Planet Arnis

28 August 2015

St Louis Counterpoint Martial Arts

Footwork Friday: Step Drag Shadow

Last week, we discussed the step drag shuffle. We began our study of linear footwork. This week, I’d like to build off that footwork into a shadowing drill. This drill can be used with any footwork pattern, but for the purposes of this blog post, I’m limiting it to step drag. Let’s dive right in.

cts-logo01.png

Disclaimer: The footwork discussed below is from Counterpoint Tactical System as I’ve learned it from Master Zach Whitson. Any errors or inconsistencies are mine. The spirit of this series is me studying footwork in more depth. I don’t claim to know everything, and I will make mistakes. But, again, those mistakes are mine. Also, this article is for reference only and should be used as a secondary source only. Please, see a Filipino martial arts instructor if you wish to really and accurately learn these techniques.

Step Drag Fwd

In the GIF above, Joe and Kyle are moving slowing, in sync with one another forward and backward. The foot  closest to the direction they want to move is the one that makes the step. So, if Kyle wants to move backwards, his back foot steps and the front drags. Joe moving forward steps with the front foot and drags the rear. When the students get the footwork down, I like to increase the complexity a bit by adding in a reaction drill. It’s not just a follow drill, though, it is a mirror drill. One student leads the footwork, and the second student mirrors the first. The lead student decides which way to move. It is up the second student to maintain the distance between them. The goal is for the second student to react to the first student. I call this a shadow drill because I want Joe to stick to Kyle as if he were Kyle’s shadow.

Joe and Kyle are moving slowly in the video because we start off everything slowly. I recommend starting off slowly to adjust to the mirrored movement. The lead student should not follow a set pattern. You can speed this drill up and train the following students reactions. Always keep in mind maintaining the distance is the goal. If you can control the distance, you can control where the fight takes place.

Forward and Triangle

The example I used is the step drag footwork, but you can do this drill with whatever footwork you choose. I recommend working the drill by isolating each footwork pattern first. Then, you can increase complexity by mixing two different patterns, and each progression adds another pattern. You can follow a set pattern or let the lead student choose randomly. Happy Friday everyone!


by stlcounterpoint at 28 August, 2015 05:00 PM

27 August 2015

MyFMA

Preparing for Iron Mountain

The ninth annual Iron Mountain instructor training camp is approaching. This is my sixth time attending the camp. This year is a special one for me because I will be testing for first degree black belt. I wrote about preparing for the camp. Read about it here!

by Eric Primm at 27 August, 2015 01:27 PM

26 August 2015

St Louis Counterpoint Martial Arts

Preparing for Iron Mountain

2015 Iron Mountain camp is a little over a month away. This will be my sixth year attending the Counterpoint Tactical System’s intensive instructor’s camp. At that first camp, six years ago, I tested for blue belt in CTS, which is the first rank. I met a number of great individuals and witnessed my first black belt exam. At that camp, I set a goal to one day to stand in front of Master Zach Whitson, founder of Counterpoint Tactical System, and perform as best as I’m able to on that exam. This October, my goal will be complete.

I and five other candidates will demonstrate our abilities and knowledge of the first black belt curriculum. A number of candidates will be testing for various ranks during this camp, including one second degree, five third degree, and one fourth degree black belt. I’m looking forward to all the tests. I’m nervous about mine. Right now, it’s too abstract to be real. Once the test starts, the nerves will settle, and it’ll be time to give it my best. This is a goal that I’ve worked hard at achieving. I’ve trained and passed all of my exams up until this one. The big one. The strange thing is that I still feel like a white belt. Don’t get me wrong, my skills, attributes, and health have changed dramatically since that first camp, and I’m proud of my performance on every one of my past exams. It’s just that there is still so much to learn. I hope that I never lose the feeling of being a white belt because it represents the desire to learn.

Me and my teachers 02

The first degree black belt is just a stage upon the journey. It is a special belt because it seems like I now know how to learn. All the belts that came before were foundational work, and the first degree black belt is the threshold to stage two. I’ve learned to crawl and then walk. Now, it’s time to learn how to run. Of course, this is just my guess. I’ve never sat down with Master Whitson to ask what the first black belt means to him. I should probably do that. This is a special belt, though. Upon passing every other exam, Master Whitson awards the candidate with a certificate indicating a passed exam. The first degree black belt exam is the only one – so far – that Master Whitson awards an actual belt upon passing. Having watched five sets of candidates receive that belt, I understand what a special moment it is. I look forward to having that moment myself. I’ve been working hard in hope that this is my year, but if I come up short, I’ll be back again next year. I’ve seen the material that lies beyond first black belt, and that knowledge is motivation to keep trying.

Z and me 02

I still feel like a white belt. But my instructor, Master Whitson, is putting me up for this test. That’s a huge honor that he thinks I’m ready. His belief in me motivates me. Frankly, I’m a terrible judge of my own skill level. But I’ve seen five other first degree black belt exams. It’s humbling that my instructor and others think I belong with that group. Having seen the previous tests, I know what is expected, and it motivates me when I’m tired or lazy. When I stand in front of the exam board, I’ll perform as best as I’m able because my instructor deserves no less than my best, because all of the black belts who earned their rank deserve no less than my best if I’m to join them.

Black belt

The belt represents hard work and effort. It stands for all the hours of training put in. It represents perseverance, that when things got tough, you buckled down and did the work. It is meaningless unless it is earned. It’s. Meaningless. Unless. Earned. Time to get back to training.


by stlcounterpoint at 26 August, 2015 05:00 PM

25 August 2015

MyFMA

Footwork Friday: Forward Triangle


On my blog, I'm posting a series of articles about Filipino martial arts footwork. Every Friday brings about a new article. I've gotten behind in posting the articles to this forum; so, I'm now playing catch up and posting the articles here.

This was the second in my footwork Friday articles. It discusses the companion to the reverse triangle. The forward triangle is also known as the male triangle in certain FMAs that I've come across. Forward triangle is a great example for teaching new students how to exit on an angle. Thanks for reading!

Footwork Fridays: Forward Triangle

by Eric Primm at 25 August, 2015 01:03 PM

24 August 2015

Filipino Fighting Secrets Live

On Martial Arts Alliances

There are many roads to the top of a mountain, and likewise–there are many paths to perfection and mastery of the martial arts. One of the most underused and misused of these paths is the Martial Arts Alliance or Organization. Sadly, the ones misuing this institution are the most knowledgeable of the martial arts community:  The Martial Arts School Owner.

The association of martial artists can range from your typical backyard sparring group to an alliance made up of martial arts schools to a federation of schools within the same system. There are many benefits to connecting and networking with other teachers, masters and differing systems–and none involve politics and rank.

