Mixed Martial Arts - MMA

Urijah Faber: UFC 132 Will Define My MMA Legacy

2011-06-28T10:53:00.001-07:00

101 Ways to Improve Your MMA Game

2010-11-30T17:03:00.000-08:00

101. When you wake up in the morning, throw 40 light punches and elbows in front of the mirror with an emphasis on technique.

100. Take a 30 minute run before the day starts to rev up your metabolism.

99. Find a partner who is better than you in one area of the game, but worse than you in another area of the game. Exchange techniques and thoughts daily.

98. Keep a daily journal of everything that you have learned and refresh yourself often

97. Take a video of you sparring so that you can see yourself and spot the errors.

96. Strengthen your core by doing 200 sit ups a day as part of your workout routine.

95. Take Muay Thai classes at least 2x a week and BJJ classes 2x a week

94. Learn how to do 3 types of takedowns effectively and learn how to defend against 3 types of takedowns

93. Spar with someone better than you as a weekly habit

92. Sit down and ask your instructors how they succeeded

91. Go out to dinner with your teammates and talk about MMA. Exchange ideas, training tips, techniques and everything else.

90. Go to YouTube or MMATKO and watch past fight footage - Do it every Sunday.

89. DON'T ask advice or tips from someone much worse than you

88. Evaluate the sources of your learning and be very careful who you learn from

87. Speed up your reflexes. tand against a wall and have a friend lightly toss a tennis ball at your head while you try to dodge it with your feet planted in the same spot.

86. Drill, drill, drill. After class, find a partner and do drills to improve muscle memory.

85. Stretch out dynamically every morning. Dynamic stretching is much more important than static stretching.

84. Do some strength training to improve your strength.

83. Do some high intensity cardio training like doing 5 rounds of running up 100 flights of stairs as fast as you can

82. Drink your supplements daily - fish oil, glucosamine chondroitin, multi vitamins, BCAAs, recovery drinks (after a workout) and protein shakes.

81. Sleep 8 hours a day. The body needs to rest in order to recover so that you can perform to the best of your abilities during training.

80. Eat 5-6 small meals a day to keep your metabolism revving hard and your energy level high.

79. Stick with the training system at your school, especially if it is proven.

78. Attend as many seminars as you can to grow and learn. Learning one new technique is worth a seminar, especially if it sticks and becomes your own.

77. Do basic BJJ drills every day in order to keep your hips fast and flexible - hip escapes, rolls, break falls, burpees, etc

76. Take 1 day off a week and unwind.

75. Get a massage as often as you can so that you can keep your body lactic acid-free and limber.

74. Do some boxing drills such as simultaneous jab counters, parry counters, and other cool drills with a partner to improve your speed and timing.

73. If you don't know any drills that will improve your speed and timing, then ask your instructors for a full detailed list of drills in every discipline - Muay Thai, BJJ, Boxing, and Wrestling.

72. Throw 50 kicks with each leg into a heavy bag every day after practice. It builds up your power and your bone density.

71. Buy tons of training DVDs from the world's best experts in all disciplines.

70. Mix up your cardio workouts - high intensity versus low intensity, anaerobic versus aerobic

69. Shock your body by doing different sports that your muscles are not used to

68. Remember that MMA (BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing, and Wrestling) is a lifestyle if you really want to receive all the benefits of the discipline.

67. Don't smoke. Quit if you do.

66. Drink alcohol in moderation. Or don't drink at all.

65. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. A fully hydrated body is needed to optimize performance.

64. Master the basics of Muay Thai, BJJ, Boxing, and Wrestling.

63. Learn the transition game or how to weave seamlessly between the 4 disciplines.

62. Train combinations that utilize all 4 disciplines (ie. low leg kick, right cross, double leg takedown, side control, mount, armbar)

61. Take private lessons with a qualified instructor. You can have your bad habits eliminated.

60. Buy the best books in each discipline and read like a mad man.

59. Skip rope for 30 minutes straight on a regular basis. It builds your calf muscles and shoulders for more explosive striking.

58. Do circuit training with stations of TRX, weights, heavy bag work, sprints, tire jumping, and rope climbing to improve your cardiovascular performance.

57. Find a group of training partners at your level and motivate each other to prevent slacking or skipping class.

56. Watch the UFC, Art of War FC, Dream, Sengoku, and all the other top MMA shows on TV a regular basis. It will keep you fired up, but also you will learn a lot.

55. Visit Sherdog, MMA Weekly, MMA Junkie, MixedMartialArts, and Middle Easy daily to get your information dose of MMA.

54. Take training vacations. Fly to Thailand to train a month in Muay Thai. Fly to Brazil to train a month of BJJ. Go to the source of each discipline and absorb everything.

53. Put up a blog and chronicle your journey towards greatness. Nothing helps more than being public with your successes and failures.

52. Make a wish list of the top academies that you would like to visit to train.

51. Visit them!

50. Subscribe to magazines like Fight!, Fighters Only, Gracie Magazine, Grappling, and FightSport to stay on the cutting edge of news, tips, and techniques.

49. Practice your 3 favorite submissions every day by drilling them 50 times each with your partner

48. Practice your 3 favorite striking combinations and drill them with someone holding the Thai pads for you for 5 minutes per round.

47. Shock your body by breaking out of your routine and doing something completely different like rock climbing, yoga, or gymnastics.

46. Treat your balance as yet another skill to master. To achieve great balance, sharpen it by spending 15 minutes every other day to do balance drills like squats on a wooden board with a ball underneath it or by trying to stand on a Swiss ball while punching combos in the air.

45. Deprive yourself. Take a week off every now and then to let your body and mind recharge. Nothing is better for you than getting the hunger back for training.

44. Practice yoga 1-2x a week to improve your breathing, concentration, and flexibility.

43. Do isolation drills on the ground by starting off in an inferior position with your partner and try your best to reverse the position.

42. Practice ground and pound with a heavy bag on the ground. Max out for 5 minutes for 3 rounds and be sure to change up positions from side control to mount to knee on belly, etc.

41. Invest in the best equipment that money can buy. When it comes to safety protective gear like gloves, headgear, mouthpieces, cups, etc, spend the most that you can. It will keep you safe (or safer) and help to minimize the risk of injury.

40. If you accidentally get hurt, practice RICE. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. To minimize injury, use these steps right to prevent swelling and to speed up recovery time.

39. Switch stances to shock your mind and body. If you like to stand in a right handed stance (orthodox), then switch it up and try to learn to stand in a left-handed stance (southpaw). If you can learn to switch it up, it will help your game.

38. Keep working through plateaus. If you find yourself frustrated because you have been at the same level for a while, do not quit. Consistency is the key to success. The turtle does win the race.

37. Visualize greatness. Even if you do not necessarily compete, visualize the moments when you feel the best at training or sparring. Think back to how you feel on those highs.

36. Train your mind to be able to get back to those highs. The mind drives the body. If your mental state is in peak performance state, your body will respond.

35. Feel the need for speed. Speed matters a lot in the sport of MMA. If you want to develop faster strikes, practice with a speed ball. Don't focus on power. Just focus on pure speed. Do it at least every day for 5 minutes and you will see results.

34. The need for speed also applies to the ground game. Drill the intricate details of the arm bar 50 times after a class. Your muscles will start to memorize the move and you will be able to do it fast in your sleep.

33. Teach someone who is less skilled than you. When you teach someone, you actually end up learning a lot because it forces you to review all the details of every technique. It also end up being a forum of questions and answers that open your mind.

32. Dedicate a whole week to the ground game only. Instead of alternating or doing both striking and ground, focus on 1 area on a given random week.

31. Dedicate a whole week to the standup game only. Instead of alternating or doing both striking and ground, focus on 1 area on a given random week.

30. Learn to use your hips. Your hips are the key to power for striking and they are also the key to your ground game.

29. Compete. It does not matter whether you just do MMA for fun or if you are a professional fighter. When you compete, you learn to use all aspects of your game in a live setting. Adrenaline, pressure, and fatigue are all great elements to deal with.

28. Compete often. Fighting (or self-defense) is 99% mental. Even if you have all the tools in the world, but you have a weak mental game, you will fail. The best way to strengthen your mind is to compete.

27. Tap often. There are no heroes in the gym. Training is about learning. Leave your ego at the door when you are training. It is far better to tap 1000x than to have your arm broken 1x.

26. Lower the volume often. If you are sparring Muay Thai, learn to spar lightly so that you don't injure your partner. Controlled sparring is a time to work on new combinations and footwork.

25. Spar hard once in a while. If you are a serious MMA athlete, you will need to spar hard to understand the intricacies of speed, power, pain, and more. Even if you are not serious, you should try to spar hard at least 1x a month.

24. Do not spar hard often. If you spar hard often, you will inevitably get injured (or injure your partner). Injuries are the things that slow your progress down because it puts you out of the game for a long time.

23. Variety is the key. It is easy to get stuck in a rut. If you repeat the same thing over and over, it will get boring. To keep things interesting, do not have a routine (if you are not competing). If you are doing MMA for fun, then the idea is to keep it fun.

22. Buy some excellent running shoes.

21. Use the Gi when doing BJJ. Even though many MMA athletes train solely without the gi, top MMA athletes use the Gi like GSP, Anderson Silva, BJ Penn, Kenny Florian, and others.

20. Invest in 2 great Gis for BJJ

19. Stay on top of informative fight blogs such as mymuaythai.com and evolve-mma.blogspot.com

18. Buy cool training apparel. MMA is a lifestyle, an attitude, and a way to express yourself. So whether it is that cool Affliction shirt you have been eying or that awesome pair of fight shorts you've always wanted, buy them. It might not help you fight better, but it will keep you inspired to train.

17. Go to a live UFC event. There is nothing more electrifying than a big fight. The adrenaline, the excitement, the energy. It will give you a high for days and you will train like a madman afterwards.

16. Drink Red Bull and eat a banana 30 minutes before you train - don't do it too often - only when you feel a little sluggish or mentally tired. It takes 30 minutes for caffeine and taurine to take full effect.

15. Invest in your role models. If your favorite fighter is Anderson Silva, buy his DVDs and learn all his little tricks. If you love BJ Penn's game, buy his books. It is important to have role models to learn from. It helps to accelerate your learning.

14. Make SAFETY your #1 priority. When you train, you should always make sure that safety (your safety and your partner's safety) is the #1 priority. If you get injured, it takes you out of the game of training. If you injure a few partners, no one will want to train with you.

13. Train with different sizes. Train with people smaller than you. Train with skinny tall people. Train with big linebacker types. Train with all sizes and learn to adjust your game. The experience itself is worth its weight in gold.

12. Find the best teachers possible. If you are learning Muay Thai, make sure your instructor has deep experience in Muay Thai. If you are learning BJJ, make sure your instructor has deep experience in BJJ.

11. Keep your gym bag stocked with all the necessities at all times. Extra clothes, muscle ointment, band aids, athletic tape, painkillers, a cup, a mouthpiece, handwraps, gloves, running shoes, protein shake packets, etc. You never know when you will need them.

10. On your days off, be sure to cheat. Eat anything you want. Do anything you want. But don't do anything that has to do with MMA. Keep your love for MMA fresh. You'll train harder.

9. Set goals. If you set mini goals, it will help you to stay on the path to unleashing your potential. If you are a blue belt in BJJ, focus on the next stripe before you focus on the purple belt. If you are a beginner in Muay Thai, focus on mastering the Thai clinch. MMA is a mountain and you need to set little goals to climb it.

8. Accept roadblocks. There will always be training plateaus or injuries or a bad training partner to prevent you from wanting to train. It is a natural part of life. Go with the flow. Don't fight it.

7. Don't accept roadblocks for too long. If you are injured, rest. If you are frustrated, go do something to get your mind off it. Don't stay out of the game too long or else you will completely lose momentum.

6. Learn to workout with kettlebells. Kettlebells are a great way to build your entire body. Take some kettlebell classes and see the results.

5. Take a Strength and Conditioning class 2-3x a week to help boost your fitness.

4. Train with people you love. If you train with friends, it makes it more fun. You don't have to worry about getting hurt and you will both be focused on your favorite sport in the world.

3. Jump tires. Find an old tire of a car. Lay it flat on the ground. Start bouncing on it. After a few minutes, you will feel your calves burn and your heart pound away. Tire jumping is a great way to warm up and to develop your calf muscles for explosive movement.

2. Remember that it is a journey! There is no destination. MMA is about constantly evolving yourself and always improving. Always go back to why you are doing it in the first place. Because it is FUN. And because you LOVE it.

1. Keep EVOLVING!!!

Devastating Martial Art Techniques, Training Accelerators and Methods
Click Here!

