Eagles Claws, Tiger Claws, Bear Claws, OH MY!

Okay folks,

 So that last one was a doughnut. I am going to focus on the first two. I find that in modern Martial Arts study, with the rise of MMA, many artists have gravitated to what is " most practical" As a  Kenpo stylist, a significant part of our arsenal comes from the 5 animal theory. What that means to the layman, is that a solid number of techniques do not include striking with a CLOSED fist. Now don't get me wrong, nothing gets me riled up more than so called "masters" claiming that the closed fist method is LESS effective than open hand strikes. On the other hand, I also get my collective wits all tangled up when boxers and kick-boxers ( SPORT combatants mind you ) insist that open hand strikes are nothing more than glorified noogies and Indian Burns.

This is NOT a case of better or worse, there is only different. The way that I explain my use of open versus closed hand strikes has a lot to do with the technique and am teaching and the scenario. I do NOT want little Johnny using a crane's beak to the eye of a kid who took his lunch money. A reverse punch will do the trick. I want little Juanito to use that technique if a would be kidnapper grabs him.

I want little Susie to elbow some jerk who calls her ugly and pushes her. I want her to use a panther fist to the throat of some pervert who thinks that he can invade her space and violate her. In the Thomas Kenpo Karate method, we live by one main maxim: THE SITUATION WILL DICTATE WHAT YOU DO!

The issue that most people have with open hand techniques, is that they are not drilled properly. I hear people say things like, "how do you know they work if you cannot use them in practice?"  That is a valid question. My answer is that the Thomas Kenpo method has a systematic way of practicing eye pokes, throat attacks and eye raking techniques. We do not leave anything to theory or hypothetical situations. So don't hate on the open hand strikes, because I will totally eagle strike you :)

"How to train to be a better street-fighter"

Folks,

I put that in quotes because I would never say something so stupid. Matter of facts this is one of the dumbest names of one of the dumbest articles I have ever seen. In one of my old Black Belt magazines ( of course I save a lot of them for reference) there was an article by some knuckle-head named Richard Ryan. Now I dont know the guy, and maybe I am being a little harsh, but this article was straight up lawn fertilizer. NOT because the techniques were off base, or that all of his logic was bad. So why am I all in a twist?

Because why in the name of all things holy would I want to become a better street-fighter? As a martial aritst we should absolutely HATE street figthing. I can understand that fighting in the streets may happen. But to train to become a street fighter means abandoning all of the things that makes the martial arts so special.  Maybe I am just ranting against semantics, but it is a rant that I must make nonetheless. We are NOT street-fighters. We are Martial Artists who may have to use their skills in the street. IF you dont know the difference, I pity you.

A little bit of something about techniques

Folks,

I have been thinking a lot about the techniques taught in most Martial Art systems. As most of you know, I find that most of Martial Arts use an ineffective model,and can lead to a false belief about the efficacy of the art. Lots of techniques have cool names and all of that. In my opinion, those are just mnemonic tools to help folks remember what the techniques are used to defend. My question for you today is: Are techniques the best way to teach intermediate to advanced skills in the Martial Arts?

Let me speak on it. I know that the curriculum is taught to familiarize beginners with the basic techniques and so forth., But once a student has become familiar with them, I believe those techniques are not as useful. Those techniques are to be used to help students improve muscle memory and reaction speed, not to be relied on in a chaotic, real fight situation. My pops used to have us stand in a circle, and have our training partners attack in random order in random ways. Those drills helped us build our threat assessment skills and real live defenses. Our techniques and defenses were not as pretty as previously done in the two step sparring scenarios, but they were effective.

Just a thought folks: Dont skimp on live sparring. It is the best way to sharpen our resolve, and our weapons. It is likely our best learning tool, and we need to use it safely as often as possible. I may speak on this later, but I am tired and I am going to sleep. Later gators!

A means in and off itself

Folks,

I am writing this post because I was thinking on the fundamental issues that I see when looking at the striking verses the grappling arts. This is not going to be one of those crappy "mine is better than yours" posts. But I have noticed a trend recently. I am not saying that it is new, but it just came to me when I was thinking back on it. I was thinking about how the self defense techniques tend to vary from the striking arts to the grappling ones.

Lets say we are going to practice a defense against a jab and cross combo. A grappler will either shoot in on the legs or use a throw or lock up a limb in a way that controls their opponent. There is the control and then the opportunity strike the opponent as needed. I am not talking about any grappling art in particular. I mean it could be Judo,Kalaripayattu, Sambo, BJJ, Kuresh, Aikido or Dumog.

