About four years ago Carl recommended we start using the Bogu during our kumite (sparring practice). This method was developed in Okinawa and then found its way into mainland Japan and eventually to the U.S. where only a few clubs still do this. And even in those clubs, only a few members do it. I [...]
Note: I wrote this essay regarding the development of Tekkenryu jujutsu. However, I think it is applicable for all methods of self defense. It may also explain why martial arts are the way they are.
Catholic, by definition, means universal or “broad minded”.
I could pull out STACKS of manuals, syllabuses, films, and related research material that [...]
Do not believe that practicing “by rote” 1-2-3,etc. type “responses” to street attacks is a viable or particularly useful training exercise. Example: He does this, I do that. For attack A I use Defense A.
Realize that in a street fight there are far too many variables, too many contingencies. Uncle Murphy rules the roost. Terrain, [...]
I was talking to a parent recently and they told me that their son was not going to compete in wrestling because they were afraid they would get frustrated when he lost. The parent felt the child was far too sensitive to handle the frustration of failure and may get ‘burnt out’. My response was, [...]
How many times do you practice techniques with your training partner and you stay in the same spot? Next time you are training, see how much you and your partner move. You will find you move very little or not at all. You see, when you are training, or doing ANYTHING for that matter, you [...]
Frequently, I get asked about certifications, systems or methods. We made a decision a long time ago of purposely staying away from things like this.
Obviously, it’s a no-brainer, money maker and it’s not that I don’t want to make money; but our purpose was to give you real training on the real stuff. Certifications and [...]
It’s a question that we went back and forth with for awhile ourselves many moons ago. The “how” and “why” of our conclusions may be of some interest. Whether or not anyone agrees with them, well at the least you’ll fully understand the basis for them.
The question is this:
Why does Fairbairn stress the straight thumb [...]
Over the next couple of day’s I will writing an article of the history of Pre-WWII Japanese Jujitsu/Judo. I wasn’t sure where to start, but here I am so let’s get started.
I’m going to start with H. Irving Hancock, who in the early 1900’s wrote several books on the history of Japanese physical training & [...]
We all have a good foundation in the basic blows and combinations.
Think about adding the following drills to your basic syllabus.
These can be trained as “stand alone” combinations OR worked into existing “Defendu” combinations either “before” or “after”.
1. HARD left lead to chin (mental foramen) HARD overhand right to chin (opposite side) then: HARD upward [...]
“Daddy, I want to take Karate!”
“Mommy, Jimmy on the bus hit me again today”
There are many reasons why parents want to sign their children up for Self Defense or Martial Arts classes. Once you have made the decision, now you are faced with many different options and questions. What style? How much does it cost? [...]