26/9/17: 45 degree boxing drills and espada y daga offensive defence

A bit of an experimental session working on taking angles (45 degrees) during boxing

We started by warming up with footwork trying to focus on spring nd being able to move in any direction at any time:

hopping on spot (the feeling for all movement)
changing weight from foot to foot (slight bounce)
moving fwd and back
moving left and right
fwd back left right
back fwd right left
fwd back right (skip step) left
back fwd left (skip step) right
feet planted soft knees "bobbing"

45 degree turns to the left
45 degree turn to the right



before we did drill we practiced staying in range:

partner A arm held out almost touching partner B chest. Partner B moves and partner A stays with them (not too fast at first, focus on reading partner body and maintaining distance)

Drills:

with partner - moving fwd back left right with a double jab each direction. Once you have done the last double jab move off 45 degrees left or right to hit partner at an angle

do same again but once you have the angle maintain it. (key is not to go fast but to help each other read the movement and maintain distance (not too far not too close)

then do drill again but maintain angle and when partner manages to square up go 45 the other way

Application drill:

Partner A punches, B blocks, when one shot lands then move 45 left or right. Once at 45 maintain angle and keep punching (movement out of motion), when partner squares go 45 the other way and keep punching

The key to this is to move 45 WHEN YOU LAND A HIT. you are trying to disappear. We played around with doing this in out of range sparring but was really hard to get the 45 angle. We also noticed that slipping and bobbing helped to get the 45 but maintaining it was tricky. This lead us to discuss and play with the following ideas:

1) defensive 45 movement - when you partner commits to an attack and you slip bob etc give you a moment to move 45.

2) Offensive 45 movement - when you hit you then move/disappear 45 and gives you a moment to unleash a few hits

playing with both gives you a range of tools to be offensive/defensive and dictate where the fight takes place

Espada Y daga offensive defence:

All drills off of angle 1 strike and you mentality through all drills is that you will, no matter what, inside sweep, check hand with knife and try to return hit with a slice across the belly. you are trying to hit them and the defence is a reaction, you are not waiting for the knife strike!

1) Off A1 -  step off line and inside sweep the stick, knife checks hand (over top of stick hand), A4 (slice belly) return hit. AFTER you had hit them they then try to stab you so you repeat the motion, step off line and inside sweep the knife, your knife checks hand (over top of stick hand), A4 (slice belly) return hit. and follow up with ABC

2) Off A1 -  step off line and inside sweep the stick, knife checks hand (over top of stick hand), A4 (slice belly) return hit BUT this time BEFORE you manage to get the slice hit in the knife is already coming. use your stick to outside deflect and simultaneous stab to throat (also need to cat stance to move body out the way/change leads). then reach over you stick with your knife hand, push their arm down and toward them stab knife into armpit and then ABC.

3) Off A1 -  step off line and inside sweep the stick, knife checks hand (over top of stick hand), A4 (slice belly) return hit BUT  this time the Knife is coming before you have managed to check the hand so you have to use your knife hand to stop their knife (an inside sweep motion on the other arm), you then hit the forearm with your stick and simultaneously stab throat then reach over you stick with your knife hand, push their arm down and toward them stab knife into armpit and then ABC.

The only thing that is changing with this is the timing of the feed. You keep trying to hit your partner but the knife will come either after you hit, as you are hitting or before you hit. We tried to (gently) play with this timing and mix it up. if you waited for the knife the flow was gone and you ended up getting stabbed, but if you focused on hitting and reacting to your partner it was more effective.

(video of James and Charlie training to come)

Great session, good work by everyone and a pleasure to teach

21/9/17: Putting the Martial into the Art - Hook defenses and palasut cycle

I have been training at SM fighting Arts Academy for  a little while now. I'm slowly starting to understand things. My mind (and body) is getting to grips with concepts and how they merge and combine (stick knife empty hand etc). I am increasing the consistency with which I throw a decent punch/kick... whatever (never consistent enough!). And I am learning more every day. I also understand that I know nothing, that this is a life long pursuit and that I can only strive to be the best version of me that I can be. And I'm cool with that.