Before we look at the benefits, lets look at the misuse of the martial arts alliance:

  • RANK. Teachers often use the association to promote each other in the absence of an exam or the threat of failing to achieve it. Basically, teachers who are fond of each other hold dinners where they award a certificate to a specific set of teachers–signed by everyone NOT being promoted–which recognizes those teachers as the next degree (or worse, a title). Quid Pro Quo, next ceremony, the promoted will promote the signers, and so on. You scratch my back, I’ll recognize you as a Grandmaster
  • TOURNAMENTS. I actually like this system, if it’s used properly. However, I have seen where groups of schools exclude anyone not in the club for competition. So now, we have tournaments being thrown only among a circle of like-minded schools, masters, and students–and only someone within that circle will walk away winners. Even if they allow non-members, many will see to it that a member wins. Whether by design or by unfair judging, this is usually the case with such exclusive tournaments. Then they have the nerve to call winners “World Champions”…
  • SEMINARS. You guys already know my stance on this hustle. I dislike seminar training so much, I will attempt to discredit in person every person I meet who learns this way. How it is misused is that teachers will hold a round of seminars among a group of friends and the students of these nine schools will attend (and pay for) the tenth teacher’s seminar, and next time around–another of the nine schools will host, and so on. I understand keeping the money circulating through the schools. However, students are often unfairly pushed to attend seminars of other styles when they are still trying to learn their primary system
  • CREDIBILITY. You trust a master to give you truth. But one thing with these alliances you will never find is truth. Teachers will attest to the knowledge and ability of another teacher simply because they like each other, and not because they truly believe that teacher is who you say he is. Anything that goes with it is then questionable–from encouraging your students to give him seminar money, to practicing his art, to giving a reference to a potential student of his. Put plainly, it is dishonest.
  • SELFISHNESS. Almost everyone participating is doing so for selfish reasons. One guy does it to surround himself with a crew who protects him. Another does it for rank because he’s made his own style. Another sees income potential. Another wants a reputation. Very few do it for love of the art or to improve his community.

Martial arts alliances can enhance your martial arts experience. My favorite use of the alliance is to have a circle of competitors you can bounce ideas off of, provide sparring partners for yourself and your students, to further your learning (rather than rank or pad a resume). The alliance can put you in the company of other philosophies, give you true friendships where you share information and learn from each other–even provide you with rivalries who will make you stronger and sharper. Some of the best martial artists we know have derived their greatness from alliances. Few know this, but well known FMA master Billy Bryant’s martial arts genius originated from alliances he made in the 1980s upon relocating from New York City to Washington, DC. When he came, we knew him as “Jabba”, and he was a Kenpo and Tae Kwon Do Black Belt. While in DC, he boxed, learned Kung Fu, Jujitsu, and FMAs. For some, he actually became a student of these men. For others, he traded his knowledge for theirs. And for a select few–he held sparring sessions so that he could spy on the best fighters and learn to beat them. For those who wanted that juice he had–we taught him our arts in exchange for his point fighting ability. It was a win-win. His greatness rubbed off on many who I see did not credit him. But likewise, he did not always give the origins of his knowledge. Often, he did not have permission to name their arts, but utilized the knowledge they shared with him. If you ever heard Billy talk about Saguisabal Visayan Eskrima or Kuntao–it’s me. Saguisabal is my grandmother’s maiden name, and I exchanged my system to learn to point fight from him. If you saw him do a Kung Fu form–again, that’s either me or Master Raymond Wong–in exchange for teaching Sifu Wong’s nephews to point fight. Billy was the perfect example of what can be done with martial arts alliances, as he took what he exchanged and often did it better than the person who taught him. To this day, I still don’t know who his teachers are. But I know that he was an excellent lifelong martial artist.

Here are some other uses for the martial arts alliance:

  • PURCHASING POWER. One school may only need $200 a month worth of martial arts equipment and supplies. But imagine if 6 schools pooled their purchasing power to demand a larger discount from suppliers.
  • LEARNING. Teachers holding group workouts among themselves to share information. This information can be brought back to the home school to figure out how to incorporate those techniques–or beat them.
  • TOURNAMENTS. We support each other’s tournaments, but we also tap into each other’s strengths to provide our students with a steady stream of opponents that we know won’t try and hurt them–or we can demand that they pull out their best effort to beat our guys. However, I am not in favor of excuding non-members. The more unfamiliar opponents, the better. You don’t want a federation’s tournaments known as a particular style’s tournament. This should be for everyone.
  • TESTING. If you’re going to promote, why not bring other teachers to give their HONEST opinion about if your students deserve their rank or not? Those teachers can bring their own best students to prove yes or no. This way, if a student is testing, he really doesn’t know if he will pass or fail. Rank, then, is truly earned. And properly vouched for.
  • BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE. In every group of teachers, there is always one or two guys making a killing with their martial arts, and there are some who work side jobs while teaching because they are struggling. A true alliance with equality will have those with more knowledge sharing information and even resources with those who have less. What good is a martial arts community if most of the teachers can’t keep their doors open?
  • RESPECT. Real respect for the martial arts comes when teachers of the martial arts respect each other. Too often, I see teachers right up the street from each other who have never met, dislike each other, bad mouth each other, or know nothing about each other. But if you have a community of teachers who all excel, have a mutual respect for one another, and help each other keep food on the table–martial arts in that community will be respected by all. I had such a relationship with a few teachers in my area, and if one of their students came to me–I sent him back to his teacher. I only took a student if his teacher were okay with it, and he agreed not to quit. If a student was no longer attending that school, I encouraged them to go back first. As a result, you will find many of my students who are doing Wing Chun and Eskrima, Tang Soo Do and Eskrima, BJJ and Eskrima.

If you spread a 50 gallon drum of water in a parking lot, the water will quickly evaporate and disappear within a day or two. But if you keep all that water in the 50 gallon drum–it will remain for years if you keep it together. When martial artists complain that traditional masters have lost ground to the MMA gyms, this is the reason why. We are spread all over the place, doing our own thing, and not caring if every other teacher is putting food on the table. That’s not what this art was ever about. Yes we are fighter warriors. But we are community minded leaders, who use this art to help others and keep them alive. How about joining with others who have the same goal and moving forward as a true brotherhood? There is an African proverb that says if you want to travel quickly, go alone–but if you want to go far, travel together. Something to think about.

As I said, this only one approach to the road up the martial arts mountain. Many great masters and fighters did it in isolation as well. Kyokushinkai founder Masutatsu Oyama comes to mind. But even when he had perfected his art–he joined hands with other Japanese masters, some who even disliked him, and built a worldwide reputation for Japanese Karate that stands to this day. Perhaps we will talk about that method soon.

Thank you for visiting my blog.


by thekuntawman at 24 August, 2015 12:10 AM

22 August 2015

Filipino Fighting Secrets Live

The Illusion of the Old Warrior Past His Prime, pt II

My grandfather had told me to look for old warriors along my martial arts journey, and to learn from them where I could. I discovered that many of these old men still possessed their fighting skills, and were very happy to oblige when I would ask for a match. Anyone who knew me in my youth knows that one of the first things I would do when meeting a good fighter was ask for a match. I was raised this way, and I learned a lot from doing this. I learned more about their habits and techniques than an observer because I was up close and seeing in real time how those techniques work. If I could offer you any advice today, I strongly encourage you to adopt this for yourself. Often we do not ask out of “respect”–but those masters know you aren’t disrespectful. On the contrary, many of the old masters enjoy going a round or two! It’s like watching an aging dancer hear his favorite song and getting up and shaking the dust off. Trust me, nothing can bond you to an old fighter like giving him a chance to move around and start his motor like he did back in the day.

