Hi guys,
These past few months have been great, training and reviewing everything to make necessary tweaks where they're needed. During this time I've noticed the same topics come up time and again at the gym and not just during class time. For this reason I will be putting up a post each week about some of these specific things that we've been talking about which are, rhythm, technique, mindset and body mechanics.Check back each week and you should end up with a little guide to upgrading the way you do things.
Filipino Martial Arts/Silat? The answer may be because everyone is less likely to try out things that are new to them for fear of them being riskier than bread and butter techniques.
Working simple basics and principles and getting creative with
them is something we should ALL be doing, but it's great to have some extras in your arsenal to plug in to them!
As an instructor, I love hearing guys tell me how they're having success in other classes against more experienced guys using things I've taught them.
Here's a clip of none other than Bas Rutten talking about kicking technique, it will all sound familiar to those of you I've been lecturing about turning those toes out to open up your hips!
Check out his Jun Fan Gung Fu hoodie, JKD has a longer presence in MMA than most may be aware of and is on the rise. Come along to the classes on Saturdays to train and try out things that are new to you!
Oss!
Sunday, 29 December 2013
Seni Silat and Silat Toku
In 2012 I traveled to Malaysia and fell in love with everything over there, I was fortunate enough to meet a fantastic Silat master and talk with him extensively on Martial Arts and Silat as well as get some training with him.
This year I went back to Malaysia but my instructor was out in Brunei teaching the prince so I couldn't train with him. I was however, able to meet Othman Ayib and spend time with him discussing Silat and get several hours training with him.
Othman is a great individual who, like many Martial Artists, is very multi talented. In addition to being skilled in Silat, he works as a nature guide and snake handler and has won several awards in both fields. He holds Guinness world records for his work with snakes and has assisted National Geographic on projects as well as bio-mechanical engineers on their studies of flying snakes for aerodynamics.
Working with snakes requires great resolve, reflexes and movement, this is evident to see when you watch him move. Othman has developed a form drawing from Tai-chi and Silat from observing cobras emerge from hibernation.
Othman is a long time Student of Seni silat, author of Silat Melayu, Ku Ahmad bin Ku Mustafa. His beautiful children displayed some Silat and his eldest son, Idris, helped walk me through the first form of Silat Toku. Othman and I discussed the positions in the form and he showed me the applications and defences in them as well as the foundational aspects of Seni Silat and Silat Toku.
I am very pleased to have met Othman and spend time with him and his beautiful family and look forward to seeing them all again if I am fortunate enough to visit Malaysia again. Othman is teaching classes from his home 2-3 times a week. You can contact him from his website.
Terimah kasih!
This year I went back to Malaysia but my instructor was out in Brunei teaching the prince so I couldn't train with him. I was however, able to meet Othman Ayib and spend time with him discussing Silat and get several hours training with him.
Othman is a great individual who, like many Martial Artists, is very multi talented. In addition to being skilled in Silat, he works as a nature guide and snake handler and has won several awards in both fields. He holds Guinness world records for his work with snakes and has assisted National Geographic on projects as well as bio-mechanical engineers on their studies of flying snakes for aerodynamics.
Working with snakes requires great resolve, reflexes and movement, this is evident to see when you watch him move. Othman has developed a form drawing from Tai-chi and Silat from observing cobras emerge from hibernation.
Othman is a long time Student of Seni silat, author of Silat Melayu, Ku Ahmad bin Ku Mustafa. His beautiful children displayed some Silat and his eldest son, Idris, helped walk me through the first form of Silat Toku. Othman and I discussed the positions in the form and he showed me the applications and defences in them as well as the foundational aspects of Seni Silat and Silat Toku.
I am very pleased to have met Othman and spend time with him and his beautiful family and look forward to seeing them all again if I am fortunate enough to visit Malaysia again. Othman is teaching classes from his home 2-3 times a week. You can contact him from his website.
(The videos are footage of the more traditional forms, we discussed
and drilled applications from these forms but they weren't recorded as
we were having too much fun and my battery had died by that point. These
were taken on my phone so apologies for the quality).
Terimah kasih!
Monday, 23 December 2013
Rounding off the year
Hi guys,
Despite the busy time of year, injuries and commitments on Dec 15th a keen bunch came together for a solid training session. We bashed pads and kick shields, worked some kickboxing combos and some techniques from the over/under tie up. We incorporated some things into it that we're also looking at in the Saturday classes. We finished off the day with some sneaky stick grappling.
