Sport AZ

Martial Arts Stretching - The Methods of Stretching That Will Make You Flexible Fast!

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:28:53 PDT

The proper knowledge of modern scientific stretching applications applied to a martial arts stretching routine can help the new martial artist achieve maximum flexibility, or allow the experienced martial artist to easily move up to the next level in a fraction of the time it used to take with traditional stretching methods.
There are several methods used for improving flexibility which should be incorporated into a martial arts stretching routine. Stretches are either static which means the stretch uses no motion to achieve extended flexibility or dynamic which means they use movement to increase the range of motion. There are several variations of these categories to be used to increase your flexibility and we will include an explanation of the primary methods.
Static-Passive Stretching

Static-Passive stretching (also referred to as relaxed stretching) uses the process of extending a muscle group to the maximum point of flexibility and holding this position until the muscle tension relaxes.
Ballistic Stretching
Ballistic stretching uses a rhythmic bouncing or bobbing motion, relying on the momentum of the moving limb or body part to forcibly move the concerned muscle group to a position beyond the normal limits of flexibility. Ballistic stretching can be dangerous and although it was once a popular method used by martial artists it is not recommended. The risk of injury far outweigh the potential for gains in flexibility using this technique.

Dynamic Stretching
Dynamic stretching involves moving a body part or limb in a controlled manner. Dynamic stretching is similar to ballistic stretching but does not use any bouncing or bobbing motions. Movements are typically performed using a full range of motion at near full speed and typically imitate specific motions used in the martial art itself. Examples of dynamic stretches are leg raises or arm swings beginning with slow controlled movements and quickly moving up to a full speed and range of motion.

Isometric Stretching
Isometric stretching is a form of static stretching which uses resistance or tension of the muscle groups being stretched. Isometric stretching increases the strength as well as the range of motion of the muscle groups being worked on and is much more effective than simple static or dynamic stretching for the modern martial artist.
PNF Stretching
PNF is short for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and is the most effective and fastest method known to achieve maximum flexibility as part of a martial arts stretching regimen. PNF was initially developed by the American Neurologist Herman Kabat with physical therapists Margaret Knott and Dorothy Voss in the mid twentieth century as a treatment for paralysis in stroke patients. These techniques have been modified since the 1970's for effective use as a sports flexibility method. PNF stretching is a combination of passive stretching and isometric stretching methods to achieve maximum static flexibility.
The proper application of the stretching methods discussed can help the modern martial artist realize rapid increases in flexibility far beyond what could have been accomplished just a few years ago. With the knowledge of which method to incorporate into his or her martial arts stretching routine the modern martial artist can accomplish mastery of their art in a fraction of the time it used to take.

I invite you to use these methods to increase the benefit of your stretching routine

And I also invite you to visit MartialArtsStretching.com to complete your knowledge of the martial arts stretching methods, routines and applications needed to rapidly increase your flexibility to the point of performing full splits easily and mastering high kicks and effortless technique.

From Donald Borah - The Martial Arts Stretching Master and MartialArtsStretching.com.

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Yakusokugeko - The Proper Roles of Uke and Nage

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:24:50 PDT

Since Aikido is about avoiding struggle and performing a technique with the least amount of effort, we must consider our roles as both Uke and Nage.
As Nage, first and foremost, it is our responsibility to protect Uke. If there is resistance, if one is off balance or if the technique just is not going as it should, just relax, slow down and find your "way." Aikido is about power - an inner power - rather than force. Try not to force a technique. As Nage it is our responsibility to smoothly establish and maintain a connection with Uke throughout each technique.
As Uke it is our responsibility to provide a realistic attack (but not overly aggressive), and then move our bodies in relationship to Nage's movement so as to be in the safest position possible, while maintaining a sense of connection.
Grabs by Uke should be firm, but not rigid. The hand and wrist will be used to control whatever is being grabbed. The rest of the body should remain loose and able to adapt to the situation.

Strikes by Uke should have good extension, without locking out your own joints. Locking out joint can lead to injuries. Always try to keep some bend in the elbows, and give about 95% of your full energy. You do not want to over commit and not be able to react.
The loss of connection is an opportunity for either Uke or Nage to commence a new attack. Therefore, maintaining the connection is of the utmost importance.
Remember, you take ukemi to avoid injury only. Uke must be able to respond appropriately to the situation. This requires much training and introspection as how to do this best.
"Free of weakness ignore the sharp attacks of your enemies: Step in and act!"
- Morihei Ueshiba

Sean Hannon is a student at Castle Rock AIKIDO. http://www.craikido.com/

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The Ancient Art of Kickboxing

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:21:19 PDT

Kickboxing, as it was known by the name of "Muay Thai"', originated as the national sport of Thai society, with competitions held as early as 1257-1377 AD.

You might also say that Muaythai was the sport of kings in its early days. King Pha Chao Sua was so involved in the sport he used to disguise himself as a commoner to participate.

He was further so supportive of the sport he ordered his army to be trained in the art, and interest swelled. In 1774, Nau Khanohm Tom, as a captured prisoner of war, fought his way in contest, defeating 10 of Burma's very best.

The Burmese king, King Mangra, himself so impressed, applauded his achievements, and granted Nau Khanohm Tom his freedom.

Certainly this may have given Mauythai enormous new attention and status to survive in history over the next centuries.

In 1921, although the fighting style had not changed, new transformations were applied with the inclusion and standardization of the 20 Glove 20ft roped ring.

Gloves were introduced as standard in 1923 by order of the police of the interior ministry.

By the 1930s groin protection was introduced. International enthusiasm grew slowly; it was as late as 1995 when the first world Amateur Muay Thai Championships were held.

As a martial art, there is very little equipment required of participants, although it has come a long way since the early days.

Kick boxers will use hand wraps, i.e. pieces of cloth to wrap around their hand beneath gloves.

Today the gloves are much thicker for the protection of an opponent, but light gloves are also available for training against bags.

Shin guards, and groin protectors are also worn. Female boxers may choose to wear a chest or torso protector, although some discussion about these claim they often do more hurt than give protection.

Certainly uniforms should be worn with pride.

Kickboxing is phenomenally popular today. It is possible to find an active kickboxing school near you. Classes may be offered at your local gymnasium, or police and citizens youth club, alongside all respected martial arts classes.

Certainly a grading system exists today as with other martial arts. Grading and competitions are held regularly.

The grades, called belts, are from white-red-yellow, and then continue to orange-green-purple and blue-brown-back.

You continue to further levels beyond black as a master of the art. Kickboxing as all martial arts, is suitable for everyone from children, to women and men.

Full contact is strictly and safely controlled, and participants do not fight outside of their ability. Certainly kickboxing training is an ideal exercise that can be performed at your own individual pace and ability. Many classes are offered as either contact or non contact training.

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Infighting Panic - When a Boxer Gets Too Close to a Martial Artist

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:17:49 PDT

There has long been a debate as to whether a traditional karateka or a boxer would win in a fight.
The karate folk believe that their kicks, knee strikes, and elbow hits, would give them an advantage. The boxers wouldn't be prepared for these martial variations. Since the boxers aren't allowed to kick in the ring, they wouldn't be prepared.
On the other hand, a boxer feels that he has an advantage with his infighting skills. His flurry of punches to the body would be too much for a karate practitioner. Also, a karate practitioner wouldn't be able to handle feints and fakes. At least not with the finesse that a boxer would employ.
Let's discuss one aspect of this debate, one subsection of the controversy -- the barrage of punches that a boxer lets fly to his opponent's body. This is definitely a question of experimenting. Specifically, how will you respond to someone who fights very close with a "load" of punches to your midsection?

Get a partner for this exercise.
Your partner will be punching at your stomach or to your sides -- on the kidneys and sides of the trunk of the body.

Note: You have seen boxers who fire off a lot of punches, first with one fist and then with the other. The punches alternate, each very fast and powerful. They don't always fight with alternating punches, but we have to start somewhere.

If you come from a blocking style, then your job will be to block and then counter. I want you to try to defend yourself by blocking one or more of those fast punches that the boxer is unloading on your midsection.
Why would I have you try this?
Because I see traditional martial artists attempt to block as their first move a lot. Even when going against a boxer, they try to block.
If you haven't guessed by now, I don't think that blocking a boxer in infighting range is the answer, especially when he is punching from the chest down, and on the sides.
Now, you know one strategy that isn't the most efficient for this type of situation.
I'll post more articles discussing this topic.