There are two aspects to training: The Martial (fighting/self defence/mental and physical toughness) and the Art (skill / hand eye coordination/ complex combination working the brain and dexterity). I believe there is a place for both and that both can be massively effective in the "real world" (just look at lamachenko's boxing.. that is art but also brutal). But, unless you do the drills, acquire the skills and then gradually build to implement them out of movement, chaos and then sparring... they will forever remain art and difficult to apply. They will remain in the realm of fantasy and movies and the fodder for key board warriors "who better than who" arguments.

Enough of my rant (well it's my blog I'm allowed to lol)

Hook defence drills:

1) 5x cross, on each cross you  split entry with cross to the chest/solar plexus. On the fifth cross you partner will immediately throw a hook. you use the blade of the forearm you crossed with to block the hook and simultaneous strike/hammer fist, follow up with ABC.

Same drill this time when you do the split entry hit you immediately follow up with an uppercut, cross, Off the third feed partner will do the cross hook feed and you do the defence. This makes the drill more complex as you are doing it out of movement while you are hitting which is much more like what would happen in sparring

Same drill as above (partner feed cross you do split entry, uppercut cross) but the cross, hook fed will come at any time. To make it alive the cross hook feed needs to be smooth and fast not hard (its a drill!) you will get hit but it gets you used to  adjusting on the fly.



2) 5x cross, on each cross you slip and uppercut (try and make it a half beat/one motion)  On the fifth cross you partner will immediately throw a hook. Bob and weave under.

Same drill this time the speed of the cross hook feed off the 3rd feed is much faster so as you are doing your uppercut reply its already coming.

Same as above but cross hook feed comes at any time.


3) 5x cross, on each cross you outside deflect (lead hand parry, then other hand goes under your lead arm pushing partners crossing arm away, try to check at the elbow so you force partner off balance)  on 5th feed, cross hook quickly, your outside deflection motion will mean you hand is in the right place for a shoulder/bicep stop, lead uppercut, cross, lead round kick combo.

Same drill, on each outside deflection you follow up with hook cross lead, on third feed as you are following up (or before) the cross hook feed comes. your outside deflection motion will mean you hand is in the right place for a shoulder/bicep stop, lead uppercut, cross, lead round kick combo.

Same as above but feed comes any time.

As you can see, all the drills built to being done out of movement, at any time, in the middle of trying to do something yourself!  You need to be switched on and aware of your partner, in correct range etc and blends the skill with the application.

Pad rounds:

moving in and out

jab cross
double jab cross
jab cross jab coming out.

Palasut cycle (knife drill - ice pick grip vs normal hold)

see notes from last blog entry for details of the cycle.

This session we looked at breaking the cycle at various points (going into and out of the flow.)

1) scoop stab to heart, step forward 45 degrees ish with rear leg and check stabbing arm with free hand, feed back to kidney, slice and keep running away in that direction to escape.

2) scoop stab to heat, check arm and feedback to kidney, partner checks your arm and feed back to stab your face/neck, Slice up (in a downing the pint motion) and use free hand to check/strike partners face (forward pressure). Then you hook/scoop your partners knife hand and pull it back against your forearm, slice wrist to disarm (and run away with they hand!)

3) go through whole flow (see previous blog), once you have  pushed your partners arm down and stabbed at the clavicle/neck your partner has a number of options:

A) dagger pass, use motion to circle arm round slice opponents are and keep circling to zero pressure.
B)  as you dagger pass, stab your knife through (like a split entry). their knife should now be on your forearm/arm. twist your elbow out and pull hand/thumb that you have hold of from the dagger pass to strip the knife.
C) dagger pass and move out the way, keep hold of hand. immediately thrust/stab knife at their neck, then pull your arm back and use your forearm to strip the knife (keep a tight grip and keep it against your body so no room to fight against)

As always please feel free to comment amend or add info I've missed.