In addition we talked about the mental approach to training, the JKD mind frame of using everything at your disposal. "Intelligent Combat"
The session was free with the goal of getting everyone to come along and make a charitable contribution and with your kind donations we raised £180 to contribute to The Philippines.
A time when some are is already digging deep for presents it was great to have contributions from those of you who couldn't even take part on the day! Every little makes a difference and every penny will work towards making lives better for those who really need it out there right now. We enjoy the fantastic Filipino Martial Arts and we should give back where we have the opportunity.
A sincere thank you to all of you!
Classes will run as normal over the holiday period but, let's make 2014 a year of progression and growth!
Oss!
Despite the busy time of year, injuries and commitments on Dec 15th a keen bunch came together for a solid training session. We bashed pads and kick shields, worked some kickboxing combos and some techniques from the over/under tie up. We incorporated some things into it that we're also looking at in the Saturday classes. We finished off the day with some sneaky stick grappling.
In addition we talked about the mental approach to training, the JKD mind frame of using everything at your disposal. "Intelligent Combat"
The session was free with the goal of getting everyone to come along and make a charitable contribution and with your kind donations we raised £180 to contribute to The Philippines.
A time when some are is already digging deep for presents it was great to have contributions from those of you who couldn't even take part on the day! Every little makes a difference and every penny will work towards making lives better for those who really need it out there right now. We enjoy the fantastic Filipino Martial Arts and we should give back where we have the opportunity.
A sincere thank you to all of you!
Classes will run as normal over the holiday period but, let's make 2014 a year of progression and growth!
Oss!
Saturday, 17 August 2013
Developing your game
I remember something Guro Dan Inosanto
said at one of his fantastic seminars I attended, where he was talking about techniques and having options. He said "You can
have a 1000 songs on your iPod but only listen to one at a time".
The JKD mentality is one of efficiency, "do more with less" I've heard Guro Bob Breen say many times over the years.
With these things in mind I've recently been using a couple of analogies and examples about technique collecting versus learning via techniques. The first one will ring truer to those of us that still remember making our own mixtapes with 90min audio cassettes! We have a large music collection, maybe 100's of albums yet come back to the same few songs all the time, we go through 20 albums to make a playlist of 20 songs. We have experienced many to choose a few.
In much the same way you could be at buffet (sorry for those of you
cutting weight or just starting that diet!). You pick up your empty plate, start to make your way through the buffet and try a small bit of
everything on offer. Once you've tried it all, your second plate has less
variety but more of the things you enjoyed the most.
With our training we try different things, train a range of different drills and techniques to meet different eventualities. Along the way you find things that really work for you and you keep coming back to them, this is how you get better.
It's very hard to pick everything up and get better at all of it together. You're shown different techniques in class where you try them out and drill them, pick the one you liked most and came easiest to you and practice that. Build on it, start looking for it in different situations and in sparring - it's a testing ground, you're safe, it's not a fight!
Soon you'll start to see your game improve, you've just added a tool, a weapon to your arsenal. Once you're comfortable, start concentrating on something new, something to support what you've just picked up! You had to listen to hundreds of songs to find the ones you keep coming back to and when you get bored of even your favourites, you seek out new ones or go back to give others another try. Now you start doing more with a few.
This is what Bruce Lee meant by absorbing what is useful and discarding what is useless. What is useful to one person at one time may not be to another, what's useless at one stage in your development may become useful later.
We don't go through techniques for the sake of it, there should be purpose to everything we do.
Lastly, I want to add that we are what we strive to be. Whatever it is you want in your life, keep working on it day by day, and you will have more of it in your life the more you strive for it. You will succeed a little bit each day and who doesn't want success?
See in you in class, Oss!
The JKD mentality is one of efficiency, "do more with less" I've heard Guro Bob Breen say many times over the years.
With these things in mind I've recently been using a couple of analogies and examples about technique collecting versus learning via techniques. The first one will ring truer to those of us that still remember making our own mixtapes with 90min audio cassettes! We have a large music collection, maybe 100's of albums yet come back to the same few songs all the time, we go through 20 albums to make a playlist of 20 songs. We have experienced many to choose a few.
With our training we try different things, train a range of different drills and techniques to meet different eventualities. Along the way you find things that really work for you and you keep coming back to them, this is how you get better.
It's very hard to pick everything up and get better at all of it together. You're shown different techniques in class where you try them out and drill them, pick the one you liked most and came easiest to you and practice that. Build on it, start looking for it in different situations and in sparring - it's a testing ground, you're safe, it's not a fight!
