10/8/17: double stick

Thanks to James for the following blog post

Double Stick

Odd Series:

From closed guard (R. stick on shoulder, L. stick under R. armpit):

R. forehand, roof with the R. as you L. backhand, R, forehand follow through so your R. stick is under your L. armpit, your L. stick resting on your shoulder. Do the same on the other side.
R. forehand watik (like a jab) so as you L. backhand your R. stick retracts back onto your R. shoulder. R, forehand follow through so your R. stick is under your L. armpit, your L. stick resting on your shoulder. Do the same on the other side.
R. forehand, umbrella with the R. (turn your L. shoulder side on and keep the stick tight) as you L. backhand, R, forehand follow through so your R. stick is under your L. armpit, your L. stick resting on your shoulder. Do the same on the other side.
Do (1) to (3) in order.
A1, A2 (make sure you turn your body) then go into (1). Do the same on the other side.
A1, A2 then go into (2). Do the same on the other side.
A1, A2 then go into (3). Do the same on the other side.
Do (5) to (7) in order.

Empty Hand to Takedowns

Slip outside the J., step R. leg up and move to the back controlling his hips with your hands (L. ear against his back) and then pivot anti-clockwise and hook his R. arm in the crook of your R. arm (point your hand up to the sky), pull his elbow into your body, grab your R. wrist with your L. hand and drag him down towards your L. foot (or where your L. foot was as you will be moving your L. leg anti-clockwise), stretch his arm up and step L. leg over his head & stamp and then bring it back close to his neck, step over him (like a lunge) and your L. knee rests on the floor and arm bar then sit your butt back for the choke.

Parry and eyeswipe the J. over the top, lap and R. vertical fist, using your L. arm on his tricep to bend his arm, hook R. arm under his L. arm above the elbow and use a knife hand and point your finger to the floor. Quarter turn L. leg counter clockwise and put L. hand on top of his neck, thumb digging into the side of his neck. Step your L. leg behind your R. leg, gable grip your hands and drive him head first into the floor. Put knee in kidneys and shoulder lock (use your bicep to make sure his arm does not straighten).

Catch the J, waslik the RC and step in with your R. leg as you continue the circular motion of your L. hand and grab around his neck so your fingers are digging into the L. side (his L.) of his neck. His head should be pressed into your L. shoulder (this would be a shoulder smash) and the L. side of your head should be pressed against the L. side of his head. Bring your L. elbow towards your hip as you step your L. foot in a small anti-clockwise circle, keeping control of his head for the takedown. Finish with R. knee on belly/chest and throw hammerfists.

8/8/17: boxing and knife hubud

BOXING: the conceptual theme was attacking by changing levels.

As last session, changing levels to counter attacks.

• Changing the level and throwing the jab
• Changing the level and throwing the cross
• Blocking and respond against the jab and cross
• Changing the level and throwing the jab followed by the right body hook
• Changing the level and throwing the left body hook
Always be in balance and positional control or dominance and being ready to fire the next shot or combination.

On the pads:
Several rounds of:
• Changing the level and throwing the jab followed by the right body hook
• Changing the level and throwing the left body hook
As well as adding a 3 punch combo on the end

Conditioned sparring rounds
Feeding threw the 4 punches at half speed to develop the correct mechanics for what we were learning. We were supposed to lock out any other ingrained responses to straight attacks – hence the half speed, to allow flight time for what was being learned.
4 attacks – jab or cross to body or head.
4 responses – forearm block and respond, change level and jab followed by hook.



HUBUD: the conceptual theme was seeing, feeling and flowing

The basic roll with a knife in ice pick grip. The main attack comes in a wider angle than the regular hubud so the initial interception uses the palm to cover the wrist (as opposed to the outer wrist and finger strike to the eyes).

Each of the following attacks were inserted into the drill. When completed with a response or counter, the drill would continue. Each attack was built on the last and inserted into the drill assuring the development of seeing and feeling.

• 12 o’clock attack – counter: fold the arm (similar to a collapsing bong sau) and roll controlling the elbow and press his arm into him followed by a stab on the angle #1 line.
• pak and backhand stab on the high line – counter: mirror with a pak and stab. Do this for several repetitions then flow back into the drill.
• pak and backhand stab on the low line – counter: as above
• gunting slash on the high line – counter: I don’t think there was one?
• hooking stab on the low #3 line – counter: pass and slash across the arm followed by backhand stab on the outside of the arm to the body

3/8/17: boxing and hubud

I am starting to think more about concepts and attributes and how they apply to the techniques being taught. This is because I know I will not remember every technique yet if I can consider the concepts or attributes, then I can apply these transferable skills to different aspects of the system. I will continue to recount the lessons being taught but will also attempt to summarise by having an umbrella concept or attribute for each phase of the lesson. Sometimes, Steve talks about them and sometimes not. Until ‘edited’, the conceptual and attribute themes are based on my understanding at my current level. Meaning, if I have misunderstood the concept or attribute, please let me know.