Keith Pascal is the author of How to End The Fight With One Hit.

Keith also edits a Free ezine on practical martial arts: Keith Pascal's ezine. (You get a great free martial arts ebooklet, when you join.)

Pascal has taught martial arts for over 25 years. He left his job as a high school teacher in 2000, to become a full-time writer.

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Bob Body Opponent Punching Bag - The Perfect Solution For Practice

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:13:20 PDT

The Bob body opponent punching bag is the perfect solution for boxing or martial arts practice. Now you can actually practice with a sparring Bob that doesn't punch back. I like that! Seriously though, I am quite impressed with Bob the punching bag.
This human like punching bag comes on a stand that you can fill with water or sand, whichever you prefer. This gives a good solid base for practicing. He's also adjustable from 5'10" up to 6'2" so you can set him at the height that you want to practice with.
I really love how realistic they have made boxing Bob. His proportions and shape are just like a real person. This is perfect for practicing body shots, or training in self defense. Even his skin feels real so when you are practicing you get a better idea of how the punch would actually feel if you were sparring with someone. This is a great advantage compared to most conventional punching bags.
He's great for learning all your techniques and shots with. You can even throw uppercuts to the chin and body. Many people buy a separate upper cut bag to practice these shots but with the Bob body opponent punching bag you wouldn't need one. So it really saves you money in the long run. I really like that.

Because he is so lifelike, you can actually target your punches towards specific parts of his body. You can't do that with a regular punching bag.
What I really like the most is the new design they have given Bob. He use to be just an upper torso punching dummy but now they have what they call a "Century Bob with groin". Along with the upper torso they have added the upper thighs and lower torso complete with boxer shorts.! Now the Bob body opponent punching bag really looks human!

Ready to start practicing with the Bob body opponent punching bag and take your skills to a whole new level? Get started now at http://squidoo.com/century-bob

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Top 10 Upper Human Body Pressure Points For Self Defense

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:48:55 PDT

In any fight situation, (street fights, karate fights, etc.) possible body weapons include short jabs and strikes with elbows, knees, and hands. The key to winning any confrontation or street fight is to be aggressive and concentrate your attack on the opponent's vital points in order to end the fight as soon as possible. A knowledge of human body pressure points can be your key to survival.

One way to accomplish this is to focus on your opponent's most vital areas, or pressure points. A body is separated into three main sections: high, middle and low. Each of these sections contains vital targets. The effects of striking these targets could be brutal. In this article, let's take a look at the pressure point of the High Section. This section includes the head and neck and is the most dangerous target area. Areas for attack might include:
(1) Top of the head. The skull is weakest where the front cranial bones join, right between the eyes. A powerful strike could cause trauma to the cranial cavity, possibly resulting in unconsciousness and hemorrhage.
(2) Temple. The bones of the skull are weak at the temple and an artery and large nerve lie close to the skin. A strike here could cause unconsciousness or concussion.
(3) Eyes. A slight poke in the eyes causes uncontrollable watering and blurred sight. A forceful jab could cause brief blindness or the eyes could be gouged out. Death could result if the fingers penetrate through the thin bone behind the eyes and into the brain.
(4) Nose. Any blow here could easily break the thin bones of the nose, causing extreme pain and eye watering.
(5) Under the nose. A blow to the nerve center, which is close to the surface under the nose, could cause great pain and watery eyes.
(6) Jaw. A blow to the jaw could break or dislocate it. If the facial nerve is pinched against the lower jaw, one side of the face may be paralyzed.
(7) Chin. A blow to the chin could cause paralysis, mild concussion or unconsciousness. The jawbone acts as a lever that could transmit the force of a blow to the back of the brain where the cardiac and respiratory mechanisms are controlled.
(8) Back of the ears and base of the skull. A moderate blow to the back of the ears or the base of the skull could cause unconsciousness by the jarring effect on the back of the brain. However, a powerful blow could cause a concussion or brain hemorrhage and death.
(9) Throat. A powerful blow to the front of the throat could cause death by crushing the windpipe. A forceful blow causes extreme pain and gagging or vomiting.
(10) Side of neck. A sharp blow to the side of the neck causes unconsciousness by shock to the carotid artery, jugular vein, and vagus nerve. For maximum effect, the blow should be focused below and slightly in front of the ear. A less powerful blow causes involuntary muscle spasms and intense pain. The side of the neck is one of the best targets to use to drop an opponent immediately or to disable him temporarily to finish him later.

Effective striking with the weapons of the body to the opponent's vital points is essential for a victorious outcome in a hand-to-hand struggle.

For the top 10 pressure points of the middles and low sections go to http://defensepressurepoint.blogspot.com/

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How to Knock Someone Out With One Punch

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:46:08 PDT

It is actually not as hard as many people think to knock someone out with one punch. Watching a boxing match, mixed martial arts fight, or other combat sports you can get the impression that a knockout punch is something very difficult to get right. But in real life, in a street confrontation with no gloves and fighting against someone who is probably not trained to take a punch, getting a k.o. is much, much easier.
If you want to learn how to knock someone out with one punch the first thing you have to do is to think about what it actually is which causes the loss of consciousness. Some types of punch can be very effective at hurting your opponent, opening up cuts on their face or breaking their nose, but may still have little or no chance of knocking them out.
When a person gets knocked unconscious by a punch it is not the immediate force of the impact which does this, but rather the force of the brain being rattled against the inside of the skull.
This means that a punch which causes the head to jerk and move rapidly will be much more likely to knock someone out than a punch which causes less movement of the head, even if it is not as hard. It also means that speed is paramount. A very fast strike with just enough power to move the head will be more likely to knock someone out than a slower punch which has more power and weight behind it.
The need to create this movement of the head is the reason why you are more likely to knock someone out with a punch which they don't see coming. If you see a punch coming towards you you will tense your neck muscles and brace yourself against the impact, reducing the movement of your head when the punch lands. If your neck muscles are relaxed when a punch hits you then you will almost always get knocked out, whatever kind of punch it is.
Once a fight has started it is very difficult to engineer a situation where your opponent will not see a punch coming, however if you are in a situation where you are being threatened and a fight seems inevitable, but hasn't yet started, you can take advantage of this by suddenly throwing the first punch at an unexpected moment, such as while you are in the middle of a sentence, and by striking from a direction where they will not see it until it is too late.
When it comes to the actual punch a strike from the side, such as a hook, is more likely to knock someone out than a straight punch to the front of the face, simply because it will be harder for the neck muscles to prevent the head from being jerked. For the same reason an uppercut is generally better than a straight punch, but probably not as good as a hook. When trying to knock someone out with a hook the further away from the neck you can land the punch the more movement there will be and the more likely it is to knock them out. This means that the best place to land a hook is right on the end of the chin.
The ultimate knockout punch, however, uses and entirely different method. Rather than jerking the knead it uses the principles of Dim Mak pressure point fighting. The ultimate knockout punch is a strike to the temple. You have to be very accurate to get this right, but with practice you can do it every time.
The only trick you must know in order to knock someone out with a strike to the temple is how to hold your hand. It should be clear that an ordinary fist is much bigger than the area of the temple, and so it is very poor at focusing force on this pressure point.

There are two hand forms you can use instead. The first is the phoenix fist, in which you hold an ordinary fist but with the middle finger raised up a little out of the bunch. When using this you strike with the middle joint of the raised finger, rather than the knuckle.
The other option, which I personally prefer, is to use a sword hand. To do this hold your hand out flat with the palm facing downwards and turn your wrist so that your fingers are pointing outwards. This creates a fairly sharp point from the joint at the very base of the thumb, just above the wrist. With this hand form you strike using a swinging motion of the arm.
When practicing either of these strikes power is virtually irrelevant, and accuracy is everything. If you land a strike with the whole force focused on the temple you will knock your opponent out every time, no matter how hard the strike is.
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What Basic MMA Exercises Should I Do?

