Prep for Combatives Course?

SGT George Demeris — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 20:30:07 -0500

I'll be attending Combatives Level I in about a month and was wondering if anyone knew a good way to prep for the course physically? I understand it can be a physically demanding class. I regularly run 3+ miles and have a normal gym routine. Key exercises? Thanks for any help!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 9:02 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 21:02:02 -0500

Stretching is key from what I hear as you will move into positions that you never did before.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Dec 13 at 2014 9:07 PM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 21:07:05 -0500

Combatives I is most step by step instruction with the concentration being on proper technique. grab a certified partner and walk thru the drills. here is link to a combatives pdf to get an idea of what to expect
http://www.bragg.army.mil/18abc/FBCS/Documents/Basic%20Combatives%20Course%20%28Level%20I%29%20Handbook.pdf

Response by John Russell made Dec 13 at 2014 9:24 PM

John Russell — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 21:24:11 -0500

You should maintain your running but Id say throw in some jump roping as well to build up overall stamina (10-20 min=300-500 revolutions). You will need strong biceps for choke holds so its a good idea to do hammer curls or use EZ curl bar for 12-15 reps, 4 sets). Farmers walks to improve grip strength and overall work capacity. Learn yogic breathing (deep breathing). That will help you with the ability to hold your breath longer as well as work the core muscles. I am in no way shape or form a trainer but..I did just run 13:36 min 2 mile in 35 degree weather in t-shirt and shorts...just saying:)

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 10:10 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 22:10:09 -0500

Check with 1SG Private RallyPoint Member. He's a combatives instructor. See this RallyPoint discussion thread:

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-your-thought-on-modern-army-combatives

What is your thought on Modern Army Combatives? | RallyPoint

I am a Level IV combatives instructor. I believe that being in the number 1 fighting force in the world ALL Soldiers should learn at least Level I. There are many Soldiers of all ranks against it. I can not understand why they are. We are in the US ARMY not the girls scouts, not food services, not office work persay. Is it injury? More Soldiers are hurt in Basketball than anything else in the military with football right behind it. Yet we...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 10:16 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 22:16:40 -0500

Have someone you love punch you in the face. Then, have a stranger do it...twenty times. When you can control your flinching, you are ready for combatives.
Oh, and if you can tumble, ass-over-head,...on purpose...you may have an edge.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Dec 13 at 2014 11:31 PM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 23:31:53 -0500

Keep in mind, like all military instruction, it's much more mental than physical. Your mind will pull you through if your body is even the slightest capable.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 11:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 23:56:52 -0500

I'll preface this by telling you to keep in mind that it was 2007 when I went through the level 1 course, so my experience may very well have been different than what you'll have to look forward to.

For me the Combatives Course was the most physically demanding, and painful, training I ever did in the Army. All we did, every single day all day long, was roll. I had crazy looking bruises all over my body because the same points were being grabbed and manipulated repeatedly for the duration of the course. Strength is never really a key component so long as you're reasonably fit, which by the sounds of it you are. It's all about endurance and being able to wake up each day feeling like you got hit by a truck and just keep going despite that. Remember, this is training, you're not actually "fighting." Strength is well and good, but it will be impossible to go 100% all day long. It's way more important to be ABLE to go all day long.

So all that to get to the answer to your simple question, there's not much you can do to physically prepare for this course if you're already in good shape. This is definitely an exercise of mind over body, but that said my advice is to work cardio. You're already running, but if you're not already try adding in things like jump roping or stair climbs with kit. If you REALLY want to get into the spirit do shrimping exercises!

