Martial arts drills

The Myth of The Ultimate Martial Arts Drill

There seems to be a prevalent myth that a common martial arts
drill is some kind of ultimate drill. That if you become adept at
this drill, you'll be able to defend yourself in any type of attack
in the street. Martial arts instructors have developed drills to
improve this drill and others have made it an integral part
of a sport.

Have you figured out what the drill to which I'm referring? That's
right ladies and gentlemen, the ultimate, the one and only - spaaarrrriiiinnnngggg!

For the purposes of this article, we will define sparring as an
abstract martial arts drill in which two or more partners exchange
attacking, defensive and counter-attacking techniques and tactics
in a non-synchronized manner.

All drills, including sparring, have positive and negative attributes.
I'd like to point out some of these attributes, both positive and
negative to bring this good but sometimes misunderstood drill to
the level and categories it belongs.

Positive Aspects of Sparring

Sparring is an Abstract Drill

The drill is flexible enough to train for a variety of situations
and environments.

General defensive, offensive and counter-offensive tactics
are developed and improved.

Distances can be experienced and tested of a variety of partner body types.

A variety of strikes and combinations can be experienced and executed.

The timing between blocks and or evasive movements and counter-striking
can be observed, executed and improved.

The drill has positive aerobic and anaerobic factors similar to a
type of interval training in which the athlete jogs then sprints a
prescribed distance or time at intervals.

Sparring is executed by a number of styles and seems a good
basis for different styles of martial arts to both train and compete together.

Negative Aspects of Sparring

Sparring is an Abstract Drill
The drill is flexible enough to train for a variety of situations
and environments.
There is not enough repetition of techniques and tactics to
increase learning speed in a reasonable amount of time as
compared to single focus drills.

General defensive, offensive and counter-offensive tactics are
developed and improved.
There is not enough repetition of techniques and tactics to
increase learning speed in a reasonable amount of time as
compared to single focus drills.

Distances can be experienced and tested of a variety of partner body types.
The wide variety of experiences are a positive aspect of sparring,
however my own experience is that often times the number of partners are limited.

A variety of strikes and combinations can be experienced and executed.
Strikes and combinations can be experienced and executed,
however in my experience partners tend to only execute those
techniques and combinations the partners are comfortable with
in order to avoid being struck. This tends to limit experiences
in both observation and execution.

The timing between blocks and or evasive movements and
counter-striking can be observed, executed and improved.
There is not enough repetition of techniques and tactics to
increase learning speed in a reasonable amount of time as
compared to single focus drills.

Sparring is executed by a number of styles and seems a good basis
for different styles of martial arts to both train and compete together.
The schools which spar a great deal will have an unfair
advantage over those schools which treat sparring like any other drill.
This would be comparable to students thinking their style is
better by comparing how well breaking-holds are executed or any other drill.

The drill has positive aerobic and anaerobic factors similar
to a type of interval training in which the athlete jogs then
sprints a prescribed distance or time at intervals.
From strictly a self-defense point of view, anaerobic capacity
is more important than aerobic capacity. A long sparring session
doesn't emphasize the intensity of a self-defense situation.

Variations of Sparring to Overcome Negative Aspects

I'm the first to admit, despite its weaknesses, I love sparring.
Well they don't call me The Drillman for nothing. So I developed
several variations of sparring to focus on various aspects of
self-defense training and compensate for some of the weaknesses.

Repeat Sparring
This helps me quite a bit. If my partner tags me with a strike,
he/she repeats the same combination over and over until I develop
a block and or evasive movement. This benefits my partner as
he/she repeats an effective combination and it benefits me as I learn
to avoid being hit by an effective combination.

Taking Away Weapons
Remember I mentioned martial artists tend use only techniques
and combinations of techniques they are comfortable with
(okay okay with which they are comfortable for you English teachers out there)?

Now we take away those favorites techniques and combinations by removing weapons.