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:43:21 PDT

Knowing which basic MMA exercises to do is an important element of mixed martial arts. Without building a strong foundation first, you will struggle in the future.
Building a good level of strength cannot be underestimated. Without a strong and powerful body you will not go very far in this sport. There are various methods to build strength. The obvious one is through the use of weight training. This will be the basis of building up strength.
However do not neglect other ways of building up strength. This means using methods techniques used by strongmen and powerlifters. Methods like using heavy sandbags, containers filled with water, dragging tractor tyres, and any other heavy items that you find awkward to use will benefit you tremendously in building up functional strength.
Stamina and endurance are also very important. You will not be much of a fighter if you start struggling for breath after a round or 2. Your basic MMA exercises for these 2 characteristics will not be the same as other athletes. Your training should match what you will face during a fight.
This means endurance training with some sort of weight. If you are going to run, do it by carrying some sort of weight. This could be a weighted jacket, or a bag filled with sand. Carry a heavy weight for a distance. Carrying a bag of sand around a field will do fat more for you than just running around the field. Put yourself under extra stress during your endurance and stamina training. This is more beneficial than just doing basic cardio.
Speed and power need to be a part of your basic MMA training. This involves footwork and speed work. A great method to improve your footwork is by skipping with a rope. Try to vary your footwork as you skip.
A speedball and punch bag should be a big part of your training workouts. Constant practice with these 2 tools will build speed and power.

Don't forget your grappling training. Neglect this, and your fight is going to be over once you are on the ground. Grappling not only teaches you technique, it also gives your body real time training against an opponent.
Mixed martial arts is a tough sport, but it will be a lot tougher if you don't get the basic MMA exercises right.

By using basic mma exercises in the beginning you are preparing yourself for the tough training ahead of you. There is no denying that this is a tough sport, and that being the case, the training needs to be just as tough, if not tougher. To find out more about the most popular online mma training program, visit us and read the MMA Strength and Conditioning Review

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Mixed Martial Arts - The Best Workout Ever?

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:39:48 PDT

If you are tired of the same old, same old in gym workouts, why not check out something really different? Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is taking the workout nation by storm, combining ancient arts with modern fitness goals. In one gym, you can try your hand at a variety of different classes and learn different disciplines that have been popular for centuries. If you've been wondering what all the fuss is about, here's a quick look at the most common arts used in this unique learning, fitness and self-discipline plan.

Boxing

Most arenas that offer MMA include boxing classes for both beginners as well as experts. Did you know that boxing is considered a martial art? Ancient Sumerians were early boxing innovators 8,000 years ago and the tradition carried on through the Egyptian and Greek cultures. In fact, it became an Olympic sport more than 6 centuries before the birth of Christ.

Muay Thai

Muay Thai is a true fighting sport, as opposed to one that focuses on self-defense. This ancient Thai art emphasizes 8 points of contact and is a fast-paced, exciting sport to learn.

Jiu Jitsu

Jiu Jitsu tournaments are huge all across the world: also known as Submission Grappling, this art was originally developed by the Japanese Samurai and was practiced both with and without weapons. In a MMA gym setting, weapons are not used and both offensive and defensive techniques are taught.

Wrestling

As old as man himself, wrestling is the ultimate in classic martial arts. There are five different types of wrestling and professional instructors at a MMA gym will teach you how to excel at the one you are most interested in.

Mixed Martial Arts

Considered the fasted growing sport in the world, MMA itself combines all of the above disciplines. A good gym will offer classes for complete beginners, so there is never any reason to shy away from trying them all.

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Monitoring Your Boxing Weight

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:35:38 PDT

Boxers obviously need to eat properly in order to maintain muscle strength and provide sufficient energy. As a result, they require a nutritious diet which will provide them with high enough levels of energy to last throughout tough training schedules and the entire duration of a an actual bout.
Unlike most other sports though, whilst a boxer needs muscle and power behind them, they are also limited by the restrictions of their particular weight class.

Boxer's aim to be at the top end of their allowable weight limit to maximize strength and energy, so it's crucial that they have the correct diet to provide enough energy to undertake intensive training sessions, whilst staying within their weight limit come fight time.
Ideally, fighters should try and stay to within about 5% of their ideal fighting weight during their training, in order to avoid having to lose weight quickly as a fight approaches. Many boxers find that part difficult though - Often because they have the urge to binge eat in the days after a fight to regain what they've lost, so their weight obviously rises, then the Yo-Yo effect begins........Weight rises after a fight, then they have to diet to make "the weight" for their next fight.
OK so the ideal solution to this is obviously NEVER into get to the position where you have to quickly lose weight in the days prior to a weigh-in under ANY circumstances, as dramatic crash diets before a fight will often result in much reduced levels of performance.
If you are in the unfortunate situation of having to lose weight quickly though, there is no really easy way to lose that extra weight without adversely affecting your performance in the ring............
Your best hope is........
In the two to three days prior to competition, avoid excessive salt intake to cut down on fluid retention.
Adopting a low residue diet for the last 24 hours before competing will help to reduce weight further, as it empties the gut of undigested food and fibre. That alone can amount to a pound or two
Some low-residue foods are - Corn Fakes, Rice Krispies, White Bread, Jam, Honey, Juice, Low-fat Milk, Tinned Fruit, Jam, Clear Soup, White Pasta, White Rice, Tomato Based Pasta Sauce, Meal Replacement Shakes.
Sweat/Sauna Suits
Many of us already know that much of your body weight is made up of fluids, including approx - 75% of the brain - 85% of the blood - 90% of the lungs.
Using a sauna or a sweat suit will sure help reduce your weight quickly......Unfortunately, unless you are used to being dehydrated and fighting or training under those conditions, it can have a very adverse effect on you during the bout.

Rubber, plastic and vinyl sweat suits can actually be very harmful as your core body temperature will quickly rise to an extremely high and often dangerous level as water and electrolytes drain from the body, without permitting the body to breathe. This also has the added danger of greatly increasing the stress on your heart.
Yeah many boxers and other athletes do use sweat/sauna suits for rapid weight loss, but unless you are VERY careful it can have a very negative effect on your performance and even your health, as all you are basically doing is dehydrating yourself. If you chose to go down this route though, take plenty CHO-electrolyte drinks during training to help minimize the risks.
Unfortunately, it's taken a few deaths to make people sit up and take notice of the dangers.
So keep a close eye on your weight, and avoid sweat suits if you value your health!!

Dave is better known to everyone as ScotBoxer.

Whether you are interested in taking up the sport of boxing, maybe just learning aspects of it for self defence, or just wanting to use "boxing style" training to be fitter and leaner than you've ever been before - You'll find plenty advice and information on my website, and you're welcome to Pay Us A Visit

