TDA Training

IS aliveness the most important thing?

2009-11-04T19:27:00.001-05:00

I thought this Twitter thread was interesting. Low Tech Combat asked, “Who thinks "Aliveness" is not important?” To which Jason Crouch of The Martial Explorer answered, “what is aliveness.” My reply was:

tdatraining RT @jessecrouch: @lowtechcombat what is aliveness- Great question! Is it rhetorical? I will answer anyway: There is no hard and fast definition, like most things in martial arts, unless you isolate it to a particular system, e.g. JKD. It may be easier to define by asking what is dead in MA? Most think that a "dead" drill is one where the feeder, for ex, is not responding, but simply feeding an attack or responding with a defense without thought or emotion. He may as well be a machine.

An "alive" drill may be closer to sparring, in that a partner gives feedback or resistance. Is it important? Yes, of course it's important, but the "dead" is important too, because it develops basics, skills, and tactics and "aliveness" when learning something new can actually be detrimental to developing a technique or skill before the correct time. Does that make sense? I know their are lots of other perspectives and would love to hear them.

Being the expert researcher I am, I used the search term “aliveness,” and found this video on YouTube. Watch.

What do you think?

Time to lead?

2009-10-22T16:45:00.001-05:00

Read on BLACKFIVE: Voting Present. Quoting VD Hanson. Send them now.

New Chevy Caprice PPV for 2011

2009-10-21T16:11:00.001-05:00

Nice video of the debut of the return of the Chevy Caprice police model. It was right next to my company’s booth at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Denver. Check it out.

And a little promo video as well.

For more information:
Jalopnik

Technorati Tags: Chevy,Chevrolet,Caprice,PPV,Holden

Top Technique: Brachial Stun

2009-09-14T20:41:00.001-05:00

Discussions of target areas, like “pressure points,” can sometimes be a subject of controversy regarding effectiveness, as in the case of secret or hidden techniques. Some, on the other hand, are indisputably effective. Such is the “Brachial Stun” or a strike to the side of the neck.

Let’s look at a couple of good examples.

Example #1: Highlights of Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, a former kickboxer, and currently an MMA fighter, known for his knockout prowess. Notice that the Thai kick applied to the temple or the side of the neck, when landed flush, almost always results in a knockdown. Ironically, Cro Cop himself was defeated in the UFC via the same technique.

Example #2: The Famous “Pimp Smackdown” video. In this case, the attacker is hit cleanly to the side of the neck by the “Karate expert” with a forearm or knifehand strike to obvious effect. Also notice that the Karate man was not planted to deliver maximum power, but snapped the technique while also penetrating through the target. If he were "planted” or had a stronger base, I doubt the pimp would have been able to stumble away at all.

So what is the Brachial Stun? An older version of the Army Field Manual on combatives (FM 21-150) describes it this way,

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.

Clearly, the goal in FM 21-150 was to put an opponent down quickly, and this technique does. That’s why it’s become a staple of police defensive tactics and almost all combatives (military hand-to-hand use or based) systems.

CAUTION: This is for informational purposes only. Any strike that can drop or disable an opponent may result in unconsciousness or death, even by a secondary impact (the floor or another object).

Technorati Tags: Cro Cop,UFC,K1,Pride,pressure point,Karate,Brachial Stun,FM 21-150

Grief for a friend

2009-08-04T22:04:00.001-05:00

Our fellow blogger, Savate stylist, and friend, George Ruiz of Boot to the Head, has recently lost his dear sister. I did not know her, but know George well enough to be able to tell that she was probably a very special person. Our condolences and prayers to her family.

Urban Samurai on Traditional Training Getting You Killed

2009-08-03T22:15:00.001-05:00

The Urban Samurai is a blogger I actually learned about because he subscribed to my Twitter feed (as you all should!), and I’ve since learned, is an excellent martial arts blogger as well. Check out his site here.

Anyway, his comment on this weekend’s repost is worthy of posting on it’s own. Background should be reading Is your traditional training going to get you killed? A repost. His words, with my commentary in brackets. Final note before you read: please don’t take this and the linked post as a gratuitous attack on so-called traditional training. All styles, instruction, and training have benefits and purpose. You need to figure out for yourself what the what they are, and adapt what you need from that base, much like I did after starting in a semi-traditional style (traditional TKD), then moving over to more "reality-based” training after over 20 years in the arts. We can all learn from each other. On to the quote:

Hey Nathan. All the points you made were very valid. As someone who comes from a traditional background I can back up what you are saying. Most traditional schools do not teach proper self defense for the street. I believe in order to train for the street you have to train completely differently, make the training more intense and more true to life. Street fighting isn't pretty and neither is the training you have to do for it. Usually you end up getting hurt, but that is part of it, learning to take a hit. [This is quite true (getting hurt, and needing to learn to take a hit), and can only be minimized by competent instruction and a good gradient of contact, which is where traditional “control” can help]

In my own training (which is Kempo Jujitsu) I make a distinction between art and reality. I practice traditional technique for the sake of the art and the enjoyment of actually doing so and working at perfecting it. Even with Jujitsu though, I am under no illusions. Most of the techniques are not suitable for street self defense. For that I just keep things simple- simple strikes,simple locks and chokes etc. [Simplicity is probably key to success in almost everything, but in self-defense, it’s crucial to focus on those high-percentage basics – great point!]

