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.

25/5/17: syllabus focus for all

SHADOW BOXING WARM UP (ALL)

RED BELT SYLLABUS FOCUS

Jab defences:
1: catch and jab

2: slip and uppercut

3: cut punch

4: outside deflection

5: split entry into dumog pull

6: lead high elbow cover into hammer fist

Jab-cross defences:
1: catch and jab

2: bob and weave

3: outside deflection

4: split entry into dumog pull

5: parry left and overhand right

6: cut punch

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

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

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

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

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

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

SINGLE STICK:

Downward figure 8

Upward figure 8

Cinqo teros patterns:

1-2-3-4-5

1-4-3-2-5

1-upward backhand-upward forehand-2-5

Putting them all together in a loop drill

ADVANCED SYLLABUS WORK

As always, thanks to James for the detailed notes

Thai 4 Counts

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

Clinch

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

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

Double Stick

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

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

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

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

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

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

Red belt syllabus group

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

Jab defences
- Catch and jab:

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

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

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

- Salute to arm break:
Affect his structure

- Scoop and lead uppercut:
Be dynamic

Cross defences

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

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

- Lead high elbow to hammer fist:

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

- Slip and uppercut:
Lead with the right shoulder.

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

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

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

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

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

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

3 count sumbrada plus 3 strips

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

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

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

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.

28/2/17: double stick masterclass

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

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

or

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

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

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

or

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

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

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

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

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

Putting together the initial 2 count plus adding the odd series

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

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

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

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

23/2/17: boxing off the jab, pad rounds and single stick sumbrada

BOXING OFF THE JAB
A: jab B, catch and jab. One for one. Lots of changes of partners. Most rounds with left lead then several with right lead.

A jabs, B responds with catch right then jab down the centreline then move offline to the left and jab again.

A jabs, B responds with catch and jab, right cross on the low line to the body (drop the weight and ned the legs and enter in to close the distance) followed by a jab on the high line as you exit back out. As Steve said, it was all about footwork.

A jabs, B responds with catch and jab followed by a left hook to the kidney. Make sure you step left and pivot for the hook.

Conditioned sparring rounds: A jabs and B responds with any of the 3 replies practised earlier on in the session.

PAD ROUNDS
Round 1: jab, jab then left hook to the kidney.

Round 2: jab - cross on the low line to the body - exit with the jab

SINGLE STICK SUMBRADA

Orange belts and below worked the following: (higher grades doing secret stuff on their side of the room)

A attacks with angle #1, B responds with roof then own #1

A attacks with angle #1, B responds with inside sweep and angle #4

A attacks with angle #4, B responds with drop stick plus left hand under his weaponised wrist followed by angle #5

A attacks with angle #5, B responds with wing block then responds with angle #2

A attacks with angle #2, B responds with shield block then angle #1

The work from the higher grades, many thansk to James for the notes

Roof the A1 then slice down with the A1.

Inside sweep the A1 then A4 across the stomach.

Pass the A4 - with the R. stick chambered on your L. rib and your L. arm resting in front (like you’re hugging yourself), drop your R. foot back and deflect his forearm with the back of your L. hand (push his arm into him, don’t just scoop it round) as you hit his stick (would be his hand in reality). Then hit with the A3.

Pass the A3 - either move both legs back and hollow your body as you deflect his forearm with your L. hand (push his arm into him, don’t just scoop it round) and hit his arm over the top then move into cat stance (R. toe pointed) and hit with the A2 OR just skip further back and hit over the top without deflecting the arm and hit with the A2.
Shield the A2.

Do (1) to (3) as a sumbrada flow - the person who starts with the roof should make a ‘Z’ shape with his stick as he roofs, feeds the A1 then passes.

Do (1) to (5) as a sumbrada flow.

Here is a series of images from JKD instructor, Steve Powell, from the second city in the north, Manchester.

http://www.jeet-kune-do.info/jun_fan/sumbrada/

We then put it all together in the 5 count sumbrada drill. First with stick then checking hand but later on no stick contact and just checking the hand.

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

PANANTUKAN methods against straight punches (the jab and cross)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SINGLE STICK

Solo drilling in the mirrors

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

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

1-2-1 Redondo

2-1-2 Redondo

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

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

7/2/17: R.A.T. masterclass part 3

Shadow boxing warm up

SOLO DRILLING:

Straight blast running across the hall

Rear knee and lead elbow

Whole sequence - straight blast - eye rake - headbutt - knee - elbow

PARTNER WORK:

Destructions against the straight punches, interceptions against hooking punches, interceptions using the lead kick to the groin. These were worked primarily by keeping your fence up and the distance long. Distance = time. That was a key theme running through the night. Initially we were working the destructions and interceptions but then we added the layers of the full complement of RAT tools. As in previous sessions, only going in after the pain response was given. Lots of changes of partners to get a feel for different energies and body types.

