The Real Thing

Ever since high school I have been a Steven Seagal fan. Now he is not the best actor in the world, but he is a legitimate martial artist. He is the first caucasian, perhaps the first non Japanese to have a dojo in Tokyo. I came across this documentary about 3 or 4 years ago. It highlights his years as an instructor, before he became an action movie star. He brought a dynamic power to a style known for its grace and subtlety. Mike from class told me a story about a seminar of Seagal's he went to and how one of the guys he was with didn't like Seagal. This friend was hoping to get a chance to attack Seagal in a demonstration that Seagal always does at his seminars. When the time came this guy got picked to participate in the demo. When he charged in with full intent to plow over Seagal. This guy got leveled and left lying in a heap on the ground. I imagine it looked something like these guys in this video. Enjoy.

Be Safe, Train Hard

Tough Guys

Now these guys are tough Martial Artist. I know the UFC is full of tough guys, but I doubt many of them would last very long in one of these tournaments. Kyokushin Karate is an extremely "hard" style. The one reason I have a little respect for UFC Middle Weight Champion GSP, is because he is a black belt in Kyokushin Karate. As is Bas Rutten, Former UFC Heavy Weight Champion, but I have a great deal of respect for Bas as a martial artist. The rules to this style of sport combat are no punching to the face, no groin strikes, no grappling, and no pads, just a cup. Many martial arts anymore have very little combat application. But I think you can see by this video it is all about what you train for and how you condition your body for physical contact. In between all of the knockouts take a look at all the full power punches to the body and kicks to the legs these guys are taking and most of the time don't even wince. It's all about your mental and physical approach to training that determines the value of your martial art when it comes time to use it for personal protection.

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Center line concept

At first glance when you watch this video it may appear to make an argument against the SPEAR concept. But if you watch closely it is actually teaching our "counter strike" skill with a "force meets force" approach, rather than our "yeild to the force" approach. Bill Wolfe is an instructor that has had a great influence on my training for several years. I have been a member of the International Defendo Federation since 2001. I would say for at least the first 6 months that I was a police officer, I would watch one of my Defendo videos every day while I was getting ready for work. Thats how much value I place on the principles Mr. Wolfe teaches. He is a guy who has been there, done that. A retired special ops member of the Canadian military, and a ten year police and SWAT veteran, Mr. Wolfe teaches from a wealth of knowledge and experience. Notice how in the clip he uses the throat as a target, and the under side of the chin. Now just slide your forearm up there and you have the SPEAR. Pay close attention to when he is stating how the two handed strike to the arm would be ineffective. His inside arm is striking the attackers shoulder, not the neck. Also his hands are virtical and not closer to horizontal as they should be in the SPEAR. Check out how quickly he goes to the underhook for control (towards the end) and then uses the throat or eyes to direct the attackers movement. By the way I have learned 95% of what I know about the "Clinch" overhooks and underhooks from Bill Wolfe. Watch this clip several times, If you watch closely you will learn something new every time.

Be Safe, Train Hard

Army Combatives

Here is a link to the introduction video to the Modern Army Combatives Program (MACP). The first level of the program is based on Gracie Jiu Jitsu (GJJ). This is the program that the Air Force used as a template for its Air Force Combatives Program. These are also many of the techniques that we will cover in the Gracie Combatives Program.

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https://www.benning.army.mil/videos/video16/

Short Tight Hook

This video is a bit long, almost 20 minutes, but if you have the time it is a good fight. Cung Le is a very interesting fighter. He was originally a Kung Fu stylist who competed in a style of professional kickboxing, then moved into MMA. He uses a lot of traditional techniques that most MMA fighters don't even attempt, actually most MMA fighters couldn't pull them off in practice let alone in a fight. What I want you to see is the strike that was the beginning of the end, a short left hook, that was close, small motion, and powerful. If you don't have time to watch the whole thing skip ahead about 16 min. On the replay they show an overhead view that shows the punch perfectly, striking to the chin. Remember hooks are for close striking not out at a long distance, this is a perfect example.

For some reason the image isn't showing, but the clip is there.

Be Safe, Train Hard

I Love Mountain Dew

Mountain Dew has always been one of my favorite soft drinks. Over the years MD has had some good commercials, but here is a series of commercials that feature some of my favorite martial artist. By the way, I was actually looking for some Santa Clause fights to post today, but none of the ones I found were what I was looking for. Some how I came across a Chuck Norris clip, then I realized I had not put a clip of Chuck on here yet, so here ya go.












So what does this tell us? Well its obvious, if you are going to be a world famous martial artist you have to drink Mountain Dew.

Unless you like ice tea better.

Intro to Trapping

So in class we have been working on a drill that incorporates the split entry, trapping, and counter striking in combination. The influence that JKD and Kenpo have on each other is strong. Quite honestly the two have a strong influence on what we cover in class, though I would say they only account for about 40% of our material. None the less I found this clip that illustrates the principles of the drill we have been working. Take note that they are using the split entry to strike with the lead hand, rather than the rear hand the way we have been. The same principles of trapping are being applied even though they are using different techniques than we have. Finally, we finished off with a hook-cross-hook ending with a knee, where they complete the drill with a cross-hook-cross and instep kick. Everything they are doing would be good skills for us to work as well. However, I feel our approach is more combative in nature. In that we are attempting to stay tight with our opponent in order to continue to push forward with quick, heavy strikes. Thus the use of hooks and the knee, which are power shots. By ending with the knee we are close enough to finish with any of our takedowns and exit skills from the flowchart depiction of our punch defense principles approach. I would recommend using our version of the drill as a shadow boxing routine while we are away from class. It is a good way to work the repetition and force your mind to envision the engagement so when you work with a partner your mind knows what is coming next and your body is ready to respond. The drill will feel like you are waiting on your partner to move, that you are always one step ahead of them. If you both are doing this the drill will get faster and faster with little effort. Notice how a couple of times in this clip Diana begins to move and strike before Ron holds the pads in place for her. That's because she is so comfortable with the drill she knows what is coming and is moving to strike. She is not waiting to see a target then strike, she is already in motion. A couple of times Ron starts the drill a little quick and Diana must react quickly to keep from catching a mitt to the face, she does so and never breaks stride. Notice her name is Diana Lee Inosanto, she is the daughter of Dan Inosanto, Bruce Lee's long time training partner and student.