If my previous post sounded like a call to action, maybe this one will help point to the right direction.
You
already should know that I support any motive to learn martial arts, as long as
it is congruent with one’s needs and with a clear vision of what the person is
training for. In that regard, it is obvious that learning traditional martial
systems as a form of cultural study is beyond doubt valuable, but...can it also
be effective as a practical fighting method?
Well,
again, those of you who have read through this blog are aware that I firmly
believe the effectiveness of a combative system is predicated more on training
methodology than its history or the „real deal skills“ of the old masters. So,
there is a way to approach the traditional arts in order to make them usable in
actual fighting? The question „why does
it have to be traditional?“ aside, the answer is – yes! And if you are
wondering how to achieve it, I have a brilliant book to recommend, where the
whole path is superbly explained.
If you
happen to belong to the category of practitioners who seek to go beyond mere
repetition of your chosen art’s techniques, drills and forms, in an attempt to
actually understand the WHYs behind the WHAT and HOW, you cannot afford to skip
The Principle-Driven Skill Development
in Traditional Martial Arts, written by Russ Smith. The title may seem a
bit long, but it tells you exactly what the book is about. Still, let me try to
give you a somewhat closer insight into the material covered. Let me say right
here that subject matter is not limited to a single system – Mr. Smith has background in Chinese (southern
kung fu styles) and Okinawan (goju-ryu) arts, so the book cleverly shows how
the conceptual framework of the former can be used in the latter. But properly
understood, the principles described can be integrated into the training of any
style or system.
The book
is very nicely divided into half a dozen chapters which outline the conceptual
tools one needs to adopt on their way to functionalization in traditional arts.
In the introduction the author aptly addresses the typical problem of
disconnect in the traditional arts, i.e. the lack of adequate synergy among the
main training modes in that environment. He then proceeds to make a significant
point that many instructors, sadly, ignore – teaching is communication, which
is why the instructors need to grasp the basic steps in improving the skill of
their students. Those are presented as the identification of actionable
principles, development and/or modification of the curriculum etc. Sifu Smith
concludes by explaining how to use the book for the best results, and I urge
the readers not to skip this section!
On the
premise of teaching being communication, the next chapter deals with terminology
and fundamental assumptions that serve as the guidelines in the further
treatment of the material. By being aware of the need to accurately describe
these pillars of communicative exchange, the author shows some of the traits of
great instructors. As such, it is important to pay attention to what he has to
say about what martial art is and is not; what is the foundational aim of
self-defense; the distinction between techniques and applications; and key
success factors in one’s training, described as principles, applications¸ and
attributes. This section alone will
make a lightbulb blink many times and lead to numerous a-ha! moments in finally
understanding what has been hindering your or your students’ progress.
With the
foundation set, the author takes us on the tour of general methods (FA),
whose understanding ought to serve as the launch pad for the improvement of the
overall functional skills. He starts with the discussion of three types of
timing in dealing with and opponent (different terminology than mine,
but close in meaning); next is the need for technique stretching to meet the
demands of purpose, physical context and starting point; then the strategic
(dis)advantages of various positions between the participants etc. Excellent
stuff, applicable across the board in any kind of combative endeavor, be it in
in the real world or in the sport arena.
Now we
move to the treatment of tools (XING) that we need to command when
striving to bring the previous principles out. Some of the highlighted ones are
the three gates, three sections, eights bridging principles and so on. They are
not all numerical, LOL, but everything is explained in a concise and
understandable manner, in line with the previously noted need for better
communication. This is probably the chapter where you will gain deeper
understanding of the technical arsenal of your art.
Sifu
Smith’s analysis of power (GONG) as it realities to the improvement and effective
use of a person’s technical skill is second to none! Namely, he manages to
explain the principles of power, leverage and body structure without sinking
into the depths of overly technical engineering or scientific jargon, but also
successfully avoiding to dumb it down to the point of being meaningless.
Hitting the right balance is the trap that too many other writers have fallen into.
He demonstrated similar ability when discussing the four movements concepts of Chinese
systems (sink, float, spit, swallow) – presents practical understanding without
reaching for pseudo-metaphysical terminology that might make it all sound more
advanced, but also potentially confusing.
In
wishing to give his readers an actual working plan of action, the author
concludes with a chapter that delineates a teaching model for skill
development. Here, he points that the functional skill is the result of
going through the stages of knowledge development, understanding and
transference/application. It means the progression from the isolated skills and
rills, through the next step of selecting proper actions via the drills of the
constraint and affordance type, to the experimental testing of application of
in the progressively non-cooperative drills with wider boundaries, such as
classical push hands, chi sao and other more or less free-form exchange
approaches.
All in
all, we have before us a comprehensive treatise of what is frequently
neglected, yet remarkably important aspects of training in the traditional
martial arts. Too often is the notion of tradition limited to the superficial
imitation of costumes and rituals, while failing to identify and respect the
intent that was the driving force behind those arts.
In the
end, as well as the material in the book is explained, Mr. Smith also offers a video instructional
where it is shown in motion, for an even better learning experience. There is
nothing else left but to conclude that this is a phenomenal work, which sets
the new standard to the coverage of traditional martial arts beyond historical
and ethnological approach.
I have always loved new beginnings! The excitement, challenges, joy of discovery...I've always had the feeling that it brings out the best in me. And over the last few weeks, it has been sort of a double treat for me!
First, as an instructor, I have finally put together a small training group in the new country that I moved to a few months ago. And it is great to have serious guys to work with - putting in time and effort, smart and athletic to begin with, listening carefully and following the instructions to continue with. Sheer joy!
As a student, decided to join an online training program in a system that I had never dealt with before, thus stepping out of my comfort zone. Not wanting to reveal too many details just yet, let me tell you that so far it has been inspiring and joyous to work hard as a beginner and having that sense of accomplishment that comes with daily training. Expect more insights in the future, when I feel confident enough, and with the necessary minimum of experience, so that my comments will make some sense.
Sure, the biggest overall challenge is time management, but at this point it is doable. The second in line, considering my tender age of 50 is energy management. Specifically, it primarily means sufficient recuperation from daily sessions, but with some discipline and commitment (nothing new there) regarding nutrition and lifestyle, there haven't been any real problems.
No big lessons here, but again - do not fear new beginnings, because, as the saying goes: there is no growth in the comfort zone!
