BOXING: Peck & Shoot: The Jab by Leon

Excerpted from http://www.spladdle.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139 and http://www.spladdle.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1471

Peck & Shoot: The Jab

By Leon

This is almost a lost technique in the gyms of today. When I started training @ the Fall River PAL in 98' [home to Scott Pemberton, Ray Oliveira, Jason Pires] the trainer, Libby, taught this drill. Actually Pemb taught it to me. This drill basically sparring w/out being hit. A gym must for reaction training!

There are two basic elements to this two man drill. One person shoots, the other pecks or catches.


Part 1. Jab


3 minute rounds. 1st 30 seconds one person shoots and the other pecks, switch sides after 30 seconds. The pecker [no jokes!!! LOL] is the one who is getting the most benefit of the drill. HIS reaction is being trained. Shooter can focus on punch form if desired.

Guard is high and out [I like Olympic style for this drill]. When the shooter shoots, the pecker catches said jab [right hand] and fires back to the shooters right hand. The key is proper speed...start slow and get faster as reaction gets better. Also, don't get monotonous [one after another] as it will ruin the drill, so take your time.

Catching is trained w/the right hand 1st and later can catch w/the left. Careful on the peck that you don't over exceed in case of a fake. The best way to do it is push the peck hand out instead of a downward motion. I'm talking mere inches...on the low side.

Stay still and keep movement to a minimum. Bad habits come from too much movement.

From my experience this is the best and safest way to train a fighter how to be a counter puncher or just counter via parry in general.

I will post more installments [this is just the base], just wanted to start with the most basic element. Its better to see it in a video...I'll either record one or try and find one. Enjoy!

Now that the ground work has been laid, I'm going to step on the gas a little. In this installment, I'm going to elaborate on what we've already covered.


Part 2. Jab to the body.


Doing everything the same as previously mentioned in Part 1, we're going to add the jab to the body for the one who is pecking.

A major element of the intermediate and advanced stages of 'peck and shoot' call for the body being protected. You can do that through adjustments to guard style, or, if you keep your arms high you just have to be really aware of your openings.


Hitting the body wont be as easy because when one shoots, the glove is naturally a closer target. Go slow and and turn up the gas as the footwork becomes more comfortable. The basic footwork formula consists of a shuffle into the crease, firing, then moving back into position out of the crease.

a. Shooter shoots, jab is pecked, jab to body. Focus on getting back into position as fast as possible as you'll have to get into the pocket or crease for the body shot [shuffle to your left if your orthodox]. More on why later. Even if you don't shuffle and are both still try and get back up quick. The longer your down there the more danger your in [see Cotto vs.Margarito].

b. Shooter shoots, jab is pecked, jab to glove [shooters right glove], jab to body.

c. Repeat 'b', but add another jab to glove after the jab to body. Get in the pocket, get out.

The footwork I mentioned is the base. Once your totally comfortable and have controlled quickness, try different directions laterally. Try moving left on 'c' at the last punch. Also try going to the right as well. You have to be quick so you can get to his body, under the jab, before he gets his jab hand back. This is a gem for moving to the right.

Moving to the right will be easier if the shooters stance isn't perfectly profile, this goes for lateral movement to the left as well. If he's a little [or a lot] square, going to the right is easier and lets face it...many boxers fight square or get square a lot.


COMING SOON:

In parts 3 and 4 I'll go over pecking the jab and countering with the left uppercut and left hook [my favorite].





Stickgrappler's note:

This was intended to be written up as six parts by Leon. He only posted parts 1-2.

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IN MEMORY OF: Jeff Blatnick (July 26, 1957 – October 24, 2012)

RIP Jeff Blatnick

Copied and pasted from:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/25/sports/jeff-blatnick-gold-medal-winner-in-wrestling-dies-at-55.html

Jeff Blatnick, 55, Dies; Won Olympic Gold in Wrestling

By MARGALIT FOX

Published: October 24, 2012 

Jeff Blatnick, who overcame cancer to win a gold medal for the United States in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1984 Olympics, died on Wednesday in Schenectady, N.Y. He was 55.

The cause was complications of heart surgery, his wife, Lori, said. 

Competing in the super heavyweight class at the Summer Games in Los Angeles, Blatnick, 6 feet 2 inches and 248 pounds, defeated Thomas Johansson of Sweden to take Olympic gold. 

Blatnick and his teammate Steve Fraser, who competed in the 198-pound weight class at those Games, became the first Americans to win Olympic gold medals in Greco-Roman wrestling, which allows holds only above the waist. Blatnick’s win came barely two years after his victory over cancer. 

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IN MEMORY OF: Emanuel Steward (July 7, 1944 – October 25, 2012)

RIP Emanuel Steward

Here are 3 vidclips and a NY Times article follows:

 

Emanuel Steward Dies at 68; Trainer of Boxing Champions

By MARGALIT FOX / Published: October 25, 2012

Emanuel Steward, one of the most eminent boxing trainers of the modern era, whose stable of fighters included Lennox Lewis, Tommy Hearns, Evander Holyfield and Wladimir Klitschko, died on Thursday in Chicago. He was 68. 

His companion, Anita Ruiz, confirmed the death, saying only that Steward had been hospitalized in Chicago for several weeks. 

A coal miner’s son from West Virginia, Steward was known in particular for his long association with the Kronk Gym in Detroit. A basement boxing gym in a down-at-the-heels neighborhood, it became famous for the string of marquee names it produced under his supervision. 

Steward, who eventually owned the gym, trained more than 30 world champions there and elsewhere, among them Julio César Chávez, a six-time world champion in three different weight classes; Oscar De La Hoya, who won 10 world titles in six classes; the former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks; and, most recently, Klitschko, the reigning heavyweight champion. 