Soon you'll start to see your game improve, you've just added a tool, a weapon to your arsenal. Once you're comfortable, start concentrating on something new, something to support what you've just picked up! You had to listen to hundreds of songs to find the ones you keep coming back to and when you get bored of even your favourites, you seek out new ones or go back to give others another try. Now you start doing more with a few.
This is what Bruce Lee meant by absorbing what is useful and discarding what is useless. What is useful to one person at one time may not be to another, what's useless at one stage in your development may become useful later.
We don't go through techniques for the sake of it, there should be purpose to everything we do.
Lastly, I want to add that we are what we strive to be. Whatever it is you want in your life, keep working on it day by day, and you will have more of it in your life the more you strive for it. You will succeed a little bit each day and who doesn't want success?
See in you in class, Oss!
Thursday, 15 August 2013
FAQ and Class Information
If you're visiting the blog or just stumbled upon it and want to know more about training, the below details should help. There will be more material coming in the next few weeks to help with what we cover in the classes so come back soon!
WHEN & WHAT:
Kali (Stick Fighting) on Fridays at 19:00 - 20:00.
These classes consist of warm ups, attacking and defending, flow drills, sensitivity drills, techniques and sparring (including light or fully armor).
JKD and empty hands portions of the FMAs on Saturdays at 12:00 - 13:00
These classes consist of warm ups, pad work, footwork, kicking, kick defense, boxing, trapping, sensitivity drills, combos, finishes and sparring (including multiple opponents). The classes are great for all levels.
I run a 3+ hour workshop every quarter to focus more on specific areas to supplement the overall training we do, these usually take place on a Sunday.
WHERE:
The classes take place at the Fulinkazan MMA Gym, which has excellent facilities.
HOW MUCH:
My classes are included in the gym fees and timetable.
WHAT YOU NEED:
All you need to start are a pair of shorts/tracksuit bottoms, a T-Shirt and an interest in Martial Arts.
The gym provides training and sparring equipment, though I always recommend getting your own.
There are many aspects of what I teach and Martial Arts in general, you won't see everything in just a couple of classes but you will get a taste. Get involved, join the team and remember to always have fun!
See in you in class, Oss!
WHEN & WHAT:
Kali (Stick Fighting) on Fridays at 19:00 - 20:00.
These classes consist of warm ups, attacking and defending, flow drills, sensitivity drills, techniques and sparring (including light or fully armor).
JKD and empty hands portions of the FMAs on Saturdays at 12:00 - 13:00
These classes consist of warm ups, pad work, footwork, kicking, kick defense, boxing, trapping, sensitivity drills, combos, finishes and sparring (including multiple opponents). The classes are great for all levels.
I run a 3+ hour workshop every quarter to focus more on specific areas to supplement the overall training we do, these usually take place on a Sunday.
WHERE:
The classes take place at the Fulinkazan MMA Gym, which has excellent facilities.
HOW MUCH:
My classes are included in the gym fees and timetable.
WHAT YOU NEED:
All you need to start are a pair of shorts/tracksuit bottoms, a T-Shirt and an interest in Martial Arts.
The gym provides training and sparring equipment, though I always recommend getting your own.
There are many aspects of what I teach and Martial Arts in general, you won't see everything in just a couple of classes but you will get a taste. Get involved, join the team and remember to always have fun!
See in you in class, Oss!
Saturday, 6 July 2013
3 Count Sombrada
Hi Guys,
Because it's difficult to catch the movements mid flow, here's a few stills illustrating each position of the 3 Count Sombrada.
Sombrada drills are flowing and continuous, much like a circle it becomes difficult to determine where it starts and ends. As you can see from these stills there are a few attack and counter attacks that repeat in a loop. Once you understand each shape and position it becomes easy to flow and determine how you can start a Sombrada drill as there is more than one way.
See you in class guys, Oss!
Because it's difficult to catch the movements mid flow, here's a few stills illustrating each position of the 3 Count Sombrada.
I inside sweep against the angle 1 attack, I will follow it with an angle 4 strike
My partner retreats his leg, with a palm down drop stick to counter my angle 4
I roof block another angle 1 he hits with after his drop stick defense
I attack with the angle 1 and my partner defends with the inside sweep and angle 4
I counter his angle 4 with a palm up drop stick, notice I don't have to retreat the leg in this variation
My partner roof blocks my angle 1 attack
See you in class guys, Oss!