I made the mistake a few times of underestimating the old warrior too. I’ve started a match thinking that I should “take it easy”, just to discover that the old man doesn’t just “still got it”–he never lost it! There is a warning my Lolo often gave, which was to keep an eye out for an old man who is in an occupation where many are destroyed young. It’s sort of the difference between an old military officer, versus an old military NCO. Both were warriors. But one has most likely seen more battles, suffered more injury and risked life and limb for his occupation. You get old two way in the field of martial arts and sciences:

  1. Becoming unbeatable and dominant
  2. Avoiding fights altogether

We all have seen those boxers who were known warriors in the ring. They took on all challengers, including the ones others avoided. They’ve been beaten a few times, been on the canvas even more times. To the true fight fan, those men had careers and wars that would bring tears to your eyes. This is my aging warrior; he fought until his body told him that he could no longer do it. But little do we know, he is only declining to the point that he can no longer compete with the best of the best. Beware this old man–against the average man, he will destroy you, even at his age.

There are still a few old champions we know and love, but they did not take the warrior path. They were among the best as well, but avoided the fighters who frightened them. They made it through tough fights and refused rematches. They didn’t fight dirty; they sought to win matches and avoid wars. We still loved them for their accomplishments, but you know deep down in your heart that if he fought So-n-So, he’d never make it out alive.

In my grandfather’s day, a 40 year old man wasn’t considered “old” yet. Those men still fought, and they sat in a place where they still had good use of their bodies yet possessed the wisdom that came with age. I knew a few men in this age group who were dangerous, and these are the men I looked to pattern myself after. Too often, martial artists will experience the signs of old age:  arthritis, weight problems, internal problems, injuries that limited their movement. Rather than make like the warrior and *fight* those problems like a dangerous opponent, many will give up, consider himself “old” and allow his youth to slip away. What I love so much about the aging warrior is that he will experience those problems and endeavor through them to try and regain his youth. He returns to the gym, he hits the street to do roadwork, he enters competition as a “Senior/Master”, he will attend Round Robins to give it one more shot. We all fear for him–but he won’t listen. He was born to do this, and has not accepted defeat yet. This is a great place to be. Older, but not yet old. Still has his fire, still has what it takes to return to his prime and will do it.

If you can find such a man to learn from, do it. You will find that the learning experience is one of a kind. Not quite the calm disposition of the sagely old Master; not quite the cranky old former fighter (see my “Mean and Nasty Master” series. I wrote three of them). You get the enthusiasm and energy of a young teacher, and the wisdom and experience of an old one. And most of all, you might get to fight him or see him fight as well. If you’re really lucky–you will get to see him return to his youth, as all old fighters go through this stage at least once or twice in his middle age. Very few of us maintain our youth all the way into our older ages.

And if you are a teacher, and looking to build your reputation–avoid the aging warrior who is returning to his prime. It is very easy to underestimate such a man. He is greying or balding. He might be overweight. But even if he can’t move like he used to, he is young enough to hurt you. Old warriors didn’t get here by accident. They got here by being wise, attaining knowledge, and by being tough. Never–NEVER–underestimate an older fighter who cut his teeth in a rough environment, even if you are amused by his pot belly. He may be looking to rebuild his reputation by making you an example. They are tough, their minds are tough, they have the knowledge as well as the skill and the ability to do it. They may not be worried about offending the community, and they certainly aren’t willing to get their bodies banged up even more in order to prove they can beat you. That rotator cuff injury or bad knee might force him to use a few tricks you’ve never seen to take you out earlier, because he doesn’t have time to play with you. A younger fighter might beat you–but an older warrior will hurt you. I’m not exaggerating; heed or bleed. :-)  I’m not trying to discourage you from taking advantage of a match, just make sure you follow the rules when you take one on.

I know what I am talking about. I have been lucky/unlucky enough to encounter these men and learn this (while ignoring advice I had been given already) firsthand.

If you like the articles on this blog, you might like one of my books. Check out my books on this site. Thanks for visiting my blog.

 


by thekuntawman at 22 August, 2015 03:49 PM

The Illusion of the Old Warrior Past His Prime

I’ve said it many times on this blog–that my favorite boxer is “The Executioner” Bernard Hopkins. I see in him many of the qualities of a true martial arts fighter-teacher, and I consider him a Master Boxer. If you are around when my new book is released and you get a copy–I’ll explain in depth why.

I have had in my lifetime the pleasure of actually sparring several Masters past their prime. Many have studied with the Masters, but unlike most, in my youth I was naiive and asked those masters to spar. There is a connection you have with a teacher when you fight him that most of your fellow students will never share. Perhaps out of “respect”, fear, or simply being bashful, many students never actually fight with their teachers. The result is an edification of those masters and their prowess that is (excuse the expression if it offends) unearned. How often have you heard a teacher claim that his master or grandmaster was so strong or such a great fighter–but you know that testimony was exaggerated or just made up out of respect? It’s okay… you can agree with me; I won’t tell. ;-)

I’ve discovered that there is a clear difference between old man who was a vicious fighter in his youth versus an old man who didn’t fight very much or wasn’t very good at it when he was young. We often pay homage to older masters and swear by their skill and knowledge when the quality of those men’s skill and knowledge was mediocre at best. Yet they are old; and no one would ever say that an old man’s art is average. It’s just not politically correct to do so.

(actually, I would)

The truth is that mediocre young martial artists often become mediocre old masters. No disrespect intended, we are just calling a spade a spade.

Quite often, we are impressed with an old master’s youthfulness. The fact that this man is advanced in age, but isn’t confined to a walker or wheelchair, still remembers his techniques, can still move around and more, is itself impressive. But as I said in this article, there is a difference between an old master and an old warrior. Both are old. Both look good for their age. But while the old master’s “self-preservation” is an adjective–the old warrior’s “self-preservation” is a verb, and action word. There is a difference. One man kept himself healthy. He exercised, ate well, trained in his martial art, kept it going into his later years. But the old fighter did the same, and then some. He trained aggressively, not just to be good at his art–but to be the best. He wanted more than simply longevity in the art, he wanted to retain his dominance and prowess well past the age that he is supposed to have it. Like B-Hop, he wanted to still have the ability to destroy men half his age, and keep this ability for as long as the Creator wills it. Few old masters have this. Many of the old masters can still do splits, have good joints, and look as young as they were in their prime. But the old warrior has arthritis. His hand swells in the cold because he’d broken it on someone’s head in his youth. He may be missing a few teeth. His body isn’t as youthful as the master’s, but unlike the old master, the old warrior is dangerous. He knows much more about fighting, and can recreate himself through his students because he knows what it takes to develop a dominant fighter. In other words:  My old warrior can beat the breaks off your old master, not that he’d ever do it. No offense.

