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1 – PDF Copy of this newsletter

 

If you'd like a PDF version of this newsletter, you can download one from the News Page of the website: www.iainabernethy.com/news_page.asp

Because this newsletter is for members only, you will need a password to open the PDF. The password is "JULY" (all capitals).

 

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2 – New Podcast! Kata: Why Bother?

 

A new podcast has now been added to the blog of www.iainabernethy.com! This month's podcast is called "Kata: Why Bother?" and it discusses the nature and value of kata from a practical viewpoint. It also asks if there is a place for kata in modern training or if it is increasingly becoming an archaic waste of training time?

 

The podcast is around 18 minutes long and is based on an article I wrote a number of years ago. The podcast also looks why kata were created in the first place and suggests how we need to approach kata if it is to have value as a record of combative techniques and as a training method.

 

If you follow the link below it will take you to the webpage where you can download the podcast or listen to it online:

 

http://blog.iainabernethy.com/?p=73

 

The podcasts are also available via I-Tunes. If you type in "Iain Abernethy" in the I-Tunes search it will take you to the page where you can subscribe to the podcasts. You can also subscribe to the RSS feeds via the blog (www.blog.iainabernethy.com)

 

I hope that you enjoy the podcast and, as always, any feedback will be gratefully received (iain@iainabernethy.com)

 

I-Tunes Page: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=254183101

Podcast RSS Feeds Page: http://blog.iainabernethy.com/?feed=rss2

 

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3 – Funniest Martial Arts Skit Ever! (UFC 75: Unacceptable)

 

A link to a You-Tube page was recently posted on the discussion forum by Stuart Sadler (thanks mate!). The footage is without a doubt the funniest martial arts skit I've ever seen! I'm not exaggerating when I say the tears were rolling down my face and I was holding my sides as I watched it. Absolutely brilliant! Please follow the link below and prepare yourself for a serious giggle :-)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kbdhXmJtjQ

 

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4 – Ask the Experts Latest

 

In previous newsletters I have told you about the new "Ask the Experts" column that is being featured in Martial Arts Illustrated magazine. The way the column works is that readers submit their questions to the resident panel and the answers and questions are printed in the magazine.

 

I got some great feedback on my answers to the questions selected by the editor in the most recent addition. Thanks to everyone for the feedback and for submitting your questions.

 

I was sent the questions for the upcoming edition a week or so ago by the editor. The questions I received were:

 

Question 1: Dear Iain, How old does one need to be in order to invent their own kata? – Alan Wright, 3^rd Kyu, London

 

Question 2: Iain, A friend of mine recently gave me a copy of your book 'mental strength' how important are the daily use of karate kata in developing a strong mind? – Andrew Dobson, Leeds

 

Question 3: Iain, Can the study of judo help unlock the bunkai in any given kata? – Thomas Thomas, Birmingham

 

I've submitted by answers and they will be published in the next edition of the magazine.

 

If you have any questions you'd like me to answer in the column, please send your questions to the magazine. You can email them to Martialartsltd@btconnect.com Or fax them to 01484422177.

 

Thanks once again for submitting your questions. I really appreciate it and I hope you'll enjoy my responses.

 

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5 – Training with Peter Consterdine

 

The last couple of years have probably been seen the biggest improvement in my martial arts since I was a beginner. Now it is easy to make improvements when you are just starting out, but not so easy to make progress after decades of training. The reason for this recent and marked progress has been my weekly trips to train under Peter Consterdine at the "Training Day" sessions.

 

In 2005, I was asked by Peter to teach one of the British Combat Association Instructors' courses. At the end of the course I was chatting with Peter and he said that if I ever wanted to come along to one of his training sessions I should let him know. I know a good opportunity when I hear one and made a commitment to get in touch with Peter to set a date the following day.

 

On the drive home I decided to push my luck and ask Peter if I could come along to the sessions regularly. I also figured it would be wise to ask that question before the stark reality of those sessions was experienced first hand! That way if the sessions were as demanding as I suspected, I'd already have made the commitment and then would not be able to back out.

 

I called Peter the next day and he said that it would be fine for me to come along regularly … if I was sure what I was letting myself in for. I wasn't, but made the commitment anyway.

 

I was simultaneously excited and nervous about the first session (which is exactly how I have felt about every other session since then). When I got to the dojo, Peter introduced me to the rest of the guys and we started the session. I remember telling Peter that I was feeling the strain after many rounds on the bag (I think my exact works were "I'm f##ked!"), to which Peter replied "Iain, this is the warm up".

 

Like many martial artists I consider myself to be a hard trainer. However there is a huge difference between "hard" and "training day hard". The thing that consistently impresses me though is just how productive "training day hard" is.

 

The countless drills that form the training day sessions are not just physically demanding, they are every bit as mentally and technically challenging. The sessions develop everything the martial artist needs to a very high level. Indeed, without experiencing these sessions firsthand, it can be difficult to appreciate just how high that level is. I've been training in the martial arts for over a quarter of a century and in all my travels I have never came across anything that even comes close to the power, speed, explosiveness and skill exhibited at these sessions.