19/9/17: Technical Muay Thai and Knife flow

Building on from and implementing concepts from the Daniel Lonero seminar (being in the moment, range, precision of skill)

Muay Thai Technique:

isolating techniques - (focus no tell - no stepping, dropping hand before hitting etc, full body rotation, monitoring guard)

Long jab
Long cross
jab, cross
jab, cross, horizontal elbow, downward elbow
Cross, lead uppercut, rear horizontal elbow, lead downward elbow

Rear Crush (rear leg thai kick block) inc long guard (make sure you can't see opponent face)
rear crush, lead round kick (full spin)
Rear crush, lead round kin into, rear crush
rear crush, switch step, rear round kick
rear crush, switch step, rear round kick, lead leg crush

Lead Crush
lead crush, rear round kick
lead crush, rear round kick into, lead crush
lead crush, switch step, lead round kick
lead crush, switch step, lead round kick, rear crush

Muay Thai Drills:

 partner rear round kick: Lead leg crush, long guard to push awaty, rear round kick

Partner round kick lead hook: Lead leg crush inc long guard, as they hook drive forward with elbow into their face/shoulder (covering the side of your head and moving inside the hook), other hand checks their rear hand, then lead elbow uppercut, read horizontal elbow.

Partner round kick lead hook: Lead leg crush inc long guard, as they hook you do hook cover but you don't quite get to drive in (you take the shot on your cover), they then throw a cross which you scoop with lead arm (from long guard just drop down onto cross and scoop), rear uppercut elbow driving in and lead horizontal elbow

Partner round kick lead hook: Lead leg crush inc long guard, as they hook you do hook cover but you don't quite get to drive in (you take the shot on your cover), they then throw a cross which you manage to cover with long guard but they then throw another rear round kick, which you use lead leg Crush to bock and then switch step to lead round kick the inside thigh.

Play time putting it all together:

Partner feed rear round kick hook cross rear round kick (various speeds and timings): You use any of the defences (so need to read, decide when to go or not etc etc) - aim of drill is to make it controlled chaos as a bridge to sparring. Defender must also be mindful of body position, as partner is going to be following up every hit, meaning you can get hit as you throw your replies

Knife flow (Palasut cycle):

We broke this down into steps to build the whole flow end flow was:

partner A stabs to heart, Partner B (ice pick grip) stabs over the top and hooks in (slight circular motion and get body out the way, B check the arm and does a back hand stab to kidney (stepping forward with read leg as you do), A checks elbow and feeds a stab up to head, B uses cat stance/turn using knife to cut up (like downing a pint motion) while free hand strike face/eyes then use that free hand to pak the arm down and stab at clavicle/head. A does dagger pass. B uses momentum of dagger pass to circle round (chi sau?) and cut arm and repeatedly stab at face/neck - all the time circling to zero pressure...then the cycle repeats

14/9/17: Boxing - Pressure testing, honesty and polishing

This session was all about taking the fundamentals from the previous session, refining them and the pressure testing to develop "trust" in yourself.

The drills were focused on isolating your defence (so little to no retaliation - despite desperately wanting to hit back!) in order to sharpen a skill that you can then put back into the mix when you start sparring again.

Evasions:

As last session - Slip, slip, bob, bob, duck, duck, lean ,lean first in order then any order (warm up)

Flowing evasion:

In order to stop trying to predict/wait for/react to opponent, you must keep moving all the time (like mike Tyson ish) so all your evasions are out of movement which means you might slip on the "wrong side" (inside) but who cares as long as they missed you!

Drill... partner threw any punch (jab cross hooks) and we evaded while moving.

Hitting back evasion drill - We combined the above with constantly moving and throwing return hits (punches in bunches at least three and punching a little short so you are not drawing partner into sparring as this is a drill) - also good to help you with your balance and knowing if you are throwing a decent hit or not.

Long guard/Box guard drills:

Long guard tips: extended arms, chin down mouth shut (but don't forget to breathe!). Elbows down, with slight bend and keep your hands close enough together that when you look between them you are framing your opponents face.

As previous notes you are pushing down on partners forearms and cutting across slightly, try not to go passed centre line and not too low with your blocking hand you just want to off set hem a little. When blocking the hooks you are using the blade of your forearm, trt to block at their forearm, if you block further up you will get pulled into grappling/instigate grappling (which is fine if it's your choice) but not in this drill.

We started with using long guard to defend in order (jab cross lead hook rear hook, then any order. After we had warmed up the fun began.

Long Guard Pressure test:

Partner with big sparring gloves: Aim to fire rapid constantly flowing shots with the intent to hit you/forward pressure. Defender uses long gourd to build confidence and trust. defender tries not to give too much ground but if they do remember to circle and not just go back. (you are NOT evading and NOT retaliating). drill lasts about 30 seconds to 1 min.