BOXING: the conceptual theme was attacking by changing levels.

Changing the level and throwing the jab: Drop the weight first then jab by moving forward on the low line, then move back out after the jab. Make sure you drop the level and not slip or bend forward.

Changing the level and throwing the cross: As above but with the right hand

Blocking the jab and cross: keep the elbows tight to the body and use turn the torso to divert the attack. Ideally, block the same side punch – if he jabs, use your right forearm by turning to the left. The cross, use the left forearm by turning to the right. Again, tight and precise motions whilst avoiding
• Bowing motion
• ‘chopping’ down in place of turning,
• over turning

Block and respond: This was almost like a pak and punch but using the forearm instead of the hand against his jab and cross to the body.

Change level jab to right body hook: Person A threw a jab, Person B changes the level and jabs then steps out to the right and throws the body hook with the right hand.

Change level jab to left body hook: Person A throws the jab, Person B changes the level and jabs then jump steps left and throws the left body hook.

HUBUD: the conceptual theme was breaking the structure by locking out of motion

The basic roll, putting in flight time.

Attack 1: lap and punch (lap with the right hand on the motion after the pak with the left, zone off), dumog pull into wrist lock #1 on his right hand

Attack 2: high lap and deep jab (by stepping through) to put your arm pit on his tricep, with his thumb facing down go to 2 hands to 1 to arm wrench. Add the ripping lunge as this will force him to the floor.

Attack 3: wrist lock #1 on the left hand after a strong and committed attack (to the neck) with the right hand which is your final motion of the three in the drill. Step on the foot and left elbow in his chest to beak his structure. Insert the left arm under his forearm and clasp the wrist for a wrench

Working all 3 in any order

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.

25/5/17: syllabus focus for all

SHADOW BOXING WARM UP (ALL)

RED BELT SYLLABUS FOCUS

Jab defences:
1: catch and jab

2: slip and uppercut

3: cut punch

4: outside deflection

5: split entry into dumog pull

6: lead high elbow cover into hammer fist

Jab-cross defences:
1: catch and jab

2: bob and weave

3: outside deflection

4: split entry into dumog pull

5: parry left and overhand right

6: cut punch

PAD ROUNDS: (ALL) the focus was defending the clinch then striking
1: against the single arm clinch - shrug off with the elbow followed by cross-uppercut-cross

2: against the single clinch - inside gunting - followed by cross-uppercut-cross

3: against the double clinch - bob and weave - followed by cross-uppercut-cross

4: against the double clinch - drop the level and push up against the triceps - followed by teep-cross-hook-cross

5: against the double clinch - arms over and push against the chin - followed by overhand-uppercut-overhand

6: THAI PADS - right rear leg round kick-left hook-right cross- rear leg round kick

SINGLE STICK:

Downward figure 8

Upward figure 8

Cinqo teros patterns:

1-2-3-4-5

1-4-3-2-5

1-upward backhand-upward forehand-2-5

Putting them all together in a loop drill

ADVANCED SYLLABUS WORK

As always, thanks to James for the detailed notes

Thai 4 Counts

Partner steps in to J, as he steps in front leg teep, step down with a hard ankle and rear leg thai (RLT), LH, RC, step-off inside leg kick (ILK).
Partner steps in to J, as he steps in rear leg teep, step down to the R. and ILK, RC, step-off LH, RLT.

Clinch

Cover the J with R. forearm (L. elbow cover your face) and immediately move R. hand to the crown of his head (hit his neck with your forearm on the way in) and the L. hand to his R. bicep or his forearm if his guard is tight, then put L. hand on top of R. (palm to palm), before the forearms are completely pinned together your partner bob and weaves out (keeping the forearms low and horizontal to cover the knee) then RC, step-off LH, RLT.

Cover the J with R. forearm and cover the C with L. forearm (R. elbow cover your face) and immediately move L. hand to the crown of his head and the R. hand to his L. bicep or his forearm if his guard is tight, then put R. hand on top of L. (palm to palm), and bring forearms together and sink weight down, your partner moves his hips in tight to yours then shrug his shoulders up to trap your arms, brings both arms over the top and pushes against his chin (one hand on top of the other) as he straightens his arms and brings his elbows together then pushes out and RLT.

