The attacker walked slowly toward his opponent, reached to grab him, only to become off balance as his opponent side-stepped bringing his arm behind him and quickly swept his legs out from under him, taking him to the ground.
Fortunately, this was only a training scenario during a class in Neko Ryu Goshin-Jitsu taught by Master Sgt. Denny Langford at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.
Learning martial arts at age 12 and continuing into his 37th year has trained Langford for many different situations and compelled him to share his knowledge with the soldiers, airmen, Marines and sailors assigned to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force.
Langford has trained in numerous martial arts, Karate being his first, but the one he is sharing while in Afghanistan was created by Professor Ernie Cates — Neko Ryu Goshin-Jitsu.
The art, which Langford holds a black belt in, originated in Japan in 1962 as a four-hour course of instruction to train Japanese businessmen in simple self-defense principles.
It has evolved from that simple course to an art recognized by the World Soke council that utilizes 43 techniques allowing someone to use the strength, size and power of an opponent against them.
Neko means cat in Japanese, which is where the art derives its name from and focuses on simple, natural movements and techniques that can be remembered in times of stress or when under attack, according to the official Neko-ryu Web site.
As Langford says, "a cat knows how to do two things — stretch and sleep. And I'm an expert at both."
For those who have never done a martial art before, Langford says it can be an alternative to the gym and is a great activity to pass time and learn some new skills.
"It teaches discipline and a daily regimen. And it's a rewarding skill people tend to have fun with," said Langford. "I want to introduce them to the art, make them more proficient and be able to defend themselves."
The reason he decided to share his knowledge of Neko Ryu Goshin-Jitsu in Afghanistan began at Fort Bragg, N.C., where the idea initially surfaced.
He wanted to continue teaching after arriving in Afghanistan, so using some old gym mats and heavy bags that were in storage here, his idea to put together a martial arts dojo was approved.
The dojo is currently in the Morale, Welfare and Recreation building and is used three times a week for his classes as well as a self-defense class on certain evenings.
CJSOTF is searching for a fulltime instructor to continue Langford's work when he returns home so students may continue to practice the art.
As for the future of Sensei Langford, he is currently expanding his philosophy of martial arts, coordinating his mind and body to maintain a regularly relaxed state to maintain mental superiority both in and out of combat.