Round 1: Partner only attacks with Jab/Cross

Round 2: Partner only attacks with hooks

Round 3:  Partner throws anything (including long shovel hook/uppercuts

we ALL got hit... but gradually less and less. And when we did, most of the time, we had managed to take a little sting out of the shot. This drill certainly gets the heart pumping and defiantly is something that needs to be included in training after you have started to "get" a concept/skill.

You certainly leave your ego at the door.

One piece of advice that works but is counter intuitive is while your partner tries to "take your head off" you approach the drill as if you have contempt for the attack. Really lazy and "relaxed" had to explain but basically you are snuffing them out.

Long Guard entries into chokes (stand up): using long guard to apply different techniques

Off of jab cross lead hook: long guard parry jab and cross, block hook, extend free arm under partners hooking arm and past it, Dumog drag it back towards you (pulling on their triceps, keep your arm tight into you). As they come forward use your dragging arm to clothes line them and your free arm to push their lower back so the end up leaning back a little. Wrap your clotheslining arm round their neck (the crook of elbow tight under their chin, and figure 4 your free arm behind their head. keep you head/chest close to them and squeeze buy lowering your weight and pulling your shoulder blades back

Off jab cross lead hook read hook: As above but on the other side.

off jab: Long guard parry (forward momentum) use same arm to grab head and drag down. Lean over them (you put your arm over their head, their head resting under your armpit, and put your chin in the middle of their back leaning your weight on them). Then wrap forearm under their neck, grab your wrist with your free hand. Move closer bringing your hips in and then squeeze and lift up and lean back

Off jab: Long guard parry (forward momentum) use same arm to grab head and drag down. Lean over them (you put your arm over their head, their head resting under your armpit, and put your chin in the middle of their back leaning your weight on them). they duck chin down so cant choke. use blade of arm to turn their head use free arm to trap bicep and gran the trapping arm with the hand you turned head with. hips in squeeze and lift as before keeping your body tight against them (god that hurts!)

Off Jab: entry as above, they stoke the choke and they stop the face crush by grabbing your arm.. Step forward and trap their foot, use bicep controlling arm to slide under that arm and under hook. Push their head down and spin then turning It into a throw which is very awkward for them to do anything with and will end up really wrenching the leg you have trapped (you can also sweep the leg to turn it into a big throw)

12/9/17: Boxing fundamentals - Simple is not easy!

Fundamentals... with an emphasis on fun. Simple effective principles which require lots of flight time.

Evasion:

slip jab, slip cross, bob lead hook, bob rear hook (slips.. imagine smashing your shoulder diagonally down to hit something in front of your chest, only need to make the punch miss by a fraction - bob and weave motion don't go too low or lean forward)

Then we fed  those attacks in any order
Then we added replies, trying to reply on the move and targeting

Duck jab, Duck cross, lean back lead hook, lean back rear hook (Duck is like you are squatting down keep "straight back" not leaning forward, don't go too low. Lean back use back foot as a spring roll lead shoulder t protect jaw and keep your chin down)

Then we fed  those attacks in any order
Then we added replies, trying to reply on the move and targeting (when lean back on rear hook you can hook over their punch as you lean back)

Box long guard:

Tips: hands out in front of your face like you are holding a Thai pad or a steering wheel in a 5 to 1 position (tight), elbows down. Minimal movement on blocks, push down on jab ( do not cross centre line), push down on cross,  blade of forearm block on lead cross use other hand to monitor centre line, blade of forearm to block rear hook use other hand to monitor guard.

Below you can see Guru Bob Breen making this look easy... it isn't.. it's simple... but that is not always easy!

Mixing it up:

feeding Jab, cross lead and rear hooks, any order any defence (slip, bob, lean, duck long guard) no replies

Pad Rounds

1) jab lead hook - catch, bicep stop, hook cross hook

Jab rear hook - catch, bicep stop, cross hook cross

2) jab lead hook - bob and weave, over hand (R) uppercut (L) overhand (R)

Jab read hook - bob and weave, over hand (L) uppercut (R) overhand (L)

3) Jab lead hook  -enter with your rear elbow elbow to face/shoulders monitoring read hand -  elbow (hook), Elbow (cross) elbow (hook)

Jab rear hook enter with your lead elbow to face/shoulder - elbow (cross) elbow (hook) elbow (Cross)

Stick work:

We finished with some brain teasing stick work

Strip flow

angle one defence: roof block, free hand snakes round arm, thumb up and hooking wrist, move off line use your stick hand (stick down) to punch at writ and strip stick. Then flow to next strip (as strip doesn't work).