What I mean here is an interesting phenomenon that occurs as a result of experience gap in a given filed, which in our case is martial arts and combative training. Specifically, with years or decades of training and practice certain things become kind of obvious, or at least they seem that way...to us.
art by Karl Addison
However, the level of perception for the phenomena that make one's field of study can become quite high due to an equally high degree of kinesthetic perception, i.e. inner feel for the movement and general body behavior, stemming from countless hours of working on and with our bodies. And, after long period of such experience it is easy to forget how it all looked and felt in the beginning.
If you are an instructor, you should not allow obviousness to become a part of your training plan. OK, if you are a coach who spends most of the time working with fighters and competitive athletes, who follow a continual training regime, the understanding of all the important things will indeed unfold over time. Yet, if you are working with who cannot or will not engage in that sort of work, for whatever reason, and particularly in a group format, it is important to regularly repeat even the most basic (and seemingly obvious) lessons/instructions. There are at least two strong reasons for this: one, there is always someone in the group who "doesn't get it", and subsequently may hinder others as a training partner; two, even for those who did get it (or think they did), such instruction may gain new/deeper meaning when reiterated over time.
This is especially case when you have in your class a person who shows the potential and/or desire to also be an instructor at some point. Namely, for them it is not just the process of learning the subject matter, but also learning how to present that material and helping others understand it. And if the art/system you happen teaching is important enough that you'd like to see it grow in the future - this is an important element of contributing to it.
Finally, regularly repeating even the mundanely "self-evident" axioms of your teaching will make you seek new ways of doing it, thus improving, expanding and deepening your own understanding of the material, not to mention the benefits for your teaching skill.
Obviously, it is a win-win proposition, so what's not to like?
Nobody likes getting bad news, even when they are not directly related to themselves. Sometimes such news wake up and put to the forefront those hard questions that we often seek to ignore or sweep under the proverbial rug. This time, it was the report of BJJ and MMA legend Rickson Gracie being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. And being that in this regard he joins other legends in the domain of combat activities, most notably Muhammad Ali, but other greats such as Freddy Roach as well, it made one of "those" questions resurface again...
I learned about this case via a report/commentary by Rodney King, who has already been featured a couple of times on this blog. His view of the situation (as shared on Facebook) is sobering because he also speaks from his own experience, which clearly shows that at issue is not an isolated case, or even a string of unrelated cases. These facts make the above question that much more uncomfortable to ponder.
If take a stroll through my older posts, you will easily find out that dealing with injuries is one of the topics that are taken as important here, because they have at least a two-fold harmful effect - inhibiting further training; and essentially attaining a counter effect to that training, i.e. they makes us more vulnerable that being healthy and untrained. But, those are just the physical injuries. As a matter of fact, with regards to martial arts and combative training, if taken from the functional fighting perspective, they come with the territory, as a manner of speaking. Even when growing into chronic issues, such as arthritis, rheumatism etc, I am frequently inclined to think that it is worth the benefits one can reap from training.
However, the neurological problems and conditions that may stem from them are a different can of worms. First, there is a huge quantitative difference in terms of the deterioration in quality of life, between various orthopedic issues on the one side and Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, or ALS on the other. The degree of a person's functionality in living their lives is simply beyond comparison. Second, and directly connected to the last comment, is how it affects our immediate social environment, i.e. the closest family and friends. Exactly...all of a sudden we don't just bear the responsibility for ourselves, as you can't simply say "it's my life". Because it is someone else's too.
So, how do we tackle the problem? How does one stay active within his or her chosen field, especially when it is a true passion, while being more responsible in a long-term? Is it even possible to train in a way that is simultaneously geared toward functional effectiveness and personal preservation? The easy answer is - yes! But it is necessarily simple to achieve. Namely, there are many factors at work here, and a proper training environment needs to juggle many of them at any given moment. But that fact is by no means an excuse to neglect it.
The solution probably boils down to a good training methodology, depending on an individual's motives for and needs in the learning/training process. In your search for the good foundation, you might even start with some of the articles on this blog, and see how those suggestions apply to your current training situation. Or, you could go and consult any of those resources from Rodney King, because he has literally dedicated decades of his life and work to developing a paradigm that would successfully avoid or solve the problem we are discussing.
Ultimately, from this perspective, it is not so much the question of what you do in your practice, but rather how you do it. Therefore, should you choose to keep following the same road, at least try to do it in the best vehicle available.
What category of students is the hardest to teach? Yeah, as always, the answers depends on many factors, such as what are we teaching; for which purpose; in what circumstances; how often and for how long etc? Still, even with all these things in mind, I would probably not think of children as the immediate answer... Probably not even in the Top5.
You see, I work as a schoolteacher in secondary/middle school, but used to work with elementary pupils, too. As a matter of fact, for a couple of years I even taught the physical education class and was given carte blanche to include martial arts in those classes. And it was always enjoyable for everyone involved! In all honesty, though, the whole point of those sessions was to be fun, provide some new movement patterns, keep the kids' attention to teach them focus etc. With goals like that, working with children can be a really rewarding experience. And I do truly believe that martial arts can be fantastic tool in building those kids to be better members of the society, under the guidance of good instructors.
However, in a recent conversation with a mother of K-6 child, and myself a father of a 13-year old, I was asked what was the proper response to school bullying. And I couldn't give a good answer. You see, the local situation here has changed dramatically in the past month. Less than three weeks ago we had a first ever school shooting, nine kids and one adult killed, a few more wounded. Something that previously had only been stuff of unbelievable news from over the Atlantic. And it caused an avalanche of escalated school violence of a degree unheard of around here.
And everyone was dumbfounded... Institutionally (schools, judiciary, media etc), and on the individual level (parents, teachers, children). The thing is, it has been a tough issue for a while now. And here is why.
Namely, just like in the world of adults, any act of physical altercation could have consequences on several levels - physical (injury), emotional (trauma and stress), legal (kids in schools, parents potentially in court), social (how will other kids and families react). The main difficulty, then, lies in actually teaching all that to a pre-teen or even teenagers. Not even adults are always able to handle all those dimensions successfully, if at all, often because it involves too much time and effort (in their view) needed to gat a handle on it.
The children, on the other hand, are often readier to learn but lack faculties in understanding the deeply interleaved nature of all the aforementioned factors. Heck, at that age they are unable to perceive most anything in terms of long-term views. Patience, attention span, commitment - those are all challenges that can be tackled; but social awareness, understanding of consequences, liability, finality of some deeds - pretty much insurmountable obstacles. At least in this culture.
Do you teach a bullied child to stand their ground, without knowing how the bully will react? What if he or she pulls a knife or comes with gun next day? Hell, what if they come with an older criminal sibling or parent? At this point, we are moving from self defense to self preservation!