Evolve.MMA - About the Author:

Based in Singapore, Evolve MMA is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. Evolve ranks among the best academies in the world for Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA.

www.evolve-mma.com

How To Find A Good MMA Fitness And Training School

2010-11-30T16:52:00.000-08:00

Mixed martial arts is challenging, and MMA fitness is requisite to go the full stretch. If you are serious and passionate about mixed martial arts, then start right—look for the right MMA fitness and training gym in your area. This means you will have to do some serious research and canvassing of your options. Here are some tips on getting started in the right way:

1. Go online. A) Google MMA fitness and training schools in your area. For example if you live in San Francisco, type "List of mixed martial arts schools in San Francisco, California" or "List of MMA training in San Francisco, California". Several options should appear. B) If the lists will are not specific to mixed martial arts go to the forums. You may find some names to start off your search. Otherwise, start your own forum question. Ask, "What is a good MMA fitness and training gym in SF, California?" C) Check out MMA events. There should be a list of gyms represented that you can add to your search.

1. Check the website of each option. There should be information about their instructor's background. See if his training is up to par. Also, check their schedule of classes, services and prices; and be sure it matches your schedule and budget. If they have a "fight team" that's good. It shows the are active in events. If they have a "contact us" section, Send them a list of questions for them to answer.

1. Look for reviews or articles on the schools. There may even be blog entries about the school, which would be good. However, if it has one or two negative reports, don't let that Try to discourage you. If they have mostly bad reports, then cross them out. Also do research on the coaches. Look up blogs, search engines, or ask about him in forums. Remember, you are in this for the long term but you are balancing a budget too, so you want real value for your money.

1. Visit the gyms on your list. Talk to the head trainer and ask him about a typical weekly schedule. There should be a class for striking, another for wrestling, and a separate class for grappling. Also, make sure there is a free day for conditioning.

1. Discuss pricing with the trainer. At its' lowest this can be US$100/month. Assess the trainer's attitude. Is he trying to pressure you to sign up? Then this is not a good gym. You want a trainer, not a salesman.

1. Ask about free training. If this gym is really confident about what it has to offer, it will give free observation of classes, and a couple of free training days. You should definitely take them on if that is so, so that you can get a feel of the gym. If a gym is not willing to let you try out its goods first, forget about it.

1. Your instructor should tell you what gear to bring. If he is really good he will make sure you bring a mouth guard and a groin protector. Also, a good gym will have boxing/MMA gloves and shin pads. However once you have enrolled, you should invest in all of your own gear.

1. Talk to your classmates. On your first session, find out how long they have been with the gym. If they have been there longer than three months, that is a good sign. Also, see if they are already sparring. This should take place once a week once the fundamentals are down, which should take about three months.

1. Check out the instructors' credentials. The grappling instructor should be a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and must have trained under reputable instructors. The striking coaches should have competition experience. If it's check on both counts, you are in a good place.

1. See if some students compete. A good gym should have a team, or some students who are professional level fighters.

1. Too perfect is not good. If the equipment looks too new, it could mean that it is not being used enough. You want a gym that is clean, but signs of equipment that has been used means that people are going there. Basically, there should be a grappling mat, a boxing ring, and a cage.

If you have taken the time to canvass your list of gyms knowing what to look for, you will be able to concentrate on finding the perfect fit in terms of value for money, schedule and quality MMA fitness and training.

Mike Belisle - About the Author:

Visit http://mmafitnessplan.com for more cutting edge tips and techniques for your MMA fitness that will help with your MMA training. While your there be sure and subscribe to our weekly Newsletter and get a FREE MMA Training Ebook just for signing up.

Devastating Martial Art Techniques, Training Accelerators and Methods
Click Here!

Learning Mixed Martial Arts - Combat Phases

2008-05-16T20:57:00.001-07:00

Mixed martial arts, often referred to as MMA, is currently a growing phenomenon in the United States, though the sport has been popular in many other countries for decades. MMA brings together a diverse array of fighting disciplines into one competitive arena hence the sport's name. Regulated to ensure fighter safety, MMA now allows us to view a much richer human combat experience, pitting disciplines from around the globe against each other in the ultimate one on one competition. Often compared and contrasted to boxing, MMA offers dimensions not found in boxing such as take downs, kicks and submission holds. While there are many obscure disciplines and sub-styles, this article will outline the three broad combat situations that fighters find themselves in when competing in mixed martial arts.

When most people think of a fight, striking from a standing position is what immediately comes to mind. Indeed striking is a huge part of the sport of MMA, namely punches, kicks, knees and elbows. Most MMA organizations have restrictions on where fighters may strike an opponent and in what situation a strike is legal to apply. For instance, some organizations do not allow strikes to the back of the head or spine and disallow kicks to the head of a downed opponent. Rules such as these are helping the sport become more accepted by not only mainstream viewers, but state athletic commissions as well. Kickboxing, Boxing and Muay Thai are fighting disciplines that place heavy emphasis on striking, particularly from a standing position.

Some disciplines, in particular Muay Thai, rely on utilizing a standing position called "the clinch" to control and ultimately defeat an adversary. The clinch involves gripping an opponent behind the neck or head, usually with fingers interlaced, and pulling forward and downward. From this position, fighters can utilize knees to the body or head and dictate the positioning of the opponent.

Another huge aspect of mixed martial arts is ground fighting. It is very common for a fight to end up on the ground at some point during the competition. Wrestlers usually favor attempting to get their foe to the ground so that submissions can be attempted. Taking a fight to the ground also nullifies much of an opponent's striking options and is usually a fighter's strategy when facing a superior striker. Once grounded and in a dominate position, strikes can be used (also known as "ground and pound") or submissions can be applied.

Mixed martial arts incorporates so many unique fighting disciplines and strategies that mastering one could be a life long endeavor. Often, fighters will become familiar with other styles not necessarily so that they can utilize them, but so that they can defend against them. For instance, it isn't uncommon for strikers to learn submissions even if they never plan to use them. This enables the fighters to recognize and defend against holds that an opponent may be setting up or attempting.

For years, people have debated which fighting discipline is superior and MMA seems to be as close to a true proving ground as there is. So much depends on mastery and execution of the discipline by the individual fighter however, not simply the discipline itself, as is evidenced by the diverse fighters that have found success in this incredibly exciting sport.

Eric Pratt has been following different MMA promotions over the years and runs a free web community geared specifically towards the UFC. Visit http://www.FreeUFCBet.com to discuss MMA, read the latest MMA news, watch free UFC video clips and vote to predict fight outcomes for the chance to win free prizes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Pratt

Pressure Point - An Unorthodox Use

2008-04-27T07:01:00.000-07:00

Most people think painful strike when they imagine pressure points. Some martial artists image a slight pressure either causing pain or even loss of consciousness.

Here is a different use for a pressure point....

Pressure Points: Causing a Move
One great use of a pressure point is to cause your attacker to move in a direction of your choosing. More specifically, you can cause an arm, leg or torso to jerk to just the right spot in your self defense response.

Here are a few ways to incorporate this vital point principle:

1) Pressure Point Movement: Repetitive Annoyance
Little strikes, maybe with a knuckle, to the same spot repetitively, can cause your opponent to move the affected limb out of reach of your knuckle. The little raps don't have to be hard, just an annoyance.

And sometimes that move away is just what you want. This is definitely one way to cause an opening.

2) Pressure Point Movement: Collapse It "A Little"
Do you know of any pressure points on the upper thigh?

Hint: Try right between the muscles on the side of the thigh. You'll find a spot within a few inches of where a hit would cause a "Charlie Horse." Experiment, until you find a painful spot.

Use your knee to press against this spot, when you need to collapse your opponent's leg a little. It can be used for a setup for a sweep, or even as a distraction before you punch.

3) Pressure Point Movement: Start a Wrist Lock
If you are trying to effect a wrist lock on someone, you can often help the beginning of a lock with pressure to a spot near the collapsing joint.

For example, if you wanted to effect the Basic Lock on the wrist (See Wrist Locks: From Protecting Yourself to Becoming an Expert), you could start the collapse by digging the side of your forefinger into the pressure point about an inch above the inside of the wrist.

Without the collapse, your aggressor might resist, but if you can collapse the wrist a little, then the rest of the lock will be easier to apply.

If you like efficient martial-arts strikes and counters, then read my new, Free ebooklet:

Download this Free ebooklet: Elbow Strikes and Counters

For an article on wrist locks techniques, read Wrist Locks Article.

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Keith Pascal is a martial-arts writer and has taught martial arts for 25 years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Pascal

Top 3 Medicine Ball Exercises for Ultimate MMA Power

2008-04-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

When you picture most strength training exercises, you may notice that everything seems to be in straight lines. Contrast that with any mixed-martial arts technique and you may realize that there is one missing ingredient to most strength programs - rotational power. Well how exactly do you develop the ability to rotate your body explosively for knockout punches, kicks, and throws?

The key is to use tools that allow you to train the transverse plane of motion. There are planes of motion: sagittal, frontal, and transverse.

The sagittal plane is the plane that is most dominant with respect to strength training programs. Exercises like the bench press, bicep curls, squats, deadlifts, and chin-ups are all sagittal plane dominant. If you move your arms back and forth like a marching soldier, this is the sagittal plane. Unfortunately, most MMA techniques require more than just movement in the sagittal plane, which means that most strength training programs are seriously deficient, if your goal is to develop sport-specific strength and power.

The frontal plane is sometimes found in strength training routines. Exercises like side crunches and dumbbell side raises are a couple of examples. However, this plane is also highly under-trained in most athletes, and most would benefit from adding some exercises into their routine that targeted the frontal plane. Adding some suitcase deadlifts and single-leg squats would improve hip and core stability tremendously.

Now the transverse plane is where the real payoff is. But a note of caution - make sure you've developed a strong and stable core before aggressively training in the transverse plane. Like most things in life, high returns are generally high risk.

If you're not stable in the core, it's likely that you'll blow a disc or strain a muscle in your lumbar spine when trying some of the exercises that I'll describe below. So if you're not stable or not sure, start off with exercises like prone bridges, side bridges, stiff-leg deadlifts, woodchops, and other exercises that promote stability in a neutral spine, then work on training powerfully in the transverse plane.

First of all, you're going to need the proper tools. The best tools that I've used when training pro MMA fighters include rope balls and medicine balls. These tools allow you to develop explosive power in all planes of motion, and they allow you to release them so that you don't slow down your movement.

Think of a bench press - if you want to train explosively, you probably aren't going to throw the bar, so you have to slow the movement down at the top so you don't let it go. Medicine balls don't make you do that, so you can put all of your effort into the exercise and maximally develop your explosiveness.

Let's focus on medicine ball exercises. Here are my top 3 medicine ball exercises for helping my athletes develop knockout power:

1) Side toss - start in an athletic stance holding the ball at your stomach. Quickly rotate to one side then explosively throw the ball sideways, keeping your body and spine tall and as neutral as possible.

2) Chop toss - start in an athletic stance holding the ball at your stomach. Lift the ball up so that it's close to your ear and then violently throw it down on a diagonal into the ground, keeping your body and spine tall and as neutral as possible.

3) Seated side toss - start sitting tall with your legs straight out in front of you holding the ball at your stomach. Perform the same motion as the side toss.

Perform 2-3 sets of 8 repetitions of each exercise, with 1-2 minutes of rest in between. When you're developing your power, you don't want to train to exhaustion, instead, you want to be fresh and make each rep as fast and explosive as possible.

If you want a complete and easy-to-follow program proven by Jeff Joslin and other pro MMA fighters that includes these exercises and more check out the Enfuzion MMA Strength and Conditioning Program.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Wong

How to Knock Someone Out With One Punch

2008-04-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

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 focussing 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 focussed on the temple you will knock your opponent out every time, no matter how hard the strike is

Dean Walsh is the webmaster of a martial arts website http://www.esotericmartialarts.com which has many free video lessons, articles and other resources. He also writes a blog called The Diigital Warrior with other 'how to' articles at http://www.esotericmartialarts.com/digital-warrior/index.blog?topic_id=1099230 and fight videos at http://www.esotericmartialarts.com/digital-warrior/index.blog?topic_id=1101196

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Walsh

A Basic Guide To Aikido

2008-04-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

Aikido is a unique form of martial art. Its emphasis lies on the harmonious fusion of mind and body with the natural laws of Nature. Aikido focuses on accepting and respecting the energy of life and nature and channeling this harmony onto techniques that expresses this energy in physical forms.

Aikido is often viewed as more of a defensive martial art since its techniques and teachings are designed for you to avoid or get out of trouble. On the contrary, the techniques are very powerful and effective.

Basically, there are four levels of technique in Aikido training. These are the katai which refers to the basic training and is intended to build the foundation of body movements and breathing.

The yawarakai trains the defendant to deflect attacks and fuse movements to take control of the attacker or situation.

The ki-no-nagare which involves training the defendant to defend or counter attack by merging his movement with the attacker even before the latter makes contact. The ki which is the absolute Aikido technique, involves establishing a link of ki or spirit from the defender to the attacker.

