BRINGING MARTIAL ARTS TO LIFE
MARTIALARTSSHOW the
THE NEC BIRMINGHAM 12th & 13th MAY 2012
December 2011 Vol. 36 No. 12 ÂŁ3.95
PLUS...
EIGHTEEN Years on
The Battle of The Sexes - Which is Best, Self Defence or Martial Art? December Training - Steph Kelly, The Night Martial Arts Saved my Life >>>
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VOL 36 NO. 12 DECEMBER 2011 PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF
Is it that time of year already I hear you ask? Where did 2011 go to? Doesn’t the time fly by, well it does when you are hard training towards whatever goals you may have or as busy as we are here at Combat. So stay tuned for a LOT of new and exciting developments in 2012!
Paul Clifton paul@martialartsinprint.com
SENIOR DESIGNER Kevin Thompson
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hadley Austin
WEBMASTER Nick Harley
ADVERTISING/SALES EXECUTIVE Jan Harley 0121 351 6930
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COMBAT is published by M.A. Publications ltd, Unit 20, Maybrook Business Park, Maybrook Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 1BE. The publishers reserve the right to reject editorial and/or advertising material as they see fit. The Publishers accept no responsibility for the return of unsolicited material. However, the Publishers will endeavour to return such matter providing that it is accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. Any material accepted by the Publishers shall be revised or altered should the Publisher deem it necessary to do so. The act of submitting manuscripts and/or materials shall be considered an express warranty that such material is original and in no way infringes upon the rights of others. It is expressly forbidden for any part of the magazine to be reported whatsoever without the permission of Editor / Publishers. The views or comments expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the editor or Publisher. Distribution by COMAG, Tavistock Works, Tavistock Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE.
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COLUMNISTS
Aran Dharmeratnam Gavin Mulholland Joe Hallett Kerry-Louise Norbury Mike Finn
PHOTOGRAPHY Carrie Austin 07716266854 Film Media Phil Hobden Mike Murphy
CONTRIBUTORS KUNG FU Brian Dossett David Wing Guy Holland Mick Clarke Peter Browne Rich Hinchcliffe Richard Thomas Stuart Rider Tom Hibbert
Derek Frearson Iain Armstrong Jeremy Yau Michael Tse Simon Lau Vince Hinde Yap Leong
COMMENT By the time you read this we will have already staged the Hall of Fame and inducted in some great names such as: Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, Cynthia Rothrock, Terry O’Neill, Master Sken, Braulio Estima, Julie Kitchen, movie legend Wong Ho (Casanova Wong) and several other great Martial Arts ambassadors. We will have also launched our first APP, staged the first ever seminar with the founders of modern day kick boxing: Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, Jeff Smith and Aisais Duenas and layed the ground for what is already going to be THE BEST event yet: The Martial Arts Show Live 2012. See, I told you we were busy! Now, Christmas might be the time of year most of us let our hair down (well, those of us who have still got any) wind down our training routines, eat a little bit more and maybe have a drink or two, but for some (like us here at Combat) the show just keeps going on and this month we have stepped up the pace with some great articles by some great new authors. This month we welcome a couple of new columnists to our ranks in the forms of Alexis Rufus and Steve Buttler. Alexis has been kickboxing for 7 years and has fought and trained all over the world. Over the coming month’s she will be giving us exclusive insight’s and tips into her training regimes and knowledge she has picked up from around the globe. Steve Butler has been involved at the top level of British sport pretty much all of his life. As a young boy he was a British 100m title and record holder but after injury he was forced to give this up and instead turned to martial arts. Over the years and because of injury problems Steve has gained some invaluable knowledge of training processes and fitness regimes, some which he will be sharing with you right here, each month in his monthly column. For those of you that remember the “Superstars” TV program, Steve is a little like Judo legend, Brain Jacks. He has an unbeatable fitness level as you can see if you come to The Martial Arts Show Live next May where he will stage several feats of incredible stamina and strength (www. themartialartsshowlive.com). What would you do if you were confronted and attacked abroad whilst on holiday? That’s exactly the question Steph Kelly was posed with when she went on holiday to Spain a few years ago. On a girl’s night out Steph was approached by 6 other women intent on causing her some serious harm and She had to literally fight for survival, using her martial arts training to stay alive. In this issue, you can read the story of that night and how martial arts can really save your life! I’m sure we’ve all seen some form of performance Martial Arts, such as the Shaolin Monks or any of the many performers at The Martial Arts Show Live. Well Linda Hall has been performing performance Wing Chun for 7 years now and wants to start getting more children involved in her beloved art. She will be taking her special brand of performing martial arts to music, into schools to help children not only become more familiar with martial arts but also help them stay active and keep fit. Learn more about Linda and her work on pages 90 - 93. We have our usual helping of Karate and Taekwondo along with much, much more for your visual enjoyment, so read on and until next month we wish you a merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year and we will see you all rejuvenated and ready to go for another year in 2012. Until next month, Oss!
KOREAN ARTS Dave Oliver David Allerton Hee Il Cho Keith Evans Tony Vohra
KARATE
Chris Denwood Mike Finn Neil Horton Peter Allen Rannoch McDonald Ronnie Colwell Steve Arneill
THAI BOXING Dan Green Richard Smith Shaun Boland Tony Myers
SPORT MARTIAL ARTS
BOXING
Humphrey Broome Joe Hallett John Swift Neville Wray Peter Edwards
FULL CONTACT
HEALTH/ STRENGTH/ FITNESS
Luke Calvert Mark Wilson-Smith Bill Wallace Cris Janson-Piers Dean Sugden Joe Lewis Kerry-Louise Norbury Paul Hennesey Steve Humphries
Drew Price Gavin Sibson Neil Rosiak Philip Malin Silvio Simac Jon Watson
SELF PROTECTION/ DEFENCE
Aran Dharmeratnam Kevin O’Hagan Morne Swaenopal Peter Browne
PHOTOGRAPHY Carrie Austin Martyn Skipper
MMA
Carl Fisher Dave O’Donnell Gavin Mulholland Rob Nutley
We are on the look out for enthusiastic martial arts fans that would like to become area/regional reporters. Fancy yourself as a team player? genuine and ‘real’ martial arts fans call now on: 0121-351-6930
CONTENTS REGULARS
64
6 -
MARTIAL ARTS NEWSLINE
10 -
TRAIN HARD - FIGHT EASY - With Alexis Rufus
14 -
ON THE RECORD - With Steve Butler
20 -
THE NEGOTIATOR - With Aran Dharmeratnam
22 -
THE DRUID SPEAKETH - By Rob Devane
26 -
WANT TO LEARN M.A? - With Dave Lomas
34 -
JKD FOR ALL - With Kwoklyn Wan
36 -
CHATTERBOX - With Kerry Louise Norbury
38 -
THE BUNBUN SERIES - By Mike Finn
42 -
COMBAT FILM - By Phil Hobden
50 -
FORMS FORUM - With Joe Hallett
52 -
COMBAT HELPLINE - With Master Jake Ogden
56 -
SHINOBI SOLDIERS - An Investigation Into The Ninja
FEATURES 60 -
WELCOME TO THE FUTURE OF FIGHTWEAR Chi Company - By John Broughton
62 -
DO OR DIE? Attacked Abroad! The Night Martial Arts Saved my Life
64 -
UFC By Bryan Levick
70 -
WHICH IS BEST SELF DEFENCE OR MARTIAL ART By Guy Bloom
74 -
SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS By Les Obre
76 -
HAGGANAH'S ISRAELI TACTICAL KNIFE FIGHTING Part 3 By Darren Le Fevre
82 -
BUNJINKAN NINJA TO (BIKEN) By Dave Giddings
84 -
SELF DEFENCE FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS By Colm Whooley
86 -
TO CONFRONT OR TO EVADE Enter Teuk Gong Moo Sool - Part 4
90 -
LINDA HALL I Believe the Children are our Future
90 102
TRADITIONAL
110
96 -
THE E.S.K.K. COLUMN - With Chris Denwood
100 - KARATE - Tradition & Honour 102 - ATEMI JUTSU - The Art of Body Striking
108 - TANG SOO DO - By Master David Allerton 110 -
THE REVERSE TURNING KICK By Stuart Dutton
112 -
BRIGHTON TAEKWONDO TEAM SUCCESS at Disneyland Paris
THE NEC BIRMINGHAM 12TH & 13TH May 2012
10
Art of
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TRAIN HARD - FIGHT EASY
Eight Limbs With Alexis Rufus
I have been training for about 9 years now and fighting for 7. I have always been into sports and fitness from an early age, but tired of mundane workouts at the gym, I was desperate to find something different. A friend of mine suggested I try out a kick boxing class, which I did and became totally hooked. My competitive streak surfaced very quickly and I knew I wanted to take things further, and I needed to challenge myself. I changed gyms and found a fighters gym in Victoria where I met my trainer, mentor and friend Mati Parks (former world Thai Boxing champion). I saw him win his European title in 2005. The moment he stepped out of the ring I said to him, “I want to do that! Will you train me for a fight?” He agreed and trained me full time for a year before I stepped into the ring for my first fight. I remember feeling really excited, slightly nervous but it was more of a nervous energy which I somehow managed to channel in the right path and stayed positive and won. It was all over very quickly but as soon as I stepped out of the ring, I just wanted to get back in to fight again! Mati continued to train me, and I quickly moved up to training five or six days a week. The training got harder and the intensity greater, but it just made me want to train more and more. I very soon moved onto Thai Boxing (Muay Thai) which is what I now train and compete in. Muay Thai is a beautiful sport known as the “Art of Eight Limbs” or the “Science Of Eight Limbs” because it makes use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes, thus using eight points of contact, as opposed to two points (fists) in boxing and four points (hands and feet) commonly used in