Old Masters tend to be kind, while old warriors are mean and nasty. Old masters very likely had lots of students telling how great he was in his youth; old warriors only have ghosts and stories in his past. The old warrior quite often were not great businessmen, entertaining teachers, or well known. Often, the old warrior was disliked in his youth, and avoided by the old masters when they were young. So today, we know very few names of men who actually served as kings of the martial arts jungle–but we certainly know the names of the non-fighters who got articles written in magazines, were well-liked, and certified thousands of non-fighting, future “Masters” (even a few “certified Master” titles along way). And the old warrior? He didn’t do much besides train, fight, and teach the few students he had.

So now that I’ve defined the Old Warrior, let me tell you about him.

But next time. Thank you for visiting my blog.


by thekuntawman at 22 August, 2015 03:02 PM

21 August 2015

St Louis Counterpoint Martial Arts

Footwork Friday: Step Drag

For the last footwork Friday post, the great Jack Slack broke down the stance for us. The previous articles dealt with angular footwork. This week, we’ll begin looking at linear footwork. First up is the drag step footwork. I associate this footwork more with panantukan – empty hands – or boxing or kickboxing. But step-drag works with weapons as well. Footwork should be combined to make footwork combinations. Angular and linear can be combined to create a diverse arsenal of movement. But let’s dive right into the step-drag.

cts-logo01.png

Disclaimer: The footwork discussed below is from Counterpoint Tactical System as I’ve learned it from Master Zach Whitson. Any errors or inconsistencies are mine. The spirit of this series is me studying footwork in more depth. I don’t claim to know everything, and I will make mistakes. But, again, those mistakes are mine. Also, this article is for reference only and should be used as a secondary source only. Please, see a Filipino martial arts instructor if you wish to really and accurately learn these techniques.

Step Drag Shuffle 01

One of the best things about the step-drag is that its name is also its description. Start in a staggered stance with feet about shoulder width apart. The foot in the direction you want to move is the one that steps. If you want to move forward, your forward foot steps. If you want to move right, your right foot steps. Then, drag your other step to return to your stance. This step can be done in any direction. The concept applies whether moving backwards or to the side.

Step Drag Fwd

When I teach this, I stack two steps together before changing direction. This allows us to start putting the footwork together in combination, and it keeps us in discipline. If our opponent backs away farther than we can get in one step, we just continue the step. We don’t want to break footwork when pursuing. Also, I teach the step drag in reverse, but I don’t like exiting on a linear path. Humans move faster forward than backwards; so, it’s easier for your attacker to chase you down when exiting backwards linearly. If weapons are involved, the extended reach of the weapon may still bridge the gap created by your linear step backwards. Exiting is best achieved when circling or angling out. But we need to learn the concept, and if step-dragging backwards is the best available option, then we have to be able to execute. It’s a tool we need in our arsenal even if it we never use it.

Step Drag Side

I use this footwork a lot when I’m hitting the heavy bag. When stick sparring, I use it sparingly, but I do use it. I mix it in with angular footwork to avoid creating a predictable footwork pattern. While I prefer angular footwork and getting offline, it’s important for a well developed striking skill set to have linear footwork as well. Step-drag is a simple, effective pattern to use.


by stlcounterpoint at 21 August, 2015 05:00 PM

MyFMA

Double Stick Gem City Style

Jonny Lacey is a black belt candidate in Counterpoint Tactical System, and he recorded some double stick solo practice. I couldn't figure out how to load the video on my blog here; so, here is the link to my blog post with Jonny's great work. Wish him luck on his test this October. Check it out here.

by Eric Primm at 21 August, 2015 01:29 PM

Pendulum Arts

Foundation Series Episode 1: Sun Salute

Guros Jay and Gregory demonstrate basic postures in the eight angles of the Sun.


by gsmanalo at 21 August, 2015 12:18 AM

21 July 2015

Balintawak Cuentada Seattle

TABOADA BALINTAWAK, WEST COAST TRAINING CAMP - SEATTLE

The details are now set for our hosting of Grandmaster Taboada and fall training camp. Please see our Events page for details and registration information.

21 July, 2015 08:50 AM

04 May 2015

Balintawak Cuentada Seattle

Grandmaster Bobby Taboada Seattle Seminar 2015

Mark your calendar, GM Bobby Taboada returns to Seattle for a fall seminar, October 2-4. More info to follow once all details are finalized.

04 May, 2015 09:39 PM

20 April 2015

Balintawak Cuentada Seattle

May Boot Camp

May Boot Camp is set for Sunday May 31st, 2:00-4:30PM at Warrior Fitness Martial Arts in Factoria. Please see our Events tab for details and to register. 

20 April, 2015 06:25 PM

13 February 2015

Wing Chun Arnis

Pinoro Arnis L1: Basics of Korto Garote

Pinoro Arnis is NOT a new FMA system, but only the personal and standardized expression of the systems that I officially and proudly represent: Kalye Todo Arnis, De Campo 1-2-3 Original and Igmat Baraw K.F.S. It is the way I understand, practice and teach these systems, not altering in any way their concepts and principles […]

by pinoro at 13 February, 2015 04:41 AM

30 January 2015

Wing Chun Arnis

Stick fighting seminar with ”Lonely Dog” of DBMA

Once again I was offered one of the best possibilities to spend my birthday: a stick fighting seminar in Vienna, on January 17 and 18, with an elite instructor and fighter – Benjamin ”Lonely Dog” Rittiner, the living legend, the Chief Instructor for Europe of Dog Brothers Martial Arts. Single stick basics, power generating, efficient […]

by pinoro at 30 January, 2015 07:59 AM

20 December 2014

Wing Chun Arnis

Arnis sparring – ”No wind”

A variation of light sparring with live sticks and no protection. ”No wind” means the speed is kept low, so that the stick shouldn’t make any sound in the air. Filed under: arnis-eskrima, PTG, sparring, video

by pinoro at 20 December, 2014 07:13 AM

24 November 2014

Arnis-Escrima-Kali

I apologize for the months of inactivity

Sorry, i have a few things on the backburner, but not very much has given me the kick in the ass to finish writing them

in the meantime, my teacher just put up a new site!

http://www.evolvecqc.com/

i think he’d want me to plug his site, so i will. he’s got a lot of pretty cool information on the “blog” portion of his site, and it’s definitely worth bookmarking his stuff

24 November, 2014 04:17 AM

14 November 2014

Pendulum Arts

18 September 2014

Visayan Filipino Martial Arts

Metrodome Helps Fire Victims by James U. Sy Jr.