Among Steward’s crowning achievements as a trainer were Holyfield’s upset of Riddick Bowe to regain the world heavyweight title in 1993 and Lewis’s eighth-round knockout of Mike Tyson in 2002 for the heavyweight crown. 

Steward was also a longtime commentator for HBO Sports. 

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MMA: John Jensen - How to Avoid Getting Struck While on Your Back

John Jensen is a BJJ Black Belt as well as a Pastor (his nickname on the MMA forums is "The Rev"). He is one of the founders of Millennia Mixed Martial Arts, which produced many pro fighters including Javier Vazquez, John Allessio, Romie Aram, Manny the Mangler Tapies and many others. His gym was frequented by such mma luminaries as Dan Henderson and Babalu Sobral. He has wrestled, competed in high level grappling competitions, trained MMA fighters and is part of the MMA scene.

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How to Avoid Getting Struck While on Your Back

By John Jensen aka The Rev

This is one thing that I think most people have just forgotten, or never learned. They have decided that the guard sucks so they just need to stand up, or they have taken the best defense is a good offense. Both of these are very good ways to look at it, but I believe it is also important to learn how to keep from taking damage while stuck on your back. Eddie Bravo has addressed one aspect of this with his great work on the rubber guard but let me give you my little tutorial:

To truly understand Damage Minimization we must understand the concepts behind our actions. And the best way to understand these concepts is to start standing. When you are standing up there are basically four ways to keep from getting hit with power:

1. Distance (if you are too close, or too far away to be struck)
2. Angle (you simply cannot hit across your body with any force)
3. Balance (if you disrupt your opponents balance they cannot throw with any force)
4. Block (get something in the way)

Now its easy to imagine these ideas while on our feet, how often have we seen a boxer dazed and almost out grab the other guy and hug him like he's got candy? Or some one like Jr. who changes angle and distance so well and quickly he is almost unhittable till he got a bit older :) ? Or Sugar Ray Leonard who would punch peoples hands on their way in?

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MMA/WRESTLING: Single Leg Takedowns Finishes - part 4 (The Crunk)

Follows is the 4th part of the Single Leg Takedowns Finishes article by Joe Silvia aka Ausgepicht.

• If you missed part 1, you can click here to read. 
• For part 2, please click here.
• To read part 3, check it out here.

Hope this article helps you in your Sojourn of Septillion Steps!

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Excerpted from http://www.spladdle.com/forum 

I made 2 animated GIF's based on what Ausgepicht wrote of one of the single leg finishes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausgepicht 5. "The Crunk"--raise his whole leg and place the back of his knee on one of your traps. You have both hands free to punch him in the face. If his back is against the cage even BETTER. No takedown need be described here. He will fall no matter what you do.

WEC 33 - Rich Crunkilton X Sergio Gomez

This was the 2nd of three single-legs Crunkilton got on Gomez... Coach Ausgepicht christens this single leg finish as 'The Crunk' after Rich Crunkilton.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausgepicht:   I named it the Crunk after Rich Crunkilton. He may not have been the first to do it, but he was the first I saw do it.

Here's the first single-leg Cleat got on Gomez in which he finished with the "Crunk".

WEC 33 - Rich Crunkilton X Sergio Gomez

 

Do you finish your single leg takedown with the Crunk?

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MMA/WRESTLING: Single Leg Takedowns Finishes - part 3

Follows is Part 3 of the Single Leg Takedowns Finishes article by my friend Joe Silvia aka Ausgepicht.

• If you missed part 1, you can click here to read. 
• For part 2, please click here.
• For part 4, please click here.

Part 3 is below and covers Sweeps/Trips.


Enjoy!

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Excerpted from http://www.spladdle.com/forum/


I made 2 animated GIF's and posted to the thread as examples of the Sweeps/Trips finish to a Single Leg Takedown.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausgepicht 3. Sweeps and trips-you can lift his leg high and sweep his pillar leg out from behind or step in front and drive for a trip.

UFC43 - Randy Couture X Chuck Liddell I

 

Ausgepicht's (aka Joe Silvia) comments:

Again, Randy doesn't do everything textbook, on the technique, but because his fundamentals are sound (and he's a super athlete) he gets away with it.

This is why I make a solid distinction between fundamentals and basics. Most people use those words interchangeably, but they are NOT the same thing. Fundamentals are principles like forehead position, inside control, weight distribution, posture, alignment, breathing, structure, etc. They are the launching platform FOR your basics.

The basics are the techniques that everyone MUST know. For example, if we say the high double leg it would be specific control ties and transitions that get him to square his feet or stepping so I square his feet. In terms of basic finishes: a pickup, flair/barsagar, spiral half load, and Japanese or blast double.

If your fundamentals are spot on, your techniques even if sloppy can still work. It may be ugly, but as long as it works. You see greats do this all the time. Boxers will put their hands low, wrestlers will shoot from too far away, BJJers will dismount to get an armbar. They can get away with it.

However, the opposite is not true. You can have perfect technique, but if your fundamentals suck, you are using a luck based game. Ideally, your fundamentals and basics are both sound.

The reason why I say this, is in this GIF, Randy doesn't lift the leg he's captured before he sweeps. With all sweeps you want somewhere between the majority and all his weight off the foot, even tippy-toeing. Since Chuck was off-balance and hopping already, Randy said f*ck it and just powered through it. A raw style that is PERFECT for MMA and why Randy has had so much success with it. His fundamentals are also why he is one of the best fibbers in the sport, if not the best.

