Quick Note: Due to obligations involving my prego wife, I have not be very quick to update the blog. For that I am sorry. The good news is that some of those obligations are going to be vanishing quickly!
Strike'n And Footwork - 101
The title explains it all. We didn't even hit the mats this week! Chris and I ushered everyone into the back ally. This sounds like it could be the first line in bad horror move script, but in fact it was part of the class.
Once in the back ally, we started out with footwork. Good striking (and any technique in my opinion) begins from the ground and goes up from there. You can be the strongest man in the world, but you will hit like a sally if you don't know how to use your feet! This is why you don't see many power lifters winning professional martial arts titles.
This is one of my favorite video series on fist fighting. Go to the link and check out all the videos in this series. Although some of it we don't teach, most of it is good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSOC9s4qaBU
Your gravity should shift forward, transferring your body weight into your enemy. This concept is most accurately documented in Jack Dempsey's book titled: Championship Fighting. Although the language is a little old (1900ish), the content is great. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to punch. Bruce Lee himself loved this book, and I think the majority of his technique was from Dempsey. Don't believe me? See for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS6aMdskKSo
His foot doesn't move, but focus on his back leg and watch the weight transfer! Amazing stuff.
The drop step shows itself in older boxing matches constantly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_AsOroeb8w
This video is actually a great segway into our next technique we covered. The Drop Shift. The Drop Shift works on the same principals as the Drop Step. Massive transfer of weight into your fist, which then smashes into your opponent. Gravity is your weapon, so use it!
Without question, the best Drop Shift in the world was what Rocky Marciano called his "Suzie Q". This was basically a Drop Shift right hand punch that is considered by most boxing experts to be the most powerful punch ever thrown. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9msELiZKyU
This punch was insane. If you have time to kill, and want to learn all about this punch, check out this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp_fqTpt9EA
The next part we worked on was Savate! This goofy French fighting style has a very unique history. The bottom line is that this is a street fighting style, not a sport fighting one. It's designed with great shoe strikes. The two we worked on were Coup De Pied Bas. This is a sweeping style of low kick that you strike with your instep. There's many good targets below the knee, so pick one and hit it!
The second one is Chasse Bas. This is a strange side kick that is designed to be quick, and highly mobile. You will recognize them in these videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMfks57x_Nw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFLrgdncDcY
Practice all of these moves. Focus most on footwork. From your footwork, all your other martial arts will work themselves out, and you will be a powerful fighter!
Hope to see all of you in class this Sunday!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
March 14, 2009 - Class Supplement
Ambushes, stabbings, and guns, oh my!
We started out class outside doing some scenarios. Chris and I made it very obvious how doing something as simple as getting out of your car can end up being potentially deadly. This week I saw an article that was very fitting to this weeks scenarios and tactics. We specifically talked about how doors, and anything else in your car can be used to defend yourself from an attack. Well, I don't know if this guy went to our class, but I will let you be the judge! http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D96VVG1G1&show_article=1
That's right. An Ice Scraper. A 73 year old man beat off some punk with a knife armed only with an ice scraper and a warrior mindset!
What would you use in such a situation? Would you just flee? If you flee would you have to leave your loved ones behind?
This is of course just a sample of the types of things that you must think about if you get attacked.
The other thing we covered inside was go behinds. When your in a fight (Boxing, Wrestling, Fist fight, SCA Armored Combat, Military situations, etc.) the back of your opponent is your friend. We used arm drags http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3o6QjvRQ2U to get behind the opponent. This is a good technique particularly for the system we teach because you don't need to get under the enemy like a double leg take down, and it's also a very low commitment attack and if it falters, you arn't in a very dangerous situation.
We also covered the duck unders, which I covered in a earlier blog.
Hope to see you all there on Sunday. We got a fun class planned!