The management of Metrodome Entertainment Mall with the cooperation of all its tenants and their employees as well as customers pooled their resources together and organized a charity event for the benefit of the 94 households that were affected by the huge fire that hit Purok Katilingban, Brgy 39, Bacolod City last September 2, 2014. The philanthropic work was held on September 5, 2014, 10:30 AM, at the Brgy 39 Gym. The outreach consisted of a feeding program, where arroz caldo, bihon, bread, and juice drinks were given to the affected families; games for the children; and the distribution of 94 packs of relief goods which included clothing, 1 kilo rice, and grocery items. Sponsors of the charity work were CP Tyne Consultancy Management, e-Bingo, Fireworks Bar, Jojo Vito Prints & Pieces, Metro Bazaar tenants, O’Fisher Spa & Wellness Center, Offshore Bar, Philippine Call Center Institute (PCCI), Psalmstre Enterprises, Remnant School, and customers Mark Vargas and John Calumpiano.

by Conceptual Warrior (noreply@blogger.com) at 18 September, 2014 09:08 AM

08 September 2014

Visayan Filipino Martial Arts

BCC Sum-ag Campus Celebrates “Buwan ng Wika” by: James U. Sy Jr.

Mrs. Grace P. Lumawag, the Adviser to the Kapisanang Filipino, chaired the “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa” (National Language Month) celebration last August 29, 2014 at the Bacolod City College (BCC)-Suma-ag Campus (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). The Bacolod City College (BCC)-Suma-ag Campus successfully celebrated the “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa” (National Language Month) last August 29, 2014 at its campus grounds. Spearheading the celebration was Filipino and Values Ed Instructress Grace P. Lumawag, the Adviser to the Kapisanang Filipino, with the full support of both the BS Business Administration (BSBA) and BS Industrial Technology (BSIT) departments under their respective Program Coordinators (PC) Felipe F. Chin Jr., CPA, MBA, and Engr. Robert Ildy Lasuay. Ma. Johanna Ann R. Bayoneta, Ph.D., School Administrator, and Elias Alias, Ph.D., Dean of Instructions, graced the event. Later that noon time Teacher’s Education and Office Administration Program Coordinators (PC) Ramie Mabayag and Mario Pao also dropped by. The sections of the campus with Filipino subjects set up booths displaying and selling different products and exhibits and each section had their own representatives who were in barong Tagalog and baro’t saya. The morning competitions included literary and performing arts activities such as Hataw Pinoy, Balagtasan, isahang tinig, dalawahang tinig, talumpati, deklamasyon, poster-slogan making competition, and kompuso. The afternoon festivities featured physical games such as fliptop, kadang-badang, hatakang lubid, luksong tinik, luksong lubid, sakbuhan, patentero, and sipa (tumba patis). The 2014 officers of the Kapisanang Filipino and their members were instrumental in the success of the event as they prepared the logistics and facilitated the events. The current officers, coming from both the BSBA and BSIT departments, are Michael Morales (President), Roland Talafiero (Vice President), Mary Christ Bustamante (Secretary), Jonel Pecha (Treasurer), April Badajos (Auditor), Ronalyn Camillada and Deo Paran (PIO), Ravena Mulyer and Yza Marie Limaco (Business Manager), Ronel Sogilon and Calderon (Sgt.-at-arms), Princess sarah Ampil (Lakambini), Benjamin Marañon (Lakan), and Bhea Rose Magallanes and Ivy Calago (Taga-awit). BCC-Taculing Campus, which houses the Teachers’ Education and Office administration departments, on the other hand celebrated the “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa” simultaneously with the Nutrition Month last August 22, 2014. Former President Fidel Ramos signed Presidential Proclamation 1041 in 1997, declaring August“Buwan ng Wika.”

by Conceptual Warrior (noreply@blogger.com) at 08 September, 2014 09:58 AM

De La Cruz, Tizon, “Princess & Prince of the Ocean” by: James U. Sy Jr.

Princess De La Cruz and Mark Allain Tizon, both of Marketing Management 3A, were crowned “Princess & Prince of the Ocean,” beating 21 other couples representing the different year levels and sections during the BS Business Education and BS Industrial Technology Day last September 3, 2014 at the school grounds of Bacolod City College (BCC)-Sum-ag Campus, Bacolod City, as one of the official activities for the institution’s week long 17th Foundation celebration (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). Princess De La Cruz and Mark Allain Tizon, both of Marketing Management 3A, were crowned “Princess & Prince of the Ocean,” beating 21 other couples representing the different year levels and sections during the BS Business Education and BS Industrial Technology Day last September 3, 2014 at the school grounds of Bacolod City College (BCC)-Sum-ag Campus, Bacolod City, as one of the official activities for the institution’s week long 17th Foundation celebration. The duo also swept the competition by snatching the Best in Costume and Best in Presentation. The coronation was the culmination of the morning activities, which started off with a Parade of Ocean Costumes leading to BCC’s Sum-ag Campus. Marvin D. Tugon of Entrep 2C, painted in Avatar-style blue skin and wearing a gold chestplate complete with abs, uttered one of the more favorite lines for the crowd, “Aanhin mo pa ang kalabasa kung crush mo lang naman ang nagpapalinaw ng iyong mata.” Some of those who represented their classes were Julyn Tamayo and Jerymie dela Paz (MM 4A),Dina Mae D. Estraño and Perseus Maquimay (MM 1A),Lezette Amana and Randel Tupas (MM 1B), Mia Janelle Ligeslador and Miku Villaruel (Entrep 1B),Renee Rose de la Paz and Edbert Villas (Entrep 1C), Chris Chen Serie and Jaymar Caudazo (Entrep 1D),Celeste Pastorende and Erick Jacosalem (BSIT 1B), Jenms Ann Ababao and Florie Jhon Edubas (BSIT 1C), Lanie Asupan and Arnold M. Duadores (Entrep 3B), Charyain Palermo and Samie balenario (BSIT ELEX 2), Jane Tamba and Edmond E. Artista (BSIT Civil 2), Mae Oloroso and Ramiro Mina (MM 2A),Ma. Katrina Valery Donato and Marvin D. Tugon (Entrep 2C), April Joie Lagarto and Luel Sahot (BS Entrep 4B), Rhoda Mae Gabales and Alexis Brian de Belen (Entrep 2A),and Jonalex Piadoche and John Bohn Grande (Civil 3), Special guest was former BCC President Dr. Norma M. Juarez-Roque, now a member of the isntitution’s Board of Trustees. Judges were Krisna Gold Bawin, Christine Faramiran, and Jeffren Hur Bibiano Van. The Marketing Management 3A and 3B set up the Marketing Trade Fair at the sides of the competition area, selling different products, mostly food items. The BS Business Education and BS Industrial Technology Day was organized by the different school organizations - Marketring Management Society (MMS) under its President Jeffrey J. Talaman, Junior Philippine Entrepreneurs’ Society (JPES) under its President Jesreal Bancaya, and Society of Industrial Technology Students (JITS) under its President Kriska Joy Theresse Jaunto - with the support of the BS Business Education (BSBE) department under Program Coordinators (PC) Felipe F. Chin Jr., CPA, MBA, and BS Industrial Technology (BSIT) department under Program Coordinators (PC) Engr. Robert Ildy Lasuay.

by Conceptual Warrior (noreply@blogger.com) at 08 September, 2014 09:51 AM

09 June 2014

Urban Escrima

Martial Art Seminar with Grandmaster Brian Jones

We'd like to thank Grandmaster Brian Jones for returning to Hackney, where he introduced Escrima in the 70's, and delivering a brilliant seminar yesterday. It was also great to have Master Ricky Crofts, Master Jay Dobrin & Master John Morgan assist and share their experiences and knowledge.