When training for Aikido, you need a sparring partner. The uke and the nage. The Uke is the initiator of the attack and receives the Aikido techniques, while the Nage is the defender and the one that neutralizes the attack.

Aikido basic techniques include ikky which involves control an attacker by placing one hand on the elbow and one on near the wrist giving an opportunity to throw the attacker to the ground. The niky which draws in the uke using a wristlock and twists the arm while applying painful nerve pressure. Sanky is a rotating technique aimed at applying a spiraling tension on the whole arm including the elbow and shoulder. And yonky is a shoulder control technique with both hands gripping the forearm. Goky is another variant of ikky.

Wherein the hand gripping the wrist is inverted and is quite useful in weapon take-aways. Shihnage or the four-direction throw, kotegaeshi or wrist return involves a wristlock-throw that stretches the extensor digitorum, kokynage, also known as breath, throws or timing throws, iriminage or entering-body throws which resembles a "clothesline" technique, tenchinage or heaven-and-earth throw, koshinage or the Aikido's version of the hip throw, jinage or the shaped-like-'ten'-throw and kaitennage or rotation throw wherein the nage sweeps the arm of the uke back until it locks the shoulder joint after which the nage applies forward pressure to throw the attacker.

These are just basic techniques and from the list thousands of possible implementations or combinations can be drawn by the aikidokas. In Aikido, the strikes employed during the implementation of the Aikido technique are called atemi. For beginners, grabs are the first ones to be taught. It is safer and the aikidoka can easily feel the energy flowing from the uke to the nage.

Among the basic grab techniques are the katate-dori or single-hand-grab which involves using one hand to grab one wrist; morote-dori or both-hands-grab which uses both hands to grab one wrist; ryte-dori another both-hands-grab technique wherein both hands are used to grab both wrists; kata-dori or the shoulder-grab technique; and the mune-dori or chest-grab which involves grabbing the clothing of the chest of the attacker.

Mastering each technique involves discipline and dedication. To be a good aikodoka, one must master both the techniques and principle of the marital art.

This article was written by John N.

Born into a military family John was raised in different parts of the world, is very private with his personal information but enjoys sharing his views and knowledge of the different martial arts that he has become familiar with through his travels and close associations. Related Info Can Be Found At:

http://www.theartofaikido.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Nieto

Martial Arts Equipment - Progress in Martial Arts

2008-04-01T19:18:00.000-07:00

The first and last thing you need to remember about martial arts is that it is a field of discipline that is supposed to prepare you for combat. It is not simply a set of movements that look great to spectators. Every movement, every breath done by the martial artist is meant to accomplish something during a combat encounter. If you are ready for the idea of using your martial arts skills for combat situations, then you are ready to train and progress in martial arts.

Inasmuch as the term "Martial Arts" literally means "the art of Mars" (Mars being the god of war in Roman mythology), you should be prepared to invest in martial arts equipment to train for highly combative situations. Though some cultures frown upon women taking part in martial arts, there are other cultures that expect women to learn martial arts too - like in ancient Japan, wives of samurai warriors were expected to defend the home if attacked in the absence of their husbands.

Martial arts can be subdivided as to what skills they seem to prioritize - this will tell you what types of martial arts equipment you need to use. For striking, you may need the "wooden dummy" that is used as Chinese martial arts equipment - this type of Chinese martial arts equipment tries to train your mind to anticipate where angles of attack would come from. For kicking sports like Taekwondo, the necessary martial arts equipment to use would be a mouth-guard and a head-guard (for both male and female jins or fighters.) Male jins need other martial arts equipment like a crotch guard or sport cup so that their groin is not exposed to injury. Chest protectors are standard martial arts equipment for amateur matches and Olympic-level matches. However, in real life you should expect such protective martial arts equipment to be absent so some sparring matches involve absence of any protective gear, so you get used to being in real-life combat situations.

Uniforms are standard martial arts equipment for nearly all martial arts nowadays. Often, you can distinguish what type of martial arts is being done based on what the fighters are wearing. But uniforms are not just pleasant to look at - since they are made of thick material, they are pretty durable so that they can withstand constant strikes and friction during combat situations. Uniforms nowadays are also made of breathable material like thick cotton so that fighters don't overheat or feel too uncomfortable in the heat of a match.

Since martial arts were developed for combat, often fighters or martial artists might be members of the military. In the Western context then, it may be necessary to have access to important martial arts equipment such as strength training equipment. Though in the past, the weight of your opponent may have been enough to workout with, nowadays many martial arts recognize that strength training is quite important too. So if you can find a way to buy your own gym equipment (as your investment into necessary martial arts equipment) or at least rent them by the hour, that would help you develop strength and power for your matches.

In many Chinese martial arts, there are other forms of martial arts equipment that Western martial arts do not require. Some Chinese disciplines will require you to break wooden blocks or planks with your fist. This simple yet staple among Chinese martial arts equipment tests your power, focus, and ability to marshal your chi (energy) into your fist where it meets the wood. Another type of necessary martial arts equipment for the Chinese martial arts would be concrete blocks. Some instructors may ask you to break these concrete blocks with your fist, feet, or even your head.

As you can see, the Chinese martial arts require a different set of martial arts equipment compared to the Western type of martial arts. Do invest in the type of martial arts equipment appropriate for your discipline. Martial arts equipment will help you be a stronger, better and more confident fighter in the end.

http://www.Prokarate.com offers a full online catalog of MMA supplies, Boxing Equipment, and Martial Arts weapons.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phil_Burney

Mixed Martial Arts Vs Boxing - Is MMA UFC Fighting Boxing's Successor

2008-04-01T19:17:00.000-07:00

"Boxing's dead."

"Boxing's not what it used to be."

"There are no good fighters out there today."

These are just a few of the comments thrown around by fans of the sport of kings waiting patiently for a breath of life into the flailing lungs of boxing.

In spite of a virtual plethora of organizations boasting their own version of a world title, most people would fail to name even one of the men who stake claim to a form of the fragmented heavyweight championship. WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO (quite possibly, another organization surfaced as this article was being written), does it matter anymore?

Yet with at least five world heavyweight belts, can the casual observer name even one champion? If so, rest assured that person is in a rare group. Try naming two, three, or four. I'll bet that my eight year old niece would have a better chance at naming all four Beatles.

Raised on boxing, I was lucky enough to see many of the sport's greatest warriors, some in their prime. I sat transfixed in front of an enormous television that was set inside of a wooden cabinet. There were two round knobs to change the channels on the right side of the monstrosity, one for the UHF channels which regularly broadcast static.

Somewhere within the channel selection of 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13, I witnessed Ali win his title back from Leon Spinks; Sugar Ray Leonard win the welterweight championship from Wilfred Benitez; Alexis Arguello fall to Aaron Pryor two times - I watched a few cartoons back then too.

As I grew into adulthood, the archaic television was upgraded to one with a remote control and the addition of a cable box. Between closed circuit TV and cable, my boxing fix was satisfied with wars from some of the greatest fighters to ever lace up gloves. Duran beat Leonard. Leonard beat Hagler. Hagler beat Hearns. Hearns beat Duran. These men all fought each other, and were so dominant that they only need to be referred by their last names to be recognized.

Is it really necessary to say "Mike" when speaking of Tyson? Nuff said.

Iron Mike was boxing's last personality that can be recalled by the average person or casual fan. Sure there was Holyfield, Big George Foreman, and Lennox Lewis - all great champions, two of who bested Tyson. Still, most people remember Iron Mike.

Tyson fights transcended the sport of boxing. They weren't fights; they were grand spectacles: events of their own. It didn't matter who the opponent was. Mike could have been pit against the Pope, Elvis, or even God; and it still would have been called "The Tyson Fight."

Today's boxing PPV numbers pale in comparison to the consistent record breaking cards that Tyson pulled even when his career was on the decline. Delahoya and Mayweather drew a record PPV number for their recent bout, but it was not without spending an enormous amount of money on promotion. Commercials, print media ads, and - for the first time in boxing history - an entire cable reality TV series was filmed to hype the fight. Deduct those extra expenses and see if Iron Mike isn't still boxing's PPV king.

Tyson fights needed no hype, just a date and a time. People tuned in just to see if someone could last at least two minutes with the champ. Round two of a Tyson fight was rarer than an honest politician. Once, PPV providers had to promise a three round guarantee or the fee was reduced.

With the absence of Tyson, many boxing fans have found solace in a newer combat sport: MMA (mixed martial arts).

MMA combines one dimensional combat sports, like boxing and wrestling, and packages them together, extending the competitor's arsenals. MMA bouts are a much truer representation of a real fight because the fighters are not limited to simply punching (above the waist) or kicking. Even when they engage wrestling skills, the objective is not to pin the opponent, but to win the fight by submission or stoppage. A judge's decision is rendered if the time limit expires in the bout.

Rules are incorporated to ensure safety and eliminate the barbaric brutality of a street fight. Biting and poking in the eyes are two examples of banned offensive tactics.

Mixed Martial Artists are fighters. In comparison, boxers have been called fighters, but the claim is somewhat of a misnomer. Real fights incorporate any offensive strategy that can win the fight, not merely punching.

Though many boxers have had success in street fights, many factors - outside of being a great fighter - come into play to account for the success. A boxer trains to punch faster, harder, and more accurately. They also exercise to have great stamina. When pitting an in shape athlete against an average person who is not training, the stamina factor alone will sway the fight in favor of the athlete. Coupled with boxing skills, you have a no contest in favor of the boxer.

Have a wrestler face that same boxer in a street fight, and the results are likely to be far different.

An MMA fighter, theoretically, should be victorious over both due to training equally in all areas of fighting. The MMA fighter strives to become well rounded in punching, kicking, wrestling, and submissions. They train their hands, not for a boxing match, but for a real fight where they may be taken down to the ground. Boxers don't train to defend against kicks or takedowns.

A perfect example was when former street fighter, Kimbo Slice, destroyed former world heavyweight boxing and Olympic gold medalist, Ray Mercer in under two minutes in Slice's debut MMA bout. Mercer racked up knockout victories over the likes of Tommy Morrison and had two very controversial losses to Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis. Many feel Mercer was robbed in these bouts, and even Lewis is rumored to have conceded that to be true.

Still, the former champ's great boxing skills were relegated to nothing when a street fighter turned mixed martial artist took him down to the mat and pounded him before submitting him with a guillotine choke.

Yet, even as MMA seems to be the evolution of boxing, it could stand to learn a thing or two from the successful sport. Many people may not know that Wladimir Klitschko holds three of the alphabet soup of heavyweight boxing titles, but he still earned more money in his unification bout with Sultan Ibragimov than every MMA fighter on the last UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) card combined.

Felix Trinidad came out of retirement to lose to Roy Jones Jr. and can boast that he also earned more for the losing effort than most MMA fighters, even champions, have earned in their entire career.

For MMA to evolve as a sport, it will have to incorporate what boxing has incorporated. The PPV numbers have already eclipsed boxing's, now it's time to reward the competitors whose fighting careers will certainly be short ones.

Elite XC is an MMA company with a Showtime television deal. The company is run by Gary Shaw who still promotes boxing events. Maybe Shaw is the man who will bring MMA into the spotlight that has embraced boxing during the golden years and still seems to even today.

Only time will tell.

Ray Mardo owns Ultimate Fighting Championship.com and various websites that earn revenue through pay per click, adsense, and selling products. Many of his MMA articles are posted at http://www.ultimatefightingchampionship.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ray_Mardo

Discover Your Animal

2008-03-09T22:45:00.001-07:00

In Shuri-Ryu Karate, after attaining the rank of black belt, karateka are traditionally awarded a animal spirit. This animal spirit is based on character traits displayed by the karateka both before and after their promotion. There are many different animals used, but for this article we will limit them to the original Shaolin five. These animals include the snake, tiger, crane, leopard, and dragon.

Identifying a karateka's animal is not just a trivial pursuit. The use of animal characteristics is an additional tool for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of both ourselves and others. Constant evaluation of ourselves and possible threats surrounding us is a key skill in being a thorough and effective martial artist.

Master Robert Trias, the founder of Shuri-Ryu Karate, identifies certain characteristics and abilities associated with these animals.

The snake possesses breath strength, and is characterized as a serpent waiting for its prey. An exceptionally short and quick style patterned after the snakes forked tongue that strikes at the opponent's eyes and throat.
The tiger possesses bone strength characterized by the strength and swiftness of its ripping movements. A strong style that uses short and powerful thrusts and lunges.
The crane possesses spiritual and muscle strength and is characterized as a graceful bird standing calmly and patiently on one leg waiting to take off or strike. A soft and fluid style that is patterned and imitates the wings of a bird.
The leopard possesses inner and outer strength and is characterized by the abilities of its powerful claws to penetrate in and around small openings. A very explosive style patterned after the flat paw of the leopard.
The Dragon possesses body strength and is characterized as a powerful yet flexible serpent that floats and emerges from the sea. A strong floating and sweeping style. 1

However intriguing theses descriptions are, alone they are rarely enough of a clue to identify the animal type a karateka most closely resembles. This is where Chinese five element theory becomes helpful. Each of these five animals are associated with the five elements that the Chinese use to help define the physical and spiritual world. That is why this article is limited to these animals because they are the most easily identified.