2 v 1:

The walking dead. The 1st person was the primary target; their job was to walk you down. The 2nd person had a knife and were slowly trying to get around the first person to get to the defender. The defender's job was to:
Keep the fence up
Keep the first person in between themselves and the 2nd person.
Keep moving and not get cornered or jammed against a wall.

We then added punches so the defender used any of the initial 'defences' followed by the straight blast and follow up techniques. However, if the 2nd person was encroaching, the defender had to be aware of this and maintain neck control and zone off rather than completing the RAT to the detriment of their safety.

Being cornered. Escaping along the wall - the two attackers wore focus mitts and encroached and hit as in the image at the top of this blog entry. As they started to strike, the defender covered and moved by side stepping rapidly whilst covering, when out of range they out up the fence. This was a great drill to practise the covering whilst keeping the eyes strong and staying calm.

5/6 v 1 whilst being cornered.

Now obviously, it was a movie so we did not use the spinning hook kicks to get us out of the way. We used forward, aggressive intent coupled with the straight blast and vocals such as "MOVE!" Two people help the Thai pads shoulder to shoulder simulating a barrier. Our job was to get through the barrier with aggressive forward intent in our strikes and our voice. It didn’t look nor sound pretty but it was both effective and empowering.

13/12/16: panantukan, pad rounds and knife work or syllabus material

PANANTUKAN
Off straight attacks (jab and cross)
1: split entry – arm drag (pull the arm in to your chest and drop the weight as you step back) – scoop the elbow – body hook-uppercut, elbow to the head with the free hand.

2: split entry – 2nd eye strike on the outside of the arm – elbow strike to the inside upper arm – arm wrench using a reverse shearing motion.

3: parry and eye strike on the outside – arm break – pak and punch – arm wrap (take the elbow to manipulate the arm) and thumb in neck control

PAD ROUNDS
Random round – feeder constantly changing the pads orientation by quarter or half turning away from the striker, so the striker needs to get in front and do the combinations. The feeder was making the striker work very hard whilst calling out the number of shots they should be throwing (1-5).

Thai 6 count
Inside lead leg kick – cross – lead hook - right elbow – long rear knee – outside round kick

The rest of the class split off to work on syllabus specific material, Nick and I moved on to

KNIFE WORK
5 count sumbrada – keeping it tight and wasting no motions was the key aims.

3 knife strips
1: Against the angle 1 – inside ‘block’ and neck/eye strike, take the wrist and get to the outside with your elbow tight to the body and strip. Tight thumb control.

2: Against the angle 2 – get on the outside as you ‘block’ and eye strike and strip using the back of the forearm remembering the tight thumb control.

3: Against the stab to the abdomen – get the legs and hips back as you drop the weight and use the back of the forearm, reach above with the other hand and use the back of the forearm strip.

8/12/16: trapping, sparring and groundwork

TRAPPING

Steve talked about the point of trapping – to remove a barrier to enable striking. There are several ways to approach a barrier (his guard):
• Go round it
• Go through it
• Ignore it
• Remove it (which was our focus tonight)

Off the jab:
Split entry (parry with the right and punch down the centre with the left to the chin or torso), gunting with the left knuckles then right pak sau followed by the left hammerfist to the head/neck. Complete with a panantukan cross-hook-cross.

As above but this time he stops the hammerfist, turn the left hand into a short tan sau and hit with the right hand then right pak sau and left strike.

This then evolved to adding more strikes at the end of the combination above; a right-left right (chop-punch-chop). The non-striking hands were always covering the ‘trapped’ limb. I always struggle with the term chop as it reminds me of stereotypical judo chops and non-effective strikes, which of course they are not.

The next technique was the same entry off the jab but this time he parries over the centre too much so you go under your forearm for the lap sau and left backfist/rolling punch. Make sure you zone left as you lap sau. From here continue to pressure his arms into his centre as you deliver a series of strikes to the head.

SPARRING

There was none of this...

Steve couldn’t reiterate enough the point and focus of the sparring – for us to improve our technique, mechanics, footwork, evasion, timing, head movement and not to become head hunting swingers which about grit and balls. Whilst being important attributes, they are not what is going to facilitate growth and progress of skill.
The intention was light and half speed. And it was really fun, even when Darren ‘cheap shot’ or ‘after the bell’ Black was your sparring partner.
Several rounds of each specific sparring type:
• Jab only
• Jab and cross only
• Any punch only
• Hands and feet.
Everybody in class brings a different energy, level of experience, strategy, patterns of motions and problems which makes the learning so much fun and hard.

