Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Road Work For Fighters

The best cardio training for fighters comes from running. When you run you want to mix it up by changing speed, throwing punches while you run, running forwards, sideways, backwards, etc. You want to mimic the movement and changing pace of competition. If you are getting ready for a fight, I recommend 4 to 5 times a week. Alternate longer runs with sprints and add some hills to the mix.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Heavy Weight Training Won't Help Your Boxing

I know the sports scientists and conditioning coaches won't agree. But, unless you've trained and competed in boxing, you can't know. Here's an interesting article I came across about weight training and boxing. I completely agree with this article. This is not to say you can't ever lift weights. If you want to lift heavy, I would recommend doing so during a seasonal situation (when you don't have a match coming up). Study this article. http://www.expertboxing.com/boxing-workouts/why-lifting-weights-wont-increase-punching-power

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Fighting Hurt

I fought in full contact striking competition (Tae Kwon Do, Boxing, Judo, Kickboxing, Muay Thai and Shidokan) for 20 years (1985-2004). I got back in Judo competition last year and I am staying active with this sport. During my competition career I've had injuries. I've stitches, fractured elbows, fingers, and 2 torn ACLs. Despite these injuries, I've been able to keep truckin'. Because of knee issues, I've hand to modify training and change up on the way I execute some of my techniques. You will be amazed what you can do while hurt. I've finished tournaments serious injuries. I fought 2 time World Kickboxing Champion, Robert Harris when I tore my left ACL (in round 2) and finished the fight. I tore my Right ACL in the 2002 Shidokan World Open against World Muay Thai Champion Matee Jedeepitak (2nd of 3 fights). In both situations I finished matches and tournament. So, I want you to know that you can push past this little thing called pain. There is no pain, fatigue, or fear to stand in the way of attaining your goals as a fighters. Never surrender, never give up.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Mix Your Kicking Skills

In MMA and Kickboxing a lot of fighters use Muay Thai kicking skills. The emphasis is on full power and kicking through the target. I personally use a lot of snap kicks (Karate and Tae Kwon Do) and mix in the Thai style kick. Snap kicks are fast and require accuracy and placement so you don't have to use a lot of power. The require less energy. Fighting in Muay Thai and Shidokan fights, I was able to read the body language of hard kicks coming from the Thai style kickers. My opponents had a difficult time picking up my timing on my kicks because my delivery was more relaxed and they weren't used to my style of kicking.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Mitt Lenix RIP

A couple of days ago, a young martial artist was killed at a drive in theatre, trying to get help to get his car started. The gunman fleed but was eventually caught. My heart goes out to the family of Creative Breaking Champion Mitt Lenix. I looked up information about this young man after hearing about this incident on the news. His parents are life long martial artists and he grew in the Dojang (TKD). Prayers to the Lenix family. Here is Mitt in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tipPTSnPSVE

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Is Sport Combat Good For Self Defense? YES

I recently listed to a video of a traditional martial arts guy, saying that sport fighting (i.e. MMA) isn't practical for self defense. As one who has devoted a life time to combat sports and martial arts study, I will tell you that combat sports are the best way to prepare for reality. The self defense experts tell you that the rules, weight classes, etc. aren't reality. They practice their reality defense through simulation. So of them will also say that they have competition experience too, but you you never hear of any of them having high level competitive experience. Having trained and competed against top level fighters, I will tell that these guys would tear a new one into somebody on the street. Some experts claim to have done research on fear and adrenaline. Champion fighters fight through pain, fear, adrenaline dump (and in tournaments they do it over and over again). Now the experts will say, well, there are officials to stop it if one gets hurt. Yeah, but I say most of them have never fought a death match either. Now as far as the techniques that they can do that are not allowed in sport fighting. Well, if you can't be me with rules, you'll have a harder time beating without them.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Sparring Is Key

