Weapon disarmament, grappling and instinctive survival techniques, three skills essential to victory in combat, were brought together at the Honbu Dojo of the Phil Little School of Karate of Anderson, SC in an intensive one day seminar on May 22, 1999. U.S.I.K.A., The United States Isshinryu Karate Association, founded by Mr. Little, sponsored the event.

Professor Silverio Guerra, 10^th Dan of Kakuto Shin-ryu Karate conducted the opening event in handgun disarmament. The fundamentals: clearing the gun, stabilizing, disarming the assailant and neutralizing the threat were applied to a wide range of situations, including close quarters, side and rear attack. Professor Guerra is the President of the International Police Instructor Association. With over thirty-six years of experience in the martial arts, he personally designed his systems of disarmament and instructs law enforcement officers nationwide in his tactics. Some of these include: gun retention, gun and knife disarmament, prisoner submission and escort.

As any streetfighter can attest, many conflicts end up on the ground with the combatants locked in close physical struggle. Adam Guerra led the next segment of the seminar in grappling and American Shoot Wrestling. Seminar participants were instructed in the basics of having a wide base when wresting an opponent and how to set up and execute various body locks in addition to exercises in takedown shooting. Mr. Guerra, champion of "Grapple Fest," son his most recent competitive bout in a mere twenty seconds. With 21 years in Free Style Greco-Roman Wrestling and 20 years in Moi Tai Kickboxing, Adam Guerra retains a 47-0 record in competition.

The final event of the day, ITS, or Instinctive Tactical Solutions, brought to bear the fundamental skill needed to apply all other techniques: the ability to assess and direct a conflict through instinctive assessment and action. Phil Little, 9^th Dan of Isshinryu Karate and a member of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council, led participants in effortless submission techniques including painful pressure point utilization and neck and head manipulation to control an opponent. ITS, the personal creation of Mr. Little, is a syntheses of the most versatile and effective aspects drawn from his extensive knowledge in Isshinryu Karate. With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Little continually evolves ITS into an effective and deadly art form of self-defense and conflict resolution.

Overall, the seminar was a great success, providing all participants with a wide range of new skills and responses to a variety of conflict situations ranging from gun-threat to unarmed combat. All students were honored to have received instruction from these highly acclaimed and talented teachers. We all extend a round of thanks and appreciation to Hanshi Phil Little for single-handedly arranging and hosting this excellent event. We look forward to many more!