 

I recall Peter once saying at a BCA seminar – with over 200 attendees – that none of them could kick. I thought that Peter was perhaps being a little over dramatic in order to illustrate a point. For my part, I held a 5^th Dan in karate and my kicks had always worked well for me so my confidence in my kicking remained undiminished: I could kick just fine. At my first training day session I realised Peter was right: I could not kick!

 

By any other standard, I would be considered a good kicker, but these guys worked at a whole different level. And because you don't see that level in other gyms and dojos you may not even realise that that level exists. When I now watch people I once considered fast and technically proficient, I can now see just how slow and clumsy their techniques and transitions are by comparison.

 

My time training under Peter has given me a totally different set of eyes. Even when viewing elite level martial competition, I find myself wincing at just how poor some of the striking is. Almost everyone has these errors and hence it becomes the standard to which most people unwittingly work. As I say, there is a level way above what most get exposed to.

 

As an example, before training with Peter all the martial artists I knew leant backward when throwing a round house kick. Why do we do that when it takes our hands away from the target and slows down any follow up punch? Does it add to power? I thought it did until Peter taught me how to throw a round house from an upright position. Leaning back makes the techniques slower and weaker! But the lean makes the kick easier to land, right? Nope! I land loads more kicks now than I did. But surely kicking without leaning means you need to be more flexible? No! Kicking, even head height, is actually a lot easier on the muscles and joints the way Peter does it. The only reason I can think of for people leaning when they kick is for the same reason I once did it that way: I had not seen the kick done any other way! Once I had leant the correct mechanics of the kick, I found the upright position was stronger, took less effort, was faster and was way easier to combine with other strikes.

 

The roundhouse is just one example of many. If, like I once did, you think you know how to strike, it may be time for you to think again?

 

Peter's striking power is well documented but you really have to hold the pads for him to truly experience just how hard he hits! Holding the pads for Peter has destroyed many a mitt, let alone my forearms! As the man himself says "Feeling is believing". Training with Peter has done wonders for the power of my strikes.

 

Another area of training that has greatly benefited from the "training days" is my ability hit more rapidly. When I first started training at these sessions I struggled to get the pads in place fast enough! Speed isn't just a physical thing; it's also a matter of how you move from one technique to the next.

 

Because very few people analyse in detail how they get from one technique to the next they often have unnecessary gaps in their combinations. Because almost everyone has these gaps, no one really notices them … until you train with people who have no gaps!

 

When you know how to combine your techniques without any pauses, you start hitting people on the "half beat". My success rate for landing techniques has rocketed through my training with Peter.

 

Not only have the sessions improved my own skills, they have also improved my teaching too. The exposure to an endless variety of productive and focussed training drills has helped me to construct such drills for my own students.

 

The Thursday Training Day sessions have done wonders for my martial arts. They have made me fitter, faster and more powerful. This upcoming seminar (see below) is a great opportunity that I feel sure wonders for your martial arts too.

 

http://www.iainabernethy.com/Peter_Consterdine_Course_Sept_16th_2007.asp

 

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6 – Upcoming Peter Consterdine Seminar

 

It will be a few weeks before the official promotion kicks off for this event, but I thought I'd let you all know ASAP so you can be among the first to secure a place (you can book now). I'll be assisting Peter on the day and I look forward to seeing you all there. Will be a fun day! Details of seminar have been copied below:

 

The British Combat Association presents a seminar with Peter Consterdine!

One of the most innovative Self-Defence and Practical Martial Arts teachers on the world scene, Peter Consterdine will deliver a comprehensive and effective Practical Martial Arts Seminar which will cover how to make fast transitions between kicking and punching, power generation, how to develop training drills and power at speed. This will be an inspirational seminar and one not to be missed!

All places need to be pre-booked as the course will fill quickly!!

Date: Sunday the 16th of September

Venue: Court Works Industrial Estate, Bridgnorth Rd, Madeley, Telford, TF7 4JB

Venue Details: Click http://www.kyushinkai.com/dojo.html for venue details and directions

 

Time: 10am - 4pm Approx.
 

Cost: BCA Members £25 / Non-Members £35 (Payment in full secures your place).

Equipment: Training will be in normal clothing (t-shirt etc). Please bring focus mitts and bag gloves if you have them (some spare focus mitts will be available).
 

Follow the link for more details: http://www.iainabernethy.com/Peter_Consterdine_Course_Sept_16th_2007.asp

 

BOOK EARLY TO SECURE A PLACE.

Books, Videos & DVDs for sale on the day - Don't Miss it!

To book by phone please call: 0113 2429686

To book by post, please send Postal Order or Cheque (made payable to "British Combat Association") to:

British Combat Association, 51/53 Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds, LS7 1AB

For further details of the British Combat Association please click http://www.britishcombat.co.uk/bca/history.htm

 

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7 – Kata: A Zero Sum Game? Part 2 (Matthew Miller)

 

The second part of Matthew Miller's article "Kata: A Zero Sum Game?" has now been added to the website. Those of you who have viewed volumes 1 & 2 of my seminar series of DVDs will know I was assisted on some of the demonstrations by Matthew Miller. Matthew has trained with me on a one-on-one basis a number of times and runs his own training sessions on kata application.

