The Poo: Maximum Resistance

Training as many as 260 exponents on their individual primary centre of gravity for maximum resistance against lifting or movement reducing their target mass and not compromising their stability by squatting to low is not an easy to task. No easy task when you consider although you may have an instructing cadre of 18 instructors assisting you. Having only limited time to ensure exponents can maximize personal stability and resistance in relation to their individual height is very important to ensure they are formidable at close quarters.

Todd Systems of Military Close Combat - Cover Guard (the poo)
Unarmed stationary counter-offensive assault, poo position with cover guard.


The "poo" principle of maintaining a strong platform for offensive or counter offensive assault.

To achieve this objective I thought the best means would be the usual regular forces CQB means of instructing, combined with a bit of the old irregular instructing consisting of a title and demonstration that would get their attention and ensure retention.

State, explain, demonstrate, questions, practice, critique.

State: the poo means of self maximization of stability and resistance.

Explain: take a tactical dump, dig your shitter with your e-tool.

Stand in a combative front stance over the hole squat to a level that will ensure your load will land in the hole with little splash back and do not squat so low as to risk falling in.

Knees bent, butt pushed back, body bent forward at the hips, back straight, eyes remaining vigilant.

Hands and arms employed for balance maintenance in taking a field dump or in CQC to cover guard. To increase your resistance levels and maximise stability exhale as you drive downward into the poo position.

The poo position should resemble squatting as in powerlifting.

The demonstration is given several times and a warning to be careful when practicing and exhaling adding to the resistance that you do not fill your underwear.

Any questions-answers.

Practice and instructors will move through the ranks and critique.

Truing the Poo position can be achieved by having enemy part in singular or multiples endeavour to move lift or decentralise the combatant and the combatant make stance and guard adjustments to maintain position and control.

This poo position is a critical part of a wide range of combative practices and applications.

Preventing being lifted, thrown, taken down and in weapon retention, regention, combat shooting, hold escapes etc.

The degree of required resistance will be in accordance with the situational and individual employment.

Reduced target mass increase stability maximum levels of resistance are all important components of gaining maintaining or regaining control of the situation against a formidable enemy.

The Poo could be the means of resistance required to prevent in a military role a prisoner snatch attempt or abduction in kidnapping or sexual assault for combat sports preventing being suplexed or thrown and stand up encounters it can enable you to hold position and deliver unarmed offensive assault options.

The poo position also puts the military combatant in a crouched cocked position consistent with delivering low stamp kicks or from where strikes can be initiated by driving from the ground upwards towards the target.


A young Tank (9 years old) Rugby League prop forward

When I was developing the Todd System having formerly been as a youngster a front row prop forward in rugby league and rugby dropping or lowering of my centre of gravity in the scrum was important. Combining this with my wrestling grappling and unarmed combat training under Harry Baldock achieving decreased target mass increase stability and a lowered centre of gravity was basic practice.

What I done when developing the system was to ensure a modified position would provide the optimum positioning for military close quarters stamp kicks and strikes.

This poo position not only achieved the previous but also made the cover guard provide full upper quadrant protection and effective means of deflection of the enemy strikes.

From stalking to hard targeting through target mass reduction and increased stability including on slippery terrain and by providing increased striking power and optimum stamp kick execution positioning as well as the maximum means of resistance the Poo position provides it all.

Tank Todd
The Tank on CQB course.

The name Tank first was bestowed upon me when I was a schoolboy playing rugby league and renowned for being hard to tackle and charging forward and this continued through my unarmed combat training years where I was renowned for dirty tricks employed from a lowered centre of gravity positioning going forward hard charging on the front foot.

When instructing the poo I remind the exponents that by reducing target mass your limbs do not lose permanently length but are cocked and ready to unleash maximum velocity.

I encourage them to test in practise the split-second advantage that can be gained when the Poo is employed to prevent being lifted moved or thrown.

To get an indicator of weight dropping I recommend when next on the bathroom scales they exhale as they rigorously execute the Poo and watch the weight increase on the scales.


Weight increases shown on the scales of up to an additional third of one's body weight.

The Todd System of unarmed combat in relation to unarmed offensive and counteroffensive assault maximizes required mobility and stability specific to roles situations and skills employments and the Poo is the primary means of increasing stability reducing target mass and maximizing resistance.

Article written by Tank Todd

Special Operations CQB Master Chief Instructor. Over 30 years experience. The only instructor qualified descendent of Baldock, Nelson, and Applegate. Former instructors include Harry Baldock (unarmed combat instructor NZ Army WWII), Colonel Rex Applegate OSS WWII and Charles Nelson, US Marine Corps. Tank has passed his Special Forces combative instructor qualification course in Southeast Asia and is certified to instruct the Applegate, Baldock and Nelson systems. His school has been operating for over eighty years and he is currently an Army Special Operations Group CQB Master Chief Instructor. His lineage and qualifications from the evolutionary pioneers are equalled by no other military close combat instructor. His operation includes his New Zealand headquarters, and 30 depots worldwide as well as contracts to train the military elite, security forces, and close protection specialists. Annually he trains thousands of exponents and serious operators that travel down-under to learn from the direct descendant of the experts and pioneers of military close combat. Following in the footsteps of his former seniors, he has developed weapons, and training equipment exclusive to close combat and tactical applications. He has published military manuals and several civilian manuals and produced DVDs on urban self protection, tactical control and restraint, and close combat. He has racked up an impressive 100,000+ hours in close combat.