Chinese doctors have long used five element theory to characterize individuals by one or more of these elements to assist in diagnosis and treatment. By using the more extensive five element characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine we can more accurately identify a karateka's animal spirit by identifying the animal associated with the most pronounced element displayed in the individual's body type and characteristics.

Below are some physical characteristics associated with the five elements used to identify the element an individual tends toward:

Wood - Darkish or swarthy complexion. Tall and sinewy body type, tends to look as if carrying no fat, can be quite muscular.
Fire - Red complexion. Head often smallish and pointed, or may have a pointed chin. Hair is often curly, in men a tendency to baldness. Hands and feet tend to be small and graceful. Walks quickly.
Metal - Pale complexion with smooth and clear skin. Angular, well-defined features. Broad chest and shoulders. Abundant body hair. Tends to walk slowly.
Water - High forehead and abundant head hair. Long, strong bone structure with spine proportionately longer than normal. Fluid movement. Flexible, well-motivated, ambitious. Can also tend to be lazy and "go with the flow" too much.
Earth - Brownish or sallow complexion with a large head. Tends to be pear-shaped, carrying weight in the hips. Muscular or fat with heavy legs. Does not lift feet high when walking.

Got yourself figured out yet? If you're still not sure, consider the behavior patterns below for additional clues.

Wood - Creative, hard working, decisive, and directing. Likes to be in control and to keep busy.
Fire - Emotional, communicative, and articulate. Tends to be very sociable, loving, and can be quite spiritual in outlook.
Metal - Well-organized, neat, methodical, and meticulous. Tends to be very self-contained and does not express emotion much.
Water - Flexible, well-motivated, ambitious. Can also tend to be lazy and "go with the flow" too much.
Earth - Sympathetic, considerate, and supportive. Tends to be an "Earth Mother" type, with focus on caring for others. 2

If you're still not completely sure, don't worry. These elements are not mutually exclusive and most people are associated with more than one element. Even so, try to pick the one that seems most dominant. Once you've narrowed that down, just match the element to the animal to determine yours. The five elements and their associated animal are snake/wood, tiger/fire, crane/metal, leopard/water, dragon/earth. 3

Now that you've identified your probable animal, the real work begins. Learn all you can about that animal and its characteristics. You can use Master Trias' words above to begin with. Then find out what our forbearers learned from that animal and see what you can learn. We have the advantage of television and the internet. We don't have to hide in trees, scrub and caves to observe them.

Keep in mind these are only the five traditional animals. There are many more used in the martial arts. Even so, you probably have a much better idea of what type of person you are, and that's the whole point. Being associated with a really cool animal is fun, but the real benefit is understanding yourself better. Now begin applying this analysis to those around you and you'll really begin seeing the use of this exercise. Identify your fellow students, and see if it affects how you spar them. Then apply this skill to people on the street. As Sun Tzu said, "he who knows neither himself nor his enemy can never win, he who knows himself but does not know his enemy will sometimes win and sometimes lose, but he who knows himself and his enemy will never lose."

1 Pinnacle of Karate: Okinawan Methods or Shuri-ryu (1980) Grand Master Robert A. Trias

2 The Complete Illustrated Guide to Shiatsu (1998) Elaine Liechti

3 Five Elements - Five Ancestors - Five Animals Shihan Gary Wayne

Bart Scovill trains in Shuri-ryu Karate-do. You can visit him at Warrior Pages, to see videos, reviews, articles and terminology. He is a lawyer by trade, but a martial artist at heart. Bart has been training in the martial arts since 1978. He currently trains and teaches under the legendary Shihan Donna Judge at the Suncoast Karate Dojo in Sarasota, Florida. One of the best things about training with a legend is you are surrounded by other legends and legends to be. He has previously trained in Shorin-ryu, Wado-ryu, and Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu. In addition to Shuri-ryu, he also participates in jiu-jitsu (both Japanese and Brazilian), bagua-zhang, xing-yi quan, qigong, aikido, kali, kobudo and yoga.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bart_Scovill

Pressure Points - In A Real Fight

2008-03-09T22:41:00.001-07:00

You are out in public ... maybe at an outdoor concert, or shopping downtown. All of a sudden, you are attacked. You have to defend yourself. If your mind isn't frozen in fear, then you may have time for a few brief thoughts as you respond (and react) to the attack.

Hits, strikes, kicks, wrist locks, and maybe even pressure points. But would a pressure point work in a fight with punches flying?

And that's a key criterion -- would pressure on a nerve work while punches are being thrown at you and by you?

Well ...

Pressure Point Timing
Will you have a time with the flurry of punches to press on someone's sensitive spot, close to a nerve? Remember, all the action happens very fast.

We aren't talking about nerve strikes, but rather pressure points. You apply pressure to a spot, say an inch or two above the elbow, on the triceps, in order to cause pain.

In the middle of punches, you won't have time to slowly find the exact spot and then apply pressure. I am not saying pressure points are useless. Just better to link a pressure point to the "control" phase of a fight, rather than trying to find a pressure-sensitive spot in the middle of speed hits.

Pressure Point Precision in the Fight
Pressure points really do require some precision. You have to press the right spot, with the right amount of pressure, in the right manner.

Could you do this in the middle of a fight? While dealing with a barrage of punches and kicks?

While nervous beyond belief ... with adrenaline coursing through your body?

It may be more prudent for you to hit and kick, until you already have the control.

Do Pressure Points Work On a Berserker?
Let's forget about your adrenaline -- what about the adrenaline racing through your attacker's body? Will he (or she) even feel a pressure point?

My answer is that it depends on which pressure point you are talking about, and also how much "red" your attacker is seeing.

For example, the nose control from Wrist Locks: From Protecting Yourself to Becoming an Expert will work no matter how mad your attacker is. Your opponent will feel the pain -- it's a sensitive and controlling spot.

On the other hand, the wrist-bending pressure point on the inside of the wrist never seems to work "for me," when I "really" have to use it.

Pressure points are great, when they are used appropriately. I worry when a novice thinks that it's easy to shut down an attack of punches with a little pressure to one point.

If you like efficient martial-arts strikes and counters, then read my new, Free ebooklet:

Download this Free ebooklet: Elbow Strikes and Counters

For an article on martial arts solo training, read Training By Yourself.

Here's a site about punching harder and faster ... Free Punch ebook.

Keith Pascal is a martial-arts writer and has taught martial arts for 25 years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Pascal

Why People Learn Martial Arts

2008-03-09T22:39:00.000-07:00

INTRODUCTION

There are many reasons why a person might decide to turn up at your dojo and have a go at the martial arts, and it is important that we try and identify these in order to establish exactly what the potential student is looking for, and whether or not your art is going to give it to them.

IDENTIFYING NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS

So, why has that particular person just come into the Dojo? What is it that makes them come to you? What is their particular motivation?

These are all very good questions to be asking your self, but it is even more important to actually ask the learners themselves rather than allowing yourself to make any "knee-jerk" judgments or decisions for them, and jumping to any conclusions.

Indeed, having preconceptions about learners can be extremely misleading indeed, and can cause no end of problems later on. I remember one particular instructor boasting proudly that one of his students happened to be an officer in the Royal Marines Reserve. "That's good" I said, "Why is he here?" At this question, my colleague looked both shocked and amused "He's here to learn how to fight, off course!" he said, rather indignantly.

Now, without wanting to "burst any ones bubble", I think its fair to say that an officer in the Royal Marines might already know something about fighting, and certainly wouldn't need any advice from the local martial arts club down the road! ("I'm off to a war zone next month, and was wondering if you could help me out.....," NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!) On closer examination, it turned out that this individual was researching certain aspects of Japanese culture as part of his Masters degree! He had come to the class in order to learn something about classical martial arts, and the instructor (thanks to him jumping to conclusions) had him in a corner doing pistol disarming! (Good differentiation, but completely inappropriate)

The fellow was far too polite to say anything, and was just persevering patiently in the hope that they would eventually get to practice some more traditional techniques as the class progressed! This happens all the time within the martial arts fraternity, simply because we don't bother to find out what the prospective learner is looking for in the first place! As instructors, we should never take anything for granted: Simply because a person happens to wonder in to your club on a training night doesn't necessarily mean that they know anything about what your doing, or even have an actual interest in martial arts. (That reminds me of another story, when a young lady entered a dojo and was immediately told by the instructor to get on the mat and warm up. She took part in the whole lesson (it was a beginners class) and, when asked at the end what she thought of it she said she had enjoyed it quite a lot, but actually only came in because she thought the aerobics class took place on that particular night!)

Take some time out to talk to them, put one of your senior students in charge for a few moments, walk over, and introduce yourself! This will help to make both you (as one of those creatures of legend "The Black Belt") and your club far more approachable and accommodating, and will immediately impress upon the visitor that you DO consider them to be important and DO care about them.

Usually, they will volunteer a certain amount of information regarding their background and expectations such as: "I used to do karate when I was younger, and just thought I would pop in an have a look" etc.

But, you should also ask them some questions as well in order to clarify any important points, and enable you to get some idea of what they are after and build up a picture of their expectations. Some of the possible reasons for people wanting to learn the martial arts are as follows:

- Self Defense.
With crime on the increase, this is probably the most common reason for most people considering taking up the martial arts, as they feel it will at least give them a "fighting chance" if they are ever unfortunate enough to be attacked.

- Physical Fitness
People are being encouraged to take more of an interest in their well-being these days, and the martial arts provide them with the opportunity of building up their levels of stamina, strength, and suppleness by providing a good "all round" workout.

- Sport
Many martial arts such as Judo, Kickboxing and Kendo are very lively and established sports offering participants the chance of competing at club, local, national and international levels. And this supplies a very healthy outlet for the competitive spirit.

- Philosophical
The martial arts have, over the period of centuries been influenced by a great many different religions and philosophies, and all have left their particular mark. This is particularly the case with the softer, Japanese arts of Aikido, Iaido and Kyudo, and the internal Chinese martial arts of Tai Chi, Pa Kua and Hsing-Yi.

- Cultural
Martial arts are extremely rich in history, tradition and customs. As such, they will tend to appeal to people who are interested in these particular aspects of human behaviour, be that just a casual curiosity or even an academic study.

-Psychological
Again, martial arts are superb tools for building up a person's confidence and self-esteem, and are also brilliant at controlling stress levels. Some schools even include relaxation and meditation techniques, and both of these have become quite fashionable in recent times.

- Social
Martial artists tend to train hard and play hard, and some clubs have a very lively social scene whereby they organize trips and outings. This helps to build up the "camaraderie" amongst the students, as well as helping to break down the barriers that can sometimes exist between junior and senior grades.

There are, off course, many more reasons why a person chooses to commence training in the martial arts, but the above are the main ones. And it will, more often than not, be one or more of these that is the "prime motivator" for the majority of people. As well as having an initial chat with these prospective students, you could also employ other strategies to help you clarify their ideas and needs, such as giving them a short questionnaire which they could take away, fill in and bring back when they officially enroll.

CONCLUSSION

Identifying student's needs and expectations as quickly and efficiently as possible enables the instructor to:
1- Ensure that what he/she is teaching IS actually what the prospective student is looking for (You will need to be brutally honest here. For example, it would be completely inappropriate for someone wanting to learn self defense to enroll in an Iaido class, just as a person wanting to experience meditation might be a bit disappointed if they ended up a student in a kick boxing class, etc. It is the instructor's responsibility to consider the welfare of this person, and to guide them in their choice. Rather than simply regarding them as yet another training fee!)
2- It will enable the instructor to gain valuable insight into the background and aspirations of the individual and, (if and when appropriate) to modify their syllabus, resources and teaching methodology to accommodate these efficiently.
Jumping to conclusions about what your students want, on the other hand, is both patronizing and condescending and can be an extremely effective method of putting people of studying martial arts for good!

"Most people know what they want, but few know what they need" (Ancient proverb)

Prof. J R Lee-Barron PhD FIMAS

Professor Lee-Barron is the Director of the Institute of Martial Arts and Sciences, UK, and Dean of the Faculty of Martial Arts, Knightsbridge University. These bodies are dedicated to affording martial arts instructors with the opportunity of gaining recognized university degrees in martial arts. He is an experienced educator, researcher and academic, as well as being a senior black belt instructor in several martial arts. He can be contacted at: martialcollege@yahoo.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jaimie_Lee-barron

How Do You Understand Martial Arts Techniques

2008-03-09T22:38:00.001-07:00

How do you understand martial arts techniques? Before you look at any techniques/methods from a martial arts system, it is important to first know yourself. It is important to have a clear goal about what you are trying to achieve with your research. Often, when people research without a clear objective, they become a "technique collector". They become a master of all trades and a master of none. This is not a functional approach. The reason is because knowing a lot of moves does not win fights. It's about how good you are when you move.