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Here's  the other animated GIF I made and posted:

Strikeforce - Barnett vs. Kharitonov 9/10/2011
Daniel Cormier X Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva

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MMA/WRESTLING: Single Leg Takedowns Finishes - part 2 (A Proper Running the Pipe Finish)

This is Part 2 of a 4 part article my friend "Ausgepicht" aka Joe Siliva wrote on finishing the Single Leg Takedown.

You can find the other parts here:

• If you missed part 1, you can click here to read. 
• To read part 3, check it out here
• For part 4, please click here.

Enjoy part 2 which is on the "Running the Pipe" finish of the single leg!

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Excerpted from http://www.spladdle.com/forum/

A proper 'Running the Pipe' Finish

by Joe Silvia aka Ausgepicht

From base camp, and since most people are left foot forward and that is the leg you will shoot on, it'll be his left leg that is trapped/pinched in this example. You are facing "North" for purpose of describing angles.

1. Base camp, base camp, base camp. If you don't have base camp, you will probably fail.

2. Take a small step laterally with your left foot. This will release your pinch and free his leg so all subsequent actions need to be fluid and fast.

3. Swing your right foot behind you in an arc, so you are now facing East proper. He is facing West. If you go past this you may allow him an opportunity to take your back. Though we have options if he does.

* Drop to the floor, come out the back door shucking his right leg by. Take his back.

4. 3 pressures. The reasoning behind the angle, footwork, and facing is to line up the triangle point. Your left foot and his right foot ate the BASE of the triangle. His weakest point of balance is at the apex of the triangle. That is the direction you must drive or pressure him to the floor. It is a "living", fluctuating point, so you must pay attention to where that point is moving, and alter your path of pressure.

5. You have to drive him into that point diagonally downward. In other words, drive him down and forward. The second pressure is with the seal you have formed with your chest and his thigh. No seal=broken base camp. This seal means that wherever your chest and it's projected energies go, so will his thigh. Where his thigh goes, so goes his hips, where his hips go, so go his upper body, etc. We want the momentum of his falling bodyweight to assist us. Optionally we can drop our right knee to the ground for added pressure. I know of no man on earth that can have one foot off the ground with a full grown man attached to it and dropping his weight to the ground and yet hold him in the air.

6. The only way for him to stop or slow his falling bodyweight, or for anyone to stop their falling bodyweight they need to post. His only post that matters is his left foot. Since you have stepped, spiraled, and facing a new direction, and you have his leg trapped between your hands, he doesn't have any post except his left hand....which means he's on the ground and we want him to post with that hand anyway as you'll see later.

7. The third pressure is a 'Tug of war' pressure with your hands on his calf. You want to throw his calf between your legs and behind you.

If all of these elements are spot on, you have your success with getting him to the ground. As you can see it's a lot of variables and one of the reasons I only show it to more intermediate or advanced wrestlers. For MMA anyhow. Yet, we haven't finished!

8. Once he is sitting, you will either be standing or also on the ground. Intentionally or otherwise. If you go to the ground with him and did everything right, you should have an easy time passing. 2 options for completing:

1. You can use the above shuck and take his back.
2. Underhook his right leg and pull it onto your left trap. If he is posting with his left hand, rise up a little with his leg on your trap, so he has to place a LOT of weight on the post. With that arm occupied we are free to pass in that direction. With his leg on your trap, you are not only forcing more weight on his post, but you are blocking his underhook on that side. As with any time you pass, you need to shut down his underhook on that side so he can't take your back. This follows that golden rule. You are also following the golden rule of having your underhook.

At the same time you rise with your underhook, you want to baseball slide your left knee and shin across his kneecap area. Pinning it and distracting him with pain. Otherworldly pain. Ask any of the Hematoma gym guys how it feels to be "surfed". I know people have had nightmares about being "surfed". This pain will get his mind off of defending or launching an offense.

Once you've passed him will either scramble away, try to turtle (which you can allow if it's your game), or lay on his back which places him under side mount. I always suggest allowing him to turtle because as I pass I capture his head and slap on a FNC, FHL, dingleberry/Peruvian necktie, Guillotine, etc.

Next post, I'll discuss other takedowns. Much simpler ones!

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MMA/WRESTLING: Single Leg Takedowns Finishes - part 1

My friend, Joe Silvia, aka Ausgepicht posted some great info on finishing the Single Leg Takedowns. This is part 1 of 4. The other parts can be found here:

• Part 2 (A Proper Running the Pipe Finish)
• Part 3 - Sweeps/Trips
• Part 4 (The Crunk)

Enjoy!

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Excerpted from http://www.spladdle.com/forum/



K-Dub-"T" posted:

Please post 'em.

I get the single a lot and am looking for some nice followups.

Here's one I like:

1. Get single lol... ('pick' calf & trap between your legs)
2. Turn the pike (head on his chest/pec as you turn sharply to side of 'captured' leg.
3. If it fails, use the momentum to remove leg from between yours outside leg steps over), dig both hands under (on inside) & stand up/ straighten back.

If you're on roids, lift him to heaven & slam him, or no roid version; step behind support leg & trip him.

Joe Silvia aka Ausgepicht replied:

This is about finishes so I'll stay away from everything beforehand, except I have to make a note on the single leg base camp: feet close together, knees bent and pinched together trapping his leg, FOREHEAD in his RIBS, elbows cinched at your side (let go as opposed to allowing your elbows away from your side), and hands in a Gordian knot/Gable grip/Chinese "fingertrap" grip. Your "inside hand MUST be on the bottom". MUST. Your energy with the grip is you are trying to contact your solar plexus with the base of the thumb of the top hand. There MUST be pressure here. This energy is coupled with the pressure of driving your elbows into your side.

That is the base camp for the single leg, regardless of how you got there. If ONE if these elements is missing your objective is to restore it or you do NOT have "permission" to work a finish. I don't want to bog things down, but EVERY one of those elements has a distinct purpose.