Double Stick

From open guard step out to the right and A1, A2, swing the L. stick under your R. armpit then do heaven 3 (alternatively, you can swing the L. stick at the same time as you A2) & go back to open guard; step out to the left and A2, A1, swing the R. stick under your L. armpit and heaven 3 then go back to open guard.

Do drill (1) then step out to the right and A1, A2, step out to the left and A2, A1 then heaven 6.

From open guard step out to the right and A1, low backhand watik; step out to the left and A2, low backhand watik, then standard 6.

From open guard step out to the right and A1, low backhand but this time follow through and at the same time swing your L. stick under your R. armpit then heaven 3 & go back to open guard; step out to the left and A2, low backhand follow through and at the same time swing your R. stick under your L. armpit then heaven 3 & go back to open guard.

From open guard step out to the right and A1, A2, step out to the left and A2, A1 then heaven 6 and go back to open guard; step out to the right and A1, low backhand watik, step out to the left and A2, low backhand watik, then standard 6 and go back to open guard; step out to the right and A1, low backhand watik, A2; step out to the left and A2, low backhand watik, A1 then earth 6 and go back to open guard.

23/5/17: syllabus focus plus humility on the Thai pads

Red belt syllabus group

Below are extra or further refinements in terms of learning points that Steve was exemplifying.

Jab defences
- Catch and jab:

- Cut punch:
dominate the line of his punch, step off line slightly.

- Split entry to dumog drag:
Don't bring him down but bring him towards you.

- Slip and uppercut:
Lead with the left shoulder, lose your neck and make it one smooth movement not two separate ones.

- Salute to arm break:
Affect his structure

- Scoop and lead uppercut:
Be dynamic

Cross defences

- Cut punch:
As above: shift off line and dominate his line and structure of the punch.

- Bob and weave, body hook:
Avoid just going under the punch, it is more like a forward corkscrew motion.

- Lead high elbow to hammer fist:

- Split entry:
Dumog pull needs to be in to your centre to affect his balance and base.

- Slip and uppercut:
Lead with the right shoulder.

- Parry and overhand right:
Drive the overhand straight down his centre.

Humility on the Thai pads
My first time on the Thai pads and learned many valuable and ego shredding lessons. The beauty of them, they expose, very quickly, gaps. Here are just a few that I noticed within 20 seconds of hitting them after doing the four count (lead leg round kick - cross - hook - rear leg round kick).
Structure is poor and unsound - there was no turning the hip over in the kicks
No flow - I was throwing 4 techniques and not a flow of 4 as 1.
Barely any power - bouncing off the pads.
Hands were dropping after each 4 count.
Staying in range after each 4 count.
Shot my load very quickly - as Conor McGregor would say, I was inefficient with my energy.

Pad rounds alongside the Thai pads had a clinch focus
1: Pad holder puts right hand on shoulder of puncher, simulating the single arm clinch, puncher shrugs off the clinch with the left elbow/shoulder shrug then follows up with a cross - hook - cross.

2: Pad holder puts right hand on shoulder of puncher, simulating the single arm clinch, inside gunting followed by cross - hook - cross

3: Pad holder puts both hands on shoulders of puncher, simulating the double arm clinch, puncher bobs and weaves followed by cross - hook - cross.

4: Pad holder puts both hands on shoulder of puncher, simulating the double arm clinch, puncher drops their level and pushes up on the triceps of the pad holders then follows up with cross - hook - cross.

3 count sumbrada plus 3 strips

STRIPS:
Snake against angle #1
Roof and shoot the left-hand arm/hand straight and wrap from there (rather than trying to cover the hand and wrap). Wrap with the left thumb up and high. Your hand and his should be at eye level. Add the rotation and hitting his stick arm for the strip.
If it does not go, insert your stick to the other side of his wrist as you slide you left hand down his stick. Continue the opposite direction motion to strip the stick and flow with a combination of strikes.

Vine against angle #1
Inside sweep and check the stick, moving to the left and away from the empty hand that could strike, jab to the eyes with your stick and lever his stick vertical. This angle was key for an effective strip. If this doesn’t work, take your stick out and put the tip in your left hand, you will now have his and your stick tips in one hand. Using the right hand, use the similar rotating motion as in the snake strip to take his stick. We were also shown a nasty variation where the hand is trapped and crushed between the two sticks.

Vine against the angle #2:
Drop stick and check the hand but control the hand by grapping the thumb. Insert your punyo over his hand and affect his structure by extending his arm. If this does not work then jab to the eyes with the stick then loop under and behind his forearm for an elbow extension and stripping of the stick.

18/5/17: functional trapping masterclass

The function of trapping is to hit. If the hands are low; hit. If there is a gap in their guard; hit through. If they have a tight and alive guard; trap and hit. The two drills below were an opportunity to get flight time in the motions meaning no power, heavy paks or punches with depth.