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Trapping workshop June 30th
Hi guys,
I'll be holding a 3+ hour workshop at the end of the month where we'll study how to trap, pin/immobilize your opponents arm to clear a path to hit!
We'll cover follow ups including how to set up traps as well as move from trapping to grappling. We'll also cover the straight blast that Vitor used on Wanderlei back in the day!
A fantastic resource for all things striking, there's a great write up on Fights Gone By about trapping and its use in Boxing and MMA.
Here are some of the techniques we'll be looking at, nothing fancy because the fancy stuff doesn't always work!
When: 12:30pm, Sunday June 30th
Where: Fulinkazan Gym, 114 Sunbridge Rd, Bradford, BD1 2NE
Open to all ages and levels
Cost is £15
See you in class!
Monday, 27 May 2013
Developing
Last week I had a marathon of Martial Arts, roughly 10 hours of training with the legendary Bob Breen at the Breen Instructor Camp over two days which was fantastic.Being someone who doesn't like missing opportunities and always wanting to make the most of everything, I had also arranged a private training session with none other than CFS founder and Head Instructor, Guro David Onuma.
I've spoken before about how important it is to have a skilled instructor and to make the most of their teachings, on Sunday morning I walked in to the gym and started some warm ups and had a catch up with Guro David and got started with some Panantukan and trapping padwork, we then moved on to grappling and finished the session off with a light roll.The thing about training with masters is their skill to teach you things when you are barely aware of them, Guro David had this way of letting me do things while rolling that increased my positional knowledge and overall movement, I've felt this before when sparring on the feet as well and it's a testament to his skill and knowledge and one of the many things that makes him as good as he is.
I am extremely proud that Guro David promoted me to Apprentice Instructor Level 1 in both Jun Fan/JKD and Filipino Martial Arts. This was completely unexpected and I thank him for all the time he has given me over the years and all he continues to teach me.
Oss!
B.I.G. Camp May 2013
This past weekend I was in my home town for another great
weekend of training with the Breen Instructor Group. It was a fantastic weekend of technical and practical training with some of the most dedicated martial artists I know.
On Saturday Guro had us work the back sweep and pointed out the subtleties of finding it as well as more easily executing it. In true JKD spirit we covered many things from a few basic techniques and openings and it was easy to see how the same shapes and positions offered themselves within boxing, knife and pummeling/clinch work.
On Saturday Guro had us work the back sweep and pointed out the subtleties of finding it as well as more easily executing it. In true JKD spirit we covered many things from a few basic techniques and openings and it was easy to see how the same shapes and positions offered themselves within boxing, knife and pummeling/clinch work.
Almost like Matryoshka dolls the variations
that Guro had us worked from key techniques just kept coming, but form the same
source. I've always remembered what Guro has said about doing more with less
and what we covered on the weekend with single stick and trapping was exactly
that.
I must admit one of the many highlights of the weekend was ending off the training on Saturday with cake Judy had
brought along, which was superb!
I got to see and train with friends and share notes and had a fantastic weekend, looking forward to the next one!
A big thank you to everyone I partnered up with on the day, see you at Knife Day or the next B.I.G. weekend! Oss!
I got to see and train with friends and share notes and had a fantastic weekend, looking forward to the next one!
A big thank you to everyone I partnered up with on the day, see you at Knife Day or the next B.I.G. weekend! Oss!
Monday, 7 January 2013
2013
Every year we make intentions to make improvements and do better than we did in the previous year. The fact is nothing gets better without working for the improvements we desire, whatever they may be.
We're starting the year off with hard work and will continue to work hard to make gains in all we do in the classes. We will be having fun, as always, and there will be a 4 hour seminar every quarter covering all areas (dates to follow).
Regular attendance along with additional training in seminars and any open mat sessions that are available will really make a difference to your game. There will be a lot more pictures and videos on the blog this year as well to help with training so check back soon.
As always, I'm here if you have any questions, suggestions or requests.
See you in class, Osss!
We're starting the year off with hard work and will continue to work hard to make gains in all we do in the classes. We will be having fun, as always, and there will be a 4 hour seminar every quarter covering all areas (dates to follow).
Regular attendance along with additional training in seminars and any open mat sessions that are available will really make a difference to your game. There will be a lot more pictures and videos on the blog this year as well to help with training so check back soon.
As always, I'm here if you have any questions, suggestions or requests.
See you in class, Osss!
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