The possibilities are only limited by your imagination

When attacking you may only use these combinations of weapons

All

Left arm right leg

Right arm left leg

Right side weapons

Left side weapons

Left arm

Right arm

Right leg

Left leg

When defending you may only use these combinations of tools

All

Left arm right leg

Right arm left leg

Right side

Left side

Left arm

Right arm

Right leg and evasive

Left leg and evasive

Add or take away evasive

Evasive only

Now mix them up

You're attacks and defenses are unlimited

You're attacks are limited by a set of guideline above but not you're defenses

You're defenses are limited by a set of guideline above but not you're attacks

You're defenses and attacks are limited by the same set of guideline above

You're defenses and attacks are limited by different sets of guidelines above.

And the list goes on.

Think think think. Add a safely knife right in the middle of sparing.
One student throws another that's sparring a safety baseball bat
another student joins another.

Tai Chi like slow motion free for all with three martial artists.

This is a great drill done slowly. Temporary teams against one
student are formed, but you have to keep an eye on your
temporary partner as well.

I've actually got a lot more drills than this , but many of them
do not match the topic of this article, my carpal tunnel hands
are getting tired, and the drills don't match our stated definition
of sparring. Feel free however to check out my printable ebook,
Bringing the Martial Artist Out from Within for more drills.

Thank you for your support. If you have martial arts drills or
articles feel free to share them in any of the martial arts groups below.

J. Richard Kirkham graduated from Eastern Illinois University as a dual certified teacher. He is the author of Bringing The Martial Artist Out from Within and Step by Step Learning Martial Arts Internal Energy Strikes.

Feel free to visit his website at http://KirkhamsEbooks.com or you may email him at help@kirkhamsebooks.com Get Kwik Self-Defense and Fitness Tips and Share Your Own

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A great martial arts drills article covering sparring.

Most effective martial art

Aikido Techniques - The "Most Effective" Martial Art - Who is The Fastest Gunslinger?

In the 1950's movie "The Fastest Gun Alive", Broderick Crawford portrayed the bad guy. He claimed to be the fastest gun alive but was taunted by an old timer in the saloon who claimed "no matter how fast ya are, there always someone faster'n you". In the end, the story's central character, Glen Ford, out draws and kills him.

Which art is "better" is an age-old question that is the center of much discussion by people who are focused on a specific martial art. So many bad martial arts movies show one dojo sending its best guy to another school for a showdown to settle it once and for all. Of course, it only answers the question of who had superior skills on a given day. YouTube is full of clips that pit experts from different arts against each other in an attempt to address "the big question".

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu vs. Karate, Aikido techniques vs. those of BJJ, the permutations are too numerous to count. Regardless of the outcome of an given competition, such match ups can never settle the issue for the same reason that Broderick Crawford's loss in the gunfight didn't prove who was the fastest gun alive (you have to keep "proving it"). Even within an apparently "no holds barred" match like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the championship is elusive even to skillful competitors such as Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell.

Part of the answer to the question is that it depends on your frame of reference. It involves asking oneself "what is the goal for martial arts training?" Is it so that you can enter a bar, pick a fight and kick someone's butt or are you interested in how your training can help the lives of others? Even if you could knockout someone in a bar, does that prove you are "better than they are" or does that make you the just fastest gun in the West...that day? In reality most of the popular martial arts have virtues AND limitations. Judo has rules that prevent striking but an accomplished practitioner, such as Karo Parisian, can definitely do substantial damage by throwing a person directly on his head, even if he had to take many punches to "get inside". Striking arts such as Shotokan or Jeet Kune Do, can be very effective in self-defense.

However, if taken to the ground by a skillful opponent, all of these techniques would be rendered useless. Even MMA has specific rules of competition, which exclude certain blows and even if they were allowed, how would these techniques hold up against an expert with a knife, not to mention the fact that "Smith and Wesson always beats four aces". Many arts focus on one-to-one competition, but how would these arts hold up with multiple attackers? If one's goal is to dispatch (kill) an opponent, then joining the Special Forces might be the most appropriate choice.

