Less Is Better

How many techniques should you learn how to execute for your style? If you do a grappling art, do you need to know 100s of take downs and submissions? If you compete in a stand up art, do you need to know a lot of different punches and kicks or memorize a bunch of combinations? The answer to both of these is no. If you look at the top athletes in combat sports, you see that they develop 3 to 5 things and to those things exceptionally well. It's fine to learn and be exposed to all that you can, but don't overwhelm yourself with learning and utilizing everything you see. Combat, doesn't work that way. In the time of stress, you will pull off the moves that you've given the most repetitions.

Judo With Champ Jimmy Pedro

Here's a clip of Judo Champ Jimmy Pedro demonstration some throwing techniques to be applied with our without a Gi. Some good stuff here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o0nNLEmnu8

Throwing Highlight

Here's a nice clip of throwing techniques in combat sports (judo, wrestling, etc). The control of another opponent's balance is an art in of itself. A buddy of mine makes awesome highlight videos on Youtube. Be sure to subscribe to his channel (Girth Monkey). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgiUNoY_92s&feature=g-all-u

Knife Defense

There are a lot of arts out there claiming to be effective knife fighting systems. There are special training programs where participants train with chalked or electric knives, etc. The reality of knife fighting is that if you and your opponent both have blades, expect to get cut. Everyone I know who's been in a knife fight got cut or did the cutting. Those cut usually don't see the knife until they've been cut (that's how experience cutters work). The fight sequences in the movies where two guys move around and block knife to knife is not real. It would be like two boxers fighting and no one got hit. Those of you who've boxed know that you will get hit. Being that a knife is an extension of the hand, most likely you will be hit. I'm not saying don't practice your self defense techniques against the blade. Just keep in mind that the experts don't always give practical advice for practical situations.

The Kimura Arm Lock

The Kimura (named after the famous judoka) is called the Ude Garami (entangled arm lock) in Japanese. It is an effective lock where both hands attack the opponent's arm. When caught in this position, the opponent is on the defensive and this technique gives the attacker opportunities to improve position or defend from a bad position. Here's an example of this technique breaking an arm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&NR=1&v=WMPllsGLisI

Old Dog Learning New Tricks

I had a great weekend. Not only was it Father's Day weekend, but me and some of the guys from the gym fought in the Georgia State Games Judo tournament. At 45 years of age, I still compete with the young guys on the local levels. I managed to win my division. It is truly a challenge and I still get a big adrenaline rush competing. It allows me to stay young, humble and to continue to learn. Very few instructors are done with competing by the time they get my age (a lot much earlier). There is nothing wrong with that, but I see a lot of instructors (the competed) let themselves get out of shape. Whether we compete or not, we must train and keep learning. Old dogs do learn new tricks.

Old School American Full Contact Karate

Here's a clip of Bill "Superfoot" Wallace against Jem Echollas from 1976. This is old school stuff here. "Full Contact" Karate (American version) that would eventually be called American Kickboxing. This is before the sport was done in a ring with boxing gloves (you will see the old style safety gloves being used in the clip). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJVUGSb8i6Y