Running the pipe (which is what I think you mean with "turn the pike") is a last resort due to it's complexity and low percentage. Though running the pipe with a Japanese switch is better, it's still nowhere is good as much simpler and higher percentage takedowns.

These days I only run the pipe to set up the far side knee block. In other words it's a fake. It's just simply not a great finish.

The sheer amount of finishes of a single leg mean I can only touch on a few. Maybe I will keep returning and add more.

The first finish I teach everyone is SIMPLE, easy, and VERY effective. The Treetop single. From your base camp, swing your inside leg out, around and behind you in an arc, freeing his leg from your pinched knees. At the same time, powerfully drive your arm closest to him in an uppercut motion, HIGH. This will lift his leg in the air and begin to tip him as well as making room for the next motion. Immediately place your other arm under his leg and shelf it. Your arms are now acting as a shelf for his entire leg which is too high for him to defend. Your arms are now in a "praying" position. This is the Treetop Single base camp.

From here you have a multitude of choices, but suffice it to say he has next to no offense possible, and nearly no defensive options outside of turning and diving. Here are some quick easy finishes.

1. "The [golf] swing"- turn away and lift HIGH. So there is a pulling away AND lifting motion. Your body posture all the way to your elbows will look like the end of a driving golf swing. His other foot will come off the floor and he will come crashing to the canvas. Be sure to follow to prevent scramble.
2. "The a$$hole dump"- reach around his head with your hand closest to him and drive your other arm towards it so they can join together. You are now bear hugging him with his knee touching his face in a small package or cradle. You may now German Suplex, back arch, or lateral him. Yes, you are the a$$hole if you do this to someone. My personal favorite. In sparring we just buddy lift. It's a moot point once you have him in the air. Optionally you can get forgo the standing cradle and get a seat belt on his hip and just Suplex or back arch.
3. Sweeps and trips - you can lift his leg high and sweep his pillar leg out from behind or step in front and drive for a trip.
4. Spiral - the arm that is closest to him will get him to bend his leg by driving it into the back of his knee POWERFULLY. At the same time, you turn your ENTIRE body, stepping as you go. Then step your foot behind his as you continue to spiral. You need do nothing, he will fall. These are the same motions you use to run the pipe, only his balance is TOAST and can't defend it.
5. "The Crunk"- raise his whole leg and place the back of his knee on one of your traps. You have both hands free to punch him in the face. If his back is against the cage even BETTER. No takedown need be described here. He will fall no matter what you do.

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K-Dub-"T" asked:

 Question:

Quote:

These days I only run the pipe to set up the far side knee block. In other words it's a fake. It's just simply not a great finish

I always think it only fails from not turning enough, and/or the head slipping off and losing contact with the ribs/pec.

I can't remember who I saw do it repeatedly recently... might have been Maia on Grove? he got it almost every time.

Ausgepicht replied:

Yeah, it's one of those moves that has too many "pieces". There are too many variables that have to be right with you alone. It's one of those moves, if I get you a few times, you'll figure out the defense and then it's pretty hard ton finish. It has to be the most stuffed and failed single leg.

You gotta have a GOOD run the pipe single and it doesn't hurt to have someone not so good at defending it. Hence the example you used.

FWIW, the FOREHEAD in the ribs has nothing to do with the finish. It's to bend his upper half off axis. It's a posture wrecker only. The finish is dependent upon your base camp, footwork, angle of fa jing. The lack of footwork and angle is the most common error I see.

So your forehead should never slip off unless you are doing a Japanese switch. You can be not deep enough, so your forehead doesn't have contact, but since you aren't using your forehead to spiral in a "run" it shouldn't slip off or it isn't an issue.

Not sure if that makes sense.



K-Dub-"T" posted:

Oh it does.
How nice to see "fajing" used heh.

Gonna play with this.. treetop single is brand new... I was kind of tree topping the reverse way.

Ausgepicht's reply:


T, I've had too much prior experience with so many other martial arts....if some other culture has a word for something we don't, F the naysayers. It is what it is.

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TRAINING: Shadowboxing Tips - part 4 by Xen Nova

Excerpted from the now-defunct www.spladdle.com:

INTRODUCTION

B&S posted:

Shadow Boxing Tips

I think this is possibly the hardest thing to learn. Over a year later I still look like a drunk retarded bear in a mosh pit if I try to do it with any speed at all. Particularly when I try to throw a hook. Any help, if only for my own vanity?

• Part 1 had advice from Joe Silvia aka Ausgepicht - if you missed it, please read here.
• Part 2 with Xen Nova's tips is here.
• Part 3 was some of my thoughts and can be read here.

What follows is Xen Nova's 2nd reply.

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You know what's really great about this? We've all had different martial-journey's but have come to similar conclusions about the most basic and beneficial aspects of combat. There's a lot to learn from here, because despite minute differences we have overwhelming similarities.

Repetition, Visualization, Mental cues...etc

You can damn near write a book on this:

Shadow-fighting: Simple Execution, Unlimited Depth



Stickgrappler,

That was GREAT, you put into a better framework EVERYTHING I was trying to say. I didn't even think the visualization thing was NLP. Turns out I use that a LOT (even picking up chicks lol). A lot of terms I can use as well. Its frustrating trying to think of how to say something you inherently get, like you said, I'm not a wordsmith like Aus lol.

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TRAINING: Shadowboxing Tips - part 3 by Stickgrappler

Excerpted from the now defunct www.spladdle.com:

INTRODUCTION

B&S posted:

Shadow Boxing Tips

I think this is possibly the hardest thing to learn. Over a year later I still look like a drunk retarded bear in a mosh pit if I try to do it with any speed at all. Particularly when I try to throw a hook. Any help, if only for my own vanity?

