4/7/17: body mechanics (refined through Thai boxing)

Shadow boxing warm up:
Hands only, then adding knees, then elbows and finally kicks.

Round kick drilling in the mirrors (off the rear leg)

Hard ankle stepping into hip twisting

Doing the above set up x2 then doing a kick on the third count

Hip twisting without stepping

Doing the above set up x2 then doing a kick on the third count

The above sets were done with left then right leg forward – drilling both sides of the body

Conditioned sparring rounds:
Hips up, hard ankles, no set up or pre-empting given, using the shin, strong eyes, let the kick go, hands up, zone off line when kicking, make the punches count – aim for to land on the target, kick to the outer or inner thigh, TURN THE HIPS

1. Rear round kick
2. Rear round kick or lead round kick
3. Any lead hand/any target followed by rear round kick
4. Any rear hand/any target followed by lead round kick
5. Any lead then rear hand followed by lead round kick
6. Any rear then lead hand followed by rear kick
7. Insert committed feints
8. Lead round kick, rear punch, lead punch, rear kick
9. Rear kick, lead hand, rear hand, lead kick.

Conditioning rounds on the Thai pads

1. Hard ankle stepping followed by the kick x 2 rounds
2. Kicking from no stepping x2 rounds
3. Double kicking x2 rounds

Syllabus work.
Each group went off and worked on areas requiring further attention before the grading in a few weeks.

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.

4/5/17: countering punches with kicks, grappling pins and escapes plus kimura from side control.

PUNCH COUNTERING USING KICKS
Each of the following sets were against jabs and crosses

1: Waslik
If he throws the jab then scoop with the right, step off left and round kick with the right leg.
If he throws the cross, scoop with the left, step off right and kick with the left. At all times, the hands are long and covering his hands.
Higher grades added the Thai 4 count
2: Outside deflection or bridge
If he throws the jab, pak at the elbow with the right hand followed immediately with your left hand on the elbow but crashing and moving his centre and 12 o’clock. He should be both off balance and twisted across his centreline. Attack with the right cross followed by the left round kick to the lead leg.
For the cross, it is the opposite of the above. Pak the cross with the left hand then replace it with the long arm of the right hand, throw the left straight then attack with the right round kick.

3: Catch
Be it a cross or jab, it was the same counter: catch the punch, right oblique kick to the lead thigh then step off right and left round kick to the lead thigh.
The second option was coming in for the throw after the oblique kick. Step down and inside with the right foot as the right arm underhooks his left arm/shoulder. Step past and behind his base with the left foot (your centres are both facing the same direction). Kick the right leg back and up and push forward with the right hand on the back of his shoulder/head

After some research, I believe we were working a variation of Uchi mata. The following are for reference and developing our understanding of throwing mechanics.





GRAPPLING

Fanning round an opponent
Partner A is simply acting as a body on the floor for Partner B to practise and refine the fanning motions.
Scarf hold on the left – to side control on the left – to reverse scarf hold on the left – to mount – to reverse scarf hold on the right – to side control on the right – to scarf hold on the right. 

T-bar escape loop drill
Scarf hold escape using the T bar - upper forearm against the jaw sitting on top of the lower forearm which is acting as a support. The upper forearm looks like the top of a capital T, and the lower forearm looks like the spine of the capital T. This happens as you get on to your side, that lower elbow must be on the floor. Shrimp the hips out and tuck the head into his ribs, as his head is forced back, lift the leg over the face and reverse the position to take you to the scarf hold.

Side control escape and reversal
Get on your side, place your lower hand at the hip and upper hand at the neck. Straighten the arms and shrimp the hips out. If the arms are straightened, you’re using your structure to maintain distance control, the more the arms bend, then you’re relying on muscle power. We must assume that we are working against a bigger and stronger opponent. There is no way to out muscle someone bigger and stronger which is why straight arms is the preferred method. As he pushes back in to you to close the range and distance, drop the left hip to the floor and use his momentum to sweep him over.

