1/8/17: single stick master class - range, footwork and body mechanics

INOSANTO BLEND #1-17
1: downward forearm slash to the neck/side of the head RFL (right foot lead)
2: downward backhand slash to the neck/side of the head RFL
3: horizontal forehand to the body LFL
4: horizontal backhand to the body LFL
5: stab to the abdomen RFL
6: stab to the head RFL
7: reverse stab to the head LFL
8: redondo on the backhand LFL
8: redondo on the backhand LFL
9: downward forearm slash to the knee RFL
10: downward backhand slash to the knee RFL
11: upward forehand LFL
12: upward backhand LFL
13: abanico high to the left RFL
14: abanico high to the right then chamber on the right shoulder RFL
15: small umbrella redondo on the right LFL
16: large umbrella redondo on the right LFL
17: jabbing diagonal uppercut from lower right to over the left shoulder RFL

Numerada –defang the initial attack then continually moving to zero pressure as you move through a figure 8 followed by a redondo making it a 4 count.
Conceptually, the key learning points were that the defender (D) must focus on:
• Range – when you hit him your stick, he must not be able to contact you, use the full range of your weapon and body combined.
• Footwork – continually move and zone to zero pressure. The is an intrinsic relationship between range and footwork. Both need to be effective, you can’t have one without the other.
• Body mechanics – to enable fluid use of the weapon.

The above concepts were continually refined in the drills below.

1: Single stick (A) feeding the 5 angles v single stick (D)

2: Single stick (A) feeding the 5 angles and followed by a knife stab v single stick (D)

3: Single stick (1 hand grip) (A) feeding the 5 angles v single stick (2 handed grip) (D)

4: Single knife (A) feeding the 5 angles v single stick (D)

5: Single stick (A) plus another (A) feeding the knife attacks – stabs or slashes v single stick (D). Essentially it was 2 v 1. The third person comes in occasionally so the D has to add peripheral vision and awareness to the concepts of range, footwork and body mechanics. The second attacker moves with ‘Walking Dead’ pace, not ‘28 Days Later’ pace

6: Double stick (A) v single stick (D)

7: Single stick (A) v single knife (D). The D now needed to apply more aggressive forward energy to crash the range of the stick.

13/6/17: the back sweep series masterclass

The back sweep series



Bob Breen is the foremost authority on JKD in the UK and in the above video, his demonstrates the application of a back sweep. First, the motions, then with implied aggression and torque.

The martial romanticism of silat – for me, there is something about the fluidity of movement that is very attractive about some styles of silat. I used to train in Harimau (tiger style) which was physically very demanding plus it hard all this amazing flow and one technique seamlessly moving to the next one. However, for us in JKD, the problem with this training methodology is the training partner’s role. What are they doing when you apply your techniques? YouTube is awash with silat videos where either the attack is unrealistic or not there at all. The class tonight was about functionalising the back sweep series of silat. So, we used a blend of tactics from Thai, Panantukan and Jun Fan to functionalise and add an aliveness to the silat material.

Footwork drilling and prep
Left lead stance – step forward with the right – pivot and step back with the left (still looking forward) – then long step back with the right (this is simulating the sweep or reap motion).
• Be fluid in the motions and ‘slide or glide’’ through each step
• Turn from the hips
• Don't look down as you sweep, be scanning for the next threat
• Slide your foot along the floor for the sweep, don't lift your foot/leg up as you would for a throw

The below video is a clearly classical example of the foot work pattern we were using and not a representation of what we were doing. It merely acts a simple framework to act as a reminder for all the drilling people will be doing in their gardens after work during this warm spell. It is taken from Aikido and called irimi tenkan (entering and turning). This clip does not show the final sweeping step with the right leg.



As you can see from the above bullet points in terms of our learning points, the Aikido practionner is doing those attributes, whereas our motions were on our toes with more leaning (not bending) of the spine.

Each of the 5 techniques were drilled in isolation and then as a group in that, by the end of the class, we were working all 5 methods consecutively.

Against the jab
Salute then step forward with your right leg as you arm wrench and continue the rolling and rotating motion on his arm to break his posture. Ensure you step between his feet (not in front of them as I was, thanks Marc and Adam for the reminders). Whilst maintaining the straight arm bar, step just behind his left leg with yours then immediately step back with the right for the sweep.