Do you tell them to report to school authorities and rely on their solutions? Yeah, right. Or maybe not even report at all? Do you teach the bullied kid to be first in escalation, use a knife? Join a gang? I hope you didn't even thing of the last two...
If we have hard times dealing with these questions as parents and potentially instructors, how could we expect children who haven't yet fully developed their psychological and physiological faculties to get a grasp of it all? The answer is - we cannot, and they shouldn't!
What we have at hand is a cultural phenomenon where the society is not really a community, and folks turn their heads away from other people's problems...until they become everybody's problems. Well, that kind of problem demands much more macro-level solutions, and we all ought to take a deep, hard look into our own contribution to the problem and our possibility of contributing to the solution.
When I started writing about various challenges one one's training path (also here, here, and here), it was mostly about the elements that a good training process required, one way or another, in order to produce good results. This time, however, I'd like to address one of the desired outcomes of such process, as there are some debates on whether it can be achieved.
The way I see it, for many people their skepticism with regards to whether training could yield toughness in a practitioner (if they hadn't already possessed this quality) is rooted in what seems to me to be the wrong question - can it be taught? From that standpoint, I would probably be inclined to agree... Because it is not meant to be taught! Toughness is the kind of attribute that can definitely be cultivated.
But, to get there, we first need to have some kind of working definition of just what is it that we are seeking to develop in a trainee. In the field of engineering toughness, as a mechanical quality of a certain material, is not the same thing as hardness or resilience etc. But then, they do not have to be concerned with the mental component, right? And in the realm of physical training, toughness is actually predominantly mentioned as a mental attribute.
In the fight game, this quality is also described as grit, clout, guts etc. So, to be on the same page, let's describe toughness as the ability to stay on the course and get to the goal, in face of challenges and despite the obstacles. Obviously, in the combative world, whether it be a sport arena, field of battle, or mean city streets, challenges and obstacles may vary, thus implying several building blocks of toughness. For example, tolerance to pain, ability to take a hit (physical traits), as well as executing proper tactical maneuvers effectively and efficiently (technical traits), but also facing the unfavorable odds and refusing to surrender (mental traits).
Once we take stock of all those necessary components, it becomes clearer why toughness cannot be taught, especially not in a single act; cultivation, on the other hand is process, and as such it takes time and effort...from both the trainees and their coaches. All right, so how to tackle this thing? Well, actually, we might take a look at the mechanical engineering for some hints!
In the above formula (gasp!), we see that the toughness is the result of a few other parts of the equation. For our purpose, let's look at Y (geometrical factor) as the sum of technical prerequisites of a given discipline (stance, balance, power generation, offensive/defensive moves); the next element - σ (Greek letter sigma) - i.e. the applied engineering stress stands for the selection of adequate training methods (pressure drills, sparring, scenarios, doing reps, equipment training etc.); while the final a points to adequate challenge/demand setting - just beyond the current reach of the trainee, but that does not look beyond achievable at all (if it seems impossible or unrealistic, it will fail to motivate action).
Pay attention to the sequence of things here! It is frequently said that once the athlete has all the technical demands and physicalconditioning in order, the work is 90% mental and 10% physical (search for "fitness" on this blog). This is why raw laypeople, taken from the street are unable to defeat high-level athletes despite how bad they might want it, but when two elite competitors face each other the mental preparation usually tips the scale.
On more of a meta-level, in his book Do Hard Things [...] Science of Real Toughness author Steve Magness points to four pillars of successful work on the development of this quality: 1) ditch the façade, face the reality; 2) listen to your body; 3) respond, instead of react; 4) transcend discomfort. This is a pretty good sublimation of some of the topics discussed in the links in the above text, and although the book itself is not aimed at martial artists as such, it is a good read for those interested in this particular issue.
In the end, I'd like to conclude with a couple of pointers - be patient, work with long-term in mind, trust the process!
Well, this was supposed to be my last article for 2022, but it wasn't meant to be. So, instead of ending the last year with a bang - here's to a happy and prosperous 2023!
Back in the 1990's, prior to Internet and Youtube, the only way to find out about new and interesting martial stuff out there was reading about it in magazines such as Black Belt. Otherwise, you would have to order a tape (yeah, VHS) from an author you had seen in an ad in those magazines. And those weren't cheap! At one point, the Black Belt actually came up with the idea of putting out a video magazine, and it looked exciting in their ads, but...at the time I just couldn't find the way of ordering to where I lived, and never got too see them to this day.
Fast forward a decade or so, and a gentleman named Pete Kautz, the founder of the Alliance Martial Arts decided to do a similar thing, but in a DVD format, featuring himself and James Keating as regular contributors in each issue, along with a guest or two being featured as well. Each issue focused on a single topic, and although titled Modern Knives, it wasn't dedicated solely to the edged weapons. Since I had already been a fan of their work, and been interested in what they had to show, as well as discovering new exponents, I ordered the first eight issues (i.e. all they had at that point) some 15 years ago. And guess what? I keep re-wathcing those somewhat frequently to this day. So, let's lee what they're all about!
First, a few words about the format and production. Typically, the DVD's are organized into chapters, where Keating usually takes the lead, followed by the featured guest, and then Kautz closing the instructional part. A first few issues also had a review of some instructional video's available, too - and, as you may imagine, I loved those. As the matter of fact, I ended up buying Blaise Loong's Sabungin Silat series after seeing the review in Modern Knives! Naturally, the reviews strived to cover the material that fits the topic of that issue. The video production is quite good, even if not always done with fully professional equipment, but both image and sound are clear, so the content is clear and easy to follow. Again, the videos have navigable menus with chapters, thus causing no inconvenience for the viewer.
Oh, the only aspect that gives out the "homemade" nature of the entire publishing operation is how the DVD jackets are done. Still, it didn't bother me the least - the cover image is indicative of the theme, and the back cover gives the content outline, which even many professionally produced and published videos before and since then failed to do.
front...
...and back
The issue #1 is about the the Spanish Fighting Arts. Keating opens up with with some instruction about the often misunderstood and/or neglected topic of how to use the so-called Spanish notch on some of the bigger fighting knives out there (including his own design - Crossada). He also touches upon the utilization of the knife's guard for the trapping purposes in the clinch phase of a knife fight/duel. Obviously, this material is mostly applicable with big blades, but those are rather interesting insights.
The guest author in the 1st issue is James Loriega, best known for his promotion of the knife fighting methods using traditional navaja folding knives of Spain. To me, this was the most interesting feature, because it is (still) one of the very few possibilities of actually seeing Loriega's material in action. Namely, despite having a few books on the subject published, they are not very clear with regards of how the techniques are executed (maybe even deliberately?), so if you have any interest in this domain - this DVD should be on your list of priorities.