To summarize, to answer the question "which art is the best" we need to look at ourselves objectively and ask "what are the core beliefs that provide the framework for this comparison?" The answer is that the best martial art is the one that gives you what you are looking for. Under the right circumstances and in the hands of the right person, each art can be effective in self-defense. For those interested in an intense physical workout, Judo or Jiu Jitsu can give you a real run for your money. If you are not as interested in grappling, an art like Karate, or Jeet Kune Do may be what you are looking for. If you search for an art with a spiritual dimension, Aikido techniques may be worth checking out. Trying to "prove" that one art is better would be the same as saying the heavy weight champ in the UFC would remain so...forever. The answer then lies in the attitude of respect that many of these arts include in their fundamental training. Respect, then, is accepting that each person takes martial arts for their own reasons and that its purpose is meaningful from their perspective.

Dan Kudo has been a practitioner of Aikido for thirty-seven years and teaches the art in Santa Ana, CA and holds the rank of Yondan (fourth-degree black belt). His interests also include other sports such as skiing and flyfishing as well as music, photography, and videography.

He provides martial arts information in the form of articles and web pages for everyone to enjoy free. Check out this page for more on Aikido techniques and martial arts.

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A great article on the most effective martial art, so if you are looking for adult martial arts classes, try a few, you will eventually 'click' with one.

History of martial arts

A Beginning History of Old School Jujitsu - Part 1

Over the next couple of day's I will writing an article of the history of Pre-WWII Japanese Jujitsu/Judo. I wasn't sure where to start, but here I am so let's get started.

I'm going to start with H. Irving Hancock, who in the early 1900's wrote several books on the history of Japanese physical training & Jujitsu. I will start with his book Japanese Physical Training written in 1903.

"Subsequently he studied in Nagasaki, under Inouye San, instructor of Jiu-jitsu in the police department of that city".

This was the first time I heard of Inouye. Now if we look at Hancock's other book Jiu-jitsu Combat Tricks written a year later in 1904:

"Exponents of the Tenjin School of jiu-jitsu have developed in all its possible perfection a style of stopping the boxer's blow that cannot be surpassed for neatness of execution, effectiveness and swiftness. It is a feat that applies only to stopping a left-hand blow by the boxer."

Before leaving this book, the reason for the above two quotes are:

1.) The mentioning of Inouye, the jujitsu instructor of the Nagasaki police dept.

2.) The mention of the system "Tenjin/Tenshin"

Later you will see where I'm going with this.

Another quote that is very interesting.

"In Japan the full course in jiu-jitsu requires four years time".

That seems very reasonable, as I have read that it takes about 15 years to receive a Menkyo Kaiden in Tenjin Shinyo Ryu today. The question is, why so long? I don't have 15 years to devote to one art.

At this point I would like to bring up another old book on jiu-jitsu, "THE YABE SCHOOL OF JIU JITSU" written in 1904 by Yae Kichi Yabe. In Yabe's book he mentions that the system is based on that of "Tenshin". Also in this book is the phase "Vital Touches" used to describe Atemi or "Ate"!

Professor John J. O'Brien states that he received his diploma in Jiu Jitsu in 1905 from the Governor of Nagasaki. O'Brien spent ten years as Inspector of Police in Nagasaki. He was responsible for introducing Presiedent Teddy Roosevelt to Jiu Jitsu as well as instructing Colonel A.J. Drexel Biddle.

Next we move on to Col. Risher W. Thornberry. Thornberry wrote several books on jujitsu from 1905 to 1933. In his first jujitsu book written in 1905, the first page is very interesting. It shows a picture of Prof. Kishoku Inouye, "Instructor to the Nagasaki Police". At the top of the page it reads, "Jiu-jitsu - As taught by Prof. Inouye to over 2,000 Officers and Soldiers now at the front line." Reference to the Russo/Japanese war.

This book was written only a year or two after Hancock's book. They both mention Inouye & Tenshin. A definite connection is beginning to develop.

