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Messages - SoonerBJJ

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1
Anyone in central Oklahoma?

2
Martial Arts Topics / Re: DLO 3
« on: November 23, 2008, 05:48:43 PM »
...there is a chance that I will say "Screw it!" and do DLO-3 as a LEO/Military project only.

I understand and share your concerns about piracy but I sincerely hope you don't move in this direction.  I think "LEO/Military only" would be going contrary to the spirit of the DLO concept.  However I will respect your decision in these matters.

Looking forward to purchasing DLO-3 as a lowly civvy.

3
Martial Arts Topics / Re: anyone interested in a Dallas training group?
« on: January 17, 2007, 09:36:16 PM »
The first training session went really well and the next is scheduled.  Contact me if you're interested.  Here are my thoughts from that training session:



This weekend I finally got the opportunity to train with the concepts and techniques from Crafty and Gabe's "Die Less Often" DVD set. I met with several forum members... for this opportunity. I bought this set when it first came out as I've had great experience with Dog Brothers videos in the past and was intrigued by the idea of integrating these concepts into a weapons context.

Coming from a stand up background of western boxing and muay thai, I was initially uneasy about the idea of a right lead stance (I am right handed). My striking experience and footwork matrix is all based out of a standard left lead fighting stance. After some time playing with the kali false lead I realized that my initial unease was a result of my lack of understanding. In down time at work or home I would practice setting the stance and moving around the diamond. It didn't take long to realize that in the KFL I feel like a tremendous amount of energy is built up in my legs and hips, like a spring ready to snap. In the standard left lead I feel very comfortable and neutra but there is no energy stored within the stance. In order to move against a stationary object (the guy brandishing a weapon in front of me) I have to generate all of the forward power from a starting point of zero. In the KFL I feel as if the power is already there, in my hips and legs as a potential energy, like a spring that is ready to be sprung. Against that stationary object I am able to generate a more powerful surge more easily and more quickly. Rather than initiating from zero, I am starting from a mechanical advantage. Sorry for using so many terms from freshman physics but this is the best way for me to describe it. You have to work with the position until you feel this. It's critical for the left shoulder (assuming you are right handed) to be positioned properly to feel the potential energy. After playing with this I think several of the guys felt it too.

After working on setting in the KFL we incorporated the brachial stun. This is where the importance of the energy stored in your hips and legs became so apparent. From this position it's very easy and feels natural to spring forward at an angle into the adversary. The power can be delivered through the brachial stun or as a driving force. I found it most useful to drive the adversary and it naturally flows into turning the adversary away so that you can follow up with knees, elbows, make space to deploy your own weapon or just to run away.

We only worked from the KFL at very close range. We were using it as a close range "fence" when dealing with an unknown contact or attacker at a few feet distance. Right now this is where I see the greatest utility for the KFL in my counter-offensive (I didn't say defensive) structure. I've "dry fired" this enough that it's now pretty intuitive to get into this stance when in a close range fence. I feel more confident that I can deliver a large amount of forward power very quickly from this stance than I ever did with a left lead.

We also introduced the "dog catcher." In this first meeting we only worked against forehand knife attacks. I don't have any background in pekiti tirsia or any other defensive knife structure. With a little practice I found it pretty easy to make the initial pekiti and complementary hand motions. After some live knife attack drills I am very intrigued by where this can go.

After feeding forehand strikes we eventually moved to live knife attack drills. The attacker was only moving at 60% and we knew where the attack was coming from but this is only the beginning for us.

I had watched the DVD footage of poorly executed techniques (and the resultant deaths) enough beforehand that I tried to avoid making their same mistakes. The DVD shows footage of live drills at the seminar, both of poorly executed and "successfully" executed techniques. This is an excellent feature because you are able to learn from the failure and success of others.

In the first few evolutions I felt like I did pretty well with engaging the initial attack. I intercepted the attack without getting cut. I angled away from the attack and milked down to the wrist in order to drive the weapon hand down to the mat in what I called the "baseball bat technique." When I was sufficiently focused on controlling the wrist I found this technique to be successful.

After initial success, in a subsequent evolution I lost focus on the wrist and died as a result. I was controlling the weapon arm too high near or above the elbow and took gut and neck shots. This is a lesson I would rather learn on the training mat than on the street. I did this a few times.

