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.

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

15/6/17: the art of ripping and tearing limbs

Tonight, was building on the back sweep series from Tuesday in that each technique involved a finish with the opponent on the floor. Furthermore, we were practising by looking after each other to ensure the technique was correct but also because the intention is aggression and speed. If we practised in this format, there would be no one at training for several months.

The principle behind this series of techniques was always to complete the first one. If that fails then move to the second and so on.

1: Against the jab – parry and salute to move his 12 o’clock, step forward with the right to take his weight top heavy. Step back with the left then sweep with the right. He will go down onto a knee but get him belly down by dragging him into his void and away from his based out arm. Essentially this is a #4 straight arm wrist lock but on a different plane. Take the arm vertical (perpendicular to his body) and apply the small circle principle to the wrist – it goes up as it folds for full extension of the joint. Step over the shoulder to simulate a stomp to the head, have the arm braced against your calf for a finish.

2: Against the jab – same as above up until he is face down on the floor. Somehow the arm bends. Slide your right hand to tricep so that your forearms are parallel whilst pinning him with your knee. The knee pressure must be heavy as that alone is grim. Lift the tricep and rotate to the left, trying to get his hand to the back of his head. The finish is due to the rotation of the shoulder muscles.

3: Against the jab – as above but he steps back to avoid the sweep. Transition to the #3 wrist lock (figure 4) take down. As he hits the floor, pin with both knees – one across the ribs and the other across the ear. Again, sound base and lots of pressure driving him into the floor to ensure he can’t move. Your left hand is folding his wrist as your right hand is clasping your left forearm. In addition, his elbow and forearm are glued to your abdomen. Posture up, push the hips forward and lift the wrist for the wrist extension.

4: Against the jab – as above but you can’t get the #3 because he is strong and stable. Step over and behind with the left leg bent and straighten by stomping, almost against his hamstring, for the takedown. Also make sure you are using the elbow close to his chest to apply pressure and help with the leverage for the takedown. When he hits the floor, same finish as the previous technique.

5: Against the jab-cross – split entry followed by the left eye jab and straight into the dumog arm pull so that his arm is pinned to your chest and his balance and base are compromised. Take the flesh of the thumb and rotate using the #1 wrist lock into the takedown. As he goes down, kneel on the bicep, make sure your centre is pointing down his body as this is the safest place to be. If you kneel ‘inside’ the bicep, he can easily reach around roll you to your back. As you kneel on the arm, the upper arm is perpendicular to the body, the forearm is vertical and 90 degrees to the upper arm. Apply the small circle principle to the wrist – up and down and over!

6: Against the jab-cross – as above but as you go for the dumog pull the arm slips out. Change levels and drive straight for the ankle pick with the right and left forearm drive into the hip, drive the hip to the floor so he goes down not away from you as you scoop the foot up. Place the foot under his hip and rotate 180 degrees whilst keep the foot held tight. Wrap tightly with an overhook or underhook. Ensure the leg is close to you, extend by raising, this will ensure no gaps and rotate to your left for some horrendous damage to the knee.

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

7/3/17: kicking, Jun Fan counts on the focus mitts and lock flow.

A massive thanks to James for compiling the notes for the class tonight.

With partner - both sides in shin guards - one for one of the following kicks - strong eyes:

Rear leg thai
Inside thai (close the distance and kick with no telegraph) or put the jab in to hide the step-up before you kick
Rear teep to body or just above lead leg knee
Lead leg teep to body or just above lead leg knee (close the distance and kick with no telegraph) or put the jab in to hide the step-up before you kick
Rear leg side kick (chamber knee - use edge of the foot) to body or just above lead leg knee
Put the jab in to hide the step-up then lead side kick to body or knee
Oblique kick (stamp down) either to just above knee or raking down the shin
Spinning back kick to body (step lead leg across, turn your back and shift your other leg up so it’s almost parallel then kick out using your glutes. You should spot the target as you’re turning rather than spotting it then kicking)
Mix (1) to (8) above - one-for-one
Do any two kicks from (1) to (8) above in combination then other side goes

Focus mitts - jun fan 5 count:

Step-up lead leg round kick to body (flick kick using instep), cross, hook, cross, step-up lead leg round kick to body. Pad holder moves back the whole time.