• Part 1 had advice from Joe Silvia aka Ausgepicht - if you missed it, please read here.
• Part 2 with Xen Nova's tips is here.

Will post Xen's 2nd reply after this post which is my advice.

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OK, I wrote this without reading Xen's post. There may be overlap.


ABSTRACT (AKA FRAT VERSION)

1. Suppression of the Ego in training
2. Work to flow, be in the moment, get in the zone
3. Train slow before and acquire the technique before you perform it fast
4. Find a model and follow along
5. Try to do the technique with your other hand instead
6. Do not compare yourself to others

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I'm not qualified or experienced as the other Spladdlers. This is just my experience, approach and thinking. I am but a beginner. Please take my post for whatever it is worth.



THE EGO IS AN OBSTACLE IN TRAINING

Quote:

Originally Posted by B&S ... Over a year later I still look like a drunk retarded bear in a mosh pit if I try to do it with any speed at all. ...

I feel one of the hardest obstacles in training any martial artist (or anyone in any endeavor) has to overcome is the "Ego". By Ego I mean:

• the feelings of hopelessness and frustration in not executing a technique to perfection
• the feeling of looking silly in front of others
• the conscious executions of technique

I truly feel the Ego is a disease, not just to martial arts training but even in everyday life. The Ego can get you in trouble e.g. in self-defense situations, work discussions, marital discussions, even parental discussions. If you don't control your Ego, others will be able to 'push your button' and control you. Training, be it partner training or shadowboxing/wrestling, for me is a fight vs my Ego.

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TRAINING: Shadowboxing Tips - part 2 by Xen Nova

Excerpted from the now defunct www.spladdle.com:

INTRODUCTION

B&S posted:

Shadow Boxing Tips

I think this is possibly the hardest thing to learn. Over a year later I still look like a drunk retarded bear in a mosh pit if I try to do it with any speed at all. Particularly when I try to throw a hook. Any help, if only for my own vanity?

Advice from Joe Silvia aka Ausgepicht was posted yesterday - read here.

Xen Nova and I also replied with some advice. Will post mine on Friday along with Xen's 2nd reply tomorrow. Follows is Xen's 1st reply:

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Aus is 100% correct (per usual).

Hopefully my outlook on shadowfighting can aid your struggles, because I felt the same awkwardness when I began shadowboxing.

Non FRAT Version:

• Box super slow
• Drill just specific techniques at a very casual speed till your efficiency goes up

I'll begin by telling you the one thing that improved my thaiboxing beyond any other drills, skills, and other bullsh!t. I just started shadowboxing for 45min to an hour. Completely changed everything. And then lets work on your specific difficulties. So ok lets back track...

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TRAINING: Shadowboxing Tips - part 1 by Joe Silvia aka Ausgepicht

Excerpted from the now defunct www.spladdle.com:

INTRODUCTION

B&S posted:

Shadow Boxing Tips

I think this is possibly the hardest thing to learn. Over a year later I still look like a drunk retarded bear in a mosh pit if I try to do it with any speed at all. Particularly when I try to throw a hook. Any help, if only for my own vanity?

Joe Silvia aka Ausgepicht, Xen Nova and I replied with some advice. Will post Xen's 1st reply tomorrow and mine on Friday along with Xen's 2nd reply. Follows is Ausgepicht's:

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Shadowboxing/wrestling is an art that as far as I'm concerned a person will be working on until his dying day. It's so fundamentally important, overlooked, and complex. It's a lost art, just like the mitts are.

Gable stated it was what separated him from other wrestlers. The sheer amount of time he spent shadow-wrestling. There isn't a single pro boxer that doesn't spend time doing it. Yet even though the greats in these sports do it, it gets understated in it's importance.

When you do it enough, you will reach a high enough level of visualization that you will have "sparring" sessions. You will hit a zone where you actually have an opponent fighting you, "hitting" you, and you are responding. Your brain barely discerns the two. I have actually improved technically and "fixed" habits from shadowbox sparring sessions.

I state this stuff for a number of reasons:

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VIDEO CLIP: Austin Wai in Action and Shaw Brothers' 1983 Five Superfighters Full Movie

1983 Five Superfighters

Plot:  Three young martial arts students and their teacher are beaten up badly by a wandering man who proclaims himself ''a corrector of bad kung-fu.'' Determined to avenge their teacher and regain their honor, the three students all go their separate ways to find kung-fu masters who will take them as students.

Here is a video clip of Austin Wai in action:

OLDSCHOOL RULES!!

Full movie after the jump:

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IN MEMORY OF: Austin Wai (Aug 13, 1957 – Oct 4, 2012), brother of Kara Hui

Photo Credit:  Yahoo News

Austin Wai, probably best known for his role in the Shaw Brothers' Five Superfighters (1983), passed away last week. He was recently in Donnie Yen's Killzone aka SPL (2005) and Flashpoint (2007). I recall his role as Jungyuan Yut-dimhung (roughly translated as Southern China area - One Point Red) in the 1984 Hong Kong TV series "The New Adventures of Chor Lau-heung" (with Michael Miu Kiu-wai as Chor Lau-heung). His tall, dark, handsome and taciturn character was an expert swordsman whose opponents died from his lightning-fast sword. He left only one point on his dead opponents' bodies which was red with blood.

He was the brother of Kara Hui,whose breakout role was in My Young Auntie (1981). She was recently in Donnie Yen's Dragon aka Swordsmen (2011) and from 2008 Legendary Assassin amongst her other work in movies and TV.

