by Sammy Franco
Step 4: Next, he attacks with a palm jolt to the chin.
Step 5: He follows up with an eye rake.
Step 6: Without breaking contact, he delivers a diagonal elbow strike.
Step 7: Franco attacks with a short arc hammer fist strike to the nose.
Step 8: The razing sequence is completed with a throat crush.
Razing Demonstration # 3
Step 1: Franco starts with his left hand anchoring the neck.
Step 2: The razing begins with an eye rake.
Step 3: Franco follows up with a shaving forearm.
Step 4: Next, he drives a short arc hammer fist to the nose.
Step 5: Franco releases the anchor from behind the neck and prepares to deliver a double thumb gouge.
Step 6: The razing sequence ends with a double thumb gouge to the eyes.
Razing Demonstration #4
Step 1: Franco starts with his left hand anchored behind the neck.
Step 2: The razing begins with a diagonal elbow strike.
Step 3: Next, he drives a short arc hammer fist to the nose.
Step 4: Franco grasps the neck with his right hand.
Step 5: He immediately attacks with a head butt to the nose.
Step 6: Franco retracts his head back and prepares to deliver another strike.
Step 7: He drives another head butt strike.
Step 8: Franco prepares to deliver a neck crank.
Step 9: The razing sequence is complete with a violent neck crank.
Razing Demonstration #5
Step 1: Franco prepares to raze the bag.
Step 2: He begins with a short arc hammer fist strike to the nose.
Step 3: He follows up with a diagonal elbow strike.
Step 4: Next, a reverse shaving forearm.
Step 5: As his arm descends, Franco prepares an eye rake attack.
Step 6: Franco rakes his fingers into the eyes of the bag.
Step 7: He releases his left hand from behind the neck.
Step 8: And begins razing with his left hand.
Step 9: Franco anchors the bag with his right hand.
Step 10: Next, he delivers a horizontal eye rake.
Step 11: Franco grasps the neck with two hands.
Step 12: He attacks with a head butt strike to the nose.
Step 13: The razing sequence is completed with a throat crush.
Razing Demonstration #6
Step 1: Franco begins with his left hand anchoring the neck.
Step 2: He starts with a palm jolt to the chin.
Step 3: Next, he rakes his fingers into the eyes of the bag.
Step 4: Franco follows up with a shaving forearm.
Step 5: He drives a short arc hammer fist to the nose.
Step 6: Without breaking contact, he delivers a diagonal elbow strike.
Step 7: Next, a reverse shaving forearm.
Step 8: The shaving forearm converts into another short arc hammer fist.
Step 9: Franco grasps the neck with two hands.
Step 10: He attacks with a head butt strike to the nose.
Step 11: He sets up the neck crank.
Step 12: The razing sequence ends with a violent neck crank.
Razing Demonstration #7
Step 1: Franco begins with his left hand anchoring the neck.
Step 2: He starts with a palm jolt to the chin.
Step 3: Franco rakes his fingers into the eyes of the bag.
Step 4: Next, he follows up with a vertical elbow to the chin.
Step 5: Franco continues with a short arc hammer fist to the nose.
Step 6: Without breaking contact, he delivers a diagonal elbow strike.
Step 7: Next, a reverse shaving forearm.
Step 8: He attacks with a head butt strike to the nose.
Step 9: Franco sets up the neck crank.
Step 10: The razing sequence is completed with a violent neck crank.
Razing Demonstration #8
Step 1: Franco anchors the back of the neck.
Step 2: He begins with a shaving forearm across the throat.
Step 3: Next, he attacks with a short arc hammer fist strike.
Step 4: Followed by a vertical elbow.
Step 5: Next is the eye rake.
Step 6: He immediately attacks with a shaving forearm across the face.
Step 7: The shaving forearm converts to an elbow strike.
Step 8: Franco switches anchors and rips the nose with his left hand.
Step 9: The razing sequence is completed with a deep bite into the jugular vein.
Razing Demonstration #9
Step 1: Franco anchors the back of the neck.
Step 2: He begins with a short arc hammer fist strike.
