Friday, May 27, 2016

Martial Arts Weapon Training

In looking at martial arts training with weapons, keep in mind that most of it is theory and a lot of it is for show. When you see forms (Katas) with weapons a lot of time you see a lot of twirling and spinning. You see light weight staffs and nunchaku so the can move faster. Real weapons have a little more weight to them and you won't be spinning nunchaku in a real fight because you don't want to drop them. When you hit with them you have to hit at an angle toward the end so that they don't bounce back at you. Most of your swings will be at a 45 degree angle. You won't be releasing them and flipping them. All that is for show. You see demonstrations with the nunchaku against other weapons (usually a staff or a sword). The look good, but the nunchaku isn't that effective against the longer range weapons. They work best as an element of surprise against an unarmed opponent. The Octagon shaped nunchaku provides a good edged angle to cause a nice blunt force trauma attack. They can severely bruise an opponent and can be used to break bone. They can be used to choke or be twisted around a joint.

The staff (Bo) is a long range weapon for blunt force trauma. You will see 2 martial artist dual with the Bo but real combat won't look like the demos. If your opponent gets in close range, it's going to be hand to hand.

The tonfa is a good one. Because it is like re-enforcing your you forearms and extending your fists. You can fight better with this one over the others in my opinion. The cops use this one.


Monday, May 23, 2016

Left Hook To The Liver

One of the most effect punches in fighting is the liver shot. The punch is a combination of a hook and uppercut. This is also known as a shovel punch because of the upward angle it lands. Unlike a punch to the head (which may or may not hurt), the liver punch hurts instantly when hit causing the diagram to release all air. You can't breath and you feel like quitting. The liver is located on right side of the body right at the 9th and 10th lower ribs (floating ribs).  The vagus nerve is also affected by the liver shot causing chemical reactions in the nerves sending a shockwave along the vagal nerve network. This can cause of loss of breath or temporary paralysis. Pain, high stress, dehydration and digestive problems can occur. Blunt force can crush blood vessels and lacerations of the liver (internal bleeding). Below is a clip of one of might kickboxing bouts with the late Larry Jarrett. Larry was an international and world champion as well as a pro boxer. You will see me land a head kick first which dazes him and then you will see a liver shot land. Notice the difference in how his body responds to the 2 blows. Now he does recover and continued to fight (this is rare because most opponents I hit with liver shots did not).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxcYF_w1GdQ

Friday, May 20, 2016

Heart and Spirit

It's a given that you have to be in shape for fighting. Everybody works out. Some harder than others. But what is most important in fighting? Is it the fighters who has the state of the art equipment? Is it the fighting who has several coaches? Sure these things are helpful, but I think heart and spirit are most important. With those 2 things, comes the will to win. I know a lot of strong athletes who fold when things are no longer easy and they can rely on athleticism. Once you get tired, the will to win is what propels you forward. You will eventually feel pain, fatigue, etc. It is your spirit that will pull you through the fires of doubt. Continue to train with all of your special devices, coaches, etc. But, make time to focus from the inside out. Visualize and meditate on finding your inner power because you will find that it is just as important as your outer power.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Money Vs. Notorious In Boxing

You may heard about the possibility of Floyd and Conner boxing. They say anything can happen in sports, but it is next to impossible that he can beat floyd in a boxing match. Even if Floyd was 60 and fat. In the times were MMA is seen as the sport of the future and superior to boxing, only those who've never sparred with an Olympian (or local state champion) would say that. I have seen combat athletes try to cross over to boxing, mainly kick boxers. Even though boxing is part of kickboxing the skill level of pure boxers in the punching department tends to be superior. I'm not saying the combat athlete coming to boxing has no chance. But, unless you've started boxing a young age, it is doubtful (not impossible) that you will become an Olympic level or successful pro boxer. We've seen good pure athletes become successful in some of the other combat sports, but this almost never the case in boxing. Back to the Conner and Floyd fight. Of course he should take the fight against Floyd if the opportunity arises. It will definitely be worth his while. But to zero pro boxing matches against a fighter of Floyd's caliber, come on.

Monday, May 16, 2016

What Is Most In Important In Training?

I watch a lot of guys train and everybody wants a trainer. That's fine because a good coach will motivate you and help you push yourself a little further. But, I personally feel that you must do this from within. I believe that champions are somewhat self trained. People put to much into what others can give them. I feel that you have the power to give yourself more than anyone else can give you. I watched world champions train and nobody was telling them what exercises to do and how many rounds of this or that to do. These athletes just do it. Sure they listen to pointers from a coach here and there, but for the most part they are Ronins (masterless Samurai) following a routine developed through self-exploration. As a fighter one has to get in the ring and do it. Through repetition and experience you will find the way. I don't care how many drills you do or what the experts tell you. You have to learn it yourself.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

This Style Vs. That Style

On Facebook and Youtube, I always see videos posted showing style vs. style. I see Muay Thai vs. Taekwondo, Kyokushin Vs. Karate, MMA Vs. Kickboxing, etc. These are intended to give one the impression that one style is superior to another. If a Taekwondo athlete (primarily a kicker) fights a kick boxer (primarily boxing with some kicks) and losses in a kickboxing match, it seems like the kick boxer is superior.

In most cases you always see the style that they are trying to make look bad having a fighter fight the rules of the style they are trying to display as superior. You never see the kick boxer competing under teakwondo rules. If they one day competed under one fighter's rules and the other fighters's ruleset it would most likely come out 50/50. The great MMA Heavyweight Fedor defeated many fighters who were champions at their individual disciplines. He beat top rated K-1 kick boxers, Olympic level wrestlers and judoka. He beat these athletes in MMA. But how would he fair against them in their individual specialties? Most likely he would have the opposite result.

You can be a kickboxing champion, but that doesn't mean you can be a boxing champion. There a very few to achieve titles in both sports (with none being dominate in both for a long time). So, before you criticize an art, go and compete in it for a while. If you find it easy to win against a well trained opponent, then make a video or comment.