Against the cross
Split entry – left parry and split down the centre with the right hand. Maintain control by immediately following up with the left eye jab (Adam, thank you for the lumpy top lip) and then apply pressure to his right arm to clear a gap for you to control his right shoulder. As you push the right shoulder, this will bring his left shoulder forward but you enter with a high elbow cover on the right as you step into a right lead. Either overhook or underhook his arm, wrapping tightly, pivot and step back with your left followed by the right sweeping step. If you underhook you can slap the back of the head as you sweep.

Against the jab-cross-hook
Against the straight punches, use the long Thai guard covers and the high elbow cover on the right against the hook. As the hook is covered throw the left hand to his throat. Continue your forward motion by slipping the left hand from the throat to pushing the right shoulder away and wrap your right arm over his left arm as you drive the top of your head into the side of his neck/jaw. This tightness and positioning prevents any type of attack to the head from him. Also, make sure the eyes are forward and not down. ‘Putting’ the eyes to the floor will likely break the integrity of your spinal structure, so scan the eyes around. Step back with the left then the right for the sweeping action. Make sure the arm you have on him is used to guide or drive his body where you want it to go.

Against the rear leg round kick
Crush with left leg and reach with the right hand to begin the initial disturbance of his balance (this can also be a finger jab to the throat), step down with the left leg and push his right shoulder back with your left hand as you control his left bicep with your right hand (keep your head tilted down to prevent being headbutted). Wrap an arm (under or over) as you step with the right between his legs then pivot followed by the left back step then the sweeping right step.

Against the lead snap front kick
Attacker throws the kick and intercept with the jeet tek (Stop kick) and push his right shoulder back with your left hand as you step down with a hard left ankle and throw the long right knee (don't try to control his upper body as you knee). Wrap an arm (over or under) as you step down with the right between his legs then pivot followed by the left back step then the sweeping right step.

20/4/17: single stick master class

SINGLE STICK MASTERCLASS

Downward figure 8 with female footwork. Steve likened the body mechanics for angle 1 like the jab and angle 2 like the cross and throughout the whole night, kept reminding us to use the body mechanics in all stick motions.

Upward change: After the backhand, for example with the right hand, insert the stick upwards alongside the outside of the left forearm. Catch the stick in the left hand, take a grip, make sure there is the punyo available then continue the striking family with this hand.

6 count plus change and footwork in the mirrors: Putting it all together by stepping out on the right to do a 6-count strike with the right, do the upward change and swap to the left. Repeat.

Against the stick: As previous but now against the stick that the partner was holding laterally. Now that impact was part of the drill, it was key to let the stick flow and for the motion not to ‘break’ or ’stop’ on impact. Or to be caught trying to hit the stick. Use the body mechanics and letting the stick flow was the mantra to stay focussed on.

Upward figure with female footwork: Whilst still considered a figure 8, both the upward strikes are very close to vertical. Lots of body mechanics once again, rhythmic fluidity.

Downward change: The Bruce Lee Nunchaku change – you pass the stick down past the outside of the forearm and catch the stick under the lower upper arm. Catching it in the position, allows you to go straight into the upward backhand strike smoothly.

You will notice both Bruce and Guro Dan doing said motion at the start of the video, then nice and slowly around the 1:10 mark.



6 count plus change and footwork in the mirrors: Same as the downward figure 8 practise.

Against the stick: Partner held it laterally, facilitating working the upward striking family.

Abanico in the mirrors: Upper arm parallel to the floor, lower arm vertical and the stick is mostly parallel to the floor (as he were working the high line abanico).

Against the stick: Feeder held the stick vertically to enable connection from the movement.

Angle #1 – half beat abanico on the high line– angle #2 in the mirrors. This was tricky and requires lots of work. We were working the angle 1 and 2 slowly to enable an explosive half beat abanico. Really challenging.

Against the stick

Numerada: Feeder feeds, slowly, angles 1 – 5, strike from long range using the angle #1 – half beat abanico – angle #2. Footwork, proper range, distancing – using the end of the stick to attack his hand.

4/4/17: hubud, pad rounds plus stick and knife sumbrada

HUBUD
Basic roll – left and right sides

Chi sau pass – arm on the inside blocking the attack to the neck, rolls out to in, back of the hand wedges onto the two arms, pak sau then hit to the neck to continue the roll. The lower hand also moves in a circular motion to enable the crossing of his arms for the wedging pin and control.

