The Widow Maker Program

by Sammy Franco

  Left Hand Razing Combinations

  Perform the same 10 razing combinations on the body opponent bag with your left hand while anchoring the neck with your right.

  If you want to improve the speed of your razing techniques during your workout, you can apply petroleum jelly to the BOB’s face.

  Create Your Own Razing Combinations

  Use this section to write down your own razing combinations.

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  Widow Maker Conditioning

  Fingers, Hands, Wrists & Forearms

  It’s no surprise that strong fingers, wrists and forearms will significantly enhance your razing skills. Powerful hands and forearms will amplify the power of your rakes, gouges, and tearing techniques. Strong forearms will enhance techniques such as neck cranks, rear naked chokes, and anchoring. There are several effective hand and forearm exercises you can perform to strengthen these muscles.

  What follows are several ways to condition and strengthen your hands, wrists and forearms.

  Power Putty

  Power Putty is ideal for hand conditioning.

  One excellent hand exerciser that strengthens all the muscles in your fingers and hands is Power Putty. Essentially, Power Putty is a flexible silicone rubber that can be squeezed, stretched, and crushed. Begin using the putty for ten minute sessions and progressively build up to thirty minutes.

  This tough resistant putty will strengthen the muscles of your forearm, wrists, hands and fingers. Remember to work both hands equally.

  Hand Grippers

  Another effective way to strengthen your hands, wrists and forearms is to work out with heavy duty hand grippers. While there are a wide selection of them on the market, I personally prefer using the Captains of Crush brand. These high quality grippers are virtually indestructible and they are sold in a variety of different resistance levels ranging from 60 to 365 pounds.

  Captains of Crush hand grippers are the best on the market!

  Tennis Ball

  If you are low on cash and just starting out with your training, you can begin by squeezing a tennis ball a couple times per week. One hundred repetitions per hand would be a great start.

  Anatomy of the human forearm

  Weight Training

  Finally, you can also condition your wrists and forearms by performing various forearm exercises with free weights. Exercises like: hammer curls, reverse curls, wrist curls, and reverse wrist curls are great for developing powerful forearms. When training your forearms, be certain to work both your extensor and flexor muscles. Let’s look at some of the exercises.

  Barbell Wrist Curls

  This exercise strengthens the flexor muscles. Perform 5 sets of 8–10 repetitions. To perform the exercise, follow these steps:

  1. Sit at the end of a bench, grab a barbell with an underhand grip and place both of your hands close together.

  2. In a smooth and controlled fashion, slowly bend your wrists and lower the barbell toward the floor.

  3. Contract your forearms and curl the weight back to the starting position.

  Reverse Wrist Curls

  This exercise develops and strengthens the extensor muscle of the forearm. Perform 6 sets of 6–8 repetitions. To perform the exercise, follow these steps:

  1. Sit at the end of a bench, hold a barbell with an overhand grip (your hands should be approximately 11 inches apart) and place your forearms on top of your thighs.

  2. Slowly lower the barbell as far as your wrists will allow.

  3. Flex your wrists upward back to the starting position.

  Behind-the-Back Wrist Curls

  This exercise strengthens both the flexor muscles of the forearms. Perform 5 sets of 6–8 repetitions To perform the exercise, follow these steps:

  1. Hold a barbell behind your back at arm’s length (your hands should be approximately shoulder-width apart).

  2. Uncurl your finger and let the barbell slowly roll down your palms.

  3. Close your hands and roll the barbell back into your hands.

  Hammer Curls

  This exercise strengthens both the Brachialis and Brachioradialis muscles. Perform 5 sets of 8–10 repetitions. To perform the exercise, follow these steps:

  1. Stand with both feet approximately shoulder width apart, with both dumbbells at your sides.

  2. Keeping your elbows close to your body and your palms facing inward, slowly curl both dumbbells upward towards your shoulders.

  3. Slowly return to the starting position.

  Reverse Barbell Curls

  Reverse curls can be a great alternative to hammer curls. This exercise strengthens both the Brachialis and Brachioradialis muscles. Perform 5 sets of 8–10 repetitions. To perform the exercise, follow these steps:

  1. Stand with both feet approximately shoulder width apart. Hold a barbell with your palms facing down (pronated grip).

  2. Keeping your upper arms stationary, curl the weights up until the bar is at shoulder level.

  3. Slowly return to the starting position.

  More Widow Maker Resources

  Widow Maker Video

  As I mentioned in Chapter 3, still photographs don’t do justice to the overwhelming and destructive nature of razing. To truly appreciate the Widow Maker program and witness how fast and devastating razing can be, I encourage you to watch the numerous razing demonstrations featured in my Widow Maker video. It truly is a sight to behold.