We started out class outside doing some scenarios. Chris and I made it very obvious how doing something as simple as getting out of your car can end up being potentially deadly. This week I saw an article that was very fitting to this weeks scenarios and tactics. We specifically talked about how doors, and anything else in your car can be used to defend yourself from an attack. Well, I don't know if this guy went to our class, but I will let you be the judge! http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D96VVG1G1&show_article=1
That's right. An Ice Scraper. A 73 year old man beat off some punk with a knife armed only with an ice scraper and a warrior mindset!
What would you use in such a situation? Would you just flee? If you flee would you have to leave your loved ones behind?
This is of course just a sample of the types of things that you must think about if you get attacked.
The other thing we covered inside was go behinds. When your in a fight (Boxing, Wrestling, Fist fight, SCA Armored Combat, Military situations, etc.) the back of your opponent is your friend. We used arm drags http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3o6QjvRQ2U to get behind the opponent. This is a good technique particularly for the system we teach because you don't need to get under the enemy like a double leg take down, and it's also a very low commitment attack and if it falters, you arn't in a very dangerous situation.
We also covered the duck unders, which I covered in a earlier blog.
Hope to see you all there on Sunday. We got a fun class planned!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
March 9, 2009 - Class Supplement
Back to the basics!
Due to the amount of "New people" who showed up on Sunday, Chris and I showed techniques that are typically in our 101 class. However, if you have been in our 101 class, all it was is refresher and you probably learned a thing or two anyway. Most of what we covered can be found in my earlier posts. If your new to reading my blog about WMA, I suggest you start there.
Due to the techniques being covered in my other postings, I thought I would take today's posting in a different direction: Theory.
No not that awful math stuff, but good old fashion fight'n theory! There's really 2 issues I wanted to cover particularly.
The first issue I wanted to cover is "Situational Awareness". History tells us all. History predicts the future, and those who do not know their history are condemned to repeat it.
Wild Bill Hickok was a cowboy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Bill_Hickok Wild Bill was an expert killer. If this guy knew one thing, it was how to kill folks. Not only did he serve as a soldier, he was a scout (sniper). Wild Bill was an exceptional marksman and he proved it time and time again. Wild Bill was also a "Lawman", which is just another word for cop, too. When he got sick of being a good guy, he was a professional gambler, murderer, hired gun, and all around bad ass.
Enter Jack McCall. Unless your a cowboy junkie, you probably don't know who that is. Well, that is because Jack McCall wasn't really anyone of consequence. McCall was your typical scoundrel of the era. Worked a job or two, drank a lot, carried guns, got in fist fights, and of course gambled. Well, McCall gets taken for all he is worth at a game of poker against Wild Bill. Nobody really knows what occurred, but apparently Wild Bill mocked him by offering to give him a few bucks to buy breakfast after taking him for a ton of dough. Being a low life like McCall, your response is to kill Wild Bill. Only one problem, Wild Bill is perhaps the finest gunman ever to live. Wild Bill is notoriously paranoid and never exposes his back to anyone. As McCall, your weapon becomes patience. McCall does what any scum bag does, and waits for his prey. McCall goes on the prowl, and waits for his "Gazelle" to lower his guard. McCall spots Wild Bill with his back to the door, a practice which Wild Bill would never normally do. McCall uses this time to strike, and kills Wild Bill.
What's the point of this story? Simple. Predators don't want to eat the most dangerous prey. They have no interest in the toughest guy in the bar. They want the sucker in a suit carrying a lap top, an iphone and a bulky wallet. If you get confronted, remember, YOU are that prey. The second issue is don't let your guard down. Paranoia is your weapon against scum. Listen to your gut and stay out of trouble. When I go into a restaurant, I will make sure that the majority of the dining area is in my view, and usually the door. Yes, I'm that deranged! When your with your family or friends, you have a greater task: Protecting them. Keep yourself safe, keep your family safe, listen to your instincts! They will SAVE YOUR LIFE! I recommend that everyone read "Gavin De Beckers: The Gift of Fear".
The second issue I wanted to cover is "Forward Progress".
To reference my first point, an attacker/mugger/assaulter/rapist/thug or whatever, sees you as a easy mark. Crooks are opportunists and are not going to fight the bull outright. They have picked you because they think of you as weaker than them. This may or may not be because they have a weapon.