 

To help his students internalise the applications he teaches for Kushanku (Kanku-Dai) Matthew developed a two-man drill which involves performing the entire kata – progressing from the start to the end – with a partner. Matthew wrote a book on this two man drill, and how to structure such drills for other kata, called "Fighting Forms". The book is available from the shopping side of the website:

 

www.iainabernethy.com/books/books_other_authors.asp (Fighting Forms is found at the foot of the page)

 

In this part 2 of this article Matthew continues to discuss the nature of kata, explore its benefits and look at the possible contradictions presented by the various approaches to kata. It's a strong, though-provoking piece which I feel sure you will all enjoy.

 

 

Kata: A Zero Sum Game? Part 2 by Matthew Miller

 

In the first part of this article, I discussed the limitations of treating kata as a zero sum game – that is, assuming that a single interpretation of the kata is correct, to the exclusion of all other. In this, the second and final part, the first moves of Pinan Nidan / Heian Shodan will be used to illustrate this point.

 

Pinan Nidan is usually the first Kata taught within schools that use the Pinan / Heian series. Shotokan has recognised this by renaming it 'Shodan' (1st level / grade), whilst schools such as Wado Ryu maintain the traditional name Nidan (2nd level / grade) despite teaching it first.

 

This reorganisation is in itself an illustration of the differing approaches taken to these katas as they transferred from Okinawa to Japan. Ankoh Itosu, the author of the Pinan series, clearly had a reason for putting Pinan Shodan first. Iain Abernethy asserts that this is because Shodan gives deals with the earliest stages of a fight, the initial exchange of limbs. This is an argument that makes a great deal of sense to me.

 

Within the Japanese system, where perfection of the art was emphasised over practical application, it made more sense to teach the technically simpler to perform Pinan Nidan first.

 

It is only when the intent of performing the kata in a particular order – self defence or art – is understood, that the reasoning becomes clear. Seen in this way, attempting to define the kata either as exercise or self-defence is illogical. It can clearly be either, depending upon the reason for teaching it.

 

I will concentrate on the first moves of Pinan Nidan as it is performed within Wado Ryu, as illustrated below:

 

CONTINUED ON IAIN ABERNETHY.COM

 

Please follow this link below to read the entire illustrated article:

 

http://iainabernethy.com/articles/Matthew_Miller_2.asp

 

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8 – Fighting Fit Martial Arts (Tony Terranova)

 

The second article added to the website this month is by Tony Terranova. Tony is a great guy who has a background in traditional Shotokan and who has also trained extensively with Geoff Thompson. Tony and I regularly chat and swap emails and he was on Geoff's instructor courses at the same time I was. Tony is also one of the martial gurus on the World of Martial Arts Website (www.woma.tv) and I strongly recommend you check out the great video clips and training drills in Tony's section. This article outlines Tony's approach to martial arts (FFMA) and I feel you'll all enjoy it.

 

 

Fighting Fit Martial Arts by Tony Terranova

 

In January 2007 my friend Alan Macdonald and I decided we would open our own martial arts club and affiliate it to the BCA. We were inspired by Peter Consterdine's training day DVD's and wanted to provide a system which would incorporate practical skills, but also fulfil some of the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of modern day living. We realised after speaking to potential students that lack of motivation and time were amongst the main reasons why they didn't train regularly. We came to the conclusion that training is easy, doing it is hard.

 

In today's complex and frenetic world it's easy to forget that time has to be made to take care of ourselves. To make matters worse, today's lifestyles are designed to make us fat. We may have good intentions to get fit and healthy – but more often than not all the excuses appear. "I am too busy at work, I have so much to do at home, I have no time because of my family commitments etc." The demands of the modern world leave us exhausted as we get further away from connecting with our real selves - we give in and become slaves to our environment.

 

We often hear the statement 'I just can't get motivated to train' – our standard reply is: 'you train to get motivated'. The simple pleasures of life are the sweetest – swapping sweat with committed training partners and a good shower and banter after the session can be a very rewarding and healing experience if you have had a bad day at the office (or a bad hair day!). Participating in an interesting fitness system can be our way out of the modern day curse.

 

Training in the martial arts can provide physical, mental and spiritual benefits. We believe there are many benefits derived from regular striking practice. Correct impact training on a bag, pads or a training partner can have a positive impact on a person's health, fitness, and self confidence. Punching and kicking drills are an excellent form of exercise; they are vigorous enough to get you into terrific shape and are a great supplement to other sports or fitness activities. They can also be customized to suit a student's specific level of fitness.

 

CONTINUED ON IAIN ABERNETHY.COM

 

Please follow this link below to read the entire illustrated article:

 

http://iainabernethy.com/articles/Tony_Terranova_2.asp

 

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9 – The Skeletal System: Part 1 (Andrew Adams)

 

Following on for the Andrew Adam's popular articles on postural considerations and the nervous system, this month has seen a new article added to the website on the skeletal system. The first part of this article covers some of the basic component parts that form the structure of the skeleton and its relevance to us as martial artists. The second part - which will be added to the website in coming weeks - will cover the connective tissues and joint movements. I'm very grateful to Andrew for the great contribution he is making to the website and these newsletters.