ARM LOCK FROM SIDE CONTROL
This final part of the session was BJJ focus and taught by Marc. Depending on your grappling persuasion, it will depend on your label for the finishing move – Kimura, double wrist lock or downward shoulder rotation. Regardless, the same goal is wanted: maximum pressure, pain and rotation of the shoulder causing submission, muscle tear or a Frank Mir break.
Working from side control on the left hand side of the body, use your left knee to open the arm so you can staple the left shin across the bicep. Base out with the left hand and replace the right leg where the left was on the bicep as you scoop under his left arm and pull up on his arm and step over the head with the left leg. The pulling motion needs to be tight and vigorous so that his shoulder comes up as well. Sit back on your heels with his head pinned under your seat and his left arm is now yours. To get the lock on, grab his wrist with your right hand and your left hand goes under your forearm and clasps your own wrist for the figure 4 shape. Keeping his elbow tight to your chest, pivot his hand behind him and then into his back pocket.

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.

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.

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.

16/3/17: thai boxing fundamentals, knife sumbrada plus strips

THAI BOXING FUNDAMENTALS

Shadow boxing warm up - head movement, punch defences plus footwork patterns

Long guard drilling
Long guard: left arm out straight down the centre, right arm covers the right eye / right bicep is against the cheek / right forearm is diagonal across the face so that the right hand is at the top left of the head / chin is tucked / looking through the eyebrows
- by holding the structure
- by moving into the position from the on guard stance

Crush drilling
Standing leg is bent, 'blocking' leg is 90 degrees bent with the thigh parallel to the floor and perpendicular to the body, toes flexed, long arm of the same side as the standing leg which is simulating pushing into his chest/head/shoulder
- by holding the structure
- by moving into the position and combining this with the long guard

Kick for kick
Crush the kick and return, first against the switch kick off the left leg, then against the rear kick of the right leg.

PAD ROUNDS - Thai 4 counts
Lead round kick - cross - hook - rear leg round kick
Lead round kick - cross - body hook - rear leg round kick
Lead round kick - cross - lead uppercut - rear leg round kick

KNIFE SUMBRADA
5 count, building on the practise from last week. Trying to make the motions tighter and use the non-weaponised hand/arm to control his weapon hand.

STRIPS

OFF THE ROOF
Take control of the wrist and swing counter clockwise (with your left hand) so you finish with your palm up. Have your elbow pressing into your side for structural support and be off line of the line of attack. If he was simply stumble forward, the knife would be in you, hence being off the line of attack. Strip the blade out against the gap in his grip using the webbing of your right hand.

If this doesn't work, maintain wrist control with your left and use your right forearm against the flat of the blade. You move to being back on his centreline and feed the blade back to him by pushing your right forearm forward.

OFF THE STAB
Step the right leg back as you come down on his stab with the left forearm, reach over your forearm and clasp his writ with your thumb and put the blade of the blade against his wrist to secure the position. Use the left hand to quickly 'slide' up the weaponised arm for the strip.

What a great class as always. On the way to training, I was listening to an interview with Duane "Bang" Ludwig on the Drunken Daoist podcast, and he was talking about how we need to be honest yet respectful to our training partners - we must feed them the right energy; too much and it becomes silly, emotional and senseless injuries occur, too little and they don't get to work with a decent energy and thus get a false sense of security coupled with crap technique. That to me feels like essence of this group; hard work, honest attacking and safe work. Challenging yet supporting each other. Bloody brilliant.

9/2/17: Thai 4 count and takedowns into submissions

Tonight, we had a special guest down, Ben Richardson from https://www.candomartialarts.co.uk/Home Long-time friend and training partner of Steve.

SHADOW BOXING WARM UP

THAI STRAIGHT KICK DRILLING
Crushing the grapes - shifting the weight left and right on the toes with high hips. Each person taking turns to deliver a left then a right kick to the abdomen. Need to make sure the kicks aren't telegraphed and 'go' when the weight is on the supporting leg.

THAI 4 COUNT
Left lead straight kick (abdomen) - shift offline to the left and throw the jab - right round kick (outer thigh) - Thai clinch.

It was then broken down into a layered attack and counter sequence.

Counter to the front kick - as it lands, scoop it with the left hand, make sure the elbow is high. Push the leg down and away, not so much as he turns away and can throw a spinning technique. As his leg lands, he is partially turned away and you throw the round kick to the back of his legs.