It was a real pleasure have you all come down and we look forward to seeing you soon.





by The Combat Centre (noreply@blogger.com) at 09 June, 2014 09:46 PM

17 May 2014

Urban Escrima

Escrima Nightclub Self Defence Seminar

Here is a video from our recent Nightclub Self Defence Seminar.

Is your martial art / self defence / combat training effective outside the gym?

Our nightclub / bar seminar gave students an insight into the challenges faced defending your self in a different environment while also trying to protect those you are with. 



by U Escrima (noreply@blogger.com) at 17 May, 2014 09:49 AM

Self Defence London - Urban Escrima video Interview with a Student - Chris

Here is our latest video with an Urban Escrima practitioner, Chris. For more videos, please visit our Urban Escrima Self Defence website.




by U Escrima (noreply@blogger.com) at 17 May, 2014 09:43 AM

13 February 2014

Arnis-Escrima-Kali

Blind Sensei Love

Let’s get it straight. We live in a capitalist society, and you’re paying for a service when you sign up for martial arts lessons. But in any other service you’d be looking for quality results- modern martial artists have developed some freaky stockholme syndrome to their teachers. Instead of being critical of the services they pay for, students have developed some sort of blind love for sensei. In doing this, students who normally are owed services for their payment, often feel like they owe their teachers for all they taught, and all they gave back was loving devotion, forgetting the monthly fees entirely.

Let’s go back in time- there was once a Filipino Martial Artist. He had never finished high school (though if I recall correctly, he left school very, very, early), and was working as a chef. Normally, he would have spent his life in poverty, but as luck would have it, he found a student who paid for the teacher’s way out of the country.

For years, this student had become the “number one student” of this martial artist, until the day when a sponsor came and whisked the martial artist alone out of the country, leaving his original sponsor behind. Over time, the former number one student faded from memory, his name only to be heard in passing.

As luck would have it, I have met that number one student’s son. He said something along the lines of, “that guy just got a big head.” And honestly, even that’s something everybody knew.

You know what? It’s just getting goddamn cumbersome tip-toeing around this guy’s name. I could not give a damn about offending him or his slaves.

Bobby Taboada got a big head. He is not an amazing martial artist, he is a lucky one. No matter what anyone tells you about the Philippines back then, there were no deathmatches. Nobody randomly dying in the streets because of a duel. The Philippines are not a lawless country. There are laws, just as much as there are lawmen.

Bobby Taboada is a dishonest businessman. He teaches people a completely different style than he was taught, even though he was taught differently. He teaches his own new style of Balintawak, but the adaptations from the old style are not improvements in the slightest. If it was such a terrible climate in the Philippines at the time, and dangerous to be a martial artist, then why did they have to change it? Well the answer comes in one of Bobby’s videos- to add  “Hollywood” to it, and because the original stuff was “too dangerous.”

Despite that, Bobby Taboada is essentially the word of god in the FMA community.

But how come his students haven’t wised up, that none of them are getting even close to the glory of Taboada?

And the answer is- blind sensei love.

You see, students tend to trust their teachers in most cases, not just martial arts. We trusted in school that 1+1 is 2, and look where that got us. But grown adults still retain this, especially in the foreign atmosphere of a martial arts gym.So when sensei says that when he does this, you do that, you will do that and not anything else, because you haven’t been taught to distrust him.

Be careful- ask questions, and expect straightforward answers. Look at what your teacher is doing, and if it differs greatly from what you’re doing, he’s holding something back. And he has absolutely no right to.

13 February, 2014 06:36 PM

09 January 2014

Arnis-Escrima-Kali

The Old Style and the New Style

After I came home from Sydney, I was really bored. I hadn’t found any students to teach (and still have not) and hadn’t really gotten any practice for a while. I was getting rusty (this blog actually helps me keep a tiny bit of my edge by keeping me thinking about arnis), and I was desperate for just a tiny bit of training. So I went back to my old gym to show off (I am not a good man), and learn what kind of techniques are more prevalent in their arnis, now that I am more experienced to know what’s going on.

It was.. very different. Everything was still pretty much shite, and their empty hand techniques and authority over their weapon following a grab was pretty much non-existent. After we both struggled to get used to what we were doing, he comments that what I was doing was the “old style” and what he was doing was the “new style.”

That never really raised a flag in my mind up til now (because I’ve been struggling to add more content for a while haha)- what is the difference between the old and new styles, and why was such a big incongruency between the styles? To understand, let’s go over the differences between the styles.

In “Old” balintawak, there is a shorter training time (1-2 years), in which you learn attack and defense simultaneously, train active hands, and you learn most of the martial art in a systematically grouped method. However, in “New” balintawak, there is an indeterminate training time, which could take as little as 5 years, and up to never.  The student is taught how to defend in the beginning of his or her training, and progression to attack is very, very slow. Students are not taught how to retain control over their weapon hand, nor how to impede the movements of their opponent’s weapon hand. Finally, although they teach the groups, there is one fundamental difference about the groups they teach- the key concepts are never taught properly, which allow for zero variation of the groups themselves. Supplementing the groups which have now been delegated to a simple kata are THOUSANDS of other moves taught “At random.”

At random is a term describing a different method of teaching- one that’s even older than the “Old” balintawak I have been taught. Essentially, every technique is learned individually, and then practiced repetitively. For instance, if you’re learning a disarm, you would have someone strike at you badly (see: bitchmade), and you would strip them of their weapon. Do that a certain number of times, and then trade roles. Maybe after they’d show you some variations of that same move, but they wouldn’t explain WHY the move worked and WHEN to use it.

But why would the “New” balintawak community go back to the At Random method? It’s actually pretty simple- the grouped method is too efficient.

Let’s head backwards in time- to an Attorney, known as Jose Villasin. This man is a fucking genius- let’s take a moment to appreciate that. He literally invented the grouped system, and its a bloody marvel (I’ve asked like 3 different people from the UK about this article if I was allowed to use UK-ese terminology, they all ok’d me) in its own right. Not only does the student side of a group teach an extremely important concept, but the instructor side does as well. It systemizes multitudes of techniques by its characteristics, so that when faced by an unknown technique, you can simply take note of what its accomplishing, and defending against that. Not only that, but it also teaches you how to mix groups together, as no group only works on one of the core concepts. For instance, group 2 employs its own concepts up until the point where an opening is discovered to progress to group 1, or 5.