Can you move with speed, power, accuracy, timing, co-ordination, sensitivity, non-telegraphic ability? Training time is limited; therefore it is unrealistic to try to master too many techniques at once.

If you look at top fighters in any system, you will see that they only use a few well developed moves. The key is not to learn many things for many situations but rather to learn how to adapt a few things to various circumstances. The ability to do that is very difficult for some people because due to the martial arts media, a lot of beginners like to put things in black and white categories. The truth is, fighting by its very nature is chaotic and therefore things are not so black and white.

One example is the popular concept of non powerful "set up" moves such as the straight blast follow by powerful "finishing" moves such as elbows and knees. This separate category of setup vs. finishing techniques is a concept that has sold many DVDS and magazines. However, I question if a straight blast is actually just a "set up" technique that requires a "finisher". What would happen if a fast straight blast also has functional finishing power? I guess if that was possible, things would get a lot simpler and you would not have to collect more stuff to do the job.

But how do you get the example of the straight blast to become a finisher? Is it simply a matter of more practice? In some cases, yes. But in most cases, it requires research into how to put the whole body mass into the blast. Something that is rarely seen. This idea of modifying techniques to make it work instead of collecting more of them is true for a lot of things in martial arts. By modifying, it will allow more practice time and repetitions in each move and therefore a higher development of physical attributes - things that win fights.

For me the objective of research is to be as direct as possible. Therefore when I look at any technique I simply ask if what I see would help me become more direct. If not, how can I modify it to make it more direct? If I can't do that, then I ask, what is the most direct way that I can defeat what I see?

Looking at things in slow motion allows you to see the finer detail. From a martial arts point of view, it means the ability to see the motions in beats and eventually quarter beats and finally, the intent of movement. Looking at things fast means that you have to take into consideration force and speed.

Many things demonstrated in MA demos work well in mild speed but you have to take into account human reaction time limitations. You must take each and every technique that you practice and test it under real speed and power to see if it is actually workable.

Sometimes, what is direct physically may actually be slow mentally and therefore not direct at all for a fight. For example, no matter how fast a technique is physically in a drill, it may be too complicated for the mind to pull off in a fight causing you to freeze under stress.

You have to take into account the natural variables such as limited perception, reaction time and the motor-set commitment of motions in combat.This is a very basic look at how to understand techniques, I hope it helps.

My name is Adam Chan and I started martial arts in 1986 training in classical Wing Chun under sifu Joseph Boychuck. In 1993 I learned a hybrid version of kung-fu from sifu Mike Smith which contained elements of Tai-Chi, Ba Gua, Hsing Yi, Shaolin, natural gate boxing.

In the end, names and styles do not matter but or convenience sake, my system is called Modified Wing Chun.Tracing back what I learned, I realized that it contains elements of fencing, boxing, savate and karate. Some of my own influences are Aikido and Yi-Quan.

Martial arts training can lead one to confidence, creativity, compassion and many other qualities. This led me to research Taoism, motivational psychology and Zen studies. Little by little, I realized that using martial arts as a medium is a great way to help people.

For questions, discussion and more information about this article and related topics please visit my website http://www.pragmaticmartialarts.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Chan

UFC 77 Middleweight Championship - Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin

2008-03-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

I for one was very excited about this much anticipated rematch between current middleweight champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva and former middleweight champion Rich "Ace" Franklin, whom Silva had won the championship from almost a year ago by knocking him out in the first round. Would this be a repeat of the first fight with Silva retaining the title, or would Franklin avenge his previous loss to Silva and get the title back? As the old saying goes, "Only time will tell" and on this night it did.

THE FIGHT:

What will follow is a detailed professional analysis of the fight from start to finish, concluding with some final thoughts concerning both fighters. Please keep in mind that these are my views from my own perspective of the events that transpired. They are by no means intended to shed any kind of negative or disparaging thoughts, words, etc. on either one of the fighters involved. I have a great deal of respect for anyone, and I do mean anyone, who steps onto the mat. So, with further ado let's get started.

Round One:

The first round started out with both fighters meeting in the center of the ring where they circled each other for a few seconds trying to get a read on each other. Franklin threw the first blow of the fight with a right leg roundhouse kick to the inside of Silva's right thigh that unfortunately missed. Franklin followed up his initial attack with a right hand jab to the head (that missed) and another right leg roundhouse kick to the inside of Silva's thigh that landed, although with not much force.

Franklin kept up the pressure on Silva by once again launching another attack with a two punch combination to the head followed by yet another right leg roundhouse kick to the inside of Silva's right thigh that landed again, but with little force and no effect on Silva. Silva countered this attack with a right hand jab to the face of Franklin that failed to reach its intended target. Although Silva's punch did not land, he did show an advanced knowledge of footwork that is truly indicative of not only his current abilities, but also his future potential.

Franklin steps forward and throws a right hand jab to the head that falls short and the follows up with a four punch combination to the head of Silva, none of which find their target. Franklin finishes up this attack with another right leg roundhouse kick to the inside of Silva's thigh that once again lands, but not with much force on it. Silva proceeds to counter this attack with a knee strike to the midsection while holding onto Franklin's neck with his left hand. This would later prove to be a very effective tactic.

Both men proceeded to execute a standing clinch with each other and moved each other around the ring until they both ended up against the fence. Silva initially had Franklin against the fence where both men exchanged knee strikes to each others bodies. Franklin ends up pivoting off the fence and forces Silva back against it for several seconds before eventually forcing Silva down to the ground. Once down on the ground, Franklin attempts to pass Silva's guard but is unable to do to Silva launching a kicking defense from the ground in order to keep Franklin back.

This tactic proves effective and allows Silva the opportunity to regain his feet. Although Franklin still attempts to get Silva back down on the ground by wrapping both arms around Silva's left leg. Silva manages to maintain his balance while standing on his left leg for several seconds, until Franklin lets go of Silva's leg and forces him back against the fence. Both fighters exchange knee strikes to the midsection before eventually breaking free of their mutual standing clinch.

Franklin attempts a kick with his right leg but Silva counters with a beautifully executed left leg turning back kick to the midsection of Franklin that landed solidly and momentarily stopped Franklin in his tracks. Both men exchange punches in the center of the octagon only a few of which land for either fighter, and none of which land with any real effect. At the end of this exchange, Franklin did land another right leg roundhouse kick to the inside of Silva's right thigh.

Franklin continues to press the attack by launching a three punch combination with the last punch, a right hook to the jaw, landing solidly but with no visible effect to Silva. Silva comes back from this attack by stepping forward and throwing a punch that fails to land, but does set up a left leg roundhouse kick which lands solidly to the upper body underneath Franklin's right arm.

Silva continues to press the advantage by forcing Franklin against the fence where he grabs Franklin's neck with his left hand while throwing (and landing) several punches to the head. Silva even manages to throw and land a knee strike to the midsection of Franklin. Franklin counters this attack with a couple of well thrown punches of his own followed by a knee strike to the midsection of Silva.

Franklin, who appears dazed, hangs onto Silva and forces him back against the fence and remains in a standing clinching position while delivering a single knee strike to Silva's midsection. Silva reverses position with Franklin and delivers his own knee strike to Franklin's midsection.

Both fighters separate and move about the ring with Franklin stepping forward and throwing a couple of punches to the head followed by a left leg roundhouse to the ribcage of Silva. Although there didn't appear to be much force on the kick. Silva fires back with a left leg front kick to the face of Franklin which ended up falling short.

Both men exchange punches with Franklin landing solidly with two of his punches thrown. However, Silva gave a very impressive display of "bobbing and weaving" while standing in one spot avoiding several more punches and even a kick thrown by Franklin. Silva continued to stalk Franklin and landed a spinning back fist which landed on the side of Franklin's head. It would have been very effective, except it landed at the end of the blow and with the forearm rather than the back of the fist.

Silva followed up the spinning back fist with a flying knee strike to the head followed by an uppercut punch to the head, both of which land with some authority. Silva continues throwing punches and ends up getting Franklin in a Muay Thai clinch where he lands a beautiful knee strike to the midsection. Both men exchange punches with Silva landing a right hook to the jaw of Franklin with approximately 2 seconds left in the round. This punch dropped Franklin and allowed Silva to press the attack until the buzzer sounded signifying the end of the round in which referee John McCarthy stepped in to stop the round. In my opinion, Franklin was literally saved by the buzzer and continued to show signs of being stunned as he made it back to his corner.

Round Two:

Franklin continued to look dazed as he opened up the second round with a left leg roundhouse kick to the outside of Silva's right thigh. Although the kick landed, it didn't appear to have any affect whatsoever on Silva. Franklin followed this up with a three punch combination to the head, none of which landed, and another left leg roundhouse kick to the hip of Silva.

Franklin continued to press the attack with several more punch attempts to the head, none of which landed with any affect. Silva countered this attack with a left leg roundhouse kick to the right calf of Franklin and a straight right hand punch that forced Franklin momentarily backwards. Franklin once again stepped forward and launched a punching attack to the head which was basically ineffective.

Silva on the other hand, countered this attack with a left hand clinch around Franklin's neck combined with a knee attack to the body and a punching attack to the head. Silva landed several blows before grabbing Franklin's head and neck with both hands and delivering a knee strike to the head with his left knee, and then following up immediately with another knee strike to the head with his right knee. This final counterattack by Silva resulted in the fight being stopped as the double knee strike combination ended up putting Franklin on the canvas with just under four minutes left in the second round.

THE KNOCKOUT:

Now there were several contributing factors that were directly responsible for the knockout which ended the fight. Some were provided by Silva, while others were provided by Franklin himself. I have broken those factors down by fighter and they are as follows:

Anderson Silva:

1. Exquisite technique of holding and hitting as demonstrated throughout the fight by holding with the left hand and delivering punches with the right.
2. Your ability to utilize the Muay Thai clinch and knee strikes to the body and head is textbook perfect and is very effective.
3. Your ability to remain calm throughout the fight is one of your best weapons, as it allows you to clearly see all possibilities and act accordingly.
4. Your "smoothness" of technique is another terrific asset and shows a high level of skill.
5. Your pinpoint accuracy with your knee strikes and punches shows terrific skill and discipline.
6. Your hand and foot combinations were fantastic. Keep up the good work!

Rich Franklin:

1. You let your guard down, literally!
2. You appeared to be really apprehensive as you stepped into the octagon.
3. You allowed Silva to get in close and clinch and strike which is what caused you to lose against Silva the first time.
4. You fought Silva's fight instead of your fight.
5. You seemed to be holding back somewhat on your punches and kicks.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS:

Here are my thoughts on how each fighter could improve upon their respective abilities concerning this particular fight.

Anderson Silva:

His strategy for this particular fight was almost flawless. However, here is the one thing that really stood out for me.

Rich Franklin:

Physically you could plainly see that he was in a lot better shape for this fight than his previous fight with Silva. However, mentally it appeared that he was very apprehensive once the fight got started. Here are a couple of other things that I noticed.

1. You need to work on your kicks to make them more efficient and therefore more effective. Your roundhouse kicks were delivered at an upward angle rather than at the correct angle for maximum effect.
2. Your roundhouse kicks appeared to lack any real power. Work on developing more powerful kicks.
3. Physically you were ready for this fight. However, mentally I feel that you weren't quite prepared for this fight and need to consider this in the future.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

The professionalism and respect that these two fighters showed each other and the sport are truly an inspiration to all who not only watch, train, and participate in the MMA community, but also those who participate in any and all martial arts.

MY PREDICTIONS:

Silva:

Anderson Silva is going to retain the middleweight championship for years to come. The only way I see him being beat is if he goes the way of other notable champions and gets caught up in the "Hollywood" type atmosphere and attitude and then carries that over into the octagon. Barring that, he should do well and I don't foresee anyone in the immediate future who will give him a run for his money.

Franklin:

Rich Franklin needs to go back to the drawing board and forget about Silva and the title until after he has had at least 5 or 6 more substantial fights against quality opponents in order to get his mind right for the octagon and a possible rematch with Silva. His career is far from over if he takes his time to regain the Rich Franklin of old.

Shawn Kovacich has been practicing the martial arts for over 25 years and currently holds the rank of 4th degree (Yodan) black belt in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do. Shawn has also competed in such prestigious full-contact bare knuckle karate competitions as the Shidokan Open and the Sabaki Challenge, among others.

In addition to his many accomplishments, Shawn is also a two time world record holder for endurance high kicking as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. Shawn is the author of the highly acclaimed Achieving Kicking Excellence™ series and can be reached via his web site at: Chikara-Kan.com.