Dagger pass – as he attacks going for the neck, snatch the attack with same side arm by pulling it towards you, follow up immediately with the same arm, slide up his to attack the neck for the clinch. The partner then yields and folds his forearms back in a bong sau fashion to then enable the continuation of the drill.

Dagger pass to clinch – as above but he does not get the elbow up in time, and so you clinch on the near side of his neck, the rear hand monitors his other arm, pinning it to his torso momentarily before joining the other hand at the back of the head for full clinch.

Clinch defence 1 – lose the neck, drop the weight yet posture up as get the hips as close to his as possible and step a leg between his; interlock your hands behind his back just above the hips to enable control of his base.

Clinch defence 2 - Lose the neck, arms over the top compress and face push. Keep it all tight to allow no slippage or simple escape from him.

PAD TRAINING
Thai 4 counts

Lead switch kick to the front leg – cross – hook – round kick to the rear leg.

Lead round kick to the front leg – cross – hook - lead switch kick to the front leg.

STICK AND KNIFE
High box 3 beat sumbrada, using the knife to replace the checking hand

5 beat sumbrada – as above

Stripping the knife – building on the work of last lesson:
Application of the motions:
Person A: attacks with angle #1
Person B: zone off line, inside sweep with the stick and use the knife to check the weapon hand followed by angle #4 to the lower torso.
Person A: straight stab to the abdomen
Person B: zone right and drop stick right against the stab, maintain stick pressure on his arm as you stab over your arm to his ribs. Small redondo with the right hand followed by a stab over the top to the neck. From here, slide the knife holding hand down his arm to where the stick is monitoring his wrist, pinch the wrist and have the back of the blade against his wrist. Strip the blade out from this control position.

9/3/17: Carenza, jab and cross defences plus knive v knife work

CARENZA
All the following were 2 minute rounds.

Double stick

Single stick right hand then left hand.

Stick and knife stick in right knife in left then swap hands.

Single knife right hand then left

Double knife

Empty hands

As above but adding kicks and knees

GLOVE WORK
Person A double jab with forward pressure and pentertration with both. On the 1.5 beat and light and fast. Person B catches both.

Jab cross on the half beat, person b just catches both as previous.

Person A attacks with double jab or jab crossPerson B splits on the second attack

Person B waslik (scoop) and short uppercut against the 2nd attack. Put a blanket on it then scoop rather than just scooping out of thin air

Person B responds with pak then forearm to the neck

Final round - put them altogether or in any order.

KNIFE V KNIFE
5 count sumbrada

Adding an extra challenge by inserting the feint on the stab then the angle 2 stab

2/3/17: knife v knife masterclass

5 ANGLE DRILLING
downward forehand - upward backhand - upward forehand - downward backhand - stab to the abdomen
on a partner
mirroring with a partner
The focus was keep the motions tight and nothing wasted or needlessly extended.

8 ANGLE DRILLING
as above but adding lateral backhand - lateral forehand - reverse stab on the high line
on a partner
mirroring with a partner
passing - slashing then stabbing after each attack. The key here is to be behind your blade and always zoning offline so you are controlling the centreline and he is trying to reclaim it with his attacks.

One person feeding the angles (do not allow the defender to grab the knife), the other defending

8 ANGLE SUMBRADA
any 8 angle non fixed sumbrada. This added an extra aliveness to the drill because he and you can attack along any line of your choosing so you are both on your toes and moving a hell of a lot more.

4 METHODS OF USING THE HANDS
- dagger pass against angle 1
- palm up pass against the angle 5
- bong sau to rolling forearm against angle 1
- palm stop / back of the palm to scoop against angle 2

Then any angle attacking and any defence and counter 1 for 1 sumbrada. Knife work certainly is physically and psychologically intense, it is also incredibly humbling. If we had been using markers pens, I know that my arms, neck and shirt would have looked like spaghetti junction. There is no hiding in knife work

50/50
Somehow, you both end up hold each other's weaponised hand. Here we practised having a strong grip but being lose through the arms and shoulders so you can feel the energy. If I go strong arm them I am gifting him the lock or break. We looked at using the knee to break the grip from the outside. The same type of motion used in catch wrestling to break his wrist control when standing grappling.

