Summary
Defendu is a modern form or Close Quarters Combat designed by Eric A. Sykes and William E. Fairbairn. It is considered to be the basis of several modern fighting arts and is thought to be one of the most effective close-quarter battle methods in existence. The system was developed just before World War II and it was initially taught to the officers of the Shanghai Police. Defendu relies on techniques used in jujutsu, boxing, and practical fighting, incorporating many dangerous and deadly moves. Today, these techniques are mainly used by law enforcement agencies, by officers who often encounter dangerous face-to-face situations that need to be resolved quickly, safely and efficiently.
History / Origins
ETYMOLOGY
Defendu is sometimes also referred to as Gutter Fighting, the Fairbairn Fighting System, and the Fairbairn System. Modern forms of this martial art are called Modern Defendo. The word “defendo” comes from Latin and means “to defend, guard, protect, drive away”.(1) The term has first appeared in 1926, in a book written by the creator of the technique, William E. Fairbairn. (2)
BEGINNINGS
The beginnings of Defendu can be traced back to 1920s Shanghai. During this period, Shanghai was considered to be the roughest city in the world in terms of fighting crime, mostly due to its large and crowded port. The crime was thriving – murders, drug smuggling, prostitution, and kidnappings were everyday occurrences here. William Edward Fairbairn was a British soldier who had served with the Royal Marine since 1901, where he developed new methods of bayonet fighting. He joined the Shanghai Municipal Police in 1907 after his discharge from Marines and served in one of the city’s dangerous red-light districts controlled by the group of Tong members, famous for their lethal methods. It is said that he engaged in hundreds of street fights during his long career and after one dangerous fight he sought the help of professor Okada, a Japanese jujutsu expert. He later learned the judo techniques in Tokyo and became proficient in Chinese systems. Not long after, he started progressing in his career, as he had shown amazing skill and mastery in close combat – Fairbairn spent all of his free time studying each form of face-to-face combat techniques he could find.
He later trained officers of the Shanghai Police, along with the famous China Marines and the Shanghai Riot Squad, a prototype for modern S.W.A.T. teams. His colleague Eric Anthony Sykes helped him develop numerous techniques and skills of close combat and together they constructed the most famous combat knife in the world.
PRESENT DAY
At the beginning of World War II, Fairbairn was commissioned in the British Commandos to teach them his lethal techniques in a secret location in Scotland. On that occasion, soldiers of the U.S. Army were also included in the training and Fairbairn himself was later transferred to the U.S. to give training to the special agents. He introduced his system at U.S. Camp X and his techniques were mixed with knowledge of several other skilled instructors of various backgrounds. In this process, Defendu, a highly-skilled form of unarmed combat, was born. This set of techniques was later referred to as Defendo in the slang of Allied soldiers. After the demobilization following the victory of the Allied Forces in WWII, many skilled fighters spread throughout the world, spreading the art of Defendu as well. Peacetime forces still use many of these techniques and the same goes for all special units and secret services in the world, including Mossad, MI-6, FBI, as well as various SWAT and Marine forces.
FOLKLORE
It is said that during his early days in Shanghai police Fairbairn was attacked on duty by the infamous Hatchet-men of Chinese Tong. On that occasion, he was severely beaten, heavily injured and left behind to die on the street. Many say that this was an eye-opener for him and a decisive event in the development of his famous techniques.
Fairbairn worked with Eric Sykes for many years and together they developed the famous Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife, a double-edged fighting knife. The said knife resembles a dagger and features a special foil grip. This weapon became famous during the World War II, as it was issued to the SAS, British Commandos and Airborne Forces and was used during the Normandy Landings in 1944.(3)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: | China |
TIME OF ORIGIN: | Early 1930's |
PRACTISED: | Approx. 91 years |
FOUNDERS: | Eric A. Sykes, William E. Fairbairn |
FOCUS: | |
ALSO KNOWN AS: | Defendo, Modern Defendo, Gutter Fighting |
PARENTHOOD: | |
DESCENDANTS: | Special forces Hand-to-Hand Combat |
OLYMPIC SPORT: | No |
NOTABLE FEMALE PRATITIONERS
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NOTABLE MALE PRATITIONERS
Eric A. Sykes
William E. Fairbairn
NATIONALITY: | |
DATE OF BIRTH: | |
AGE: | Approx. 91 years |
BORN: | Special forces Hand-to-Hand Combat |
RESIDENCE: | - |
ALSO KNOWN AS: | Defendo, Modern Defendo, Gutter Fighting |
OCCUPATION: | |
JOB TITLE: |
RELATED FEMALE INDIVIDUALS
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RELATED MALE INDIVIDUALS
Eric A. Sykes
William E. Fairbairn
COUNTRY: | China |
LOCATION: | - |
FOUNDED: | Early 1930's |
OPERATIONAL: | Approx. 91 years |
FOUNDERS: | Eric A. Sykes, William E. Fairbairn |
ALSO KNOWN AS: | Defendo, Modern Defendo, Gutter Fighting |
SECTOR: | |
DESCRIPTION: | |
WEBSITE: | - |
ACOSSIATED INDIVIDUALS
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ACOSSIATED ATHLETES
Eric A. Sykes
William E. Fairbairn
Blitz Rubber Knife
A soft rubber knife to harness your knife defences, purposefully, effectively and safely. Complete with a solid handle for a firm grip.