There are many classical variations of using pak sau and lap sau, here are a few we looked at.

Pak sau cycle
Person A pak (R) and punch (L) (to get the attachment), Person B short parries across the centreline, with the rear hand, Person A comes under their punching arm to get an attachment on Person B’s arm. This could be a tan sau type shape or a biu type shape, so long as it moves his arm off the centreline to enable pak (L) and punch (R). And the drill continues.

Pak - lap cycle:
Person A does short lap (L) and punch (R) just to get the attachment but not a reaction from the rear hand, this is then followed by pak (R) and deep punch (L) and from here the drill continues in the above fashion.

Trapping applications in gloves and motion:

3 pak and hits against the jab
1: Before – ‘nothing’ is happening apart from movement, range finding and an alive guard from both people. No strikes are being thrown until you attack with pak and punch.

2: During – as above in terms of movement then he jabs, and as he jabs, you pak and punch.

3: After – as he jabs, you lean back like a shoulder roll and catch the jab and follow it back with pak and punch.

Lap and hit:
Send the left arm long, like an eye strike then pull with the lap to clear the arm for the simultaneous punch. There was also some triangular footwork in stepping right as you punch to give a clearer shot to the head.

Trapping into locking. The ‘locks’ below are wrenches, throws or breaks. We train slowly to be technically sound but the intention, which comes from the Filipino arts, is destruction and immobilisation

Pak and hit – wheel the arm and go edge on – chicken wing control and thumb in the neck. Ensure his arm is bent, elbow is tight to you and blade of outer wrist is across his elbow crease.

Lap and hit – dumog arm pull – his elbow tight to your chest – wrist lock #3 (figure 4 over the shoulder)

This is an interesting illustration of trapping in Muay Thai. Move the arm and hit, it is neither pretty nor classical but clearly effective.

11/5/17: 8 angles of the knife, long range knife sparring and side control/scarf hold escapes.

KNIFE

8 angles of the knife
1: Downward forehand slash
2: Upward backhand slash
3: Upward forehand slash
4: Downward backhand slash
5: Stab to the abdomen
6: Backhand horizontal slash
7: Forehand horizontal slash
8: Backhand stab on the high line to the head

No wasted motions, keep it all tight and smooth. One person at a time working the motions on their partner.

Mirroring:
Facing your partner, using them as the focus for the knife and both partners performing each angle in sync.

Defanging:
Cutting the weaponised hand or wrist as one partner feeds the 8 angles, this was a long range practise.

Checking range:
Cutting and passing or cutting and checking the 8 angles. In this drill, footwork, controlling the knife hand, being zoned off behind the knife hand were key teaching points.

Long range knife sparring
8 or 9 rounds. The target in the early rounds was the knife hand and lead leg, in later rounds, the abdomen (if available). A constant mantra from Steve was keeping the knife out in front of you as well as always pointing it towards him coupled with staying edge on. High work rate and repeated change of partners made the drill both challenging and tremendous fun.

GRAPPLING

Back break fall:
Sit the hips low, rock back, keep the chin tucked and slap the floor with both arms.

Tactical get up:
Base out with the left behind you, have the right arm up in front defending the head space. Swing the left leg back to get both feet flat to the floor and keep that right hand up and extended. Now step back and around with the right to create distance between you and him.

Scarf hold escape to side control escape loop drill:
Building on the learning from the last two weeks but this time the drill was modified to contain both elements of practise.
Person A has Person B in scarf hold, Person B escapes with the T-bar then sweeps and moves into side control. From here, Person A escapes with the shrimping then bridging escape (Person B must drive back into Person A to receive the right direction of pressure) and once again moves into scarf hold. Repeat.

Scarf hold escape to back take sweep:
As you get the hips moving away from him whilst escaping the scarf hold, if he is canny, he will try to follow you to limit your space to escape. If you’re on your left side, throw the right leg over to get the hook in his inside thigh and put the right hand around his shoulder and take the bicep. From here, pull down and back on the bicep as this open his chest and torque his body which will enable you to simply sweep him over. He will end up face down on the matt. Apply pressure through his shoulders to stop him getting up as you take the leg out and get to the feet.

Back take sweep to face crank:
This is if he holds tight to the head on the above sweep. Step over with your leg that is at his hips, not his head, then pull it in tight to his abdomen. Adjust yourself to get tight behind his head and shoulder and use the blade of your forearm to grind into the jawline or cheekbone – imagine you are trying to press the forearm into the floor. But do try to regain a strong spinal posture as pushing his face through the floor. This will at worst cause discomfort and provide space for your next option, at best, he will give into the pain quickly and release his grip of your head.

