its paid sponsors, whose products you need!
| Home |
| Intro |
| Current Issue |
|
Mailing List |
| Store |
| Strength |
| Subscriber Content |
| ARCHIVES
|
| Martialism |
| Pacifism |
| Q & A |
| Cunning-Hammery |
| Advertise With Us |
| Submit An Article |
| Staff |
| Discussion Forum |
| Links |
“Stay ‘unreasonable.’ If you
don’t like the solutions [available to you], come up with your
own.”
Dan Webre
The Martialist does not
constitute legal advice. It is for ENTERTAINMENT
PURPOSES ONLY.
Copyright © 2003-2004 Phil Elmore, all rights
reserved.
How I Train: Suggestions for Martialists
By Phil Elmore
Reluctant as I am to hold myself up as some sort of role model
for training (I am nothing of the kind), I get a lot of e-mail inquiries about
the best way to pursue the development of self-defense skills, of martialist
traits intended to increase your chances of survival. While I certainly
cannot speak for anyone but myself, in answer to these queries I thought I
would put together a brief outline of precisely what I do in the pursuit of my
training. Those of you trying to put together some sort of comprehensive
plan for your own development might choose to use the categories listed here
as the basis for constructing your own, tailored regimens. There are
endless ways to go about this and no one way is right, but some programs are
more complete than others.
Strength Training
I regularly “lift weights” and also use Coach Scott Sonnon’s
Clubbell program. You’ll hear conflicting opinions on building size
for the sake of size (in the case of traditional weightlifting), but strength
is always useful for self-defense, and I see no reason not to become stronger.
Click For More Information and to order RMAX products.
You must work on developing useful ranges of motion,
however. I use and endorse the Clubbell program specifically
because it does this. It’s also very adaptive to various combative
disciplines in that it will help you work on those attributes that will help
you most in the pursuit of your style or program. (After all, these are
clubs you’re swinging about.)
Coach Scott Sonnon’s Clubbell program in print and on
video.
You may also consider doing some sort of endurance training or
other conditioning as part of your regimen, such as running or some other
sport. To be honest these things get fairly complicated as far as I am
concerned, so I don’t worry myself over them too much. Do your homework
and pick the programs that are right for your preferences and your physical
limitations. As always, consult your doctor before starting any physical
program.
One of my own ten-pound Clubbell weights.
One important thing to consider is how the physical training
you do meshes with your combative system or martial art. For example,
developing the triceps is very helpful for
Wing Chun Kung Fu
because of that particular style’s body mechanics. You need to think
about things like this but you must also consider in what ways your physical
development might hinder your training. If you do some sort of physical
conditioning that results in tight groin muscles, for example, you’re going to
have a hard time doing the high kicks of certain styles (which is not to say
that I’m advocating high kicking for self-defense).
A Core Combative System or Martial Art
Determining which self-defense program, combative system, or
martial art to study is an article (if not several articles) by itself.
In order to be properly prepared for self-defense, however, you must have a
base system. A lot of people engage in the “short attention span
theater” approach I know, because I was one of them for a decade. You
can certainly pick up a lot by moving from art to art but staying with none.
However, for long-term benefit it is extremely helpful to have a base art, a
core system on which to build. Choose one, train in it until you’ve
gotten the foundation you need (stick with it for life if you can and if it is
useful to you), and then move on.
Training in Jeet Kune Do, a natural progression from
Wing Chun.
As anyone who has read more than one article in The
Martialist knows, I formerly trained in Wing Chun Kung Fu (among other arts).
Originally I was excited simply to train in the same base art as did Bruce
Lee, whom I hero-worshipped for years. Once I got over my initial
clumsiness and self-doubts, however, I discovered I like the system a lot.
It’s an extremely effective, efficient infighting system that teaches the
practitioner extremely sound combative principles an awareness of the body’s
centerline, economy of movement, simultaneous blocking and striking, space
domination, and many others. I’ve written on these topics at length in
articles listed on the archives page.
More JKD training with Sifu Bob Maucher.
I’ve found traditional elements of Wing Chun training to be
extremely helpful, including hand conditioning and working on the wooden
dummy. Something about working around the dummy slapping, blocking,
kicking, and moving with it is almost meditative as it helps you refine your
body mechanics and the angles of your techniques. I still use some of
these elements in my own pragmatic self-defense training.
Working an arm break on the wooden dummy.
Practicing tan sao, the “dispersing hand,” on the
dummy.
Working palm strikes on the dummy. Done
correctly, these really move it.
Working around the dummy while practicing a
traditional set.