  The Widow Maker Program DVD

  Feral Fighting: Advanced Widow Maker Techniques

  Believe it or not, this book just scratches the surface of the Widow Maker program. There are many more advanced concepts and techniques to this unique and revolutionary method of unarmed combat. Some advanced techniques include:

  •The Shielding Wedge

  •The Jersey Pull

  •The Neck Crush

  •The Trap and Tuck

  •Sharking

  •Scorching

  So for those of you who would like to take the Widow Maker Program to the next level, be sure to look into Feral Fighting: Advanced Widow Maker Techniques.

  Feral Fighting DVD

  Glossary

  The following terms are defined in the context of Contemporary Fighting Arts and its related concepts. In many instances, the definitions bear little resemblance to those found in a standard dictionary.

  A

  accuracy—The precise or exact projection of force. Accuracy is also defined as the ability to execute a combative movement with precision and exactness.

  adaptability—The ability to physically and psychologically adjust to new or different conditions or circumstances of combat.

  advanced first-strike tools—Offensive techniques that are specifically used when confronted with multiple opponents.

  aerobic exercise—Literally, “with air.” Exercise that elevates the heart rate to a training level for a prolonged period of time, usually 30 minutes.

  affective preparedness – One of the three components of preparedness. Affective preparedness means being emotionally, philosophically, and spiritually prepared for the strains of combat. See cognitive preparedness and psychomotor preparedness.

  aggression—Hostile and injurious beh
avior directed toward a person.

  aggressive response—One of the three possible counters when assaulted by a grab, choke, or hold from a standing position. Aggressive response requires you to counter the enemy with destructive blows and strikes. See moderate response and passive response.

  aggressive hand positioning—Placement of hands so as to imply aggressive or hostile intentions.

  agility—An attribute of combat. One’s ability to move his or her body quickly and gracefully.

  amalgamation—A scientific process of uniting or merging.

  ambidextrous—The ability to perform with equal facility on both the right and left sides of the body.

  anabolic steroids – synthetic chemical compounds that resemble the male sex hormone testosterone. This performance-enhancing drug is known to increase lean muscle mass, strength, and endurance.

  analysis and integration—One of the five elements of CFA’s mental component. This is the painstaking process of breaking down various elements, concepts, sciences, and disciplines into their atomic parts, and then methodically and strategically analyzing, experimenting, and drastically modifying the information so that it fulfills three combative requirements: efficiency, effectiveness, and safety. Only then is it finally integrated into the CFA system.

  anatomical striking targets—The various anatomical body targets that can be struck and which are especially vulnerable to potential harm. They include: the eyes, temple, nose, chin, back of neck, front of neck, solar plexus, ribs, groin, thighs, knees, shins, and instep.

  anchoring – The strategic process of trapping the assailant’s neck or limb in order to control the range of engagement during razing.

  assailant—A person who threatens or attacks another person.

  assault—The threat or willful attempt to inflict injury upon the person of another.

  assault and battery—The unlawful touching of another person without justification.

  assessment—The process of rapidly gathering, analyzing, and accurately evaluating information in terms of threat and danger. You can assess people, places, actions, and objects.

  attack—Offensive action designed to physically control, injure, or kill another person.

  attitude—One of the three factors that determine who wins a street fight. Attitude means being emotionally, philosophically, and spiritually liberated from societal and religious mores. See skills and knowledge.

  attributes of combat—The physical, mental, and spiritual qualities that enhance combat skills and tactics.

  awareness—Perception or knowledge of people, places, actions, and objects. (In CFA, there are three categories of tactical awareness: criminal awareness, situational awareness, and self-awareness.)

  B

  balance—One’s ability to maintain equilibrium while stationary or moving.

  blading the body—Strategically positioning your body at a 45-degree angle.

  blitz and disengage—A style of sparring whereby a fighter moves into a range of combat, unleashes a strategic compound attack, and then quickly disengages to a safe distance. Of all sparring methodologies, the blitz and disengage most closely resembles a real street fight.

  block—A defensive tool designed to intercept the assailant’s attack by placing a non-vital target between the assailant’s strike and your vital body target.

  body composition—The ratio of fat to lean body tissue.

  body language—Nonverbal communication through posture, gestures, and facial expressions.

  body mechanics—Technically precise body movement during the execution of a body weapon, defensive technique, or other fighting maneuver.

  body tackle – A tackle that occurs when your opponent haphazardly rushes forward and plows his body into yours.

  body weapon—Also known as a tool, one of the various body parts that can be used to strike or otherwise injure or kill a criminal assailant.

  burn out—A negative emotional state acquired by physically over- training. Some symptoms include: illness, boredom, anxiety, disinterest in training, and general sluggishness.