Photo Credit:  video4asian.com

Article copied from http://my.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/austin-wai-passes-away-due-excessive-weight-loss-071300314.html:

8 Oct – It was reported that actress Kara Hui's older brother, Hong Kong actor, Austin Wai has passed away.

According to Popular Asians website, sources reported that the actor was found dead in his Beijing home. The news was confirmed by Kara Hui on the evening of the same day, through her Weibo, "I am sad, very sad. Have a good journey, big brother. A really, really good one."

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VIDCLIP: Honoring Bob Bremer 3/2/09 and his 1993 Interview from "The Life of Bruce Lee"

Honoring Bob Bremer on March 2, 2009 from JKD Wednesday Night Group on Vimeo.






Here is an interview with Bob Bremer in 3 parts from 1993's Bruce Lee documentary "The Life of Bruce Lee" aka "Bruce Lee - Martial Arts Master" (UK)".

Parts 2 and 3 after the jump:

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IN MEMORY OF: Bob Bremer (one of Bruce Lee's original students)

Picture Credit:  http://www.jkdwednite.com

UGH! Another original Bruce Lee student passes away.

My sincerest condolences to Bremer Sifu's family, friends, colleagues and students.

RIP



Chinatown JKD posted this to their Facebook yesterday:

For those of you who did not hear this yet, Sifu Bob Bremer passed away last night (Saturday, October 13) after a long bout with illness.

He will be missed...

His legacy continues through the efforts of the teachers and students of the Chinatown JKD Association and the JKD Wednesday Night Group.

Copied the bio from:  http://www.jkdwednite.com/Bob.htm

Bob Bremer began training in the martial arts with his children at Ed Parker's Kenpo school in Pasadena, California. After practicing Kenpo for about two years he saw Bruce Lee demonstrate Jeet Kune Do and immediately enrolled at Bruce's school in Los Angeles. Bob had the second most lessons with Bruce Lee at the Chinatown school and was fortunate enough to train with Bruce at this home on Sundays. He was also a part of the original "backyard" class taught by Dan Inosanto when Bruce Lee closed the Chinatown school and left for Hong Kong. After retiring as a crane operator Bob began attending Tim Tackett's Wednesday night classes and forever changed the Wednesday Night Group's expression of Jeet Kune Do.

Linda Lee Cadwell had this to say about Bob Bremer:

"In the 40-plus years that I have known Bob, his legendary status among JKD practitioners is well-deserved. To my knowledge, Bob has always strived to pass on only the techniques and aspects of Bruce Lee that he himself experienced without branching out, elaborating, embroidering on or interpreting anything beyond Bruce's teaching. I respect Bob's approach to teaching jeet kune do, for Bruce had much to offer that did not require updating, revising or adapting. With Bob Bremer, you get the real deal".

Here are some video clips of Bremer Sifu:

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IN MEMORY OF: Masayuki Shimabukuro (Iaido/Kenjutsu/Jodo master)

Found out this past weekend, that Masayuki Shimabukuro Sensei passed away. When I was researching the Japanese Sword arts, I came across his books and dvd's and liked them.

My sincerest condolences to Masayuki Shimabukuro Sensei's family, colleagues, friends and students.

RIP



Copied from:

http://www.blackbeltmag.com/daily/traditional-martial-arts-training/iaido/the-passing-of-a-samurai-sword-master-masayuki-shimabukuro/

The Passing of a Samurai Sword Master: Masayuki Shimabukuro

by Carl E. Long
Lead photo by Robert Reiff | Large photo by Raymond Horwitz – September 13, 2012 

 

Photo Credit:  Robert Reiff

Dear Friends and Fellow Martial Artists,

It is with much regret that I extend to you all the tragic news of the passing of our honorable teacher Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi. He was the 21st-generation master of the Masaoka line of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido and a founding member of the North American Japan Masters Association.

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SELF-DEFENSE: Lee Aldridge - Rear Bear Hug Escape

Rear Bear Hug Escape

By Lee Aldridge

Introduction


One of the most frightening attacks for women to imagine is being grabbed from behind. Unable to see your attacker and unable to reach out toward him, being "controlled" with your arms pinned has caused many women to panic.

The goal of the attacker is usually to drag or carry you away. We will first demonstrate the basic options available to you to strike him as he holds you. These options will be pictured without the motion of the drag/carry. Then, we will deal with the problem of being moved against your will, and how to stop the attacker from moving you effectively. Once the attacker has had to pause his movement, you may then use the initial strikes shown. ;-)

To set the stage, Roger grabs Lauren from behind. The size difference is not hard to notice! HOWEVER, NOTICE THAT IN ORDER TO GRAB HER SECURELY, ROGER MUST LOWER HIMSELF SO THAT HIS HEAD AND SHOULDERS ARE EVEN WITH LAUREN'S! Knowing this will serve you greatly!

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SELF-DEFENSE: Lee Aldridge - Defense against Front Grab/Choke

Defense against Front Grab/Choke

By Lee Aldridge

Introduction

In this series, we'll show a few options for you to use when grabbed/choked from the front.

An important rule to remember when someone grabs you is that they are "tying up" the hand(s) that are holding you, so that they cannot hit you with those hands as long as they hold you. This allows you to achieve a situation where your weapons "outnumber" his limbs that he can block with!

Of course, you should act as quickly as possible, since a violent attacker twice your size doesn't need very long to choke you. There will be motion involved, probably "whipping" you around as this sequence takes place, so get the feel of how to use the basic weapons first. Then, you can slowly increase the "violence" of the motion supplied by your training partner so that you can see how these weapons fit into the "big picture". ;-)

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SELF-DEFENSE: Lee Aldridge - Getting Up and Away from the Ground

Getting Up and Away from the Ground

By Lee Aldridge

Introduction

The possibility of being knocked to the ground and having to get back up safely, while an attacker looms overhead, can be a grim one. I've seen several "streetfight" videos where the individual who is knocked down actually receives far more damaging blows from the opponent AS THEY ATTEMPT TO GET BACK UP! Most often, kicks to the head (football punt style) are used as the hapless person's head becomes an easy target.