He throws the lead straight kick but you don't manage to scoop the leg, he steps off line and throws the jab, you catch/parry or waslik the punch and move left and throw your own jab followed by a round kick (outer thigh).

He now throws the front kick and jab and he then throws his own round kick to the leg. Crush it with the left leg, step down and forward and attack with a long right knee. Make the crush strong and rooted so you can step forward on the strong ankle.

This time, he gets all three techniques in then goes for the clinch. As the clinch lands, drop your weight as you push up and away on his triceps. Keep the level you are at as you attack with the straight kick (abdomen) then the round kick (outer leg).

Finally, the drill was one person tries to complete the 4 count. The 'defender' the picked any of the defences to do. Tricky and challenging, just what the learning process should all be about.

GRAPPLING

AGAINST HOOKS
As you crash in, cover the head (palm on back of the hand on the of the head, forearms are covering the sides of the face, lose the neck) put the ear on the chest as the right steps forward and the right arm goes around to get the far hip, the left hand has wrist control. Apply forward pressure to get him backing up. Your head is under the chin, perhaps so much under his chin that the head is lifted, thus adding to the unbalanced sensation he will be experiencing. Hip throw: From the clinch, step the left foot across to get inside his left foot then step the right inside his right foot as your hips are square into his. Straighten the legs and he will become ‘light’, bow forward and over he goes on to the floor. Keep hold of the arm when he hits the floor, control him with knee-not-on-belly-but-on-ribs.

From the hip throw into the arm bar (elbow extension):
Keep a tight hold of the arm and lift it. Jam the right foot and shin behind his shoulder blade, the left foot steps (stomps) in front of the face and pulls back so you have him tight between your feet and legs. As you sit the hips to the floor, pull the arm up so your hips can almost get under his shoulder. Pinch the knees, hip up and lever the wrist down for the submission.

AGAINST THE JAB
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. 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.

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.

24/1/17: Thai 4 counts and single stick

As I am currently yet briefly out of action with illness, James has thankfully written the blog post for tonight.

Thai 4 Counts

Done offensively then defensively:

1. Step-off jab, rear leg thai kick, cross (throw it without putting the leg down after the kick and kick the leg back like a superman punch), inside leg kick.
2. Catch the jab then do combination (1).
3. Inside leg kick, cross, rear thai kick, step-off jab.
4. Crush the switch thai to your rear leg and do combination (3).
5. Cross, inside leg kick, step-off jab, rear leg thai.
6. As (5) but throw the cross as a cut punch as he jabs.
7. Rear leg thai, step-off jab, inside leg kick, cross.
8. Crush the rear leg thai and do combination (7).

Single Stick

All of these motions are not ‘blocks’ but hits to the hand:

1. Your stick points down - roof block the angle 1 (drop your weight down and slice the stick from L. to R.) and then angle 1 down his centre line.
2. Your stick points down - umbrella the angle 1 (block like a roof but instead of slicing the stick from L. to R. just block then take the stick anti-clockwise behind your head) and then angle 1 down his centre line.
3. Your stick points up - inside sweep the angle 1 (zone R.) and reverse slash across his stomach.
4. Your stick points up - outside sweep/deflect the angle 2 (zone L. into cat stance) and hit down on the arm.
5. Your stick points down - wing block the angle 3 (zone R.), flip the stick then jab to the throat.
6. Your stick points down - wing block the angle 4 (zone L. - hide your L. hand behind your stick by putting the edge of your little finger against it), forehand redondo and jab to the throat.
7. Your stick points up - shield the angle 4 (zone L.), forehand redondo and jab to the throat.
8. Your stick points up - you see the angle 3 late so you pass it by shifting your R. leg back and hollowing your stomach and using your L. hand to deflect his hitting arm back into him and to the R. (not just moving it sideways) as you hit his arm over the top.
9. Your stick points down - you see the angle 4 late so you pass it by shifting your R. leg back and hollowing your stomach and using the back of your L. hand to deflect his hitting arm back into him and to the L. (not just moving it sideways) as you hit his arm in a similar motion to the wing block.

19/1/17: Thai kicking masterclass, grappling submission: arms bars, knee wrenches and triangle variations

THAI KICK MASTER CLASS
An energetic warm up, jogging in all 4 directions, arm swings, hip circles, forward folds, arm circles, lateral bends, lunges, Cossack squats; all to get the blood flowing for the kicking master class.