Kautz goes into what is possibly the most evidently Spanish influence in FMA, i.e. the espada y daga approach to using a long and short blade simultaneously in combat. He presents the material along the lines of the so-called cinco teros (5 strikes) method of instruction, and offers what is probably one of the best available introductory lessons on this manner of armed fighting.
The video review in this issue is about the La Verdadera Destreza school of fencing, as presented by maestro Ramon Martinez.
The issue #2 deals with another geographical region - South East Asian Fighting Arts. Keating shows a very interesting method of using the kerambit knife, based on his Hellbows material. What I really liked about this is the conceptual nature of instruction, that integrates the defensive and offensive applications of the moves, doable without the weapon, too.
The legendary Kelly Worden is a featured guest instructor in what is actually a segment of his seminar on the FMA knife. A portion of his material is shown with Worden's patented Travel Wrench tool, and I liked it for the crossover applicability with other small palmstick-type tools and improvised weapons of similar characteristics.
Kautz teaches the triangle thrusting drill of the FMA and its variations, adaptations and applications. Again, in accord with his conceptual overall approach, he goes beyond the most obvious purpose of the drill and shows us how to see deeper into the work. These insights are meant to teach you how to get more mileage from any other type of drill and training method you may be using.
The review is focused on the above mentioned Sabungin Silat DVD series.
The issue #3 is closes to the title of whole series - Modern Knife Concepts. In it, Keating goes into the specifics of use with his signature Chinook folding knife made by Spyderco. It is always interesting to see and hear what a knife designer had in mind when coming up with his or her personal model, and this is no exception. Probably my favorite part was the use of a small, folding knife for back cut technique typically associated with much bigger weapons.
As the guest instructor, ninjutsu instructor Dale Seago does a rather interesting feature about the defense from an unexpected knife attack. I particularly appreciated how he connected cultural and philosophical layers of his art with the tactical and technical applications. That said, the very idea of training/drilling something unexpected is somewhat paradoxical, but there is still quite a bit of value to be gained from this chapter.
Finally, Kautz offers an excellent segment on the extensions and variations of the Comtech Drawpoint method of the knife used in the reverse grip manner. Now, this portion of the material is very useful when taken on its own, but even more so if you have also seen and worked on Keating's original material. It is also a brilliant example of how practitioners can take what they had learned and then put their own flavor to it, and how do do it right!
This is NOT a clip from the described DVD, but gives a fairly good taste of how Kautz does his material there.
The issue #4 is about the Western Martial Arts. This time, instead of being geographically specific, the focus is more on the historical research of the combat methods of Europe and America. Interestingly enough, Keating features a niche kind of material here - single action revolver twirling. Now, if you are not into firearms this may not be of interest at all, and if you are, you may wonder about the practical value of the stuff shown. The way I see it, attempting this material is aimed to achieve developmental effects, i.e. working on your attributes, and particularly the frequently missed benefits to honing one's neural connections and coordination.
Featured guest Bob Charon gives a presentation of the dagger fighting methods from the late medieval manual of Fiore Dei Liberi, i.e. Flos Duellatorum from 1410. It gives us insight into some of the time tested and confirmed principles of combat, regardless of the place they were used in. Also, should you be among the folks who believe the whole HEMA things is just a bunch of guys and gals involved into some sort of glorified costume-wearing reenactment play, it may open your eyes to practical benefits of studying this kind of material.
In the footsteps of the previous chapter, Kautz shows more dagger from another medieval master - this time a German one, Andre Lignitzer. Again, this is not so much about historical accuracy, but more looking toward how it can still be researched to find the worthwhile aspects for our day and age.
The issue #5 stays with the previous theme to a degree, and gives the viewer an incredible amount of information, since it deals with the American Bowie Knife. Now, Keating has long been recognized as one of the leading authorities in this domain, and once more he goes one step further than most other instructors. Namely, the bowie is most often perceived as a dueling implement nowadays, but back in the day it was probably seen more as a great backup weapon/tool, which is where Keating's treatment of the knife in tandem with a revolver is a unique value. Weapon deployment, retention and transition are the name of the game here, and the implications to footwork, distance and angling are as important as any other element. So, don't skip this part!
The late distinguished author Dwight McLemore focuses on one of the bowie knife signature moves - the snap cut - but specifically how do defend against this deceptive and destructive tactic. Like the previous chapter, this is they kind of instruction that is hard to find elsewhere, thus making the DVD that more valuable.
As if the above was not enough, Kautz demonstrates the application of historical sabre fencing techniques with the bowie knife, hence elucidating on some of the highly probably sources of this knife material in the first place. On top of it, we see done the techniques used against the bayonet attacks, which is, again, how the bowie was probably often used in its original environment.
But, there is even more! To give you even more insights into the phenomenon of this legendary blade, we are given a glimpse into the forging of a true fighting bowie under the hands of the legendary master blade maker Bill Bagwell, as well as the suggestions for the every day carry options from the sheath maker Mike Sastre. All in all, one heck of a great and informative DVD!
The issue #6 takes a step away from the blades and is concerned instead with Filipino Stick Fighting methods, and here we have a 2 DVD set. Keating leads the way with a series of options of using the stick as a tool for LEOs, i.e. teaching the locks and releases to control the opponent, where simply using the baton as an impact weapon may not be appropriate.
Dr. Remy Presas, the son of the legendary master Remy A. Presas of the Modern Arnis fame, is shown in a fragment of a seminar, teaching the counter for counter methods and tactics of his art. I liked that the editor (Pete Kautz) chose the material that really fits well with Keating's, and the viewer should probably try investigating how they could be combined. If this is your field of interest, you should be able to spend a long time in discovering modes and options of use with these.
Another guest instructor is Ken Smith, and his chapter is maybe my favorite here. Namely, he goes into Sibat, the long staff material, and for some reason I have always felt some primordial pleasure when handling this tool. Smith demonstrates a two-ended staff approach in his segment, showing how some well known FMA drills and exercises, normally done with a regular stick, can be adapted to and used with sibat.
Finally, Kautz delivers another phenomenal instructional package with his explanation of how to functionalize siniwali (double stick) material. Like before, he teaches us how to see "behind the curtain" of simple movements and movement patters, and into the driving engine behind them. And this not another set of interpretations of the meaning/applications of the already familiar mover, like with so many other FMA instructors. No, Kautz deconstructs the mechanics of strokes, their lines, trajectories and sectors, and then shows you how to come up with your own patterns and applications. In other words, he does not give you a vocabulary of words, but the actual grammar that makes one fluent in "speaking" siniwali. Highly recommended!