Yet another staggeringly great class.

28/2/17: double stick masterclass

The main principles that were reinforced all night were:
Eyes on his eyes
Keep the same level
Use the last 4 inches of the stick
Extension through the arms, be long
Use the stick like a sword

2 COUNTS
From the open position (stick on each shoulder)
forehand - backhand (R) then repeat on the left

or

high (R), high (R) high (L) high (L)

high (R) low (R), high (L) low (L)

3 COUNTS
From the open position (stick on each shoulder)
forehand - backhand - backhand (R), repeat on the left

or

high (R) low (R) high (R) high (L) low (L) high (L)

Upward figure 8s - upward forearm, upward backhand, upward forearm then repeat on the left

4 COUNTS
From the chambered position (both sticks on one side of the body, if the right side, right hand on the shoulder and left hand under the shoulder)

Do the following 3 times from the right chambered position, switch then repeat on the left
forehand (R) - backhand (L) - backhand (R) - forehand (L). The final backhand, after the hit, sits on the right shoulder. The final forehand hits through and finishes under the left shoulder.

ODD SERIES
From the chambered position
Forehand (R) - backhand (L) and right roof - forehand (R) then repeat on the left

Putting together the initial 2 count plus adding the odd series

HEAVEN 6
In pairs and in the square. People on the 4 corners of the square were solo drilling the heaven 6 pattern. The person in the middle of the square would start the paired version of the drill as they were 'swinging'. The person in the centre was dictating the speed but also the length of the drill before moving on to the next person occupying a corner.

7 COUNT
Initial 2 count on each side followed by a short series of 3 strikes, Person A with an angle 1, Person B responds with a roof, Person B then attacks with an angle 1 and Person A responds with a roof, finally, Person A with an angle 1, Person B responds with a roof.

Strips:
After the final roof, roll over his weaponised hand and abanico with the left to his neck/jaw/face, scoop down with the left as you zone off line to be out of the line from an attack with the stick in his left-hand. The right punyo goes over the wrist and scissor your hands with the sticks for the strip and finish with a heaven 6.

He then attacks with the left hand, intercept with your two sticks, roll over and abanico with the right hand, scoop down with the right as your left hand opens to capture his hand. Make sure you move the right hand down his arm so you can clasp the wrist using your thumb. Strip the stick out and finish with a heaven 6.

14/2/17: boxing body mechanics and knife work

BOXING:
The theme running through the boxing work was constant movement and learning to hit whilst in motion. A moving target is hard enough to work against but add in to the mix a striking and moving target, this will give the opponent much more to consider rather than a body in front of them.

In the mirror:

Lateral motion drilling: keeping the feet still but moving the torso like a pendulum - getting the head off the centreline, the ideal would be the Tyson style rocking motion.

Bob and weave drilling on both sides interspersed with lateral movement. Everything comes from the legs in the bob and weave.

Lateral motion plus a single slip, working slipping on alternate sides.

Lateral motion plus 2 punches - long uppercut and straight jab/cross or jab/cross then long uppercut. The first time was move laterally with the body then throw the 2 punches with the aim of working towards throwing the first punch on the lateral movement (simultaneously).

Then worked this in with a partner throwing jabs or crosses and using movement and the 2 punches to respond.

Partner then throws any punch, including long looping hooks, defender's job was to keep the constant lateral motion and reply with 2 punches. The feeder threw their punches slowly but consistently, this allowed the defender to always be working in motion.

KNIFE

5 angle slashing knife tapping: Steve mentioned several times the need to keep an awareness, a sensitivity or feel for where he is after each attack. Leave no gap.

Against #1 move inside, high block and strike to eyes and neck, backhand sweep the knife hand towards him, cover the elbow, strike to the eyes, head, face.
Against #2 stay behind it, high block and strike to eyes and neck, backhand sweep the knife hand towards him, cover the elbow, strike to the eyes, head, face.
Against #3 low block (like a bong sau) and strike to eyes and neck, backhand sweep the knife hand towards him, cover the elbow, strike to the eyes, head, face.
Against #4 low block (like a bong sau) and strike to eyes and neck, backhand sweep the knife hand towards him, cover the elbow, strike to the eyes, head, face.
Against #5 move inside, low block and strike to eyes and neck, backhand sweep the knife hand towards him, cover the elbow, strike to the eyes, head, face

5 angle stabbing knife tapping
As above but move more as the knife will be longer in its angle in relation to you.