Lock flow:

Numbers 1 to 16, left and right.
Lock to disturb - one side locks, the other side ‘disturbs’ the lock but doesn’t always use the same motion e.g. use shoulder, knee etc. so partner gets to used to locking out of a variety of positions.

10/1/16: Footwork, Thai 4 counts, pad rounds and standing catch wrestling flow drill

FOOTWORK
Step and slide in 4 directions with single step then double. Added jabs to coincide with every step. Feet shoulder width apart, rear heel up which means the rear leg is bent. Be mindful of the feet as what you feel might not necessarily be what is going on. Having the mirrors is a great benefit. The rear foot is alive and not being dragged around.

Slide and step (to cover distance) forwards and backwards adding punches, as above – timed into the stepping.

THAI ROUND KICK PREP
The prep was on both sides of the body.
Coiling/screwing the body to open the hips. Had a silat feel to it.
Round kicks – coil, back up and throw the kick. Steve used the analogy of having a torch out of the hips laterally, so when you kick, you want the beam of the torch now goes forward.

THAI 4 COUNTS (off the jab)
1: Catch the jab, shift off the line on the inside jab (a high protective jab)-cross-left inside leg kick-right outside leg kick. Steve also talked about major and minor shots; in this instance the inside kick is minor, the outside kick is major as it has more hip/torque/body behind it. He also mentioned minor shots are used to set up major shots.
2: Catch the jab on the inside again, jab-cross then double right outside round kick. First to the thigh then up to the ribs. Bas Rutten style

Here is a great highlight video of the great man in sweet spleen splitting action.



3: Parry the jab (hard and at the elbow, you want his centre and equilibrium stunned for a brief moment to allow your attack in) and step out to the right and attack with the jab-cross-outside right round kick (minor) and step down on the right to deliver the left inside (major) round kick. Check your distance on the final kick so you’re not too close so the kick is compressed.

PAD ROUNDS
Each ‘group’ of punches was:
Cross
Jab
2 punches (any)
3 punches (any)
5 punches (any) repeat from the beginning again.

CATCH WRESTLING STANDING FLOW DRILL
Start with the split entry off the jab (parry right and split with the left hand)
1: Snake the left hand so it clasps the occipital bone (top of the base, base of the skull as this will prevent him muscling up and out. He could do this if the hand was on the back of the neck) and control the tricep with the right hand. The left foot is standing on his lead foot.
2: Swap/replace hands so the right snakes in to the same place. Keep the turn of the head for control, control his arm with your left hand. Step on his foot with the right hand. Be aware of your base and posture. Just because his head is lower and you ‘have him’, don’t let this break or weaken your base and posture.
3: Move to his back, head against the shoulder blades so he can’t elbow you. Be close to him. Reach around and put the fingers on his hip bones. This is one of those parts of the body that when manipulated can have a dramatic effect on the body.
4: Slide the hands up the torso and insert the fingers into the clavicle for the takedown.
5: Full Nelson, hands at the occipital bone and straight the arms as you push forward.
6: Snake an arm to do number 2 on the other arm.
7: Switch to number 1

6/12/16: footwork and sweeps, boxing defensive hands and lock flow.

FOOTWORK and SWEEPING
Off the jab or cross – parry and eye jab, step in shin to shin and pressure the knee, this will force his weight back and allow you to sweep the lead leg.

Off the lead straight then rear straight – cover the first shot then parry into salute and arm break, push that arm across his centre and step the outside of his foot. In this position, he will be incredibly unbalanced and will either go to the floor or step back. Sweep the front leg.

Then as a continual drill – jab left and counter with the sweep, jab then cross followed by the counter, right lead and counter, right lead and left cross then counter.

BOXING DEFENCES (rear foot against the wall)
1: HALF GUARD/WINDSCREEN WIPER - shoulder forward, left elbow pinned to the side guarding the lower part of the body, rear upper hand is 'windscreen wiping'. This was used to defend against the low line and high line attacks. The upper hand stays active.

2: 2 PILLARS/REVLOVING DOOR - elbows parallel with shoulders, forearms up but forward of elbow vertical line, covering the centreline with constant lateral motion so they need to time your motion rather than you reacting to their attacks. This was used against high line attacks – straight and round.

3: CRAZY MONKEY - shoulders up, chin down, protective shell with the forearms continuously swimming to cover the head. This was used against the 5 second chaotic barrage.