2/5/17: shadow boxing rounds, thai 4 counts, conditioned sparring and strips using the single stick.

Shadow boxing/carenza

Working the following rounds:
Evasion
Jab only
Forward pressure
Moving backwards
In close and tight
Counters
Moving left
Moving right
Pivoting
L-stepping
3 punch combinations
I’m certain there were a few more variations too…
Putting them all together

Thai 4 counts
All the kicks were targeted at the lead leg of the opponent, the left leg hit the inner thigh and the right kick was on the outer thigh.
1: Jab (lead hand) – cross (rear hand) – left round kick (lead leg) – right round kick (rear leg).

2: Uppercut (lead hand) – cross (rear hand) – right round kick (rear leg) – left round kick (lead leg).

3: Step off and left hook or jab (lead hand) – right round kick (rear leg) – step off right and right hook or cross (rear hand) – left round kick (lead leg).

Then, conditioned sparring rounds doing any of the 4 counts, 1 for 1.

Pad rounds x3:
Pad holder was the coach and caled the number of punches to be thrown from 1 - 5. the pad holder was also responsible for checking if the hitter's hands were up as well as ginving them motion - enetering the range and holding the pads in different angles so that the hitter had to moce round the holder to be in a sound position to launch attacks from.

Single stick strips against the angle #1

These were worked from long range with the mind-set of crashing in. Both the strips were worked from a static stick being held by the partner to enable flight time, they were then worked out of motion.

Snake:
Roof and shoot the left-hand arm/hand straight and wrap from there (rather than trying to cover the hand and wrap). Wrap with the left thumb up and high. Your hand and his should be at eye level. Add the rotation and hitting his stick arm for the strip.
If it does not go, insert your stick to the other side of his wrist as you slide you left hand down his stick. Continue the opposite direction motion to strip the stick and flow with a combination of strikes.

Vine:
Inside sweep and check the stick, moving to the left and away from the empty hand that could strike, jab to the eyes with your stick and lever his stick vertical. This angle was key for an effective strip. If this doesn’t work, take your stick out and put the tip in your left hand, you will now have his and your stick tips in one hand. Using the right hand, use the similar rotating motion as in the snake strip to take his stick. We were also shown a nasty variation where the hand is trapped and crushed between the two sticks.

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.

30/3/17: rounds and rounds of conditioned sparring; stick and knife

SHADOW BOXING WARM UP

CONDITIONED SPARRING ROUNDS
Even though numbers were smaller than usual tonight, everyone got to work with everyone in all the rounds.

1: Jab only

2: Lead hand only (any punch) – there might have been the occasional cheap shot with the right hand from a sneaky move to right lead. No names mentioned.

3: Body shots only

4: Lead hand v rear hand (both in left leg lead)

5: Both hands v both hands

The sparring rounds were constant hard work with very little rest. They were incredibly taxing as the rounds went on but bloody good fun. A true feeling of aliveness and being in the moment. A personal thanks from me to all the lads who were at training tonight as this was hard work that required trust and respect and thanks to Steve for facilitating so well whilst reminding us of:
• Footwork
• Head movement
• Hands up and chin down
• Control
• Pressure
• Being edge on
• Using the right pak to set up the right hand
• Controlling the range with jab
• Constant work rate
• Changing levels of attack

STICK AND KNIFE (KALI)

Footwork:
The right-hand side of the diamond – start in neutral, step out at 45 degrees with the right, the left then comes to meet the right but does not touch the floor, it moves out 45 degrees.

Drilling the footwork pattern and adding the stick and knife mechanics
1: angle 2 backhand strike (right-hand) with stick, while stepping off to the right
2: left hand high line stab with the knife, on the same 2 line, followed by
3: angle 2 backhand redondo (right-hand) with the stick
4: reverse stab on the angle #1 line

Drilling the 4-count pattern mirror fashion with a partner

Preceding the 4-count with other striking family patterns
1: Figure 8
2: Heaven 6
3: Angle#1 forehand – low backhand watik
4: Abanico

Application of the motions:
Person A: attacks with angle #1
Person B: Step 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.

Steve illustrated the concept of hitting the hands regardless of what shapes the attacks take or when they come. Hit, hit, hit and hit; it’s the Filipino way.

28/3/17: boxing 3 counts, sumbrada plus stick and knife

BOXING 3 COUNTS

GLOVE WORK:
The following 3-counts were all about learning to develop and drill different options:
• Options to attack with variety in combinations.
• Options to crash range
• Options to fight at long range
• Options to break rhythm
• Options to attack from different angles
We need the different options so that we are not one dimensional or predictable or avoid getting stuck in doing our favourite attacks or strategies.