The issue #7 is another "deviation" from the topic of knives, but this time it is about the Grappling Arts. OK, with Keating's segment it does not entirely stray from knives, because this segment, taken from his legendary training camp Riddle of Steel held in 1992, shows how to integrate grappling with the blade work. As in some of the previous issues, he shows that there is a wide scope of possible strategies and possibilities to be researches, if you are a "lifer" with a serious and deep commitment to martial training.
Dr. Les Moore was one of those unexpected gems that I hoped to find in this type of publication, as mentioned at the beginning of the article. He shows a number of exercises and drills, some of which I have never seen elsewhere, primarily coming from the catch-as-cath-can wrestling of yesteryear. There are some preparatory/conditioning exercises and then several grappling techniques and tactics taught that make this issue well worthy of your time and money.
Guess what? We have another "double trouble" issue with two guest instructors here, with Mark Hatmaker as the second one. His topic is one very dear to my heart - dealing with grounded aspect of a fight, which means when you are down and your opponent still standing. I am always curious about various asymmetrical scenarios of combat, and Hatmaker's feature is excellent in this regard. He shows several solid approaches and responses to the challenges faced in this situation, and if your interest in grappling goes beyond the sport arena and with an eye toward the street-savvy solutions, this is a great place to learn something valuable.
In his manner, Kautz shows us grappling options and applications of hubud-lubad, one of the bread and butter drills of FMA. He focuses on what is called lock-flow sequences, which is an interesting way to see how on the higher levels of combat the finality of some techniques may be a relative thing, depending on your training and preparation. From the standpoint of MMA and BJJ this will probably look unrealistic, but like before - it should be looked at from the developmental angle... Plus, adding a weapon to the equation may change your view about the practicality of the exercises.
The issue #8 is one of my favorites, even though I really love the entire series. Probably because its subject is the one of Combative Drills & Skills. In my personal opinion, adequate drills are too often a missing phase between simple technique acquisition and sparring. In this DVD we are shown a few approaches to drills and exercises that should help in bridging this gap. Keating works on one of my pet topics - solo drills. In this chapter the developmental benefits mentioned earlier are really in the forefront. He demonstrates several drills done with a rope, unlike anything else I have seen. Now, for the best results, Keating's stuff requires you to put your thinking hat on and dig deep, in order to reap the fruits. Maybe, this clip will help you understand his approach a bit.
The guest instructor Ed Lawson teaches a couple of of muti-purpose and multi-layers drills from his Combat Escrima curriculum, inspired by the Pekiti Tirsia Kali, from what I was able to see. His presentation is really good, and if you are into FMA, you will probably like this portion of the DVD.
Kautz shows a simplified path of learning the use of stick in fighting, via his Figure-8 Method. True to his conceptual approach, Kautz applies a progression of drills to demonstrate his material, and to me an even greater value lies in trying to utilize his method of teaching to other stuff you may be working on in our training. Still, even if you just stay on what he shows, you will be satisfied for having acquired a functional fighting skillset that is fairly easy to maintain.
Now, since my buying this series of DVDs (and Mr. Kautz was so great that he threw in a set of Sharkee training knives that I still use regularly) there have been another three issues published (9 to 11), but for some reason I have never got them (that happens when family and children get into picture, lol). Although, obviously, I haven't seen those and cannot comment on the actual content, from the experience with the first eight issues, I feel comfortable recommending those as well.
In the end, there is one more element of Kautz's work on this video magazine that shows what a class act he is. Namely, instead of using some random/generic royalty-free music for the opening and closing credits, he actually goes with music from the demo bands that he likes, and then gives them full credit and some exposure by including footage of their performances.
Thank you sir Jim Keating and sir Pete Kautz for doing this awesome body of work!
I had a brief but still interesting chat the other day, with a person who isn't really a practitioner, but kind of sidelines fan of martial arts. Fortunately, although the talk was about the value of various martial systems and styles, the said person was above the petty fandom idolization of any particular exponents or their styles, so the discussion was not a bother. The main insight for me came from their observation that in the end Bruce Lee was right that "it is not about the styles, but about fighters", because we have seen representatives (declarative) of several different disciplines having had success in MMA.
After that, my collocutor was left with a question of why then we still have so many systems and schools? Now, if you have been my follower for a while, you may remember that there are some recommended resources that will answer this question much better than I could within the confines of a blog post. Still, there are, in my view two main components to this - one, historical and social circumstances as they relate to the origin; two, personal motive for being involved with the practice.
Now, of course, the great Bruce Lee repeatedly emphasized that his practice was all about truth in combat, hence the approach to training, readiness to experiment etc. Naturally, it sounds perfectly sensible, and with the expansion of MMA, it also seems quite evident. This also why some exponents are able to be successful in the situations of being pressure-tested outside the typical framework of their chosen methodologies. That said ,however, it is more often the case of exception, rather than the rule. So, what makes people get emotionally invested in fiery debates about the virtues or shortcomings of their schools of thought, when it comes to fighting?
My experience in dealing with many of those over decades, especially if they have never tried stepping outside the aforementioned stylistic boundaries, is that even if they resort to quoting Lee, it is with a different agenda. Namely, they simply are not in quest for the truth in combat. And, like I've stated so many times, it is OK...as long as they are honest with themselves about it.
Different folks are into it for different reasons, but quite often they are unaware of choosing to pursue the illusion and live in fantasy, at least from the standpoint of sheer combative effectiveness. In the realm of training for weaponry use it is probably even more characteristic than in the empty-handed systems (although, just the matter of degree). Essentially, it tends to slip into the domain of LARPing, without being called that.
Now, I am absolutely not against LARP and Cosplay. Heck, it gets people outside and moving, while enjoying it. Plus, they are utterly straightforward about living their fantasy. But when a person who does some kind of "traditional" stuff, whether ninjutsy, aikido, kung fu, FMA, RMA, or capoeira, two hours a week on a recreational basis, goes on a rant about just how deadly and lethal it is...ugh, I'd rather not delve into that. Interestingly though, they tend to be offended when compared to LARPers. Go figure...
Very recently I've had the privilege of taking part in an FMA Discussion podcast with a group of fellow Astig Lameco practitioners, including the method founder Roger Agbulos. We had such a great time and so much fun that time flew, but the discussion touched on several topics that might be of interest, if you have time to take a look and have a listen.