Stab defences: for each of the stab defences we had to make sure that the eyes were on the opponent and not the blade and that we primarily moved and got the body out of the. As we were drilling, after each stab we would take the blade and return the attack, one for one if you will.

High straight stab defence: it's like a cut punch with the left as the high stab comes in. Cut across, so the your index finger points towards his eyes, you have extended through the left shoulder because you have pulled the right foot back and turned with the left hip. Capture the wrist with the right hand as you thumb to the eyes with the left, then come under the arm and strike to the face. Take two hands to one for an arm wrench then strip.

Mid line straight stab defence: pivot on the lead leg to get the body out of the way, grab at the wrist (thumb up and fingers down), extend his motion to just take his balance and strip by turning it back towards him.

Mid line stab defence version 2: get the legs and hips back as you drop the weight and use the back of the forearm, reach above with the other hand and use the back of the forearm to apply the strip.

Working against all 3 stabs in any order: partner feeds any stab; the aim was to get out of the way and apply a strip.

Guro Dan vids

4/10/16: Panantukan and hubud

PANANTUKAN (FILIPINO BOXING)
Against the jab and the cross: split entry (get the head off the line of the shot), so against the jab short parry with the right and the left goes straight down the centreline to the throat or face, left gunting to the bicep followed by pak sau with your right to the forearm and left hammer fist to the neck.

On the right side against the cross, short parry left and send the right down the centreline, right gunting, left pak sau and right hammer fist as you step with the right leg. The forward pressure puts them on the back foot.

Steve talked about the functionality of trapping. It is merely a way to isolate or move a limb to facilitate a strike. Nothing more, nothing less. If there is no barrier then hit, if there is a barrier, remove it and hit.

The next phase was adding a punch combination, so after the hammer fist it was cross-groin hit/hook-cross

The following phase was him stopping the hammer fist. You turn the body to create a tan sau (just enough space to clear the line for the strikes) and hit followed up by low covering pak and hit.

The final phase was him giving too much energy and pushing the hammer fist across the centre line, from here you lap sau and hit, low line trap and hit.

Steve earlier on talked about the use of the gunting, not every shot is a KO and some strikes are major and some are minor. The gunting (bicep attacking strike) falls into the minor camp. Minor does not mean useless, it merely means having less reaction and effect than a major one.

Below is an interesting video of Vunak doing his thing. He seems to like the use of the gunting in its various guises in this short video. Also, it hints at some of the work we did tonight.



PAD TRAINING
ROUND 1: Feeder throws a jab, 'pad hitter' split entry, pak and hammer fist, cross-hook-cross

ROUND 2: Feeder throw a jab, split entry, pak and hammer fist, feeder puts up the pad, hitter uses lap and hammer fist and again lap and hammer fist followed by cross-hook-cross. The feeder needs to get the pads and energy forward for the hammer fists. Thankfully I had little Nick, several times my pad was too close to my head and the weight of his shots caused me to hit myself on the forehead. What it did teach me was to give strong energy on the pads when power and weight are coming forward.

HUBUD
The basic roll where the initial attack to to get the neck for the clinch. Steve talked about this drill being excellent to work out of motion and find things with lots of movement and aliveness.

Each person took it in turns to feed the energy for the attacks.

On the first defensive motion (hand inside the neck attack and towards the eyes), step back, extend your left hand so you are inside his forearm, load the right ready to punch with the cross, step and punch with the cross. As the punch comes in, he will short parry left and gunting with the right, the right hand then pistons back as the left hand presses down to clear the path for the right punch along the centreline, from here the hubud drill continues.

The second energy we worked was being on the outside of the arm and attacking with the right cross. To get to the outside of the arm, on your third motion or pak/slap to the arm, rotate the palm down and push your arm long against his elbow. As your right cross comes in, he will this time will short parry left and biu jee/ eye strike with the right, followed by a lap sau with the right and punch with the left. From here, the hubud drill continues.

