Clubb Chimera Martial Arts : CCMA

Hard Target (Streetwise Strategies Tactics Techniques Mindset Training Methods)

I am very proud of the people I choose to be coached under. The CCMA process is an ongoing organic procedure in the combative arts, seeking out the very best to help us develop as individuals. When I first founded CCMA my intention were always to have self defence/self protection at its core base. We do attribute training and functional fitness, but these always follow on to reinforce the primary objective of developing individuals capable of handling real life conflict. So, of all the coaches I regularly work with I hold Mo in the highest regard. He is my base, a major source of information and along with Iain Abernethy, I would say our mission statement is the most aligned.

Another appealing feature I find in Mo, that many with sacred cows will have issues with, is his frankness. Below is a short piece he wrote with the same passion and drive that I find so motivating in all the workshops, lessons and seminars of his it has been my priviledge to attend:

“Taking Responsibility”

By Mo Teague

I recently taught a mixed group of military personnel, close protection officers and police officers on an ‘edged weapons’ seminar. They were the professionals, the people on the front line. I had been assured that these guys were top notch, motivated, experienced, knowledgeable and capable. They were, in fact, a shambles - with preconceived ideas about me and the training content of my course, deluded as to their own capabilities, which were in fact minimal, and as naive as a bunch of novice nuns. How the fuck these guys ever expected to continue to survive in their respective work environments is beyond me if their professional skill set is the same standard across the board, I despair. Maybe I’m the naive one, in that I expect professionals to be… well, professional.

I conveyed my observations to the group and the words ‘arrogant’ and ‘not politically correct’ came back. I admit my language can be choice, but always in context and seldom gratuitous. I can be direct, but we don’t have the time to fuck about with the pleasantries, and if being passionate is a crime, well I’m guilty, because I’m passionate about life and passionate about passing on the knowledge and skills that give people a chance of surviving a violent encounter. I don’t just see a group of soldiers or CP guys or police officers, I see their wives and partners - children and friends who want to see them home safe and sound from duty.

The group did not initially respond well to my comments - yes I was blunt (unlike the weapons they likely face) but they need shaking out of their ‘Who the fuck do you think you are? I’ve done the course and got the t-shirt’ attitude.

Sadly these guys were/are typical of the poor, no dire standard of most of those working on the front lines. Political correctness has given the scumbags the advantage and often the last laugh, whilst those serving to uphold peace and law and order, or just survive everyday life, have to do so constrained and frustrated by legislation and attitudes that compromise and endanger them. Everyone has to jump through the legislative hoops these days. Duty of care, health and safety, risk assessment, equal this and that, but it’s smoke and mirrors masking the real issues.

Someone trying to stab you with a knife whilst you carry out your lawful duties is not PC and cannot and should not be met with PC (it’s even in the wording, in this country we have a police service, in America they have a police force!) So who is to blame? The easy answer would be the politicians, the Civil Servant mandarins, the legislators, but in fact it comes down to those on the front lines taking personal responsibility. Responsibility for their own professional standards , investing (not spending) their own time and money developing the relevant skill sets, enhancing their professional knowledge to level that not only matches but exceeds that required to face the threats and challenges faced by all those in the security industry today.

Far too much emphasis is placed on protective equipment and not enough on physical training and tactics. Don’t bother with edged weapons defence give them a stab proof vest and while your at it, pepper spray, extendable baton, helmet, quickie cuffs etc. that’ll save all that kicking and punching stuff and the chance that another ‘looking for a way out, front line warrior’ will put his back out (how many Police and prison officers retire from active duty as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty?) Nice little payout and early retirement, I’ll have some of that! (I acknowledge those genuinely injured in the performance of their duties)

To be fair to the group of aforementioned students by the end of the session their whole attitude had changed, I was still arrogant and not PC but by their own admission they had had their eyes opened to the realities of edged weapon defence. I would like to think that they will now endeavour to enhance the skills learnt that day, but in all honestly, I don’t think they will. Denial and hoping for the best are not realistic game plans.

Please note that Mo Teague will be leading the new “Hard Target” service for self protection for RST (Response Security Training Ltd) on 17th and 18th October at a London venue to be arranged. This is open to the general public. The seminar will cover both unarmed and armed responses for civilians. It will be the launch of this exciting new programme in reality training. Coaches include Mo Teague, Alan Cain (a regular instructor for RST), Curtis Harvey (of JKD Gym) and me for CCMA.

Contact Details:

Tel: 020 7421 6180
Email: enquiries@rstlimited.net