Starting with the assumption that we should face upwards when on the ground, so that we can fight with all our limbs and see the largest area, here's Lauren after being pushed to the ground by Bruce:

Notice Lauren gets her feet in between her and the attacker to make it harder for him to subdue her. The photos are relatively "still-posed" to show the mechanics of the movement.

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SELF-DEFENSE: Lee Aldridge - Escape from the Rape Position

Escape from the Rape Position

By Lee Aldridge

Introduction

In this series, we will look at the tactics and techniques involved in escaping from beneath an attacker who is between your legs, with you on your back. This is one of the "goal" positions of a rapist, and you should be familiar with the dynamics of being held beneath a larger person. Having your legs "free" on the outside provides you more mobility than you would first assume.

We should assume that the attacker is much larger and stronger than you. This method involves using the strength in your legs, hips, and lower back to generate effective leverage that will allow you to create enough space between you and the attacker so that you may strike him. You will be able to free your hands (if he is restraining them) and you'll be able to kick him as well. Ultimately, you will have enough space to escape.

For purposes of clarity, the photos will not show any use of the defender's hands so that the mechanics of the escape and the creation of leverage can be clearly seen. Obviously, using such strikes/gouges as the eye attacks (shown in the Eye Gouging 101 thread) will greatly enhance the overall success of this method. Keep in mind, as you study the photos, that you will have opportunities to employ strikes/gouges with your hands!  ;-)

To demonstrate a worst-case scenario, here are RBFC Assistant Instructor Roger and RBFC Apprentice Instructor Lauren to show how even a large size difference can be overcome.

Notice the size differential: Roger 6'5" 240# and Lauren 5'5" (less than half Roger's weight)

The positional goal for escape

The following picture details the desired position that you will attempt to achieve to execute the escape.

Your feet/legs will be formed into a "froggy" stance, with your feet forming a "V" and pressing into the attacker's inguinal folds. In layman's terms, this means that your feet will lie in the groove formed where his legs meet his torso.

Here is the desired position:  
 

 

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SELF-DEFENSE: Lee Aldridge - Women's Self Defense: Short Treatise

Women's Self Defense: Short Treatise

By Lee Aldridge

I recently posted this on another forum in reply to several posts that advocated such approaches as aikido and kenjutsu as good preparation for female SD. I hope that these comments can also spark some discussion regarding the focus of every individual's training and how we can often lose sight of the "event". A bit of the post may seem disjointed without the context of the other posts, but I believe that the gist of things will be clear.

Humans learn best when they practice the exact event in which they will participate. To effectively construct a training environment for females, you must create close replicas of the scenarios which a woman will face. Progressing through the verbal interaction with strangers (or acquaintances of whom the female is "not sure") and continuing on to more physical duplications of realistic male-on-female attacks, you may develop both the physical tactics AND the psycho-emotional steadiness that enables effective action.

Therefore, the most effective women's self-defense training is that which introduces a small number of extremely nasty strikes (which are also used to effect release from grabs) and allows the opportunity to explore their use in the greatest number of situations. Adding in some elements of BJJ, using applicable leverages that enable the female to gain positional advantage while held down, prepares the student for the reality of a larger, stronger attacker on top of you. Introducing the concept of environmental weaponry begins the development of the thought processes that give rise to "being armed" in any location. For those interested, dealing with carry of purpose-built weapons AND access to those weapons under the duress of a realistic fight elevates survival capability immensely.

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SELF-DEFENSE: Lee Aldridge - Adrenal Stress Training: The Hows and Whys

Adrenal Stress Training: The Hows and Whys

By Lee Aldridge

The topic of adrenal stress training can be quite controversial. I thought that a more detailed explanation of the methodologies (and reasoning behind them) could be beneficial.

PROGRESSIVE EXPERIENCE

Humans tend to learn most efficiently when certain steps occur during their course of study.

1. Skill Acquisition
2. Skill Development
3. Performance Simulation
4. Real-World Performance

For the purposes of Adrenal Stress Training (AST), the above 4 categories are comprised of distinct elements which each play an important part in the end product.

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SELF-DEFENSE: Lee Aldridge - Why Adrenal Stress Training?

Why Adrenal Stress Training?

By Lee Aldridge

When looking at those with "experience", we see some general trends and characteristics among this group of practitioners.

The most universal attribute which is often discussed is relaxation under pressure. This phenomenon can be seen in everything from tennis matches to Wall Street trading.

How do we attain this?

Repetition (exposure) with the desired situation is a key factor in ingraining "behaviors". By practicing a certain thing many times, it is possible to figure out how to perform the task most efficiently, thereby improving proficiency. Among the qualities which are affected are:

• Coordination
• Speed
• Efficiency
• Focus

Of these qualities, I will "focus" on the last one. By Focus, I mean the apparent ease at which experienced practitioners affect a response to a given stimulus. I mean the increased efficiency of perception which leads to a simplified decision-making process while engaged. I mean the "unflappability" under pressure which allows one to perform at their best in a chaotic environment.

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SELF-DEFENSE: SouthNarc (aka Craig Douglas) - Some thoughts on the "Default Position"

Earlier I posted a piece by Lee Aldridge on the "Default Position". Following it up with Craig Douglas' (aka SouthNarc) thoughts.

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Some thoughts on the "Default Position"

By SouthNarc (aka Craig Douglas)

Doctrinally, let me add some things about this concept since the term "default position" was chosen when there were some semantic issues abounding over the old "flinch" terminology.