In the mirror drilling technique: keeping the stance tight so there were no tells to show the kick was coming, Steve was also continuously ensuring foot placement and angle were correct to set up the second kick, as well as the improtance of the hips push through when using the knee.

• Lead knee
• Rear front
• Lead leg straight kick
• Rear leg straight kick
• Lead knee then rear straight leg kick
• Lead straight kick then rear knee
• Lead straight kick then rear round kick
• Lead knee then rear round kick

DRILLING KICKS WITH A PARTNER, TWO FOR TWO
Always making sure that we are covering/protecting the head when throwing kicks and making sure we are out of punching range
• Rear knee (solar plexus)
• Lead straight kick (waist line) to rear round kick (outer thigh)
• Lead straight kick (lead knee) to rear knee (solar plexus)
• Rear straight kick (waist line) to lead round kick (inner thigh
• Rear straight kick (lead knee) to lead knee (solar plexus)

CONDITIONED KICKING ROUNDS, TWO FOR TWO
Any two kicks. Lots of changes of partners to feel different energies and body types.

CRASHING IN FOR TAKEDOWN FOR SUBMISSIIONS (KNEE WRENCH, ARM BAR, TRIANGLE WITH THE ARMS, TRIANGLE WITH THE LEGS)
Building on last Thursday; crashing into him as him throw punches for the clinch, get him moving backwards and throw him with the hip throw. We again drilled going for the arm bar by jamming the right foot and shin behind his shoulder blade, the left foot steps (stomps) in front of the face and pulls back so you have him tight between your feet and legs. As you sit the hips to the floor, pull the arm up so your hips can almost get under his shoulder. Pinch the knees, hip up and lever the wrist down for the submission.

KNEE WRENCH:
From the standing clinch, he pulls the arm back that you had wrist control on. The following actions happen at once – swap the feet so the left leg is in between his legs, the left ear is now on the outside of his torso, your right forearm is on the near side hip crease and your right-hand cups that Achilles of the lead leg. Push the left forearm forward as you pick up the ankle, this will sit him down. Whilst keeping hold of the foot, turn 180 degrees so that your right leg is tight against his left leg (which is in your hands). Cupping the heel with your right hand and the instep with your left hand, turn to your left causing the left knee to rotate. In application, this would be a very fast and aggressive motion to tear the knee apart. Obviously, we can’t do that in training so our motions to apply the submission were precise and considered.

SUBMISSIONS FROM YOUR BACK.
HEAD AND ARM TRIANGLE
He is in your guard, you have him wrapped up tight with his posture broken and his head is on your chest. He pulls out an arm and puts it across the neck and postures up. This will put lots of pressure across your neck. Use the same side hand to push his tricep across your chest at a diagonal angle as you wrap around the back of the neck to close it all off. Steve demonstrated the wrapping arm position is the same as the rear naked choke, but from the front. The crook of the elbow needs to be at the base of the neck so the forearms can scissor closed on the sides of the neck to cut off the blood supply to the brain.

LEG WITH ARM TRIANGLE
1. Pull his R. arm towards you and push his L. arm into his stomach.
2. Throw both legs up high (R. leg over his L. shoulder) so your hips are high and you’re on your shoulders, ankles crossed (L. over R.).
3. Use your L. hand to grab your shin (this stops him posturing up), put your L. foot on his R. hip and then rotate to the R. so there is no gap between his L. shoulder and your R. knee,
and your calf is across his neck (not his back).
4. With your R. toes pointing up, bring your L. leg over your R. ankle and bring your L. heel to your butt as you squeeze your knees and shift your hips back and raise your pelvis up.
5. For more pressure you can push on the top of your R. knee OR pull down on his head OR slide your hips back OR turn the bottom of your L. leg out as you move your heel to your butt.
6. To prevent him posting up and trying to open the legs by pulling on the knee with both hands, you can underhook his leg you are closet too to keep his posture broken. Make sure the crook of the elbow is behind his leg.



Thanks to James for the triangle detail, these notes were taken from a Rick Young seminar he went to where the sole focus was the triangle.