other martial arts. It is based heavily on tradition and respect. Originating in Thailand, research has shown it is probably over 3,000 years old. The training can be gruelling and painful at times, but the rewards you get from it far outweigh the cons. You have to be 110% dedicated, be prepared to sacrifice a lot in order to achieve your dreams. I have faced scepticism, doubt, mockery and disbelief from people on my journey, but I never gave up no matter how hard things got. I am now current 3 times World Champion, having had 21 fights with only four losses. I’m hopefully on my way to win two more fights before the end of the year. The sport builds overall body strength, increases stability, stamina, balance, control, co-ordination and can build overall confidence even in the most timid of people. It appeals to people on all levels because you can train to just get fit, to learn self-defence or do it because you just want to fight. The key is to finding the right trainer and the right club. I feel blessed that I met Mati; he has taught me so much, not just about the sport but about myself and what I am capable of achieving. He never once stopped believing in me or my abilities and still after seven years he is teaching me new things. I travel to Thailand every year to train as well. I think anyone with an interest in this sport should go to Thailand at
some point, learn from the Thais and really immerse yourself in the place, the people and the sport. I have found my time in Thailand provided me with some of the most valuable experiences of my life. As a fighter you have to be selfish. You need no distractions, 100% focus and routine. Everyday life presents so many distractions and if you are a fighter, you can’t have anything upset your training regime. This is why if I am training for a big fight I always try and get to Thailand for the last few weeks of my training. It’s hard for some people to understand the person you become when you are fight training, but luckily most of my friends and family have become used to the way I am when I am training for a fight and are supportive. But it hasn’t always been that way. I used to work in an office so I had to fit my training in around my work hours, training before and after office hours. But now I am fortunate enough to work at Stars Gym in Battersea, where I teach Thai Boxing alongside my role as Office Manager role at the gym. I train at Stars as well as Keddles Gym in Orpington. I train 6 days a week, twice a day as well as going running and undertaking strength and conditioning work. My sessions consist of a mixture of bag work, pad work, technique, strength and conditioning and sparring... WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT
ON THE RECORD With Steve Butler
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An inspirational story of a martial artist/fitness professional becoming a world champion in an unexpected arena, in his own words. It was 23 years ago this month that I won the English Schools 200 metres title in the under fifteens age group. In 1988 I had set new British records for a 13 year old over 100 and 200 metres clocking 11.2 and 23.0 second. In the same race was Darren Campbell 17 months my senior who finished third. Darren went on to win Olympic Silver over 200 metres and Olympic Gold in the 4*100 metres relay. Having raced him on a number of occasions that year it was clear even back then that he had a special talent. At that time I felt that when I performed to the best of my ability there was every reason to be hopeful that I would one day compete at an Olympic Games. I had been inspired by the performances of the British athletes at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles including the likes of Daley Thompson, Sebastian Coe, Tessa Sanderson and Neil Adams in Judo. Of course it was the amazing American athlete Carl Lewis who took the world by storm. In November that same year, having scored five tries in a school rugby match in my own age group I bowed to peer pressure from the P.E teacher
and school colleagues and agreed to play in a sixth form rugby match against another school where the lads were 4-5 years older than myself. Of course my parents were none the wiser. My pace and power was still obvious despite my age but I was still smaller and more fragile than my older opponents. With the match evenly poised I picked up the ball from the back of the scrum shortly after which both teams collapsed and fell onto my outstretched leg. The P.E teacher walked me home saying that he felt that it was a twisted ankle but suggested to my parents to get me x-rayed at the hospital if they were worried. Of course they were as they’d not have consented to me playing outside my own age group. The x-ray revealed a fractured right lower tibia, the worst possible place for me as a sprinter when I was still growing. The growth plate had to be shut prematurely to prevent abnormal bone growth. I wouldn’t really know until I was able to run again whether I would perform with the same panache. In 1989 returning very late into the outdoor season, I won the British title over 100 metres in the under
15 age group. Whilst I was pleased I knew that the enforced leg length discrepancies were causing me to not run with the same balance and fluidity. I didn’t admit this to myself at the time as it was a lot for me as a 14 year old to comprehend. I continued to be competitive at national level in the forthcoming years but spent more time off the running track than on it with back, hamstring injuries and stress fractures etc. With the physiotherapists of the generation seemingly lacking the knowledge of core stability training I required, as well as shoe orthotics being primitive compared to today I really struggled. The shoe orthotics I had failed to stay in my shoe when I ran. As an 18 year old I recall losing to Marlon Devonish over 100 and 200 metres at the Midland Counties Championships by two hundredths of a second in both sprints. The following week I beat Marlon over 100 metres having had another weeks training. However, a further week on I tore a hamstring yet again. I was broken hearted; my parents just couldn’t afford the physiotherapy bills anymore. I walked away from the sport and wondered for many a year why going to the Olympics was not my destiny. Marlon went on to win Olympic 4*100 metres Gold with Darren Campbell. Marlon and I got on very well and he was one of the few people who encouraged me to return to the sport. It was never really possible though as in my day to day life I continued to suffer with sometimes crippling back pain.
COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK
In future years I sometimes found life quite mundane as many sportspersons do when they retire. It was impossible for me to train for aesthetic reasons and general fitness. This just wasn’t me having aspired to sporting goals for so many years...
TRAINING TIPS Training the body to generate force on unstable surfaces such as on fit balls increases muscle fiber activation as your body compensates for the instability by firing more muscle fibers to stabilise the resistance. Because of this in martial arts/self defence you will be better prepared for grappling on the ground and due to training the body to generate force on unstable surfaces you will be better equipped offensively and defensively. Exercises to get you started with your core stability training:
1) Fit ball Foot Transfers
From the keeling position raise one foot sole forward until it is on top of the ball. Alternate raising the feet. As you become more skilled advance this exercise by taking your hands off the ball.
2) ‘Supermans’ or ‘Supergirls’
From the kneeling position outstretch the left arm and right leg and visa versa. Consider working in sets whereby you train your body to restart sets on the minute, every minute over both shorter and longer durations so that the core muscles and prime movers fatigue less quickly in your martial arts/self defence.
THE DRUID SPEAKETH!
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december training
By Robert Devane
How did it suddenly become December?! Time flies when you are having fun (and even if you’re not!). 2011 has flown in and for some that’s a good thing. It hasn’t been an easy year for anyone due to the global recession and the various World problems. Plan for success and shape your plans for the New Year. I know I will give it a good go. Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2012. Here’s to a better year and a better you. December is a strange month for training. Some people get completely lazy and take the whole month off (wimps!) and others try hard to continue with their regular routine. Neither option for me is the best way to go. It is important to recharge the batteries for the New Year but at the same time if you chillax too much you will start 2012 feeling fat, unfit and under confident. I wouldn’t try to keep a tough regime going throughout December unless I had a fight around New Years Eve. I did fight one year in America over the Christmas period. I was never so unhappy training and dieting while all my family and friends were enjoying the holidays. If you do try
to train as normal you run the risk of starting the New Year burnt out. The other thing that can happen is that you will fail to do your normal routine properly due to the extra social activities, the extra food, the extra drink and the festive environment. So, what’s the plan? The plan is to switch up your training. Most people have stuck to the same or similar routine all year around. December is the perfect month to change the format. Get back to training for fun and leave boring routine. It’s also the perfect time to be working on something different as there is generally less pressure this month (no competitions etc.). Why did you originally start martial arts training?
Fitness, defence, sport etc.? Get back to training the area that you most enjoy. Leave beating your personal best scores for the new goals in January. Right now, do some different training this month. You may even train less frequently this month so make the most of and enjoy each session. Here are a few ideas which may help to switch up your training this month:
Get Back “Faking” Misleading fakes and feints are what martial arts is all about e.g. fake right cross to left hook or fake front kick to roundhouse kick. I’m sure you already have loads.