Put your stick under their arm, hit their forearm (as you do this slide your hooking hand down the stick to hold the tip), stab stick onto face and then placing your stick un their wrist but under their stick (making an X shape) use a scissor motion to strip. This also does not work so.

Keep hold of their stick. remove your (point down) and put the point of your stick in your hand that is holding the point of their stick (both sticks in one hand now). You now have their hand caught between you stick and their. Squeeze your hands together and crush their hand. They still don't let go.

Keep hold of their stick move your stick under their arm again and use a punyo strike onto their forearm, driving for their face and as you do that pull the stick out of their hand!

Some of us also tried this with the left hand!

Opposite hand stick drill:

They have stick in right hand you have it in left hand

angle 1 strike: Roof block motion with stick then roll it round (abiniqo) strike to head. then keep the point forward stab it under the arm in a circling motion and use the punyo to trap the stick and hook the wrist. The either grab their stick an pull back wards or grab both hands on your stick and pull to strip.

We did this with both left and right hands.

5/9/17: Numerada - Stick, knife and empty hand flow

Belated notes from last Tuesday's class. Thank you James for the detailed info!

Numerada

The theme for tonight was numerada which means “by the numbers”.

Stick vs Knife

 

Partner feeds basic cinqo teros (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5) with the knife and you respond with any cinqo teros pattern:

 

1. A1 strike his A1 (hit hand), then follow up with an additional 4 strikes as you move left to zero pressure.
2. A2 strike his A2 (hit hand), then follow up with an additional 4 strikes as you move right to zero pressure.
3. A3 strike his A3 (hit hand), then follow up with an additional 4 strikes as you move left to zero pressure.
4. A4 strike his A4 (hit hand), then follow up with an additional 4 strikes as you move right to zero pressure.
5. A3 strike his A5 (hit hand), then follow up with an additional 4 strikes as you move left to zero pressure.

 

Partner feeds basic cinqo teros (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5) with the knife and you respond as follows:

1. A1 strike his A1 (hit hand), then follow up with an A2, A1, forehand redondo as you move left to zero pressure.
2. A2 strike his A2 (hit hand & step R. leg back), then follow up with an A1, A2, backhand redondo as you move right to zero pressure.
3. A3 strike his A3 (hit hand), then follow up with an A2, A1, forehand redondo as you move left to zero pressure.
4. A4 strike his A4 (hit hand & step R. leg back), then follow up with an A1, A2, backhand redondo as you move right to zero pressure.
5. A3 strike his A5 (hit hand), then follow up with an A2, A1, forehand redondo as you move left to zero pressure.

 

Empty Hand vs Knife

Partner feeds basic cinqo teros (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5) with the knife and you respond as follows:

 

1. As partner A1’s block with outside of L. forearm and R. finger jab the throat (hit chest for practice), take the R. hand over the top (use back of hand and ‘flex’ the wrist to make the scoop more effective) and feed the arm out (towards him not a wide sweep that can cut your leg), cup elbow and eye jab, and slap and chop as you ¼ turn clockwise and control his elbow with your L. hand (push it into him) momentarily then almost spin behind him as you using the back of your bent L. hand/forearm to monitor him. Be smooth and accelerate his arm as you scoop.
2. As partner A2’s block with outside of R. forearm and L. eye jab, take the L. hand over the top and feed the arm out the step out with L. and ¼ turn counter-clockwise back into R. lead as slap and chop and keep turning to control his elbow with your R. hand momentarily then almost spin behind him as you using the back of your bent R. hand/forearm to monitor him.
3. As partner angle 3’s low block with outside of L. forearm and R. finger jab the throat (hit chest for practice), take the R. hand over the top and feed the arm out (towards him not a wide sweep that can cut your leg), cup elbow and eye jab, and slap and chop as you ¼ turn clockwise and control his elbow with your L. hand (push it into him) momentarily then almost spin behind him as you using the back of your bent L. hand/forearm to monitor him.
4. As partner angle 4’s, low block with outside of R. forearm and L. eye jab, take the L. hand over the top and feed the arm out the step out with L. and ¼ turn counter-clockwise back into R. lead as slap and chop and keep turning to control his elbow with your R. hand momentarily then almost spin behind him as you using the back of your bent R. hand/forearm to monitor him.
5. As partner angle 5’s low block with outside of L. forearm and R. finger jab the throat (hit chest for practice), take the R. hand over the top and feed the arm out (towards him not a wide sweep that can cut your leg), cup elbow and eye jab, and slap and chop as you ¼ turn clockwise and control his elbow with your L. hand (push it into him) momentarily then almost spin behind him as you using the back of your bent L. hand/forearm to monitor him.