Really it depends what you want to get out of martial arts at the end of the day. If someone wants to learn how to defend themselves then they should do Krav Maga or some other reality based art. If you just want to learn an art, then go traditional. I believe as long as people make the distinction between art and reality they won't get themselves into trouble. A good grounding in the basics is pretty much all you need for street self defense, technique wise. After that it all comes down to personality. How confident are you? How well do you respond under pressure? Can you actually hit someone and put them down? These are things that specialist training can improve to an extent. The rest you have to get from real live situations. Get a bouncing job, put everything to the test.[This is the “missing link” of much training that’s not self-defense oriented – learning to psychologically deal with aggression, another’s, and your own]

One final point. Most people go through life without ever getting into a fight on the street. You can over emphasize the self defense aspects if you're not careful. Yes, you should be as prepared as possible, but also strike a balance and don't let the perceived need to know how to defend yourself overtake your life [emphasis mine – fantastic point]. Some people get very obsessed by it all. That's why I think people should garner an appreciation for the art side of things as well, to provide a balance in their training and also to help them along mentally and spiritually.

When it comes to self defense, paranoia is not productive. Keep things in perspective.

Excellent post. Well done.

Sunday read: Jiu-Jitsu Sensei

2009-08-02T17:06:00.001-05:00

For an interesting read about subjects that cross the spectrum of martial arts training, from traditional Jiu-Juitsu to BJJ, to MMA, and self-defense, Jiu-Jitsu Sensei is a great site to check out.

Sensei Lori O’Connell posts from the unique perspective of an active MMA competitor, active traditional instructor, and being north of my border, in Canada.

Her current post is showing a Kali knife defense flow drill. Click on the picture or here to check it out.

UPDATE: Forgot to mention that you can follow Sensei O’Connell on Twitter, too.

Is your traditional training going to get you killed? A repost

2009-08-01T13:10:00.001-05:00

[This was originally posted in February, 2008 and elicited a lot of comments. What do you think? Let me know in the comments here.- Nathan]

I'm going to get in some hot water from traditionalists for this, but that's OK, considering the importance of the subject. I think that I'm qualified to state that most traditional training in the US consists of:

Kicks and punches only - some have traditional weapons forms, and have added grappling or MMA as a sideline to increase their relevance and revenue
Classes of 45 minutes to 90 minutes long, two to three times a week
Techniques performed in the air (no contact) or on pads
Most schools have students remove their shoes and practice in loose-fitting, comfortable uniforms
Forms (poomse or kata) being a large part of the focus and time spent
Sparring with light to medium contact, and with restrictive rules for safety

I believe that most modern traditional schools (an intentionally paradoxical statement) do not prepare students for real self-defense, but to get hurt. Where I'm going to get into trouble is with the term "traditional" because that's a wide-open term, with different meanings to different martial artists. I believe it applies, based on how I defined the type of training in the bullet points above.

The question I asked in the title to the post is: "Is your traditional training going to get you killed?" The answer I'm sure to get is, "Well, maybe in other schools, but my tradition is tougher than what you're talking about!" In the example above, a student will spend at least 90% of his time in doing things which don't prepare him for what he's likely to face - an armed, vicious single attacker, or a pair or group of attackers who are similarly vicious and armed.

I was reviewing old comments to a previous post, "Check and move," featuring video of multiple opponent sparring prompted me to make the following comments regarding real fighting:

As was stated so well in the comments, "Real fighting isn't pretty!" The sparring in the video was obviously an exercise, but simulated an "anything goes" fight versus two opponents who were unrestricted in the type of unarmed technique they could use (the only exception being joint strikes). We wore goggles to allow eye jabs and gouges, knee and elbow pads to allow contact with both techniques (strikes with knees and elbows), and the padding also meant we didn't need to use mats for falls. Takedowns were allowed, and even encouraged, and the idea was for the attackers to grab, take down, or otherwise immobilize the defender, then pound him. The only restrictions were on the level of contact - it was medium (to me, that means you'll feel a "pop," but you shouldn't see stars).
Doing a drill like that (or seeing it) makes you realize how "range-centric" most sparring is: from boxing to TKD, to point karate, we all are used to rules which encourage a particular fighting range (like 2 points for kicks, and one for punches), or discourage one (such as the restrictions on clinching in boxing and TKD), and train us to get comfortable in that range. Additionally, in sparring within our style, we automatically assume that range, almost by consensus when sparring. I've read comments from MMA fans watching boxing and screaming at the TV, "He's open! Take him down!" The danger in this is that in real fighting, range is fluid - there's no clear definition of any range (it's the transitions that get you), nor are there any agreements "on the street" to use one range or another. Almost all of the fights I've seen (usually consensual) start just outside of punching range, but end up in a clinch or on the ground. I think the difference in my skill set is primarily that I am better at controlling that range, plus not hurting myself (I can strike, fall, and grapple without accidentally damage to myself more than an untrained person).
To build on the previous point, you need to build the ability to close to, or stay at, the range that you're most effective. My short (5'9"), stocky build (currently around 220#) makes me an effective infighter against most fighters standing (I love hooks, elbows, and knees), and very effective striking versus shorter or similar sized opponents. My shortcomings [intended] have been exposed on occasion when trying to use the same tactics versus taller opponents as I do with my shorter foes.
Another fatal mistake from "traditional" sparring is that we are used to the feeling (and reality) that our opponents have the same intentions that we do - to learn, develop, or to just bang around and have fun. Real encounters of a violent nature nearly always involve some type of disparity. Violent muggers are, by definition, intending you harm. If I were a mugger, I wouldn't want to give my victim a chance to think or react, but put him down and get his stuff before he knew what hit him! In seven years working at a PD (as a civilian), I read countless incident reports, press releases, and heard anecdotal accounts of violent muggings, and in most cases, the victims were taken completely by surprise by either multiple opponents, or multiple opponents brandishing a knife or gun. I don't think we adequately prepare students for that in most dojo (or dojangs). I'll admit, when I ran three commercial schools, we didn't cover that type of material. I hadn't learned it very thoroughly (more of a one-step, unrealistic, pattern-based weapon defense), and thus didn't prepare my students well for the same. Are we really teaching self-defense if more most attacks are more than one-on-one, and are armed encounters? Nope. That's one of the reasons I surveyed some the Convocation of Combat Arts to determine what they're learning or teaching. My impression? It may be a good foundation for one-on-one empty-hand fighting, but is probably giving the students (and even the instructors) a false sense of security regarding their real prospects for surviving a violent encounter.
Real fighting almost never takes place on a padded, level, surface without shoes. I have never seen or heard of a fight or mugging that took place where both opponents (notice how I slipped into the one-on-one mindset?) are barefoot. Why on earth do most schools have you take off your shoes??? A couple of reasons: 1) the styles that we predominantly teach in this county originate in either Korea or Japan, where removing your shoes indoors is a custom, and almost all training is held indoors, 2) it's easier and cheaper to keep your school clean without having to worry about what gets tracked in from outside, and 3) it helps prevent injuries. I am all for both of the last reasons - I like a clean surface to train on, and like to prevent injuries, but I hate the idea that we're teaching our people to ignore the fact that a work boot is more likely to kick us than a bare foot. Have you ever tried to block a work book? How about just cover up? I guarantee that if you have, you'll modify your sparring style! I will admit that I train in soft shoes, but on a realistic surface, whether soft (grass or dirt), or hard (concrete or blacktop). I realize that a lot of this is logistics (hard to create a sloped surface in a storefront school or pour sand on your hardwood), but again, are we trying to save lives, or not?
Uniforms are great, and I understand the idea behind them (uniformity, taking off the old self and putting on your uniform and belt changes your mind set, etc.), but kicking in street clothes is completely different than with a dobok or judogi. Same with grappling. I've tried grappling in tight jeans (not that tight, honest!), and you can't execute a good closed guard or triangle in them. Many "reality-based" or self-defense-oriented schools require shoes and street clothes for good reason. You learn to deal with the limitations of your apparel. Have you trained on concrete in a parka? How about grappling in the grass in shorts and t-shirts? Why not? Strikes in (or against) heavy clothing and grappling without a gi top make a big difference!
Lighting conditions are probably not going to be ideal! I doubt many schools would turn off the lights before practicing one-step sparring, much less free sparring. But chances are, you may be stepping out of a movie theatre (I'm always blinded then), and jumped by the kid you shushed an hour before, or otherwise have to defend yourself when it's brighter or darker than your average MA school. The types of techniques you'd use aren't the same if you don't know your lighting conditions, or if you know you won't be able to see. I have a good amount of video of sparring with my guys in the parking lot of the PD where I'd steer them, check, or "cut off the ring" so that the sun was in their eyes. Only after a few rounds did I fess up, and they tried to use it on each other and me from then on. Makes a difference. Can you do that in the gymnastics school that your groups meets at?\
Finally, if most of your self-defense situations are likely to be versus armed, multiple attackers who are vicious, how much of your training is geared toward that? I'd hazard that most have less than 5% tilted that way. We need to work toward getting at least 50% of your training in that direction, and increase the intensity as soon as your students are ready. My opinion is that we need to do more of what combatives (military martial arts) are doing, with a focus on these mixed weapons and numbers. Do you know how to disarm a gun, to fire one? Do you have any specialized knife or club training? Get some! When we're talking about self-defense, we need to address the totality of combat, not just the least used (single, one-on-one, unarmed) aspects.