Tabata Drills If you have little time and want to tire yourself out fast, try Tabata training. Do an activity for 20 seconds on (hard and fast) and 10 seconds off, from 6 to 10 times. You can do this with most exercises and strikes e.g. constant jab and cross or burpees or alternating roundhouse kicks etc.
Footwork
Val Burke works on his handstand with COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK
This is the first thing to get neglected during a normal routine. Who doesn’t want to be more nimble when attacking and defending? Run rings around your opponent. Try out the agility ladder if you haven’t used it before.
Agility Training There is loads to do in this area from plyometrics (jumping drills) to gymnastics. Find something that’s challenging enough but not too hard. Walking on your hands will improve balance, strength and ground work. How’s your stretching, press ups, chin ups, techniques, forms, self-defence drills, weapons training, speedball and bag work, jump and spin kicks, power punching, speed striking, ab exercises, makiwara training, strength and conditioning drills etc. etc. etc.? Give something new a go or resurrect some training that you’ve neglected. Above all, enjoy yourself and get back to what is most important about training – having fun. Thank you for joining me here, I enjoy writing this monthly column and I hope you will all keep reading it in 2012. Thank you to Paul Clifton for giving me the opportunity to express my views and to put my writings out into the World. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and a super New Year. Best wishes – Robert. Robert ‘The Druid’ Devane is a professional instructor and fighter. He runs Martial Arts Incorporated which has 2 full time Dojos in Dublin. Robert can be contacted through the website: www.martialartsinc.com
Antonio Matos on the balance board
JKD FOR ALL With Kwoklyn Wan
Martial Development As a student of the martial arts one of the hardest things to deal with is to not get drawn in to trying to learn a new technique every time you train. For many years I went to “my” martial arts class and was taught a new technique at each session and like so many others before me, I couldn’t remember the complex movements after the end of each session. I was never given the chance to ingrain the techniques learned, to become part of me; they were simply a series of movements that I had to remember. My training began to change one day when we were sparring in class and my training partner launched him self at me. Without any hesitation I fired my “lead straight” and caught him just before his feet touched the ground, sending him through the air (approximately 10 foot), where he collapsed in a heap on the floor. From this point on I began to train more productively, to the point where 70% of my time is spent working on my PRIMARY weapons. There are Fifteen Attributes that I work on to improve my own martial arts, these are: Agility, Balance , Coordination, Fitness, Flexibility , Grace, Knowledge, Muscular Endurance, Power, Reaction, Rhythm, Skill, Speed, Strength and Timing. Each one can be applied to every single technique you have ever learned, from Kicking to Punching, to Blocking and Grappling.
10 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK
Another essential skill is learning to recognise the types of fighter you will, at some point, eventually encounter. I don’t mean style of fighter (e.g. Boxer, Judo Player etc) but the primordial first reaction your opponent gives you when the fight begins. I have endured many hours of long training sessions, countless hours of sparring and have only ever encountered five types of opponents. These are: • The Runner - This type of opponent regains his outside fighting range as soon as you move towards them. • The Blocker - This type of opponent likes to let you get close enough to strike and obstructs each attack. • The Interceptors – This type of opponent is very aggressive and relies heavily on offensive movements to strike at the same time as you move forwards or begin delivering an attack.
• The Grappler, this opponent is happiest on the ground and will, at any given chance, take you down with them. • The Crasher, This type of opponent tends not to have much skill, but will, with complete conviction charge at you like an enraged bull. Over the course of the next few months I’d like to share with you my own Martial Development drills and Invite some of the Worlds greatest Instructors to share theirs too!
The Jab - Catch Drill. This drill will help develop your Timing & Distancing. Equipment Required: Training Partner & Boxing Gloves (Not essential) The Drill: 1). Stand in front of your partner, in a high guard position.
2). Partner fires a high Jab, ensuring he has done enough work to land the shot. (Beat 1) 3). Move the rear hand to catch the Jab, approximately 15cm in front of your face. 4). Partner recovers to high guard position. 5). You now fire your jab again ensuring you have done enough work to land the shot. (Beat 2) 6). Partner rear hand catches the jab 15cm in front of their face 7). Recover to a high guard position. 8). Partner re- fires a Jab (Beat 3) 9). Move your rear hand to catch the Jab approximately 15cm in front of your face. 10). Partner recovers to high guard position.
This drill is known as a 3 beat drill. Partner Fires (beat 1), You Fire (Beat 2), Your Partner Re-Fires Beat 3), After the 3rd beat, move around practising your footwork. The key is to try and maintain the starting distance you began the drill from. The drill now repeats but this time you fire the first shot.
Mirror Drill. This drill will help develop Distance, Balance and Coordination. No equipment is needed but you will need a training partner. Starting from a guard position facing your partner, far enough away so your partner cannot strike without taking a step forwards. (The aim of the drill is to mirror your partner’s movement, maintaining the distance so your partner is always a step away from striking range).
The drill is designed to give you total awareness of your partner’s movements and the distance they are away from you. You must maintain the range so your partner always has to move towards you to strike. When doing this drill try and move effortlessly across the floor as each movement should flow with one another and you should aim to be as graceful as possible. Try to avoid erratic stop start movements. For further details please contact Kwoklyn Wan on 0116 253 8668 kwoklynwan@yahoo.co.uk www.urbanmartialarts.com www.martialdevelopment.co.uk www.kwoklynwan.com
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Laying The Smack An Interview with Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson makes a much welcome return to ‘grown up ‘films with Faster, a violent bloody revenge film, movies after a string of films aimed at younger audiences. Combat Film interviewed The Rock-less Dwayne Johnson about his latest role. How come you aren’t billed as “The Rock” for this movie? Are you done using that nickname? DWAYNE JOHNSON: I wanted to be billed as Dwayne Johnson. “The Rock” is the brand. It will always be there. I’ll always be “The Rock” but I never wanted to make a big deal about it. Before I started acting I was a professional wrestler for a company called the W.W.E. that, at that time was called the W.W.F. and it’s a global wrestling company and together we created the character of “The Rock.” I just want to be billed in film as Dwayne Johnson, but I’m always open to being called that. You’ve done so many different genres, from family comedy to action comedy. What made you choose this project? DWAYNE JOHNSON: I read it and I loved it and I wanted to become this man. I wanted to play this role and I was excited about the challenge of playing something meatier. I didn’t want to get back into the action genre and make a movie that was a typical action movie. There’s a place for that in our business and I have made them but I wanted to do something a bit more substantial. This script came along and I really, really enjoyed it. There were great challenges for me as an actor. The first being the fact that my character doesn’t say a lot of words, so having the great challenge of trying to hold an audiences for an 12 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK
hour and a half and not say much at all, but yet always make sure that there was constant tension being read throughout all these scenes – I knew that was a challenge. The fact that the characters were so well written – again, it’s a very simple backdrop and storyline: you took the one thing that I loved away from me and you ripped him away, my brother. The only thing I have is the ability to make you pay for that. And you’re going to pay. I love that notion and it resonated with me because I would do anything to protect my family. I’d go to the ends of the earth to protect them. I would protect them physically. Have you ever been called the new “Schwarzenegger”? DWAYNE JOHNSON: Sure. It’s an honor. He was an idol of mine when I was younger. When I was thirteen I started working out and I thought that was a way for me to make it. I thought, “Wow, I could build my body, I could become something.” When you’re a teenage kid and you’re starting to work out or you’re in sports and athletics, you’re reading magazines pertaining to the sport, so Schwarzenegger was on the cover of all these bodybuilding magazines at that time. He had just come into doing Conan the Barbarian and the first Terminator and movies like that. I thought, “Wow, what a guy. You came from nothing and you built your body and became a great success and then parlayed that into acting.” Plus,
when I was eight I loved the idea of being Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones. I loved that. That was my very first thought, “I’d love to be him. This guy who’s saving the day and has a beautiful girl and he’s funny and charming.” I loved that idea. So, when I hear comparisons to people like Schwarzenegger, it’s an honor. And on top of that, when I first came into the business ten years ago, he openly supported me and we became friends. He had openly talked about my desire to come into acting and dominate in action but then do so much more. Do you think the two of you might team up for a movie together? DWAYNE JOHNSON: There’s always a chance for everything. I’m always open to that. I saw The Expendables a couple of weeks ago and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed his scene with Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone. I thought it was witty, funny dialogue that still had a great layer of masculinity and manliness to it. What is it about acting you like so much? DWAYNE JOHNSON: I like being able to explore different characters, whether they’re in comedic roles, action roles or even if they have a bit more layers of drama to them or a family comedy that explore the nuances of family...