In the striking arts, often-times, the students act like the defense of the technique is the ultimate goal. There is a standard block or evasion and then a usually two step counter. I find this to be a bit dis-heartening. I think that every technique should include not only the 3 to 4 step response, but the options of more and clearing the area. When I say clearing the area, I mean covering out when appropriate and looking around to make sure that nobody else is going to join the fray uninvited.

I find that grapplers more often than strikers tend to think one step ahead of their opponents. They often use their bodies in such a way as to feel out there opponents so that they can better read their opponent. Since strikers often do NOT use their bodies, but distance as their ally, they tend to read their opponent in an incomplete way.  This is especially true since chain striking is not taught as often as it should be in American Martial Arts.

If I am wrong, school me folks, I am going to celebrate the Alabama victory over Mississippi. ROLL TIDE!

Learning a lot, or learning a little very well

Hey folks,

As a lot of you know, I have a lot of experience in quite a few martial arts. But the longer I train, the less I care about style, technique names and history. I believe that the techniques are a good way to help folks that don't have any combat experience. Learning by rote is one of the most effective ways to learn, and I really don't have any problems with it.

I do believe that the focus of the training should definitely go to trying to perfect your basics. Not only are the basics more important than the "flashy" techniques, they are far more reliable than the stuff that sells movies. I have thrown exactly zero spinning back kicks in a real fight situation. I have found reliable success with the back fist to the nose front kick to the groin combination. That said, I urge you all to look at your training.

That being said, today I am re-dedicating my life to the basics. I have done this before, and I am doing it again. Stretching, back fist-reverse punch-lead hook, front kick combos will be a staple. I will get my side kick from the lead leg to be at a level where I can land it reliably on highly skilled opponents. My word is my bond. Outro folks!!

What is a Mcdojo?

Now if there was EVER a topic that enthralls/delights/entices/disgusts and exasperates me, it is the idea of a Mcdojo. Now some of you martial arts newbies or layfolks may not know what that is. A Mcdojo is a school or chain of schools where the original principles of the martial arts are disregarded for the sake of profit.

Now this term has been alive in well in Southern California for a long time. And since a large part of this blog involves what is WRONG with the martial arts world, I have always felt strongly about this. The crazy thing is that subconsciously I think that most people have equated financially successful schools as automatically being Mcdojos. I dont think that it is fair.

The problem is that most of the highly successful schools ARE Mcdojos. You know what I mean. "Karate" classes for 3 year olds. 7 year old Black Belts. THOSE are Mcdojos. But there are also some very good examples of schools that are successful and put out an amazing product. Now, before I give an example of those exceptional schools, let me just give some examples of what Mcdojos do.

First of all, they have a formula that is business proven to be successful.  They dont really care as much about the martial artists that they produce as much as the profits they produce. Dont get me wrong, any person who does their job well deserves the financial rewards that they can garner. But Mcdojos have gimmicks and misleading marketing methods that pull in the uninitiated and part them from their hard earned money. Think about a weight loss programs and fad diets. They claim that they can help you lose weight and get fit in record time. You do get lighter........in the wallet. They teach nothing about long lasting health, nor do they care to do so.

Second is that Mcdojos lead parents to believe that the Martial Arts are NOT about self-defense. You can fertilize the grass with that. The Martial Arts have ALWAYS been about self-defense, with the character building being a by product of the training.

The third and last thing that Mcdojos do is provide a lot of sizzle and no steak. They do demonstration of brick breaking, knowing that the bricks are prepared before-hand. They do demonstrations that have been well orchestrated so that self defense looks easy to master. And they are providing a disservice to those who NEED to learn how to defend themselves. I am still to peeved to continue. I am going to go have some graham crackers, Peace folks!!

My latest inspiration

Folks,

After a long time in the martial arts, I am always thankful when something gives me a push in the right direction. I just recently read about the first women who completed the hyaku kumite. For those who dont know, it is a kyokushin test where a person fights 100 matches in a row for 3 minutes apiece. It is widely considered the ultimate martial arts test.  Less than 20 people have completed it at this point, and that a woman completed it is note worthy. All of her matches were against skilled male practitioners. Now this may be done again at some point in the future, but she will always be the first. Madam you have inspired me. Osu!

Just a quick slice of etiquette

Folks,

I just wanted to drop a bit of knowledge for the newbies out there. Now, likely as not you have learned not to step on the dojo mats with shoes, dont cross your right lapel over the left, etc. But I just want to school you a taste today. Do NOT, no matter what the temptation, ask when you get your next belt. It is like asking an American woman how much she weighs, or who they voted for. It just isnt polite. Also, traditionally, whenever you ask. you have just added 6 months to the time that you are inquiring about. Consider yourself schooled.