Is this an attack on traditional training? Yes. I believe, however, that the older traditions of training in what you've got on, outside, and with mixed weapons are more valid - I'm just advocating getting back to more of that. I've gained so much from traditions, but which are most important - the ones that make it comfortable and orderly, or the ones that save your students lives? Think about it.

Technorati Tags: martial arts tradition,knife attack,kicking,punching,grappling,MMA,kata,poomse,sparring

Today’s TDA Tip: Carry!

2009-07-30T06:27:00.000-05:00

Exurban League makes a great case for carrying. Head over there for a larger view!

Also, you may have seen this on the TDA Twitter feed:
More Than A Dozen Shot In Chicago Overnight

‘Nuff said?

Technorati Tags: Crime statistics,Chicago,shootings

Reader Poll: Best Ever American Police Vehicle?

2009-07-28T19:22:00.001-05:00

My attendance at the during my attendance at the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association conference this weekend, there was a police car competition. Some of my buddies won for their motorcycles (not cars, I know), and that got me to thinking. What is the best American cop car ever?

AskMen.com has a pretty good rundown of the Top 10: International Police Cruisers, which is a relatively current top 10 list of police vehicles internationally. Included is are some exotics, like the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 (their #1), and the Porsche 911 (#2), but only one production American car, the Ford Mustang GT. I don’t really count the Carbon E7 because it’s not a production car (see our popular post on the Carbon here). I think all of them are nice, but they seem to have primarily emphasized pursuit speed and handling, and their criterion is probably different than an American police executive’s ideas on the same subject.

So this post will emphasize the historical best here in America, almost in the same way we would ask, “What was the best football team in history?” Or, “What is the best boat design in history for ocean travel?” The reason I use those examples is that a police vehicle has a purpose. It’s not a race car, or a passenger car, or a pickup truck, or a battering ram, but it has to do all of those things. The reason we didn’t just use the fastest American production cars for police vehicles on a regular basis is that they can’t do everything well, just go fast.

So, to start, let me say that I’m not a police officer, nor am I a former police officer, though I work in the law enforcement equipment industry. I actually drive a Hemi-powered Dodge Charger police vehicle almost every day, and drove many other police vehicles in my former employ as a civilian at a municipal department. My point is that, though I am around them almost every day, I am not an expert in police work, nor police cars as a user. So I’ll approach this from a research perspective, and try to gather enough information so that I can help us form a good opinion, and those who drive a particular car as officers can then comment or email to call me names! Sound good?

OK, so what are our criterion to judge excellence in a cop car?

Performance: It’s gotta be a good deal faster than most civilian cars, acceleration, braking, handling, and top speed have to be respectable, but not the best on the road.
Cabin space: Our car has to carry lots of cop stuff. Let’s see, what do cops have to carry (besides people, which is it’s own criterion)? Guns, lots of guns. Sorry, I was remembering that scene in the Matrix. I digress. Most cars now carry a long gun, typically an AR-15 or some type of pump shotgun. A big duty bag with lots of stuff, like ticket books, report forms, accident forms, small writing pads, a digital still camera, and stuff. Ah, can’t leave without the XM or Sirius radio, or iPod. And now we have lots of standard equipment like lights (lots), cameras, computers, moving radar units, radios, printers, and even automated license plate readers. Anything I forgot? And don’t say donuts, though it may be true!
Driver room: room enough for the big guys to work the streets. I’ve worked with officers that are almost six foot eight, and seen many over 300 pounds, and quite a few that were closer to five foot tall than six. In other words it has to hold the big ‘uns and small ‘uns. And it has to be comfortable enough and roomy enough for the officer, all the gear on his belt, all while not putting him (or her) in the hospital for back pain after a few 12-hour shifts. And still be able to see out of the car so as not to hit things, if possible.
Passenger room: We mean in the back. The front passenger seat is the desk drawer for a cop. It holds that big duty bag and anything else that should be in quick reach. We mean behind the driver, usually in a “cage” of either bars, mesh, or plexiglass to keep the bad guys and good guys apart. This is not as critical as you’d think. For some reason the officers' I’ve spoken to don’t care as much about passenger comfort as you’d think. Huh? Not sure why.
Cargo room: Last, but not least, room for lots of junk in the trunk. Let’s see, we need some flares, usually a box. Slim jim for opening locked doors. Cones for local PDs to block off streets. Caution tape. Gloves for keeping bodily fluids off your hands, and needles from poking you. Uuuuuuh, how about some rain gear? Yup. A broom to sweep glass off the road. Sometime there’s even a spare tire, but not usually. Lemeseeanthingelse? Probably, but I’ll rely on you guys to tell me what I forgot.
Miscellaneous: How’s the air conditioning or heat? Easiest to get in and out of? Best glove box? Other stuff not covered?