4: LONG GUARD: High elbows, long arm Thai style, almost the lazy man style and being like a wet blanket on their arms and attacks. When the opportunity arises, enter for the clinch.

Mixing them all up.

LOCKFLOW
1-6 with the main focus on 5 and 6. (James and Charlie were working up to 16)

Steve also talked about this flow as a counter to their counters as opposed to locks in isolation. If we straighten the arm, they will probably try to bend it to counter and vice versa. Each of locks in the series are counters to the one you have just applied.

From the number 4:
5: keep hold of the thumb, slap in inner elbow as you step in to him, rotate the palm towards him and the back of his hand is supported by your forearm, isolate his elbow under your armpit with his forearm vertical.
6: bring his forearm to 45 degrees with elbow below the wrist – this will stop the elow lift up to pop out for the escape, ensure your elbow is under his side ribs, use your other hand to support the wrist lock.

1/12/16: double stick, takdowns into submissions and positional rolling.

DOUBLE STICK PARTNER WORK
All the following with female footwork. All the double stick work gets the brain firing because you constantly crossing the centreline with alternate hands and the feet are moving. The more I did it, the more rhythm I felt I got despite the constant mantra in my head of what strike or numbers or patterns we were working.

FIGURE 8’s
Open posture, right hand figure 8 then left hand figure 8 as a continual loop drill.

HEAVEN 6
Right forehand, left backhand, right backhand, left forehand, right backhand, left backhand.

We then put the 2 drills together as a loop – figure 8’s on the right followed by half of the heaven 6, figure 8’s on the left hand followed by the rest of the heaven 6.

8 COUNT
Right forehand (high), right backhand (low), left backhand (low), right backhand (high), left forehand (high), left forehand (low), right backhand (low), left backhand high.

We then put all 3 together as a loop drill:
Figure 8’s left and rights sides into complete heaven side then full 8 count.

CARENZA (shadow boxing with sticks)
Using double sticks and adding footwork.

SINGLE STICK
3 count high box sumbrada

5 count sumbrada. My first time in a while but managed to fumble along. Looking forward to putting the reps in. I still, to this day, find it fascinating how each person has a different energy to feel to the work they do. It always takes me a few minutes to adjust to the feel of a partner change because we all attack from slightly different angles, or check with slightly different energies or have small adjustments in range. Plus oddly, I appear have a tiny stick compared to everyone else. They must be compensating for something…

Adam was working double stick gunting against whoever was working the 3 or 5 count. I think Charlie and James might have been doing some cheeky punyo variations as well in their corner of the room.

TAKEDOWN TO SUBMISSIONS

AGAINST THE JAB
Parry and eye jab on the outside of the arm, overhook to had on the shoulder and step up to him, step back with the right to take him down whilst maintaining the control of his arm and upper torso. Left knee is tight to his back, right hand hammerfists the face. Step over with the right foot and use the calf against his face to tighten to control. Control the arm tight to your body and turn to your left for the shoulder submission.

Parry and split entry, shoot in for the takedown by driving the shoulder into the abdomen as you pinch the knees together, double underhooks at the lower back and takedown into mount.

From here, depending on the response from the person on the bottom, there were 3 options we looked at.
If he blocks and covers the head, go for the Americana.

If he extends an arm, go for the head and arm triangle.

If he tries to push away and make his arms long, go for the arm bar from s-mount.

Although the Olympic judoka and world champion is not pinching her knees together you can see how tight her hips are to the shoulder of Meisha Tate; escape was futile.

AGAINST THE JAB CROSS
Parry and cross over the parry to the chin, sandwich grip the hand as you plant the back of the hips to him, you now have his arm (elbow up) on the top of your shoulder, maintain the grip as you drop under the arm and rotate and turn the wrist outwards for the takedown. From here, put his palm on your hip and turn to the left for the wrist submission or break.

Parry the jab and split entry off the cross onto into Alien / head tilt takedown, knee on belly to possible pull up wrist lock. Thanks Steve for the edit.

POSITIONAL ROLLING
Giving and taking positions, no submissions. When Steve said rolling my eyes must have lit up as I saw James’ grin from across the mat. This was about getting a position of dominance and then allowing them to escape and find their own position of dominance. Almost like a counter for counter drill. A lovely activity of movement and feel. You get a chance to flow and breath with no need to worry about control or things getting ripped. Steve did show a variation where you look for submissions as a counter for counter but that is for another day.

