Dog Brothers Public Forum

Whilst I was in Europe recently, I took the chance to train with this guy, Mick Coup. Interestingly a question turned up 2 weeks ago on a Q and A forum he moderates. So here is a view on this subject from the other side of the pond -
A guy asked a question about 'target selection for edged weapons'. Here is the reply:
Mick Coup:
"I'm sorry to say that I won't be posting any details that cover such topics mate - it isn't the way I operate.

There's far too much 'offensive knife' training offered in my opinion, and I know for a fact that all the claims of 'positive vetting' and background checks are in the main part nothing but lip service and a token gesture at appearing responsible.

Every year over here, and I'm sure over there as well, there are numerous seminars offered that promise to teach the covert carriage of knives, rapid deployment with all manner of maiming and killing methods, plus the all important 'escape the scene' postvention. For all intents and purposes this could be nothing more than an exercise in training a better criminal - thankfully most of what I've seen is substandard and not even up to scratch with the current crop of teenage knife-wielding thugs found in a Glasgow housing estate! It would even appear that some of these 'instructors' have simply watched 'West Side Story' a few times and gone from there...

Eligibility for such courses? Turn up with the money, maybe book in advance via email - if anyone doesn't believe me I'll point you at the next such event and you'll see for yourself...

I don't subscribe to this level of irresponsibility personally, and have little respect for those that do unfortunately.

Knife usage is something that I teach and offer extensive instruction in, real knife usage at that, not what I refer to as 'knife gymnastics' that is too commonly seen looking good on Youtube - but this is only if you have a justifiable purpose for the subject, and I either know you well or you are a serving member of the military/police - and most importantly, you have already covered the fundamental foundation material, because without this you'll have an accessory - but no vehicle to put it on!"

Sonny (Umpad) was very uncomfortable teaching anything from 'the dark side' as he called it. By that he meant material which involved a want, and a wish to do harm, without the necessity to do so. He would very occasionally demonstrate these type of attacks so the student could understand what it felt like to be on the receiving end of it, but he was against it in an of itself.
He was very reclusive as is well known, and interviewed all prospective students, I suspect for the very reasons in this thread. He was also very sensitive to how the training was affecting people and if you were getting obnoxious or cocky had no reservations about cutting you down to size (no pun intended!).
As was pointed out, the offensive and defensive ends are both apparent in the teaching, and you have to see what the 'dark' looks like to be able to learn to deal with it.
Personally I believe the mindset instilled during training and the atmosphere the teacher creates are very important. Sonny was very clear that in training you left your ego at the door and that you respected the time you trained. As he put it 'This is not sport, nor competition. No bullsh#t'.!
As for Youtube etc, there is truly a universe of information out there, but it is something very different to learn froma teacher than it is to learn from a video. As the saying goes, 'information is not knowledge and knowledge is not wisdom'. It's the teachers that are key.

 ".........I AM smiling" !!
That looks brilliant

Cool old footage of O-Sensei with Bokken and Bo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i27obVRzIPc

That's awesome! I shop there
Yay! even the 'hippies' are fighting back 

Thanks guys.
Pretty much all the footage I have is of me training with Sonny. Everybody got a copy of their workouts, and Sonny kept one for himself. We reviewed, and so did he. He said he often didn't know 'what was going to come out', so he liked to have a video to review. It's a long process looking through them now, but I hope to post more stuff as I come across it.

Hauskaa Joulua ja onnellista Uutta Vuotta!!

@Ronin,
Mayweather has very good timing, finds good openings, plays range very well and has great body angles and evasive skills .... In the system of eskrima I study (Visayan Corto Kadena), these skills are what our, so called, 'TippyTappy' drills develop. Perhaps for him also .....?

"Food" for self defense ....?!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7782122.stm

Sambo demo clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCCnChieZTc
Very smooth. Nice transitions.

Actually, Richie Grannon found it and posted it on his site, I just thought it should keep going 

Here's a link to an interview by Terry O'Neill with Gary Spiers, from "Fighting Arts" magazine in 1986.
It's long, but well worth the read: Tough upbringing + traditional martial arts training + a lifetime of real life 'encounters' as a doorman and security in Australia and the UK.
http://www.cqbservices.com/?page_id=38

I enjoyed "Hero" also. My favorite move is the switch to back grip during the assassination attempt on the Emperor, where 'Broken Sword' pulls the cut at the last moment. I've seen my teacher use that very same move during sparring  .

I like GM's idea alot. That would be awesome! Even for average martial artists too ....

OK, so I couldn't resist checking out some of the related clips from the previous one. This one would have perhaps been better in the 'Pre emption and sucker punches' thread, but here it is anyway:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shPj5xidsQo&feature=related

Yeah, he always seems to get his leg in the right place for the trip or sweep .....
Seems like taking out the legs is a great thing to be able to pull off, especially if you are smaller, against someone bigger and heavier.

Apols for posting this if it is already up somewhere. Thought it was interesting.
Lyoto Machida takedown GIFs
http://www.spladdle.com/?p=124

The fact that this was a duel clearly changes the dynamic of the interaction from that of a 'shanking', where I am assuming the object of the attack is presumed unarmed and unaware. Also in this case it seems that neither party wanted to die, just win - in this case judged by red conceding - which for me, makes this clip particularly interesting.
Red perhaps tried to fake, but "lack of commitment" ? Only because black gave him no opening to go for, as far as I could see.
Also seems like the couple times black actually went for a cut, they were all aimed high (face, upper body). The second time red really had to get his head out of the way which caused the backpedaling to accelerate. The deepening of his stance and the throwing out of a slash to gain range were indeed his ultimate downfall. He left his side totally open by extending forward whilst black was timing him and ready to lunge.
What I'm thinking about as a hypothetical exercise, is if in red's shoes, as it were, how would you fight black?

Good find, Tony. Alot to notice there....

@ Blackwolf 101:
I've traveled only once through South Dakota, and found the area where you grew up to be very interesting and beautiful. It has a very powerful atmosphere.
I think you are right that training Martial Arts can be a most positive experience, especially with a good teacher. The combination of mental, physical and emotional training, along with learning about history, culture and 'human nature' are great tools to take into all walks of life. I wish you the best of luck with your training and teaching.
I still wonder sometimes, at how something that seems so violent, brutal and conflict driven like stick/blade fighting can develop calm, centered, decent human beings .....  weird

Zurkhaneh - Persian Martial Arts training:
http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=6D2ar9_BptM

OK, so there is not technically any 'equipment' in this clip, but following on the idea of how to see the "open spaces between the moving objects" ....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqOJp9Wmayo

With thanks to my training partner and elder brother Kev Baptiste for pointing out how some of Maestro Sonny's ideas appear in Mayweather's boxing.   

If you have a desire and a talent for something, seems that you should go do it regardless of gender.
On the other hand, fighting as spectacle, and fighting for money add a whole other aspect to the thing. It's not a pretty business.
Personally I don't like seeing anyone get pummelled into the ground, either because the other fighter was way superior, or purely due to an ability to endure pain.
Now skill and technique .... THAT'S fun to watch.

@ Jogo do Pao
I'll call him - I'm glad one of us labeled our training vids accurately

..."Ajarn Chai gave me the cruel idea to tape push pins "tacks" to the heels of the feet to make people stay on their toes.  I have yet to try it but the concept states how important it is to Chai so I myself make sure my students stay "tall" on the balls of the feet. "

LOL! Nice idea!!
Staying on the balls of the feet is key. Couldn't agree with you more.