Who are the contenders?

I think they must be a car that is commonly used as a police car. For that reason I’ll exclude things that you may have seen, like Mustangs, Corvettes, Camaros, and the like. Those are either a one-off stealth traffic enforcement car, or used for education programs like D.A.R.E. So they’re out. We’re going to judge vehicles which are produced by a manufacturer for police fleet use, including SUVs. Some suggestions:

Chevy Tahoe
Ford Escape
Ford Police Interceptor (Crown Vic)
Dodge Diplomat/Plymouth Gran Fury
Chevy Impala
Chevy Caprice Classic
Chevy Caprice LT1
Ford Fairmont
Dodge Intrepid
Plymouth Volare
Ford Gran Torino
Chevy Citation
Ford Expedition
Ford Explorer
Chevy Lumina
Dodge Monaco
Dodge Charger (2006-2009)

Please vote in the comments: let us know what make, model, year, and why you rate it the best.

Technorati Tags: Police car,ford police interceptor,dodge charger

Is the jab utilized in MMA

2009-07-27T16:58:00.001-05:00

Blogging and Convocation buddy BBat50 commented on our post Boxing for Self-Defense and MMA (read it):

“I'm not sure that I agree that the jab is forgotten in MMA. Some fighters, say Chuck Liddell, tend to rely on his deadly right on his left hook. But there are many, especially in the lighter weight classes, whose jabbing is constant.”

It was a thoughtful and critical comment, which I should address, and would ask for your input.

As to the point that the jab is neglected or forgotten in MMA:

At that point (2006), my observation was based on most of the major bouts I saw in the couple of years preceding the post's publication.

If we examine the history of MMA in general, and the UFC in particular, it seems to have had trends:
BJJ early on because of Royce's domination of everyone, large or small. Then the sluggers learned to sprawl and were knocking everyone out with the haymaker variety of power punches - little to no jabbing involved. At the time of my posting there seemed to be more of a balance - grappling and groundwork, and ferocious standup, but the striking was not that good. Punches were used to either knock someone out or create a good takedown opportunity, but seemed to involve little good boxing.

Nowadays, there are superb strikers in MMA, including Anderson Silva, my favorite. They can work the ground, sprawl, or strike like a good boxer and muay Thai fighter. GSP is another great example. Is the jab utilized now? Certainly, by the better fighters and journeymen alike.

So, I actually agree now (referring to the use of the jab), but at that time, no.

Now, what do you MMA fans think? Do you see prevalent use of the boxing jab in MMA at this time (2009)?

For more information:

The Jab- building block of boxing
Tips on the jab: More on the jab
John Sculley teaches you boxing basics
The King of Combinations for MMA, Boxing, and Self-Defense
Boxing for Self-Defense and MMA

Technorati Tags: Anderson Silva,Georges St Pierre

On heroes (from my dad)

2009-07-27T15:48:00.001-05:00

“In this country, unfortunately, the word hero is used indiscriminately. Even football players and rap artists are described as heroes.

Those who deserve the title heroes, our men and women in uniform, continue to do their duty, to serve this country unsung,unrecognized.”

- Pablo Teodoro, Jr. USA (Ret.)

I would include in that all of you veterans and those serving their nation in law enforcement, and fire/rescue. You are my heroes, along with my dad, a Vietnam vet. I was lunching today with two police chiefs who served in the same war and bear the scars of that sacrifice. We should all be thankful.

Technorati Tags: Veterans

Thanks to Striking Thoughts

2009-07-27T06:29:00.000-05:00

Appreciate the mention by Striking Thoughts blog in his Martial Arts News 7.26.09 post. Check in weekly there for a great collection of news and links. Some interesting knife defense video material there this week, too.

A review of the Kubotan’s effectiveness as a weapon

2009-07-25T17:42:00.001-05:00

Is it?

A couple of months ago, as I was proceeding through airport security, I was asked, “is this your bag?” It was, I confirmed, mine. The TSA screener asked me to step aside and called over a supervisor, speaking in hushed tones while glancing over at me. After that brief conversation, the female supervisor approached me and said, “Do you know what this is?” while holding up my keys with a black Kubotan attached.

