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Almost EVERY “combatives” man of any note CAME from a combative sports background. Boxing, wrestling, judo. WEF and O’Neill (SIXTH DAN-Kodokan Judo-personal student of Uchijima Sensei, a NEWAZA LEGEND) are PRIME examples of this.
But HERE’S a BETTER contemporary example:
Damian Ross.
Mention his name in wrestling circles here in Jersey. HE IS A LEGEND! Go to Yonezuka’s Dojo(one of the BEST in the WORLD) and watch Damian randori against TOP level competition. Go to ZENSHIN Dojo and “hang” with him for one of his PT workouts(the man does NOT KNOW the meaning of the word QUIT!). AND THEN……..ask him to teach “self defense”. See what he teaches.
I’ll SAY it AGAIN. What a 20 or 25 year old young buck and what a middle aged businessman seek to get out of their training are TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
As far as the “effectiveness” of ANY technique, well a FIGHT is a FIGHT. I know a guy who got his head split open from a blow with a lead pipe. Know what? HE STILL beat the sh## out of the TWO a-holes. SO WHAT?
You FIGHT like hell until either YOU’RE DONE or HE’S DONE.
AND why is it so hard to “get” that “close combat” is far MORE than “ax hands” and “tiger’s claws”. It’s ANYTHING THAT WORKS. Cracking someones “egg” with a blackjack is close combat. “Kneecapping” some guy with a bat or ax-handle is close combat. Working some street punk over with “knucks” or “sap” gloves is close combat. Using a shiv, push dagger, or a friggin’ ball point pen is close combat. A steaming hot cup of coffee right in the mug is CLOSE COMBAT.
I “know” guys who have DECADES of training in sporting combatives. YEARS of competitive experience and TONS of knowledge. KNOW WHAT? Screw with them and the LAST thing they are gonna think about is ANY “unarmed” mano a mano response.
As far as “building” attributes? OF COURSE! Athletics in GENERAL build many fine and useful attributes. BUT….I know of MANY instances were individulas with NO athletic background AT ALL have overcome TREMENDOUS odds. I have also witnessed “champions” who were hell on wheels in the ring, and on the mat FOLD like the proverbial “cheap suit” when the rubber met the road for real. SO WHAT?
But here’s the REAL issue at the bottom of this ongoing debate.
Someone who has spent years training in “karate” has invested time, money, and maybe blood sweat and tears in his pursuit. He WANTS to believe that what he has invested so much in will WORK. Same for Kung Fu. Same for Aikido. Same for BJJ. Same for Boxing. Same for Wrestling. Same for Judo. Same for Savate. Same for FMA. SAME FOR ANY ENDEAVOR.
But that ONLY makes sense in the PARAMETERS of that SPECIFIC endeavor. Competitive Judoka expect to compete within the well defined “rules” of THAT endeavor. They DO NOT expect to enter a shiai and be knifed in the guts by the other competitor. A boxer enters the ring and expects to fight under the agreed rules of the boxing commission. He DOES NOT expect to be shot dead from across the ring by his opponent.
Let’s say you’re a top level collegiate wrestler. By circumstances beyond your control(real life does that) you have to face several desperate well armed foes. You’re given a “choice”. Attempt to use your wrestling skills at which you are VERY GOOD, or grab a 12gauge riot shotgun.
Now let’s say you’re at a relatives wedding. The booze is flowing pretty good and Uncle Vinny gets a little out of control. Same choice as above. Use your wrestling skills to restrain old Uncle Vinny or grab the riot gun?
I DON’T GIVE A RAT’S A## about “style”, “system”, or any of that CRAP. WHY? Because ALL I AM INTERESTED IN is what will SAVE MY BUTT in the real world, when it’s for all the marbles. I have spent YEARS in Judo, I get attacked for REAL and I grab a brick and pound the skel into mush. DAMN! I didn’t get to use my Judo! OR….I get grabbed from behind and manage to toss the skel to the ground with O-Goshi, THEN I finish him with the brick. SO WHAT?
If a “tiger’s claw” works GREAT! If “hadaka jime” works GREAT! If a kick to the balls works GREAT! If a takedown works GREAT! If running the bastards down with my car works GREAT!
Anyone out there “getting” this! IT AIN’T ABOUT what is or isn’t “BETTER” or more “EFFECTIVE”. ANYTHING THAT SAVES YOUR BUTT IS GOOD!
It’s NOT a matter of who is “right”, only of who is “left”!
Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement and military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors:
Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu
Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)
Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada
Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki
Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu
Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson
If you appreciate a strong, healthy self confidence that carries you through overwhelming times and drives you to achieving your most far reaching goals, martial arts is for you.
A person’s self-confidence is like a muscle, it needs to be exercised in order to grow and develop. In the 20 plus years that I’ve been teaching Martial Arts in our community we have developed a 5 step approach to building self-confidence. These 5 steps can be learned by anyone - with the right guidance:
1. Correct Body Posture. The importance of the correct body posture is paramount. We all send hidden, sub-conscious messages with our body language and the way we carry ourselves. Carry yourself with pride, confidence and security. Carry yourself like a successful person and your confidence will show.
2. Proper Eye Contact. Making proper eye contact when speaking to others has a huge effect on the conversation. Have you ever been talking to somebody and instantly felt connected? Like you’ve known this person forever? Chances are, they understand the importance of body language, and proper eye-contact.
3. Goal Setting. Goal setting is talked about by everybody, and most people understand the importance of this process. Then why do most people miss their mark? Because they don’t have the discipline and confidence to see the goal through. Our process teaches you the right way to set goals and actually achieve them!
4. Communication. Inspiring those around you is critical to getting what you want. Whether they are your children, co-workers, employees or boss, good leaders are inspirational. We teach this inspirational formula.
5. Mentors. All of the skills above, a healthy body and mind combined with a good mentor or two will make all the difference in the world for your happiness and success.
Mr. Robert Jones runs three successful martial arts schools located in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Kent Washington. He has been helping families make positive changes in their lives through martial arts for over 20 years. He has also written two guides on how to pick a martial arts school. One for adults and one for parents wanting to pick the right school for their children. He can be reached at martialadvice@hotmail.com or at the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts. 800-508-6141.
It is very important to remember that parents are also martial arts coaches. When children first start their training in the martial arts, especially in the case of very young children, we often find that they have not yet developed the self discipline to practice at home on a regular basis. Practicing at home greatly enhances performance at the school and it should be encouraged. We suggest that you talk with your child and agree on a daily practice time. It can be as little as ten minutes per day. Pick a category each day and work on it for a solid, focused ten minutes. ( form, one steps, etc.) Developing the habit of setting a goal ( next belt) and working for it on a regular basis will give your child life skills that go far beyond punching and kicking.
One of the easiest ways to help your child is by simply showing that you are interested in his or her training and talents. Children love to show off what they have learned in class and we encourage parents to ask their child what they have learned every single week. Show your encouragement by offering positive feedback, and compliment them in the areas where you can see improvement. In fact, if you use this approach in just about everything your child does, whether it be homework or chores, you will soon notice the difference. If children believe that they are getting better it boosts their self-confidence, which in turn encourages them to try even harder. When children know that they will receive recognition and praise, they will want to do well because it makes them feel good. Children will rise to the level of your expectations, but only if they are encouraged and praised along the way.
Our “Intent to Promote” letters are an excellent opportunity for you to praise your child’s accomplishments. Use the comments section to say something nice that your child will internalize. Help your child to reach his or her personal best by being the martial arts coach at home.
Master Wayne’s Martial Arts School, The Family Martial Arts Center located in Mt. Dora, Florida is the largest in the area. The programs themselves range from Little Ninjas ( for 3,4 and 5 year olds) to a comprehensive childrens program ( geared for 6 to 10 year olds). Master Wayne has also introduced a Black Belt Club for advanced Tae Kwon Do studies as well as a Tai Chi program for the spirital development of his students.His center also involves family members with parent /student night and mommy and me classes. His center is listed in the top 15% of all matrial arts schools in the country and will continue to serve his students with up to date and cutting edge ideas and concepts.
People want me to train them privately or show them some special move that will make them have a “supposed” unfair advantage on an adversary. People ask what the secret to fighting is or the secret to Martial Arts is or are their one style that is superior then all the others. My personal favorite is show me something that you know, of course the only thing you can show them is simple techniques or a form but you know that’s not what they want to see. They want to evaluate you and see if they should fear you or not it’s like a right of passage for men to see if you could be their match or are you just a punk, that’s all talk. The problem is what you show them is only relevant to what you know and if you know too much then you could seem arrogant and lead yourself into more trouble. I usually smile and tell that person to join my class if they want to see what I know. Then if their persistent I explain what I have learned through martial arts mental and physically in words not actions.