Good luck with your training, and don't be afraid to go to dental if you chip a tooth like I did.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2014 5:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 17:25:05 -0500

Work on flexibility and breathing

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2014 7:32 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 19:32:48 -0500

Being level 3 Combatives, my greatest advice to you is to take the one on one sessions slow. Don't roll at 100% you dont learn anything doing that. Take it slow so that you can learn technique. Core workouts will help you out but don't worry about being in shape it sounds like you already have that handled. Figure out which uniform is your oldest and remove Velcro around the collar it will save your face. Other than that just remember to have fun.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 8:58 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 20:58:26 -0500

Yes there are a few things I'd suggest. Pull Ups, Dip, and stretching. If your doing cardio do a lot of sprints. Other than that your body will use muscles that its never used before and you will be sore reguardless. Good luck to you, if you have other questions please let me know!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 9:00 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 21:00:39 -0500

Stretching is the key, a bath every night after training, water and bring an apple for a snack it a pick me up.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 9:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 21:03:26 -0500

I didn't find it all that demanding. You need to more mentally tough than usual and not take anything to personal. The warm up is frustrating because it is almost elementary, but you get smoked pretty good out of it.

Response by SFC Walter Mack made Jan 24 at 2015 10:05 PM

SFC Walter Mack — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 22:05:00 -0500

I would highly recommend finding a civilian MMA school to train at if you have a genuine interest in the sport. Otherwise, getting with a MFT & working on deadlifts, squats, and other power related exercises would be helpful. Prepare for the clinch drill, as that is the only part of the course that most people find scary or challenging. There's always a few combatives nuts in most units that will help you out.

Response by SSG Jason Neumann made Jan 28 at 2015 9:11 PM

SSG Jason Neumann — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:11:06 -0500

Probably the best way is to link up with a Soldier who has gone to the course recently. You can also go to the FT Benning Combatives Page to get the level one technique handout. Also, looking up FM 3-25.150 is the manual for the Combative Course. I have a condensed version of the level I-III techniques, since it's a little easier for the Soldiers to grasp the concepts, even with pictures ( sorry, no pop-up). It all depends on the instructors. With some, they don't want the "old way" to be gone and then you have some instructors who want the Soldier to understand the who and the why about combative techniques. If you care to get some info, message. Hope that helped.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Jan 28 at 2015 9:26 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:26:02 -0500

Lots and lots of cardio conditioning. Do a lot of sprints with weighted squats in between every sprint set. Your legs and lungs will thank you greatly for it.
Don't use a controlled machine for the squat. Use kettle bells, held over your head, or use the bar. The bar is quite a bit easier than kettle bells, but you can make up for that by using resistance bands tied to weights and then tied to the bar. This doesn't sound hard, but it's the single hardest exercise I've ever done and I only do it with 45's on each side. The bouncing of the weights is extremely hard to control and forces you to exercise those controlling muscles that so very few ever work out.
People really underestimate the squat. It's one of the single best exercises for your body.

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Sep 1 at 2020 3:02 PM

SSG Paul Headlee — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 15:02:21 -0400

Tim and Matt went to see a wrestling match at a local arena. There was a famous wrestler in town called the Human Pretzel (due to his special move folding someone in the shape of a pretzel). Anyways, the Human Pretzel won all of his matches that night and called out anyone in the crowd that thought they could take him and offered a million dollars to anyone who could make it out the first round. Tim told Matt since he was a great wrestler he should give it a try. Matt agreed and entered the ring. After 10 rounds Matt gets back in his corner and is very tired as Tim is trying to pump him up.
Tim: "Man, you could beat this guy. Hes getting tired and you could be the champion!"
Matt: "I know but im exhausted, im probably not gonna make another round"
11th round starts and sure enough the Human Pretzel finally pins Matt. The referee comes flying in and starts to count "One! Two! Thr" and just before hes about to lose, Matt screams at the top of his lungs and amazingly ends up on top the Human Pretzel, pinning him, and winning the match!. After the match a reporter rushes to Matt and says:
Reporter: "Matt, no one had ever beaten the Human Pretzel before! How on earth did you do it?!"
Matt smirking: "Well, i thought i was gonna lose for sure. when he got me in that pretzel lock, I just happened to open my eyes and see a big pair of nuts in my face. So without a second thought, i bit them as hard as i could..... You never know how strong a man really is until he bites his own nuts."

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Sep 1 at 2020 3:14 PM

SSG Paul Headlee — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 15:14:57 -0400

This is actually a fascinating topic for me. We had the old Combatives FM and we'd sometimes practice hand to hand techniques during p.t. but soldiers nowadays have advanced the techniques far beyond whatever we were doing.