Immediately, embarrassment and a sense of dread flooded through me as I realized I had made a colossal error in leaving my keys in my bag, and my Kubotan attached to my keys.

“Yes, it’s a Kubotan.” I knew what it was, of course, having taught dozens of self-defense classes to women over the years, and having carried one for decades.

Luckily for me, the supervisor was sympathetic to my plight, and I was not added to the “no-fly” list for my mistake. Seeing the law enforcement logo on the bag in which the “weapon” was carried and her learning of my background probably helped, but it was a close one.

This leads me to the question of whether a small length of wood or plastic is an effective weapon in the first place.

You may recall hearing the news accounts of suspected terror trial runs where the suspects boarded planes and asked for seat belt extensions when they weren’t needed (these guys weren’t overweight). Other rules that allow things like canes and small tools on board exist. And we’ve posted here before about how a small flashlight, pen, or pencil can serve as a dangerous weapon, too.

Mokuren Dojo’s post, Kubotan anecdote, covers part of the answer on flailing with keys attached.

My understanding is that there are several ways to use the Kubotan:

General Striking: a hammerfist or ridgehand-type motion with either end of a Kubotan firmly gripped will lead to a very effective striking, with all of the force you can generate compressed into the small surface area of the tip or top of the implement. Effective? Yes. Practical? Very, if you have it in your hand and are already skilled at striking.
Targeted striking: If you do have the skill and training to know where to strike, the Kubotan could be a deadly weapon. I can generate enough force to decimate slabs, boards, and have done so to innumerable live opponents, and I know that by compressing that force into specific targets will cause more damage than with my empty hands. I will not mention the points here, but those of you who have a lot of traditional training already know. Consider the Kubotan in those experienced and skilled hands a deadly weapon and use discretion and caution in accordance with that knowledge.
Flail: Gripping the Kubotan in your fist with keys on the top (as long as you have a substantial number of keys) can be very effective, in my opinion. To illustrate it, in women’s self-defense seminars and courses I would have someone hold up paper at or above head level, and I would hit it with the Kubotan, easily tearing it at the point of contact. A similar strike with much less power to someone’s face would be very effective to cause an assailant to release his grip, and give you a chance to fight back. Is it a knockout blow? No, unless you have an impractical mass of weight on the end and are a very good striker. Will it distract and create an opening? Yes, and easily.
Pressure point manipulation: Application of the unyielding pressure of the hard surface against bone and nerves nerves to gain compliance or submission by an opponent. This is where the Kubotan can shine in demonstration, as you can easily apply much more pressure and gain that compliance with relative ease. It take only a little training to adapt your Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu, Hapkido, and other training to this weapon. This is only for the adept, and not the novice, though.

To sum up, is the Kubotan an effective weapon? Yes, if you have the skill, training, availability of the weapon, and the will to use it. No, if you have minimal training and aren’t aware enough to prepare it in advance.

For more information:

Kubotan anecdote
Q & A: Question about kubotan/fistload
Video: Kubotan as demonstrated by Takayuki Kubota
Traveling while armed
SelfDefenseResource.com
FirstLine of Defense
Kubotan Self-Defense Keychain as a Model

Technorati Tags: Kubotan

Who else should TDA Training be following?

2009-07-20T06:03:00.000-05:00

If you’ve read this site for a long time, you know what our focus is: practical martial arts training, combatives, technique and tactics for self-defense, and so on. Please take a look at our blogroll and let me know if you have a recommendation via email or in the comments. I want opinions of readers, or, if you’re the author of a site or blog, feel free to plug it if it’s relevant, and include why you like it.

If it’s not relevant (great shoe sales, travel sites, etc.), then your comments and links will be deleted.

Thanks!

UPDATE: So far, got some pretty good feedback in comments, and I realized that I haven’t give my email: tdatraining at Gmail dot com. Please go ahead and send your recommendations.

UPDATE 2: Have added Jesse Crouch’s The Martial Explorer, a very interesting blog call Fear an Iarthair, and cleaned up the blogroll, considerably. Why did no one tell me they were sorted by the date of addition? I guess when Blogrolling.com came back on line that was a default? Also, I had several links that were dead or redirected, and some that had been added a few times when Blogrolling was down. Cleaned up! A few more to add, then I will consider that done!

Overdue Link: Wim Demeere

2009-07-18T17:22:00.001-05:00

Someone I have been following for a while, and meant to link to a while back has been Wim Demeere, a Belgian martial artist who’s been a favorite of several of my favorite bloggers. Check out his blog, Web page, and follow him on Twitter if you must. That is, after you follow me first (http://twitter.com/tdatraining)!

Anyway, read up. You’ll be seeing more links here.