First, I like to give them a brief (very brief) background of my self and the styles I know. Mainly how long I have been taking it and the fact that I love to teach and ONLY teach now that I’m older. That gives them an idea of my knowledge level from the years I have studied, plus lowers any testosterone that might be building up by saying that I teach not compete. Then I will let him talk and 90% of the time they will tell you that they are also a Martial Artist but have only studied for a short time or just OUT and OUT lie to you and say there a master of poop-fu or something no one has ever herd of.
Next, I will explain to them the two of the main aspects of martial arts. One is that Practice makes perfect. I will do this by letting him know how often I practice and how much of my life is consumed in martial Arts. From conditioning, to speed drills, to studying, and to practice in class. Secondly I will follow up with my ability to react to properly to a situation from that constant practice. Kind of hinting that you don’t want to go down that route but at the same time asking him if he understands what I am talking about. The majority of interrogators want to understand and are not looking for a fight they just want respect and they probably think you won’t give it to them because they think that you think you are better then they are. Everyone in life who has been in a fight understands that your reaction and the time it takes to do are important. So they will agree with you or by this point just want to walk away and end the badgering.
Finally, I will let him explain some things in his life that relate to the subject steering away from anything aggressive or physical. At this time I will put on my intellectual face and switch the conversation to everyone else. This puts you and him on the inside as a team and everyone else on the outside looking in. This also allows you to judge your interrogator by there responses. I will do this by saying statements like:
It’s not, the one move that will push you over the edge in a fight; it’s the will to use it.
The man with nothing to lose is the one you should fear the most.
Speed is the number one determining factor in a fight, not strength or knowledge.
These questions are great conversation pieces for real Martial artist and the answers they give to these comments will dictate their knowledge of Martial Arts. Then you will know if there a martial artist, a punk or a drunk. At this point I either leave or have made a new friend.
My name is Robert Blizzard I am the owner of R.B.I.B. Inc and I am one of the chief instructors at Dragon Storm Karate Club. We are Based out of Maryland and work with our county’s Park and Rec. Department, our link is http://www.dragonstormkc.com/
If you are looking to compete in submission grappling then one of the main factors to consider and improve is fitness. This, in and of itself, is a vast subject.
Now, when I first began to compete, my supplementary training was primarily weight training and long slow distance running. In terms of strength development I scoffed at anything else other than weight training.
However when sparring with friends and training partners, while initially strong, I soon found myself running out of steam. Eventually, I had to admit, my physical training (while providing aesthetic benefits) was not functional for the goals I had.
When I fought in competition in the earlier days I relied too much on strength and this led to technically superior fighters often using this against me. Essentially, due to my supplementary training, I was gifting fighter’s victory over me!
I began to look into other training and fitness methods from old time fighters and wrestlers, along with more contemporary training protocols.
The result?
Out went the longer slow distance style training along with the weight training the way I had been doing it and in came bodyweight exercises along with deep breathing exercises. As I began to train using my own bodyweight more, and using it as a unit and not isolating little muscles here and there, I noticed my strength endurance go up noticeably!
This is vital when training to compete in a competition format. I also developed a better awareness of my breathing that allowed me to loose tension when I gained a decent controlling position against my opponent. Instead of wasting energy in these positions I conserved it while letting my opponent use his energy trying to escape.
I found that working my body in this more holistic fashion allowed me to condense my workouts into quick, brutal, sessions that closer reflected the chaos of a real time fight than did my previous training methods.
When I first began I could barely do fifty body weight squats in a row, but that repetitive use of strength is often what is required in a tournament format. I worked my way up to doing, at one time, five hundred in a row in about fifteen to sixteen minutes (I don’t suggest you do this or that it is necessary, it is just I am an extremist!).
Combining squats, push-ups of different varieties, bridge work, hill sprints (a favourite of collegiate wrestlers in America) and many other exercises done in sequence with little rest in-between all served to really improve my competitive fitness.
Also, due to the nature of the training, using as it does the whole body with a keen focus on the breath, I found that my RHR (resting heart rate) dropped down to the low forties! (A normal adults should be around sixty to eighty).
OK, what lesson can be learnt from my experiences?
Well, first of all, I have to say that such training won’t make you technically better. However, it will often allow you to push your opponent beyond his physical thresholds while you remain within yours.
First, train your Ju Jutsu.
Secondly, add in relevant physical fitness and health training.
Allow this training to reflect the full-bodied activity that fighting actually is.
Don’t make the same mistakes I did!