Step 3: Followed by a vertical elbow.
Step 4: He attacks with another short arc hammer fist.
Step 5: He follows up with a shaving forearm across the face.
Next, a reverse shaving forearm.
Step 7: Followed by an eye rake.
Step 8: The razing sequence is completed with a deep bite into the jugular vein.
More Razing Tips
Here are some important points to keep in mind when applying razing techniques.
1. Never raze your adversary in a set pattern. Your attack is always predicated on your opponent’s reaction dynamics.
2. Don’t “force the raze.” Let your series of strikes flow naturally and easily.
3. Always remain relaxed when razing. Tightening your muscles will only slow you down and break your offensive flow.
4. Keep your razing movement tight and clean. Avoid sloppy telegraphic movements.
5. Remember to breathe. Breathing is one of the most important and often neglected aspects of razing. Proper breathing promotes muscular relaxation and increases the speed and efficiency of your assault.
6. Always be mindful of your razing stance. Never stand squarely in front of your assailant when razing. Not only does this expose your body targets, it also diminishes your balance and inhibits footwork. Always try to maintain a forty-five degree stance from your assailant.
7. Avoid switching anchors unless it is absolutely necessary.
8. Always be aware of your environment (especially the terrain) when razing your adversary.
9. Never use your opponent’s clothing as an anchor.
10. Avoid using kicking techniques and knee strikes when razing your adversary.
11. Since biting runs the risk of being infected with a variety of diseases, it should only be used as a “last resort” razing technique.
12. Always try to maintain a fifty percent weight distribution when razing your adversary.
13. Have confidence in what you are doing. Remember, action will always beat reaction!
14. Remember that razing is a both a physical and psychological weapon.
15. You don’t need long or sharp nails to raze your adversary.
16. Don’t overlook the importance of anchoring the opponent’s neck. Remember, the structural integrity of your neck anchor often determines the power and effectiveness of your razing techniques.
17. Don’t apply razing techniques if you are defending against multiple attackers.
18. Don’t apply razing techniques when defending against a knife or edged weapon attack.
19. Never use razing as a pain compliance tactic.
20. Never apply fish-hooking techniques (i.e., inserting fingers in the mouth) when razing your adversary.
21. Never practice razing techniques on a training partner. Someone will get hurt!
22. While razing techniques can be applied in a ground fight, it requires a specialized form of training.
23. Razing skills do not require you to be in great shape. However, keep in mind that your odds of surviving any combat altercation is significantly improved if you are in good physical shape.
24. If you are really serious about mastering razing skills, consider purchasing a body opponent bag (BOB).
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nbsp; Chapter Four: Widow Maker Drills and Exercises
In this chapter, I’m going to provide you with a variety of drills and exercises that will help develop and improve your Widow Maker skills. Let’s begin with the anchor switching drill.
Anchor Switching Drill
As I discussed in Chapter 2, there might be circumstances when your opponent grabs your razing hand and pulls it away from his face. In such a situation, you will need to switch anchors in order to resume your razing assault. The following sequence of photos demonstrate the anchor switching drill.
Step 1: Franco begins the drill by anchoring his opponents neck with his left hand.
Step 2: Franco begins his razing assault with a palm jolt.
Step 3: Next, he follows up with a shaving forearm.
Step 4: Franco delivers an eye rake.
Step 5: Franco's training partner grabs his right wrist.
Step 6: Next, he traps Franco’s right hand to his chest.
Step 7: The training partner releases Franco’s left hand. Franco resumes razing.
Step 8: Franco delivers a Palm jolt.
Step 9: He follows up with an eye rake.
Step 10: Franco drags the eye rake downward.
Step 11: Next, he applies a shaving forearm.
Step 12: The training partner grabs Franco’s left wrist.
Step 13: Next, he releases Franco’s right hand. Franco resumes razing.
Step 14: Franco continues his assault until his training partner grabs his wrist.
Anchor Switching Limitations
Since the anchor switching drill requires you to perform razing skills on your live training partner, you must be especially careful with the speed and intensity of the assault. You might find a training partner that is overly sensitive to certain targets. The following photos demonstrate how your training partner might reflexively disengage from the drill.
