U.S. Army Hand-to-Hand Combat

# U.S. Army Hand-to-Hand Combat

## Part I: Introduction to Hand-to-Hand Combat
- **History of Hand-to-Hand Combat**
  - Origins in military training
  - Evolution of techniques over time
  - Influence of martial arts on modern combat
- **Principles of Combat**
  - Mental preparation and discipline
  - Physical conditioning and endurance
  - Situational awareness and adaptability
- **Basic Techniques**
  - Stances and footwork
  - Strikes and blocks
  - Grappling fundamentals

## Part II: Offensive Techniques
- **Striking Techniques**
  - Punches (jab, cross, hook, uppercut)
  - Kicks (front kick, roundhouse kick, side kick)
  - Elbow and knee strikes
- **Takedowns and Throws**
  - Basic throws (hip throw, shoulder throw)
  - Leg sweeps and trips
  - Clinch techniques for control
- **Weapon Disarmament**
  - Disarming an opponent with a firearm
  - Disarming an opponent with a knife
  - Countering improvised weapons

## Part III: Defensive Techniques
- **Blocks and Evasion**
  - High and low blocks
  - Dodging and slipping attacks
  - Using angles to evade strikes
- **Countering Attacks**
  - Counter-punching and counter-kicking
  - Escaping from holds and grabs
  - Reversing takedowns into submissions
- **Ground Defense**
  - Escaping from mount and guard positions
  - Defending against strikes on the ground
  - Submission escapes and reversals

## Part IV: Advanced Tactics and Strategies
- **Combination Attacks**
  - Combining strikes and takedowns
  - Setting up submissions with strikes
  - Transitioning between ranges (long, medium, close)
- **Environmental Awareness**
  - Fighting in confined spaces
  - Using terrain and obstacles to your advantage
  - Adapting to different weather conditions
- **Multiple Opponents**
  - Managing distance and positioning
  - Prioritizing targets and threats
  - Creating openings to escape or neutralize threats

## Part V: Training and Conditioning
- **Physical Fitness**
  - Strength training for combat
  - Cardiovascular endurance exercises
  - Flexibility and mobility drills
- **Mental Toughness**
  - Overcoming fear and hesitation
  - Building confidence through repetition
  - Visualization and mental rehearsal
- **Drills and Sparring**
  - Partner drills for technique refinement
  - Controlled sparring for real-world application
  - Stress testing under simulated combat conditions

## Part VI: Ethical Considerations and Rules of Engagement
- **Military Code of Conduct**
  - When to engage in hand-to-hand combat
  - Proportionality and necessity in self-defense
  - Avoiding unnecessary harm or escalation
- **Legal Implications**
  - Understanding the laws of war
  - De-escalation techniques in civilian contexts
  - Post-conflict accountability and reporting
- **Moral Responsibility**
  - Respecting opponents and prisoners
  - Upholding human rights in combat situations
  - The role of ethics in modern warfare