 

Then do the same as above but don’t block the knife first - just go straight into the ‘scoop’. This is because if they are coming with a lot of momentum it might be better to go with it rather than trying to stop the motion.

 

Double Stick vs Knife

1. Partner feeds basic cinqo teros (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5) with the knife and you respond from an open guard (sticks resting on your traps) by doing a gunting vs each angle so you’re hitting the hand with the R. stick and passing it with the L. stick on each angle creating a scissor motion (almost simultaneously). You’ll be opening and closing the arms so you start from an open position on angles 1, 3 & 5 & a closed position (arms crossed) on 2 & 4.
2. Partner feeds as above and you gunting the initial strike but then go into the odd series (forehand, simultaneously backhand and roof, forehand). For angles 1, 3 and 5 the key is not to follow all the way through with the L. stick  after the gunting but to retract it back so you can go into the odd series starting with a L. forehand. For angles 2 and 4 the L. stick will chamber under the R. armpit after the gunting.
3. Partner feeds as above and you gunting the initial strike then for angles 1, 3 and 5 as you zone L. and move to zero pressure you alternately forehand (L. stick) and backhand (R. stick) thrust to the face in a circular motion with the sticks parallel and horizontal, right below left. For angles 2 and 4 you zone R. and R. stick can be on top (forehand) and L. stick underneath (backhand) with torso facing R. or R. stick can be underneath (backhand) and L. stick on top (forehand) with torso facing L. This is called Totsada.

See below for a video clip showing an example of Odd series Kali flow:

 

 

7/9/17: Trapping and Ground work (aka - Take down and choke em out)

Today's session was focused on variations from trapping (your not looking for the trap, it happens out of trying to hit them!). The entries lead to take downs. The second part of the session looked at chokes and "face crushes" that would come as a result of getting your opponent on the round.

Trapping drills are also a good way of developing tactile sensitivity, feeling how your partner is moving or trying to move you and then using that energy to redirect or simply ignore!

Trapping:

1) Pak opponents lead arm to remove the barrier (down towards them, pak on forearm closer to their elbow), then jab/straight punch to face. Partner stops/bocks the hit on centre line. Ignore the stop. Instead use your jabbing hand to grab partners lead arm (above the elbow by the triceps). Pull the arm towards you in a sort of circular motion while using your other hand to push against the forearm and circle away from you. As you do this Pivot off to the side to zero pressure, use the blade of your hand/forearm in the crook of your partners elbow to control them (their arm should now be in an L shape and they will be bend over off balance). Finish by using your free hand to control the neck... digging your thumb in for extra pressure and control. (Take down would involve wrenching the arm you now have locked up)

2) Pak opponents lead arm to remove the barrier (down towards them, pak on forearm closer to their elbow), then jab/straight punch to face. Partner stops/bocks the hit on centre line. Pull jabbing hand (L hand) back, keeping contact with the blocking hand to drag it away (slight out and back motion can't remember technical name for it?). As you do, straight punch/cross with rear hand (R hand). Keep forward pressure going by using the hand you did a cross with to Pak the arm that was moved out of the way with your jabbing hand (when you pak the elbow of your paking hand will jam up partners other arm too stopping them form hitting you) and hit again with your free hand (L hand). To take down form here, drive forward with head down, use the hand you just hit with to push partner shoulder to off balance them. AS you drive forward you step between partners legs (in this example using right leg), underhook their arm using your free arm, pivot round (so you are now both facing the same direction, and their leg should be between yours.) Using the leg that is inside theirs sweep back and simultaneously use underhook arm to push shoulder or drive head down towards the ground.