Long jab – long cross – long left head hook

Long jab – long cross – long left body hook – jab on the way out. These 2 techniques were worked with the longest punches you could throw; keeping the left shoulder forward and not being square. There was no stepping or moving the front foot as this would give him something to read. The image below is a good illustration of the length and body turn that Steve was requiring. Make the initial jab believable.

Jab – tight left head hook – right cross

Jab – tight left head hook – right cross to the body – jab on the way out. The tight left hook was all about sound body mechanics and tight hand motions. Once the jab was completed, (this time step in to throw the jab) do not retract as you would conventionally for the hook. The jab is completed and moves back a tiny amount so the arm can bend. From here, everything rotates as one for the hook. Make the initial jab believable.

Jab (slide and step to cover distance) – right body hook – right head hook

Cross – left body hook – left head hook. You must move in deep as either he jab or cross are thrown to get you in the correct position for the hooks. It was important to get deep next to, almost past them yet close enough to have the nearside elbow on him. This will minimise his ability to throw punches but also facilitate maximum positioning for your hooks.

Jab – right uppercut –left head hook. In between the jab and uppercut, bring the back leg in then lengthen the front leg to make sure you have a sound, short uppercut, not a long and looping one.

Conditioned sparring using the sumbrada idea – counter for counter
The first 4 in any order, 4 for 4.
Counter for counter – any 3 count whilst practising the different options.

STICK AND KNIFE (KALI)
The main flow of motions was a four-count using alternate stick (right hand) and knife (left hand) attacks. This might need some editing...
1: angle 2 backhand strike ( right hand ) with stick, while stepping off to the right
2: left hand high line stab with the knife, on the same 2 line, followed by
3: angle 2 backhand redondo ( right hand ) with the stick
4: reverse stab on the angle #1 line

In the mirrors and then mirroring with a partner.

Angle #1 (stick) - Angle #2 (stick) - Angle #1 (stick) - then 4-count pattern
Abanico backhand – abanico forehand – abanico backhand then the 4-count pattern.
Heaven 6 – Angle #1 (stick) - long backhand cut with the knife then into the 4-count pattern

23/3/17: jab and cross defences, high intensity pad rounds and guard passing into arm submissions

JAB/CROSS DEFENCES
Scoop and round kick
Jab: scoop right and cover with his right with your left hand, step out and round kick with the right leg to the outer thigh.
Jab-cross: catch the jab then scoop the cross as you round kick to the inner thigh with the left leg.
Three punches were then added as a follow up once the initial defence was given some flight time.

Split entry
Jab: parry right and split left followed by right uppercut then straight left.
Jab-cross: catch the jab then parry left and split right followed by left uppercut then straight right.
It was at this point Steve talked about how some of us were putting the brakes on our movements by either going slow and stiff. Steve was encouraging faster and lighter by letting the attacks flow.

Pak sau
Jab: right pak followed immediately by the right cross-left uppercut-right cross
Jab-cross: catch the jab, left pak against the cross followed immediately by the left jab-right cross-uppercut-cross

6 for 6
One person fed all six attacks and the other worked all 6 defence varieties. Lots of changes of partners and energies.

PAD ROUNDS

4 stations, 3 reps of each before moving on.
1: jab-jab-cross-body hook-head hook
2: uppercut-uppercut-uppercut-hook-hook
3: jab-cross-uppercut-cross-hook
4: jab- uppercut-uppercut-uppercut-hook

Tabata style rounds
1: jab-cross
2: cross-hook
3: uppercut-uppercut
4: overhand-uppercut

GRAPPLING – GUARD PASS TO ARM LOCK SERIES by guest instructor Marc Stock.
Guard pass
Grab the shorts at his hips and punch the hips down to the floor – one knee into the arse as the other leg posts out. Not too far away to lose balance and not to close so that he can grab it. Drive the elbow into the inner thigh of the posted leg - this will open his guard. As the legs open, drive the shin across his thigh and staple the leg to the floor. Pass the left arm under the neck and move into side control.

Americana (shoulder rotation)
With good chest pressure coupled with left shoulder pressure, take out the left arm and drive (GRIND) the forearm across the face or neck, he will want to defend this by pushing you away with the arm. As he does, clasp his wrist with your left hand, and with the aid of gravity, force it to the mat. The right hand slides under his bicep and clasps your right wrist. Rev the wrists straight then slide his arm down to the hip; then lever his elbow up with your right arm for the shoulder submission. Make sure chest pressure is maintained throughout.