Like most aspects of training in JKD, hubud is something I love to practise. Yet again, another great session at the Academy. Perhaps the highlight of the night was the fact that it was eventually decided how we end the class and say thank you to each other. There is now a simple solution. Praise Odin. Grading has been set for 17th November at 8pm sharp.

6/9/16: conditioned sparring rounds, Thai 4 counts plus 6 and 8 count sinawali

Warm up
Shadow boxing - body mechanics, adding footwork, adding jab and cross, adding hooks and uppercuts, adding jab or cross defences.

Conditioned sparring rounds. All in a one for one format. The aim was to play with the timing, and keep the conditioned sparring alive. So trying to land punches, reply with your techniques as soon as he has landed his kick. Or try pausing, playing and delaying the punch to keep him thinking. Action is faster than reaction.
Front hand punch followed by a rear leg round kick to his leg.
Part 1:
Jab down the centreline, shift and round kick.
Shift offline and jab to round kick.
Drop the level, jab to the body to round kick.

Part 2:
Uppercut to round kick.
Shovel hook to round kick.
Body hook to round kick.
Head hook to round kick.
Feint to round kick.

Rear hand punch to front leg to his inner thigh.
Part 1:
Drop your level to body cross to inner kick.
Shift offline and cross to inner kick.
Cross down the centreline to shift and inner kick.

Part 2:
Rear uppercut to inner kick.
Head hook to inner kick.
Body hook to inner kick.
Shovel hook to inner kick.

All together:
Any of the above, one for one and keeping it alive. As always, lots of partner changes for different energies, ranges and motion.

Thai 4 counts on the pads for 3 minute rounds.
Round 1:
Inner thigh kick (lead leg) to cross - left hook to inner thigh kick.
As above but finish with a rear kick to the outer thigh.

Round 2:
Rear kick to outer thigh to left hook - right cross to inner thigh kick.
As above but finish with a rear kick to the outer thigh.

Double stick

Standard 6 count sinawali
right forehand (head height) - left backhand (low) - right backhand (head) left forehand (head) - right backhand (low) left backhand (head). Chamber each strike, work slow with flow rather than fast and clunky.

The following video shows the basic pattern we worked to begin with.



We then added a variety of motions whilst working the 6 count:
1: walking the circle clockwise and anti-clockwise
2: forwards and backwards
3: one person goes down on one knee, then both knees then post up on the other foot to standing. When back on the feet, the other person goes down to the floor.

Standard 8 count sinawali
As previously, chamber every strike and work slow with flow and not fast and clunky. If the strike is not fully chambered then the follow up strike will be uncertain. The full chamber shows you where the next strike comes from.
right forehand (head height) - right backhand (low) - left backhand (low) - right backhand (head) left forehand (head) - left backhand (low) - right backhand (low) - left backhand (head).

Putting together the 6 and the 8 count - 6 count into 8 count into 6 count and so on. It helped when the more experienced partner called the count.

30/8/16: shadow boxing variations, Thai 4 count and single stick

SHADOW BOXING VARIATIONS (rounds)
Visualisation practise: recent studies have confirmed that the process of visualisation creates the same neural pathways as actually doing the skill. The brain can't distinguish between real stimulus and imagined/activity/action, you become what you think about. The work of Brain Tracy centres on this, his book No Excuses goes into this concept in much greater detail.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Excuses-Self-Discipline-Brian-Tracy/dp/1593156324/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472594593&sr=8-1&keywords=brian+tracy

At all times in the shadow boxing work, we had to imagine someone in front of us. Until a more appropriate term arises, shadow boxing will remain. Practising empty will produce empty results.
body only
jab only
jab defences
hook defences
cross defences
forward pressure
working off L-stepping
working of the lead pivot
combination punches 3-5
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER.

THAI 4 COUNT TTACK AND DEFENCE
4 count - lead kick to inside of lead leg - right cross - left hook - rear kick to outside of the thigh
DEFENCE 1: against the lead kick - crush across followed by rear round kick.
DEFENCE 2: the lead kick gets in, they throw the right cross - you cut punch then rear round kick.
DEFENCE 3: the lead kick lands, cover the cross, simultaneous cover and uppercut against the hook followed by a knee up the centre.
DEFENCE 4: the lead kick lands, cover the cross then the hook and crush the kick followed by the rear round kick.

Working the whole set in reverse order.

