Blocking or Attacking the Attack

When punching I noticed a lot of people covering up and then after their opponent's finshes what they are doing, they attack back. Using boxing as an example, the only time you should cover up is if you are in trouble. You don't need both hands to block a punch. If you block with one, you can simultaneously hit with the other. Better yet, when someone starts attacking you, attack his attack. It's like interupting someone's speech. Don't let finish what he's trying to say. Here's a clip of my defensive philosophy. This clip is a 1994 boxing match. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WevTwdPMWFE

Shidokan Atlanta: Knockdown Karate Is Awesome

Shidokan Atlanta: Knockdown Karate Is Awesome: I just went the World Yoshukai Karate Championship this past weekend and I saw some great full contact Karate fights. Folks and say what the...

Knockdown Karate Is Awesome

I just went the World Yoshukai Karate Championship this past weekend and I saw some great full contact Karate fights. Folks and say what they want about there being no face punches whatever about this type of competiton. One thing for sure is that the competitors fought. The action was non stop and the punches and kicks were damaging. I would like to see the sport reach the public as full contact Karate has it's merits. I know many other combat athletes who will fight in Kickboxing and MMA, but are afraid of Knockdown Karate. It really is an exciting sport. And yes, you can definitely apply this to self defense. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPB8tdmnqRY

Shidokan Atlanta Martial Arts

Boxing, The Roughest Combat Sport

In all of the combat sports, I've trained and competed in, I will tell you that boxing is the hardest. Now, when I say hardest, I'm not saying Karate, MMA, Judo, BJJ, and any other discipline is not hard too. All of these discipline require hard work, skill, and dedication. But, boxing is a different animal. The training involved for a professional boxer is on a higher level than most of these disciplines. Being an olympic sport and a big money maker for those good enough, the skill level to become a high level boxer, exceeds most other combat sports. I trained with Olympic medalists and top contenders for over a decade. I've seen other combat athletes (i.e. Kickboxing World Champions) try their hand a professional boxing with hopes of becoming a world champion. Didn't happen and usually won't. Now, there have been a couple of fighters to hold titles in Kickboxing and Boxing (but, it boxing, their reign was short and they didn't have the dominance they had in kickboxing). People are always arguing which is better, MMA or Boxing and what not. They are different sports. Sure people will say Randy Couture beat James Toney, as an example. But it was a boxer (with no grappling experience) fighting a former UFC champion. Then there is Ray Mercer, who lost to Kimbo Slice, but KOed Tim Sylvia. There was a fight show years ago in Japan, which featured former boxers against K-1 fighters. Mind you, these boxers were past their prime and had no knowledge of kicking. Matches like these give fans a false impression. You never see the other martial artists challenge boxers to a boxing match. Why? Because the wouldn't last 2 rounds. I've seen this for years. All other martial artists who come into boxing gyms, always envy the skills and toughness of boxers. Once again, I say all combat sports at a high level is difficult, but know hurt as bad as boxing.

Seminar Techniques

Now a days there are lot of seminars and people make a lot of money teaching seminars. I've gone to seminars and I've taught seminars. The main thing I do when I teach a seminar is teach the stuff that I do for real. I notice a lot of martial artists will show what I call "novelty techniqes". These are techniques that look great but the guy has never done them. I've seen former fighters show stuff and when you look at their stuff on film, you never see them do it. I promise you if I show you something, I've done it. So be careful who you spend your money with.

Theory Vs. Practical

If a show you something or if you read it in a book, do you think you can do it? Probably not. If you practice a kata or 2 person drill 100 times will you be able to apply the move on a non-compliant partner? Nope. You would be better served to spar with a resisting partner a few times. I am not saying don't study theory. But, we must emphasize doing over all else. When I teach a student, I make it 85% practical. Combat sports are practical (despite what the self-defense experts say) because you get immediate feed back. If you've never boxed, spar with a boxer. You will see that hitting a moving target or making a guy fall down from one blow is much harder than you think.