Be as it may, quite lot of time was spent in effort to shed light on certain more or less specific aspects of technique, meaning how it is trained for combative effect. While there are numerous elements that comprise a well performed technique, it seems that to a lot of people it still boils down to a set of biomechanical building blocks that, if sequenced properly, should yield desired result. Since another prominent subject in the conversation was solo training, several listeners believed it focused on the said approach to technique.
After all, isn't that exactly what it is meant when experts of all sorts offer opinions and advice on the proper and improper way of doing pretty much anything?
Well, not exactly. Naturally, if one's approach and interest in doing martial arts lies in some sort of aesthetic, artistic, meditative exercise and/or performance (kata, choreographed demos etc.), then the above mentioned view is pretty good.
However, if you are in the category of practitioners who look for the functional use of technical arsenal in the circumstances of working against a non-complient partner/opponent (whether in competition, sparring of a real fight), thing tend to require attention toward several other dimensions. Yes, the mechanics of delivery are still important - including speed, power, strengths etc. - but there additional elements of the equation, such as timing, distance management, efficiency, intent and so on. And then, there is the avenue of tactics, strategy and other avenues of taking the other person into account. I have particular affinity toward the definition of technique as used by the authors of a book reviewed here:
…both an accurate movement pattern as well as successful application in an Unscripted Training or Play Learning environment. Correct Execution does not mean a person can simply successfully mimic what a movement pattern looks like, it means that they can use the movement pattern effectively and also achieve its intended outcome…
See, it is the intended outcome that happens to be the key phrase here. That is why I said, during the discussion, that Astig works through the outcome based methodology, using the reverse engineering approach in identifying what makes a good technique, necessary physical attributes, and adequate training methods to develop all those. And this is why the impact of good instruction and feedback is especially important, even if you are working on your own.
If you have been around this blog for any length of
time, you have probably noticed that most reviews of educational materials have
related to the books and instructional DVD/video formats. Today, however, I’d
like to step into the 21st century and point to an excellent online
source of brilliant combative instruction.
For the readers who share my affinity for the
functional skill and sound training methodology, over the flashy maneuvers and
technique-collecting approach, the work of Tom Sotis
ought to be among the go-to references. Simply put, he spent 30+ years of
dedicated training with unwavering focus on providing to his trainees/clients
the best and most reliable information and skill to be developed. That said,
the more I learn about the man and his work, the more I am impressed with his sheer
honesty about the process of training and utmost disregard for the whole noise
of peripheral phenomena of martial arts, such as ranking, titles, power over
organizations and people etc. As the matter of fact, that is probably exactly
what enabled him to put so much effort and thought into the development of his
excellent methods.
The results are formulated under the banner of AMOK!
And available to the interested parties on Tom’s website Amok! Global. For what is possibly the most
affordable fee anywhere, you get access to the main body of the knowledge that
Sotis has distilled into two categories:
-Core skills;
-Methodology.
That way, not only do you learn what the people that
he has taught in more than 30 countries over the course of more than 30 years
have learned (what he teaches), but
also how did they develop it into a working set of skills (how he teaches). In approaching training from these angles, an
encompassing and thorough understanding is obtained with regards to the
technical performance and tactical decision making, but also the proper focus
on all the right components that will accelerate your progress on the
functional path. Attacks, counters, grabs, disarms; training, practicing,
sparring methods and configurations…it’s all there!
Although the core skills and methodology are
conceived in a manner that integrates the instruction of all necessary elements
of combative capability, for those who want to go into more detail and depth
regarding some of those elements, there are specific focus courses available on
the topics of Footwork, Handling, Faking, Striking, Countering and so on.
The common feature of
all his instruction is the presentation in the bite-sized video clips, shown in
appropriate order. Sotis uses whiteboard presentations where applicable, speaks
clearly and informatively, without fluff and unnecessary ornamentation. Some of
the clips are actually under two minutes of length, and I find it great for a
couple of reasons. One, it forces the instructor to be as clear and efficient
as possible in conveying his message; two, it makes it easier for the viewers
to rewind and dial in the exact part they need to see/hear; three, it keeps
tracking of the material you have covered much simpler; four, finding the exact
topic you want is effortless.
It bears saying that in AMOK! they use knife as the central
tool of instruction, for the reasons very well explained and argued for in the
course, but the material is easily adapted to (m)any other tools you may use,
or to the empty-handed application as well.
Ultimately, even if you have no interest of becoming
and adept of AMOK! or even adopting the methodology into your training, it will
still offer an excellent lens for filtering your
own training approaches, thus helping you stay on the right path, as long
as the desired destination is truth in combat.
No one has all the answers, right? After all, this is
why we cross train. And, nowadays cross-training has become accepted so much
that is almost kind of a norm. Although some thirty years ago it was seen by
many as the expression of humanity’s lowest impulses, MMA has become possibly
the most popular combat sport of our time, especially in terms of the
mainstream media exposure. It may even be fair to say that the success of MMA
has brought more attention back to the traditional Olympic fighting events such
as judo, boxing and wrestling.
So, the revolution that Bruce Lee was preaching almost
six decades ago is now a common state of affairs…or is it?
There is a segment of training in martial arts and
related disciplines that exhibits much more conservative attitude, and no, I do
not have ultra-traditional arts and systems in mind. As much as training in
several different methods is widely accepted, there is still a lot of frowning
upon the attempt to train simultaneously in two (or more) different schools of
the same system or style. For some
reason, if a person wanted to train in two different BJJ or karate schools, and
just the same for two schools of the same kung fu system, or even two boxing
clubs, they are deemed disloyal, back-stabbing, untrustworthy kind of
character.
While I might understand the sentiment if at issue is
a competitor jumping ship, it doesn’t make sense when talking about a serious
enthusiast who may not be focused on competition. What is wrong if someone
wants to see how different instructors and coaches treat the same situations? On
top of it, for the most part it is completely OK to attend seminars of
instructors from other lineages, but training regularly in different schools is
a no-no.
Granted, at lower, beginning levels of training such
practice may be counterproductive, as the trainee could focus on collecting
techniques and tricks instead of focusing on developing strong fundamental
principles, but after a few years? As a thought experiment, let’s say you have
8+ years in BJJ, with a lot of money and time at disposal. And you happen to be
equally close to the schools run by Marcelo Garcia, John Danaher and Mario
Sperry, who all have classes on different days and times. What is wrong by
visiting each (or two of them) two or three times a week, as opposed to staying
with just one four times a week?