3) As above but when you go for the take down and drive forward they step back. In this case you take another step forward making sure your other leg is inside theirs and you pivot to the other side. (so you are now both facing the same direction, and their leg should be between yours.) Using the leg that is inside theirs sweep back and simultaneously use underhook arm to push shoulder or drive head down towards the ground.

4) Pak opponents lead arm to remove the barrier (down towards them, pak on forearm closer to their elbow), then jab/straight punch to face. Partner pushes the hit over centre line. Roll your jabbing hand over their push and backhand them in the face (use you other hand to grab their wrist as you back hand. From there, move off line and use and figure 4 wrist lock to control and take down.

5) Pak opponents lead arm to remove the barrier (down towards them, pak on forearm closer to their elbow), then jab/straight punch to face. Partner pushes the hit over centre line. Use the push to swing your arm under their pushing hand (a bit like it you were going to throw a jab then lead hook) and slap them hard in the ear/face (thumb in the eye and off balancing them for good measure) I think ths is a chi sau?. Using the same arm, scoop partners arm (the one the blocked with) down and away (keeping contact with forearm). As you to this use your free hand to punch/cross and then upward elbow. Pivot off to the side, (your left in this example) scooping arm and controlling with the blade of your hand/forearm in the crook of elbow and using your free hand to control the head digging in with your thumb. From here  football kick (with straight leg to prevent grabbing) to the face and then twist partner under to take down.

6) Pak opponents lead arm to remove the barrier (down towards them, pak on forearm closer to their elbow), then jab/straight punch to face. Pak doesn't work and you clash with their lead arm block. From here, Lop (grab and pull) lead arm and cross/straight punch. follow through turning theirs head and step forward driving them back a little. Reach over so their elbow is just under your armpit/lat. Raise their arm up and you drop weight/shoulder down. and add a wrist lock for extra measure.

We then drilled all 6 of these in any order and tried to focus on the energy your partner was giving you when they "blocked".. it helps if you actually try and hit them in the face... nicely of course!

Below is an example of the amazing Rick young demonstrating many trapping variation.

Ground work:

All techniques were from scarf hold position can't remember proper name).


1) In scarf hold, partner uses hand furthest away to grab your face. lean away form this slightly using your free hand to pull the arm away and push the blade of the forearm into their face/cheek making them turn their head away. Turn your chest onto their arm and move into a position where you are perpendicular to their head (L shape). drive your weight down  (you should now be in a position were like a plan except your butt is in the air and you are driving your shoulder and your weight down on their arm to crush their face).

2) In scarf hold, partner uses hand furthest away to grab your face. lean away form this slightly using your free hand to pull the arm away and push it behind their head (they should look like they are using their arm for a pillow). grab your forearm with your arm that is under their head and slowly turn it so that the blade of forearm is digging into the back of their neck. As you do this squeeze your chest into them so they have no room and then start to lean back, lifting their head and  keep turning your arm until they tap. I found that it helps when I twisted by body slightly as I was leaning back too.

3) In scarf hold, partner uses hand nearest to push  your face. lean away form this slightly using your free hand to push the arm across their neck. Shrimp back slightly as you do use your head and shoulder to keep their arm pressed against them. Now move your body so you are in a plank position and you and almost parallel to them (at a slight angle). lift you butt up and drop your weight onto your shoulder that should be across their neck (don't try and use their arm to make them choke themselves like I was doing,) drive ure shoulder down and squeeze your bicep, lifting your forearm into the back of the neck. Do this slowly and slightly adjust your position until they tap, or pass out.

we then drilled all three.

Again a tricky one to try and explain. if I have missed anything or it doesn't make sense let me know.

31/8/17: The Art of the Blade: Knife Drills Part Two

Thanks to James for the class notes!

So we did all the defences we did on Tuesday plus the additional ones below. At the end we fed whichever angle with whichever hand and respond using all of the defences, firstly with just one knife and then with one knife in each hand.