  C

  cadence—Coordinating tempo and rhythm to establish a timing pattern of movement.

  cardiorespiratory conditioning—The component of physical fitness that deals with the heart, lungs, and circulatory system.

  centerline—An imaginary vertical line that divides your body in half and which contains many of your vital anatomical targets.

  choke holds—Holds that impair the flow of blood or oxygen to the brain.

  circular movements—Movements that follow the direction of a curve.

  close-quarter combat—One of the three ranges of knife and bludgeon combat. At this distance, you can strike, slash, or stab your assailant with a variety of close-quarter techniques.

  cognitive development—One of the five elements of CFA’s mental component. The process of developing and enhancing your fighting skills through specific mental exercises and techniques. See analysis and integration, killer instinct, philosophy, and strategic/tactical development.

  cognitive exercises—Various mental exercises used to enhance fighting skills and tactics.

  cognitive preparedness – One of the three components of preparedness. Cognitive preparedness means being equipped with the strategic concepts, principles, and general knowledge of combat. See affective preparedness and psychomotor preparedness.

  combat-oriented training—Training that is specifically related to the harsh realities of both armed and unarmed combat. See ritual-oriented training and sport-oriented training.

  combative arts—The various arts of war. See martial arts.

  combative attributes—See attributes of combat.

  combative fitness—A state characterized by cardiorespiratory and muscular/skeletal conditioning, as well as proper body composition.

  combative mentality—Also known as the killer instinct, this is a combative state of mind necessary for fighting. See killer instinct.

  combat ranges—The various ranges of unarmed combat.

  combative utility—The quality of condition of being combatively useful.

  combination(s)—See compound attack.

  common peroneal nerve—A pressure point area located approximately four to six inches above the knee on the midline of the outside of the thigh.

  composure—A combative attribute. Composure is a quiet and focused mind-set that enables you to acquire your combative agenda.

  compound attack—One of the five conventional methods of attack. Two or more body weapons launched in strategic succession whereby the fighter overwhelms his assailant with a flurry of full speed, full-force blows.

  conditioning training—A CFA training methodology requiring the practitioner to deliver a variety of offensive and defensive combinations for a 4-minute period. See proficiency training and street training.

  contact evasion—Physically moving or manipulating your body to avoid being tackled by the adversary.

  Contemporary Fighting Arts—A modern martial art and self-defense system made up of three parts: physical, mental, and spiritual.

  conventional ground-fighting tools—Specific ground-fighting techniques designed to control, restrain, and temporarily incapacitate your adversary. Some conventional ground fighting tactics include: submission holds, locks, certain choking techniques, and specific striking techniques.

  coordination—A physical attribute characterized by the ability to perform a technique or movement with efficiency, balance, and accuracy.

  counterattack—Offensive action made to counter an assailant’s initial attack.

  courage—A combative attribute. The state of mind and spirit that enables a fighter to face danger and vicissitudes with confidence, resolution, and bravery.

  criminal awareness—One of the three categories of CFA awareness. It involves a general understanding and knowledge of the nature and dynamics of a criminal’s motivations, mentalities, methods, and capabilities to perpetrate violent cr
ime. See situational awareness and self-awareness.

  criminal justice—The study of criminal law and the procedures associated with its enforcement.

  criminology—The scientific study of crime and criminals.

  cross-stepping—The process of crossing one foot in front of or behind the other when moving.

  crushing tactics—Nuclear grappling-range techniques designed to crush the assailant’s anatomical targets.

  D

  deadly force—Weapons or techniques that may result in unconsciousness, permanent disfigurement, or death.

  deception—A combative attribute. A stratagem whereby you delude your assailant.

  decisiveness—A combative attribute. The ability to follow a tactical course of action that is unwavering and focused.

  defense—The ability to strategically thwart an assailant’s attack (armed or unarmed).

  defensive flow—A progression of continuous defensive responses.

  defensive mentality—A defensive mind-set.

  defensive reaction time—The elapsed time between an assailant’s physical attack and your defensive response to that attack. See offensive reaction time.

  demeanor—A person’s outward behavior. One of the essential factors to consider when assessing a threatening individual.

  diet—A lifestyle of healthy eating.

  disingenuous vocalization—The strategic and deceptive utilization of words to successfully launch a preemptive strike at your adversary.

  distancing—The ability to quickly understand spatial relationships and how they relate to combat.

  distractionary tactics—Various verbal and physical tactics designed to distract your adversary.

  double-end bag—A small leather ball hung from the ceiling and anchored to the floor with bungee cord. It helps develop striking accuracy, speed, timing, eye-hand coordination, footwork and overall defensive skills.