Caution: The contents of this article are for education purposes only. The principles described are extremely dangerous and are for military close combat training and operations only. Their application applies solely to the military.
Did Charles Nelson have a rank structure?
No not as such, he would give out course completion certificates to students and instructor certificates on request.
He did not keep a registrar except for his chosen group of life members.
If you were not one of that group you were a beginner in his eyes.
My instructors certificate from 1987 is numbered number one and my wife Trish has a students certificate number two and I guess most of the certificates issued were number one or two as Charlie kept no log or role, you were either a life member or you were not.
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Could you tell me more of Mr Nelson’s training programmes?
Yes he had self defence modules for the most extensive range of situations and threats as well as military hand-to-hand combat and methods for close protection.
I have hundreds of notes and videotapes on many subjects he developed skills for.
You needed to spend hundreds of hours with Charlie to have even a fraction of his extensive knowledge.
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I have been taught gooseneck holds for control and restraint but can’t seem to get them on, what is your opinion of gooseneck holds?
They certainly can gain compliance once effected, however they are hard to apply to formidable subjects and to those that are of large physical stature.
Often considerable restraint application aid techniques are required that may be deemed too excessive or could escalate the situation into a fight rather than a C&R application.
Many Kiwis’ have huge hands and stiff joints that when made rigid in resistance of a gooseneck application can make it a less than effective option.
I never teach it on C&R courses and remind operators of the danger of excessive force to achieve a restraint and how it can lead to arrest or lawsuits and that to keep them honest they should always assume there are witnesses and cameras on their case.
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Where can I get copies of the Todd Systems manuals?
The manuals are distributed solely by the Todd Group as they appeal and apply to a specialist and generally professional audience that know what they are looking for and where to get it.
The Todd Group contact for such material is toddgroup.com
The manuals outsell all martial arts titles we sell in the Fight Times store, online and via Fight Times magazine considerably and we receive orders from all around the world from military police and corrections as well as civilian enthusiasts.
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Is Tank the only instructor alive to be approved by Rex Applegate, Harry Baldock and Charles Nelson?
Not quite I am the only living instructor to be qualified by Col Rex Applegate and Harry Baldock in military special operations armed and unarmed combat and one of eleven Instructors to be qualified as senior or chief instructors and life members of the Charles Nelson School.
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I am interested in a basic book on psychological aspects of combat can you suggest any titles?
Yes. Sharpening the Warrior’s Edge by Bruce Siddle and a more clinical book On Killing by Dave Grossman.
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What is the matchbox technique to knock some one out cold?
Captain William Fairbairn had a trick to stiff-arm his enemy with the draw end of a matchbox held so it just extended from the clutch of his thumb and index finger from his hand. The target was the side of the jaw about an inch from the point of the chin.
Interested in Close Combat Training? Todd Group Depots are located throughout New Zealand and at various overseas locations.
For more information on Todd System of Close Combat see the following books, dvds and cds:
- Close Combat Books
The Do's and Don'ts of Close Combat – Tactical C&R – Control and Restraint – No Nonsense Self Defence – Military Close Combat Systems Phase One – Combative Masters Of The 20th Century - Close Combat DVDs
Self Defence of the Elite – 80 Years of Combative Excellence – Primary Option Control & Restraint – Military Unarmed Combat – Phase 1 - Close Combat CDs
Technique To Command – Combative Code of Conduct