Or, being a boxer of 10 years, and having both Teddy
Atlas and Freddy Roach within reach, with a similar set of circumstances as
above. Would you tap the knowledge source of both, or chose one to follow?
It bears saying that sometimes two instructors will
have approaches that really do not fit, or even contradict each other, and in
such case it is definitely better to opt for one. However, if one is looking to
get as well rounder view of a discipline as possible, it only makes sense to
learn from more than one source. Especially so if you are, or strive to be, an
instructor yourself at some point.
Or maybe the whole “problem” is endemic to the
place(s) that I have been frequenting, while entirely non-existent elsewhere?
As the time goes on and technology keeps progressing and developing, we are often tempted to look for the latest piece of training gear, gadget or app that could propel our training further and faster. In that search for new and more it is easy to lose sight of the fact that often the improvement can be achieved quicker by working on the old. Specifically, on mercilessly identifying and removing the mistakes we make in practice, and with this insight working on enhancing our performance through the elimination of own weakness(es).
Of course, this identification process is best achieved in the presence of a good instructor/coach. But what to do when left to one's own devices? Exactly that - use the device we all normally use on the daily basis! While martial arts have been around for much longer than video recording technology, I am dumbfounded that there is still so many people who fail to recognize the valuable aspects of regularly taking footage of their training.
Not all cameras are spying on us
If you are on a true, incessant pursuit of improvement in training, video recording is priceless help. Even if you do have a coach, they are only able to see and process so many things at once, but when analyzing footage, it is possible to rewind, slow down, isolate and really focus deeply on any little minutia of the practitioner's work. Even more so when forced to work on your own. And it works both ways - finding out good solutions that have emerged spontaneously in some situation, and then trying to work them in one's regular game; also, recognizing the recurring mistakes and omissions that need to be eliminated.
Cameras can be very useful in a group setting, too. As an example, when the whole class is involved in an activity, some people may be more successful in doing it, and the video footage may later be used to better explain to other trainees how to approach it more effectively.
Finally, if you are an instructor in a system that does not rely on ranks/belts as the means of tracking the student's progress (or even if it does), as I have witnessed in the RMA circles, you will be regularly met with students' periods of doubt and resignation with their progress. Naturally, it may lead to their sub-optimal effort, or even giving up on training altogether. In such situations, letting them compare their performance, captured on video in the span of a few moths can offer a great boost to their confidence and motivation to carry on with the work.
A word of warning - depending on you age, pulling out a phone for its camera capacity may tempt you to make the training session into a posing session for Instagram or TicToc or whatever... Make sure that other participants in training also understand that at issue is not a demo, but the regular workout, so that you would have authentic material input to work with it for the benefits down the line.
There is this thing of viewing, i.e. quantifying, one's training from one of two main vantage points - in term of hours spent, or years invested. It probably obvious that those two outlooks are nor really mutually exclusive, but rather complementary. Especially since both require certain level of commitment from the practitioner... Quite recently, the good folks from the FMA Discussion community had a very nice debate on the topic of hours vs. years, and it yielded an excellent episode of their podcast.
All three participants in the talk were able to really nicely present their points of view and arguments relating to the subject, with a lot of excellent insights. I especially liked how they underlined that when things take their natural course, the hours will eventually turn into years. It really resonated with me, because it immediately reminded of how my path with Alex Kostic unfolded. Namely, when he first started teaching Systema as a guest instructor in the club/group where I was a member, it was only natural that my tendency was to squeeze in as many hours as possible with Alex whenever he was around (he was still based in Canada back then). Those hours contributed to our building a great relationship and ultimately into years spent training and researching together.
Be as it may, at one point during the above program, the host asked the question that I had sent, whether if we take the look at the training time through the lens of hours, does it matter how far apart those hours are? While the answers were good, I may not have formulated the question adequately. Although, Mr. Steve Grody had already brought up what seems to me to be the central point - consistency.
So, here is my attempt to be a bit more specific. Let's say a person has 50 hours per year available for training. Would it be more effective then to train for one hour every week, or attend five seminars of 10 hours each throughout that year (thus, 10-12 weeks between training sessions)? Essentially, if there is absolutely no other training done outside those hours, it only makes sense that weekly hour-long sessions would be preferable, primarily for the sake of regular feedback regarding one's performance. Regardless of what kind of performance we're talking about here - forms, techniques, drills, sparring - consistent shorter sessions will take the cake over occasional longer ones.
On the other hand, if we talk about 50 hours of INSTRUCTION, not all training, then the seminars with regular practice sessions between them may be the right way to go, particularly of otherwise we have limited access to the qualified instructors. After all, this how many arts and systems were able to spread around the world. Still, if regular instruction is available, weekly learning slots with reinforcing practice sessions on other days of the week would win, for the reasons mentioned above.
It bear saying, nonetheless, that certain situations will naturally gravitate to one of the two vantage points. Say, a fight camp 6-8 weeks prior to a competition clearly goes towards the emphasis on hours spent over the period. Alternatively, in some systems require age limits for certain ranks, so the hours on those years may not be decisive.
The bottom line is that it is how learning works - effort over time. The intensity and regularity are the fundamental factors here, and if those an be balanced, it is really an optimal situation. And again, if the commitment and discipline are there - the hours will definitely turn into years.
This one goes hand in hand with the previous post. That said, you do not need to read the last month's installment, but if you do, it will give you a bigger picture of the subject.
A typical student of a typical martial art is typically driven (early on at least) by achieving the next belt/degree, which is why after the 3-6 month mark, probably the biggest drop off point in the number of students is a year or so after they get their black belt. That is characteristic of extrinsically motivated people, i.e. a lot of them in today's consumer societies. Also a common feature of such practitioners is incessant hunt for new techniques and tricks. It is baffling, really, that to this day there are so many people believing the "secret" to greatness of success lies in the material itself, rather than in the person using it. After all, how do we explain the fact that some exponents can successfully pull off techniques others can't make work? As master Rey Galang says during his classes (albeit in the way I paraphrased it, to make it more memorable):
So, yeah, it boils down to elbow grease and dedicated work on the stuff one's instructors are teaching. And then, ask yourself, how much time during the day (if aiming at real competence, you can't allow yourself to think in terms of 2-3 times per week) you can invest in training? Well, how much material do you think one can cover efficiently and meaningfully? Hmmm...does it make sense to collect dozens upon dozens of techniques in that case?