An interesting quote from Thornberry's book,

"Jiu-jitsu has a weapon in the form of "atemi, or vital touches", which may be administered with the thumb, the clenched hand, the elbows, the tows, the edge of the hand, or even with the head." Again, the reason for mentioning this quote is the use of the word "Vital touches".

Research shows that Thornberry actively taught jiu-jitsu. One of Thornberry's students was Samuel R. Linck. Linck went on to publish a book in 1943 called "COMBAT JIU JITSU". An excellent book. Linck studied under Thornberry in Los Angeles for a number of years. Linck received a "Master Diploma" from Thornberry in "Tenshin Ryu" dated May 6th, 1935.

In Linck's book he offers a brief history of jiu-jitsu.

"These forms of the art were closely guarded and only taught to the samurai or warrior class, the group now known as the Black Dragon Society".

Linck taught a man by the name George Tate. Linck and Tate taught a jiu-jitsu class in Los Angeles. Later on, Tate succeeded Linck as instructor and continued to teach and train in Jiu-jitsu. Tate went on to become the jiu-jitsu instructor for the Los Angeles police department and later conducted class at the L.A. Judo Club.

Copyright 2003 thetruthaboutselfdefense.com ©

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. He is continually improving himself through his studies. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement, military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. Below 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
Martial Arts | Martial Arts Training | Martial Arts Videos

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Best martial arts style

Best Martial Arts For Self Defense

When people ask me which is the best martial arts for self defense, I often wonder if they do understand the difference between winning a fight and a self defense situation? I think to get the right answer to the original question; the question should be rephrased into which self defense strategies would be right for me?

There are plenty of thoughts and opinions on the issue of the 'best martial arts', be it for self defense, or otherwise. Some believe that when it comes to self defense, there should not be any pre-set strategy. However, you can consider putting to use some of the best karate moves, known as kata. A successful self-defense strategy is aimed not at winning any competition. More often than not, strategic thinking is more important than moves.

If you are structured in your thinking, you may prefer to know which of the martial arts techniques to use and when to use. Firstly, there are essentially two lines of approach in martial arts when it deals with self defense. They are the karate or kata approach and the free response approach.

While the kata approach involves learning a host of pre-determined karate moves called 'kata' or 'forms' , the free response approach involves learning how to get the 'feel' of the attacker and the combative situation through the effective use of intuition. Here you are allowed to develop your own and unique 'style' to handle any self defense situation.

Strategic thinking in martial art techniques for self defense involves getting more 'result oriented' rather than concentrating purely on the perfection of techniques used. There is no competitive edge by using trickery or force. When you are dealing with intuitive tactics, the strategy involves knowing the exact way a fight or attack progresses; from start, escalation, progression and so on till it comes to a defeat of the attacker.

These are not based on any one's imagination but the observation of a real attack situation and gauging the strategies which should be put in place for effective self defense. The truth about self defense is that one has to respond to what the attacker is going to do, and then control the assailant's options and perceptions to prevent any harm to self.

The 5 phases of any self defense strategy using martial arts involve the following:

1. Observation

This involves watching carefully whether your opponent is setting up for grabbing or striking. If the assailant has already struck, then you have to discern where he is taking you with regard to balance, direction and control.

2. Avoiding

This involves you trying to evade his forthcoming strikes and take control of your balance and dilute or neutralize his moves. This stage is not about hurting him in return. Simple dodge and let his moves get lost.

3. Putting him off balance

After we have regained balance and control it is time to get into the combative mode. It is not time to attack the opponent but simply unnerve him making it difficult to continue with his strategy. Putting him off balance can be done emotionally, physically or mentally or use a combination of all the three.

4. Bring him down

When we have taken control of the balance of the attacker, usually he would find it difficult to remain erect. It is at this stage the attacker can not leave you nor get at you. You are left with two choices: to make him leave or put him on the ground. Karate techniques can be used depending on your preference and the situation.