Defence vs Stab to Belly:

Zone R. and block the knife with your L. hand as you simultaneously eye/throat jab with the R. hand. Take your R. arm over his arm and ‘scoop’ it anti-clockwise (push it into him) and as it circles round pick up the thumb with your L. hand and strip using the R. forearm or the R. hand (palm down).

Defence vs A1 Slash:

 

Zone R. and block with the L. hand/forearm and simultaneously eye/throat jab with the R. hand. Raise the R. arm  under (like hubud) and pick up the wrist as you circle the arm clockwise (keep your R. elbow tucked to your hip at 90 degrees). From ‘cup the breast’ position, turn body to the R. to strip.

Defence vs A2 Slash:

Lean away from A1 slash (rock back on heel rather than stepping back), as A2 slash comes move into cat stance (R. toe pointing) as you block with the R. and simultaneously eye/throat J. with the L. hand. Raise the L. arm under (like hubud) and pick up the wrist as you circle the arm anti-clockwise. Strip with the R. hand (palm down).

29/8/17: Knife drills

Knife drills:

 

Defence from belly stab 1: Parry knife their hand, twisting your body as you do (this is most important part!), grab wrist with Parrying hand twisting their wrist up and pulling them slightly off balance as you do and use other hand to disarm (using webbed bit of hand between thumb and forts finger, push against flat of blade/top of handle making sure you are directing the strip where their grip is weakest.. you also have them in a wrist lock so if the strip don’t work it still hurts!

Defence from belly stab 2: step back and drop left arm on knife wielders forearm/wrist, reach OVER your arm or grab their wrist with your other hand pull them to you, sliding your grip to their thumb/pad and using your other forearm to jam up their wrist. (keep edge on as you do this and move off line) while keeping hold of wrist against your body slide your forearm to cup the knife hand, twist your body and strip the knife.

Defence form angle 1 slash: step off line rear hand/forearm blade block knife arm while simultaneous strike with other hand. Use blocking arm to move/swing knife arm across your body (make sure you move back so you don’t get cut) and end up griping their wrist twisting it up and pulling them slightly off balance. Then strip knife. (Notes: when you are "blocking" the knife slash it’s not a block as such it’s just getting something in the way to slow it down and you are redirecting the energy so it’s sort of one motion. Also when you have got hold of the wrist keep your elbow against your body so you have a stronger structure).

Defence against angle 2 slash: lean away from angle 1 slash (try not to step back as you will lose time), as angle 2 strike comes in, step off line (outside) rear hand blocks slash lead hand eye strike/hit. Blocking hand grabs wrist and then, pulling them back and off line, sliding your grip to their thumb/pad and using your other forearm to jam up their wrist. (keep edge on as you do this and move off line) while keeping hold of wrist against your body slide your forearm to cup the knife hand, twist your body and strip the knife.

Stab to the heart:  Cut punch motion but make sure you are taking the attacking arm off line (aim past opponents shoulders), the reach OVER your arm or grab their wrist with your other hand pull them to you, sliding your grip to their thumb/pad and using your other forearm to jam up their wrist. (keep edge on as you do this and move off line) while keeping hold of wrist against your body slide your forearm to cup the knife hand, twist your body and strip the knife.

　

We then played with these 5 defences feeding angle 1, angle 2 or stab and defending.


Ice pick grip (blade pointing down):

　

Angle 1 stab: step off line and block using blade of forearm and strike with lead hand. grab hold of their wrist/forearm and twist and push towards them (this will again be one motion following the energy of the stab/slash) this will off balance them. Your free hand then goes UNDER their fore arm in a salute motion. To strip, use your saluting arm to "cut" (imagine you’re holding a knife) towards their neck and pull away with your other hand which will then be able to strip their knife.


Stab straight down at your head (on the 12 O’clock): Dagger pass (brushing their forearm to slide up to control the wrist/thumb… again twist body to get it out the way), then pulling them off balance a little strip/disarm by using webbed bit of hand between thumb and forts finger, push against flat of blade/top of handle making sure you are directing the strip where their grip is weakest/back towards them... you also have them in a wrist lock so if the strip don’t work it still hurts! (not 100% we used that strip?)


We then played with all the variations of stabs/slashes and grips and used all the defences against them in any order!

As ever please amend or add as required!