That brings us to the need and desire for cross training. I belong to the camp that argues for the necessity of such approach, if one is motivated by combative effectiveness in their martial training. The above considerations could be used here as a filter to help you decide which systems/instructors to work with in order to make your skill set compact and functional. Namely, their methods should be complementary, both in terms of fighting ability and training economy. When you can work on things that fit well together, it is easier to approach them in a single act, thus making every minute of practice count. Otherwise, you might be struggling in vain.
Be honest with yourself and it will be easier to be true to your quest.
So far, all the installments of the Challenges In Training
“series” discussed the topics that mostly belonged the to the domain of
responsibility for the instructors and coaches. Overall, this whole blog is
sort of aimed that way, talking about the training methods, progressions,
tools, approaches etc. And all those are important. However, the absolute key
factor in any student’s progress is actually is or her own dedication and
determination in training.
Naturally, when first getting into a martial art
class, many potential students may not be fully aware of what is it they are
looking for, due to a slew of various ideas
about training. And that is fine. At some point, though, some of them will find
some reason to choose one system/school or the other and stay with it. From
that moment on, the instructor and the trainee have a kind of pact (maybe even
a written contract) that binds them in the joint effort of making the latter
better at that skillset. Now, contrary to the common initial view, at the early
stages of training, the main burden of making that progress is ON the STUDENT!
It is up to them to provide the foundation by being consistent and earnest in
their work. Most importantly, having made your choice, give both yourself and
your instructor some time to get things going. Make sure you are not in this
category:
While it is certainly easy to find yourself nodding
and agreeing with what Mr. Marsalis says (as an instructor), or be intimidated
(as a student), it doesn’t mean the only good way to undergo effective training
is what some people would call “old school” – absolute obedience and silence
from the trainees, whereas the teacher or instructor is held on a pedestal,
with dictator-like mandate to do whatever they feel like. The commitment on
students’ part is also reflected in their curiosity and desire to know
more/better, especially if what they have to ask and say helps the teacher
understand how to prepare the classes and material for the best results.
That said, it does not mean total liberty for the
students to just spout the
first thing that comes to their mind. There has to be some discipline and
self-control involved in the process. Essentially, you should be looking to
have as meaningful relationship and communication between the two sides as
possible. Remember, it is a pact, with the common goal in mind.
Probably the main hindrance nowadays is the exposure
to too much information. I have to say, with the spread of free (quasi)instructional
media on Youtube and similar services, it can be rather difficult for students
to separate the wheat from the chaff and set up good filters before selecting
adequate material to ask about or consult. My advice is, ask your instructor
which sources are acceptable from his perspective, and from which phase of your
training.
But, most importantly, the students need to
understand that training is a process! As such it takes time and it is not
linear. There will be ups and downs, plateaus and growth, frustration and inspiration…it
is all part and parcel of doing it. But you must be doing it in the first
place, and keep at it. Sure, there will be times when you don’t feel inspired
or at your best, or when it is the case with your instructor…this is where your
discipline and commitment have to carry you. Otherwise, haphazard training will
only yield haphazard results.
Whoa, it just appeared to me that a month ago it was the 10th anniversary of this blog! Man...who would have thought. Back then, even with the first actual post, my sole intention was to share some personal views and insights into this beautiful, funny, frustrating and consuming world of martial art training. Maybe I was hoping to somehow contribute to improving that very training process a tiny bit. Well, while there is no way to say if the later hopes have been achieved, I sure did keep on sharing those views, thoughts and rants. And got more in return than ever having dreamt of!
Just like it is the case with training itself, the main benefit of writing this blog turned out to be getting to know some really great people and learning infinitely more along the way than possible being able to teach in any way, shape or form. As the matter of fact some true greats found it worthwhile to get in touch and grace me with their time in conversation. Others provided me with the opportunity of actually learning under their guidance on a regular basis. What more could a guy, who happens to be a lifer in the martial arts, ask for?
However, as a complete coincidence, probably the biggest honor that aligned with this anniversary was the invitation to teach along with guro Roger Agbulos during one of his incredibly popular Zoom sessions. As a token of appreciation for all those readers who made running the blog worthy, here is my segment of that session, in all its (in)glorious detail:
The things that I would particularly like you to notice are the interpretation of what good technique actually means in combative arts (at the very beginning of the video), as well as a helpful way to improve one's solo practice and make it more effective. If you get more out of it - take it as bonus!
In conclusion, it has been an awesome ride... Let's see if we can go for another round!
A couple of months ago I posted a short video clip on the Astig Lameco group on Facebook, showing one of the possible solutions for a common problem of many novice practitioners, i.e. losing the integrity of the combat stance after a few seconds of dynamic footwork. It showed me doing liner shuffling footwork in a skateboarding park, with one of those low, straight rails between my feet, on a mid-calf level. It caused some great reactions and comments, saying what a great way it is to address the issue.
However, it is nothing new or spectacular. In the coaching practice this approach to training is known as the method of constraints and affordances, and in a nutshell it entails the creation of such training environment that would either prevent the practitioner from making a mistake, or facilitate his achieving the desired outcome, respectively. In this post I will illustrate the former approach.
We have all been in a situation, either as an instructor or the student, to keep pointing to the same mistake, but to no avail, since it keeps rearing its ugly head time and again. Instead of giving up on the issue or continuing with more of the same in terms of trying to fix it, there is a different, wordless way of dealing with it. How about putting the trainee in a situation where he has no choice but do what you ask of him?
Let's take a very widespread boxing mistake - flaring elbow when executing a jab. In other words, instead of firing the punch down the straight line, there is power leaking because of the crooked trajectory of the elbow during the execution. Here is the visual depiction:
the guard position
mid-phase with elbow sticking out
final phase
The problem with this technique is that if the distance is suddenly shortened in the middle phase of the punch, it will lose so much power that the effect will be negligible. So, the coach has been harping about it constantly, even tried showing the trainee some video footage of his faulty mechanics, but it has all been futile. Well, if we constrain the spatial options that allow for the mistake to be made, it should elicit proper execution from the practitioner.
In this case, it is done as simply as putting the trainee next to a wall, his lead shoulder almost touching it. And then have him or her doing the technique, first slowly and then faster.
the guard position
mid-phase, this time without wandering elbow
final phase
That is it! It will take a bit of perseverance, but lot less frustration to get where you want to go.
The nice thing is that constraints are not limited to technical training. You can develop tactical solutions this way (eg. by limiting the available technical options during sparring; always starting the drill or sparring round from a position that you want to emphasize; taking a limb out of the equation by tying it etc.), as well as many other aspects of combative training. Basically, you start with the problem and reverse-engineer the solution by seeking to see how to disable the undesirable occurrence.