Once the attack commences, they want you to know that they are in control and that you are their prey. Shouting, threats, chicken walk, and pointing might all supplement their attack. What you need to do, and do quickly, is flip the script. You need to become the predator. Fun time for them ends here. You must engage the forward progression. You are not going to be "driven back" physically, or mentally. Holding your ground is not enough. You must drive them back. That's where the Drop Step comes in. The Drop Step is the best way to push forward. I have personally used this in fights, SCA armored combat, football (offensive line), wrestling, and boxing. You put your weight against someone while focusing an attack, and you will knock them out. Read Jack Dempsey's book called "Championship Fighting" for further information and exact details. Before you can become a quality fighter, you must be able to flip a fight around. The drop step is a fantastic way of doing it. This is a good video about the Drop Step. What this guy is teaching is a Lead Punch from Jack Dempsey. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khvuYfGh_qQ
Quick Note: I have a large library of fighting manuals and tactic books. If anyone is ever interested in checking some out, let me know. I am also always up for trading for your favorite fighting manuals or other such things.
See you jokers next week!
Due to the amount of "New people" who showed up on Sunday, Chris and I showed techniques that are typically in our 101 class. However, if you have been in our 101 class, all it was is refresher and you probably learned a thing or two anyway. Most of what we covered can be found in my earlier posts. If your new to reading my blog about WMA, I suggest you start there.
Due to the techniques being covered in my other postings, I thought I would take today's posting in a different direction: Theory.
No not that awful math stuff, but good old fashion fight'n theory! There's really 2 issues I wanted to cover particularly.
The first issue I wanted to cover is "Situational Awareness". History tells us all. History predicts the future, and those who do not know their history are condemned to repeat it.
Wild Bill Hickok was a cowboy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Bill_Hickok Wild Bill was an expert killer. If this guy knew one thing, it was how to kill folks. Not only did he serve as a soldier, he was a scout (sniper). Wild Bill was an exceptional marksman and he proved it time and time again. Wild Bill was also a "Lawman", which is just another word for cop, too. When he got sick of being a good guy, he was a professional gambler, murderer, hired gun, and all around bad ass.
Enter Jack McCall. Unless your a cowboy junkie, you probably don't know who that is. Well, that is because Jack McCall wasn't really anyone of consequence. McCall was your typical scoundrel of the era. Worked a job or two, drank a lot, carried guns, got in fist fights, and of course gambled. Well, McCall gets taken for all he is worth at a game of poker against Wild Bill. Nobody really knows what occurred, but apparently Wild Bill mocked him by offering to give him a few bucks to buy breakfast after taking him for a ton of dough. Being a low life like McCall, your response is to kill Wild Bill. Only one problem, Wild Bill is perhaps the finest gunman ever to live. Wild Bill is notoriously paranoid and never exposes his back to anyone. As McCall, your weapon becomes patience. McCall does what any scum bag does, and waits for his prey. McCall goes on the prowl, and waits for his "Gazelle" to lower his guard. McCall spots Wild Bill with his back to the door, a practice which Wild Bill would never normally do. McCall uses this time to strike, and kills Wild Bill.
What's the point of this story? Simple. Predators don't want to eat the most dangerous prey. They have no interest in the toughest guy in the bar. They want the sucker in a suit carrying a lap top, an iphone and a bulky wallet. If you get confronted, remember, YOU are that prey. The second issue is don't let your guard down. Paranoia is your weapon against scum. Listen to your gut and stay out of trouble. When I go into a restaurant, I will make sure that the majority of the dining area is in my view, and usually the door. Yes, I'm that deranged! When your with your family or friends, you have a greater task: Protecting them. Keep yourself safe, keep your family safe, listen to your instincts! They will SAVE YOUR LIFE! I recommend that everyone read "Gavin De Beckers: The Gift of Fear".
The second issue I wanted to cover is "Forward Progress".
To reference my first point, an attacker/mugger/assaulter/rapist/thug or whatever, sees you as a easy mark. Crooks are opportunists and are not going to fight the bull outright. They have picked you because they think of you as weaker than them. This may or may not be because they have a weapon.