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Muay Thai Boxing

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:31:26 PDT

Because Thai boxers are allowed kick with their feet and use their elbows, Muay Thai requires a lot more skill than western boxing and can seem to be a much more brutal show. Yet, there is often a level of respect between the fighters that makes it a more honorable sport than the pugilism you may be used to back home. And, rather than the rap or heavy metal music that plays at many American matches, you will often hear traditional wood winds and chimes at a boxing match in Thailand! What you may not know is that Muay Thai is part of Thailand's ancient heritage.
Thai Boxing In History
Traditional Thai boxing goes back hundreds of years and has been an important part of the country's history. Many people are surprised that Thais, a notoriously peaceful people, excel at this beautifully brutal sport. The reason they do so is that for hundreds of years the survival of their nation depended on it. Because the terrain on the Thailand borders is often rough and uneven, it was not in the Thai's advantage to develop long range weapons to ward off invaders.
Instead they decided to create a close hand to hand style of fighting that would lead to battles that favored the defenders over the invading armies - who would never understand the local terrain as well as the patriots they were fighting. As long ago as the mid 1500s, the celebrated warrior king Naresuan The Great - a boxing legend - made Muay Thai a mandatory part of his army's military training.
Perhaps the most famous instance of Thai boxing in the countries history came 200 years later when the warrior Nai Khanom Tom was kidnapped by Burma during a raid on Siam's capitol. After he was captured he made a challenge to his Burmese captors. If he could take on 10 of their best fighters at once and win, Burma would free him and his people. Thinking that they would easily prevail, the Burmese agreed. Nai Khanom then used his Muay Thai skills to defeat all 10 adversaries and return to Thailand as one of the nation's greatest heroes!
Modern Muay Thai
For much of its history Muay Thai was a brutal dangerous sport. It was raw hand to hand combat - with ropes and cords wrapped around the hands instead of gloves. As Thailand has entered the modern age, the rules have changed slightly to protect the fighters, who now wear padded gloves and protection for their groins. While boxers can still use their elbows and feet during the match most of the other rules have been modified to comply with international boxing regulations. This has allowed the popularity of Muay Thai to spread throughout the world and today you can find Thai Boxing training centers in most of the western world including the United States and Russia.
In Thailand itself Muay Thai is even more popular than soccer and is broadcast on television five to seven nights a week. Many of the fighters begin training when they are only seven or eight years old and some have made the move to western style boxing - and become international stars in their own right! The best modern Muay Thai combatants fight in the Lumpini or Ratchadamnoen stadiums to a universally packed audience. If you want to see a fight and not have to face very long lines, your best bet is to go to one of the stadiums around 6:30 p.m. on a Sunday - when attendance is at its lowest point for the week. There are usually several lower ranked fights before the main event - which you can expect to kick off around 9 p.m.
The Rules
Of course, Muay Thai has its own unique set of rules which may be confusing at first to a western spectator. Before the fight can begin, each fighter must perform a wai khru dance as a way to show respect for his teachers and trainers.
There are only five rounds.
Boxers must wear gloves.
The gloves must weigh at least six ounces.
Gloves can not be squeezed in any way that would alter their original shape.
Each round is three minutes long and there is a two minute break in between rounds.
The winner is decided by knockout or by points. Whoever wins the most rounds wins the fight.
Contestants can only wear red or blue trunks.
Shirts and shoes are not allowed.
Both fighters must wear groin protection.
Before the fight a sacred cloth called the Mongkol may be worn as a headband. It must be removed before the fighting begins. The cloth is worn to pay homage to the fighter's trainers and heritage. It is also thought to give the fighter good luck. All equipment must be provided by the stadium. This includes a stopwatch, a signal gong, a warning bell, boxing gloves, water, jock straps and surgical tape.
Learning Muay Thai
Some men, after watching these beautiful guys pummel each other in the ring are tempted to learn the sport themselves. While that used to be impossible - as local trainers for centuries would only train local Thai men starting from a young age, all that changed in 1997. That's when the World Muay Thai Council established the first recognized training academy for the sport. The Muay Thai Institute in Rangsit, just north of Bangkok was created as a way to make this cherished sport accessible to everyone and preserve its fabled heritage.
All of the teachers at the institute are former champions and they are required to speak English. They will teach anyone and everyone - including women and foreigners. The course covers most of the historical and cultural background of Muay Thai as well as the physical skills and fitness training. You can take classes to learn how to be a referee or on how to start your own stadium or training program. Dormitories are available but you might be considerably more comfortable taking a nearby hotel for your 15 day stay.
The first three levels of training cost roughly $160 per course, while the fourth, expert level course is much more rigorous and costs about $1,200. School management can help you with any student visa issues that may pop up.
Come And Enjoy The Show
Whether you want to just sit back and watch the guys fight, or if you want to lace up your gloves and join in yourself, Thai boxing is something no one should miss on any trip to Thailand.

To Learn more about Muay Thai and the strong men and women who practice it, go to http://www.thailandvisa.com.

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The Best Boxing Fights Ever - Revealed

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:25:51 PDT

What does it take to be considered the best boxing fight ever? Is it the way knockout punches were delivered? Is it the manner the opponent was put down in the earliest possible round? Is it winning over an opponent who holds the most number of world titles? What does it really take? Here are some of the best boxing fights that the world has ever seen, and although you will likely have your own list you could not disagree that the following boxing spectaculars made history.
There would definitely be no violent reaction if the Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier match dubbed as "The Thriller in Manila" would be mentioned first and thus get the top slot. Ali himself described this fight as one that sent him as close to death as he had ever been. Both men threw venomous punches which made the fight one of the best that boxing had ever seen. After the fight, neither man was ever the same.
There are at least several other Ali fights that would qualify as "best" but this one stands out. How about Sugar Ray Robinson's fights when he defeated Henry Armstrong, Jake La Motta, Carmine Basilio, Gene Fullmer, Carl Olsen, Randy Turpin, Rocky Graziano, Kid Gavilin and Fritzie Zivic? The long list tells why he deserves to be included. Defeating the best boxers is equivalent to fighting the best fights. This list includes a few of the many Hall of Fame Champions whom Sugar Ray fought against and defeated. Just pick any of these fights and you get the best.
Rocky Marciano achieved one of the best boxing knockouts when he smashed Jersey Jo Walcott to the canvas. In fact, had Walcott been an ordinary person, he would have been decapitated. Among other of Marciano's fights eligible to be considered best are his winning fights against Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore.
Add to your list of the best boxing knockouts the Diego Corrales vs. Juan Luis Castillo match. This fight, giving Diego Corrales the WBC lightweight crown in May 2005 was a full recipe of battering blows, lightning combinations and underhand tactics. What's amazing about this best boxing fight is the fact that Corrales had been knocked down twice and still won. He spat out his gumshield after each knockdown to gain additional recovery time. Corrales needed more rounds to deliver his so-called "perfect" right hand that sent Castillo down in Round 10.
Of course it would be unfair not to put the Mickey Ward vs. Arturo Gatti fight in the list. This match was considered one that brought back memories from a golden era of boxing. After a decade of controversies in the boxing world, this "Fight of the Century" helped revive boxing's flagging fortunes. This 2002 event sent the two fighters into a brawl that was so reminiscent of the old days, with Ward sending Gatti down in the ninth round with his ferocious left.
The Julio Cesar Chaves vs. Meldrick Taylor fight truly belongs to the "best" list, and truly astonishing at that! These two talented fighters went at it for almost the full twelve rounds. You were asking why almost? It is because Chavez, who was behind on points, was able to steal the victory over Taylor only in the last two seconds of Round 12. If this fight doesn't qualify for the best then what does?

The 1981 Las Vegas match between "Sugar" Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns deserves to be included in the row. Fighting for the welterweight title, the speed of "Sugar" Ray met the devastating power of the "Hit Man". In one of the toughest boxing fights ever, Hearns who had the advantage of his huge reach was well ahead of Leonard by the 12th round. In spite of having a badly swollen left eye, however, "Sugar Ray" got his act together and started to use the full advantage of his superior speed. In a battle of speed against power, Leonard cut loose in the 14th and won by a KO.
It would make the list incomplete if Manny Pacquiao didn't figure in here somewhere. Recognized as being the best pound for pound fighter in the world, any of Pacquiao's title fights would qualify for this list of greatest fights. It would be a pleasure to watch this Filipino lefty again as he defeats boxing greats like David Diaz, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar de la Hoya and his demolition of Ricky Hatton.
Many more could be added to the list, both from the "old" fighters and the newer ones. The best boxing fights are filled not only with a display of strength, power and tactics, they are also loaded with emotions that could stir hope, unite people, and open new horizons to peoples and races.
The great fights of the past bring back legendary names such as Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano and even the daddy of them all, John L. Sullivan. Then onto Randolph Turpin, Floyd Patterson and the great Cassius Clay, soon to become Muhammed Ali. Then into the modern era. Who can say who was best or what fights were the best ever. There are too many great ones, and those mentioned above are just a very small drop in a large ocean, with everybody having their own favorites.
Read More :

The Greatest of Them All - Mixed Martial Arts As the New Fighting Style

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:49:55 PDT

Wrestling and boxing are often considered the oldest sports in the world, as men (and more recently, women) have sought to establish their reputation through physical prowess. Over the years, many different cultures have developed their own fighting style and techniques; there's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Greco-Roman wrestling, karate, etc. But in our age of globalization, where cultures begin to bump into each other, a new style, mixed martial arts, has emerged as a conglomeration of many different styles into one unique fighting form.
Mixed martial arts, as it has been grown to be called, is not a specific fighting style in and of itself, but is rather an opportunity to experiment with a wide range of traditions and techniques at once. This allows for a wide range of moves that would traditionally be banned from various fighting styles. Where wrestling wouldn't allow for punch and kicks, mixed martial arts allow you to use Judo and boxing styles. And where boxing would allow for grappling or holds, MMA does.
Mixed martial arts is best exemplified by the athletes in the Ultimate Fighting Championships, the emerging fighting league that is beginning to challenge wrestling and boxing in popularity.

