Learning path 02 · Close combat
Practise physical defence under strict control.
These lessons explain pad work, balance, protective positions and safe exits. Restricted lessons require adult access and qualified in-person supervision.
Complete path
From safe foundations to controlled scenarios
Form a safe fist
Curl every finger fully, place the thumb outside and keep the wrist straight when contacting a pad.
- Close the fingers
- Place the thumb outside
- Align the knuckles
- Keep the wrist straight
Injury risks and responsibility
Protect the head, neck, chest and joints in training, recognise warning signs after contact and obtain help early.
- Set protected areas
- Agree the contact level
- Stop after warning signs
- Arrange aftercare
Punch mechanics and counteraction
Practise straight punches and palm strikes only on pads, keep the free hand at the head and step back after contact.
- Set stable feet
- Align hand and wrist
- Contact the offered pad
- Return and step away
Close range and clinch
Remain upright in close contact, place the forearms between both bodies and leave with a side step.
- Keep the head upright
- Insert the forearms
- Step sideways
- End contact
Kicks and knees
Practise kicks and knees only on large pads, stabilise the support leg and return the foot under control.
- Choose a large shield
- Stabilise the support leg
- Return the leg
- Set the foot down safely
Short combinations
Join two familiar pad actions, check stance after each contact and finish by stepping away diagonally.
- Combine two actions
- Check stance
- Correct distance
- Step away diagonally
Takedowns and balance
Recover balance with a step and practise any descent slowly on mats with qualified supervision.
- Move the feet
- Recover balance
- Guide the partner
- Use safe breakfalls
Ground position and exit
Protect the head and neck, place a forearm and knee between both bodies, create space and stand under control.
- Protect head and neck
- Create a frame
- Make space
- Stand and leave
Grips, joint control and release
Practise releasing wrist or clothing grips slowly; never load a joint to pain and release immediately at the stop signal.
- Identify the grip
- Turn towards the opening
- Step away
- Release at the stop signal
Striking surfaces and self-injury risk
Align the fist or palm with the forearm, use soft pads and stop after pain, tingling or numbness.
- Choose the contact surface
- Align the wrist
- Use a soft pad
- Stop after symptoms
Open hand and hammerfist on pads
Keep fingers out of contact, place the palm heel or padded side of the fist on the shield and return the hand to protection.
- Protect the fingers
- Contact the shield
- Return the hand
- Step away
Elbow training at close range
Stand upright at a large shield, move the elbow through a short controlled path and step back immediately.
- Stand upright
- Use no large swing
- Contact the shield
- Step back
Basic kicking principles
Bend the support leg slightly, kick only to a low shield, return the leg and set the foot down safely.
- Bend the support leg
- Keep the target low
- Return the leg
- Regain stance
Knee training on a body shield
Guide the knee to the marked shield area, return it immediately and never pull the holder by the neck.
- Remain upright
- Use the marked target
- Return the knee
- Keep hands off the neck
High-risk techniques and limits
Exclude the head, neck, spine and joints from unsupervised impact; stop when escape is possible and arrange help after injury.
- Exclude dangerous targets
- Stop at the exit
- Call emergency services
- Provide first aid
Decide when to resist
Use physical action only against an immediate continuing attack and stop as soon as distance or escape is available.
- Confirm immediate danger
- Interrupt briefly
- Create distance
- Stop and leave
Protective position and initiative
Keep open hands at chest height, protect head and torso and use only the agreed pad action without winding up.
- Raise open hands
- Lower the chin
- Protect head and torso
- Use the agreed pad action
Leave the attack line
Protect the head, step diagonally out of the direct line, complete one agreed pad action and leave.
- Cover the head
- Step diagonally
- Limit pad contact
- Use the exit
Palm, forearm frame and exit
Place the palm on the large pad, bring the forearm between both bodies and step sideways to gain distance.
- Place the palm
- Insert the forearm
- Step sideways
- Maintain distance
Two straight punches and exit
Place two controlled straight punches on offered pads, return both hands and exit diagonally.
- Contact the first pad
- Return the hand
- Contact the second pad
- Exit diagonally
Release a clinch
Remain upright, insert the forearms, make room with a side step and leave close contact.
- Remain upright
- Insert the forearms
- Step sideways
- Create distance
Leave a wall position
Protect head and torso, place the forearm on the padded torso and move sideways along the wall to the exit.
- Protect head and torso
- Move the feet
- Place the forearm
- Leave sideways
Release a body hold
Widen the stance, lower the hips, create room with the forearm, open the agreed training grip and step away.
- Widen the stance
- Lower the hips
- Open the training grip
- Step away
Stand up safely from the ground
Protect the head, keep the feet between you and the partner and stand while keeping the danger in view.
- Protect the head
- Keep the feet between
- Support the body
- Stand under control
Scenario drill under stress
Under light time or noise pressure, identify the signal, choose one familiar response, exit and review the sequence.
- Identify the signal
- Choose a familiar response
- Use the exit
- Review the drill