The buttstroke stays the same—only the execution adapts. Whether starting from a high or low pistol grip, the inward buttstroke remains nearly identical. The motion is simply adjusted to match the starting stance, ensuring fluid transition and maximum impact from any ready position.
I’ll share more buttstrokes soon, as these are considered the standard and very short ones. We also have some interesting modified versions with more reach and power.
Striking with a rifle and bayonet is part of our IMC training. When firing is no longer an option, your firearm becomes a melee weapon—and you need to know how to use it effectively.
DISCLAIMER: For those thinking—just use your bayonet—we do that too. But in this post, we focus on the buttstroke. I hope that is this allowed.
You see this concept throughout many systems and arts, even in old HEMA manuals from the 14th-15th century.
It’s a proven, battle-tested concept, which is why we adopted it in our curriculum in different forms and with some restrictions for specific use—because if you do it wrong, you might end up with an aftershock on your head.
In this specific template, you see just an unarmed, resisting subject demonstrated in a format. At Recon Sparring, we use melee weapons only when our lives are threatened, primarily in defense against other melee weapons.
EXTRA INFO for the baton use by the police: Targeting the leg with a baton is generally considered a “green target” or acceptable because it usually results in less severe injuries. Strikes to the legs (especially large muscle groups like thighs or calves) aim to reduce mobility, making it easier to control an aggressive or resistant individual while minimizing lasting harm.
The Rhinos are a subcategory of the T-rex strikes, which are a group of short strikes for narrow spaces and close distance. We can do the same with a baseball bat or hockey stick; it doesn’t matter. Understand that this program is specifically made for using all kinds of weapons of opportunity, based on some solid methods from infantry fighting.
We use five core weapons which are representative of all other similar tools. Also, understand that this covers a specific area within self-defense/self-protection, as mentioned above. IMC is all about physical fighting under the guidance of a strong mind. Are you more interested in self-protection topics like prevention, awareness, criminal patterns, etc.? Go to the channel ‘RVFK Self Protection.’ We don’t throw everything in one pile, so you can choose exactly the specific module/lesson you need.
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🎯 MISSION STATEMENT: What we mainly do is derive useful techniques, tactics, and principles from various HEMA treatises and modify them for modern-day self-defense purposes. In general, we utilize the most functional building blocks and are not HEMA purists. Our understanding of the reality of today’s self-defense needs is based on intensive study of real violence. We have real and relevant knowledge and experience.
Self-defense must be lawful and justified!
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» Attacking the attack of the attacker. This is a separate category defense that can be done with a stick, knife, machete, and many other weapons. It works like a charm.
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🎯 MISSION STATEMENT: What we mainly do is derive useful techniques, tactics, and principles from various HEMA treatises and modify them for modern-day self-defense purposes. In general, we utilize the most functional building blocks and are not HEMA purists. Our understanding of the reality of today’s self-defense needs is based on intensive study of real violence. We have real and relevant knowledge and experience.
Enhance user experience with Advanced Tabs, allowing seamless content navigation. Organize information efficiently while keeping the interface clean and interactive. Perfect for FAQs, product details, or multi-section content.
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» A “Target Provoker” is a little tactic which has different which can be used in different ways to intentionally expose or present a vulnerable area of the body to an opponent, enticing them to attack that specific target. The purpose of this tactic is to bait the opponent into launching a predictable strike, which the defender can then anticipate, evade, and counter effectively.
Here’s how it generally works:
Exposing a Vulnerable Target
Anticipating the Attack
Evading the Strike
Counterattacking
Follow-up Movements (optional)
◈ One little interesting additional:
The cooperation between defense and counteroffensive is combined in one total move. This is a category of techniques which we call the ‘composite tempo.’ If there was first a defensive layer and secondly a following offensive move, we call it the ‘1-fire tempo.’ These are the two main ways of reacting to and dealing with a particular attack.
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🎯 MISSION STATEMENT:
What we mainly do is derive useful techniques, tactics, and principles from various HEMA treatises and modify them for modern-day self-defense purposes. In general, we utilize the most functional building blocks and are not HEMA purists. Our understanding of the reality of today’s self-defense needs is based on intensive study of real violence. We have real and relevant knowledge and experience.
Recon Terminology: Stance: Therium (Elasmotherium) Thrust: Battering ram thrust Based on: Stance/Guard: Posta di Bicorno Trust: Half-sword handling » The stance/guard and thrust with the baseball bat is partially inspired by the Posta di Bicorno (Two Horned Guard), which is locked so that the point is always in the middle of the line.