Once the attack commences, they want you to know that they are in control and that you are their prey. Shouting, threats, chicken walk, and pointing might all supplement their attack. What you need to do, and do quickly, is flip the script. You need to become the predator. Fun time for them ends here. You must engage the forward progression. You are not going to be "driven back" physically, or mentally. Holding your ground is not enough. You must drive them back. That's where the Drop Step comes in. The Drop Step is the best way to push forward. I have personally used this in fights, SCA armored combat, football (offensive line), wrestling, and boxing. You put your weight against someone while focusing an attack, and you will knock them out. Read Jack Dempsey's book called "Championship Fighting" for further information and exact details. Before you can become a quality fighter, you must be able to flip a fight around. The drop step is a fantastic way of doing it. This is a good video about the Drop Step. What this guy is teaching is a Lead Punch from Jack Dempsey. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khvuYfGh_qQ
Quick Note: I have a large library of fighting manuals and tactic books. If anyone is ever interested in checking some out, let me know. I am also always up for trading for your favorite fighting manuals or other such things.
See you jokers next week!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009 - Class Supplement
I'm going to focus this weeks posting on take down defense. The reason for this is the fact that most of the other stuff we covered, we have covered before in one way or another.
The first thing I will recommend that you do, is watch the video that is posted earlier on my blog (and on youtube) of the "Skater beating up the Jocks". This is a perfect example showing what I explained in class about take downs and pushes having the same body mechanic, and not knowing which one is which. The pushes could have been the same as a high tackle.
If you want to watch football highlights for a few hours, just type "tackle" into youtube and absorb it. I have a feeling you all know what it is, so I will cut to the experts in the field: The Wrestler.
With all the Wrestlers/football players in the world, you can be pretty sure that in a fight, a tackle will occur. If you ever watch children fight, this is also very common for them too. I personally think that it is hard wired into our brains. So here it is, the classic Double Leg Take Down http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClG2VGOt60c
Notice the age of those kids? Most wrestlers learn this move on their very first day of class. After a few decades of doing it, they master it, and will use it when they flunk out of college and decide to become meth heads.
I want to focus on one main theory for take down defenses:
I want to stay above you. The reason for this is so that I can escape when I chose. Another reason is because a time tested axiom in fighting is "take the high ground". This has existed, and will exist in through the history of time. There are many many great ground tactics that people are great at if they are down with their opponent. The problem I have with this is that you must assume that there is no weapon, and that this person doesn't have friends. If you pull them into guard and set up the best arm bar in the world, it wont mean anything if his friend kicks your teeth out!
So how do we defend against one of the oldest tactics in hand to hand combat?
First, is the stiff arm. Yes I know it's cheesy, but it is timeless as well and pro-football players have made millions just because they are good at resisting tackles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-8m1T3oYqM
You know what I like about this the most? If you do it right like in the video, your direction of travel isn't sacrificed! You can keep moving/running/fleeing/escaping and pop a stiff arm out to resist your attacker! You also have a 360 degree of protection from an attack! Not many defenses can claim that. Just push your hand into their face, and drive them back, down or to a side depending on where your distances are.
Second, is the Sprawl. The Sprawl has been a wrestlers best friend since the sport began. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57w6t4Wp0O4 This video is pretty good, but not the best. The under hooks (the sprawlers arms going under the attackers arms) are nice, but not required at all. The other thing that the sprawler does poorly is that he turns his hips. This causes a slight bend in the knees and at one point in the video he kneels. This should never happen. Keep your feet square and balanced.