Working in any order. Feeder throws the 4 count 4 times. You have to select any of the counters in any order

SINGLE STICK
8 angle drilling - solo and with a partner
1: downward forehand on the #1 angle
2: upward backhand
3: upward forehand
4: downward backhand
5: stab to the belly
6: lateral backhand
7: lateral forehand
8: stab to the head (#11 on the #2 angle)

19/4/16 Shadow fighting, Muay Thai, pad training and knife

SHADOW FIGHTING
hands only
hands and knees

THAI TECHNIQUES
Feeder throw the jab; catch the jab, jab - cross round kick.
There was a second technique but Steve talked about the importance of stepping offline and varying the attacks. This will prevent him from (and ultimately you) from attacking in easily to read lines and patterns. IN this part of the class, Steve felt I was too often in front of my partner. He showed how to get offline with the punches.

I have a feeling the other technique involved some type of lead hook and a outer thigh kick.

Using the opponent for target practise:
1: inside thigh kick - cross - hook - outer thigh kick
2: outer thigh kick - hook - cross - inner thigh kick

PAD ROUNDS
1: feeder throws jab-lead hook; catch the jab, bob and weave under the hook, body shot, up tall, cross-hook-cross
2: feeder throw jab-looping right hand; catch the jab, shoulder roll, cross-left uppercut-cross

KNIFE
Numerada tips - weapon hand and same leg forward, angled stance, get the body out of the way, high knife (tip up) on the backhand, low knife (tip down) on the low backhand slash.

Really great session tonight. Loving the journey of learning, refining, mistakes and progress; no matter how fast or slow.

Martial Arts bio

What follows is the third editing of my martial arts history with some updates and additions.

1993 - 1996 Lau Gar Brian Nelson and Curtis Page

1996 - 1998 Wing Chun (NWCA) Martin Workman

1998 - 1999 Wudang Taichi Chuan: (PTTCI) Ray White Dan Docherty

1999 - 2002 Old Yang style Taichi Chuan (WTBA): Paul Brecher Erle Montaigue

2002 - 2003 CQC: Joe Hubbard

2003: Warriors Escrima

2003: Harimau Pentjak Silat Scott McQuaid

2003 - 2006 Systema Greg Coveney, Darren Pickard.

2006 Wudang Taichi Chuan (PTTCI) Norman Jones,

2006 - 2008 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Ricardo Da Silva.

2008 Wing Tsun (UKKFF) Lee Heron

2008 - 2009 Wudang Taichi Chuan (PTTCI) Norman Jones,

2009 - 2010 Wing Chun (WWCA) Martin Workman

2010 - 2012 MMA (PRO MAI MMA) Lee Aylett

2012 - 2014 Wing Chun (WWCA) Martin Workman

2014 - 2015 Submission grappling (PRO MAI MMA) Lee Aylett

2015 - 2016 Aikido (IOA) Ali Khan, Andy Roberts

2016 - present JKD Steve Martin

17/3/16 Footwork and single stick

FOOTWORK
Step and slide (mirroring with the partner)

Cross step (mirroring with the partner)

Male and female patterns. Female is the v step forward, male is the v-step to the rear.

SINGLE STICK
High box 3 beat sumbrada

Adding the knife to the checking hand

Strips off all 3 attacks from the high box.
1: Against the #1: use the roof and crash in, wrap the checking hand around his attacking arm, almost like a tan sau, be ready to strike with the butt of the stick. His stick should be levered against your body.

2: Against the #1: block and check, step out and stab on the outside of his attacking arm, lever the stick down for the disarm.

3: Against the #2: block and check, snake your stick under his arm to the back of the wrist, have both hands on your stick for the strip.

These are quite difficult to articulate as they are fast, flowing and dynamic motions. The following videos show elements of what we were exploring tonight.

Some examples of stripping methods





20 clicks: Try to perform your 3 disarms within the 3 beat high box sumbradra inside 20 clicks; strikes on the sticks.

The best stick disarms: long range smashing of the hand.

10/3/16 Energy drills, trapping, pad training and single stick

CO-ORDINATION WARM UP
As last Thursday; start from outside contact range, pak and punch, tan and punch, pak and punch and continue rolling side to side.

Pak and punch, lap and punch, pak and punch.