NOTE: This article is not meant to be a knock on weight training. I teach weight lifting as part of my job. It certainly does have benefits and has helped many people. However, never ignore the power and functional strength you can create using your bodyweight from all angles and positions. The crossover to competing is substantial!
Tim Webb is a fitness instructor, Ju Jutsu instructor, and competitor. His site http://www.JuJutsu-Training.com offers inspiration through articles and product recommendations that can boost your mental focus and physical fitness for martial arts!
This is a controversial topic. So in order not to offend anyone let me say this. Everything in the Martial Arts realm is good in its own context, but when people preach that Judo is a realistic form of self defence or that a 1500 year old Karate system is the ultimate self defence then I have problem with it. If you love the martial arts and your instructor makes sure you know that it is an art or sport and you are aware of the limitations, great. If you like speaking Japanese, Chinese etc and the way of the ancient great, for that is the place for you. If you want to defend yourself as quickly as possible then you are in the wrong place because these people are sucking your money away and exposing you to great harm in a real life situation. You have no idea how many heart broken ex-martial arts students and instructors come to me for help. They have literally wasted anywhere from 1-15 years yes 15 years doing stuff that doesn’t work. Then they spend 3 months with me and learn more and can apply more than they learnt in all the time they spent at other systems.
Unfortunately everything in the self defence world works on faith. You put your faith in an instructor because you assume he knows more than you do and after all let’s face it, you have no idea about combat at all. The instructors are often painted with special names such as Sensei, Sempai, Sifu, and Master. Immediately placing them on a higher plane. Respect for their teachings is often demanded and no questions can be asked. After they are an expert aren’t they?
With many martial arts systems logic does not prevail. You are not allowed free speech and to question what you do. Here is an example:
You ask a question- “Why are we doing this technique?”
Your answer- “Because this is how we have been doing it for 600 years”
My answer as a combat instructor to a client is a complete logical response so the client can thoroughly understand the tactic and see the logic behind what they are doing.
Here is a realistic way to look at combat training. Humans progress through Evolution. Right? Then why is it that most martial arts system are caught in the past?
Think about it. If I said to you that a horse was the best form of transportation because we were using it 600 years ago, you would call me an idiot. Yet, why is it that when someone who says that our system was created 600 years ago so it is the best form of self defence most people believe it?
It boils down to key factors that influence peoples beliefs about martial arts and combat training:
1. Faith- Can get you killed. Put your faith in logic not other people. Remember your instructor is a human not a god.
2. Movies- I saw the Matrix once and Keanu Reeves went flipping off wall to wall and dogged bullets but hey we all know that is a movie right. Why is it that people see a martial arts action hero and start perceiving that what he does on screen is a try demonstration of their fighting skill? They are an actor and are there to entertain. Sure they are very skilled athletes but not one of them can perform exactly like that. Not saying they can’t fight just saying that their skill on TV is just like a dance. Choreography. No one can fight like that so don’t aspire too it.
3. Magic- Ever been sold a martial arts system on some amazing feat? You know egg standing, knock out point demonstrations, concrete breaking, board breaking, ice breaking etc? Some of these are great feats of strength. But most are tricks, designed to make you believe in the hidden secrets of martial arts. All of them fail to demonstrate one thing. Why they are useful in any real world combat application. Each one of the ones I listed have a trick behind them and have been used for centuries to build faith and fear in people. It’s no different to David Copperfield making the statue of liberty disappear. Some of them require great amounts of concentration and special breathing. Bit hard to tell a guy about to punch you in the head “ hang on I just need to develop my chi for 5 minutes”
4. The club hero- So you go to a martial arts school and argue logic and they say but wait we have “Joe Bloggs” who is our expert fighter. You watch this guy and he is awesome can move and fight with ease. If he can do it you can right? Wrong. What they didn’t tell you is that they have 500 students and no one can fight except for that 1 guy. A good combat system is one where the mass majority of people are proficient at what they do not the minority. Some people are super athletes that can apply anything they know. But this is not the mass majority of people.
It is for these very reasons I hate being painted with the Martial Artist brush. I have been there and will never go there ever again. I am a combat instructor and my role and promise to those who train with me is simple.
1. To teach people to survive in the worst possible situations.
2. To ensure that I always respond with a logical and practical solution
3. To deliver information in the easiest possible format so that you can apply what you know.
4. To have you walk away knowing you have made the best investment in your own personal protection.
5. To paint my self as a normal human being not some sort of god.
6. To only deliver information that is realistic and that has purpose to reality based combat training.
These basic promises are what any professional combat instructor should be delivering too you. If not. Find somewhere else to train. If you are like I was once and hunting for all the solutions because something didn’t feel right. Or you were waiting for the big secret to be revealed cut your loses now. Find a new training place that will deliver you the truth of reality combat training.
