John McSweeney's Battleaxe

[Greg Newton]

I just finished reading John McSweeney's Battleaxe, which is a quick bio of his life and martial arts system. I loved it. It was straight, simple and too the point, and was also an enjoyable read.

I am curious as to what anyone else thinks of McSweeney's self defense system. It was based on a handful of strikes used in circular style. There were also very few target areas. Most were around the throat and the vagus nerve.

Greg

[MikeNY]

I own a copy of Battleaxe; one great book!

Regarding your question if you take McSweeneys Nine Power Strikes you have a stand alone good system for a fight, now add Boxing and you have a simple but deadly combo. McSweeney was a Boxer and his system dovetails right into Boxing, I know he later in life was into Kenpo.

[Larry Wick]

Hi All,


I hope that everyone is in good health and spirit and enjoying the Spring weather! I have been doing alot of traveling as of late and I am getting ready for a six city to country run starting tommorrow. Wow, traveling sure does take it out of you. I have the John Mcsweeney Street Krate book in my hands as I write this. I compliment him on a job well done. I like the concept of striking the neck area and soft tissue, myself I do not use circular motions as your hands move to much and can take to much time to excute a move because of distance. Note the cover of his book, his hand si way behing his back. In SSS we fight for that hundredth of a second to be able to move or strike. We also never stand in one place ever!!!! Your training is always moving to prevent the successful attacker of someone you did not see. Ilike boxing, but boxing is for fighting and if you try to box someone that out weighs you by fifty pounds with his only goal is to get his hands on you and rip your head off of stick a knife in you, you will find boxing very difficult to be effective. You are trying to fight, he is trying kill you. Remember always train with the mindset of the worst possible senarios, it will increase you chance of survival.. To All, please be safe and enjoy the summer!!! your friend Larry

[Icarus67]

I have a dvd of his sytem and his VRT moves. Although stylishly dated, it is very good information. He explaines on the dvd that Japanese karate is basically an inferior version of Chinese kung fu, and the power generated in circular strikes is preferable when possible to linear strikes.

[jonfranco]

the VRT moves are the same of the miracle seven tiger moves?

[Greg Newton]

Yes and no. Both require tension under movement. Greg Mangan's VRT tends to emulate weight training movements without weight. McSween;ey's Tiger Moves were based more on martial arts type movement patterns.

Greg Newton

[isorez]

There was another genlteman that posted here a couple of times...way back in the day.......and he had a 'style' of multiple angled movements of DVR-style that was based on Martial Arts. Not plugging or anything....just mentioning.
You can be very creative. If you are a martial artisit, take a movement....even front punch with one hand punching straight forward and chambering the other hand.....do this movement very, very slowly with a lot of tension..change it up from one side to the other and....BANG...you just added something to your DVR workout arsenal.
Even blocks, put together in a 2 or 3 movement pattern....BANG....now you have another 'something' to add to a workout. Be creative and go with it.