 

 

The Skeletal System: Part 1 by Andrew Adams

 

 

CONTINUED ON IAIN ABERNETHY.COM

 

Please follow this link below to read the entire illustrated article:

 

http://www.iainabernethy.com/articles/Andrew_Adams_3.asp

 

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10 – Monthly Training Sessions with Iain Abernethy & Mike Liptrot (Impact & Groundwork)

 

Many of you met Mike Liptrot at the recent training session we did together on Karate & Judo. Mike and I decided it would be fun to do some monthly training sessions together with Mike teaching all aspects of groundwork and myself teaching striking, training drills and impact development. The first session is on the 20th of this month!

 

These sessions will be ideal for the martial artist – of all styles - looking to ensure that can hit hard and know what they are doing on the floor. The sessions will last for 90 minutes with the time being evenly split between the two aspects.

 

All of these sessions will be held in Kendal Judo Club, The Dojo, Parkside Business Park, Parkside Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7EN.

 

The first 6 sessions will be held on the following dates and will cost just £5 per session:

 

• Friday the 20^th of July 2007

• Friday the 17^th of August 2007

• Friday the 21^st of September 2007

• Friday the 19^th of October 2007

• Friday the 23^rd of November 2007

• Friday the 14^th of December 2007

 

They will we held from 8:00pm to 9:30pm to allow everyone time to get there. If you'd like to come along, please contact Mike on 07708968194. I look forward to seeing you there!

 

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11 – Mike Liptrot Judo DVDs Coming Soon

 

Things are still at the early stages, but I thought I'd let you all know that Mike Liptrot will be making an instructional Judo DVD with Summersdale productions early next month. Mike is a great coach with a real ability to break things down and make things work. I currently train with Mike on a weekly basis and I've really enjoyed those sessions. His instructional DVDs are sure to be of great interest to not only Judo players but anyone wanting to add effective throws and ground-work to their repertoire. I'll keep you all informed as things develop.

 

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12 – Iain Abernethy in Canada Report

 

A few weeks ago I returned from my first trip to Canada! First time I've been there and I had a great time! The first five days were spent in and around Edmonton. During the day I did private lessons with James Freeman (organiser of the whole trip) and Craig Pettie. James and Craig have been studying and training in my material for a while now and during my stay we easily managed to get them both up to Introductory Instructor Level (well done gents!).

 

I also taught a series of five clinics whilst in Edmonton which covered the application of the Pinan Series and Naihanchi. We also emphasised the key principles of my approach to kata and took some of the techniques into live kata-based-sparring. Everyone at the seminars was very friendly, enthusiastic and technically able. I was delighted by how much we managed to cover and how quickly everyone got to grips with the underlying concepts. It was also great to spend some time with everyone outside the dojo and I am very grateful to everyone for making me feel so very welcome.

 

At the end of the Edmonton series of seminars, James and I spent 3 days in the Canadian Rockies. They were amazing! I've got loads of pictures and videos and I'll be using them in various works over the coming months. An awesome three days!

 

It was then on to Calgary for three more clinics on an overview of the Pinans, Kushanku, and Seishan & Chinto. As with the Edmonton clinics, those in attendance were very keen and I am very grateful to everyone for their enthusiastic support of the clinics.

 

I'm certain that all those who attended the clinics in Edmonton and Calgary will make a great job of picking up and running with what we covered. I really am quite excited to see how things develop.

 

I had a great time in Canada. I saw my first baseball game, got snowed on in June, stood on a glacier, performed some kata on top of a mountain, saw some amazing scenery, got a good few pictures of wild bears (my kids love that!), had a great time and above all else made some good friends. Thanks to you all!

 

If you visit the news-page (http://www.iainabernethy.com/news_page.asp) and the blog (http://blog.iainabernethy.com/?p=70) you can see a few pictures I took on my travels.

 

You can also see some photos from some of the clinics by following the links below:

 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5727&l=5e57a&id=659360094

 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5775&l=b7a7b&id=659360094

 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6150&l=3aca0&id=659360094

 

 

Thanks once again to James for organising such and amazing trip!

 

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13 – Clubb Chimira Martial Arts: Part 1 - Common Sense by Jamie Clubb

 

Many martial arts veterans look back on their early training with nostalgia and it is not hard to see them still holding true to what these early day taught them. When I look back to my early days, however, I probably owe more to what my lifestyle was before I first became enchanted by the colourful world of martial arts. I grew up in a travelling circus community among hard-working people who spent more time working with their hands than anything else. It was in this environment where I heard the word "common sense" regularly uttered as the ultimate reason why you should not do something that was obviously stupid or unnecessarily dangerous. This word popped up again at school, mainly in the form of stern lectures. There was always something grounding in its usage, something that made sense not necessarily because of the apparent logic being argued, but because it just did. Today my students and I go back to common sense every time something in our training or research just does not gel. It is therefore placed at the beginning of the CCMA (Clubb Chimera Martial Arts) "Process" and is then followed by principles, strategies and tactics.