Straight arm lock (elbow extension)
As you attempt the Americana, he will defend by straightening the arm. Maintain your figure 4 grip but modify by sliding the left arm under the elbow and using the right to turn his thumb to the sky. Additionally, your weight will slide forward across the chest, that is natural and will aid securing the position. To apply the submission, ensure the left arm is the fulcrum and add downward pressure on the right wrist to extend the elbow beyond it’s acceptable range of motion.

21/3/17: trapping, conditioned sparring and knife sumbrada

Great to see Marc back in the class after being away working is miserable Brunei…

Shadow boxing warm up.

TRAPPING:

Pak sau and punch, he covers the centre with a palm block, you then take centre control with the eye jab. Come under your own punch and replace with the eye attack. Make sure the elbow is down and not raised at all as this will keep your attack tight and afford him no gaps to exploit. Have the fingers pointing to the far side eye as this will ensure control of the centre.

Short lap sau and punch, pak sau and punch to eye attack.

Pak sau and punch – he sends the energy across the centre, you use this for the jau sau (hooking palm strike to the face or jaw trying to get the thumb to the eyes). Make sure to step off line to get outside the arm to have a better angle for the strike.

Lap sau and punch, he catches the punch at the shoulder, drive the lap hand forward off his forearm to trap the catching arm against the chest as you rip out your punching hand. As the punch comes out you also need to step behind (in contact) to control his leg and ultimately, his base and balance. With the forward pressure in your motion, chop to the neck with the arm you ripped out and then cover and chop to the neck with the other hand.

CONDITIONED SPARRING

One person jabs and the other person responds or attacks (depending on the timing) with a trapping method:
• Catch the jab
• Pak and punch before he jabs
• Pak and punch as a response to his jab
• Pak and punch as the jab retracts
• Lap and punch and step off line

KNIFE SUMBRADA (COUNTER FOR COUNTER)

Continuing to get flight time into the drill. Tonight, we were working smaller and tighter motions with the knife and increased control of the partner with the empty hand. As the motions become tighter, the ‘defender’ needs to move much more to get the body out of the way.
We revised the strip against the stab that was worked in the last class too; continuing to work it in the drill as opposed to a static technique learning situation. A further reminder was about not watching the knife as this will take your awareness away from all the attacking options and tools he has, not just the one you’re dealing with.

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.

21/2/17: Panantukan and single stick (redondo focus)

PANANTUKAN methods against straight punches (the jab and cross)

1: Against the jab: Parry right and hit to the body with the left, left hand slides back along the arm to monitor as the right shovel hook goes into the body, the right hand then slides back along the arm to monitor as the left hand hits straight to the body.
Repeat with the cross working on the other side of his body.

2: Against the jab: Parry right and split with the left down the centre. Dumog pull the left forearm into his elbow crease and clasp with the right to secure the arm. Continue to pull his arm in and down so that his elbow ends up on your body. Turn the left palm down and away from yourself (to the left) to put pressure on the shoulder and compress his structure followed by a right body hook then a right head hook. Keep the arm wrapped with your left as you strike.
Repeat against the cross working on the other side of his body.

3: Against the jab: split and stick - parry right and eye jab left, slide the left arm down his arm as the right eye jab goes in, right pak sau on his arm coupled with the left fist. Reach over with the left to take the crease of his arm, the right hand is going to wheel his wrist to the right as the left hand moves the crease in the same counter clockwise motion. Your right arm will now slide into his elbow crease, your palm is facing you, and the left thumb is in his neck to prevent turning back into you.
Repeat against the cross working on the other side of his body.

4: Against the jab: Upper gunting into the salute with the left. From the left salute, slide the left hand down for wrist control as use wrench/break the arm with your right elbow then follow up with the left horizontal elbow to the head.
Repeat against the cross working on the other side of his body.

5: Against the jab: left elbow destruction followed by a series of hammerfists (Left backhand, right forehand-right backhand - left forehand - left backhand). Keep the tight and fast.
Repeat against the cross working on the other side of his body.

6: Against the jab: Parry right and salute with the left then uppercut with the right or go for the arm wrench/break instead. He then throws a shot with the other hand, you will need to keep shifting away from his right hand, intercept inside his attack with your right hand and use the back of the hand to wheel his wrist (and thus arm) in a counter clockwise circle. You end up with both his arms crossed at the elbows and balanced terribly compromised.
Repeat against the cross working on the other side of his body.

7: Against the cross only as the left leg forward and the torque of the right cross allows the offsetting for the throw. This can't be accomplished off a jab with a left lead.
Right elbow destruction the go straight in over the top with the right hand fingers to the eyes. Step in (keeping control of the left arm) and get your left shoulder tight to the back of his, or as close to the top of the tricep as possible. This will already have his balance off, As you step through with the left leg, the left hand is going to clasp the outer side of the leg on the other side of his body. The 'block' of his leg coupled with your step through will have him off balance and unable to attack with anything.