Started in the early 1990s, the Ultimate Fighting Championships has grown as fighters from across the world can bring their training and techniques--as well as a combination of them all--to the arena in a battle to subdue their opponent. Drawing on stand-up, clinch, and ground disciplines, the Ultimate Fighting Championships allows for kicks, punches, submission holds, and much more as fighters answer that storied question on the mat: which, of all the fighting traditions, is the most effective of them all?

The Arena (http://www.thearenamma.com/) is a San Diego MMA training gym that focuses on both students who want a great MMA school and fighters who want a great place to train.

Read More : A Look at Two Popular Forms of Martial Arts

A Look at Two Popular Forms of Martial Arts

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:41:32 PDT

Martial arts have existed in one form or another for thousands of years. Today, they are as popular as ever and exist in a variety of methods and schools. The two most popular varieties of martial arts in Northern America are Karate and Tae Kwon Do. While to the amateur eye, these two systems seem extremely similar if not identical, to the trained martial arts enthusiast, there are notable differences between the two.
The version of karate that we have come to know was developed in Japan in the island of Okinawa. It takes a great deal of influence from Chinese martial arts. While there are quite a few different styles of karate, we view them all as Japanese martial arts. Karate utilizes a colored belt system to show the ranks of the karate practitioner. This system ranges from white (the novice) to black belts (instructor levels and above). Black belts come in different degrees depending on the level of mastery you hold. Each time that the practitioner tests and passes to reach the next level, they earn a new color belt.

The martial art of karate uses katas or set routines that simulate fighting against an imaginary opponent. As a general rule, your arms and hands are used mostly for strikes and blocks (approximately 60% of the time), while legs are used primarily for kicking (about 40% of the time). A practitioner must learn blocks to protect themselves before they learn offensive moves.
Our modern form of tae kwon do was developed in Korea using a great deal of influence from Japanese karate. Because of this, it is frequently referred to as Korean Karate. Practitioners of this system use a similar belt system to show level of proficiency. There are two main styles of tae kwon do, one under the International Tae Kwon Do Federation and the other under the World Tae Kwon Do Federation.
Korean Karate differs from karate in the types of moves used for fighting and their frequency. Use of hands and arms in tae kwon do is only about 40% where as legs are used 60% of the time. They also utilize much higher kicks, aiming to the head level. In order to do this, they utilize more jumping and flying kicks. Tae Kwon Do forms are usually shorter and less complex than karate forms, though some schools include karate forms as well.
Whichever system of fighting you choose to learn, they both have far reaching benefits. Either way, you can't go wrong!

Sydney Garrison is an avid cyclist and sports enthusiast. She is also a partner in an online bike carrier store.

Read More : Punching Bags - The Heavy Bag is Your Opponent

Punching Bags - The Heavy Bag is Your Opponent

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:31:42 PDT

A great boxer understands the importance of strong punches and combination's to keep his opponent on his toes and to continually establish scenarios where he can land a strong punch. A punching bag is a great place to exercise combination's and build endurance. Below are a few of the most effective shots/combos out there.
Heavy Bag Shots and Combos
Jab, double jab, triple jab: While the jab isn't the strongest punch, it plays an important role of distracting your opponent. Be sure to mix it up a bit. Don't always do the standard single jab or jab-cross. Why not jab-jab-cross or jab-jab-jab cross. As long as you mix it up, your opponent won't be able to predict you. Pick a spot on the punching bag and try to jab repeatedly hitting that same spot.
Right cross: Usually preceded by a jab, ensure that you really follow through when doing the right cross. You want it to be powerful yet quick. If it is two slow, the opponent can get a punch in over the bend in the elbow straight to your face whereas if your arm is straightened, your chin is protected by your shoulder.
Jab-right cross: The most well known combo. Throw the heavy bag a quick jab with the left and a powerful cross with the right, being sure to follow through and step out of the way after throwing the cross. The bag can still knock you over if you don't step away after a hard punch, just like an opponent can throw a counter punch.

Regard the punching bag as your opponent
After all combination's, practice rolling under the punching bag, ducking and dodging around the bag. Imagine that you just unleashed hell on you opponent, and the opponent is coming back with the counter-shot of a right hand. Strive to go under the right hand (heavy bag) and come up with a right hook. If you can dodge the punching bag, you can dodge your opponent's cross.
We don't want to just go out there and start swinging at the bag. Once we throw a combination, we should know which way to shift our weight. Again the most common way to counter a cross is to duck under the opponents arm (or the punching bag) and once under, you can take a crack at the body or chin.
After every punch, it's best to keep moving or circle the punching bag as to get out of the path of your opponent. Most people move around the bag to the left since most out there are righties. Be sure to practice this both to the left and right. If you always go the same way, it's easier for your opponent to predict, making it harder for you.
Use the heavy bag for everything it has to offer. Don't just beat the crap out of it. Pretend it's an opponent that fights back. When it swings back after you throw a cross, duck under it and counter with a hook or an uppercut. The punching bag is one of the best tools out there. Just be sure to use it right and regard it as an opponent and not just a psychological release.
Read More : Tai Chi Swords

Tai Chi Swords

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:45:44 PDT

If you are passionate about your tai chi and would like to extend your knowledge and training of this ancient art form, you may be interested in learning about the tai chi sword. Maybe it could renew your enthusiasm and give an extra edge to your training that has been missing for a while.
Tai chi sword is said to be an advanced level of martial art training, which is hardly surprising considering how challenging tai chi itself can be. Although by adding the sword you are basically going through the same movements as in unarmed practice, you do need a subtle wrist and to be comfortable handling a sword. It is also something that should only be attempted after you have mastered some basic tai chi forms.
Great care should be taken when training, and be sure to use a practice sword at first so as not to harm yourself, or anyone else for that matter! There are different types of sword for practice, the wooden one being the most likely to be used by a beginner. There are even collapsible ones for ease of transport for people who travel regularly and like to continue their training.
Basically there are two types of tai chi sword, the broadsword or 'dao' which is a shorter one sided blade, and the chien or 'jian' which is a longer straight double edged blade; the chien being the one more commonly used in training. A chien would usually be around 36 - 40 inches (90 - 100 cms) long including the handle, the length and weight would vary according to the user.

The sword, known as the king of close combat martial art weapons, has been used in China for the last 2500 years, gradually evolving from crudely constructed bronze swords to the more sophisticated steel ones of today.

Looking back in history there is much to be admired about the 'eye to eye' close combat encounters in battle, which sets the sword apart as more honourable than longer range weapons. These days however, it is mainly used for ceremonial purposes, training for competition, or within a discipline for good health and longevity.
Adding the sword to your armoury of tai chi knowledge can make you become more appreciative of the martial art aspects of the past. It can make quite a difference to your training as well, as it becomes an extension of the body, allowing you to project even more chi from the body along the arm to the tip of the sword.
Many people are interested to know how a tai chi sword can be used in such an elegant art form as tai chi, as historically it has been used to such deadly effect in battle. These days people use the sword as part of their tai chi training for health reasons to bring harmony to the mind, body, and spirit.
Who would have thought many years ago that a weapon such as the sword, in the past used so often to kill, would eventually be used by many people as an aid to extend life!
Read More : In Search of the Ultimate Martial Art

In Search of the Ultimate Martial Art

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:41:33 PDT

It looks like since the beginning of time or at least the introduction of the term Martial Art there have been endless comparisons of different styles, systems and methodology in fighting and defense. Its all over the place more than ever with the internet and multimedia. Ultimate fighting and the like events where guys try to prove that their art is superior, and most recently the entrance of a loose based form known as MMA or Mixed Martial Arts which try to bring the most effective moves together in a formless art.
If one thing is sure in the martial arts it is that things constantly change at a very fast pace, and with this channge public opinion and popularity come and goes. I have been in the martial arts for many years so I will give you a run down in succession of what the most (by public perception anyway) fearsome martial arts were and are.
1. Karate from Okinawa WWII
2. Judo back in the fifties to mid sixties (Think James Bond).
3. Tae Kwon Do in the seventies because there were so few Kung Fu schools to take advantage of demand from the popularity of Bruce Lee and David Carradine in "Kung Fu" - Marketing is a wonderful thing.
4. Aikido - we welcome Steven Seagal
5. Birth of the UFC and here comes Ju Jitsu as the dominator.
6. MMA - UFC type events now try multi arts instead of which art is best. As any MA Instructor can tell you one on one Ju Jitsu has definite advantage.
And there we are now. So you say I am missing a few, yes that is true so we will touch on those now.