✅ Short interpretation Posta di Bicorno: Posta di Bicorno is undoubtedly one of the most misunderstood postas in all of armizare. The textual description is not particularly clear, as the posta only appears once, and the illustrations from different manuscripts show different grips. The pommel grip:
✅ The grip is the main point of contention with this posta. The Getty, Florius, and Morgan manuscripts depict the left hand with the thumb facing back or even cupped over the sword’s pommel. This provides a solid blade that is highly effective in engagements.
✅ To maintain contact with your palm, rotate your hand around the pommel. Keep your elbows in tight, your hands close to your chest, and your forearms braced against each other.
✅This stance creates a strong line, enabling your weapon to penetrate your opponent’s defenses. It offers stability, precision, and a powerful thrust suitable for confined spaces and close-range combat. Although you won’t be able to fully extend your arms, you can compensate for the distance by using your legs and stepping into your opponent.
✅ Disclaimer for the HEMA purist: It is important to know that at Recon Sparring, we take building blocks from historical sources. It can be a grip, leg position, angle, whole sequences, etc. and sometimes this leads to a partial connection. The connection with the Posta di Bicorno is mainly observed in the positioning of the point and the cupping of the pommel (which is also a subject of debate), while the remaining aspects can be interpreted as half-swording. Half-swording can be performed from various guards using different grips. We modify and adapt tools from the past for self-defense purposes of today.
Some basic strikes with the baseball bat + the use of a typical Hema technique from Liechtenauer -> the “Zwerchhau”.
This is the standard execution of the Zwerchhau (with a little difference) to make a clear comparison with the source, but there are several variations/applications to distinguish within in the use of blunt weapons (Recon Sparring).
The technique is ideal for hitting the target from a shorter distance, around a defense, or from a non-regular position. I will show/explain this more in a future post. This is just a little demo.
The shovel (short + long) is an excellent environmental weapon that can be found in an everyday household (gardening).
This tool has proven its effectiveness during the world wars already. The spade had many uses back in the day, especially during the trench warfare of WWI and in close-quarters combat between German and Soviet forces, notably in the brutal hand-to-hand fighting during the Battle of Stalingrad.
The thick edges are strong and sharp enough to cut through flesh and bone. The small shovel is suitable for using it with one hand, almost similar to an axe/machete. It’s also a great tool for thrusting/stabbing in various ways. Bottom line = you don’t want to get hit with a shovel!
In this video, some basic techniques with a short shovel. A few names are specifically used by our organization because of missing elements in existent historical sources. 1- Rhino stab 2- Howitzer from all weird angles 3- Master strikes in all main directions 4- Curved stabs 5- Scythe strikes 6- Bridge strikes 7- Shield blocks 8- Several efficient ripostes (1-fire)
A little context: one thing we do = study various HEMA sources for today’s self-defense purposes. Also, we use concrete historical weapons techniques and modified these for all kinds of weapons of opportunities.
When dealing with a KNIFE ATTACKER, you have some options that could save your life. One of the options is to have a weapon of your own. In this video, I’m using a hammer-like weapon, but it could be anything similar, such as a hand axe or wrench, without changing the technique.
In Europe, the use of A WEAPON OF OPPORTUNITY for self-defense is generally legal, but there are some important exceptions, such as it must be proportionate to the threat posed by the attacker.
🎞️ The techniques in the video: These two simple reactions (1-fire concept) are last-resort options against a low and high knife attack. If you need to block a knife attack unarmed, things become even more challenging. While preferred strategies involve maintaining distance (even escaping), hand parrying, evading before counterattacking, or using dynamic/static shielding, it’s important to prepare for less-than-ideal situations. A lot of people try to only come with ideal answers to the questions but that is not how reality talks. That’s where our ‘1-fire’ reactions come into play.
✅ 1-fire concept A ‘1-fire’ is a specific and chronological response to an attack. The initial step entails a defensive action, immediately followed by a riposte or counteroffensive move. Afterward, there is an optional and adaptable follow-up layer, which depends on the attacker’s reaction to your riposte.
✅The Sticky Hook Block: This blocking technique boasts a rich historical lineage and can be traced in various Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) treatises. However, we’ve made modifications to it. While employing forceful blocks, we can redirect or stop the attack, which is beneficial. We often utilize standard category blocks and even power blocks, which are even more aggressive and effectively attack the attack. Nevertheless, there are instances where we employ the sticky hook block to prevent the attacker from receiving enough reaction force and momentum to immediately execute another strike, which is a common occurrence in repeated stabbings. This also provides the defender with a brief moment of control, enabling a well-executed riposte.
*By using animation the hook block is not as good visible when done on a real opponent.
Music: Gesang der Mönche – Es reißt ihn fort vom vollen Leben = It rips him from the prime of life.