SINGLE STICK

Solo drilling in the mirrors

1-2-1 (right hand) step back, feet together, swap hands and repeat with the left

2-1-2 (right hand) step back, feet together, swap hands and repeat with the left

1-2-1 Redondo

2-1-2 Redondo

As a whole sequence: 1-2-1-redondo-2-1-2-redondo

Numerada: Feeder gives the 5 angles with the stick, 'defender' applies the 4 hits whilst continuously moving. Each hit was targeted on the weaponised hand.

16/2/17: Boxing body mechanics and empty hand v knife

BOXING
Tonight, we were using the stick as a training tool.

Jabbing (singles)
Partner held the stick vertically whilst moving around the room, the puncher threw single shots at the stick. Aim was to have sound hands, always - elbows in, hands up, piston-like punches in and out, chin down, extending the jabbing shoulder and looking through the eyebrows. In this drill, the puncher was in control as it was up to them when they threw the punches. The stick holder could add occasional angle 1 and angle 2 (slip against it) or high line angle 3 or 4 (bob and weave)

Jabbing (singles and doubles)
In contrast to the previous drill, the stick holder was in control of when the punches were thrown. The stick holder was paying particular attention to the balance and motion of the puncher. His job was to call 1 (single jab) or 2 (double jab) whilst moving in all directions and trying to make the call when the puncher was in motion and not 'set' to throw the punches. Again, it was about sound body mechanics and punch delivery as well as snap to get the stick moving when contacted. Similarly, the stick holder could feed the 4 angles for the puncher to practise slipping and the bob and weave.

Hook and uppercut
The stick was held vertically at shoulder height; the puncher was pointing the shoulder to simulate the slip followed by the bob and weave with the body hook followed by the uppercut. The key was the bob and weave coming from the legs and sound body mechanics. The punches needed to be tight and integrated with the body motion, especially the uppercut. Each side was done alternatively.

Lateral motion plus two punches
The stick was now held at a slight diagonal angle with the tip above the puncher's head. This acted as the centreline for the puncher to continually move under laterally, just as we practised throughout the boxing section in Tuesday's class. Likewise, the punches being thrown were the long uppercut then jab/cross or the other way around; jab/cross then long uppercut. To emphasise, the key learning theme running through this class and Tuesday was body mechanics; the punches were an integrated body motion not just lazy arms making punch shapes.

Out of range sparring x6 rounds
The first thing we had to be cognisant of was motion, lateral motion. Steve has been explicit in his desire for us to develop the ability to move and hit simultaneously. Constant work rate coupled with throwing any punch combination at the person in front of us (as they punch at us too). Not all of the southern softies in the room maintained a high work rate for all the rounds #powerfulnorthernmonkeys. In all seriousness, there was a really positive energy and tempo in the room, everybody was pushing everybody.

EMPTY HAND V KNIFE
Ice pick grip knife tapping against the 5 angles
As Tuesday, getting off the angle of attack more than the hammer grip attacks. An additional point for me was the passing. Having partners giving feedback and critiquing your work is most valuable and luckily for me, working with Adam, he could feel gaps and errors when I was passing the knife. I need to ensure that when passing, his knife arm goes towards him as opposed to taking it around and then towards him.

Empty hand against any 5 angles
The knife feeder this time could feed any of the 5 angles, in any order. So, aliveness and alertness was key; dying was obligatory.

Strip against angle 1 ice pick grip
Intercept and eye strike as per usual but instead of passing the blade, rev the left wrist away from you and downwards ending either with his hand on your side or his elbow against his side. This motion breaks his structure considerably as his elbow is in his centre but the hands is outwards of the centre. This causes a breaking of the structure as he must bend laterally to ease the pressure on the elbow and shoulder. Your right hand comes up behind the crook of the elbow to 'salute' against your eyebrow then straightens towards his shoulder as you strip the knife with the left hand.

Strip against angle 2 ice pick grip
Get deep to the outside for the interception and eye strike. Slide the left arm under but along his arm and clasp your left hand over his knife hand; your hand will cover the whole of his grip. As this happens, your left shoulder is tight to his to ensure there are no gaps that the knife could 'slip' through. You now pivot right to end up facing him as you torque his arm so that the forearm is now horizontal (elbow over wrist), maintain the twisting motion as you take the knife from the hand. This is one of those moves where the person holding the knife wants to drop it due to the torqueing but can't because their hand is being clasped shut. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed lots of people holding knives, who at the end of the defender’s motion, were high on their toes. The signal that the twist was 'on'.