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

3/1/17: pad rounds, conditioned sparring boxing rounds and empty hand v knife

2017 started with a bang; a high intensity session coupled with some fun empty hand v knife training.

WARM UP
Shadow boxing: jab only then both hands.

PAD ROUNDS
The attribute being focussed on was speed - getting the punches out and back quickly whilst delivering string attacks with sound body mechanics.

The pad holder was in range for punches, simulating the end of a punch or moving in on a punch. The left hand was out long and the right hand was the pad to be hit.

As it was first session of the year, the rounds were long forcing discipline when tiredness or tightness crept in.

Catch (rear hand) and jab
Rear pak (to clear the punch) and cross
Catch (rear hand) into jab-cross
Rear pak into cross-lead hook-cross

CONDITIONED SPARRING
Person A feeds jabs, person B also jabs but works the defences from the pad rounds, primarily the catch and jab or the pak and cross. Person A was expected to keep a high tempo, keep the punches alive ensuring person B was moving well and responding honestly. The concept of hit first and last was mentioned during the rounds by Steve.

The conditioned sparring rounds are great fun and hard work, plus there is no danger of getting hit hard so you can work your craft without worrying about what might happen. You still get hit in the face but not to the detriment of learning skills as opposed to development grit and toughness. There were 2 rounds and within each, roles were swapped meaning 4 good quality rounds.

KNIFE
We looked at straight stabs to the heart, firstly singles and later double pumps. The defence we used was using the forearms to cut across the line of the attack on his forearms. The motion was quite aggressive – shoulders turn and the forearm drives/grinds/hits into his forearm. For me, this is motion hard to describe, you had to be there to feel it.

When the feeder was feeding the double stab with the right/rear hand, the front hand was out in front simulating a barrier/ a grab/ a way to hide the knife. It did not matter which forearm you cut his attack with, but you needed to make sure that you use the other forearm for the second stab.

Stripping: After the second stab, he retracts the knife, you pin the knife and hand to his chest. A favourite saying of Steve’s is, “If the knife is on him or me, it is not in me.” Flat palm pins the blade whilst your other hand takes the meat of thumb and rips the hand away, leaving the blade on his chest for you to work with. Knife work is both fun and humbling although a few of us might have tender forearms after all the ‘hunting’ of the attacks.

A great session to kick of 2017 and even a few new faces that will hopefully come back for more.

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.

6/10/16: Thai kicks, pad rounds and hubud

THAI KICKING

The focus tonight was not telegraphing the kick with any movement, especially movement that originated in the feet.
We had to have the hips up, heels just off the floor and strong eyes. A much repeated mantra was 'turn the hip over'. It was a slow process of improvement, trying to do less yet the mind was firing hard aiming to limit motion to keep the kicks hidden. It reminded me of playing golf. In that two seconds, there are so many thoughts that go through your head, not only interns of the mechanics of the swing but also your intention and hope where the ball is to go.
The point of hiding the kicks is to give him no tells and thus reduce, if not completely negate, his ability to react and defend.

Round kick drilling - both rear leg to outside of his leg, lead kick to the inside of his lead leg.

Teep drilling, off the front and back leg, aiming for the waist.

Multiple kicks - feeder marches forward, kicker throws the teep followed by and inside and outside lead leg kick (R-L-R OR L-R-L). Because he is moving forward it is easier to not move the feet for the kicks than when doing it from stain earlier on. Although easier does not been more successful in doing it well!! But a lovely journey nonetheless.

I have also found several videos of Noel moonlighting as the mighty Buakaw. Noel has a painfully dense quality to his Thai kicks.



And here is the great Buakaw just working the pads as well as a bonkers climbing drill.



PAD ROUNDS
Putting it all together with speed and punching power. Steve wanted the punching rhythm to fast and aggressive, the kicks to be non-telegraphing and hips turning over.
1: lead leg inner thigh kick - cross-hook-cross - lead leg inner thigh kick.

2: rear leg outer thigh kick-hook-cross-hook- rear leg outer thigh kick.

Steve said the above were actually drills from Jun Fan but we were putting the Thai twist on them but using the shin and not the foot as the leg weapon.