Technorati Tags: Wim Demeere

Warriors with Terry Schappert

2009-07-18T17:02:00.001-05:00

I miss so much good TV these days!

I am on the way back from Corning, New York (roughly Buffalo area, but south and near the PA border), and just heard great repeat of Andrew Wilkow’s show featuring Terry Schappert, who hosted Warriors on the History Channel (As I said, I miss a lot of good TV, and have to rely on Logan to tell me of the great shows on Discovery and History, and hopefully he saves them on DVR for me!). Anyway, he sounds like a great guy, and I’m going to try to find some episodes online to check out.

Per the radio interview, Schappert’s a Green Beret, a veteran of both the Gulf and Iraq War, and a martial artist who’s also a martial history buff. Lot of martial there, eh? He said that he’s continuing projects with History Channel, but that unfortunately Warriors was not renewed for another season. Anyway, sounds like he was the right man for the job and we wish him luck on future projects.

Anyone have opinions on the Warriors program?

Technorati Tags: Warriors,Terry Schappert,Wilkow

Site Maintenance

2009-07-18T12:25:00.001-05:00

I know, hard to believe, but this site isn’t perfect. I am updating a lot of things that have grown stale in my absence. Thanks for your patience. Excuse our dust!

Update: OK, the feed is now up to date. Working on the template now.

Update2: Template is going to take the most work. Planning to change over to our own domain, and probably hosted, so that’s going to wait a little. Working on the Blogroll right now.

A moment of silence

2009-04-01T13:13:00.001-05:00

My dad and I recently exchanged a few email messages on the passing of Ed Freeman, prompting him (a Vietnam vet) to suggest, "There are so few Medal of Honor winners alive today and they seem to be forgotten. Would it be too much to ask for a lowering of our flag and moment of silence in Congress?"

Indeed.

How is the economy affecting your martial arts?

2009-03-09T17:15:00.002-05:00

I actually started this post by posing, "How is the economy affecting your martial arts business?," but deliberately changed it to "martial arts." It seems to me that anything that affects someone's disposable income, or his willingness to spend it (i.e. his confidence in the economy), then it must affect all aspects of that actvity, be it skiing, competitive table tennis, or martial arts instruction.

Have any of you had to close a school, had your school closed, had to reduce training, or changed your plans to start?

Please comment at the link below, or join the discussion at the Convocation of Combat Arts here.

Mobile Blogging

2009-03-09T09:27:00.001-05:00

I am finding that with as little time as I now have available, I may be doing more quick/short posts, even via mobile phone.

Thanks,

Nathan

Brain injuries in MMA and Boxing

2009-02-16T19:45:00.001-05:00

A while back we posted on whether headgear actually protected the fighter (see Does headgear protect your noggin?). To quote myself:

I don't believe that headgear does much to prevent damage to the brain. For the following reasons:

A blow to the headgear still does to prevent the rapid acceleration of the brain inside the skull, and nothing to prevent the inevitable impact of the brain, possibly resulting in a concussion.

Boxing-style headgear, to me, is more of a liability to the user because it ALWAY reduces peripheral vision. That results in more blows taken to the same head. Unintended consequence, to be sure, but a serious one. KOs happen all the time in amateur boxing, don't they?

Is there any benefit to headgear? Sure. I love it because I train on hard surfaces (floors or pavement) or uneven (grass), and I hate worrying about whether I'm going to smack my skull on something sharp or hard when I go down, even accidentally. Headgear is great to prevent that. Headgear also protects against cuts and abrasions to the skin. That's important when training for a fight because a cut could mean a postponement of cancellation of a bout. For most of us, a little cut just makes us look tougher on Monday when we go back to our geeky jobs.

To be sure there's slight reduction in the impact of a blow. I'd much rather take a Thai kick or overhand right to the headgear than my skull, but if I wear headgear I may never see it coming.

How-to-Box has a nice post addressing the same topic.

The argument against headgear is that it doesn't protect against knockouts, only cuts and scrapes. While true, the amateur powers that be have made it pretty clear that isn't going to happen anytime soon.

There is a perception that headgear prevents brain injuries. While not necessarily true, the perception is beneficial in helping parents get over the initial shock of young jimmy or suzie coming home and saying they want to start boxing. The perception is that headgear somehow makes it safer. In reality it's the rules and attention to safety amateur refs enforce. [Emphasis mine - TDA]

What stands out for me is that this is correct, the refs are the ones that protect the fighters, and prevent the injuries. In pro boxing, I’ve seen fighters sustain near-knockout shots for round after round, (sometimes multiple times a round!), and yet fights aren’t stopped because the recipient of those blows is both upright and fighting back. Yet, as any good fight fan knows, a fighter’s instinct, especially a veteran, is to show nothing to the crowd or referee that would indicate he’s hurt, and many have said later that they didn’t know what happened after round X, in other words they were fighting on instinct after a concussion.