However, not very long after the grouped method was discovered, Villasin discovered that it was too effective. Brand new students would be finished training in no time at all, flooding the market with instructors. Rival schools could be finished learning their secrets in a year, maybe two. And so while the Balintawak club kept the grouped method, it removed the most important part for higher levels of the martial art- the teaching of the core concepts. This extended the training time because the students would take a much longer time to truly understand what they were accomplishing, and removed variation from the groups, and the variations were to be taught at-random. 

It’s an infinite shame that the grouped method isn’t given the respect it deserves, but it’s just how it is. “Big name balintawak” has brought back “New” balintawak, and with it has come hordes of instructors that either lack the fundamental understanding that all practitioners need, or instructors that are unwilling to teach correctly.

09 January, 2014 10:26 PM

29 July 2013

Playing with Sticks and Sharp Objects

22 June 2013

Cebuano Eskrima

Just Like Playing the Guitar

Yes, in eskrima both are hands are used, not only that, parts that are also more proximal to the trunk. Just like playing guitar, both hands are used and just like playing the guitar, both hands play different but congruent roles. One is doing the strumming while the other is changing the chords. Think the same way in eskrima, one hand acts differently from the other.

by nednep (noreply@blogger.com) at 22 June, 2013 08:17 AM

Cebuano Eskrima: Stalking the Elusive Adepts

Cebuano Eskrima: Stalking the Elusive AdeptsI am almost done with the sequel of Cebu Eskrima: Beyond the Myth. I don't know exactly when can I publish this book, since I am running out of budget, but I will finish book, entitled, Cebuano Eskrima: Stalking the Elusive Adepts. But do we need another book on eskrima? I simply do not know,

by nednep (noreply@blogger.com) at 22 June, 2013 08:17 AM

Write the Correct Words, Tat Kon Tou

Many people try to write things about Joe Go's TatKonTou . . . and almost always they got the spelling wrong. The conventional way to transcribe it is Tat Kon Tou, not Tat Kun Tou or Tat Kun Tao. We are not saying that these people are showcasing their ignorance on the subject, but their blindness of the details. Remember folks it's Tat Kon Tou, even though this Hookien word is popularly written as kun, the correct way to write it, is kon. And it is not tao but tou. If they cannot even spell it correctly, how much more, know things about it?

by nednep (noreply@blogger.com) at 22 June, 2013 08:08 AM

29 May 2013

Playing with Sticks and Sharp Objects

06 April 2013

Black Eagle Arnis Escrima Brisbane

Promoting Good Health with Corn Corn

K'se Trevor

Black eagle escrimadors supporting - King Corn - Corn Corn with a healthy refuel of KOOLau (PNG COCONUTS) juice Cleveland Markets

Corn Corn

When Escrimadoes thirst, they fuel up with the power of fresh drinking coconuts.

about 2 months ago

by Trev at 06 April, 2013 02:35 AM

28 January 2013

Pendulum Arts

Grand Masters of the UFMAC recognizing Master Carlito Bonjoc, long time friend of Maestro Sonny Umpad

Today it was an honor that I was invited and got to witness UFMAC recognizing Grand Master Carlito Bonjoc, long time friend of Maestro Sonny Umpad ! Congrats GM Carlito!

Grand Master Robert Castro also introduced me to all the Grand Masters as one of the lineage holders of Maestro Sonny’s curriculum and promoter of the FMA. I was grateful to be in the room with all the greats of the FMA and honor them as my elders and for paving the path for martial artists like myself to thrive in and share the arts to the world. 

Photo

Today Master Carlito Bonjoc of Mata Sa Bagyo martial arts school is recognized by 6 different Grand Masters and Masters including Eskabo Daan Grand Master Robert Castro, Grand Master Michael Giron of Original Bahala Na, Grand Master Max Pallens of Senkoteros, Grand Master Dexter Labonog of Bahala Na Multi-Style, Master Emil Bautista of Kajukenbo Self Defense Institute and Grand Master Alfredo Bandalan of Bandalan Doce Pares of the Unified Filipino Martial Arts Council (UFMAC). Congratulations to warrior and leader, Master Bonjoc for all his contributions to the Martial Arts and Filipino Culture!

UFMAC, is an organization formed by a panel of current Grand Masters from different martial arts systems and their mission is to provide an open forum for the preservation, promotion and unification of the Filipino Martial Arts community. I will share more about this experience and some of my personal take aways soon. I definately wanted to get these images out to show that our culture and our arts are thriving but stay tuned for the specifics of the story. Congratulations again to UFMAC for being organized to promote the culture and our teachers as well as to GM Carlito for all his contributions and hard work! 

Jay Jasper

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by Jasper at 28 January, 2013 07:55 AM

16 September 2012

Tactical Arnis

More Burpees and Bulgarian Bag stuff…

Though I am a firm believer that regular skill practice is important; I’m still a proponent of fitness/conditioning as a cornerstone to good martial arts/self defense practice.  The upside to breaking out of the ‘gym rat’ workout mind is that I can work out anytime, anywhere as long as I have enough space to swing a jump rope or a bulgarian bag.

  • 50 Burpees
  • 5 Open spin/Burpees (left and right) x 5 sets
  • 6 Power Snatch/Arm Throw x 6 sets

by prmartin at 16 September, 2012 05:00 AM

26 August 2012

Black Eagle Arnis Escrima Brisbane

NAS Competition

Today -sunday the 26th of August 2012 two of our exponents Carl Arganda and Wesley Kaese competed in the Qld National Allstyles Tournament fighting in the continuous sparring and competing on a very high level their efforts were not unnoticed and have fared themselves and the UFSDS /BBEAE club really well - I would like to congratulate them for today :) - WELL DONE! National All Styles August 26 th 2012

by Trev at 26 August, 2012 10:30 AM

24 July 2012

Michigan Modern Arnis Academy

Commitment

I was just thinking of how we all have to prioritize our lives in these busy days. Giving up time in one area of our lives to spend that time with something or someone else.

Understanding that we have commitments to family, friends, employers and ourselves. We tend to be so busy we can lose sight of what is really important.

I do not believe we will be on our deathbeds asking for just one more hour practicing Martial Arts, or another hour at work or another hour at the bar drinking with strangers.

Make sure you have your priorities in order, you may not have the chance to fix it before your life on Earth ends.

Guro Ben

by Benjamin Harrison at 24 July, 2012 08:45 PM

22 July 2012

Tactical Arnis

Integrated Training: Fitness/Conditioning and Performance/Conditioning

It’s been a while but I’m back on track after nursing two frustrating injuries back to ‘working’ order.  I’m not 100% yet, but at least I can do some things.

The lemonade I made from this big bag of sour lemons was spending time thinking about how to train in a way that will:

1.  Allow my body to heal while I’m attempting to avoid getting fat, dumb, and lazy.

2.  Maintain some level of performance/skill during recovery/healing.

3. Aid healing/recovery with a little activity.

Believe me when I say my usual tendency is to dive in and tough out the recover, but at 43… my body isn’t as springy as my mind thinks it is so I have to adhere to my own “Train Smart” motto to avoid taking two steps back in the recovery area.