Some other observations:

My background is Brazilian jiu jitsu and grappling. I love a ground fight. BUT when you are in a knife fight DO NOT stick around for a grappling contest. In one of the first evolutions I succeeded in negotiating the attack and got the adversary to his knees and had taken his back. I hadn't gotten control of the knife but I had negotiated the attack and was free behind the adversary. When I saw his back my first gut instinct was to pounce and look for a submission. Bad idea in a knife fight. I had the opportunity to run or draw my own weapon and hesitated for an instant while I thought about a submission attack. BAD IDEA. Run or shoot the fucker. Another lesson I'd rather learn on the mat than on the street. I didn't have that problem again. I made the mental context shift after that first evolution and never had the problem again. I didn't end up dying in that evolution but it was an important reminder.

This is a critical point for anyone that has ever competed in martial arts, grappling or MMA. It was first brought home in Southnarc's ECQC. I died several times there because I wanted to fight when I should've just run or shot the fucker. This kind of training is critical to rid yourself of such notions when in a fight with weapons.

Another problem that arose a few times was when I would negotiate the initial attack and get the attacker to his knees while retaining control of the wrist. Everything looked pretty good from my position behind him until he would pass the knife to the other hand. When you can't see the knife it's easy to focus so much on the attacking arm that you don't see it when he transfers the knife to the other hand. I cannot allow this to happen.

Overall I feel like this was an excellent training session and I am very pleased with this material. I have already incorporated the KFL into my close range fence structure and feel like I have the beginnings of a defensive knife structure. I'm really looking forward to seeing where we can go with this material.

Thanks to Crafty and Gabe for sharing.

4
Here are my thoughts after a recent training session:

This weekend I finally got the opportunity to train with the concepts and techniques from Crafty and Gabe's "Die Less Often" DVD set. I met with several forum members... for this opportunity. I bought this set when it first came out as I've had great experience with Dog Brothers videos in the past and was intrigued by the idea of integrating these concepts into a weapons context.

Coming from a stand up background of western boxing and muay thai, I was initially uneasy about the idea of a right lead stance (I am right handed). My striking experience and footwork matrix is all based out of a standard left lead fighting stance. After some time playing with the kali false lead I realized that my initial unease was a result of my lack of understanding. In down time at work or home I would practice setting the stance and moving around the diamond. It didn't take long to realize that in the KFL I feel like a tremendous amount of energy is built up in my legs and hips, like a spring ready to snap. In the standard left lead I feel very comfortable and neutra but there is no energy stored within the stance. In order to move against a stationary object (the guy brandishing a weapon in front of me) I have to generate all of the forward power from a starting point of zero. In the KFL I feel as if the power is already there, in my hips and legs as a potential energy, like a spring that is ready to be sprung. Against that stationary object I am able to generate a more powerful surge more easily and more quickly. Rather than initiating from zero, I am starting from a mechanical advantage. Sorry for using so many terms from freshman physics but this is the best way for me to describe it. You have to work with the position until you feel this. It's critical for the left shoulder (assuming you are right handed) to be positioned properly to feel the potential energy. After playing with this I think several of the guys felt it too.

After working on setting in the KFL we incorporated the brachial stun. This is where the importance of the energy stored in your hips and legs became so apparent. From this position it's very easy and feels natural to spring forward at an angle into the adversary. The power can be delivered through the brachial stun or as a driving force. I found it most useful to drive the adversary and it naturally flows into turning the adversary away so that you can follow up with knees, elbows, make space to deploy your own weapon or just to run away.

We only worked from the KFL at very close range. We were using it as a close range "fence" when dealing with an unknown contact or attacker at a few feet distance. Right now this is where I see the greatest utility for the KFL in my counter-offensive (I didn't say defensive) structure. I've "dry fired" this enough that it's now pretty intuitive to get into this stance when in a close range fence. I feel more confident that I can deliver a large amount of forward power very quickly from this stance than I ever did with a left lead.

We also introduced the "dog catcher." In this first meeting we only worked against forehand knife attacks. I don't have any background in pekiti tirsia or any other defensive knife structure. With a little practice I found it pretty easy to make the initial pekiti and complementary hand motions. After some live knife attack drills I am very intrigued by where this can go.

After feeding forehand strikes we eventually moved to live knife attack drills. The attacker was only moving at 60% and we knew where the attack was coming from but this is only the beginning for us.

I had watched the DVD footage of poorly executed techniques (and the resultant deaths) enough beforehand that I tried to avoid making their same mistakes. The DVD shows footage of live drills at the seminar, both of poorly executed and "successfully" executed techniques. This is an excellent feature because you are able to learn from the failure and success of others.

In the first few evolutions I felt like I did pretty well with engaging the initial attack. I intercepted the attack without getting cut. I angled away from the attack and milked down to the wrist in order to drive the weapon hand down to the mat in what I called the "baseball bat technique." When I was sufficiently focused on controlling the wrist I found this technique to be successful.