 

Common Sense: A Definition?

 

There is no easy way to define common sense in general terms and yet we assume it is something we all should intuitively know. Common sense, to most, means natural pragmatism and efficiency based on simple and unmistakable truths. To others, however, it might mean an inflexible and dogmatic attitude that stifles progress by not considering other lines of thinking. It is pretty much down to how the term is applied and is used and misused. For the purposes of this article and "The Process" that my schools follow, common sense is accepted as the simple short-term solution born from "gut instinct" that utilizes a principle to produce a strategy, which, in turn, dictates tactics. However, its criticism is not simply thrown out, as CCMA holds a strong stance against prejudices, and "Common Sense" is balanced against our fifth tenet, that of "Open Mind". By being commonsensical and keeping an open mind, it is my intention that the technique-free syllabus of CCMA will never ossify or stagnate and my students will be both pragmatic for themselves and progressive thinkers.

 

Common Sense in Self-Protection

 

Intuition and instinct are aptly described, dissected and detailed in Gavin De Becker's often praised and more often quoted "The Gift of Fear". He gives it more justice in his extensively researched work than I can deliver in this particular article, but I will give you a brief idea of how he demystifies and therefore validates "gut instinct".

 

First of all we all have intuition. However, we frequently impede it with the rational part of our brain. Because most of us are not regularly exposed to life-threatening situations we immediately question that "gut feeling" when it starts warning us of peril in an otherwise not apparently dangerous situation. It is my view that all of this comes under the heading of common sense. Common sense is our individual and intuitive reasoning born out of our own life experiences. Any artificial form of conditioning, drilling or training we choose to undertake must be a natural extension of this instinctive system. I am definitely not saying that principles are not very important. I believe that solid principle-based training is definitely the way of the future for self-defence and martial arts, and I will discuss the benefits of principles in my next article. However, principles can be found wanting, limited and partial in application if common sense is absent or ignored in favour of them.

 

Common Sense "Non-Physical Skills"

 

Because humans have intellectualized just about anything they can articulate in words, it is little surprising that we hear the argument of "putting principles before common sense". Businesses, relationships, financial savings and, for that matter, our lives should all be governed by long term goals, which need robust principles in place. However, as the old saying goes, short-term will always push out long-term and this is never more evident than in a crisis.  

 

It is completely reprehensible that we should fear for our safety from fellow human beings just because we have entered a certain bar with a reputation for violence. Yet common sense dictates that in most cases it would be better that we avoid such bars to reduce the likelihood of being involved in a violent encounter. It is very wrong, as Ellen Snortland points out in her book about attitudes towards women's self-defence, "Beauty Bite Beast: Awakening the Warrior in Women", that anyone should ever say that a raped woman was "asking for it". Society does need to further change its attitudes towards women and not to just think of them in terms of being vulnerable individuals who need to be protected exclusively by men. Yet, for the time being, I would not consider myself to be a responsible self-defence teacher if I were to tell my female students that they should walk down dark alleys at night on their own and intoxicated because it was their right to do so. The principle may be right, but common sense dictates that there may be safer and probably more effective ways to make their point.

 

Common Sense "Physical Skills"

 

Every martial arts system has a certain set of principles that gives it a certain flavour. Scientific arguments are often put forward to support one martial arts system over another. This is a good demonstration of how principles can produce good sound arguments, but at the same time how, from at least a teaching point of view, they can become divorced from real life by neglecting the strengths and weaknesses of the individual.

 

For example, Newtonian physics determines that martial arts such as Wing Chun and, in particular, Hsing-I might use superior combative principles over arts such as Aikido and, in particular, Pakua, based on the fact that the former group extensively uses a linear approach and the latter a circular one. The quickest path from point "a" to point "b" is a straight line and force, even so-called circular force, wants to travel in a straight line. It certainly works for me and for this reason my right cross, reverse punch, straight palm heel strike and so on are my preferred techniques. I am most comfortable using straight line tactics.

 

It was while I was attending my instructor's course in Mo Teague's "Streetwise Strategies Tactics Techniques" (aka Hard Target) self-defence that I thought again about how to teach individuals. Straight line strikes might be fine for a good percentage of people, but there are also a fair number who naturally have a preference for a hook. This might come in the form of a haymaker or an ear slap. I always think of civilian self-defence today as being taught in the context that you should be able to train someone in a very short length of time high percentage tactics that they can use under extreme pressure again and again. What Mo pointed out was that his programme would often be geared towards members of society who were passive and felt vulnerable.