Tae Bo - more of a fad and not a martial art it is exercise and a good workout.
Krav Maga - good self defense art but it was not widely available and faded in popularity quickly as the public has martial art attention deficit disorder.
In my life as a martial artist and then a martial art teacher I have practiced many arts, some just to see what they are about, and others to help me along my journey to find the ultimate fighting art. I have done the various Kung Fu classes, the Kuk Sool classes, the Karate forms, the Ju Jitsu, Kickboxing, all sorts of stick arts, knife arts, sword arts, and firearm styles of combat shooting.
After all my searching I found that there in fact is not an ultimate martial art and each one was good for maybe one thing only, and no art is good for all things no matter what the brochure tells you. Each one had a glaring weakness. Judo or way of gentle is excellent at throwing but not good against a puncher. Boxing has great hand techniques, but useless against the kicker. Karate is good depending on which system and philosophy (defense or tournament) but is limited against a street brawler. Aikido is great at using an attackers movements against them, but useless against a skilled and balance oriented opponent. Ju Jitsu is great for one on one defense and useless against several attackers if it goes to the ground (nothing like an attackers buddy kicking you in the head while your on-top of his friend). MMA is great for one on one and cage, but almost useless against the street fighter or multiple jack asses. So we must look further and know our own limitation and needs to make the educated decision.
I did not find what I was looking for so I designed my own arts from my experience of bleeding and broken bones and knowing first hand what works and what does not. First I figured that tournament or ring work was not my interest, so my main focus was on pure defense or street fighting which usually means no rules and I get to go home no matter what.
The systems that I teach now out of my seven black belts that I earned are Jeet Kune Do the style of Bruce Lee that I learned from one the the original Lee School students, and a new form of Kempo Karate that I heavily modified to where it barely resembled anything in the Kempo or Kenpo world today.
First I hate using the work expert but I am expert in the movements of the body and how to streamline and align it to get the most speed and power from any move. To do this I take the move I want then remove all the un necessary steps, make sure there is no chambering or telegraph to let anyone know what is going to happen to them, then tweak it to get more and more power so that each strike caused the most energy delivery and disruption of tissue and bone. I have used these methods with professional fighters and increased their speed and power by an average of 20% to 25% which is huge. Its a weird gift but its mine.
After years of searching I resigned myself to the fact that what I longed for did not excist so I forged an art of my own, American Combat Kempo. As for the name, well I am an American for sure, I wanted only combat aspects so tournament play was out, and since my teaching lineage traces back to the Saholin Temple in China it had to be Kempo (Chuan Fa in Chinese).
In phase one I took the modified strikes that I was speaking of above that were from standard Kempo or Kenpo along with Okinawan Karate, melded them with Kung Fu strikes that I liked, developed new non passive blocking (blocks are hard fast strikes) along with soft trapping blocking for grappling work.
In phase two I took the best of Ju Jitsu from the original Ju Jitsu ( Aiki) and incorporated them to work along side the strikes and both blocking methods.
In phase three we went all out on the traditional weapons of Okinawa and modernized the procedures for real world fighting scenarios, along with swords and edged weapon (knives) fighting from Philippino arts that I modified for my needs. Then we went modern with all sorts of firearms in the advanced Master levels. You can not be a true master unless you can handle any and all weapons available to you, or thrust upon you.
So, am I saying that my art is the ultimate fighting art? No, but it is for my needs and what I designed it for. I have had others including agencies copy many aspects of my system, and many use my moves in real combat so I know what I teach is effective for the real world. Would it be effective in like a UFC even thing? Yes we would win everything. Now if only they would just throw out all those rules again so we could. Of course things are just the way they should be ni that repect. My rule book? I think its written on the back of a napkin somewhere. It says go home alive to your family.

Carter Hargrave is the chief instructor at Hargrave Martial Arts, Head of the World Jeet Kune Do Federation and World Kempo Association, and can be reached at http://www.CarterHargrave.org or http://www.Kempo.org

Read More : Beginner Boxing Tips and Punch Technique

Beginner Boxing Tips and Punch Technique

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:30:06 PDT

The first and most important aspect of boxing to learn is the boxing punch technique. Proper punches are among the most important beginner boxing tips. There are three basic punches that all boxing beginners should learn first. These are known as the jab, the cross, and the hook. More advanced punches include overhands, uppercuts, and body shots.
When you practice your boxing punch technique, you must make sure your hands are properly wrapped and that you are wearing the right kind of boxing gloves. One of the basic boxing tips is making sure you have the right gear to avoid injury and maximize your performance.
The Boxing Jab Technique
The jab is thrown with the hand on the same side as the leading leg. For example a right handed boxer would stand with the left foot leading and therefore jab with the left hand. There is minimal hip rotation in a jab. It is more of a straight, quick whip like motion with the arm that is meant to distract the opponent and measure distance. The cross and hook are the knockout punches, the jab sets them up.

Throwing a Cross Boxing Tips
The cross is thrown with the opposite hand of the lead leg and is very powerful because it generates most of its power from hip rotation. To use the cross technique:
1. Start with your feet planted.
2. By pushing off with your back foot, turn your body toward your lead leg side while keeping your lead foot in place.
3. As you make the turn, extend the punching hand toward the chin of your opponent.
Practice putting the three steps together as you punch a heavy bag to increase power.
The Boxing Hook Technique
The hook is thrown with the same hand as the jab, but in this case you angle your fist toward the side of your opponents chin and turn your body toward your back foot. Like the cross, the hook is capable of knocking out your opponent.

Geared2Brawl.com is an information source focused on Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, and other Combat Sports. Our editors bring you fighting tips, fight gear reviews, and MMA fight news.

Read More : How to Use a Makiwara to Focus Your Mind, Not Just Your Punching

How to Use a Makiwara to Focus Your Mind, Not Just Your Punching

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:37:01 PDT

This article will explain some of the mental benefits that makiwara training can have, way beyond toughening up your hands. Read on to find out how to "toughen up" your mind as well.
As you may already know, a makiwara is a forging or striking post that Okinawan karate practitioners used to toughen their fists to feel like a rock when striking an opponent.
For the at-home martial arts practitioner, you can easily create your own makiwara that you will give you incredible punching power. However, the benefits of the makiwara go beyond just the physical. You will also learn to toughen up your mind.
By focusing on the makiwara board, you will develop a laser-like approach to engaging in something for short periods of time. Just like you need to instantly be ready to engage an opponent, you can gain that same "readiness" in other aspects of you life by using makiwara.
Here are 3 ways that you can use a makiwara board to improve your mental focus:
1. Using a makiwara hurts. By sticking with the training and learning to focus the pain outside of your mind, this can be an incredible gift to give yourself that will be useful for all kinds of painful situations.

2. Focusing on the makiwara board. This intense focus, almost to the level of mediation, removes outside distractions and if practiced enough can be used in many facets of your life.
3. By toughening your fists to have the punching power of a freight train you will gain mental confidence, which will help the way you carry yourself in society. The people that look weak are the people that get picked on and if you look like you have confidence, you may never need to use your iron fists.

Joshua Black is a black belt practitioner of karate and the developer of the Ultiamate Makiwara Creator, a how-to system that shows you how to create your own makiwara in just a few hours for under $26 that can withstand over 10,000 strikes. No more worrying about how you can afford to start makiwara training. Anyone can build it.

Download the system at http://www.UltimateMakiwara.com.

Read More : Who Were Some of Bruce Lee's Students?

Who Were Some of Bruce Lee's Students?

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:34:45 PDT

During Bruce Lee's lift time he came in contact and made friends with many people that spanned from the average guy who may have been a student to popular actors of the time. Bruce's first ever student is Jessie Glover in Seattle, he trained with Lee for about 5 years sometimes more than once a day and is considered an authority on Lee's style of training..
When he began teaching his Jeet Kune Do style of martial arts, Lee only certified 4 people personally as instructors. These 4 are; James Yimm Lee, Ted Wong, Dan Inosanto and Taky Kimura. Dan Inosanto has trained most of the Jeet Kune Do instructors after Bruce Lee's death.
Inosanto certified instructors for over 30 years which gave all of them direct lineage contact with Lee through him. Inosanto and taky Kimura were allowed to teach only small groups of students after Lee's death. Other students of Bruce Lee were Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis and Mike Stone who all where already martial artist.