GROUNDWORK
In another part of the room, Darren Nigel and Adam were drilling 3 submissions off scarf hold, side 4 quarters and mount.
The rest of us were working passing the closed guard.
Hands on his waist (fisting his clothing, should I have said holding his clothes in a fist?), knee into the arse and base out with your other leg to put pressure on his guard, encourage it to open with the elbow grinding into the femoral. Poke the lead knee up between his legs to act as a physical barrier to him getting to you. Slide that knee across his thigh and get the knee on the floor, wrap the same side arm around the neck as you come through his guard. Move to side control, make sure that he can’t trap or wrap the trailing leg when you transition from the pass to side control. When in side control, knee to hip and knee to shoulder maintaining a palm to palm grip, then lever the shoulder down into the jaw/neck/face for the crush or 100kg as Steve labels it.

We then added on an elbow to the head then a knee to enable you to post up on your hands in the centre of his chest, arms are straight. From here transition to knee on belly, making sure to pull on his arm to assist the pressure driving through the chest. Base the leg so he can’t get hold of it.

Positional rolling (sumbrada style)
Looking for different positions and allowing him to find those positions. A continual loop drill of grappling.

Submission rolling (sumbrada style)
As above but looking for the submission, if it was not there, it was not there but tapping was important when it was there. This helped to help them to find the submission, and if it was not there to move to something else.

At the end, Steve demonstrated how hard it is to submit somebody who does not want to be submitted. ‘Just’ by defending and spoiling the submission hunter’s pressure and angles with sound pressure and mechanics. And it is true, trying to get a sub on someone who is, in no way, wanting you to get it, is really tough but friggin’ awesome fun.

What a great bloody session.

Postscript.

Finally linking back to the image of Cro-Cop and Wanderlei, here is the video with Cro-Cop giving zero fucks about the berserker that was Wanderlei.



And some footage from one of their matches. I forgot how could Cro-Cop's left hand was, drilling straight through the guard. I might have spotted some crazy monkey defence from Cro-Cop as a most tenuous link to the class on Tuesday.

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.

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.

13/10/16: Single stick masterclass

STRIKING FAMILIES

Lots of reps in both hands.

1: Cinq Teros; 5 count - on the 5 angles: 1-2-3-4-5, 1-4-3-2-5, X followed by a 5

2: Figure 8's
downward, upwards and in different orientations

3: Florete (cones)
3 upwards and 3 downwards, two sides of the triangle - up for 3 and down the other side of the body for 3, the floating triangle
Also, small circles on a big circle to control the tip - c/wise circles on a c/wise circle, cc/wise circles on a c/wise circle, c/wise on an cc/wise circle, cc/wise on a cc/wise circle

4: Umbrella (used to re-chamber the stick)
Number 1 (forehand strike), wrap the arm around and over the head for another number 1. Same for the number 2 (backhand strike)

5: Redondo - circular power striking. Usually Redondo is a repeated circular strike done from the same side of the body over and over. Redondo on the 5 angles, 1-2-1-redondo, 2-1-1-redondo

6: Abanico (fanning)
High - high, high - low, low - high, low - low.

7: Sunkiti (Stabbing and whipping)
5 stabs on the high, lower part of the half circle.
Add the whipping hooking strikes after each stab.

8: Jabbing
12-6, 9-3 lines. Putting them both togetherLet it go, fast single power strikes

Punyo sumbrada

3 count high box pattern

4/10/16: Panantukan and hubud

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

7/7/16: shadow boxing, carenza and knife tapping

SHADOW BOXING ROUNDS
- Hands
- Hands and elbows
- Hands, elbows and knees
- Hands, elbows, knees and legs.

CARENZA ROUNDS
- Double stick
- Single stick L&R
- Single knife L&R, regular and ice pick grip
- Stick and knife, swapping hands
- Double knife, regular and ice pick grip

KNIFE TAPPING

FEEDER - forearm hook stab - abdomen slash - backhand hook stab.
Key learning tips
- Footwork drilling: left 'cat' stance to right ;cat' stance
- Push the blade towards them

We worked:
- Footwork
- Basic drill
- Insert half beat strike to the centreline
- 3 taps per arms
- Feeder removes the initial tap
- Back to the basic drill

This video shows some of the tapping we worked on. Tonight we look using the back of the forearms and both people 'face' each other in that there was no back turning.



This video, at the start, shows the application we work.
Tap and pass the arm, crash in with the left shoulder and cover, thumb grip right and bicep wrap with the left (high on the bicep), weight through the arm and strip.