Shawn is currently working on an additional series of books that focuses on the combat applications of kicking as well as how to defend against those very same kicks if they are used against you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shawn_Kovacich

80 Percent of Martial Arts Doesn't Work

2008-03-09T22:35:00.001-07:00

A very bold statement and one that is designed to get a reaction. A reaction from the many so called teachers, Instructors and masters here in the West!

I've studied Martial Arts for more than 30 years here in the UK. Many forms with many teachers...each giving their interpretation on the style they teach. Some look good with fancy kicks high in the air, others are very robotic and too inflexible but very few are USABLE.

At rick of sounding like I'm going back on the statements I just made, I still respect anyone who makes the time to study any form of Martial Arts. For the serious student it will change your life in many positive ways, some you will not expect but will be welcome all the same.

Almost as a side note: One health benefit apart from the obvious one of exercise is..your Lymphatic System. Let me explain. If you imagine your Lymphatic System is the bodies sewage works i.e. it help remove toxic waste from the body BUT this circulatory system does not come with a pump as with your Heart forcing blood round. To get this system working takes specific body movements that gently work your muscle and then this helps in removal of the Lymphatic toxins. This has been know for thousands of years...the proof, look how long people have been practicing Yoga or Ti Che and look at the life benefits these practitioners have obtained. These same benefits are gained from conducting Kata's or Form or Patterns which are a fundamental part of most Martial arts.

So why is it then that 80% of the information taught Won't work in a street situation. Well first lets look at how most lessons in most club are conducted. first you have a partner, you stand far enough away from them that you can safely practise the moves you have just been taught by one of your instructors and you repeat this over and over again so the physical memory is lock in. Keep in mind that when training in this manner your are about 2-4 feet away from each other depending whether your are using your hands or your feet.

Now...in a street situation, looks and threats normally start at a distance(to far away for your to do anything apart from walk away...the smart move!) if and when things escalate your adversary stands toe to toe nose to nose, pushing and more. So at this distance where are the flying, spinning, all wonderful kicks that you can do in the club...you can't use them because there's not enough room. there goes 50% of what you can do!

Because this person is so close it makes things hard to determine where the attacking blow is going to come from after all they are in your face and that's all your aware of so all the blocking moves your practice so well are now dormant for now. That's another 10-20% of your skill not helping you. Somewhere in the for-front of your mind you know things are going to kick off and punches exchanged, but you have been told to use it (Martial Arts) just to defend yourself and never strike first! This will place you into a VICTIM mentality so you'll be loosing before you start so emotionally your another 10% down.

So what is the point in studying for years if it is not going to help!

Well, keep going because in reality you never know which skill will help you in what situation. But here is my advice to you.

Find a instructor how is or has been in the armed forces and seen active duty. one how has worked as a Doorman/woman or in close perfection situation. These are the instructors who have been in the real life situations and HAD TO use their skills and are always the BEST teachers...not theorist as most tend to be. I have had fights against some world class fighters in competitions and they are great, but change the rules to anything goes as on the street and most crumble because their security blanket just got removed and now they could get hurt!

So in closing do your home work when it come to quality instructors, learn about their background it could save your life. I don't prefer any one style above any other, I just prefer Instructors.

For those of you who would like to learn from one I consider to be the BEST, email me and I will point you in the right direction. P.S. I am in no way Affiliated to this Instructor only My martial Arts world has changed dramatically since learning from him.

I wish you all the best and a safe life.

Andrew Danyadi Twice English Senior Karate Champion British Senior Champion North West Senior Grand Champion All Styles

andrew@networkandrew.com

http://www.el-empire.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Danyadi

Advanced Shadow Boxing

2008-03-09T22:33:00.000-07:00

Even if you don't like doing forms, I strongly suggest you read this newsletter. It could change the way you workout.

The reason I said "Even if . . ." is because I know many martial artists think form is a waste of time.

Do they think practicing punching is a waste of time?

No.

Do they think practicing kicking is a waste of time?

No.

How about shadow boxing? Do they think that's a waste of time?

Of course not.

But if you put those three things together in a routine and call it a form . . . suddenly you're wasting your time. Hmmmmm.

When I practice form I sweat and breath hard and end up with sore muscles. My balance, flexibility, agility and timing improve. Now keep in mind, I'm not doing beginner level forms for preschool tots. I'm doing traditional, hardcore Tien Shan Pai empty hand and weapons forms like you can learn on my DVD 8 Tien Shan Pai forms at http://kungfufightingtips.com/products/8tienShanPai..php/

Form doesn't just get you in shape either. I've had people join my school or get my DVD specifically because they felt they had two left feet, and wanted to gain coordination.

Now then, could you get all the benefits of form just by doing some bag work, taking a break to do some kick combinations across the floor, adding in some punch combinations, throwing in a few jumps and deep stances for leg strength, maybe some floor sweeps for flexibility, and finishing with some hard fast shadow boxing?

Yes, you could. And if you put the routine together just right . . . it would be a form.

So what I do is, instead of adding punch/kick drills to bag work, I add bag work to my forms. Do a form, hit the bag for 30 seconds. Do a form, kick the bag for 30 seconds. Do a form, knee and elbow the bag for 30 seconds. Do a form, work combinations on the bag for 30 seconds.

Do five forms that way. I mean hard and fast, with furious bag work in the intervals. Do it at least 3 days a week for two weeks and then see how much your combinations, agility, flex, and stamina have improved.

For people who enjoy it and work it, form isn't a waste of time, it's a highly structured skill and conditioning drill. And it has many uses. You can do a form very slowly and call it a great warm up. You can do it hard a fast and call it the best shadow boxing you've ever done. You can do it super slow with each move synchronized with your breathing and call it tai chi.

However you do it, the rewards are yours for the taking.

Sparring and Pushing Hands Gold Medalist Rob LaPointe has been practicing martial arts since 1973. He holds black belts in Kenpo Karate and Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu.

Being located inside the Washington Beltway has given Rob some unique opportunities. In addition to teaching martial arts and presenting workshops to members of all the Armed Services, including special forces members, as well as CIA, DEA, FBI, Department of State Foreign Service Officers, U.S. Customs Officers, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and Exxon-Mobile Corporation, Rob has presented numerous health and fitness demonstrations and workshops to Washington, D.C. area businesses and agencies, including Georgetown University Hospital, Northern Virginia Hospital Center, Alexandria Hospital, Arlington Public Schools, USA Today, and Intelsat.

In 1999 he received an invitation from the American Physical Therapy Association, and was a featured speaker at their Annual Convention, which took place that year in Washington, D.C.

Rob's main websites are http://kungfufightingtips.com/ and http://indyinstructor.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_LaPointe

The Benefits Of Focus Pad Training

2008-03-02T12:48:00.000-08:00

In my years as a self-defense instructor, I have tried and tested many training methods to find out the fastest, most effective way to produce the best results in the shortest time possible.

I don't run a self-defense club or ongoing long-term classes. My "specialty" is short-term courses and seminars. I need to share knowledge and teach physical skills in the shortest time possible. And that training has to "stick."

I don't "train" people. I teach them how to train themselves. I encourage my clients to take full responsibility for their own learning process and the results that they produce. There are many excellent resources out there, but that's all they are…

Information is inert until you apply it to accomplish something. Its up to you, study and apply them.

One of the most powerful methods I've found to teach proper punching and striking skills in the fastest, most efficient way is FOCUS PAD training.

WHAT ARE FOCUS PADS?

Focus pads (also called focus mitts, coaching pads, punch mitts and target pads) are flat, hand-held pads that are about 12 inches in diameter.

They are made of dense foam covered in leather or vinyl. They have been used in boxing, kickboxing and martial arts training for ages.

HOW ARE THEY USED?

The pads are held by a coach or training partner at different ranges, positions and levels. The puncher and pad holder work together to build offensive and defensive skills, sharpen reflexes and condition the body.

THE BENEFITS OF FOCUS PAD TRAINING

Focus pads are cheap, portable and easy to find. They are an excellent training investment that allow you to conduct a wide variety of drills for the development of several combative qualities.

If you're still undecided about whether or not focus pad training is right for you, here are some of the benefits.

FOCUS PAD TRAINING IS FUN AND CHALLENGING!

Focus pad training is a blast. Partner training with focus pads allows you to perform a wide variety of drills and "fighting games."

Because there are so many ways to use focus pads, it's easy to keep your training fun and interesting. And most importantly… if you enjoy doing something, you'll do it more often.

FOCUS PADS ARE INEXPENSIVE

You can pick up a pair of focus pads at a good sporting goods or martial art supply store. A decent pair will set you back about 50 to 70 bucks.

You'll also need a good pair of bag gloves or boxing gloves to protect your knuckles. They'll cost you about the same. $100 bucks for a full-blown training system seems like a pretty decent investment to me!

FOCUS PADS ARE PORTABLE

Unlike equipment such as heavy bags, focus pads are small, light and extremely portable. You can throw them in a sport bag or knapsack and take them pretty much anywhere.

Because they don't have to be installed or mounted, they are excellent where room is limited or its impractical to install more cumbersome equipment.

FOCUS PADS DEVELOP EXCELLENT HITTING SKILLS FAST

If I had to teach you how to hit properly, in the shortest time possible, I'd use focus pads. If you already knew how to punch but you wanted to improve and refine you hitting skills, again I'd recommend focus pad work.

Because the pads are relatively small, they develop accuracy.

Because they can be moved quickly into different positions and at different angles, they are one of the best methods available for working punches in combination.

Because they can be moved dynamically and even pulled out of the way, they can be used to develop quick thinking and "non-telegraphic" delivery.

FOCUS PADS SUPPLEMENT HEAVY BAG TRAINING

All impact training stresses the body. If you hit too hard or too often you're going to get injured. The problem is that punching power increases faster than the body can adapt and become resilient enough to withstand that impact energy.

There is a period of "adaptation" required before for tendons and ligaments become stronger and more resilient.

It takes about 6 to 10 weeks of more moderate training before all out, full power hitting efforts can be performed safely. That's where focus pads come in.

For starters, there is far less resistance to hitting a focus pad than a 60 to 100 lb heavy bag. That allows you to work on your punching power with less strain on your joints and connective tissues. This allows you to work your way up to more demanding heavy bag training which is undeniably harder on the body.

If you already do heavy bag work, you can do your focus pad work on days in between your heavy bag sessions. That will afford you some "active recovery" and the ability to continue working on your hitting skills while giving your body a time to recover.

FOCUS PADS IMPROVE YOUR SPARRING AND FIGHTING SKILLS

If you ever watch a good fighter sparring, you'll notice that he begins to react to being punched at BEFORE the punch is even thrown.

Its almost as if he is reading their opponent's mind and anticipating what is about to happen before it does.

What is actually happening is that by being punched (or kicked) at over and over again, the brain begins to interpret the meaning of certain positions, weight distributions and body signals.

When holding the pads and watching various punches travelling in your direction, you begin to establish "pattern recognition" which will enhance your ability to anticipate and defend yourself from attack.

STRESS INOCULATION (HIT PSYCHOLOGY)

Many people are terrified with the idea of being hit in a fight. Just as many are uncomfortable with the idea of punching another human being. (I'm not sure why because I kinda like it! ;-)

In fact, because it is an "unknown" people are far more concerned about being hit than they should be. Speaking from the perspective of someone who has been punched, hit and kicked thousands and thousands of time; its not so bad! You do not want to be terrified by the idea of being hit or overwhelmed if it happens.

I refer to your comfort level with the idea of hitting and being hit as "Hit Psychology." People with weak hit psychology are more prone to panic or "freeze up" in a combative situation. They can become overwhelmed by an exaggerated and unnecessary fear of the encounter and perform poorly.

We have a term for that in the self-defense field… Its called, "NOT GOOD!"

Stress inoculation is a process of de-sensitizing someone to the fear of combat by exposing them to controlled amounts of impact in a low stress, non- threatening environment.

In a short period of time, the student finds that situations that formerly terrified her are far more manageable and even enjoyable!

FIGHT-RELATED CONDITIONING

Did you know that conditioning is "exercise specific?" If you are a runner, your body will become fit and accustom to running but not nearly as much for swimming or cycling.

If you work out on an elliptical machine, your body gets more efficient at working out on an elliptical machine. Your body adapts and improves specific to the activity that you are participating in. So what you ask?

I'll tell you what… the best way to condition your body for fighting is by mimicking movements and actions that are like fighting. It's as simple as that.

I have trained with people who would be considered extremely fit athletically but tire very quickly when introduced to combative training drills.

The good news is that there are a wide variety of combative drills that you can do with focus pads that will tone the muscles, build your stamina and endurance and enhance your self-defense performance.

SO… what I'm saying is this. Not only is combative training such as pad work an excellent, whole body form of exercise. The conditioning provides fitness qualities directly relevant to self-defense and fighting.

