Ju-jitsu is a practical self-defence system developed by the Japanese Samurai warriors centuries ago for use in battle. Should they find themselves without their steely weapons they would fall back on their fighting skills in un-armed combat - hence the term "ju-jitsu", meaning "supple way".
Thousands of clubs across the world now enjoy training in the many different styles of Ju-jitsu as well as other styles which have developed from it, such as Karate, Judo and Aikido.
SCI has developed a new, modern style of Ju-jitsu training. It offers children, teenagers and adults the opportunity to practice the ancient forms of Ju-jitsu in a modern format. Training still includes the basic skills of blocking, striking, escaping, throwing, falling and grabbing. Students learn in a one to one 'opponent' format - in the higher grades multiple attackers are introduced.
This modern approach to martial arts allows Spirit Combat Ju-jitsu to use English language instead of Japanese, to pay attention to the individual abilities and potential of each student and to include an awareness of the most up-to-date sports science and safe training principles. We encourage the participation of the whole family. Spirit Combat has a unique syllabus for children up to the age of fourteen, which pays special attention to the needs and limitations of the physical and emotional well-being of young people. The children's syllabus ensures healthy, safe and disciplined practice in a controlled and fun atmosphere.
Spirit Combat Ju-jitsu is a synthesis of many different martial arts styles. The originator and Grandmaster, , Brian Dossett has learned many martial ways on his travels and has brought what he feels is the best of all of them together in a modern martial system. Based on Ju-jitsu it also incorporates ideas from Karate, Kung-fu, Aikido and Western boxing into separate syllabuses for adults and juniors.
Spirit Combat International (SCI) is a professionally run association of martial arts clubs which exists for the benefit of its members. It offers guidance on the training of students and instructors in a variety of different martial activities including:
Ju-jitsu
Kick-boxing
Weapons combat
Combat Ju-jitsu
Modern Aikido
Self defence
SCI provides syllabuses and best practice guidelines for students and instructors wishing to take part in these activities. It also offers insurance through membership of the association and access to gradings, seminars and competition events.
As a support organisation for martial arts instructors who are or who wish to be running a club our records show that SCI is at the forefront of the development of safe and modern martial arts practice in the UK. It was the first group to offer free-style martial arts in the UK and is leading the way in the fields of martial arts insurance.
Philosophy of Spirit Combat
Spirit Combat is a term which signifies the idea that the body and the spirit are in constant combat. To bring harmony to this situation: train the body to be accustomed to hard work and train the spirit to respect and accept the limitations of every day life. The methods taught in Spirit Combat strive to achieve this harmony in the experience of each student, in an atmosphere of disciplined enjoyment at whatever level or style of training.Spirit Combat holds true to the principle of tradition in the martial arts - passing on what is useful to the next generation of students - without becoming a slave to any one particular school of thought or practice. In this way it is able to fuse tradition with the needs and new developments of our modern world. Hence our logo represents the synthesis of the two aspects of the world - spirit and matter - and our maxim speaks to the right of freedom in thought and action:Adult SyllabusThe Ju-jitsu syllabus for adults consists of ten exercises, (techniques,) practised from eight different attack postures. Thus there are eight forms increasing with skill level and difficulty from red to black belt status, but based on the same ten exercises. As the student progresses these exercises do become techniques and higher grades also begin to learn defence from random attacks and more sophisticated techniques not specifically in the form syllabus. This makes it a freestyle.As the student becomes more adept in basic posture, attack and defence methods so his ability to effectively apply the techniques learned also increases and the student becomes more skilful and practised in the art of self defence. Students learn how to fall without injury from many different types of take-down and throw. They learn how to apply take-downs and throws. They learn how to block strikes, and how to deliver them, from hands, elbows, knees and feet as well as the application of pressure to certain weak points on the body. They learn how to lock partners limbs and how to immobilise the body on the ground. At the higher end of the grade scale students can learn the responsible use of wooden and metallic weapons
Attention is paid to proper warm-up and cool down procedures during junior and adult training sessions as well as to the individual capacity of each student. Learning about the movement of ones own and ones opponents energy is part of the black belt training system and leads into training influenced by Soke's experiences.
Students are graded according to their own development in a program designed to balance achievement with challenge. If students show promise in their teaching skills the opportunities are there for them to become qualified instructors if they wish.
Combat Ju-jitsu/Sport also available through the association, though not necessarily at each registered club This is a way of testing the form work achieved by students in a competition setting, where they and their opponents are attempting to avoid being struck, locked or thrown, while attempting to break the defensive capabilities of the opponent.