Whether you start training with me or someone else choose a reality based training system. I teach Close Quarter Combat a blend of the very best military, martial arts and law enforcement tactics. Realistic, logical and effective. You can visit my site at www.cqctactics.com and email me directly from there if you have any questions.
I hope this article helped open your eyes to the reality of combat training and helps you make a more informed choice about real world self defence training.
Glenn Zwiers
Chief Instructor for the SFCA CQC System
Glenn Zwiers has diverse experience in combative arts, spanning more than 18 years from oriental to western and European fighting arts. He also has real world experience working as a bouncer at many of Melbourne’s pubs and night clubs. Glenn has also worked as a bodyguard and has protected a variety of clients including the former Premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennet. Glenn has also spent time in infantry reserve units with the Australian Army.
Glenn has appeared on National Television programs such as a Current Affairs and the Today Show and has been in magazines such as Blitz Martial Arts Magazine, Security Oz magazine, Ralph magazine, close quarter combat magazine. He was the first in the world to reach level 6 of the SFC elite. He was first in Australia to reach level 10 of the SFC unarmed combative and is currently the only level 12 in Australia and one of handful in the world. He is also one of the few people in the world ranked as a Level 10 Master in Knife Combat.
Sometimes one would see references to ‘hard’ style and ‘soft’ style martial arts. To many non-martial artists, these terms may be puzzling. In North America, these terms are used to classify martial art styles into two main categories. Japanese/Okinawan karate and Korean tae kwon do are generally referred to as hard styles. Movements in both karate and tae kwon do are often linear with their forms (traditional sequence of set moves) performed with crisp movements. Chinese kung fu styles are usually referred to as soft styles. The circular motions of kung fu forms give them a more visually graceful or softer appearance especially when many of the movements flow from one to another. Even Korean kuk sool won which is sometimes referred to as ‘Korean kung fu’, is often classified as a soft style since its movements are also more flowing than the stop and go of tae kwon do or karate. This is not to say that hard styles such as karate or tae kwon do are more powerful martial arts than kung fu and other soft styles. The term ‘soft’ is a bit misleading because the power from circular kung fu moves are often hidden. Circular moves can generate just as much power as linear ones.
The terms hard style and soft style came as a result of the evolution of North American martial arts competitions, particularly in forms divisions. For many years, open karate tournaments which allowed all martial arts styles, had competitors from different martial arts backgrounds compete in the same forms divisions. All equivalent level competitors, whether they used a Japanese/Okinawan karate kata, a Korean tae kwon do pattern or a Chinese kung fu form, competed together in the same divisions. This provided a nice martial arts showcase for spectators especially at the bigger tournaments. However, some competitors and judges considered divisions with combined styles to be too complicated. For example, judges who were familiar with only Japanese or Korean styles had a difficult time scoring competitors performing Chinese kung fu forms. Sometimes competitors from different martial art styles felt that judges were being biased against them. Judging a hard style form against a soft style form was often like trying to compare apples to oranges.
To help resolve these issues, many of the larger martial arts tournaments expanded to have separate divisions for hard and soft styles. This was a way to equalize things and add some more fairness to all competitors. The largest tournaments went another step ahead and further separated Japanese karate stylists from Korean tae kwon do stylists by putting them into different divisions too. This still left many kempo stylists up in the air because their particular forms have both hard and soft style elements since their movements are both linear as well as circular. Some promoters of large tournaments decided to accommodate kempo stylists by adding in separate forms divisions just for their style too. Of course many smaller local tournaments have not been able to offer separate hard and soft style divisions for martial arts forms competitors mainly because of financial budget restrictions. The terms hard style and soft style are used only in North America and parts of Europe since these are the only regions of the world that have open martial arts competitions. Martial arts competitions in other parts of the world such as Asia are generally restricted to certain specific styles only.
Clint Leung is a lifelong martial artist with over 32 years of training experience in kung fu, tae kwon do, karate, kickboxing and martial arts weaponry. He has won Canadian and world championship titles (NASKA, NBL and WSKF). He is also owner of Free Spirit Activewear (www.FreeSpiritActivewear.com) , an online retailer and designer of premium martial arts activewear. Free Spirit Activewear has martial arts info articles.