Once again, a bloody great class. This is class and the instructor is clearly the best kept secret in martial arts despite my best intention to advertise and promote the Academy through this blog. In addition, the senior students are always so accommodating and patient with the lumpier work from those of us with less experience. A great place to be, to learn and to grow #SMFAA

17/11/16: ORANGE belt grading

This is the first grading in the SM fighting art academy.

Steve's outook on gradings is that they are a cumilation of all your training so far. You will only be asked to grade if you have put the time in and if Steve believes you are ready.

Our grading consisted of the follwing areas. After the exam, Steve gave each of us individual feedback to further improve and build on what we have already. The feedback was really indepth and specific so will undoubtedly enable us to make progress along our martial paths. Along side Nick, Ian and myself, Noel was going for his yellow belt (3 level) grading.

SHADOW FIGHTING

FOOTWORK
EBI: eyes up and forward.

JAB DEFENCES
EBI: be closer in range, a little too far away.

CROSS DEFENCES
EBI: If we're showing what we can do, then work slower, have much more precision and make each repeition a qualoty one, allow nothing to be masked, greater awareness of the non striking hand placement - keep it up.

PAD ROUNDS
EBI: hands up is higher than you think, the lead hand drops as there is no threat.

SINGLE STICK
EBI: more body mechanics in the sumbrada, drop leower on the roof block.

LOCKFLOW
EBI: be aware of the other hand

JAB SPARRING
EBI: not enough forwrad pressure, out of range too much.

We all passed but it was gruellling as each round was long for every aspect of the exam so staying mentally focussed was key despite the sweat, discomfort and the complex physical motions that we were expected to perform.

25/10/16: footwork, jab and cross defences, pad rounds plus lock flow drilling

FOOTWORK
BOX - forward, backward, left and right. Then jabs were added to every step, then jab-cross was added to every step
PIVOT around the focus mitt adding punches
L-STEP occasionally whilst pivoting and punching.
FEMALE step (forward 45 degrees)

JAB DEFENCE DRILL (A jab, B, catch and jab, A catch and jab then B worked the following responses:)
1: catch and jab but with faster timing than the previous shots in the drill. More like the riposte that Daniel Lonero taught recently.
2: Slip right leading with the left shoulder, right uppercut-left hook response
3: Split entry, palm out to palm in dumog pull, scoop and lift the elbow as you throw several uppercuts to the body, push him away.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: 2 minute rounds, one person feeds and the other selects any of the 3 responses on any order.

CROSS DEFENCE DRILL: The feed is as above but ends with a cross.
1: Short parry, turning the left shoulder and full body mechanics followed by a cross
2: Split entry, same finish as split entry above
3: bob and weave, body shot, ABC

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: As above like the jab defence drill.

PAD ROUNDS: move from one station to the next as soon as each station finished
STATION 1: jab-jab-cross
STATION 2: uppercut(L)-uppercut(R)-hook(L)
STATION 3: jab-cross-hook
STATION 4: jab-cross-uppercut

LOCKFLOW: 1-4-1 practise and drilling

For no particular reason, tonight was an outstanding example of why this club is so good. It is a journey of constant refinement, there is no resting on your laurels, no place for ego as it is a place of improvement, effort and practise.

18/10/16: cross loop drill, hook defences and lock flow

CROSS LOOP DRILL
- shoulder roll
- short parry
- lead elbow
- cut punch
- gunting
- uppercut
- parry, salute to arm break

HOOK DEFENCES
All of the follwing defences are worked against either hook but tonight we were working against jab and over hand right/rear hook.
1: catch the jab, shoulder/bicep stop, step on the foot and palm to the face/thumb to the eye, ABC

2: catch the jab, shoulder roll, ABC.

3: catch the jab, bob and weave and hook to the body, step into him using your elbow so his weight is through his left leg and off-balanced, throw body and head hooks.

LOCK FLOW
Depending on our shirt, depended on what numbers we went up to. Us white shirts worked 1-4-1, the reds and above worked 1-8-1 then 1-12-1.
1-8 are wrist focussed, 9-12 are finger locks.
Of note is the tightness that must be applied at all times. We need not go quickly through the locks but we must have control at all times, leave no gaps and give his mind no time to rest. When Steve and Charlie were doing them on me, at no piint was there any let up in the pressure,

1: kotegaeshi (outward turn wrist lock)

2: wrapped arm bar and tricep roll

3: figure 4 over the shoulder

4: straight arm wrist lock, elbow up and sandwich grip

The 9-12 finger locks are pretty grim, especially number 10.