Children's Syllabus
The Ju-jitsu syllabus for children is based on a set of ten exercises, or techniques, applied to eight different attack postures. These techniques pay attention to the fact that children are still growing, physically and emotionally, and are not simply miniature adults. Consequently there is no application of joint locks and striking and throwing techniques are carefully monitored to insure that their vulnerable bodies are looked after. Martial games form an important part of the children's training program and they are also encouraged to teach each other. The plastic padded nunchaku and Viking combat systems are included in the children's class sessions as well as teaching them an awareness of their bodies and of the needs and feelings of their fellow students. Spirit Combat instructors are encouraged to run their children's classes at a separate time from the adult class so as to create the right atmosphere and safe training environment. The implications of the Children's Act are taught to all instructors taking their children's syllabus qualification.
Martial games form an important part of the children's training program and they are also encouraged to teach each other. The plastic padded nunchaku and Viking combat systems are included in the children's class sessions as well as teaching them an awareness of their bodies and of the needs and feelings of their fellow students. Spirit Combat instructors are encouraged to run their children's classes at a separate time from the adult class so as to create the right atmosphere and safe training environment. The implications of the Children's Act are taught to all instructors taking their children's syllabus qualification.
All registered Spirit Combat Ju-jitsu instructors are required to attend regular training seminars to verify and up-date their qualifications, including not only assessment of their martial skills but also of their abilities as responsible and professional teachers, for both the junior and adult syllabuses.
All SCI teachers are encouraged to take out public and professional liability insurance and all students are required to take out insurance before they may commence training. You are entitled to ask to see the qualifications and insurance provisions of any of our registered club instructors.
The Founder of Spirit Combat
Brian Dossett began his martial arts journey just after the second world war. It has taken him from boyhood boxing, Judo and practical self defence lessons in Brentford in London, around the world and back to settle in Woking in Surrey, England as the Grand-master (Soke) of his own modern style of British Ju-jitsu.As a young man his time in the merchant navy took him to the far east where he was able to extend his boyhood martial arts knowledge. Returning from these travels Brian established himself as a youth and community leader for a London borough while he began to raise his family. He continued to develop his interest and skill in martial arts in this setting, teaching youngsters and adults in the local community eventually establishing his own style of Ju-jitsu known as Spirit Combat, and later becoming a professional martial artist.As the popularity of martial arts grew during the sixties and seventies so did the bureaucracy and Brian found himself frustrated by the political machinery of the governing bodies at that time. He felt that they had lost sight of the ideals of martial arts and the needs of their members. He began then to form an organisation which would be for the benefit of its members. So did the Ju-jitsu style of Spirit Combat become Spirit Combat International.
Brian Dossett has been a controversial figure over the years drawing criticism for his innovative and assertive style of both martial arts practice and management. This is to be expected with any relatively high profile activity. Brian has always maintained that critics are good for growth - they force you to look at yourself from another's point of view, which can only lead to improvement, so long as you have the strength and imagination to change.
Weapons
Martial Arts training of all kinds has always included the use of weapons. But the legal use of knives, rice flails, swords, spears and wooden batons is limited to members of the armed forces. The old battle fields of the East no longer exist and we must look to a new and modern battle field to test our martial skills.
Most of our cultural battles (not wars) are now played out in the sports arena. From boxing to football and from swimming to sky-diving we pit our skills against each other in conflicts which are limited, have rules and are designed not to be lethal. Individuals, teams and nations can compete in this arena.
Recognising this Spirit Combat has developed a system of weapons competition using ancient and traditional martial arts weapons in a new way. While it is enjoyed by adults, this system is particularly popular with the children and teenagers. The nunchaku or rice flail, used in Nunchaku Combat has been made from padded plastic material, the central chain of the original weapon being replaced by nylon cord. A padded head guard is also warn and competitors can then win points by striking specific target areas on their opponent. This is an activity which not only requires resilience but also a lot of stamina.
In Viking Combat the same head guard is worn but each competitor has a padded plastic shield and a padded plastic baton. Similarly the competitors may now score points by striking specific target areas on each other.
During class practice of these two activities students get to take part in each bout as judges, corner men and referees under the guidance of the senior instructor, thus learning a broader range of skills than just those involved in the fighting. Both the syllabus and the competition rules are regulated by SCI and have been developed with a view to safety but without losing the test of the particular skill.