This concept is nothing new. It's been around in some shape or fashion for a long time and neither I nor Lee invented anything.

To utilize any default position you've got to have an inkling that there's trouble. If I am standing on the street corner engrossed in a cell phone conversation with my eyes downcast and a guy walks up from behind and smokes me in the head with a socket wrench, there's no response that's going to solve that problem.

Alot of the conversion from "flinch" to "default" is contingent upon time. I think if you walk around a corner and a bee zips into your eye, you're going to jerk your face back and step away, which usually will bow the pelvis forward. OTOH, if you're standing around with a buddy horseplaying and he swats at your crotch, you'll probably bow the pelvis to the rear and scoot back a stutter step or two which cranes the neck forward generally.

So awareness and good threat management are key issues to making this work.

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SELF-DEFENSE: Lee Aldridge - Default Positions, Pre-Emptive Striking, and Mass Confusion

Default Positions, Pre-Emptive Striking, and Mass Confusion 

By Lee Aldridge

The subject of various "default positions" ( formerly poorly called flinches ) has been bandied about on the internet for quite some time. There are several good reasons to practice and "ingrain" a default position, while the arguments against this practice lose substance upon examination.

• A good default position protects your head from several angles simultaneously

• A good default position prevents you from being knocked over by a charging assault

• A good default position sets you up for instant offensive retaliation

Now, I have purposely left out discussion involving use against edged weapons attack (for now).

Why a default position?

I have spent many hours talking with SouthNarc about the need for default positions. We both agree that it is EXTREMELY difficult to train most folks to strike someone pre-emptively. Whether the hesitation derives from legal concerns, or simply whether "force" is called for, the fact remains that making the decision to strike "in the field" is usually harder than it seems in training.

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SELF-DEFENSE: Lee Aldridge - Handling "Stranger" Confrontations: A 12Step Plan to Success

With kind permission of Lee Aldridge, I'm posting this great article of his which goes hand-in-hand with an article I posted earlier by Craig Douglas aka SouthNarc - Managing Unknown Contacts.

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Handling "Stranger" Confrontations: A 12Step Plan to Success

By Lee Aldridge

While we spend most of our time discussing and practicing "fighting skills", another area of focus which greatly affects the outcome of a confrontation is addressed far less frequently. I'm speaking of the "progression" of a street encounter from the beginning, and how it unfolds BEFORE THE FIGHT BEGINS.

The vast majority of "encounters" on the streets never turn into a "real fight". However, the uneasiness and uncertainty that fills the atmosphere during those tense moments as a stranger approaches are quite real. The tension generated also affects your performance in the coming moments. Wouldn't it be great if we could figure out how to reduce the apprehension and create a way of dealing more effectively with these situations? :idea:

Look no further.

Just as we drill incessantly on H2H combinations, we can also put into action a solid, logical plan to handle the unpleasant moments where we are approached, and are not sure what the future holds.



I suggest a simple progression which allows you to get ready for the possibility of violence, yet allows the other individual the chance to disengage before any "conflict" occurs. The outlined information here is merely an example for you to follow and compare to what you may have already adopted. For those who've not considered this part of encountering unknown folks, please think through how these steps allow you to keep control of things.

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VIDCLIP: Dog Brothers in Action

Check out Eric Knaus aka Top Dog, Arlan Sanford aka Salty Dog, Marc Denny aka Crafty Dog, and Benjamin Rittiner aka Lonely Dog in action.

Couldn't find a real Top Dog in Action clip as well as one for Salty Dog... hopefully there will clips made soon! For now check out Top Dog shadowfighting... check his gracefulness, his power, his footwork, his Alive hand, etc.

Arjarn Salty teaching Krabi Krabong, one of the core arts in Dog Brothers Martial Arts.

Enjoy!

Top Dog doing Karenza (shadowfighting)

Salty Dog teaching Krabi Krabong - 8 Count drill

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VIDCLIP: Dog Brothers Gathering of the Pack / New Mexico Gathering - highlights

Yesterday I posted some video clips of the Dog Brothers Tribal Gatherings, today here are 2 highlights of the Open Gatherings as well as 2 clips of the New Mexico Gatherings. Enjoy!

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Dog Brothers Gathering of the Pack 2009

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Dog Brothers Gathering of the Pack 2010

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New Mexico Dog Brothers 2012 Summer Gathering

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New Mexico Dog Brothers 2012 Spring Gathering

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If you would like to participate in a Gathering in California, contact:  http://www.dogbrothers.com

If you would like to participate in a New Mexico Gathering, please call 505-554-3888 for more information.

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VIDCLIP: Dog Brothers Tribal Gathering Highlights

The Dog Brothers have two types of Gatherings where they test their fighting skills with stick(s), staff, knives, grappling (with and without a stick or knife) and even "exotic" weapons such as the spear, three-sectional staff, nine sectioned whip, cane, shield, sword, etc.

There is the Open Gathering in which anyone in the world can test their skills. There is also a Closed-Door session known as a  "Tribal Gathering" where only members of the Dog Brothers Tribe participate.

Below are highlights of the past three:

Dog Brothers 2010 Tribal Gathering Highlights

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TRAINING: Benjamin "Lonely Dog" Rittiner Workouts 4-8

Check out some of Guro Benjamin Rittiner's (aka Lonely Dog of the Dog Brothers) training for Stickfighting. Here are the next four clips. 

Lonely Dog's Workout 005 - Kicking

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TRAINING: Benjamin "Lonely Dog" Rittiner Workouts1-4

Check out some of Guro Benjamin Rittiner's (aka Lonely Dog of the Dog Brothers) training for Stickfighting. Here are the first four clips.

Lonely Dog's Workout 001 - Hitting the Tire

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