SO… How do I get the most bang out of shortened workouts?

INTEGRATION!   Blending fitness conditioning with performance conditioning so I can do maintenance in both areas with shorter workouts.  Shorter workouts mean less risk of breaking myself again and integrating fitness and performance training means changing motions more frequently and reducing breaking myself through repetitive motions.

I haven’t reinvented the wheel by doing this by any stretch, but it was a good lesson to take out of this injury.  Thinking ‘tactically’ about my workout routines in order to accomplish a clearly defined goal (stay fit, heal, avoid re-injury) was more important than just following a routine or ‘system.’

I had to rethink what it meant to ‘train smart’ in this case.

Here is the full routine that is highlighted in the video:

  • WARM UP
  • 100 rope swings (single and double)
  • 10 front steps/rope swings
  • 10 back step/rope swings
  • 10 forward ‘triangle’ steps/rope swings
  • 10 backward ‘triangle’ steps/rope swings
  • 10 sidestep/cat stance/rope swings
  • WORK
  • 100 double foot skips
  • 100 running skips
  • 100 ‘Ali shuffle’ skips
  • REST SWINGS
  • Repeat the footwork/swings again
  • *repeat the WORK/REST cycle for 3 rounds*

Here’s another application of an INTEGRATED training model for Quarterback training.


by prmartin at 22 July, 2012 04:16 AM

12 July 2012

Michigan Modern Arnis Academy

Seminars

We are bringing in local talent to train our students with seminars in Balintawak Eskrima, Tactical Machete / Axe and MARPPIO Modern Arnis.

I want to be able to share information with our Students and Instructors to give them a larger foundation to help them grow in the Martial Arts. Utilizing local Instructors here in Michigan allows them to personally train and have access to these Instructors more readily for their own training when they become Instructors themselves.

by Benjamin Harrison at 12 July, 2012 01:30 AM

31 March 2012

Tactical Arnis

Teaching is it’s own art…

Obviously I am partial to all things USMC (Once a Marine… ) but in this case it is also a good example of the difference between

training instructors vs. training ‘martial artists.’

This is a short (and obviously promotional) video on the Instructor Training Program at Quantico, Virginia for the MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program).  These ARE NOT ‘martial arts’ students.  They ARE instructor trainees.

What’s the difference?

The focus is not primarily on technical skill, it is on how to teach these skills.  Notice too that there is strong emphasis on role modeling (teaching by example) from personal behavior and historical examples.

Most recreational martial artists are really teachers first and practitioners second.  But, how much ‘teacher training’ have they received or sought on their own?

You can’t teach well if you don’t know what you are teaching, true.  But how many of our fellow ‘martial artists’ (who really are teachers of martial arts) have not spent even half as much time on learning to instruct/coach/mentor as they have on perfecting their technical skill?


by prmartin at 31 March, 2012 01:40 AM

27 August 2011

Michigan Modern Arnis Academy

Testing in August.

Kumusta,

Well I was very impressed with the latest test results for the 6 students/Instructors this past Saturday. Impressed because of the improvement made by them and the fact that the majority of the training was done by Guro Kathleen and Guro Allen to get the students ready for this test.

It demonstrates the hard work of both the testors and Instructors to commit themselves to the training.

Dr. Presas is coming in a couple of weeks and we all look forward to his teaching and sharing. We always have a great time, even if we are sore for a couple of days afterwards.

Everyone is welcome to this years Seminar with Dr. Presas no matter what skill level you are, beginner or advanced, you will learn something new!

Until next time,

Salamat!

Guro Ben

 

by Benjamin Harrison at 27 August, 2011 12:10 PM

20 July 2011

Pedoy's School of Escrima

Instructor Promotions

Grandmaster Tyrone Takahashi recently promoted Ty Keoni Takahashi to Chief Instructor / 2nd Degree Red.

by admin at 20 July, 2011 10:11 PM

Instructors Conference 2012

Derobio Escrima Instructors Conference 2012 “Coming Soon” in October (Date to be announced)

by admin at 20 July, 2011 10:08 PM

Pedoy’s Derobio Escrima Book

Pedoy’s Derobio Escrima Book by GM Tyrone Takahashi, “The Roots of Derobio Escrima” is “Coming Soon!!”

by admin at 20 July, 2011 10:08 PM

04 December 2010

Black Eagle Arnis Escrima Brisbane

Black Eagle Arnis Escrima/Uniflow Self Defence System Club Xmas Party

 BEAE \ Uniflow Selfdefence System Club Xmas party    The Club celebrated the 2010 training year with a game of Laser Skirmish winning three out of four games, a sausage sizzle and presentation this was a great way to unwind, relax, catch - up and re-live our childhood days .(playing Rambo)

We look forward to the 2011 training year with great things planned and for some a chance to represent the club and the system.8)

by Trev at 04 December, 2010 11:49 PM

24 May 2010

Balintawak Arnis Gold - Cagayan de Oro

The Twelve Basic Strikes of Balintawak Style Arnis

Traditionally the 12 strikes are taught by having one partner stand in front of you while holding both ends of his stick with both arms relaxed and down. The other partner shall then proceed to execute the 12 strikes in proper sequence from numbers 1 through 12. It is done at the beginning of the training session. The partners may or may not switch roles at their discretion.

The 12 basic strikes of the Balintawak system of arnis are as follows:

1 - a downward diagonal forehand swing to the left side of the head.
2 - a downward diagonal backhand swing to the right side of the head.
3 - a downward diagonal backhand swing to the right side of the torso.
4 - a downward diagonal forehand swing to the left side of the torso.
5 - a straight forehand thrust to the abdomen.
6 - a straight backhand thrust to the right shoulder.
7 - a straight forehand thrust to the left shoulder.
8 - a downward diagonal forehand swing to the left knee.
9 - a downward diagonal backhand swing to the right knee.
10 - a straight backhand thrust to the right side of the head.
11 - a straight forehand thrust to the left side of the head.
12 - a straight downward overhead swing to the forehead.

Sadly though, some teachers only glaze through this part of the training, or (much worse) do not even fully understand how the abecedario is relative with the more advanced kuridas and cuentada training of the system.

Thinking that the 12 "basic strikes" are just plainly basic when asked about it is an understatement. The basic strikes may seem like plain old strikes when beginning your training with it, however with the introduction of tiny variations and new concepts the 12 basic strikes training takes on a whole deeper meaning in terms of the depth and richness of techniques found within it.

There are techniques for trapping (Pang Trangka) and off balancing, even triangle footwork and evasion if you look hard enough and are creative enough in looking for these little bits and pieces. Once you start finding these little bits and pieces, your training will become a whole lot more fun and interesting.

Until next time my fellow Arnis, Kali, and Eskrima practitioners...

TRAIN HARD, TRAIN SMART, AND TRAIN SAFE!

by Balintawak Arnis Gold CdeO (noreply@blogger.com) at 24 May, 2010 04:58 PM