FOCUS PAD TRAINING BURNS FAT

Many people undertake ongoing martial arts and self-defense training to get into shape… and more specifically to lose weight (excess body fat) and regain a lean and mean physique. Focus pad training is excellent for fat loss. Here's why…

Not that long ago, the belief was that the best way to lose body fat was through LSD (long slow distance) aerobic exercise. In other words, low intensity exercise that was sustained for at least 20 to 30 minutes. The theory was that during exercise your body uses fat as a fuel source at lower intensity and it burns glucose instead of fat at higher intensity levels.

That might be true, but the assumption was that fat loss is based on the amount of calories you burned during your workout. That's not the case. The amount of calories you burn during your exercises session is minimal.

What does matter is the extra calories you burn BETWEEN your workouts.

Fat burning is accomplished more effectively by interval training. Interval training involves periods of moderate to high intensity exertion intersperse with low intensity periods to catch your breath and recover your energy in between.

This type of training will increase your metabolism for hours after your workout and you will burn more overall calories and body fat.

Focus pads are excellent for interval training.

FOCUS PAD TRAINING REDUCES STRESS

There have been very few evolutionary changes in the human body in millions of years. One thing that has not changed is our survival mechanism. The body is predisposed to "fighting or fleeing" from a threatening situation.

What HAS changed however is the fact that in modern day life, most of the "threats" we perceive are not actual, physical threats and do not merit kicking butt or running off. So what happens is that we activate this "fight or flight response" but do neither.

A host of chemical and physical changes occur that, if left unchecked become toxic and unhealthy. That is why exercise is so healthy and such a great way to manage stress.

I suggest that cardiovascular exercise satisfies the body's need for flight. I believe that impact training such as hitting a pair of focus pads or a heavy bag satisfies the bodies evolutionary need to fight.

FOCUS PAD TRAINING MAKES YOU MENTALLY TOUGHER

Mental Toughness is the ability to be effective, healthy and happy regardless of the challenges and stressors in your life. It involves building your ability to cope with stress by repeatedly exposing yourself to stress and then recovering from it.

The more you do this the tougher you get on a physical, mental and emotional level. Focus pad training can be used to improve your mental toughness in two ways.

Physiologically, The interval training that I've already mentioned builds mental toughness. Doing "round training." (intervals of exertion interspersed with short periods of recovery) teaches your body to expend energy and then recover. This expend, recover, expend, recover process makes you tougher and more emotionally resilient.

Another opportunity that focus pads provide is the ability to design "never give up drills." I've referred to this in my Power Punching Guide as "blitz" training.

Blitz training is an advance training method that involves going "all out" for a predetermined period of time. You push yourself through the pain of lactic acid in your muscles and the discomfort of being winded and push, push push yourself until you reach the end of the drill.

This is not only a terrific conditioner for your body but it is also an excellent mental exercise to teach you on of the most important traits that you can have for self-defense: "NEVER GIVE UP."

FINAL THOUGHTS

Bottom line… if want to develop and refine your punching skills quickly, condition your body with fight-related exercise and design challenging and versatile training sessions then take a serious look at focus pad training.

Randy LaHaie
Randy@ToughenUp.com

Randy LaHaie is the president of Protective Strategies and has been teaching reality-based self-defense for over 30 years. He is the author of several "Toughen Up Combative Training Guides" (http://www.ToughenUp.com)

Subscribe to his Free Self-Defense Newsletter at http://www.ProtectiveStrategies.com

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Developing a Heavy Bag Workout

2008-03-02T12:47:00.001-08:00

Many people over look the power of simply hitting a punching bag for a highly effective workout. You can purchase an inexpensive punching bag at your local sporting good store. If you've never seen one they are supported by floor stands or more commonly hung from a frame that attaches to your ceiling.

Exercising vigorously causes small injuries to your muscle fibers which is why you generally feel sore the day following a really hard workout. When you exercise with sore muscles then you are greatly increasing your odds of serious injury. You should let your body have a day in between vigorous workouts to allow it time to heal properly, try taking a nice walk or swim.

Cross training requires you to alternate sports on different days to efficiently work out different muscle groups. Cross training is great because it allows your muscles at least two days to recover, greatly decreasing your chances of injury. Spending some time hitting a punching bag with your favorite CD blasting is a perfect way to exercise your upper body then the following day you can change it up with a lower body kick boxing or running exercise.

Hitting a punching bag does a lot more than improve stamina and provide a great cardio workout. It can help improve your overall coordination. If you punch the bag it swings back and comes back toward you. You want to practice hitting the bag at the time it is coming back toward you. You will soon find that if you hit it too early or too late it will not stay in rhythm and you will more than likely miss the bag.

Begin your heavy bag workout by hitting the bag lightly until your arms feel sore and tired. Gradually increase the intensity and time of the workout as you feel stronger, make sure you give yourself a break every other day.

If you find that you are falling asleep on the treadmill or finding it hard to stay on that last twenty minutes that you know will feel like two hours you should defiantly try mixing it up with a heavy bag workout or try some high intensity workout DVDs.

Heavy bag training isn't just for boxers or only men. In addition to the amazing cardio you are doing, your heavy bag training sessions will also improve your self defense skills, perfect for women who are looking for that extra boost of confidence! Heavy bag training also has been known to reduce stress.

Heavy bag workouts are a great alternative to dull cardio fitness routines that aren't motivating anymore. With a workout that you enjoy you will be more likely to workout longer and harder and see results faster than you ever imagined.

Article by Sven Ullmann, who runs Deserved Health - information on health for you and your family. Read more about Heavy Bag Workouts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sven_Ullmann

3 Ways To Crank Up Your Heavy Bag Training For A Fat Scorching, Lean Body Workout

2008-03-02T12:45:00.000-08:00

1. Wear Heavier Gloves. Simply put on a pair of 16 or 18 ounce gloves... Doing this will cause your hands to drop as you fatigue, so you have to work just as hard to keep them up.

Your shoulders will burn like hell, but the improved conditioning and definition of your body will be well worth it. * Note* If the heavier gloves impede good technique....put the lighter gloves back on.

2. Add Intervals Of Fast Punching. This is butt kicking way to up the intensity. Simply add 15-30 second intervals of fast, hard punching to the round. You punch at a moderate tempo for 30 seconds... Then for 15...or if you really want to be hard core... 30 second intervals.. you punch as fast and hard as you can.

Go back to 30 seconds moderate then repeat the interval punching. Try using 2 minute rounds at first. Then as your conditioning improves move up to three minute rounds... Warning though... it's not for the faint of heart. Performing these intervals will make your heart feel like it's going to beat right out your chest.

3. Use Shorter Rest Periods Between Rounds. Try adding 30 second rest periods between rounds of your heavy bag work. You may be thinking this doesn't sound like much but I guarantee you this will kick your butt!

So now that I have given you three options to add to your heavy bag training, get your ass in the gym and put them to use. Try adding one, or depending on your current condition, all three.

Grab a free killer boxing training fat loss special report at Boxing Training Workouts Rob Pilger of http://www.Pilgerstrainingsystems.com is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Level II USA Boxing Coach. He has successfully trained people using the boxing workout for improved fitness levels, and improved performance in their chosen athletic endeavor. Rob is also creator of The Ultimate Boxing Workout DVD. Please visit http://www.TheUltimateBoxingWorkout.com to begin your quest for an improved physique.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_Pilger

Anderson Silva Beats Dan Henderson

2008-03-02T08:54:00.000-08:00

By Ryan Mink

Special to The Washington Post
Sunday, March 2, 2008; Page D05

There may not be anyone left for Anderson Silva to fight.

After Silva beat everyone in the middleweight division, Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White had to recruit former PRIDE middleweight champion Dan Henderson from the light heavyweight class to fight Silva.

It seemed Henderson would be the one man who could challenge Silva considering Henderson has one of the best wrestling pedigrees in mixed martial arts.

But not even Henderson lasted long.

Once again, Silva's challenger didn't make it past the second round. This time Silva, the ever dangerous striker, showed off his jiu-jitsu, submitting Henderson with a rear naked choke with eight seconds left in the second round yesterday at UFC 82 in Columbus, Ohio.

Silva (21-4) has now successfully defended his UFC middleweight belt for the third time. He hasn't seen the third round since a Dec. 31, 2004, bout against Ryo Chonan, which was his last loss not counting a disqualification against Yushin Okami in 2006.

"Nice job, Anderson," Henderson told Silva after the decision was made. "You're the true champion."

Silva won the middleweight belt from Rich Franklin on Oct. 14, 2006, and defended it against Nate Marquardt and Franklin before being pitted against Henderson (22-7). He now had the unified Pride and UFC middleweight belt.

Henderson likely won the first round after picking up Silva and taking him down to the mat about two minutes into the bout. From there, Henderson, a two-time Olympic wrestler, controlled the rest of the round and landed numerous hammer fists to the side of Silva's head.

Silva started mounting his Muay Thai attack midway through the second round, landing a flurry of kicks and knees that made Henderson fall forward. The dazed Henderson was able to recover but Silva quickly mounted him and started landing blows to Henderson's head and body.

It was only a few seconds after Silva started choking Henderson when Henderson's eyes grew bloodshot and he was forced to tap before passing out.

"My hat's off to Anderson Silva," Henderson said in a television interview. "He was definitely the better fighter tonight. I controlled him and beat him up the first round. He came out and took control in the second."

Like Silva, heavyweight Heath Herring had to use his ground game to beat his opponent. At the start of the first round, Herring sprinted out of his corner and immediately knocked Cheick Kongo on his back. But what was expected to be a slugfest turned into a wrestling match that Herring won via a split decision.

"I thought he was going to stand up with me," the usually heavy-handed Herring said to his corner men as he awaited the judges' decision.

Herring (28-13-1) had lost four of his past seven bouts but rededicated himself after nearly beating Antonio Nogueira in his last bout. Kongo (21-4-1) was coming off an impressive win over one of the best stand-up fighters in the UFC, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic.

In the other bouts, bloodied middleweight Chris Leban (18-4) outslugged Alessio Sakara (16-7-1), winning by technical knockout 3 minutes 16 seconds into the first round. Leban caught Sakara with two big left-hand punches.

Grappling middleweight Yushin Okami (23-4) landed a knee to former middleweight champion Evan Tanner (34-7) with two minutes left in the second round and won via technical knockout.

Welterweight Jon Fitch (21-2-1) extended his UFC winning streak to eight with a unanimous decision victory over Chris Wilson (12-4-1), possibly putting him in contention for a title fight against the winner of Georges St. Pierre and Matt Serra in UFC 83.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/02/AR2008030200114.html

Cutting Weight Could Mean A UFC Title Shot

2008-02-24T22:30:00.000-08:00

UFC 78 is quickly approaching and it's main event match-up between Rashad Evans and Michael Bisping made me think about fighters who could cut weight to drop to a lower weight class. In that spirit I am going to discuss four UFC fighters who might be well served by dropping weight and fighting below their current class.

Let me start at the top, the UFC heavyweight division. There are a couple of UFC heavyweights who could make 205lbs, remember Randy Couture fought as a light heavyweight for a while, he even held the light heavyweight title. There is really only one UFC heavyweight who I want to talk about dropping weight. Brandon "The Truth" Vera just dropped a three round decision to former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia. Brandon didn't loose this match because of his skill-set. He lost because of Tim's size. Tim pushed Vera up against the fence and used his weight to close the distance, essentially negating Vera's superior kicking game. If Brandon Vera dropped down to 205lbs I feel he would be competing on an even playing field and would likely quickly move into title contention.

The UFC light heavyweight division has the majority of guys who should consider dropping weight. There are three that I'd like to discuss, they are Rashad Evans, Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson. You'll note that Bisping and Evans are the main event fighters at UFC 78. Both of these fighters are undefeated at light heavyweight.

Michael Bisping is an outstanding fighter, a good striker with an adequate ground game. However, his recent fight with Matt Hamill shows that he can be manhandled by a stronger opponent. Bisping mostly stayed on the outside in this fight and let Hamill control the action. I believe that this is because he was staying away from Hamill's strength...with is wrestling, and physical strength. We all remember on the Ultimate Fighter when Hamill was overwhelming the other fighters with his physical strength, a move to 185lbs would not only put him into title contention, but would allow Bisping to be stronger than other opponents in that weight class.

Rashad Evans has already dropped a weight class. Rashad competed at heavyweight on the Ultimate Fighter TV series and did very well, winning his division, but his recent bout with Tito Ortiz showed that Rashad, despite his superior wrestling skills is a small light heavyweight. Rashad will have no problems matching strength with Bisping at UFC 78, but when fighting the larger light heavyweights like Forrest Griffin, Wanderlei Silva and Tito Ortiz he will get manhandled, essentially negating his wrestling advantage. A move to 185lbs would likely make Rashad an immediate title contender.