After initial success, in a subsequent evolution I lost focus on the wrist and died as a result. I was controlling the weapon arm too high near or above the elbow and took gut and neck shots. This is a lesson I would rather learn on the training mat than on the street. I did this a few times.

Some other observations:

My background is Brazilian jiu jitsu and grappling. I love a ground fight. BUT when you are in a knife fight DO NOT stick around for a grappling contest. In one of the first evolutions I succeeded in negotiating the attack and got the adversary to his knees and had taken his back. I hadn't gotten control of the knife but I had negotiated the attack and was free behind the adversary. When I saw his back my first gut instinct was to pounce and look for a submission. Bad idea in a knife fight. I had the opportunity to run or draw my own weapon and hesitated for an instant while I thought about a submission attack. BAD IDEA. Run or shoot the fucker. Another lesson I'd rather learn on the mat than on the street. I didn't have that problem again. I made the mental context shift after that first evolution and never had the problem again. I didn't end up dying in that evolution but it was an important reminder.

This is a critical point for anyone that has ever competed in martial arts, grappling or MMA. It was first brought home in Southnarc's ECQC. I died several times there because I wanted to fight when I should've just run or shot the fucker. This kind of training is critical to rid yourself of such notions when in a fight with weapons.

Another problem that arose a few times was when I would negotiate the initial attack and get the attacker to his knees while retaining control of the wrist. Everything looked pretty good from my position behind him until he would pass the knife to the other hand. When you can't see the knife it's easy to focus so much on the attacking arm that you don't see it when he transfers the knife to the other hand. I cannot allow this to happen.

Overall I feel like this was an excellent training session and I am very pleased with this material. I have already incorporated the KFL into my close range fence structure and feel like I have the beginnings of a defensive knife structure. I'm really looking forward to seeing where we can go with this material.

Thanks to Crafty and Gabe for sharing.

5
Martial Arts Topics / Re: anyone interested in a Dallas training group?
« on: December 28, 2006, 05:10:43 PM »
Sooner:

I like the sounds of this.  Would you please keep me apprised of how it is working out for you guys?

TIA,
CD
Craftydog@dogbrothers.com

Will do.  The "Die Less Often" DVD is actually a large part of the motivation for this training group.  Once we get under way one of our priorities is going to be bringing in guest instructors to augment and refine our training.  I'd like to see Crafty in Dallas this year.  I'll be in touch.

Sooner

6
Martial Arts Topics / Re: anyone interested in a Dallas training group?
« on: December 27, 2006, 06:12:11 PM »
The first training date has been set for January.  Contact me for more information.

7
Martial Arts Topics / anyone interested in a Dallas training group?
« on: November 13, 2006, 07:12:59 PM »
I've been thinking about this for awhile and finally decided to pull the trigger on this idea.  I hear about other very successful and productive training groups in other areas and want to guage interest for something similiar in the DFW area.

Since we are here we probably have some interest in developing the skills and mindset to protect ourselves and our families, but what are we doing to continuously refine and hone those skills?  Situational awareness, hand-to-hand and shooting are perishable skills that must be practiced if you expect to have a chance of calling on them when it really counts.

I'd like to organize a group of like-minded individuals to meet on a regular, but not too demanding basis.  Just a few times a month could be enough to polish skills or learn new ones that could potentially save your life or that of someone you love.

I haven't talked with the owner yet, but I have a location in mind that could serve our purposes very well.  The DFW Gun Range has very large room with mats, mirrors, punching bags, etc in addition to a nice, recently renovated indoor range.  I think they would be game but I'll check into it if I sense there is interest.

I am no expert in anything and am not qualified to be an instructor in any of these skills but I give a shit and that is a start.  There are tremendous resources among us that could be motivated and utilized very easily.

Specifically I would like to work with material from instructors that have been of great influence to myself and that I believe offer the highest yield and most practical skills for the average man (or woman) on the street.  Examples include Southnarc, Crafty Dog and other Dog Brothers material, Rodney King's "Crazy Monkey" and street boxing system, SBG material and various other street-applicable BJJ/MMA sources.

We could train H2H, knives, close quarters gun fighting and attempt to refine mindset and situational awareness through real life case studies, force-on-force, discussions, etc.  We can make this ANYTHING the group wants.

Additionally we would have an indoor gun range on the other side of a wall.  We could incorporate live fire drills and standards to keep those skills sharp.

You don't need and background or need to be a badass to get involved, you just need to give a shit about your life and those of your loved ones.

This is completely open and would belong to all those involved.  Post here or PM me if you're interested.