MMA, in contrast, seems to me to be safer because of the quick action by referees when a fighter is stunned, whether on the ground or standing. This can lead to controversy, but, overall, it looks less damaging by stopping the action quickly. The addition of submission stoppages (in comparison to striking sports like boxing or kickboxing) also means that fights can stop sooner with less damage?

What say you?

For more information:

How-to-Box
Striking Thoughts Head shots and tradition
TDA Headgear or mouthpieces
TDA Does headgear protect your noggin?
Boxing Damages Brain Despite Headgear Protection
EFFECTIVENESS OF BOXING HEADGEAR FOR LIMITING INJURY (PDF)
TDA Stop hitting me so hard!
TDA Head Butts - use 'em or not?
TDA Hand Protection, What is the Cost?

Chiron on intervening in a beating

2009-02-16T19:21:00.001-05:00

I know, I’ve been gone forever and a day. I’ve been working on making bread to pay the bills, and should’ve posted on that, to say the least. More in another post.

Just read a post by Chiron called One Full Circle, where he answers a reader’s question about how to jump in on a fight and take down the aggressor. Read it then come back.

Several great points to consider:

You may escalate a situation and something bad could happen after you intervene
You may have no idea what’s really going on. There is a chance that you’re interrupting someone engaged in self defense of the variety that we espouse here at TDA Training, and may view you as another bad guy. Maybe not, but if you don’t know…
You may be saving someone’s life
There’s no way to know if one or either has a weapon (or more than one) unless it’s already deployed. Your intervention may be just the gap in the action to allow them to be engaged – could be bad for everyone
The crowd or a witness may get involved on you
You’ve still got to make a decision. Life is full of risks, and not making a choice is a choice, too.

The point is not to discourage you from helping out, but to think about what could happen. Chiron makes pretty clear, better than I could, what can happen, and advocates control techniques more than strikes (another debate), but gives good reasons, which I respect a lot. The ability to act, and the willingness are two different things, and that should be recognized.

Finally, he recommends always going around with a weapon, and for good reason – the bad guys always have them, whether a physical weapons or an advantage that serves the same purpose.

Be careful. Read the post if you haven’t already.

Rooting for the Steelers and Arizona

2009-01-18T15:50:00.001-05:00

Since my Redskins season was on the way down the drain after week 8, I’ve had a few bright spots this NFL season:

The Steelers are in it, and seem to be peaking on both sides of the ball
Dallas is out, too! Hah!
The old guy on the perennial loser team, Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals are looking good, taking on Philly as I write this.

If you love Dallas, sorry. I’m just glad they’ll be watching, too.

I do have to say that I’m rooting for the Cardinals and Pittsburgh!

Technorati Tags: Washington Redskins,Dallas Cowboys,Kurt Warner,Arizona Cardinals,Pittsburgh Steelers

TDA Training

IS aliveness the most important thing?

Time to lead?

New Chevy Caprice PPV for 2011

Top Technique: Brachial Stun

Grief for a friend

Urban Samurai on Traditional Training Getting You Killed

Sunday read: Jiu-Jitsu Sensei

Is your traditional training going to get you killed? A repost

Today’s TDA Tip: Carry!

Reader Poll: Best Ever American Police Vehicle?

Is the jab utilized in MMA

The Jab- building block of boxing Tips on the jab: More on the jab John Sculley teaches you boxing basics The King of Combinations for MMA, Boxing, and Self-Defense Boxing for Self-Defense and MMA

On heroes (from my dad)

Thanks to Striking Thoughts

A review of the Kubotan’s effectiveness as a weapon

Kubotan anecdote Q & A: Question about kubotan/fistload Video: Kubotan as demonstrated by Takayuki Kubota Traveling while armed SelfDefenseResource.com FirstLine of Defense Kubotan Self-Defense Keychain as a Model

Who else should TDA Training be following?

Overdue Link: Wim Demeere

Warriors with Terry Schappert

Site Maintenance

A moment of silence

How is the economy affecting your martial arts?

Mobile Blogging

Brain injuries in MMA and Boxing

Chiron on intervening in a beating

Rooting for the Steelers and Arizona

Top 10 posts of 2008, part 1

The Jab- building block of boxing
Tips on the jab: More on the jab
John Sculley teaches you boxing basics
The King of Combinations for MMA, Boxing, and Self-Defense
Boxing for Self-Defense and MMA

Kubotan anecdote
Q & A: Question about kubotan/fistload
Video: Kubotan as demonstrated by Takayuki Kubota
Traveling while armed
SelfDefenseResource.com
FirstLine of Defense
Kubotan Self-Defense Keychain as a Model