 

As Ellen Snortland and Gavin De Becker point out, women have been institutionally programmed to be passive and not to fight thanks to societal conditioning. Therefore so-called "manly" techniques like direct punching are rarely considered to be the sort of thing the average little girl is supposed to learn whilst growing up. When they do fight, however, women do have a surprising amount of versatility and naturalness compared to men. This possibly comes from a maternal rage, more geared towards survival, than the alpha male fighting approach that seems to dominate men. However, if we return the passive institutionalized woman we find that for some reason, many (although not all) women have far more experience using an open hand to the side of the head than they do a straight strike. Therefore, taking its main clientele in mind, the "ear slap" has become SSTTM/Hard Target's chosen primary attack weapon.

 

Without being patronizing, if we work on the premise that we only have a short space of time to train an effective response, surely it is better to refine, cultivate and generally improve an already learned high percentage technique than to introduce a new one. CCMA trains all what have been proven to be high percentage techniques, but would rather put our students in situations where they show us what they use efficiently under pressure. Some times students adopt new methods, finding that they serve their means better whereas others seek to improve what has always worked best for them. I have not seen a clear correct answer, but seen some remarkable things happen in pressure-drills and especially when pre-emption is called for. Some people manipulate blind sides effectively whether it is dropping below the eye line or to the side for curved strikes, others can fire off the straight strike quite confidently.

 

A similar situation exists with regards to whether we should hit with the fist or the open hand. There are strong logical arguments for both options - these will be discussed in future articles - however, CCMA applies the same process of guiding the student to find out what works best for the unique individual.

 

Conclusion

 

Common sense will always be an ambiguous concept, but in self-protection terms we can see it as an instinctive and intuitive part of a process that will lead you to develop principles and set up your plans. Dennis Jones once said to me that when anyone comes to him to learn self-defence the biggest obstacle that stops them from actually applying their training is the simple fact they have got to this stage in their life using methods he hadn't taught them. Therefore their intuition has served them well up to this point. By taking this view I believe it is a far more productive path to build upon individual experiences rather than to just try to forcibly programme in new instructions. Pressure-testing is a good starting point, as it brings out so much truth in a person's character, so they can acknowledge whatever flaws they may have that might prevent them surviving a violent encounter and make the necessary natural adjustments.

 

Many might argue that it is subjective whereas starting with principles seems to offer a more objective approach. However, this is the point. Civilian self-defence for the person on the street is down to individuality. Whatever methods a person adopts they need to be organic extensions of their character if they are to truly believe in them.

 

CCMA holds that techniques are a personal and organic expression. They must be natural and believed in because the individual has been empowered to develop them. Common sense dictates that the first thing you should use is what you already know, so a good teacher builds upon this. In other words, find your natural attacking tool and providing it is a high percentage method you pull off pre-emptively, in repetition and with enough force, refine it to become more efficient and effective for you. Such an approach is summed up in CCMA's motto: "For reality and individuality".

 

NEXT: The Process Part 2: "Principles"

 

Jamie Clubb is the founder of Clubb Chimera Martial Arts. For details on workshops, seminars and regular training please contact Jamie on 07973681732 or log onto the website www.clubbchimera.com

 

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14 – Upcoming Iain Abernethy Seminars

 

 

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15 – Germany Seminar (Munich, November 2007)

 

On the 17th and 18th of November I'll be teaching a couple of seminars in Munich, Germany. More details will forthcoming in the run up to the seminar. However, places are limited so interested parties are encouraged to contact the host as soon as possible.

 

The session on Saturday the 17th of November will run from 1pm to 5pm. The session on Sunday the 18th of November will run from 9am to 12pm. The seminar will cost 35 Euros for one day and 55 Euros for both days. Both sessions will be held in Munich-Solln, Sports4you, Drygalski-Allee 41 (www.sports4you.org). To register your interest and to gain further details please contact James on karatelehrgang@gmx.de

 

As I say, more information will be forthcoming but we thought it prudent to share these early details so that people could put the dates in their diary and register their interest.

 

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16 – Iain Abernethy Introductory Instructors Course 2007

 

In past years, a number of regulars at my seminars had asked me about courses specifically for instructors wishing to integrate my methods into their own teaching. In November 2006 I held the first of those courses and was delighted with how it went. Places were limited so not everyone who wanted to attend could be accommodated, and since that time a number of other people have expressed an interest in sitting the two-day course with a view to gaining their introductory instructor certificates.

 

It is my intention to organise a second introductory instructors course towards the end of this year and hopefully I should have the details finalised in time for the next newsletter. Places will again be offered on a first come - first served basis so interested parties are encouraged to act quickly when the details have been released.

 

To sit the course you need to meet the following criteria:

• All participants must hold a dan grade.

• All participants must be a certified instructor with their governing body

• All participants must have teaching experience and be actively teaching others

• All participants must be over 18 years

• All participants must be in good health and have valid insurance

• All participants must have had sufficient exposure to Iain's methods (i.e. a regular at the seminars etc)

The drivers behind the course are my desire to ensure that those who want to adopt my methods into their teaching get the required support, and to increase the list of instructors I can recommend to people wanting a pragmatic and holistic approach to karate and related arts. People who have completed the Introductory Instructors course will be able pursue subsequent Instructors qualifications (such courses will be arranged in 2008). As I say, interested parties will find all the details they need in next month's newsletter.