Since leaving formal Wing Chun instruction I have moved on to
train in Jeet Kune Do (a natural progression from Wing Chun). I train
primarily, however, in the infighting system of
Liu Seong Gung Fu, something I started while
still training in Wing Chun. In Liu Seong I’ve finally come to
appreciate forms training, as the forms of this style are immediately
applicable as striking and defensive techniques. Of all the arts I’ve
studied, Liu Seong is the one I’ve enjoyed most, and the one from which I’ve
gotten the most, cumulatively.
Training (and losing against) Sifu Dan Donzella in
Liu Seong.
While I’m fairly shameless in my advocacy of the systems and
styles I like, I discuss my past with Wing Chun and my current study of Liu
Seong and JKD simply because these are the things I do. They
make a good example for this piece. Whatever you choose to do, do it
well and choose wisely.
Regular Weapons Training
While an unarmed art is very important, you should never
neglect weapons training. I supplement my traditional Wing Chun training
with Inosanto-blend Kali training through instructors at my school. The
Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) are very complementary to a variety of different
arts. Such training with sticks and with knives is extremely useful in
adding armed skills to your martialist arsenal — for with it, any stick, axe
handle, machete, or large knife you pick up can be wielded with authority.
Some friends and I at the Syracuse Wing Chun Academy.
Learning a pattern drill in Kali training.
Preparing for stick drills at a seminar.
Regardless of the art you study, if it does not include weapons
training that can be applied to tools you’re likely to encounter or carry in
real life, you must find a system that does and add it to your regimen.
Live Weapons Application Training
Regular weapons training is only helpful if it can be
translated to application with “live” weapons. If all you ever handle is
a training knife, you won’t have the practice you’ll need in actually wielding
and cutting with a sharp blade. I regularly apply what I learn in Wing
Chun, Kali, and individual weapons training to the live weapons I own and
carry. I practice both in the air and on test targets for actual cutting
in different media. You should spend time thinking about ways to combine
all facets of your training, applying your unarmed principles to armed
scenarios.
Working one of my favorite self-defense pattern
drills using a live blade
(though without actual cutting at this point). The pattern becomes more
challenging when you move around a fixed point at the center of your circle.
Scenario Training
The Body Opponent Bag
is a great training tool for solo scenario drills. (You should do
scenario training with other people, too, including unpredictable “alive”
drills.) When not engaged in scenario training with others, I use the
BOB as my all-purpose attacker.
Practicing knife strikes on the BOB.
Working around BOB in a practice pattern.
Integrating the off-hand with the knife.
Using the off-hand for striking when the knife is
withdrawn.
Environmental scenario drills, such as the body mechanics of
first defusing and then preempting a threat, are best done in “real world”
areas (provided you can do your training without upsetting anyone or drawing
too much attention).
Here, I’m practicing a scenario encounter with
what else? my Martialist NightCutter light.
Cross Training
I cross-train in a variety of arts, including the
aforementioend Liu Seong and Jeet Kune Do. Once you have a good foundation, I see no reason
not to get exposure to as many other systems and styles as you prefer.
Of course, I have an ulterior motive in cross-training, as my duties as
publisher of this ‘zine make it to my benefit to have as much experience as I
can get.
Attending a seminar with Jeet Kune Do instructor
Kevin Seaman.
Familar ground in unfamiliar territory…
…practicing pak sao entries at the JKD event.
The Kevin Seaman seminar included Kali training,
which I always enjoy.
Shooting
No self-defense regimen is complete if it neglects the most
effective tool for individual self-defense available to the martialist.
I speak of the handgun. If you may legally acquire and practice with a
handgun, I strongly suggest you do so.
Self-defense training should not neglect modern
weapons like the gun.
Simply target shooting is not enough, however. You must
learn to draw and fire your carry gun from concealment and under stress.
There are many shooting seminars that will help you do this. I have a
friend who attends many such events and always tries to shoot the weapons he
is most likely to carry (rather than carrying some big “fun gun” on his hip
for the event, where concealment isn’t an issue).
Integrating the concealed draw with a Kung Fu
technique the epitome of martialism.
Always follow the law. A firearms charge will ruin your
life, so make sure your integration of firearms training is done in accordance
with all applicable rules and regulations.
Training in practical self-defense shooting skills
with Progressive F.O.R.C.E. Concepts.
Love Your Training or Be Highly Motivated
Regardless of how you compose and construct your self-defense
training, you must either love it or be highly motivated. Without one or
the other, you will become bored and you will not stick with it. (If
you’re training because of a threat to a loved one or your own life, by
contrast, no amount of boredom will matter.) Keep your program varied in
its specifics but consistent in the attributes it develops.
Train hard, and train safely.