25/8/16: cross loop drill, syllabus work and lock flow

CROSS LOOP DRILL
Keep tips were keeping the left hand up when throwing the right cross, rear heel lifted to enable full rotation and extension on the cross and evasive qualities in leaning out of range.
1: shoulder roll, Nigel Benn showing how it is done above
2: short parry

3: cut punch
4: elbow destruction
5: lead uppercut

6: overhand right defence (bob and weave, shoulder stop, shoulder roll)
7: gunting (rear parry, lead bicep strike), elbow control and zone off

SYLLABUS WORK

5 angles with a partner. Focus of using body mechanics and flow.
1: angles 1-2-3-4-5
2: angles 1-4-3-2-5
3: angles 1-upper backhand-upper forehand-2-5

LOCK FLOW
1-8 tend to be focussed on the wrist and the next few focus on the fingers. The lock flow series os designed so that each one is a reaction to an escape attempt and thus leading into the next lock. It also provides a repertoire of locks. Most are breaks or wrenches, we trained for technical accuracy over ripping them on.
#9 gripping little and ring finger with one hand, middle and index with the other; fold fingers back to the forearm, something similar to below

#10 maintain hold of two outer fingers, rotate the forearm up, apply pressure to the back of the elbow as torquing the fingers, he should be up high on his toes.
#11 low line finger lock forearm brace(!)
#12 high version of above
#13 goose neck

#14 sankyo variation

#15 over the shoulder elbow extension

#16 shiho-nage shoulder rotation variation

18/8/16: catch wrestling grips, pad rounds and takedowns into submissions

Catch wrestling grips
Against the wrist - circle up and out against the thumb and control his wrist; 'chop' off and pull out and take control of his wrist.
Against the elbow - circling out and control his elbow; if the energy is forward, lap the wrist in the direction of the energy and control his elbow; inside pak sau and biu to the eyes to elbow control.
Against the bicep - thumb in and not around the bicep, push the bicep away to control. This then becomes a pummel as each person looks to dominate both biceps
Putting it all together and hating for head control whilst staying relaxed, feeling energy and pressure and not being physical at all...

Pad rounds
1: jab-jab-cross
2: cross-hook-cross
3: jab-cross-hook-cross
4: jab-cross-uppercut-hook
5: lead hook-rear hook-lead hook-cross

Takedowns into submissions

Against the jab: into #3 lock takedown - knee on head and chest control - folded arm wrist lock. Elbow into your best, his forearm is vertical, big fold and control on the wrist, lift to apply the submission. My wrists are made of paper so even thinking about this one has me tapping out. This image of Josh Barnett was similar except we were on the body behind him not over the head.

Against the jab-cross: split entry - elbow wrench (pull it into your chest, your forearms clasped tight to his, step back with the left and turn for the takedown - keep hold of the arm, it is perpendicular to his shoulder, bicep kneel and folded wrist lock (sandwich grip). Kneel right on the head of the muscle for maximum pain

Against the jab: split entry - left ear slap and right leg hook behind the knee takedown - scarf hold (get tight to the arm pit)- upward shoulder rotation using your leg. 3 possible ways to finish:
1 - extend your leg for an extending shoulder rotations.
2 - turn your hips for a crushing shoulder rotation
3 - lifting neck crank
KEEP EVERYTHING TIGHT AND STAY ON CONTROL

Two examples of death from scarf hold position.

Jack knife head and arm choke: If, when landing, his hands are linked to prevent arm attacks, pass the elbow for the head and arm choke. Turn belly down then lift the hips as you apply the squeeze for the submission

Standard head and arm triangle


Josh Barnett doing what he does best

4/8/16: Knife masterclass

Tonight, the sole focus was knife. We did lots of partner swaps to feel different energies and simply to get lots of reps in. I am sure that errors in the following will be plenty as there was a constant refinement tonight. The main lesson was time. We can't spend enough time exploring this type of work.

