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.

Be Safe, Train Hard

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.

Be Safe, Train Hard


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