The terms "Close Quarter Combat" and "CQC" are often thrown around the internet by martial artists posting to various forums or even on their websites. However, what they fail to realize is that very few non-martial artists understand what the term actually means.

So, here is my basic definition of these terms:


Close Quarter Combat is a general term coined by the various militaries of the world. However, the term has now spread throughout the law enforcement, and martial arts communities. The term is pretty much self-descriptive. It is used to represent physical engagement of a threat in a close or confined environment. More simply put, it means moving in close to the threat or the attacker so that the situation can be resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible.

What makes Close Quarter Combat different from the various forms of martial arts is the fact that it is designed to efficiently neutralize the threat with any and all means necessary. Practitioners of CQC care little about the origins of the techniques and tactics, but instead care about the effectiveness of said techniques and tactics. Another thing that sets CQC apart from various martial arts is it's integration of empty-hand and weapon systems. In other words, practitioners of CQC do not favor any technique, tactic, or weapon over another. They learn to use each and every tool equally so that they can adapt to the chaotic nature of combat.

Often, martial artists are taught to confine their responses to techniques, tactics, and strategies taught only within their system. However, CQC practitioners are free to pick and choose only those techniques, tactics, and strategies that have been proven to work.

In short, CQC is about the freedom to adapt to any given situation without being confined to a specific set of stylized responses.


Steve