Tonight, the sole focus was knife. We did lots of partner swaps to feel different energies and simply to get lots of reps in. I am sure that errors in the following will be plenty as there was a constant refinement tonight. I will endeavour to explain the techniques but these need to be felt . The main lesson was time and drill, drill, drill. We can't spend enough time exploring this type of work.

Eye jabs
Feeder give constant angle 1 and angle 2 and defender uses female footwork coupled with the intercept and eye strike brush. Wearing the safety glasses affords putting the fingers at the eye.

Eye jabs with passing and hits
As above but this time keep striking the feeder after passing each feed, control the elbow to ensure his centreline way away from yours, hit the head so it stays looking away from you. These will make it harder for him to use the blade effectively and force him to constantly reset.

Main focus of the class was the following 4 techniques.
Against angle 1: female step to the inside with left intercept and right eye jab, left hand moves in a circle and whipping action, grab the base of the wrist and the thumb of the hand. You end up off his centreline, his arm is extended so his base is high and grabbing the meat of the thumb. From Aikido, this position is similar to the set up for shiho-nage in terms of body angles and centrelines. With a flat hand against the blade, strip it.

Against angle 2: female step to the outside of the forearm, intercept right and eye jab left, crocodile (left palm facing up securing the elbow, right forearm in contact with his as you eye jab. There must be no gap). Slide the right down for thumb control, bring it to you not away from you. Several options from here were
- flat blade against the left forearm and return the blade into him by stepping in with your body. Avoid extending your arms.
- cup under your left tit with the left hand, your right hand has the knife hand gribbed and in/on the centre of your chest. To strip the blade out, cup the knife hand with your left ‘tit’ hand, turn the torso away, your shoulders and chest will enable the strip.

Against angle 1: female step to the inside with left intercept and right eye jab, then as above from crocodile.

Against angle 2: female step to the outside of the forearm, slide down to control the thumb, turn the arm over for sandwich grip or the #4 wrist lock. You hold both sides of the hand, your thumbs are pressing into the back of the palm in between the index and middle finger, his arm is straight and extended. I guess this could be labelled a wrist extension. Step into him, left arm over his elbow (keep that grip on the knife hand) and sink your weight. This then becomes an elbow extension. Strip the knife.

Free flow
Working any and all 4 of the techniques.

Here are a few videos of knife work. From my current level of understanding, I am not sure how 'effective' the work is. Some of the movement looks really interesting.

30/6/16: single stick, stick v knife

SOLO STICK
Angle 1 and angle 2 drilling. Angle refinement, body mechanics refinement and use of the waist. Left and right handed.

Abanico drilling (right hand only) Trying to keep the stick above the head, moving on the horizontal plane, use of the body.

5 angles practise:
Part 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Part 2: 1, 4, 3, 2, 5.

STICK V KNIFE
Defang the snake - destruct form a distance.

Knife feeder feeds the 5 angles:
- Hit the hand
- Hit the hand twice
- Hit the hand twice then the head
- Hit the hand and employ the checking hand

Knife feeder feeds any angle: apply any of the previous practised methods.

Feeder then inserts other attacks with empty hand or legs and stick holder applies any of the previous practised methods.

Fear the walking dead drill. 2 v 1. The second knife feeder is behind the primary feeder. The stick holder is trying to use primary to block the path.

Final drill was reverting back to 1 stick v 1 knife. A world of difference.

28/6/16 Thai 4 count, knife tapping and knife stripping

THAI 4 COUNT
Feeder attacks with a jab or cross - scoop inside or outside then kick-cross-hook-kick
1: outside leg kick, 2 punches, outside leg kick
2: outside leg kick, 2 punches, inside leg kick
3: inside leg kick, 2 punches, outside leg kick
4: inside leg kick, 2 punches, inside leg kick





CATCH AND OBLIQUE KICK
Feeder attacks with a jab or cross:
Catch and cover - right oblique kick, step out, left inside leg kick

Jon Jones exemplification


KNIFE TAPPING
Against the 5 angles
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

The feeder keeps feeding so it flows.
The defender maintains contact, allow no gaps

Not quite what we were doing but got demo anyway


KNIFE STRIPPING
Feed with a #1 they respond with a #5

Feed with a #1 they respond with and 12 o'clock with pick axe grip

23/6/16 Heaven 6 masterclass and lock flow

HEAVEN 6
Forehand-backhand-backhand
A good hour of practise in several ways:
In the mirror
Against static sticks
Against another swinging sticks and mirroring the pattern as a sinawali flow
Against the #1 and #2 age attacks hitting the hand.

