

Incorrect foot placement.

Leaning over or towards the opponent.

Chin / head PUSH out.

GUN HAND EXTENDED and / or OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Read THAT AGAIN!

KNIFE LEVEL to the ground and DOES NOT POINT into the opponent’s EYES / THROAT!

SPLAYED out to the side.

Now, the WHYs that make this method succeed or fail.

First, try this experiment (THIS IS A MUST DO). Don’t even talk about this “method” if you HAVE NOT honestly followed this example:

Grab a REAL SHARP FIGHTING KNIFE.

EXTEND to FULL arm length with shoulder “twisted” in for extra reach.

Tell your sparring partner to DISTANCE from the weapon to a RANGE where it sits in a combatively “SAFE” range. Have someone measure that distance.

PULL your weapon arm out 3/4 extension and repeat. Have someone measure that distance.

PULL FORWARD to a half bent 90 degree position and repeat.

NOW drop the gun back to your hip and do it all over again.

COMPARE the measurements at each “distance”. MOST people WILL REMAIN fairly consistent in the ACTUAL “measured” safe distance from the tip of the gun. THEY ALMOST ALWAYS MOVE when YOUR arm is moved back, BUT the “measured” distance remains very close between ALL the given positions.

THAT is the KEY to Styers.

Extend your arm and knife completely OUT. Your partner maintains that critical safety zone FROM the tip of your very real, sharp blade. COULD YOU EASILY cut or push it from that position? Not really. A committed BODY lunge or step is all you can do to close the “gap.” Too slow.

NOW-Pull that arm ALL the way in so it just barely breaks the lateral plane of the body. AGAIN, your sparring partner will have a DEFINITE tendency to KEEP the measured distance from the safety zone, but HE MOVES. The actual distance measured between it and the tip will vary little. YOUR safety zone is STILL your safety zone.

What HAS changed is your ABILITY to REACH IT in the fastest and NOT telegraphed way.

FROM arm DRAWN IN position, SQUARE TORSO, and BALANCED stance, you can execute the fastest, cobra-like attacks or counterattacks with a large amount of RANGE.

ANY position other than this, taken by your enemy, will put him at a SERIOUS disadvantage. He will almost ALWAYS offer you something, while YOU will offer NOTHING.

Your range and speed will be affected by YOUR position. Your range and speed will be IMPROVED by YOURS.

IMPORTANCE of BLADE POSITION: Keep the tip of the blade POINTED at the indicated angle. WHY? At that angle, it is MUCH more difficult for the opponent to measure the size and length of his sword. It may seem like a MINOR “point”, but in a real KNIFE fight I WILL USE anything that MAY give me an advantage.

TECHNICAL:

ALL you REALLY need is a push, a quick cut (DO NOT use the rear quick cut with this!), A “stop hit” and the “hand cut”. Step and stab is helpful too.

If “In-Quartata and Passata-soto” are NOT comfortable for you, DO NOT use them! Since BOTH of these moves are MEANING as “defensive” counterattacks against a FULLY committed assault, they are NOT required.

The FIVE moves mentioned above are MORE than enough. PRACTICE THEM by moving forward, backward and flanking left and right. I personally do NOT train the “back” quick cut on the “fast cut” because I know of an incident in a real fight where the knife came loose from the grip on the “return” when the target reflexively withdrew their shoulder after making the first cut. on the right temple and eyes. This is the story I have heard, so I will not comment further.

OBJECTIVES: As far as “objectives” are concerned …………… well, the BEST real world advice I can offer is GO FOR MEAT! If you see fur, GO FOR IT!

Fingers, hands, wrists, throat / neck and face. The “pass and stab” MUST be saved for the knockout.

John Styer’s influence was actually BUILT AFTER WWII. His methods were developed during the Korean War era, long after his departure from the USMC.

And …………………… Your job as a FLAG salesperson is what brought you into contact with military and military bases ALL over the country!

There are more anecdotes and more information but this is enough for now.

It always “kicks” me when guys throw different methods and / or ideas out of hand. Then when I ask them to “show me” they are ALL WRONG! Of course it looks like SHIT. BECAUSE YOU’RE DOING IT LIKE SHIT!

Ok, I hope some of you have some useful information.

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