 

 

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17 – "Succeed in Sport" by Jackie Wilkinson

 

As serious martial artists we should always be looking for methods what will make our training more focused and productive. With that in mind, I feel you may be interested in a new book by Jackie Wilkinson called "Succeed in Sport". Jackie is a competitive field archer with 5 British titles and a European Bronze to her name. Although Jackie is an archer, the process and tools in the book are applicable to all physical activities. Indeed, karate is one of the activities specifically covered in the book. I was asked to provide a quote for the back cover (and some photographs) which, along with the other quotes can be found below:

 

"I have always believed that the key to elite sporting performance is based in quality preparation. This book gives an insight into how to maximize every practice opportunity enabling optimum performance" – Peter Such, former England and Essex Offspin Bowler

 

"Jackie's system can help anyone, from beginners to experts, improve their performance" – Jay Barrs (USA), Olympic Gold Medallist, target archery and twice field archery World Champion.

 

"It's the sort of book I would have benefited from at the beginning of my sports life" – Graham Stamford, footballer and Director of Sportsreach

 

"Succeed in Sport provides a practical and effective way to analyse and improve your performance and reach your goals. Anyone who takes their training seriously needs to read this great book" – Iain Abernethy, 5th Dan Karate

 

"A must-read for anyone serious in a competitive pastime" – Maurice Hirst, golfer

 

If you follow the link below it will take you Amazon page where you can find out more:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Succeed-Sport-Train-Learn-Improve/dp/1904312241/ref=sr_1_1/026-6130564-4846006?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183399795&sr=1-1

 

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18 – New Combat Arts Catalogue

 

If you're looking for a rare or out of print martial arts book or magazine, you'll find www.combatbooks.co.uk very useful! Combat Arts Archive specialises in new and second hand books and magazines connected with the Combat Arts including Asian Martial Arts, Weapons Systems, Boxing, Wresting, Fencing and Physical Culture as well as Histories, Technical, Instructional and Biographies.

 

In addition to the website, you will also want to check out the new Summer 2007 Combat Arts Catalogue. I strongly suggest you get a copy of their latest catalogue (you'll be amazed at the list of books on offer). For details of how to get your catalogue, please send an email to johnsparkes@ntlworld.com or call John Sparkes on 01325 465286 (overseas: +441325465286).

 

John is a very knowledgeable and amiable guy and his catalogue is a fantastic resource. It really does have to be seen to be appreciated.

 

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19 – John "Awesome" Anderson, Matty Evans & Tony Somers Seminar (15th July)

 

Sent from Coventry: John "Awesome" Anderson, Matty Evans and Tony Somers! Three of the best reality based self defense instructors in the country in one hit! Covering all aspects of self protection:

• 3 second fighting

• Psychology

• Grappling

• Fear Control - and much more

When: Sunday 15th July

Where: AT7 Center, Bell Green Road, Coventry

Time: 10.00am start, 3.00pm finish

Cost: £45.00 in advance or £55.00 on the day

 

Make cheques payable to: "Matthew Evans", Red Corner Gym, Walsgrave Road, Coventry

 

Phone: 07899002091 for details and to book your place.

 

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20 – Matty Evans & Tony Somers Monthly Master Classes

 

Do you want a fresh and bold approach to self-protection? Are you feeling stuck or bored with your training? Do you want to train with people who have been there and done it? Are you prepared to be open-minded and use the best techniques that different systems have to offer? Do you want to feel confident and energized?

 

Tony Somers and Matty Evans are now running monthly master classes at the Red Corner gym in Coventry. These classes are certificated and will count towards a grading in self-protection.

 

"These guys are my top instructors and the real deal, grab them now and don't miss this great opportunity to train with two of the best. I highly recommend them on a physical and psychological level" – Geoff Thompson

 

We guarantee that you will learn life-changing techniques in a controlled and safe environment. This is not a fighting course. These courses are selling out fast so please call now to book your place on the next available master class.

 

For more information call Tony on 07708273376 e-mail tony@tonysomers.com or book online at www.intelligentselfprotection.co.uk

Matty on 07899002091 E-mail info@matthewevans.co.uk  Website: www.matthewevans.co.uk

 

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21 – Achieving Kicking Excellence (books by Shawn Kovacich)

 

I recently swapped a few emails with Shawn Kovacich about a series of books he has written called "Achieving Kicking Excellence". I've not seen the books myself but they do come highly recommended by many people who's opinions I value. I asked Shawn for the details of the books so I could let you all know about them. You can also find out more by visiting Shawn's website: www.chikara-kan.com

 

 

Details of the books: Each book in the series includes over 200 pages of text, photographs and illustrations, which go into intricate detail over all aspects of executing each one of the ten primary kicks, and several of their main variations.

Every book starts with a basic anatomical analysis of the primary kick, and quickly progresses to the basic principles associated with that kick. It then takes you right into learning each and every physical aspect needed in order to correctly execute the primary kick.

Once you have finished with this section, you are taken to the variations chapter which builds upon the primary kick, by teaching you several of its main variations. From here you are taken to the "Training and Practice Methods" chapter for a look at some very simple, yet effective methods for adding speed and power to your kicks.