TRAPPING
Steve said that the concept of trapping is to remove the barrier to hit. You are only going to need one trap as the person on the other end is not going to give you the 'correct' energy. Create a gap and move forward.
All of the following traps were worked from outside contact range.
1: rear pak and lead punch, left tan and right punch, right cross pak and left punch.
2: rear pak and lead punch, he pushes across the centre so lap and rolling backlist into lan sau and punch.
3: rear pak and lead punch, he gives energy going forward, use this energy for a lap and punch,

We then did them in sets of four consecutively.
Here is an example of the lan sau (both shape and energy)



PAD TRAINING
Round 1: Feeder throws a jab, parry and low hit to the body, lead hammer fist, lap and rolling backlist, cross - lead hook - cross.

Round 2: Jab, jab - cross, jab - cross - lead uppercut, jab - cross - lead uppercut - rear overhand, jab - cross - lead uppercut - rear overhand, lead hook.

SINGLE STICK
3 beat high box sumbrada.

8/3/16 Thai knees, Thai elbows, pad training and standing grappling

THAI KNEES
Thai stance - short, high hips, high hands and short guard.
1. Feeder jabs, catch the jab and cover his rear hand, turn the left foot out and have a strong ankle, lift the knee then push it forward from the hips. As the knee comes up, the right arm cuts into the neck fro the clinch. It literally felt like a jamming strike. Step away after the knee strike and throw an elbow.

2. Feeder throws jab then cross, capture the right hand, take a small step with the right, turning the toes out and having the strong ankle, strike with the left knee. Again, finish with the elbow strike.

THAI ELBOWS
1. Feeder throws jab-cross, pull down and tug the right cross as you step in with the right elbow (kiss the bicep style), follow up with left elbow, right elbow, right back spinning forearm/elbow.

2. Feeder throw the jab, step in with the left elbow, follow up with right then left elbow, finishing off with the spinning back forearm / elbow.



PAD TRAINING

1. Jab - cross, bob and weave under the lead hook, throw the left body hook, right cross - left hook, bob and weave under the rear hook and you throw the right body hook, left head hook - right cross.

2. Jab - cross, feeder throws head high attack, cover with elbow up the centreline, step in with the rear elbow strike.

STANDING GRAPPLING

1. Feeder throw jab –cross, parry the cross and step in with a covering elbow, reach up, over and around for the standing guillotine. Get the armpit on the back of the head, get arm in deep and finish – left elbow high and on his shoulder, push the hips forward and lever his head.

2. As above but the guillotine is not deep, he gets his fingers in. Release the neck arm for the undertook, the left arm either pulls on his forearm or jams his humerus into his side (it just depends where his arm is) and reap him down to the ground.

1/3/16 Pad training, jab sparring, lock flow and locking out of striking

FOOTWORK:
Jabbing the pads using step and slide footwork pattern in 4 directions.

Jab and he moves back as he has your jab timed in. On the second jab cross step in, pressure the shoulder and neck with your left and strike with the right cross.

PAD TRAINING
Keeping the focus on footwork, combination was right cross, left jab (step in song the female triangle, v-step right), be tight at his hip and side as you throw the right body hook, right head hook.

SPARRING
Jab only. Light and fast, varying levels and numbers. Keeping it active.

LOCK FLOW
1 to 4 and back to 1. Left and right side.
1: kotegaesi variation: take control of the thumb, rotate outwards and down towards the toes using a perpendicular palm on the back of his hand to apply rotation and control.
2: arm wrap and tricep extension (if looking the left arm, wrap with the left
3: upward shoulder rotation
4: extended reverse ikkyo

The video below shows a very similar lock flow.



LOCKING OUT OF STRIKES
1: Feeder throws jab, pal and biu to the eyes (make a simultaneous motion, cut across his centre to affect his centre as this will keep the right hand away), lap and punch, slide the punch down the arm to take control of the thrumb and apply number 1 lock to the wrist, turning out and down to the floor.

2: Feeder throws jab, pak and salute and you enter in, shear the arm (left pulls the wrist back as the right elbow wrenches in the opposite direction just above his elbow), control the thumb and use the forearm to apply pressure as you are in so close and tight.

3: Feeder throw jab and cross, catch the jab and parry the cross as you throat strike, apply the dumog pull as you step the front leg to the rear. This will greatly affect his structure, from here the upward shoulder rotation is waiting.