8
Martial Arts Topics / training in Dallas, TX?
« on: November 19, 2005, 08:25:17 PM »
ttt

Anyone working out in the Dallas area?  If so, where?

What other martial arts do you or have you trained?

9
Martial Arts Topics / KALI TUDO (tm) Article
« on: July 28, 2005, 04:51:20 PM »
Sorry just noticed it will be released 7/30.

10
Martial Arts Topics / KALI TUDO (tm) Article
« on: July 28, 2005, 04:45:38 PM »
Any reviews of the kali tudo DVD?

11
Martial Arts Topics / training in Dallas, TX?
« on: July 28, 2005, 04:39:58 PM »
Anyone training in the Dallas area?

12
Martial Arts Topics / re
« on: August 11, 2003, 04:59:13 PM »
So sorry for your loss.  I have been there.  Someone said to me the night my dad died, "these dark days will pass."  He was right.

13
Martial Arts Topics / re:
« on: July 16, 2003, 10:39:14 PM »
There are a few of us that are going to start training regularly her in OKC.  We all train BJJ and vale tudo together and have had some informal kali training.  I've exchanged emails with Myke and hopefully we'll get all of the Oklahoma people connected somehow.

14
Martial Arts Topics / re:
« on: June 04, 2003, 09:19:02 PM »
Spadaccino-  Thank you for your response.  I have read many of your posts regarding FMA on the weapons forum.  

I have continued to practice fencing once a week, in between training BJJ and vale tudo.  I have done fairly well in a very short time and plan to enter a novice competition this weekend.  I feel like my experience with other striking arts (boxing, MT, etc) has been an advantage over others.  I feel very comfortable with aggressive attacks and the timing of attacks with distance has been a relatively easy cross-over.  I have done well in bouting and I'm not sure how much of it is related to relentless attack rather than the "finer" technique.  Whatever that means.  I will take the time and effort to learn the finer points of fencing, but in the competitive setting I fall back on aggressive attack within the rules and structure of the foil.  Do you feel that this approach is losing the essence of the art?  Or do the truly successful competitors have a similar approach?

I feel like the experience has helped develop my sense of distance and timing.  I do not think I have learned much that would be practical in a real life sword fight.  The epee or sabre might be more applicable.  However it is unlikely that I would need such skills in this day.  I'd rather know how to fight with a knife, shoot straight or have the sense to run away.

Most importantly, I really enjoy the competition.  It is somewhat unrealistic in that I do not feel any threat to my life or limb.  I'm not worried about going home with black eyes, bruises or concussions.  But it still incites a rush and rewards aggressive actions.  I think anyone who enjoys combat sports would get some satisfaction from fencing as long as they entered with realistic expectations.

You said: "If you want to know more about modern Western sports fencing, I'll be happy to steer you in the right direction."
I would appreciate any such direction.

Sooner

15
Martial Arts Topics / any ever train in fencing?
« on: May 19, 2003, 09:20:09 PM »
This was a response from Mike_C that I thought was informative to bring back with my original post.


I totally agree with you on this, the notion of combativeness is sadly lacking from western fencing.
Thye tend to get quite upset if you say so too.

Its rooted in 18th and 19th century nobility duelling and sport not in true open combative stuff so its not really fair to judge it by something as combative as FMA arts for instance. I'm sure the peasants could fight well too but they did not leave us their arts, I am also sure too that noblemen did not hang around the seedier peasant places late at night hehe.

However there is alot in fencing thats very good for learning all around combative attributes. Alot of the footwork and timing concepts were used by Bruce Lee in the creation of Jun Fan Gung Fu and JKD so there is stuff there. Like anything else though you will only get out of it what you put into it.

We do a little pointy foil fencing in our ARMA group, but we allow all targets, no right of way rules, disarms, takedowns or throws allowed, aggresiveness is encouraged as long as you don't get stuck.
We often clash and end up on the ground and fight to either weapon kill or submission of some sort.
I myself use some of the body carriage concepts contained in the Pallas Armata rapier manual, body lowered, rear heel often off the ground even on lunges and alive hand in front of the face to save your ass when you have no defense left.

I find working on pointy weapon training helps my eye jab training and my dagger training footwork.

We are not very fancy looking and most fencers would thing us boorish and uncooth but we are tryingto do something most fencers are not really into.
We are trying to develop and all around western martial base, much like FMA has multiple weapons that all relate to each other in some way. The European masters of defence of years gone by taught multiple disciplines in thier academies, unarmed, boxing, dagger, rappier, halberd or spear, quarterstaff longsword and sword and buckler.