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COMBAT FILM By Phil Hobden
RIP Lonsdale & City Cinema. It saddens me to hear that my former University cinema, The Lonsdale & City Cinema in Carlisle has not only shut down but is now lying derelict after a fire at the end of 2010. Now I haven’t been to Carlisle since I left in 1998 so my patronage of said cinema had lapsed a long time ago, but it was a place that had such a significant impact on my life that I would never forgot my times there. The cinema was one of a dying breed of fully independent local run picture houses and it’s great service, quirky screens (screen 3 was so small it was like a lounge!) and old fashion traditions( ice cream selling at the front before the film started) gave it a character that the Multiplex monstrosities could only ever dream of. It’s also where I saw a raft of great and terrible films over the 3 year period I was at University. From Titanic to Now & Then, From Star Wars Phantom Menace to Batman & Robin... I Ed, Sian, Andrew, Billy, Neil, Ross, Gary and many others would make our often four times a week pilgrimage to a building that would become an icon for our 3 years in England’s most northern city. It was my second home for my three year stay and allowed me to discover such classics as Trainspotting and er... Mortal Kombat 2. I remember my partner at the time gripping my hand so hard during the midnight screening of Scream that she was made me jump! I remember seeing Chasing Amy, whilst Billy my flat mate at the time snored his way through the film next to me (he liked it apparently!) I remember having a stand up argument with the projectionist during a screening of Tin Cup because I put a foot on the seat in front and he rushed down to tell me off. Oh and i remember falling asleep through a screening of The English Patient, much to the anger of my girlfriend at the time. But mostly I remember turning up on a Friday to see the latest new release at the 2pm screening for often as little as £1.50, going to the concessions stand and having my Coke & Mint Cornetto handed to me before I’d even asked. It was always the little things that impressed the most. continued on next pages...
FORMS FORUM With Joe Hallett
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Battle Of The Sexes In the last edition of the Forms Forum I spoke about training towards a forms competition and using my own experience to explain the physical and mental preparation you need to succeed. I mentioned I was training for Europe’s most prestigious tournament “The Irish Open”. This would be the first time I had stepped onto a Tournament mat to compete since 2007. Many of my peers were surprised to see me back on the mats after such a long break. I put 110% in to my routines and it showed when I received a bronze medal in my musical weapons section but more importantly was the highest ranked English competitor in that section. Afterwards many people congratulated me and asked why don’t I compete anymore. Well, here is my reason. When I started competing my goals were to train hard and win British, European and World titles and along the way meet and train with some of the best athletes in the world. By 2007 those goals were met and I changed my path and decided to concentrate on coaching the next generation of forms competitors, trying to fix the faults in the refereeing system in the UK plus taking my performance team to the next level, but “NEVER SAY NEVER”!
Caitlin Dechelle
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This month’s edition is concentrating on the debate that has been going on for years, Male and Female competitors. Should they compete together in forms? After my trip to Ireland my thoughts turned to the F.I.T (Forms Invitational Tournament) and ISKA British Championships, which were both organized by myself. The question Do I split the sexes or put them together? Kept crossing my mind, I finally came to the decision to put them together, let me explain why. Firstly, since becoming ISKA Forms Director and hosting my own events looking at the list of competitors afterwards the numbers were down on female competitors. Often this resulted in them performing their form and receiving a medal with no competition at all, what is the point of that. After having conversation with the female competitors in this country they seem to prefer to compete against their male opposites and prove they can hold their own. I often hear a valid argument against this, when competitors hit 13 years old and above, male competitors start to build muscle and get physically stronger than their female counterparts, often resulting in the male competitor performing harder and stronger routines than females. However, is
this used as an excuse rather than reason? Looking further than the UK tournament scene and looking at NASKA circuit (North American Sports Karate Association) I watch the likes of Lauren Keaney, Becca Ross, Caitlin Dechelle, Micayla Johnson, Stephanie Figueroa and even the younger generation Mckenzie Emory, Amanda Chen, Sammy Smith please check these young female athletes they are inspirational, All these reaching the stage and CMX (Creative, Musical, Extreme) finals. So I ask myself is it something they drink or do they train that much harder than the UK female competitors. I don’t think it is that they train harder but they train differently. They have more competitors to compete against and push them harder and they train with fellow male team members on a regular basis. We have a great bunch of female competitors in the UK Helen Osborn, Paige Cerson, Megan Abel, Jade Maltby, Georgia Devaney, Holly Bagshaw, Ellen Michael, Georgia Shaw, Jessica Holmes, Chloe Michael, Emily Thew just to name a few. All of you are capable and already have proved you can beat the boys recently at the F.I.T AND
ISKA British Championships both Megan, Jade and Holly all receiving a higher ranked position than their male opposition. I believe if you girls put your mind to it you can achieve greatness in a male dominated sport. Even off the tournament circuit, watching the Martial Arts tricking world grow we are seeing female trickers shining through with the likes of Michelle Vaquilar and Jolene Tran who recently played Mileena in the web series of Mortal Kombat Legacy. Both ladies busting moves out at the recent Loop kicks Camp 2011 including power moves like Snap swipe. Believe me that is a hard move to nail!
So girls train hard work on the execution of your techniques, add more power and speed to every punch and kick make use of paddles and focus pads. Never say you can’t beat your male opponents as it has been done before and is becoming more common on the circuits. I would prefer to always split male and female competitors but if there are not enough female competitors you will have to go against the boys so be prepared because it looks
like the boys will be running scared soon. Please use the forms forum on combatmag.co.uk to continue the debate on male and females competing together. Next month I will start the long discussion of New School versus Old School. Have we forms competitors and Martial Arts Trickers gone too far away from our grass roots? If you have any thoughts on this topic please email me at formsforum@ joehallett.co.uk. Until next time I will leave you with this thought - who in your eyes is the leading female forms competitor in the UK? Be sure to check out www.martialhouse.co.uk for your say in their quiz.
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life training
COMBAT HELPLINE With Master Jake Ogden
Welcome back to my column and thank you for all of your comments and questions. This month I will cover how martial arts can help in every day life and in relation to sport as I found out in my earlier years of being a professional rugby player. Martial arts means so many different things to so many different people and I not just talking the about the difference in art forms. I’m talking about how different people use martial arts in everyday life and what it means to them psychologically and physically. I have taught thousands of people over my teaching career and many of those individuals had, and still do have a story to tell of how they used their martial arts to change and better their life. I remember a lady in one of my first clubs who used Jado Kuin Do to help her through times of difficulty. To cut a long story short, this lady arrived home from work one day to find out her husband was being unfaithful to her. With this she stormed out of her house to go for a walk to clear her head. After walking for several minutes she happened to pass the hall where I was teaching a small group of students. To take her mind off things, she decided to walk into my class to see what was happening. She walked through the door, straight up to me and blurted “I would like to join your class and learn martial arts as I have a lot of anger inside of me, and I want to hit something!” I took her to the side and assessed her, I educated her in what I was teaching and highlighted the potential benefits and also the potential risks and the
commitment she would need. She signed up and from that very day she trained twice a week every week with out fail. I didn’t know what she was going through in her personal life and quite frankly I did not want to know. But one thing I can tell you is that she trained relentlessly and never brought any negativity into my dojo; In fact quite the opposite. My other female students began to feed off of her enthusiasm, focus and determination when performing techniques. This particular lady went all the way through the system and became one of my first senior grades.
After a period of time she explained to me how training in my martial arts class and the whole ethos of the ‘martial arts way’ had helped her through the worst period of her life. She explained how she had ‘come out of the other end’ (meaning a very accromonious home life crisis) a much stronger person mentally and physically. Martial arts had given her the focus that she needed, a release valve. It gave her a place to come where nobody would ask questions, she could let off steam, focus on positive targets and yet still feel a valuable member of the group...
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Neil Butkeraitis, fighter, coach, martial arts instructor, entrepreneur and MD of Chi Fightwear explains exclusively to Combat, why fighters will now be better protected than ever before and why he has spent years developing a unique range of 21st century protective fightwear! To develop a new product is time consuming and very expensive, but to take something that has been tried and tested over time and radically rethink it, takes imagination, experience and determination. I’m back in the offices of Chi Fight Wear to talk with Neil Butkeraitas, fellow martial artist and managing director of a group of companies that cover security, event organisation and sports equipment. When ever I meet with Neil his obvious love of martial arts, his energy and enthusiasm for everything he does is very infectious. We talk for a while about our shared interest in Wado Karate and reminisce about instructors we have both trained with, but through the polite conversation I can see Neil is itching to talk about his latest project.
Neil great to meet you again, it’s been a couple of months since we last met in your offices. Last time (featured in last month’s issue of Combat) you gave me a fascinating insight into your marital arts background in karate and Muay Thai and the positive effect it had on giving you the strength and determination to build your business empire. During our last conversation you dropped some very strong hints about an exciting new business development that 18 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK
was taking up a lot of your commercial energy. NEIL: Yes things have moved on dramatically since our last meeting, we are very close to launching our brand new sparring protection range. As promised I would love to give Combat readers the first insight into what we have been doing.
When you say new, with the greatest respect the market is already awash with sparring kit. NEIL: A very good point, we already very successfully market a range of good quality sparring kits under the Chi Fight Wear name, but with my years of experience both in the dojo and competition I was looking to move the whole concept on.