5. Wait and watch

Now that you have effectively dealt with the attacker, it is time to wait and watch his next move. Our next course of action would depend on whether he decides to run away or willing to give it another shot.

While these are not 'steps' or 'action plan', they are simple control phrases which allows us to manipulate the attacker's intentions, energies and techniques to drive him away from us- all within martial arts guide lines.

Read on to find out how you can ignite your fighting skills with some of the best martial arts around. I will reveal all the martial arts secrets that you want to know. Go to http://www.martialartsmagic.com right now before we wise up and decide to no longer reveal our secrets!

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To me, it also depends on the individual, the best martial art for self defense may vary from person to person. The best martial artists can make the softest martial arts style, the deadliest martial art!

Martial Arts Info

Self-Defense Within Martial Arts Training Demands a Real-World Perspective

This story is being offered in response to a request made by my teacher, Soke (Grand Master) Masaaki Hatsumi, during a recent training visit to Japan. During one of the training sessions, Soke was suggesting that everyone, regardless of rank, should make it a point to talk to those with actual combat experience and to learn from these people. The point was, if you do not know what a real fight is like, you will not be able to train properly for an authentic situation.

I was asked to share some of my experience in dealing with an attack and the following story came to mind. Though I have much experience with dealing with danger and dangerous people, this particular situation stands out as both a successful outcome where I was able to use some of my ninpo-taijutsu martial arts training, and a learning experience where I was actually able to control both my awareness and response, instead of mentally shutting down and "hoping" for the best.

***

The incident occurred many years ago while I was stationed in, what was then, West Germany. I was serving with the United States Army Military Police Corps. My partner and I were called to respond to a unit where a serviceman was assaulting others, including the officer-in-charge.

When we arrived at, what we thought was, the location of the incident, there was no one but the Charge of Quarters present. He had no idea about the incident. What none of us knew was that the 'problem' was occurring next door and moving in our direction.

While my partner and I were confirming the call with our superiors, the attacker entered the building where we were. He was obviously intoxicated and shouting racial insults and demanding satisfaction before he started a 'real war.' By the smell of him, he had been drinking heavily and primarily whiskey. His clothes showed signs of a struggle and at this point I wasn't sure if I was facing an attacker or the victim of an assault.

I immediately tried to calm the individual and find out what the problem was. As I was doing this, several other soldiers, including the command duty officer entered the building and became involved. The belligerent soldier was going on with his racial attacks and how he was attacked by what he thought were his friends. It was then that he turned his attention to me and began implying that he had martial arts experience and "didn't have to prove himself to anyone."

During this, and later after interviewing witnesses, we found that the individual had tested for his black belt in another martial art earlier that day and was out 'celebrating' with his friends. Witnesses testified that the more intoxicated he became, the more he started "showing off" to his friends which involved hitting and kicking. Eventually, his friends had had enough and then attempted to stop his obnoxious behavior by pushing him away and leaving him behind. This only made him more "playful" at which time he jumped on his friends resulting in them throwing him down on the ground. It was this that finally enraged him enough to chase them to the barracks and begin attacking others.

As he was telling me that he didn't have to prove himself, he also made statements that I only thought that I was tougher than him because I carried a gun, a nightstick and wore an MP helmet. I responded by removing my helmet and handing my night stick to my partner in an attempt to neutralize any perceived threat that I might be projecting and bring the soldier's anxiety level down. I informed him that the gun stayed where it was but that we needed to talk like civilized men so we could solve whatever problem was going on.

The soldier continued on with the "I'm a black belt and don't need to prove how tough I am" speech when he closed the distance and, from about an inch from my face, stated that, "I'm going to show you how tough you're not."

I ordered the soldier back and before I knew what was happening, I sensed his fist coming up between our bodies toward my jaw. I rode off the strike which landed before I could evade and then backed out as he began to flail widely with both arms at my head and body. I remember taking up a hoko-like position (a guarding posture in ninjutsu designed to create a protective 'bubble' that is difficult for the attacker to get through) to cover against the incoming attacks and having to simultaneously deal with an officer who thought that I was the one doing the attacking!