We are still focused on western longsword, a different beast entirely than pointy fencing and yet the footwork applies quite directly.

The key is to treat fencingl ike a martial art and not just call it that, play by the rules but then play openly on your own.
You would be amazed how much better fencing can be if you keep a combative outlook on it.
Don't listen to too much of the soft technique rhetoric, you have to go beyond what any teacher teaches you anyways.

I would also suggest that you read some historical manuals on the weapon of your choice, while a book is no replacement for a teacher, when you have no teacher what better source can you get than a manual written by a master of defence from rennaissance europe, a fellow who duellled, battled and taught in his time.

You might be surprised at how modern applications can come out of old western arts. For instance the baseball bat lends itself perfectly to the longsword style of fighting.

Fighting is everything, each weapon or new range you train in is just another piece in the puzzle.
Plus weapons are just so much fun to play with. :)

Mike
ARMA-SFL.com

16
Martial Arts Topics / any ever train in fencing?
« on: May 19, 2003, 09:18:35 PM »
I posted this thread on the archived board and thought I'd bring it back for any more input.


I have been looking for FMA instruction in my area, but haven't found anything satisfactory so I have investigated other forms of weapons training. I have found a few reputable fencing academies close to my home that produce successful competitors, so I decided to check out a class tonight.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but I was disappointed. I have been looking for some type of weapons training to complement my BJJ, sub grappling and stand-up. My first choice would be FMA, but the only instructors in my area spend the bulk of their time teaching JKD-type "grappling," stand up, etc.

I am intrigued by the dueling tradition and thought fencing might be interesting both for it's own sake and for incorporating concepts into my comprehensive fight "game."

I know VERY well that you cannot judge a person's strength and fighting skills by their appearance, but I got the impression that nary a one of these people had ever been in a real fight or would know what to do if they got into one. Not that this is a bad thing, but it makes me doubt the utility of this undertaking with my goals in mind.

Granted this was my first introduction to the sport but it impressed me as simply a pointing game, like a somewhat physical game of chess. There is no threat of real danger or injury so that sense of reality is completely removed.

I have great admiration for the activity and the discipline and skill that it requires, but I'm not sure it can offer what I seek. I suppose I was looking for a Dog Brothers style of fencing and came away sorely disappointed.

Any thought or rebuttal?

17
Martial Arts Topics / attn Crafty Dog
« on: May 08, 2003, 10:14:54 PM »
I have seen your reply on the Eskrima Digest where you referred somebody to a DBMA Association member in Oklahoma City.  Could you possibly give me contact information for that person?  Thanks.

18
Martial Arts Topics / anyone hear of Pambuan arnis?
« on: May 08, 2003, 04:28:40 PM »
I have finally found some FMA in my area and it is a school that teaches Pambuan arnis.  Anyone hear of or practice this form?  Any info greatly appreciated.

19
Martial Arts Topics / any ever train in fencing?
« on: May 08, 2003, 04:26:03 PM »
Thanks for the info.  There is some useful info on that sight.  I hadn't been there in quite some time.

20
Martial Arts Topics / any FMA in Oklahoma City?
« on: May 04, 2003, 01:48:51 AM »
Redlands has fencing and kendo, but no FMA.  That is where I plan to train if I decide to take up either of those disciplines.

21
Martial Arts Topics / any ever train in fencing?
« on: May 03, 2003, 05:33:38 PM »
Anyone here ever trained in fencing?  I've run across a couple of pretty high caliber fencing schools in my area.  I realize that it has devolved into a point-fighting sport, but I'm interested in hearing the opinions of anyone that has actually trained or been involved with those who train in fencing.  The duel aspect of it seems pretty cool.

Are there any correlations between fencing and FMA?

Would fencing develop any attributes useful in BJJ or vale tudo?

Any experience of insight appreciated.

22
Martial Arts Topics / any FMA in Oklahoma City?
« on: May 03, 2003, 05:31:39 PM »
I am interested in training more FMA and Dog Brothers-style stick fighting but I haven't found anywhere to train in OKC.  I know there are schools in Tulsa, but this is too far for me to travel.  Any ideas?

I know an instructor certified under Dan Inosanto by the name of Mike Parker, but he is too busy with work and JKD/MT teaching to focus on FMA.  Not sure of any others in the area.

I've gotten some instruction through my BJJ instructor, but he is too busy with a very large school to give much attention to FMA.

I have the Dog Brothers first tape set that I use to drill and for technique, but drilling in a vacuum only goes so far.

I'm even contemplating training fencing for the footwork, timing and range development.

Any suggestions?

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