Want to clear up some confusion pertaining to Combato.
Combato and Defendo were two systems developed by Bill Underwood a native of England who imigrated to Canada. Much about his background is available on the internet, my focus is going to be on the system itself.
Underwoods system had its initial roots is combat jiujitsu, this he learned and had exposure to in England as a child. Many additional influences help to develop his system of Combato. Western Boxing, Wrestling, Korean and Chinese systems as well. Mr. Underwood through study and assimilation began to formulate disabling or killing techniques from the various systems. The full and true extent of how he created Combato will truly never been known. My understanding is extensive study was done by Mr. Underwood looking into the nervous system, balance point,etc. This assimilating of killing techniques was called Combato. Combato is based on reverse pressure techiques. The key to the effectiveness of Combato was based on its offense and defensive tactics. Overloading, Tornado, Angle creation, Extreme conditioning and Extreme Speed training formulated the backbone of the attack on guard position. It is this grouping that created the Combato Blocking system. The Combato Blocking system which is primarily offensive blocking ( also includes defense off-course) is what speeded up the system and created the reversing techniques which up until the creation of the Combato had not been seen by North American Military experts.
Combato at the advanced level consisted of 6 primary block or attack angles, 8 blocking techniques, Striking of all kinds though and emphasis on low kicks and open hands. 11 primary pressure points and 22 secondary for escape techniques or other applications. A series of 33 kill movements, 3 sets of 11 movements were the heart of the system with the blocking system as the backbone. (Spinal Cord manipulation, Air, Blood and Pressurizing techniques) Keep in mind the purpose of Combato was to kill or render your enemy ineffective. Block and "speed and surprise spell success" was the mantra of Combato. From my understanding Combato was the Allied Forces standard for trained Assassins until 1982 when the program was abolished. (Uncertain of this)
After World War 2 Bill created and marketed his system of Defendo which was a system of Compliance and Control. Robbie Cressman out of Toronto is and expert on this system and he can answer your questions. What I know of the system I learned form him.
Your probably wondering where did I get this information. My father taught the system to my brother and I. He studied the system direct from Bill Underwood. He was chosen as an elite athlete and someone who had extensive fight training. He grew up Boxing, studied JiuJitsu form Sgt Major Bradley in the Canadian Army, plus took Battle Drill and Commando Training in Air Force. He was one of the first Air Force Commando's.
Underwood also taught a system to various elite Commando and Army units in North America. He actually had two systems, the field system had far less emphasis on silent killing and had alot of ground finishing techniques called Ground Dummying.
If you have any questions about Underwood or Combato I would be honored to answer.
In my Father's word, Underwood was a genious.
... I have an interest in old school methods of combat jiu-jitsu. I have review Underwood's COMBATO book and doesn't seem to have too many kill moves in it. Mostly jiu-jitsu throws, grips and leverage. Eve