Sounds intriguing, but is there really anything new to be done with sparring kit. NEIL: Let me explain; we started by looking back at how fighting styles, techniques and the availability of different materials have affected sparring kit over the years. Originally leather was used as the covering for everything from head guards to gloves, because of its durability it’s still the choice for many fighters. The padding on a lot of the earlier kit relied on bulk because of the inefficiency of the material used. Both the leather and the stuffing on the old kit were very heavy, made far worse by the fact it soaked up and retained sweat.
I remember in my early boxing days the weight and especially smell of the old sparring kit, we regularly trained with 16 oz gloves. It was like fighting with pillows on your hands, and I have vivid memories of sweat running in my eyes from under the bulky head guards. NEIL: Exactly, in boxing, training protection of hands and head is paramount, but with the progression of martial arts training and competition especially there developed a demand for lighter smaller kit. Because the contact was reduced the need for heavy padding was also reduced. Availability of modern materials such as plastics and dipped foam had a dramatic effect on the size and weight of the kit available. Now the pendulum has swung round again and the popularity of full contact sports such as MMA has created a need for sparring kit combing the protective properties of the old kit, but with the size and weight of new styles of kit.
So you’ve reached a point where you feel the requirements of the fighters has moved on , talk us through the development stages, I’m guessing from what you’ve said already, we are talking about more than cosmetic changes.
NEIL: We decided at the earliest stage of design that of course the new kit had to be aesthetically appealing, but most important it had to take protection and everyday usability up a significant level. With this in mind the base material used for the padding was the most important element and a baffling array of material is now available with very individual properties. To narrow the field we set ourselves some very demanding standards for weight, shock absorption and durability and with the help of eminent scientists a final list of 28 materials were chosen for the testing. Before testing could begin a criteria for the test had to be set that closely represented the kind of impact a head guard would take, this was done after an exhaustive study by a prominent and well respected test company that recorded the impact caused by force transmitted to the impacted object. To then replicate the results over a period of time a special test rig was built and the material was covered in a layer of Fuji Prescale pressure sensitive film, which was electronically scanned to enable us to build up a computer image of the impact area. The same rig allowed us to measure how much of the impact was absorbed and how much was transferred. So after all the data was analysed a final material was chosen, and which is now the foundation for the new head guard. Eventually the full range of sparring protective kit will be based on the new material and will be marketed under the HG2.0 name by Chi Fight Wear.
I’m amazed at how much research has evidently gone into this project, so what is this new wonder material? NEIL: That I’m afraid has to stay a trade secret even to my good friends at Combat Magazine. But I can tell you that tests have already proved it to be superior to padding available on the market at the moment. The thing that really excites me is in reality we have 2 materials in the head guard at the same time, in a none stressed state, it is very soft but instantly pressure is applied, the molecular structure changes and it immediately hardens to redirect the force. So very basically the harder
you hit it, the better it protects you, reverting back then to its soft and flexible original state.
This sounds amazingly technical, the science behind this must be very complicated. NEIL: (Laughs, and hands me a massive wad of paper.) Take this with you for some light bed time reading. But don’t worry you don’t have to be a boffin to see the benefits, we are already trialling the head guard in real training sessions with top fighters across a range of styles and carefully monitoring their feed back. And this is were the real design work is now happening to make sure all the benefits of this new wonder material is fully used. The shape of the head guard has been developed to give the maximum protection but we found that different areas of the head had different criteria. For instance the area around the ears had to be designed not to allow air pockets that can be driven into and damage the ear, but had to allow the wearer to hear properly. The initial softness of the material meant we could mould the shape to fit closer to the head, eliminating gaps between the guard and skull. Tests had shown that gaps between the protection and the user actually amplified the effect of the strike and increased the potential for long term damage. A closely fitted head guard helps dissipate the force and reduce pressure points. To eliminate friction a different material was researched and tested to be used as an outer cover, this same material had to be durable, washable and help dissipate any sweat. Finally a removable inner band has been incorporated that is incredibly absorbent to take up the sweat and stop it dripping into your eyes. The material we chose has the amazing ability to absorb crazy amounts of fluid and hold onto it until it is removed and rung out.
At this point Neil produces a small strip of light blue thin foam and drops it into a cup of water; incredibly it instantly takes up all the fluid and only releases it when he squeezes it back into the
cup. He reaches under his desk and pulls out a foam dummy head with the new head guard fitted, unclips it and passes it over. NEIL: So what do you think? Try it on; this is one of the test guards that I’ve been using in my own dojo over the last few weeks. The feed back we are getting and from my own experience there is still some fine tuning to the small parts of the design but we feel we are 90% there now.
It’s amazing, you just would not know you are wearing it; the trouble is I’m old school and used to the idea more is best. Of course I believe all the testing and science but some how I don’t feel protected, I am used to bulk meaning safe. NEIL: I’m glad you picked up on this because we felt that ourselves. We fully understand that when you bring something totally new to market, that changes peoples preconceived ideas, as much time and effort will have to be put into the re-education of the end user as was in the original design and development. Now that testing, development and design is virtually completed, we will be launching the HG2.0 head guard into the market backed by some very high profile fighters and martial artists, and with all the technical information readily available. Very soon after the initial launch of the HG2.0 head guard the same technology will be extended to a full range of fight gear...
Article conducted by John Broughton.
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Do or Die?
Attacked Abroad! The night martial arts saved my life! The real life story of when a great night out goes “BAD” and when martial arts training is the most valuable asset that you may possess when you find yourself in a situation of “Do or Die”! Have you ever felt vulnerable or found yourself alone in a foreign country?
sovereign ring on it) which cut Stephs head open.
way out so I went at them again them with punches and elbows”
Stephanie Kelly was never one to shy away from a party, especially when she went on holiday to Spain with her best “girl” friends.
“You danced with my husband!!” the attacker shouted, the biggest of the 6 women then picked up Steph by the hair and head and held her as the girls all began to attack. Steph was then caught by another punch from the leader in the nose.
Then the situation became worse. “One of the women, pulled a knife and made stabbing motions at me, I’d like to say here that even though repetition is boring sometimes, it works, as I instinctively saw my target kicking her in the knee as hard as I could with a straight side kick, as she crumbled I came over the top with punches as I didn’t want her getting up, as I may not be so lucky a second time.
It was their 2nd night of a 14 day holiday and they had all gone to a new club. The music was loud and the 4 girls (Kelly, Jayme, Simone & Steph) were on the dance floor. They had been getting some male attention but Steph (and the others) were there to dance and have a good time. It was getting late (around 4am) and was nearly closing time, so they went outside and began chatting with the local late clubbers. Steph went to use the bathroom. The other girls were busy so she went alone. Had she had one final drink then went to find the toilet. A bouncer acknowledged her outside the door as she entered. The room was empty as she entered the cubicle. When finished, she then turned to come out, opened the door and came face to face with 6 French women yelling in French. Steph tried to calm the leader and explain she was English and she didn’t understand, the leader then lashed out hitting Steph in the face (with a closed fist with a 20 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK
Steph then made the decision in her mind, which was, it’s not going to go down how “THEY” wanted it!!! The woman holding Steph from behind, went down first! A clean back elbow to the temple knocked the girl to the ground, which she then followed up with a straight cross (with the same arm) to the leaders face, she then went for the door but the others who’d hit her before, blocked the door (although slightly more timid now). Sometimes when you can’t go round a problem, you have go through it! With a tight guard, Steph repeatedly punched another two girls and pushed one into the sink! Steph Kelly - “It was scary but I trusted the fact that if I could get an opening I would take it, I couldn’t so I made one. The women still standing were all pulling my hair and as I went to leave, one pulled me back in and punched me in the nose. They all blocked my
I finally got a clear exit and got outside as fast as I could. The bouncer then spotted me bleeding (now across the club) Then suddenly again, the leader of the girls who started the whole thing came out of nowhere and got me in the face again, let’s just say I was in no mood by this point and the bouncer had to drag me off her and the leader was dragged away” The bouncer saw what was happening once the door was open and the police were helpful & the girls who attacked Steph were banned. It was also reported the girl with the knife had a fractured knee cap. “We never found out if the girl was ok. Many people may believe what I did to protect myself was violent. My instructor (Nic Main, Chief instructor of NDM Martial Arts
www.ndmmartialarts.com) has always taught that the best defence is a good offence and as my only exit was blocked I just did what I had to do in order to survive. Although I was most scared when the knife appeared. Anyone can throw an arm or leg and try to fight but I think all men and women should learn some form of real self defence. It’s not instinctive for most people and being trained in Martial Arts means that you have muscle memory and your body reacts more quickly and effectively. I truly recommend Martial Arts classes to anyone”. Nic Main: “Steph has always been a tough one and is not a quitter but to hear about this makes me proud to be an instructor. Steph has accomplished many things while training with us (3 stone weight loss, quit smoking, gained confidence, become a grand champion, achieved 1st Dan Black Belt & now is an NDM instructor).
