CQPP and CQC Modern Interpretations

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Originally the term Close Quarter Combat (CQC) was normally associated with training given to military personnel to cope with engaging the enemy at bare hands, bayonet or knife range. Gradually, as ex-military people came out of the forces and moved into security and law enforcement - the skills crossed the boundaries of what is normally accepted as traditional martial arts in order to deal with the reality of the incidents dealt with on a day to day basis.

The terms “Close Quarter Combat” and “CQC” are often seen on various forums and websites, but I guess many martial artists and non martial artists are a little vague as to what term actually means and believe it to be a modern phenomena for those ‘hard men’ that border on the violent extremes (cage fighting), or for military men who can’t let go and perpetuate WW2 techniques as perhaps seen as a first glance at an art such as  ‘Defendo’ or that of a nation continually at war such ‘Krav Maga’.

I guess the term is pretty much self-descriptive in that it represents closing down the distance or being forced into close physical engagement when a threat in a close or confined environment – moving into the threat or the attacker so that the situation can be resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible. I find the term ‘combat’ a little uncomfortable when trying to engage the interest of a wider audience and prefer the term Close Quarter Personal Protection which allows a little leeway on the thought processes and pre-emptive actions around this situation.

What simply makes a Close Quarter Combat interpretation different from the various forms of martial arts and ’sports’ is the fact that it’s concepts are purely to quickly and efficiently neutralize an unavoidable threat with any and all means necessary (given that you will always be subjected to the scrutiny of the law and the courts for your actions).

Those who practise CQC or ‘urban combatitives’ or very similar care little about the purity of the origins of the techniques and tactics, but instead care about the developed effectiveness of techniques and tactics  within concepts. Rounds and referees just aren’t in the equation – just as in the street.

Another thing that sets CQC apart from many martial arts is the integration of the empty-hand and weapon systems. Practitioners of CQC do not favour any technique, tactic, or weapon over another. They learn to use each and every tool equally and adapt to the immediacy and unpredictablity of the occasion – along with the right mindset.

So often, martial artists are taught to confine their responses to techniques, tactics, and strategies taught only within the correct ‘form’ of their system.

CQC practitioners are free to pick and choose only those simple techniques, tactics, and strategies that have history of success in today’s world and been proven to work – not memorised and performed to ‘look good’ for a grading. It is having the freedom to sub-consciously adapt to any given situation without being confined to a specific set of stylized taught responses to set ideal conditions or curtailed from reality by a strong sports influence.

As always the choice is yours – but invest wisely when it comes to your personal protection!

Malcolm
Youshiki Goshin Jutsu

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