Steve re-iterated the need for slow and smooth becomes fast. Other learning points were
swing the stick like it is a blade
hit with the last 4 inches of the stick
the hips direct the flow

Some examples of the Heaven 6 flow





LOCKFLOW
1-8
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
5: slap in inner elbow, rotate the palm towards him, isolate his elbow under your armpit
6: bring it to horizontal, your elbow under his side ribs
7: nikkyo
8: step on the foot, arm under for thumb joystick control
They for us, according to Steve is the grip, primarily strong and on the thumb. Also grab the hand and not the wrist - the wrist is a hold put holding the hand effects the wrist and thus pain and an effective lock.

21/6/16 Cross loop drill, pad work and grappling flow

CROSS LOOP DRILL
- shoulder roll
- short parry
- long parry
- cover with the elbow
- cut punch
- lap and uppercut
- Thai long arm cover
- bob and weave, boy hoo, head hook, he body hooks then head hooks which you bob and weave with body hit and continue the drill by throwing the right cross.

Throw constant alternate crosses between players and inserting any of the defences in any order.

PAD WORK
Jab-cross - bob under the lead hook - shuffle forward to cross-hook - bob under the rear hook - shuffle forward hook-cross-hook

10 hard as you can right crosses

GRAPPLING FLOW
Off the jab (move around the body counter clockwise) or the jab-cross (move around the body clockwise)
Short parry and salute into lap and uppercut into
1 - head control with the arm snaked under his elbow and hand on the back of the head
2 - switch arms with outside arm on the back of the tricep
3 - take the back and the hip creases
4 - fingers in the clavicles at the throat
5 - swim up for the full Nelson
6 and 7 are 1 and 2 in reverse order

2/6/16 footwork, single stick, empty hand and lock flow

SHADOW BOXING
Moving to get warmed up and lose

FOOTWORK
Male and female patterns plus the x

The diamond

SINGLE STICK.
Main learning point was keeping the sticking shoulder forward despite which foot is forward.
Single stick and the male and female footwork - the big X and 2 strikes on each step, forehand then backhand. Back left, back right, front right, front left and continue this pattern.

Walking the circle

Forwards and backwards

Putting all three motions (footwork patterns) together.

Figure 8 pattern (across and up the centre) with static footwork but plenty of body movement directing the stick work. Then adding all three previous footwork patterns.

EMPTY HAND
Using the same striking motions - the hammerfist, it has been applied in MMA for years.

From unattached: hammer (pak sau) and the other hand comes over and hammers into the side of the head/neck then move around him and hammer fist from a variety of angles.

Against the jab: Same entry as above, hammer with the pak sau hand then double slap elbow across the eye socket.

Against the jab cross: cover the jab then as above.

LOCKFLOW

1 - 8

31/5/16 Shadow boxing, defensive boxing hand methods and lock flow

SHADOW BOXING
Evasion
Jab
Hands
Elbow and knees
All the tools

BOXING DEFENSIVE HAND METHODS
Defender has the heel against the wall, shoulder bladed towards the attacker to reduce the target size. The puncher throws punches with intent and pressure but not weight.

CAGE: High elbows, long arm Thai style

WINDSCREEN WIPER: Lead arm low, elbow tight to the side, rear hand high. Similar to the old semi contact point fighting guard.

CRAZY MONKEY: Hands come up the centerline, hands ‘washing’ the hair. Aiming to get the attacker to land on the elbows. There is constant motion and ‘washing’.

Putting it all together: It was great to be under pressure, feel some hits getting through, staying calm, keeping moving and keeping the eyes open. Nigel, who was taking the class, said these methods are for practising covering when under fire to enable you to stay protected then fire back.

GLOVE WORK (against the jab, then the cross)
Female footwork (forward 45 step) – parry/combat tan sau and jab
As above into elbow strike to the head – hit the back of the head and scoop the arm for the spiraling head control. Thumb into the neck, male footwork and apply the knees to the head or leg.
Male footwork (usually 45 backward step) slight step laterally then bring the other leg back on the 45 as he is charging down the centerline with either the jab or the cross. Attack with the punches and follow up with the technique applied with the female footwork.

LOCKFLOW 1-4-1