If you are thinking of taking up Martial Arts: find a quality school not a McDojo and stick at your training. Martial Arts & Self Defence saves lives. I am proud of you Steph”. For more information on NDM Martial Arts, Phone: 07739184418 Facebook: NDM M.A. Email: info@ ndmmartialarts.com Website: www. ndmmartialarts.com
By N Main
So many people come to Martial Arts schools that you sometimes forget, with good training comes life saving skills. Not just to stay alive but to also avoid serious life altering injury. I believe Steph did what she had to do and without the training, things may have been much worse.
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an By Bry
Levick
November 12, 2011 marked one of the most important dates in UFC history. The UFC aired on network television for the very first time, but that isn’t the only reason the date of November 12 was important to the organization.
Everyone has a few significant dates in their lives. It could be a birthday, a wedding anniversary or the birth of a child. Whatever the occasion these are days that are embedded within our minds as well as our souls. More often than not these dates are different, but there are the rare events when one date represents more than one significant occasion. For the UFC, November 12 represents two of the more historic events in the history of the organization. While the date may be the same, the significance of each
Art Jimmerson vs Royce Gracie @ UFC 1
event couldn’t be further apart from one another. There is a separation of 18 years from the first time November 12 meant something and what happened the second time around. November 12, 1993 live from the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado, the UFC, then owned by WOW productions, a group of investors led by Art Davie and Rorion Gracie, held UFC 1. The theme behind the event was to determine which martial art form would rein supreme in a tournament style setting.
Both HBO and Showtime pay-perview had no interest in televising the event. That opened the door for Semaphore Entertainment Group (SEG) who partnered up with Jason Cusson, a film and art director who helped design the Octagon, a word that is now synonymous with the sport of mixed martial arts. The original idea was to run one show, but because of the success they had in the pay-per-view market, it was decided to do another show and the rest is history. The participants in the eight man tournament were Shootfighter Ken Shamrock, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Royce Gracie, who was hand picked by his older brother Rorion, Kickboxers Patrick Smith and Kevin Rosier, Savate fighter Gerard Gordeau, Karate fighter Zane, Frazier, Sumo Wrestler Teila Tula and Boxer Art Jimmerson, who of course is famous for wearing just one boxing glove in his fight with Gracie. The winner would receive $50k and would have to defeat three different opponents in one night. There were no weight classes and the rules were limited to no biting and eye
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pictures copyright
gouging. Although moves such as head butts, groin strikes, hair pulling and fish hooks were frowned upon, they were in a sense still legal. To say that this first show wasn’t for the faint of heart is certainly putting it mildly. Gracie would go on to defeat Jimmerson, Shamrock and Gordeau in a combined time of 4:59, which is just one second short of the length of the rounds we now see today. It was barbaric, it was crazy, but never the less it was highly entertaining. Who can forget Gordeau kicking Tula in the face and knocking his tooth?
Junior Dos Santos
Many of today’s top MMA stars talk of how they would watch tapes of these old events and become enthralled with the sport. So while the sport is so much different today than it was back then, the influence it had is immeasurable. Former UFC Middleweight Champion, the late Evan Tanner self taught himself based off of old Gracie Jiu-Jitsu VHS tapes. So the sport was different then, but had a huge impact on many of the fighters who would make the sport great...
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Which is best Self Defence or Martial Art? by Guy Bloom - Defiance Combat Self Defense Of course it’s a question with a built in debate, which makes it great for a column, are they actually different, the same thing, so closely connected they can’t be separated? It’s difficult for the average person off the street to know what it is they are really signing up for, and for most it is as simple as if you are teaching me to ‘look after myself’ and I am not wearing a white suit or similar attire and it’s a set amount of sessions, then it’s self-defence; whereas if it’s one of the traditions: Karate, Judo, Kung Fu then it’s a martial art. It is for many people looking in, all in the advertising and the marketing , for most people if it says self defence then it is self defence, but it’s not quite as simple as that, as we associate these two forms of study as being both separate and yet connected. So let me reflect on the layman’s thinking and expectations
Martial arts are an end to end proposition, they are in their truest form a complete physical, emotional and spiritual (in the sense of facing ones own fears) form of study, they are about time spent in learning and reflection, the embodiment of the this for many people is the shaolin monk type level of focus and commitment to a way of being that encompasses one’s life....it is the martial way. When people sign up to learn a martial art, they are more often than not connecting to a tradition that enables them, not just by the technique but by the history. For many learning a martial art is about being able to embark on a journey, that will take years and potentially be an area of study, personal challenge and contemplation for their whole life.
Self Defence on the other hand, for many is the distillation of a martial art, it is the ‘bits that really work’, it is the ‘martial’ and not the ‘art’, many people signing up to learn self defence are not interested in learning a martial art, they want to learn to ‘protect themselves’, they may even want their family to learn how to defend themselves, where as they might well be looking to martial arts to engender a way of approaching life, they look to self-defence as a ‘safety tool’, which you can liken to ‘teaching your kids or yourself to swim’; it’s just one of those you have to learn to do, just in case”, this is more about making a visit, than making a journey. Now this is a column and not a thesis, so feel free to volunteer any variable on this, as I have limited space, but you get the gist of it. So which is best? (You know that’s a trick question) I’d like to offer the following as a start for some debate: * Martial arts give you a tradition and foundation that pulls on history, it demands focus, there are no short cuts and with dedication gives you a physical competence and a personal presence that is grounded in something that empowers you in your connection and dedication to it.
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* Self Defence gives you a confidence in the now! Competence of a set repertoire rather than mastery of an entire spectrum is required, it might not be as difficult to learn but it fulfils a requirement and in its own way adds huge value to a person’s life in terms of confidence and control. Of course there is the third way of thinking about this, they are both the same thing, they are if you like, different ends of the same stick, consider a hamburger or a rump steak, they are very different, and yet we recognise them as meat. And so it is with self defence and the martial arts, they sit on a spectrum, they are brothers who have the same parents, but took different paths, and thus they are completely different and yet still the same.
“Show my son/daughter etc a few moves as they are off to university or some such....” And maybe this is where self defence really began, with the martial artist thinking to themselves, “what do I show this person, if it’s just a quick few hours in my friends kitchen teaching them
or their family?”. You can look to the military and see their need to teach recruits in accelerated times, effective and repetitive techniques, in the World Wars, agents in the field were taught techniques to evade capture and defend themselves, the need to move from years of dedicated practise to relatively finite time lines has its own history...
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Of course times are ever changing, self defence now has its own history, there was a time when you either learned a martial art or you learned nothing, though every martial artist that has been around for a while has been asked the immortal question, “Can you show me a few moves?” or
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School of hard It is perhaps an unusual sight to see normally passive teachers of all ages roaring, shouting and chasing each other with sticks, knives and other weapons at the end of a school day. For the staff of Larkhall Academy in South Lanarkshire Scotland, this has become the norm, not because discipline has reached such a poor level but because this is the staff Krav Maga club! This is an innovative club set up as part of the staff health and wellbeing initiative which sees Krav Maga instructor Brendan Morris from the International Krav Maga Federation come into the school on a weekly basis to deliver the sessions to the staff. Brendan and fellow instructor Chris Vance have a number of clubs operating in the Lanarkshire area but this unique club for school staff is a first, not just for Lanarkshire but for Scotland. The whole concept for the school club started when a staff health and wellbeing day was organised. As people knew that I trained in a number of martial arts I was asked if I could deliver some training to the staff. Not being an instructor I felt in no way qualified to deliver anything but through my own training had a range of contacts in a diverse range of arts that could come in and deliver something of relevance and interest to the staff. I decided that Krav Maga would be an interesting system for the staff to experience through its
simple and effective self defence and associated fitness regime. My decision proved to a good one.
and even outside as they learn and apply their skills in a realistic environment.
Approximately a quarter of the staff put their names down to experience the taster session delivered by Brendan who is a qualified IKMF instructor. A range of staff of all ages had a fantastic experience during the taster which allowed them to dip their toes into the world of Krav Maga. It was a real revelation to see the teachers push themselves and engage in the realistic training. They were all very much out of their normal physical and mental comfort zone but engaged in the training with great enthusiasm.
Apart from me, none of the staff had ever trained in any kind of fighting system before. This made it all the more pleasing to see the positive response.