FROM THE SPRAWL: Cross face. From the sprawl, you need to get out! If a good wrestler gets sprawled on, he will keep coming until you run into a wall, and your feet come into his reach. You need to get away from him, and get behind. In this video, he does a cross face, with a chest spin. We covered the chest spin separately, but the obviously go together. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtxTBZWJkDk a video on a chest spin drill. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmu1nDmC5ko
Chris and I did some gun work at the end. First and foremost about guns is that you cant mess with them. If someone stick you up with a gun, I would not recommend fighting back automatically. I think that you really have to look at each situation differently. Personally, if I was attacked with a gun, and my 7 months pregnant wife was around, I would fight. If I was by myself and unarmed, I might just give in. You must figure out what you are comfortable with, and react to each scenario differently. The bottom line is that you have to pick your own choices, and Chris nor I would ever advocate fighting an armed attacker unconditionally.
ANOTHER QUICK NOTE: We will NOT be having WMA class on Sunday April 14. Phil has some super awesome Aikido stuff going on then, and doesn't want us meat heads spoiling their fun!
The first thing I will recommend that you do, is watch the video that is posted earlier on my blog (and on youtube) of the "Skater beating up the Jocks". This is a perfect example showing what I explained in class about take downs and pushes having the same body mechanic, and not knowing which one is which. The pushes could have been the same as a high tackle.
If you want to watch football highlights for a few hours, just type "tackle" into youtube and absorb it. I have a feeling you all know what it is, so I will cut to the experts in the field: The Wrestler.
With all the Wrestlers/football players in the world, you can be pretty sure that in a fight, a tackle will occur. If you ever watch children fight, this is also very common for them too. I personally think that it is hard wired into our brains. So here it is, the classic Double Leg Take Down http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClG2VGOt60c
Notice the age of those kids? Most wrestlers learn this move on their very first day of class. After a few decades of doing it, they master it, and will use it when they flunk out of college and decide to become meth heads.
I want to focus on one main theory for take down defenses:
I want to stay above you. The reason for this is so that I can escape when I chose. Another reason is because a time tested axiom in fighting is "take the high ground". This has existed, and will exist in through the history of time. There are many many great ground tactics that people are great at if they are down with their opponent. The problem I have with this is that you must assume that there is no weapon, and that this person doesn't have friends. If you pull them into guard and set up the best arm bar in the world, it wont mean anything if his friend kicks your teeth out!
So how do we defend against one of the oldest tactics in hand to hand combat?
First, is the stiff arm. Yes I know it's cheesy, but it is timeless as well and pro-football players have made millions just because they are good at resisting tackles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-8m1T3oYqM
You know what I like about this the most? If you do it right like in the video, your direction of travel isn't sacrificed! You can keep moving/running/fleeing/escaping and pop a stiff arm out to resist your attacker! You also have a 360 degree of protection from an attack! Not many defenses can claim that. Just push your hand into their face, and drive them back, down or to a side depending on where your distances are.
Second, is the Sprawl. The Sprawl has been a wrestlers best friend since the sport began. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57w6t4Wp0O4 This video is pretty good, but not the best. The under hooks (the sprawlers arms going under the attackers arms) are nice, but not required at all. The other thing that the sprawler does poorly is that he turns his hips. This causes a slight bend in the knees and at one point in the video he kneels. This should never happen. Keep your feet square and balanced.
FROM THE SPRAWL: Cross face. From the sprawl, you need to get out! If a good wrestler gets sprawled on, he will keep coming until you run into a wall, and your feet come into his reach. You need to get away from him, and get behind. In this video, he does a cross face, with a chest spin. We covered the chest spin separately, but the obviously go together. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtxTBZWJkDk a video on a chest spin drill. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmu1nDmC5ko
Chris and I did some gun work at the end. First and foremost about guns is that you cant mess with them. If someone stick you up with a gun, I would not recommend fighting back automatically. I think that you really have to look at each situation differently. Personally, if I was attacked with a gun, and my 7 months pregnant wife was around, I would fight. If I was by myself and unarmed, I might just give in. You must figure out what you are comfortable with, and react to each scenario differently. The bottom line is that you have to pick your own choices, and Chris nor I would ever advocate fighting an armed attacker unconditionally.
ANOTHER QUICK NOTE: We will NOT be having WMA class on Sunday April 14. Phil has some super awesome Aikido stuff going on then, and doesn't want us meat heads spoiling their fun!
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