The next chapter takes a "question and answer" approach to some of the most common problems people have executing these kicks and the solutions to correct them.

After the "Troubleshooting" chapter, the next chapter in this book deals with a brief application section for each of the kicks previously detailed in each book. Please be advised that a second ten volume series of books is currently being written which deals strictly with the self-defense/combat applications of each kick.

Each book then finishes up by giving you a sneak preview of the next volume in the series.

The complete set of books in this series consists of:

Volume # 1: Back Kick
Volume # 2: Wheel Kick
Volume # 3: Axe Kick
Volume # 4: Crescent Kick
Volume # 5: Reverse Crescent Kick
Volume # 6: Front Kick
Volume # 7: Hook Kick
Volume # 8: Hatchet Kick
Volume # 9: Roundhouse Kick
Volume #10: Side Kick

This series of books is written by Shawn Kovacich, who is not only a high ranking black belt in both Tae Kwon Do and Karate, but he is also a two-time world record holder for endurance high-kicking as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records

 

 

Review by Lawrence Kane: This series is a fantastic reference for anyone interested in the finer points of kicking, particularly for those of us whose exposure to this aspect of the martial arts has been somewhat limited. I have been doing this stuff since 1970, for example, yet have focused exclusively on styles that have very little emphasis on kicking applications (e.g., Goju Ryu karate, Kodokan judo, and Matayoshi kobudo). Goju Ryu, for instance, utilizes roughly 70% hand techniques. Don't get me wrong, I have a pretty mean mae geri (front kick) that can rock your world, but there are many other leg techniques utilized by other arts that I am simply not at all expert with--hatchet kicks, axe kicks, and crescent kicks, to name a few.

This is why I was so excited to find Shawn Kovacich's comprehensive "Achieving Kicking Excellence" series. If you are familiar with Kris Wilder's outstanding tome, The Way of Sanchin Kata: The Application of Power, these books take a similarly in-depth yet approachable style. Each volume explores one type of kick in great detail, outlining some 50 or 60 technical points (depending on the type of kick), in an easy to understand and utilize manner. At first blush you might think that it would be tough to devote an entire volume to just one type of kick, yet each offering in this exceptional series runs more than 200 pages and is packed with meaningful information.

No dojo darling, Kovacich really knows what he is talking about. A fourth-degree black belt in both karate and taekwondo, he has competed in full contact sparring tournaments (including the prestigious Sabaki Challenge) and is the world-record holder for both endurance- and high-kicking as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. Kovacich has been teaching martial arts since 1985 and this knowledge, skill, and ability really shine through in his writing.

The text is clear and comprehensive, yet written in everyday language that just about anyone can easily grasp. No matter how good the writing, however, this sort of topic needs wide-ranging illustrations to ensure thorough comprehension. Fortunately there are tons of them. Regrettably though, the pictures are quite dark and/or grainy in most places (my only real complaint about the series). Despite the fuzziness of the photo printing, however, the pictures themselves are first rate as are the corresponding illustrations. Most of the pictures not only have captions but also reference numbers that align with the text to assure further clarity. There are separate illustrations that show the appropriate foot position and base of support for each movement too. This layout method is really slick; I like it a lot. There is a pretty good index in the back that supplements the table of contents too, so you can easily refer back to anything you will want to re-read later on (and you'll almost certainly want to refer back to much of this information later on).

While the front and back matter are virtually identical amongst the various volumes (such that each one can stand alone without the rest of the series), the core content is unique for each type of kick. This front and back matter (e.g., warm up and stretching) is a bit cursory too, though that is perfectly understandable given the primary focus of the books; truly nothing to be overly concerned with in my opinion. Each volume in the series is laid-out in an identical manner and includes the following topics:

- Basic anatomy of the kick
- Warm up and stretching

- Principles of the kicking movement (e.g., stability, balance, sequence of movements, speed, accuracy, targeting, visualization, etc.)
- Performing the primary kick (e.g., fighting position, knee raise, coil, impact, follow-through, recoil, knee drop, return to fighting position).
- Performing variations from the primary kick (e.g., step, switch, jump, spin, cross-over, etc.)
- Training and practice methods (e.g., skill, strength, speed, and power training)
- Trouble shooting the kick
- Kicking applications against an opponent
- Author's awards and accomplishments
- Recommended reading

No matter how well written, you cannot learn martial arts solely from a book, of course, but this series is a fantastic supplement for hands-on instruction. It covers important nuances that are rarely described adequately by most sensei (or sifu, etc.). I have found that, in general, books can reach a level of clarity and comprehensiveness that is simply not achievable with DVDs as well. This series is no exception to that rule. Despite a bit of redundancy amongst the various volumes, the technical merits and detailed analysis of the kicks make these books a stellar resource for any serious martial artist. I'm proud to include all ten volumes in my library.

Highly recommended!

Lawrence Kane - Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, Martial Arts Instruction, The Way to Black Belt, and The Way of Kata
 

 

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22 – Kris Wilder UK Seminar