We all know about Chuck Norris being Lee's opponent in the movie Return of the Dragon in the famous coliseum fight. Norris was already an accomplished martial artist when he met Lee, having learned Tang Soo Do in Korea while in the Air Force and competing and teaching back in the U.S.A.
The actor James Coburn could be found hanging out with Lee and was one of his students. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar a basketball star in the A.B.A and the N.B.A. was a student and was in Bruce Lee's Game of Death as the last of the characters that Lee fought while going up the pagoda. Steve McQueen brought his son to Bruce for martial arts instruction. Chuck Norris had also instructed his son.

Discover how Bruce Lee developed his philosophy and incredible physique at Bruce Lee Method. Tim Archbold's lifelong interests are fitness training and health. Read More :Self Defense Weapon Pros and Con

Self Defense Weapon Pros and Con

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:31:15 PDT

Choosing A Self Defense Weapon
If you don't have military or police background, and aren't a big fan of that movie where people purposely hurt themselves, you probably have never seen a stun gun, taser, or pepper spray.
While I believe it's always best for a citizen to learn practical and effective empty-hand self-defense methods first, in some cases you may not have access to an instructor. And in other cases, it may not be practical for you to take a self defense class, due to physical limitations.
If this describes you, then you probably want some sort of self defense weapon that you can use right now to protect yourself. I understand, so I'm not going to sit here and tell you that you shouldn't buy something to use for that purpose - because it's your RIGHT to defend yourself!
But, if you don't really know what each device does, you may have a hard time deciding which product best fits your needs. So, here's a brief run down of each product category and what their capabilities are...
Self Defense Weapons And Their Pros And Cons
Defense Sprays - (a.k.a., "Mace", pepper spray, tear gas)
This is my number one recommendation for a simple self-defense tool that almost anyone can use effectively. If you've used an aerosol can, you can use a defense spray.
Defense sprays are chemical sprays that incapacitate an assailant by their irritant or inflammatory effect. The defense sprays that most sites offer mainly rely on an extract of hot pepper plants for their effectiveness. This extract is called Oleoresin Capsicum (OC). OC is an inflammatory agent that has an instantaneous effect when sprayed into the eyes and face of an assailant.
The heat from pepper extracts is measured in Scoville Heat Units. The typical jalapeno pepper rates at about 2,500 Scoville Heat Units, while the some of the sprays on this website rate at up to 2 million Scoville Heat Units. So, to get an idea of the effect of getting sprayed, just think about the last time you rubbed your eyes after handling a jalapeno pepper, and multiply that feeling by about eight hundred times!
Probably the best thing about Pepper Sprays is the fact that you can hit someone with a good spray from several feet away, and although it usually takes 20 to 30 minutes for the effect to wear off, there are no long-term ill effects from being sprayed.
If you do decide to purchase a defense spray, make sure you get a good, quality brand like Mace, and that you replace it every six months to ensure your spray will work when you need it.
Stun Guns -
A stun gun is a device that relies on a pulsed electrical current to incapacitate an assailant. They are highly effective at stopping an assailant in their tracks, and the loud crackling noise that they make when you hit the "on" switch can be very intimidating to a would be attacker.
As effective as they are, stun guns do require you to make actual physical contact with the assailant. The stun gun must be brought into contact with the assailant's body to exert its effect.
Also, a stun gun (like any weapon) can be turned against you. In addition, thick clothing can sometimes lessen the effect of the stun gun on an assailant.
For these reasons, I recommend you choose a good defense spray over a stun gun as a first line of defense. But, at close range where there is no room to spray the assailant without risking spraying yourself, a stun gun could possibly allow you the chance to escape.
Tasers -
Tasers are basically stun guns that work at a distance. Tasers fire a barbed dart (ouch!) that penetrates the assailant's skin. The dart is attached to the handheld unit by two wires that deliver the electrical impulse that disables the assailant.
Most have a fifteen-foot range and come in two designs. The first design looks a lot like the "phasers" that you have seen on Star Trek. This design costs less and is probably easier to aim if you have never fired a pistol. If you have ever used a remote control to change the channels on your TV, you can probably aim this type of taser.

The second taser design resembles a pistol, and operates in much the same manner, but is equivalent to the standard taser in all other respects.
There are two main drawbacks with tasers:
1. You have to hit your target.
2. You may only have one shot and one chance to do so.
Also, tasers tend to be expensive. The fact is, pepper sprays are easier to use, so when in doubt, just buy a can of pepper spray.
Other Self Defense Weapons -
Kubotans - A kubotan (also known as a "pocket stick") is a handheld device that attaches to your keychain. The effectiveness of the kubotan in delivering short, powerful strikes to an assailant's vital target areas is unquestionable... if you know what you're doing with it. Get training in empty-handed self defense first if you plan to buy a kubotan for self defense.
Personal Alarms - Personal alarms are devices that emit an extremely loud and high-pitched "whistle" when activated. Some include hidden switches that can ensure only the owner can deactivate the unit.
They are mainly useful for drawing attention to you if you are attacked, because the loud noise they make can bring unwanted attention to an attacker. No criminal wants to get caught, so the last thing they want is attention. At 120 to 150 decibels, personal alarms definitely draw a lot of attention.
Having said that, my take on them is that they are close to useless for self defense. My advice is to just buy a good alarm system for your home, and carry pepper spray with you in an easily deployed place on your body (preferably, on a key ring that you carry with the Mace can in your hand, ready to go).
Knives and Firearms - Are they effective? Of course. But, if you decide to carry a knife or firearm for personal protection I strongly encourage you to research and become familiar with the laws of your state first.
If your research leads you to believe it is a legal option in your area, the next logical step would be to seek expert instruction in their usage before you start to carry one for self-defense.

In future, we'll be offering advanced courses in knife defense and hand-gunning for home defense at select Self Defense Black Belt Program locations, so be sure to sign up for our newsletter on our site to stay informed on when those courses become available.

Mike Massie is the national director of operations for the Self Defense Black Belt Program(tm). The SDBBP is a comprehensive reality-based self defense program that offers realistic self-defense skills you can learn in as little as three to four months. You can find out more about the SDBBP and find a licensed facility offering the training at http://selfdefenseblackbelt.com/.

Read More : 5 Tips to Know Before Buying Boxing Gloves

5 Tips to Know Before Buying Boxing Gloves

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:23:15 PDT

Boxing is the best way of exercising, socializing, improving and maintaining the fitness levels. However, your fitness level can only be maintained if you have right kind of fitness equipments for boxing. One of the most important equipments for boxing is the boxing gloves.
Don't just buy gloves because you need them. You must take few things into consideration before purchasing the gloves. There are 5 things you should know before purchasing boxing gloves from a shop. Read them below.
Firstly, do you know that gloves come in a variety of materials? Leather gloves are to be purchased for training. It is true that leather gloves are bit costly but they can last for a long time. If you are a professional boxer, you must buy boxing gloves tied with the laces. However, if you go for training in gym, buy Velcro wrist straps to suit your purpose.
Secondly, while buying gloves you must keep in mind the size of the gloves. gloves that are available are usually large, medium and small. An average man usually needs large size and an average woman needs a medium size glove. However, always keep in mind that gloves will stretch. So, buy accordingly.

Next, you should also consider the gloves weight before purchasing. You should always have a chat with your trainer or coach for his recommendations regarding the boxing gloves. Since he will be your trainer, he will be the best person to advice you about the weight of your gloves that needs to be purchased. Boxing gloves weight usually ranges from 10 to 20 ounces. However, children boxing gloves range from 4 to 8 ounces. More heavier will be the glove, more protection would it offer. Beginners must use 12oz to 16oz gloves whereas 10oz gloves must be used by professional boxers.
The other important thing that must be considered is that the hands should most likely be wrapped while wearing the gloves. Hand wraps should be worn for they offer extra protection for your wrists, knuckles and small bones in hand. So, buy hand wraps before buying the boxing gloves.
Last but not the least; check out if the gym has a connection with any distributor or manufacturer of fitness equipment. If the gym has any connections, then it will be best for you to buy the gloves from gym because you can save a lot of money and time.