This taster session was such a success and was enjoyed so much by the staff that we decided to establish a staff club in the school. Now every Thursday afternoon following the end of the school day, staff can be found running around the school, grappling in stairwells, fighting in cupboards, classrooms
School youth Worker Sean Macintyre stated, ‘It’s simple, it’s fast, and it’s effective. Joining the Krav Maga class mainly for fitness reasons and never having taken part in any kind of martial art or defensive system class before I wasn’t really sure what to expect. One week in....I was hooked. With techniques based around your body’s natural movement and reaction when put into certain situations, the Krav Maga techniques are simple to remember and simple to execute.’ Dave Scott is a Physics teacher who has been at Larkhall Academy for a number of years. ‘I am really enjoying this experience. It has helped me to get fit and is teaching me a defensive system that works. We all really look forward to the weekly sessions. They often become a major talking point in the staffroom later during the week!’ I was fortunate that we had previously succeeded in obtaining a grant for sports equipment and the school allowed me to purchase a range of quality martial arts equipment including bags, gloves, Thai pads, kick shields, focus mitts and hand wraps. This all gets put to very good use during the training sessions...
knocks By Les ObrĂŠ
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Haganah’s
part 3
Israeli Tactical Knife Fighting The “One Off” Session In spring 2010 Mike added an entirely new element to the HaganaH training cadre, Israeli Professional Tactical Training (IPTT). Mikes lead instructor in this new element is a former Israeli Special Forces operator (who will be referred to as “Garret”) from “Duvdevan”. Duvdevan is a special-ops unit within the IDF (Israeli Defence Force) who’s specific area of expertise is the extraction or termination of targets with clinical precision in densely populated environments with minimal collateral damage. As such they are experts in close quarter engagements in urban environments. Their unarmed combat, knife and pistol capability being a speciality. Duvdevan operators are renowned for their rapid deployment capability & often work undercover in civilian attire. They can receive orders in the morning and be “In theatre” with mission objectives completed by mid-afternoon. Two of Duvdevan’s primary targets are Hezbollah & Hamas.
to be in town. For security reasons neither their names or units can be revealed. The theme of the session is Krav Maga stress & aggression training, however this is not the Krav Maga commercially available (sanitised for public consumption with a belt orientated curriculum) This is the hardcore, full contact interpretation for use in the gravest extremes as taught at the Lotar Counter Terrorism school in Israel.
fore the fun starts. My anxiety about what we will be doing in this evenings session is starting to take its toll, We laugh & joke about what we might be walking into and Ed shares my consternation. What worries me more is that the guy that quells prison riots is more apprehensive than I am! Great. I am now concerned by my own lack of concern. This however is all part of the process.
For many present this was a life changing experience in that it took you to an entirely new place
Midweek (following the third day of the ITK & Ground Survival certifications) Mike has arranged his “One Off” seminar with Garret. Assisting Garret in this exclusive session are two “current” and “serving” operators from two separate IDF special ops units who by chance happen 28 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK
This is to be “closed door” session. “It’s a lock in guys!, 2 hours, nobody in or out once we begin, no photography, no video. To get the best from the session, I would suggest you do exactly what these guys tell you.. If you don’t they will mess you up!” Mike explains to us laughing! We are in for a “beasting” & one like I have never experienced in a 30 year martial arts career. In the lead up to the session I grab some food with Vic, Ed & a few of the other guys. We head back to Ed’s hotel for a couple of hours chill-out be-
The session is slightly delayed due to everyone procuring & donning full protective equipment consistent with a full contact session. Head-guard gum shield, hand wraps, boxing gloves, groin guard, full shin & feet protection and we are good to go. There are 24 instructors taking part. As always, leading by example Mike is also taking part with us. The session lasts a full 2 hours and the temperature is roughly 33 degrees. In this time we are given a total of 3 minutes rest, two 1 minute water breaks and two 30 second breaks to adjust our equipment. Regrettably I am unable to go into specific details of the drills.(which dose not make for great editorial!) What I can reveal is the skill of these operators in using cleverly structured drills to bring an individual to the point of physical, mental, emotional and psychological exhaustion to switch on something within them they did not realise ex-
isted. That aggressive and instinctive part of the brain that is truly primal. The will to not only survive but to prevail. This is achieved through a very clever combination of physical exertion to raise the core body temperature, stress positions, drills, exhaustion, all out fighting and a combination of controlled physical, mental & verbal abuse. For many present this was a life changing experience in that it took you to an entirely new place. In some respects exhilarating, in others frightening, in that it revealed what the human mind and body is capable of from a survival perspective if you have the will (or know how ) to switch it on. At one point, during the melee of the session, I happen upon eye contact with Ed. Our reciprocated looks are ones that scream “I’ve never been here before & I’m not completely sure I’m comfortable with It! ”The session completely changed my perspective and has taken what I considered “tough” training to an entirely new plateau...
photography by Michael Pollack
Darren Le Fevre
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Bujinkan Ninja-to (Biken)
When looking at a ‘ninja’ sword (ninja-to) there are many misconceptions – the first being the whole straight blade issue. If you take the premise that the ninja or shinobi was principally an intelligence agent, saboteur and only on the rarest of occasions an assassin, then the idea of having a sword that is so different from the rest of the population becomes very unlikely. The ninja wanted to pass unnoticed and be overlooked, so when he had to carry one he would choose a sword that resembled all others. The principle katana shape of the period of the ninja’s main activities was curved, to varying degrees, and about 28 – 30 inches long – again depending on several factors. Therefore when looking at what is generally regarded as the ‘normal’ ninja-to we see a curved blade of about 1 shaku 6 sun to 1 shaku 8 sun (that s 19 inches to 21 ½ inches) in length, sheathed in a scabbard of normal length. Having a longer scabbard than blade leaves a void at the end, which is used for different purposes. It can store papers (intelligence gathering), blinding powder (metsubushi), or other small items. The other stereotype is the tsuba (guard). Along with the straight blade it has been thought the tsuba was a square guard (kyokaku tsuba), which when looked at from the same point of view as the blade geometry doesn’t make sense at all. The tsuba was either circular or of the four petal
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design that was popular at the time. In this way from the outside it looks like a regular katana, but when drawn can be used in tighter confines and at closer range. Another feature was a very long saego (cord) that was used in many ways, from tying up people, to climbing aids, to securing loads. There is a whole art called saego no nanajutsu which translates as the seven arts of the saego. It doesn’t mean literally seven ways of using it but is more a number representing misfortune – so translates as using the rope in times of misfortune. Aside from this ‘normal’ ninja-to there are other variants. There was a shikorogatana which was a regular length katana blade with a saw tooth edge (apart from the last 2 – 3 inches). It was used in dragging cuts that caused massive tissue and internal damage, quite differently to the way a regular katana is used. There were battlefield katana called daito which was 3 shaku 2 sun (38 inches) used in mass battle situations, but also hidden in long grass in openings as a very sharp
trap. Another blade that was used comes back to the ideal of being hidden again. This is the shikomizue or sword staff. The principle of hiding blades in staves is present in many cultures, and the ninja were no exception. They would use the stick as a walking aid to complete disabled or elderly disguises. When attacked they would use the body of the stick as a primary defence and the hidden blade to surprise and finish them off. They would also have tricks such as hiding blades in the handles to cut at opponents grabbing at swords and to enable escapes. The ninja-to was worn mostly in the belt on the left hip or carried in the hand. The image of the ninja with a sword across his back is again mostly a fictional one. They may have temporarily strapped it like this, for climbing walls or rock faces for instance, but it would be a hindrance to wear it like this continuously, impeding rolling and other forms of escape. There is a technique to draw the ninja-to over the right shoulder called kage no itto, or shadow draw, which was used when going around objects or people to surprise an opponent.
The method of using the ninja-to both includes using it in the scabbard as well as drawn. In the scabbard it’s used much like a sword staff or shikomizue, utilising the tsuba to control arms, strike and disarm the opponent. When drawing the ninjato there are several methods for releasing it from the scabbard. The traditional way is to use the thumb of the left hand to push the top of the tsuba, and as such is a fairly obvious sign that the sword is about to be drawn. The other methods include using the index finger to release the blade, using the knuckle of the left thumb on the inside of the tsuba, securing the scabbard against the body with the left arm, and turning the body so the left hand can grasp the far end of the scabbard in a hidden manner.
The style of blade use differs from what may be seen in kendo, where the ninja-to can be used at close quarters as well as at a distance. In close quarter combat the blade ties the opponent and moves them off balance and the cutting action is supported by the whole body pushing through the target. When used in a more open style the distance cuts are done with the last inch of the blade, cutting to vital points (tendons, hamstrings, joints and the neck).
Shikomizue Technique
In a situation where you face off against an opponent and both draw to cut, the advantage of the shorter blade is that it clears the scabbard first and therefore can cut sooner. One technique is to draw moving slightly off line and cutting to the wrist of the opponent. This will either remove the hand from the sword (at the wrist) or, if armour is worn, will allow an entry point to lock up the limbs with the blade and fell the opponent.
The ninja-to is used in conjunction with other weapons such as metsubushi (blinding powder), kunai (a heavy entrenching tool), shuriken and others. At the last the ninja could throw the ninja-to at the opponents, cast shuriken and use metsubushi powder hidden in the scabbard to create opportunities for escape and evasion...
