Combat Sports Historian and Martial Artist
Posts about martial arts concepts and principles.
Most self-defense programs are made up of striking or grappling techniques. A few self-defense systems use techniques from both. Striking and grappling techniques can both be effective but sometimes a defender needs an equalizer. Policeman carry night sticks and tasers for this reason. The laws of the United States ban most weapons but one tool legal to carry anywhere is
When most students start forms training, their main focus is on learning the proper sequence of the techniques to perform the pattern in the prescribed manner. It is unusual for a beginning or even intermediate student to think too much about what they are doing with the techniques and what they are defending against. Is the technique straight forward or
The legendary Bruce Lee wrote an article for Black Belt magazine many years ago which challenged the efficiency and efficacy of kata, forms or pattern training. Ever since the publication of this article, many other martial artists have begun to challenge or question the need for forms training. Since I am dedicated to teaching self defense, you would think I
One of the best thing about the martial arts such as Taekwondo is the ability for fathers, mothers, children, grandchildren and other family members to train together. You develop a mutual interest you cannot replicate by sitting in the stands watching your children play baseball, soccer, etc. Besides training with all three of my kids and my wife, who trained
Martial artists always created their arts to solve a problem. Judo was created when Dr. Jigoro Kano put his mind to solving the problem of how to train at 100 percent effort without getting someone injured by the crippling techniques of Japanese Ju-Jitsu. Helio Gracie created the basis for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by trying to solve the problem of how a
Once you reach the rank of black belt, you will find it difficult if not impossible to workout in class. Unless you have lots of black belts, who can take turns rotating, you will spend most of your time teaching. The window of training in class also closes the longer that you are a black belt. How do you continue
As a taekwondo stylist, I spent my first few years of training trying to develop high kicks. I could throw crescent kicks head height pretty easily and even an occasional side kick. For the most part, my kicks tended to land on the body not the head. However, high kicks are still beautiful to behold and with several spectacular head
We always taught students not to punch to the head during self-defense training. Yet, we did teach students to punch to head height on pads, when teaching striking. After watching some of mixed martial arts legend Bas Rutten’s fights from Pancrase, it struck me what we were doing wrong. Pancrase banned closed fists to the head. Rutten, an accomplished muay
Michael Hyatt recently wrote an article about retirement being a modern invention and dirty word. I agree with his views with one caveat. At different seasons in our life, it is time to let somethings go to make space for new things. To do new things well, we sometimes have to let go of the old. When I was in
Recently, I heard a podcast about clearly identifying why you do anything because it is important to effectively deliver your message. I started a martial arts blog for one main reason and a couple lesser ones. I am going to cover the main reason today. I was not satisfied with most of the martial arts instruction related to self-defense. You