So, are you in search of boxing gloves? There are many online stores that supplies boxing fitness equipments to their potential customers. Ultimate Fitness 4 U is one such online store that supplies fitness equipments like boxing gloves and others from Fairtex, Adidas, Twins and Lonsdale to its potential clients. It also supplies the best products from world of MMA clothing, MMA shorts and boxing gloves. Ultimate Fitness 4 U stocks wide selection of creatine, protein supplements and products of weight loss from top brands like BSN, USN, MET, EAS and others. Read More :A Few Tips on Sparring in Boxing

A Few Tips on Sparring in Boxing

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:19:13 PDT

Before you begin sparring with a partner, make sure you protect your knuckles and your wrists. Wrap you hands properly. Have a trainer show you the right way to wrap them, because this is very important.
Then the gloves go on. Sparring gloves are actually designed to protect your hands, not your opponent's head. These usually weigh about sixteen ounces, which is more than most fight gloves weigh.
You will also need headgear when you are sparring. These protect you from bruises and cuts while you are sparring, and they're used in amateur boxing as well. Head gear will not protect you from hard punches that have the potential to knock you out. You need to be aware of this, because otherwise you may feel too secure when wearing headgear.
The groin guard will protect your groin area from punches that are too low.
Your mouth piece is sometimes called a mouth guard, and it protects the inside of your mouth and your lips from being cut by your teeth when you are the recipient of a hard face punch. The mouth guard also serves to lock your bottom and top jaws together, so that if you are struck by a hook (a blow to the side of the head), you won't suffer damage to the joint capsule of your jaw. Wear a mouth guard even if you're sparring, and especially in competition.

Sparring with a qualified opponent or partner is one of the best boxing workouts. This practice-fighting will allow you to work on your fitness and your skills. A sparring match should not be contested like a fight. Often, you and your sparring partner will plan ahead of time what punches you both plan to work on.
Body sparring is sparring where only body shots are allowed, no punches to the head. This is usually done so that the risk of injury is lessened, and to help newer boxers spar without risk of head injury.
Sparring is the single most important aspect of your training regimen. You can always work the bags, but they don't punch back, and you need to learn defense as well as offense. Sparring will help to improve your timing, the speed of your reactions, and punching in combinations.
Sparring teaches you to work through the nervous energy you will feel on fight night. If you are too nervous, that can play a large role in the outcome of your match. If you're too nervous leading up to a fight, it can leave you with an empty "gas tank" before the fight even starts. Your legs may feel heavy, and your gloves may feel like lead weights. There is only one way to get past these feelings, and that is through experience. The more matches you have under your belt, the easier it will be for you to overcome the anxiety you feel before a fight.
Anyone who boxes has experienced nerves at some time. Whether it happened before their first fight or a title fight, they had to calm their nerves before climbing into the ring, just as you will need to. The more experience you have, the less anxious you will feel before matches. You can rely on your hard work in the gym, as well as your fundamental skills, and these are all aspects that help you develop as a fighter. Learn "the game" first, and then you will be able to develop experience and confidence. You can't master the sport of boxing overnight. It will take you several years to adequately learn the sport, through your boxing workouts and through actual ring experience.
You should head into each session of sparring as an opportunity to make some part of your "game" better. Spar with many different opponents, so that you can accustom yourself to different styles that your future opponents may have. Boxing workouts and ring experience together will put you at the top of your game.
Read More :MMA Training and Isometric Strength

MMA Training and Isometric Strength

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 06:21:21 PDT

Isometric strength is needed in all grappling styles and MMA competitions. Strikers would not benefit as much as grapplers due to the more "dynamic" nature of their arts. Maybe some work, but in a very specific way to mimic the clinching. But once you start competing in MMA tournaments, it should become part of your training regime. At least, that's what I think.
When I look around is very disappointing to notice that when trainers talk about "static holds" they only talk about grip strength...nothing else! Sure, depending of the exercise other muscle groups would come into play, but the importance is never mentioned anywhere. How many articles on MMA conditioning have you read that brought up the need for some isometric training? If you have, when did they tell you to you apply it? I'm pretty sure that most of you never read anything about.
First, to call an activity "Isometric" (static) you have to understand that there can't be contraction, but there is TENSION. There are two phases known by us as concentric (when your muscle is shortening) and eccentric (when your muscle is lengthening) . If you attempted to push a wall, for instance, you wouldn't be able to move it but you'd feel a huge amount of tension through you body as a result. This is isometry!
When you defend a takedown (you have your "underhook" ) you are trying to lift your opponent while he is "weighing down" on you (your arms). As you know or at least saw it in a fight, this can take a little while. As long as they keep in that "struggle", they are using isometric strength (nobody moving up or down). Now, I need you to pay close attention to this.

If slowly one starts to win (up or down) this shows pure strength. Strength means that you are fighting against a resistance (in this case your opponent's body or effort) without worrying how long it's gonna take as long as you win the "fight". This is maximal strength (pure strength) because we are talking about one attempt.
If you are capable of defending the takedown and quickly you pick your opponent up, then you are showing power (strength + speed). Now... if you are defending takedowns during the entire round, than you are displaying strength-endurance. Remember this...to display "power" you have to add the ability speed, otherwise it'll be just a different type of strength.
As you can see, off isometric strength I showed you three more abilities that need to be worked on for your preparation. Those among of you with more experience in MMA Training may have noticed that we are missing a very important ability to mention here. What if, during the fight I'm still capable of react quickly (picking him up) every time when defending the takedown? Because you can keep the speed round after round you now start taping into your power-endurance (strength+speed+endurance)
Can you understand the consequences if you leave one or more abilities out of your workout planning?

Gilson Barbarian Oliveira is a renowned strength and conditioning coach with more than 15 years of experience in combat sports and 21 years in martial arts. He has coached fighters for MMA, K-1,World Jiu Jitsu, Abu Dabhi and Wrestling.
For more articles on MMA training go to MMA Training and if you own a MMA school please go to SEO New York and learn how he can help your business to be on first page of the major Search Engines such Google, Yahoo and Bing.Read More :How to Gauge Martial Arts Success

How to Gauge Martial Arts Success

noreply@blogger.com (congmy) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 05:58:50 PDT

There are two forms of MMA business. First, there's the mixed martial arts shop, where a practitioner can buy uniforms, mats, belts, and other mma items. This is the "soft selling" part of mma. I call it "soft selling" because it becomes easier to sell these products to practitioners and those who have already decided to try mixed martial arts. The possible generated profit is enough for continued business growth. To think of it, it all boils down to a ready market who would be the ones looking for you and not you looking for them. This scenario is the ideal business.
However, such is not the case for the "hard selling" part of mixed martial arts. This is the entirety of the craft. "Hard selling" corresponds the marketing of mixed martial arts as a whole to new practitioners who may or may never have heard of it. This is where hard work begins. How do you convince someone to try something new? How do you tell someone you do not know that it is for their own good? Will they even believe you?
It is because of the latter that a lot of thought is given to come up with the best marketing plan. A MMA school is quite difficult to position especially in the midst of a so-called recession. Speaking of the so-called recession, this can actually be viewed in two ways: it can be considered as good because competition will be less. Only a few dares to play with money, after all, a martial arts school business still remains as a risk. Second, it can be bad for the business since it may signify a decline in the possible target market. One major factor is that fact that mixed martial arts is not really a necessity. People can live without it. But then again, people will live longer with it. Right?

Therefore, your martial arts school marketing plan should be able to counter everything that the pessimist may throw at you. If one is asked; "why should I waste my money on learning mixed martial arts?" How would you respond? You cannot possibly say; "because of this," and perform a demonstration right then and there. Not only is it a weak reply but it is also ridiculous. You need to make to see and feel why.
Surpass this level and you're through the worst part. Fail it and just quit, you're not made up for this kind of business. Nevertheless, an initial martial arts success in getting the most number of students for your dojo is not a guarantee that you've succeeded. See, the fall back of mma is that it is very difficult to gauge success.
Since it is not a regular school, students may not come every time. The pace of the lessons cannot be called into a halt just so that one student can catch up. Yes, you will gain the gratitude of one but may lose the trust of the others. This is the very reason why plans A-Z should exist. A martial arts business school is very seasonal. Alternatives should always be kept handy, just in case.

schoolownersecrets.com provide an easy way to success for martial arts school marketing and martial arts business plan. Read More :MMA is a Show, Not Self-Defense