Self Defence For Wheelchair Users
In the last edition of Combat I highlighted how hate crime against people with a disability had increased by risen by 75%! A recent survey in Britain published in January 2011 stated that the number of disability hate crimes reported has risen by 75% in one year alone. It also highlighted the shocking statistic that 50% of disabled people have recently experienced or witnessed physical abuse. I hoped that these statistics would shock you as much as they did me. I asked those of you involved in teaching self defense to look at how you could include and facilitate people with a disability in your classes. In this article I want to cover some of the Self Defense issues specific to someone who uses a wheelchair. As an Instructor I know you have
an excellent understanding of the different elements of any good comprehensive self defense program. I.e. Avoidance/Situational Awareness, Fear Control, Targets, Striking Tools, Defensive Skills.
Then get a colleague or other class member to stand in front of you, representing an attacker. You will see immediately that the Targets you can strike effectively are reduced. (see pic 1 full shot of Martin and myself).
While certain elements of your program like Avoidance/Awareness and Fear Control will be the same for a wheelchair user as they would be for any pupil in your class.
You will also however see that your attacker’s options are also limited because you are sitting.
The other elements of your program you will have to look at are:
Targets: If we start with Targets. Can I suggest you sit in a chair, even better if you can borrow a wheelchair to sit in?
If you were standing your shins, knees, groin and stomach would be a target, as you are sitting these are no longer as much of an option. I am not saying that your attacker wouldn’t strike your shins, knees, groin and stomach, I am just saying they do not present themselves as ideal targets in the same way they would if you were standing. Your head area is the main area of attack for a potential attacker. Because you are sitting your attacker has to reach across your lap to reach you, this also gives you the opportunity to trap an arm reaching into grab you, or trap or parry an in coming strike.As a wheelchair user your Targets present themselves when your attacker moves into strike you or grabs or holds you. Or when you move inside your attackers strike.
Striking Tools: It goes without saying we are only talking about your upper limbs. Palm Strikes, Hammer Fists, Bil Jee’s {finger jabs} Face mash,Forearm Strikes and certain punches are the best options. Elbow strikes have very limited use, because as a wheelchair user I just don’t have the body rotation or angle of attack to make them very effective. 32 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK
Defensive Skills: The main issue for me as a wheelchair user regarding Defensive issues, are mobility and movement. Every time I want to defend against an attack, I have two options I have to either trap or parry and incoming strike or get mobile and move in response to a particular attack. Unlike someone with no mobility issues. I can not to paraphrase Muhammad Ali “move like a Butterfly, and sting like a bee� I have to move or strike. Because in order to move I have to propel my wheelchair with my hands. One of The golden rules of any Fighting system is to keep your hands up and protect your head. Whilst that still applies to me as wheelchair user, the reality is that
I have to be more creative when it comes to moving while at the same time maintaing my guard. Moving back quickly in a straight line can be dangerous because as soon I stop my wheelchair abruptly, it may flip backwards. My other option and better option is to move forward inside the attack by pushing my wheelchair forward at speed. The main problem is I am leaving my head unguarded as I propel my wheelchair . But there are solutions. Over time and after taking numerous blows to head while evaluating the best options. We have now reached a point where we have increased our defensive options. The best option we have found is to parry or trap a strike if it is going to take your head off and then move inside the attack, straight away...
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By Colm Whooley
To Confront or
Enter Teuk Gong Moo Sool (Part 4) When you stop and think about it, the martial arts are primarily about not getting hurt. You can be the toughest or the strongest guy in the world but you are still in the end only flesh and blood. We all bruise, cut and bleed like everyone else. You must have a strong defensive game or sooner or later it will cost you. Teuk Gong Moo Sool may seem like a very aggressive art (perhaps in some ways it is), but it has a very strong defensive component as well. Grandmaster Park stresses heavily the importance of seeing altercations in eight critical stages. The first four are the Unseen Stage while he classifies the other half the Seen Stages. There are as follows: 1. Intention - Seeing your potential adversary and judging if he will attack or not. 2. Knowing – Knowing he will attack and likely “how”. 3. Distancing – Deciding how to intercept the attack and deciding how and where you need to go into position. 4. Nerves – Energy goes through the areas of your body you need to react with. 5. Start – This is where you are just about to burst into action.
6. Motion – You actually begin your “journey” so to speak. 7. Trajectory – Basically the angle at which you are moving and to which point on your adversary’s body. 8. Impact – The last stage, but definitely not the last strike. There are no cinematic one touch knock outs taught. After the eight stages are taught, analysis goes into the four main attacking methods (for the upper body). He categorizes them as follows: • - - • - - - -
Straight line – Upwards Downwards Forwards Circular – Swing Hook Up to down Down to up Middle to outside (i.e. a boxing hook) • Back fist – Upwards
- - • - -
Downwards Sideways With the palm – Upwards Downwards Sideways
After you understand the psychology and the kinetics of the strikes then attention can be paid towards the actual techniques or bang-bup. There are a wide range of blocking techniques available which can be classified into four basic varieties (foot blocks will be covered at a later date): 1. The bottom of the knife edge of your hand going down to the 1st half of the forearm. (Pic 1) 2. The elbow going up to the 2nd half of the forearm. (Pic 2) 3. The bottom of the thumb (joint) dropping down to the 1st half of that side of the forearm. (Pic 3) 4. Below the fingers to the bottom of the palm (usually for slapping type actions). (Pic 4)
Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
Pic 5
Pic 6
Pic 7
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Pic 4
To Evade The last stage in this aspect of training is body mechanics. Whereas some styles have stationary blocking techniques, Teuk Gong Moo Sool tries to avoid that kind of defence if at all feasible. The five forms of movement used in defensive techniques can be viewed as: 1st. The shoulder and hand moving together (basic training). This more or less serves mostly as training for the end part of the other four stages. (Pic 5) 2nd. Moving the upper body and having the shoulder and hand follow (for a stronger opponent). (Pic 6) 3rd. Stepping forward, backward, or to the side to control the distance.(Pic 7) 4th. Moving the back foot behind at a 45 or 90 degree angle or outward to allow simultaneous defences and attacks or to set up a throwing technique. (Pic 8 & 9) 5th. Moving the front foot inwards or outwards at a 45 degree angle making counter attacks with kicks very natural after a proper block or evasion. (Pic 10 & 11)
Pic 8
Pic 9
Pic 10
Pic 11
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linda hall
“i believe the children are our future”
Linda Hall is a beautiful, colourful, martial arts teacher from London, who specialises in Performance Martial Arts for children (and Kung Fu for adults). She teaches non contact martial arts movements like kung fu high kicks, turns and blocks, all to music. Linda has performed for most of her life; she played at Glastonbury and met her husband there! She has been to a well known stage school, sings and plays guitar in bands still today and has performed in various events in the UK and her father, a boxer, actually fought Muhammad Ali for charity. With plans to release a DVD featuring ‘Animal Fu’, at home, Linda wants nothing more than to encourage a healthy outlook on life and brighten the attitude of children and families in London. Mikey Madden, a young student of Linda’s, said: “I enjoy learning the different forms and new exercises with Linda; I find martial arts to be a great deal of fun. Right now I’m training for my Dragon badge which means that I must perfect everything I’ve learned over the years, doing a new style of Martial Arts, Wing Chun. I need to learn two more forms called “sli ti si” and “chuk nim pyi”; also new stances and defensive combinations. Because of all this I feel more confident when I’m alone on the streets, as I am more aware of my surroundings and I know I have learned different ways to defend myself. As I am one of the most experienced and older students, I help Linda in class which I enjoy and I realise that it will help me later in life. I also 36 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK
enjoy the fact that I’m sharing what I know with others and preparing them for their next grading.” Linda says: “I believe children are more motivated when listening to music so when we need it to be fast and furious I use upbeat tracks. When the kids have to focus on technique it is more mellow, relaxed. Keeping the kids motivated is fun; we have performances for the children to show others their skills. This is a non contact martial art so I have to put different challenges in place. For example, they learn the pole, fan or the Tai Chi sword and new forms. “I teach in schools, which is a familiar environment for children, they feel very relaxed. I also teach in a studio environment with mirrors and a vibe that says ‘hey we are here to work not mess around!’ “Martial arts and fitness is difficult to maintain especially after having a family, we all want to keep the benefits in our lives somehow, by doing my DVD at home with a family can be fun and engaging for all.” Linda has a wide range of teaching experience from Crouching Tiger and Tai Chi in Chelsea to circuit classes in a gym. “I love teaching, it could be adults, kids, toddler’s kung fu or my Performance Wing Chun; the art
I so dearly love. Recently I have been asked by Hounslow school sporting event to give all 48 schools a taster session in between their planned activities - I will be promoting workshops for the children with their
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