Friday, January 31, 2014

Shidokan Atlanta: Be Well Rounded Part II

Shidokan Atlanta: Be Well Rounded Part II: In my last post, I talked about being a well rounded martial artist. I said that one can seek perfection in more than one discipline. To thi...

Be Well Rounded Part II

In my last post, I talked about being a well rounded martial artist. I said that one can seek perfection in more than one discipline. To this day, I am always trying to perfect my skills in all ranges of combat (punching, kicking, grappling, etc.). Here are some clips of me in this quest. As a Kicker, my sport of choice is Tae Kwon Do http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1l8a65M6Bs As a Grappler, my sport of choice is Judo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L4GTFFYfCY For overall striking, Boxing and Kickboxing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEN9Ythdbdg My MMA experiences are throw Shidokan Triathlon (karate, kickboxing, grappling) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFkbZ3I4-Ek

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Be Well Rounded

In looking at today's combat sports, in particular Kickboxing and MMA, fighters have to have a well rounded game. Being one dimensional in combat sports makes it harder for you. Let's not confuse one dimensional with ineffectiveness. People watch Kickboxing and MMA and assume that these sports are superior to individual disciplines for real fighting or self defense. Keep in mind that the guy who trains MMA is not superior in the individual disciplines. You can be a champion in Kickboxing, but that does not mean you can be one in TKD (kicking) or Boxing (hands). You can be a good submission guy in MMA, but that doesn't mean you can be as good in Judo or BJJ. In a real fight the specialist is at a disadvantage if not his element, but he is dangerous in that element. My personal goal as a martial artist is to perfect my skills as best I can in individual as well as mixed.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Ineffective Martial Arts Techniques

In looking at a lot of martial arts out there, many systems are just not effective. I won't call any names (don't want to offend LOL), but in looking at teaching methodologies, philosophies, theories, etc., I'd like to share some principles that is necessary to know what is effective. If you are training with an instructor who has no fighting experience, get a new one. If you are learning a deadly technique (that's too dangerous to train with a non-compliant partner) watch out. If you are learning to defend yourself and you don't practice consistently, it won't work when the stuff hits the fan. If you don't have impact practice (against bags, pads, people, etc.) or spar, your techniques probably won't work.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Pro Fight Karate Match

Here's a good match from the French Promotion, Pro Karate Fight. Fisher Striker takes on Yoann Kongolo in an exciting match. You will see punches, kicks, knees, elbows and a couple of takedowns. This style of competition is a cross between MMA, Muay THai and Karate. You won't see any ground fighting, but you will see some intense action. http://www.profightkarate.com/crbst_136.html

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Learn New Stuff Or Remembering Old Stuff?

Everybody always wants to learn new stuff. What about what you already know? The older I get the more I know what I don't know. We've all heard that before. Despite all the cool new excercies and techniques I learn, it always cool to revisit the old excercises and techniques. By doing this you remember that they are just as good as the new stuff.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Street Fighter Vs. Reality Defense Fighter Vs.Sport Fighter

Who would you put your money on in a street fight? The Street Fighter, the Sport Fighter or the Reality Defense fighter? I'm gonna put mine on the Sport Fighter. Now, anything can happen in a real fight. A guy lands a sucker punch or pulls a weapon out unseen, etc. This can happen to any of the 3. But, looking at what a full contact fighter goes through to prepare for competition (running, pad and bag work, sparring with well trained partners, etc.), this fighter gets repitition of effective fighting. Sure, the reality defense fighter, will say that the it's sport and not real. But, a hard punch, kick, knee, elbow, choke, joint lock, etc. delivered on a non-compliant opponent trained to receive these techniques is as real as it can get.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Old School American Kickboxing's Richard Jackson

Came across another cool Kickboxing match from the 80s featuring Richard Jackson. He trained out of Atlanta back in the day with my first kickboxing coach, the late James Asa Gordon. Watch and check out the change of how American tournament fighters transitioned into full contact fighters. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnmrx3fGeu4

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Old School PKA Fight

Came across this fight on Youtube with Rick "The Jet" Roufus. This is when ESPN aired PKA kickboxing back in the 80s. Chuck Norris starts the clip off and you will see a great KO by Roufus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ24ui6AcDo&list=UUk8nVUXU_J-USqy1oeIvgdw

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Shotokan Karate's Mikio Yahara

Here's a great of old school Shotokan Karate Champ, Mikio Yahara. Hardcore traditional Karate and great technique. The philosophy of Shotokan is to deliver techniques with enough power for one blow kill. Watch his sparring matches (during a time when Shotokan used no pads) and you will see controlled power. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvG8r9wPcbc

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Desire, A Want Or Need?

What is your desire? You want to be good at something or attain a level of something, so you think you have a desire. It could be a want, but to me a desire is a need. Wants come and go. You might want something, but if the acquisition of that want is difficult, you might change your mind. But if you want it regardless of how difficult its is to get, that is true desire. Chase it, overcome all obstacles, never give up, and get it!

Monday, January 6, 2014

Silva Leg Break

The Silva vs. Weidman has been talked about a lot lately. A lot of people call the 1st fight a fluke, saying Weidman landed a lucky punch. In the 2nd fight we have the leg break after the inside low kick is blocked. Here's a clip of the break. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZMb8Wgh4Ac So, many will say that Weidman is lucky again. Whatever, bad luck twice or whatever you want to call it, he deserves the title.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

FEAR

Fear, nervousness, doubt, etc. enter the mind of competitors (and everybody in general) at some point. How do you deal with it? You face it! When you are nervous about a test or a fight coming up, as you get close to that ordeal you have to evaluate yourself and be able to give yourself an honest assessment. This always you to ask the question? Did I study, train, practice or do whatever I need to as best as I could for this event? If you can answer with a yes, then half the battle is over. The only other issue that makes you nervous is the unknown, the outcome. I will tell you this, never fear, embrace it! The only time to be afraid is when you haven't prepared (and if you didn't, you still gotta deal with it).

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Confidence

Confidence is one of those things we are told to have but not always taught to have. Some people view confidence as ego and some view it as charisma. Look at successful people. They are ususally driven and competitive. Look at successful athletes. Sometimes people who know them will say they have huge egos. A big ego is not a bad thing but a false ego is. There are folks who see themselves as winners and never put themselves on the stage to see if they can really win at something. Those are the people with false egos. Those who test themselves, get out there and perform, have health egos and real confidence. Remember that talk is cheap. You must achieve it or show effort of trying to. Be true to yourself and perform to the best of your abilities. Don't be afraid of failure. You have to be able to lose to win. A winner gets up and keeps trying when knocked down and never accepts defeat.