£4.99
Rubber Combat Firearm
Install the sense of realism and true trepidation with our replica rubber gun. Master the exact amount of force required.
£11.99
Double Edged Knife
Plastic knife to harness your knife defences. Solid, plastic handle for a firm grip. Perfect your skills without fear of any injuries.
£7.99
Visor Head Guard
Offers maximum protection to the face, with unrestricted head movement. Excellent field of vision. Adjustable Velcro straps.
£42.99
Blitz Hand Pads
Elasticated slip on hand pads to provide support when striking and defending. Ideal for light sparring and pad work. Sold in pairs.
£5.99
Blitz Forearm Pads
Padded elasticated slip on forearm pads. Cushioned padded protective outer. Towelling inner ensures comfort. Sold in pairs.
£7.99
Blitz Red Oak Knife
Wooden knife to harness your knife defences. Solid wooden handle for a firm grip. Perfect your skills without fear of injury.
£8.99
Club Focus Pads
Designed to withstand powerful blows, these long-lasting Blitz Club Focus Pads will survive countless training sessions.
£22.99
Aluminium Knife
Used in a variety of self-defence Martial Arts including Jujitsu and Krav Maga, this is a realistic aluminium training knife.
£9.99
Compression Top
The 4-way stretch fabric allows for greater mobility and provides a snug, 'second skin', fit to improve the blood flow and oxygen supply.
£31.99
Practices
PHILOSOPHY
The most important thing to consider when talking about Defendu is the lethal character of this technique. Although it is sometimes practiced recreationally, its original intention is survival in life-threatening situations. Techniques of Defendu employ the psychology of using the energy of the attacker – Defendu avoids tiring and acrobatic movements such as high kicks or jump kicks.(4) Those who are skilled in Defendu can control the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and use them to their own advantage. Although this system has borrowed elements from Asian martial arts, Defendu does not feature “kata” presentations and formal rules. There is not much philosophy behind this system – it is an effective defensive mechanism which is intended to be used in real life situations which require violence.
TECHNIQUES
The art mostly uses short distance fighting techniques, including methods like knee kicks, knee and elbow strikes, punches, chokes, throws, joint locks, sidekicks, elbow jabs and blocks. Practitioners are taught not to hit with their fists, but rather with the outside edge or the heel of their hands. One of the important principles of Defendu includes quick charges toward the enemy and fast finishes. In case one is grabbed by the opponent, grappling method is used, along with several ground techniques. Defendu techniques are primarily to be practiced without weapons, but in case of need, anything that comes in handy can be used, including bottles, sticks, knives and other cold weapons. Many of these techniques can be modified to include the famous Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife.
TRAINING
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RANKS & GRADING
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WEIGHT CLASSES
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Rules / Rulesets
RULES / RULESETS
As Defendu is used in real-life situations, and not in rings and competitions, there are no official rules that regulate conduct during fights.
Organisations & Historical Places
ORGANISATIONS
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HISTORICAL PLACES
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Popular Culture
POPULAR CULTURE
As Defendu is included in training routines of almost all special forces in the world, many of its techniques are often showcased in popular culture. These include numerous movies, TV shows, video games and other popular references. Some of the most famous movies including many elements of close quarters combat include Navy Seals, S.W.A.T., The Negotiator, Commando, The Unit, Metal Gear Solid, the Bourne Trilogy and many others. When it comes to video games, a popular series called SWAT often features many real-life fighting techniques of Defendu and similar styles.
Useful Links
USEFUL LINKS
Links coming soon
References
REFERENCES
- https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/defendo
- http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread730324/pg1
- http://www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com/
- http://www.intermartialarts.com/styles/defendu
COLLABORATORS
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