A lot of young fighters these days avoid getting in the "Nitty Gritty". What I mean by that is sparring. They want to hit the mitts, do all the plyo exercises, etc. But, a lot of guys shy away from sparring. The are many ways to spar (light, medium, and hard). The intensity must be conducive to a real match. You also have to spar with different body types (different weights, heights, and experience level). When training with a lighter partner, ease of on the power and work your speed. For heavier partners, work a little more power. For shorter partners work on keeping your distance and for taller fighters, work on getting inside. Whatever advantages you have over a sparring partner (size, speed, height, etc.), don't forget to change up and give you partner an opportunity to work. If he has less experience, don't take advantage. Make it a meaningful experience for both of you. Go train!! Richard Trammell Box Sparring with former world contender, Lamar Parks http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=eNMIofsWvXM Richard Trammell Karate Sparring (knockdown style with Joe) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp_dGXNnb9w Richard Trammell Sparring (Boxing, Kickboxing) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLVJZdMLVLM

Monday, May 14, 2012

Game Planning Opponents?

It seems that a lot of fighters are hesitant to take a fight against an opponent that they can't find footage on. The search through google, youtube, etc. to fight some videos that they can study to come up with a plan. Well, I say "Baloney". You can look at a video from 2 years ago and expect to have a plan for your opponent when you fight him. First of all, whatever he did was applied to the opponent at hand. Secondly, you have to adapt to what's going on in your matches. Sure there are certain habits that one carries from match to match. But, you should be able to pick up on what he is doing good or bad within the first minute of a fight. You must learn to read what's going on and make adjustments during the fight. Do plan to do a specific thing based on a clip you watched from last year because you might end up looking for something that never comes.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Enshin Karate Demonstration by Kancho Ninomiya

I came across a great demonstration by Kancho Joko Ninomiya, head of Enshin Karate and promoter of the Sabaki Challenge. Enshin Karate is a full contact style (one of many branches of the Kyokushin tree) that uses the principle of Sabaki (circular motion) where the practitioner uses the energy of the attacker against him, utilizing the "blind spot". Here's a clip of the master in action. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySNtIZtUL3A&feature=related

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Elena Vorobyeva, Kyokushin Fighter

Here's a couple of clips of Russian Kyokushin figher Elena Vorobyeva. Great Kata and Kumite. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pZP51yS7Vk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY7PN1dgnCw

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Muay Thai Sweeps and Throws

Came across a cool clip of throws and sweeps used in the sport of Muay Thai. Check this out, as these are unique to this sport. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqCPn4-eB5A&feature=g-all-u

Monday, May 7, 2012

World Oyama Karate Tournament May 5, 2012

This past weekend me and some of my students drove to Birmingham Al for the Annual World Oyama Karate Championships. It was good to see some no nonsense full contact karate. The semi-knockdown fights were good and the kids and adults did a great job. The knockdown (no pads) had a smaller number of competitors than usual but the fighters didn't disappoint the spectators as there was some knockouts. If you've never seen this style of competition, you will be impressed. Great job and thanks for putting on another great tournament World Oyama Karate. OSU!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

What happens during a joint lock?

Here a clip from Sports Science featuring Frank Mir about the force required to execute joint locks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ1cfJAEk3k&feature=g-vrec

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Fighting Is Never Personal

I see a lot of guys hesitant to fight fighters in their weight class. This is usually the case for heavy and lightweights. Middleweights aren't the problem usually because that's most of the general population. Matching fighters for promoters can be a headache when local guys turn down fights when the fighter pool is small. Years ago in Atlanta, there were a few boxing gyms. Fighters would go around from gym to gym to get sparring sessions with different fighters in their weight class. They would become friends with their new training partners. When fights came up and they were matched against each other they fought. This was never personal. They would fight and shake hands afterwards. In other martial arts competitions, guys are sometimes reluctant to do this. A year ago, I got back into judo competition and my first match was against one of my coaches. I attacked as hard as I could and was happy to last the 30 seconds I did (yeah, I lost). Remember that if you ever have to fight a friend, it's never personal. Believe it or not, you get to know each other much better and your respect for each other will be even greater. I have one friend from the age of 10 to present. We met through fighting and became pals.