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!

Etiquette

I wanted to put this up as it's easy to forget some things however basic they may be.

Hygiene and well being:

• Spraying deodorant doesn't always cut it! hygiene is important, wash after each session - yourself and your clothes.
• Antibacterial soap never hurt anyone, especially after a particularly sweaty class!
• Clip your finger/toenails, it's no fun spotting little cuts after a session and wondering whose dirty nails cut/scratched you.
• A good antibacterial spray extends the lifespan of your gear, gloves, headgear, shin-guards etc. a quick spray after each session then leave them out to air dry.
• Wear the appropriate gear to the class you're attending, goggles are often neglected in weaponry classes but you only have two eyes and getting poked in either by a stick is no fun! 
• If you have injuries let the instructor and your training partner(s) know.If you're sick, ill or otherwise have any type of condition let your instructor know and think about taking some time off. It's no good training when you're not well, especially if it's something catching!

 Training:

• Arrive on time, let the instructor know when you arrive if you arrive late.
• Don't invade a class. Enthusiasm is great but don't get on the mat and start warming up or hitting the bags while another class is in progress, check with the instructor if it's ok to do so first.
• Show respect to your sparring partner, senior students and those that are older than you.  
• Pay attention to the instructor, he/she is giving up their time to share things with you.
• Don't chew gum when training, not all chokes are successful sub attempts!
• When partnered up for drilling or sparring, show respect to your partner. You can touch gloves, knock fists, high five or bow etc. 
• If you're more experienced than someone you're partnered/sparring with, don't take advantage. Make it more challenging by working your weaker areas or better yet, by offering tips to help them do better against you. 
• Remember that we are all friends in the gym, these are people that help you improve. 
• When sparring don't be afraid to ask your partner to slow down or bring the pace down a notch, similarly don't go too hard unless your partner has agreed. Sparring is to aid learning and raise conditioning, don't hit harder than you're willing to get hit.
• Remember that you do, to some extent represent your school or gym, but especially if you're competing and fighting out of the gym.
• The gym is your gym, keep it tidy and help maintain it for future use.
• Have fun, you learn and improve more when you're enjoying yourself!

Osu!

CFS at the London Open & European No-Gi Championships 2012

Check out my instructor (CFS Head Instructor) Guro David Onuma's fantastic blog with loads of great instructional material

Here's a picture of the post on the tournament... Read more here!

Congratulations to all the CFS warriors that fought on the day!

JKD/Kali International Oct 2012

 Last month I was fortunate enough to attend another fantastic instructor camp with none other than Guro Bob Breen. Among those in attendance were some of Guro Bob's students from all over the UK and Europe, some who have previously or currently compete in national and international circuits in Boxing, Shootfighting, Stickfighting and BJJ.

Throughout the day we covered boxing, trapping and immobilisation to takedowns and empty hand drills vs knife.

We finished off with some sparring which was great, particularly when sparring with Miad Najafi who has quick, accurate hands and heads Elements Martial Arts down in Brighton as well as the brilliant iMMAculate clothing line.

Although I was only able to make the first of the two days of, nothing less than world class training, I took away some great things to work on and teach my students.

It was great to catch up with friends afterwards over chilli tofu and noodles, I can't wait until the next camp!



Thank you to Guro Bob and everyone I partnered up with on the day and sparred with... John, Anil, Miad, Louis and fellow CFS members, Carl, Richard and Jesus. See you all next time.





Photos courtesy of Carl Jackson.

Silat Buka Lingkaran - Birmingham Seminar

This past Saturday I travelled down to Birmingham to attend a Silat Buka Lingkaran seminar. Until this point my experience with Silat has mostly been what I have learned from Guro Bob Breen and Guro David Onuma. I have also had the good fortune to meet and train a little with instructors of Kuntao Silat, Silat Cimande Asli Tarikolot, Silat Harimau and take part in a seminar a few years back at the Bob Breen Academy with Guru Zainal Abidin. 

Amongst other systems and styles, I have had a special interest in Silat based on my limited experience training in various Silat systems. The style being taught by Alvin Guinanao however, was a style I had long wanted to learn about and train in but the opportunity never came until now.

After the 2 and a half hour drive on a Saturday morning we arrived at the gym. After some introductions and chatting about martial arts with other attendees the seminar started off with some excellent warm and conditioning exercises which were one the highlights for me. 

The warm ups took us through postures found in the system and excellent body weight exercises to aid mobility and build strength for the postures and positions we were to find ourselves in later when drilling techniques against various attacks.

Once we had completed the warm-ups we then began with drills to counter straight punches using the twisting Gelek movement and built on them to include a knee strike from the Buaya crocodile posture. As we moved to upright drills we started with the same drill from a standing position and included finishes on the ground.

As we worked on ground vs upright and vice versa, I really enjoyed the takedowns, especially the Harimau shoot and follow ups, which could easily be incorporated into MMA.  I found the stand up techniques and ground finishes very crisp and fluid and the Harimau and ground aspects very effective and dynamic.

I spoke with Alvin before and after the seminar as well as his assistant instructors who done a great job assisting and offering insight throughout the seminar.

I came away very impressed with what little I had seen of the system (so far!). Alvin is a very skilled Silat practitioner, a knowledgeable instructor and a real gentleman. I would recommend anyone interested in Buka Lingkaran and Silat in general to go train with Alvin or his representative instructors throughout the UK. Check out their website for more details.

Here's a clip summarising what was covered on the day, enjoy!