METTLE MAKER #511: Rough ‘n’ Tumble Classics

Howdy Rough ’n’ Tumblers! Who doesn’t love a nostalgic look back at a dusty martial arts tome of yore? Today we’re going to take a look at the classic, Rough and Tumble Fighting by Harold E. “Hek” Kenney (click the link above or on the right to read the book at archive.org).

Why this book in particular? Four reasons. First, because for many people this is the only book they know of that has anything to do with Rough ‘n’ Tumble. Second, this book is probably responsible for igniting the journey of more rough ‘n’ tumblers than any other book short of maybe Get Tough, Dirty Fighting, Kill or Get Killed or Cold Steel. Third, because many of the moves we use here at Heritage arts can be found within its pages, like Outside Wristlock, Master Lock, Top Wristlock, Double Wristlock, and so forth. And lastly, because if you say you never heard of this book, other Rough ‘n’ Tumblers might question your reading list.

Here’s the real question: why should we take any fighting advice from Kenney?

As head wrestling coach at the University of Illinois from 1928 to 1947, he placed three teams in the top three nationally and produced nine individual NCAA champions. And in WWII he was Director of Training for the 6th Navy. Read his full bio at the Illinois Officials and Coaches Association here. In addition to Rough ‘n’ Tumble Fighting, Kenney also wrote the fantastic book Wrestling, published in 1952.

That’s the good — now here’s the bad. Neither book is perfect. There are places in these books where Kenney perpetuates false myths and demonstrates that he has a mild case of Judo-Karate-mania. In Wrestling, he advises running 2 miles per day to aid in wrestling endurance. In Rough ‘n’ Tumble Fighting, he demonstrates the dreaded Karate fingertip strike. Running doesn’t make you a better wrestler — it just makes you a better runner. And the only thing a rigid fingertip strike is good for is jamming your fingers. Still, the books do contain a wealth of great info and are beautifully illustrated.

When it comes to Rough ‘n’ Tumble research, we have to be aware of the effects of improvements in travel and communication that have been accelerating exponentially throughout human history. If I had to pick an arbitrary date, I’d say that around 1930 we cross a kind of Rubicon after which a Rough ‘n’ Tumble researcher must be sharply on the lookout for exoticism. The accelerating prevalence of public demonstrations of Asian martial arts, sensational newspaper and magazine articles, dime novels, and so forth caused untested techniques to creep into the consciousness of even really smart fighters. The newer the reference work, the more I say caveat emptor.

Now then: lest you think all you’re getting this week is a dumb article about an old book, here is a great idea for a super little solo training session.

A 60-Minute Solo Session

Fitness. Walk 2 miles with a 5 - 10 pound dumbbell (left hand on the way out, right hand on the way home) or complete the following constitutional: Lunges (left foot forward, left, back, then right foot forward, right, back) Hand Release Push-ups, Crunch ‘n’ Punch, Reverse Heel Stomps, Jumping Jacks, Calf Raises (on one foot, first left, then right), and Push-outs.

Throws. Complete 50 Shoulder Throws with your grappling dummy. See video below.

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Sacred Reading for Sunday, 8/23/26

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