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

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

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

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

The third energy was on the centreline, so when he punches back down the centreline you use the right elbow for the destruction then chop forward, he blocks and the hubud continues.

So what we have now are punches coming from the right, left and down the centre along with options for each(the gunting, the eye jab and the elbow destruction).

Within the hubud drill itself, Adam gave a great tip regarding the final motion when you control their forearm at the body; keep it there until they move. I was lifting my hand off and exposing my torso. Both Adam and then Steve stated that if we were doing this with weapons, that leaves us open for a filleting.

As always, a most powerful class. I found the kicking without moving really hard, especially when you think you are not moving and then a careful pairs of eyes notices! The pad rounds were hard and certainly got the blood and oxygen pumping. As James wasn't present tonight, we can't talk of the special after the class technique that Steve showed...

29/9/16: Thai 4 count drilling plus no-gi grappling

SHADOW BOXING
High energy, no breaks with lots of changes of specifics:
- body motion only
- jab only
- jab defences
- cross defences
- hook defences
- 4 punch combos
- forward pressure
- pivot then L step
- 5 second high intensity bursts
- putting it altogether

THAI BOXING

BODY MECHANICS DRILLING
Corkscrewing the body/hips/legs to prepare for the kick, preparing the delivery system. Next we used these mechanics to put the shin on our partner's leg

THAI 4 COUNT

4 count - rear kick to outside of the lead leg - left hook - right cross - rear kick to outside of the lead leg
DEFENCE 1: against the his rear leg kick - crush across followed by rear round kick.
DEFENCE 2: the rear kick lands, as they throw the left hook, simultaneous cover and uppercut against the hook followed by your own rear leg kick.
DEFENCE 3: the rear kick lands, cover the hook, they throw the right cross - you cut punch then rear round kick.
DEFENCE 4: the rear kick lands, cover the hook then the cross then shift laterally to kick the inside of his supporting leg.

Making it come alive: Each person throws a four count. On any attack, the receiver can chose the counter. If the person throwing the four count does with accuracy and proper technique, then this will enable the receiver to reply against good energy. I really like this drill because whilst there are parameters, it provides time to practise combinations at speed and to not panic under fire, in addition, the heart rate gets pushed nicely.

Interestingly, Steve always has music on in the background in class, yet sitting here I can't recall any of the songs. I don't think my eclectic playlist of Pink Floyd to 90s Indie rock to uplifting trance would inspire quality movement. I love having the music on, the BJJ and MMA clubs used to play music. I think it further helps to shut you off from the trials and tribulations of real life.

NO-GI GRAPPLING
Tonight we were fortunate to have a visit from Ben Richardson, a good friend and training partner of Steve who has a club up in Abingdon.

https://www.candomartialarts.co.uk/Home

Firstly, Ben took us through a flow with a series of positions from scarf-hold side control - to side control - to mount preparation. The person on the bottom was working sound defence - arms in tight, trying to get on your side, looking for underhooks. When the person on top goes for mount, hip up and pull on his hip so you reverse the position and end up in scarf-hold side control. From here, the flow continues.

Attacking from mount.
Start in regular mount, wrap the top of his head with your forearms and shuffle up his body forcing his elbows high. Put your feet on his hips so you are in a very high (up the torso) mount.

From the source



Another from Dean Lister who is a very accomplished competitive grappler



Bas Rutten is a bad mother fucker. Here he is applying the same move but from side control, the positions we looked at originally tonight. But for me what is key, is the details are similar to Ben's. Especially what your near side elbow is doing to his head.



Head and arm triangle/choke
He escapes the figure 4 arm lock by getting his head under your armpit and against your chest. From here you transition to the head and arm. No words are necessary from me when a 3rd degree is explaining.



In live competition but from standing



And it goes without saying...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Double stick

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Working the whole set in reverse order.

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

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

9/8/16: stand up combinations, pad work and knife.

PPARTNER SHADOW WORK
Jab only
One strike the other evade using the body and slips
3 punch combos
One punches whilst moving forward, the other moves laterally

MUAY THAI
3 count striking pattern: cross-lead hook-rear kick. Lots of drilling of the pattern.
Counters:
Cut punch against the cross followed by rear thigh kick.
Cover the cross, then simultaneous high right parry and lead uppercut followed by rear thigh kick.
Cover the cross, then the hook then crush his leg kick and respond with your own.