Here, Franco performs the anchor switching drill with his partner.
He attacks his training partner’s neck.
Franco's training partner reflexively disengages from the drill.
To remedy the problem, Franco uses a second man to prevent his training partner from disengaging the range of the drill.
Controlled Widow Maker Simulations
If you are well versed in the Widow Maker techniques and have a solid understanding of safety and control, you can perform both webbing and razing simulations. Once again, this drill should only be performed by practitioners who possess an exceptional amount of control.
Step 1: The simulation begins with Franco (right) assuming a first strike stance.
Step 2: His training partner rushes forward and Franco intercepts him with a controlled webbing strike to the chin.
Step 3: Once contact is made, Franco anchors his partner’s neck with his left hand.
Step 4: Franco delivers a shaving forearm.
Step 5: Followed by a diagonal eye rake.
Step 6: Next, in a slow and controlled fashion, Franco performs the neck crank technique.
Step 7: Franco carefully turns his training partner’s neck counter clockwise.
Step 8: Franco’s partner finds himself in a rear naked choke hold.
Step 9: Once the choke is solidified, Franco takes his training partner to the ground.
The Insertion Drill
This simple exercise develops tactile sensitivity for locating facial gaps and openings when razing your opponent. To avoid injuries, the insertion drill is applied to your training partners hands, not his face. Depending on your skill level, this drill can also be performed with your eyes open or closed.
Step 1: The insertion drill begins with your training partner making a large fist with both hands.
Step 2: Begin the drill by placing both of your hands over your training partner’s fist.
Step 3: Next, start inserting your fingers into the various gaps and opening.
Step 4: Take your time and work each of your fingers into the different openings.
Note: Your training partner controls the level of difficulty by how hard he compresses his hands together.
Step 5: Your training partner can also randomly adjust the hight of his arms while your are performing the drill.
Step 6: Finally, your partner can step forward and backward, requiring you to maintain the proper razing distance.
Step 7: Perform the insertion drill for a duration of one minute and then switch with your partner.
Pictured here, a common mistake is for your training partner’s fist to break open during the drill.
Razing the Body Opponent Bag
The body opponent bag (aka BOB) is, by far, the best piece of training equipment for developing your razing skills and techniques. Unlike the traditional heavy bag, this freestanding mannequin bag provides realistic facial targets that you can attack with full-speed, full-force strikes.
Effective razing skills take time and practice to master. Remember to start out slowly and progressively build up the speed and intensity of your quarter beat strikes. If you are a beginner, avoid the urge to attack the bag with maximum speed and force. Take your time and enjoy the process of learning a new skill.
What follows is a list of tips to help maximize your razing skills when training on the body opponent bag.
Tips for Razing the Body Opponent Bag
Here are ten important points to keep in mind when razing the body opponent bag.
1. Don’t “force the raze”. Let your series of strikes flow naturally and easily.
2. Don’t forget to include biting tactics in your training.
3. Always remain relaxed when razing. Tightening your muscles will only slow you down and break your offensive flow.
4. Get into the habit of executing “zero beat” techniques at the end of your razing combination.
5. Practice your razing skills at least three times per week (30 minutes per workout session) for six consecutive months.
6. Keep your razing movement “clean” and “tight”, avoid sloppy telegraphic movements.
7. While the body opponent bag is a useful training tool, understand and recognize its inherent limitations. Remember, razing a stationary mannequin bag is nothing like razing an adrenaline induced human being.
8. If you want to improve the speed and overall flow of your razing techniques during your workout, you can apply petroleum jelly to the BOB’s face.
9. Never stand squarely in front of the bag when razing. Not only does this expose vital targets, it also diminishes your balance and inhibits your footwork. Always try to maintain a forty-five degree stance from your assailant.
10. Practice razing with both your weak and dominant hands.
Body Opponent Bag Targets
The primary razing targets on the body opponent bag include: the temple, eyes, nose, chin, and throat.
Right Hand Razing Combinations
The following ten razing combinations should be performed with your right hand while anchoring the neck with your left.