At one point, I realized that his right arm had wrapped around my left forearm and that a 'musha-dori-like thing' (uplifting elbow - shoulder dislocating technique) was happening. I remember moving to capture his balance and laid him down when suddenly his feet went out from under him. Later I found out that, in an attempt to help, my partner chose that moment to sweep my assailant's legs out from under him. I felt the soldier's shoulder give way as I applied the lock and took him down. This didn't help with the anxiety and emotional pressure I was dealing with as I was now worried about a possible 'police brutality' charge for excessive force.

This injury didn't deter his aggression though as he continued to fight against our restraint. We were finally able to subdue him and get him onto his stomach to be handcuffed when his wife and young child entered the building. I don't know how they found out about the situation but there they were. I felt sad for them and was only able to give a look of apology for having to do this. Again, more stress was added in that I didn't want to have to physically hurt this man in front of his family.

Unfortunately, their presence only served to escalate the problem. When the soldier became aware of his wife and child, he blamed my partner and I for his "embarrassment" and began to fight against his restraint again. I am not a big man and this soldier's build was easily 150% of my own size and weight, so holding him was a serious problem. Having to improvise and immobilize the man, I placed my night stick between the handcuff chain and his back and applied leverage against his spine which created a situation where he would only hurt himself with his continued resistance. This was only necessary for a moment or two, as he passes out from his exertion.

*************

As I related during my initial telling of the story at the Hombu Dojo ('main training hall'0 in Noda-city, Japan, my legs begin to shake and I can feel my breathing change as I recall this situation and many others like it. It does not control me or the way I go through my life in the ordinary sense that I am not afraid to associate with people or the like. What it has done is imprinted on me much more than just a step-by-step memory of the events, and I'm sure that my recollection of these is less than accurate because the experience was much more emotional and from what Soke has called "budo-nerves" orientation or perspective than from any sort of memorized technique string.

I will simply end this by saying that, this situation is one that has forever changed my perspective on how I should train, and as a teacher, how I should train my students. It has taught me that kata-like, step-by-step training is only a piece of the training puzzle but, anyone who believes that they will fight this way is deluding themselves. Conversely, it has also taught me that training that is just henka-based, where the basics like cover, distance and the like are not drilled until they become second-nature and the student just "does whatever" in an attempt to imitate (his or her teacher) is also deluded. This type of practice is necessary but, again, only a piece.

I am in complete agreement with Soke when he points out that it is the ability to go between the animal instinct response required for surviving an attack and returning to the civilized state to live a happy life, unstained by fear, defensiveness or antisocial behavior because of the attack that should be the goal.

Let me also say that, I respect Soke and the Shihan master instructors that I train with. But, not simply because they are Soke and the Shihan. I respect these people and continue to train in this art precisely because my own experience with having to handle danger tells me that what they have to offer is authentic and "on the mark" with that experience. Because I know that should I ever be attacked again, it will be the lessons that I have learned from them and not my admiration of them or their abilities that will help to insure that my family gets to have me around a little while longer. In a world filled with martial artists and instructors who want trophies, admiration and to 'look good,' it is comforting to know that there are still those who have what the true warrior needs to create a life worth living and the power to protect that life from whatever might harm it.

*****************************

If you liked this article, please do me the favor of rating it in the space below. It only takes a second and will send a message to the site's owners that they should allow me to post more information. I would appreciate your help.

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Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. A senior teacher in the Japanese warrior art of Ninjutsu, he specializes in teaching the ancient ways of self-protection and personal development lessons in a way that is easily understood and put to use by modern Western students and corporate clients. Through their martial arts training, his students and clients learn proven, time-tested lessons designed to help them create the life they've always dreamed of living, and the skills necessary for protecting that life from anything that might threaten it. He is also the author of the "Foundations of Self Defense Mastery" eCourse. To learn more about this and other subjects related to the martial arts, self-defense, personal development & self-improvement, visit his website at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com

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