Fixed sparring
Partner A throws the 3 count, partner B then selects one of the counters. As soon as B has countered, they throw their 3 count and the drill continues.

PAD ROUND
jab-cross, he rushes in, you use the left forearm for neck control, strike with overhand- lead uppercut-overhand

Knife revision from Thursday

http://kaizenjkd.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/4816-knife-masterclass.html

2/8/16: punch defences, pad training and knife work

Shadow boxing warm up

4 corners (long high arm stance)
Feeder throws jab-cross-lead hook-rear hook
Cover with the forearm cutting across the centreline against the jab and cross. Mirror his motion; if he throws the left you use the right.
Against the hooks cover inside of the elbow crease, the rear hand covers the centreline at head height.

Arm drag to uppercut
Feeder throws jab-cross-lead hook. (Use the 4 corners practise) Cover the lead hook, arm drag with left but step in and squeeze the arm with your arm, head against his shoulder to stay covered. Step out to the right and pivot (like a reverse L-step), as you land throw the uppercut under his arm followed by the shot over the top.

Shoulder brace to knee lock
Feeder throws jab-cross-lead hook-rear hook. Shoulder brace (long, straight arm, palm up on the shoulder and thumb included, chin tucked into your shoulder), step the rear foot out, step the front but on to his foot as you slap the head. This will isolate his knee and send him off balance, follow up with the lateral elbow strike to the head.

Elbow cover to elbow extension.
Feeder throws jab-cross-lead hook. On the lead hook, step in with the elbow head cover, the checking hand covers his right hand. Overhook the punching arm at the elbow tightly, turn his face away and step to wrench the arm.

Pad training
Feeder throws the 4 corners punches - jab-cross-lead hook and rear hook. You cover the 4 punches then throw the cross-hook-cross.
Power right cross drilling

Knife movement against the angle 1 and 2
Feeder attacks repeatedly with angle 1 and 2. Similar motions to the hooks - rear hand at the lower forearm, lead hand (same leg forward) to the eyes. Wearing eye protection allows proper targeting with no injury.

Elbow and head control.
More motion this time, control the elbow after the pass. Make sure the hand is palm up, this offers much greater control. Also get used to striking the head whilst passing. He will need to reset to throw the angles.

2/8/16: punch defences, pad training and knife work

Shadow boxing warm up

4 corners (long high arm stance)
Feeder throws jab-cross-lead hook-rear hook
Cover with the forearm cutting across the centreline against the jab and cross. Mirror his motion; if he throws the left you use the right.
Against the hooks cover inside of the elbow crease, the rear hand covers the centreline at head height.

Arm drag to uppercut
Feeder throws jab-cross-lead hook. (Use the 4 corners practise) Cover the lead hook, arm drag with left but step in and squeeze the arm with your arm, head against his shoulder to stay covered. Step out to the right and pivot (like a reverse L-step), as you land throw the uppercut under his arm followed by the shot over the top.

Shoulder brace to knee lock
Feeder throws jab-cross-lead hook-rear hook. Shoulder brace (long, straight arm, palm up on the shoulder and thumb included, chin tucked into your shoulder), step the rear foot out, step the front but on to his foot as you slap the head. This will isolate his knee and send him off balance, follow up with the lateral elbow strike to the head.

Elbow cover to elbow extension.
Feeder throws jab-cross-lead hook. On the lead hook, step in with the elbow head cover, the checking hand covers his right hand. Overhook the punching arm at the elbow tightly, turn his face away and step to wrench the arm.

Pad training
Feeder throws the 4 corners punches - jab-cross-lead hook and rear hook. You cover the 4 punches then throw the cross-hook-cross.
Power right cross drilling

Knife movement against the angle 1 and 2
Feeder attacks repeatedly with angle 1 and 2. Similar motions to the hooks - rear hand at the lower forearm, lead hand (same leg forward) to the eyes. Wearing eye protection allows proper targeting with no injury.

Elbow and head control.
More motion this time, control the elbow after the pass. Make sure the hand is palm up, this offers much greater control. Also get used to striking the head whilst passing. He will need to reset to throw the angles.