Dan Henderson has already fought at 185lbs and is the current, and likely last, PrideFC 185lb champion. Dan is strong, even for a 205lb fighter and Dan probably has the best wrestling in the UFC. Dan's last fight with Quinton Jackson showed that he can have trouble with a guy who is a good wrestler, a good striker and is as physically strong as he is. There simply isn't a fighter at 185lbs with Dan's strength. With a decisive strength advantage, Dan's heavy hands and fantastic wrestling would take him not only into title contention, but in my eyes he would defeat Anderson Silva.

In closing I want to reveal my ulterior motive. With Anderson Silva's dominant victory over Rich Franklin there is little competition left for Anderson at 185lbs. Matt Lindland if he rejoined the UFC or Dennis Kang would be good opponents, but that is not likely to happen. Looking inside the UFC we need to look at the class above for guys who can give Anderson Silva trouble. If the four guys I've discussed changed weight classes, both the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions of the UFC would be completely stacked, making every weight class at or above 170lbs the most stacked in MMA.

Jon is a contributing editor at UFC Results - Come to UFC Results at http://www.ufcresultslive.com for UFC Results, UFC Predictions and UFC Fight Cards.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Murray

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2008-02-21T22:48:00.000-08:00

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A Look At Ninjutsu

2008-02-18T16:51:00.001-08:00

The martial art known as Ninjutsu is very secret, with a very clouded history. The history isn’t documented all that well, as most of what is known about the martial art is that which has been passed down from generation to generation. There are a lot of historical records that state families from the Koga region as being the creators to this very secret style.

Over 70 different Ninjutsu Ryu have been identified and discovered over the years, however most of them have died out. A majority of them were created around a set of specific techniques and skills, although when those skills of a specific Ryu were no longer needed or wanted, the Ryu seems to die out and fade away from existence.

The art of Ninjutsu is best associated with the ninja’s from ancient Japan. The ninja’s are well known all around the world, for their stealth and very secreted life. The ninja is known to have went through very tough and demanding training, which hardly anyone really knows about. Those that were actual ninja’s are either dead, or not allowed to let anyone know their true identity.

During the 1980's, when the ninja trend really hit the United States, the instructors of Ninjutsu popped out all over the place, making black a very happening color. Years later, the trend seemed to die out, and there aren’t that many people trying to learn the art.

In regards to the art, the term of Ninjutsu doesn’t actually refer to any certain style, but rather a group of the martial arts, with each one having it’s own view that’s expressed with each of the different Ryu. The Ryu vary, meaning that one may focus on one certain physical dynamic, while the next may be focused on redirection.

What many people aren’t aware of, is the fact that Ninjutsu involves both unarmed and armed fighting skills, along with philosophy, strategy, and history. There are a few dojo’s that offer the art, many of them being quite comprehensive with the way they teach.

During combat, Ninjutsu focuses on distance, posture, and flow. Stylists are taught to react to every movement, and respond in ways that will place them in the advantage position. From being in a position of advantage, the stylist can effectively change the outcome of the encounter - quickly going from negative to positive.

Those that practice the martial art of Ninjutsu are instructed and trained to use their entire body for everything they do, which provides the most leverage and power. Ninjutsu is well known in Japan, and for good reason. It is a very secretive martial art, yet very powerful. The techniques can be used or self defense, along with stealth. It can be a great martial art to learn - if you can find a dojo that teaches it.

A Look At Kung Fu

2008-02-18T16:50:00.001-08:00

The martial art of Kung Fu is an exchange of culture, a type of exercise, and also a way of defending yourself. The art is very popular throughout the world, also being known as Gung Fu, Wu Shu, and even Kuo Shu. It shares some common traits with Karate, such as using both hand and foot techniques. Kung Fu is one of the most popular forms of martial arts - and also one of the oldest.

Within Kung Fu, there are several styles and variances, although the most popular are those that have their roots in the well known Shaolin Temple. What most people aren’t aware of however, is the fact that Kung Fu was practiced in China years before the first Shaolin temple was even though of.

A majority of martial arts enthusiasts think of self defense as being the ultimate goal of any martial art, including Kung Fu. While self defense is involved with Kung Fu, the martial is so much more than just fighting and defense - it is a true art, one that develops the mind, body, and the soul.

Kung Fu doesn’t teach students to overcome others, as it teaches students to look within themselves and learn to have complete and total control over their emotions. Kung Fu is an art of harmony, that teaches to students to remain at peace and avoid confrontations. If a situation threatens bodily harm to the student, then he must rise to the occasion - becoming the warrior and defending himself.

Just like other types of martial arts, Kung Fun teaches the balance that is crucial for executing techniques and the proper movement. The basic concept behind the balance is that same balance that the Chinese believe keeps the balance between heaven and earth. This concept of balance can be achieved by students if they completely focus their thoughts and empty their minds free from any type of distractions.

Kung Fu is a martial art that can be learned by anyone. It does take a strong desire, just like any other martial art. It has a rich heritage, and a proud legacy. Kung Fu is indeed a deadly martial art, if used in the wrong ways. There are variations of Kung Fu as well, which include the infamous five animals - Tiger, Dragon, Eagle Claw, Crane, and the Snake.

Adapted by the animals in which they are named after, the five animals style is some of the most impressive in martial arts. Tiger Claw is by far the deadliest of the five animals, teaching students to strike just like the dreaded tiger. This style teaches the student power in his hands, so that when he strikes, he tears the flesh. Tiger Claw is very deadly, although it is very hard to find instructors that teach this style now days.

Unlike other martial arts, there really are no competitions for Kung Fu. Stylists can compete it other competitions, although there really aren’t any that are for only Kung Fu. It is an ancient martial art, that is to be used only in instances were there is no other option than to fight back. When provoked, the stylist should try everything he or she can to avoid confrontations.

Kung Fu aims to teach the lessons of respect, fairness to others, harmony of the spirit, and total self control no matter what. These characteristics, when paired together, allow students to achieve success in a hard to deal with society. Kung Fu is all about developing the student’s overall well being - and following the straight path to mental and physical toughness.

Rich Guys Trophy Wife Speed Dating Tour

2008-02-08T15:45:00.000-08:00

Rich Guys Trophy Wife Speed Dating Tour is set to begin in June, 2008. We touring 15 cities across America. We connect wealthy men with extremely beautiful women through a series of speed dates. We're accepting applications for the event in all cites. Please go to the site for more information.

http://www.richguystrophywife.com/

Brock Lesnar - Fake wrestler a UFC star

2008-01-31T11:37:00.000-08:00

Brock Lesnar's notoriety as a World Wrestling Entertainment champion and headliner has created great interest in his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut on Saturday night against former UFC champion Frank Mir.

But because his fame comes from scripted entertainment, many aren't aware of his successes in legitimate athletic competition.

Lesnar was 106-5 in four years of college wrestling, winning the junior college national championship in 1998 and the Division I championship for the University of Minnesota in 2000, both as a heavyweight.

High-level amateur wrestling is a great asset in mixed martial arts, as many of UFC's biggest stars all have a substantial wrestling background, Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Quinton Jackson, Dan Henderson, Matt Hughes, Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch, Diego Sanchez, Rashad Evans, Tito Ortiz, Clay Guida, Keith Jardine, Roger Huerta, Jake O'Brien, Frankie Edgar, Matt Hamill, Brandon Vera, Gray Maynard, Corey Hill, Matt Grice and others.

But wrestling success is no guarantee of MMA success. For every Couture or Dan Severn, both of whom competed on the U.S. national team in international competition and are among only a few fighters in the UFC Hall of Fame, there are great wrestlers, including national champions and Olympians, who have gone nowhere in MMA.

Arguably the best wrestler to ever enter MMA at his peak was Karam Gaber Ibrahim of Egypt, who not only won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Greco-Roman at 211 pounds, but destroyed everyone in his path, tossing around world champions like they were high schoolers. He was universally considered the best wrestler of any style or weight class in Athens.

A few months later, Ibrahim debuted in MMA against Kazuyuki Fujita on a New Year's Eve show in Japan. Fujita was a well known pro wrestler who switched to MMA. Ibrahim had only a few weeks of training for MMA. Instead of trying to wrestle Fujita, he decided to come out and box, which he had no experience in. It was a bad idea, as he was knocked cold in 1:07 and never fought again.

On the flip side, there was Rulon Gardner, the superheavyweight Greco-Roman gold medalist in the 2000 Olympics who retired as an amateur after capturing a bronze medal in 2004. On that same New Year's Eve show in Japan, he debuted in MMA in "the battle of the gold medalists," facing Hidehiko Yoshida, who had won a gold medal in judo, and years later, became a famous MMA star for the Pride Fighting Championships.

It's a routine Japanese promotional trick to take Olympic medalists out of their sport, and put them in with Japanese favorites, who have experience in MMA fighting. The idea was that Gardner would get Yoshida to the ground, but with no knowledge of submissions, he would then get submitted – similar to what many MMA fans expect to happen to Lesnar on Saturday. Instead, Gardner decided to stand and box. He was taller and about 75 pounds heavier. It was an ugly fight because Gardner was no boxer, but just through size and power, he battered Yoshida and took a unanimous decision. Gardner never fought again.

Perhaps the closest equivalent to Lesnar in the MMA world is Sylvester Terkay. Like Lesnar, he took second in the heavyweight division as a junior, losing to an American wrestling legend -- Lesnar to current New England Patriot Steve Neal and Terkay to Kurt Angle. Like Lesnar, he was a dominating powerhouse as a senior, winning the 1993 national championship as a 6-6, 275 pounder. Like Lesnar, after winning the NCAA title, he burned out on the sport, and never wrestled another amateur match. They even had the pro wrestling similarity after college, although Terkay was never a star in the U.S.

Terkay had been out of competitive wrestling for 10 years, and was 33 when he debuted in MMA for K-1 in Japan. Lesnar was 29 and out of wrestling competition for seven years when he debuted last year, although he was less than two years out of NFL camp with the Minnesota Vikings.

There have been 14 NCAA champions, including Lesnar and Terkay, who have gone into MMA. Here are the other 12:

Royce Alger: The 1987 champion at 167 pounds and 1988 champion at 177 for Iowa, Alger had a 3-2 MMA record, but his two losses were in UFC during its early days, being submitted by Enson Inoue quickly, and knocked out by Eugene Jackson.

Mark Coleman: The 1988 champion at 190 pounds, Coleman was UFC's third champion, winning two tournaments and then beating Dan Severn for the title. He left UFC for Pride, where he won the first Grand Prix tournament in 2000. Coleman, 15-8 in MMA, was a wrestler who was still at the world class level when he started in MMA in 1996, and his simple takedown and ground-and-pound style worked early on. But as the game changed, he was less successful.

Johny Hendricks: Hendricks captured the 165 pound title in 2005 and 2006 for Oklahoma State, and placed second in 2007. He is currently affiliated with Team Takedown and is 2-0 in shows in Oklahoma, training out of Couture's gym in Las Vegas.

Rex Holman: The 1993 champion at 190 pounds from Ohio State, where he was a teammate with Kevin Randleman and coached by Coleman, Holman had long since retired as a wrestler when he went into MMA. He's 4-2, with his only UFC appearance a loss last year to Matt Hamill.

Mark Kerr: The 1992 champion at 190 pounds for Syracuse. Kerr was considered the No. 1 heavyweight in MMA in 1998 and 1999, and his fall from grace was documented in the HBO documentary "The Smashing Machine," which vividly displayed his drug addiction issues. He is still active today with a 14-6 record. In a trivia note, the person he defeated in his championship win was Oklahoma State's Couture.

Josh Koscheck: The 2001 champion at 174 pounds for Edinboro College. He's currently 9-2 and one of UFC's top-rated welterweight fighters. He came out on the short end of what was largely a wrestling battle on Aug. 25 in Las Vegas with Georges St. Pierre.

Kenny Monday: University of Oklahoma 1984 champ at 150 pounds, and later a gold medalist in the Olympics. Monday fought once in 1997, beating John Lewis, and later lost a submissions-only match to Matt Hume.

Mark Munoz: The 2001 champion at 197 pounds at Oklahoma, Munoz debuted this last year and has a 3-0 record fighting in California. He coaches wrestling at Cal-Davis, the alma mater of Urijah Faber, and trains with Faber's camp.

Kevin Randleman: Randleman took the 1992 and 1993 championship for Ohio State at 177 pounds. Randleman was an MMA pioneer who is still active, with a 16-12 record. He has held the UFC heavyweight championship and was a top star for years with Pride, both winning and losing fights with major names including losses to Couture, Liddell, Jackson, Kazushi Sakuraba, Mirko Cro Cop (who he also beat in one of Pride's most famous moments) and Fedor Emelianenko.

Jake Rosholt: A three-time champion at Oklahoma State, winning in 2003 at 184 and 2005 and 2006 at 197, Rosholt is also a member of Team Takedown and training at Couture's gym. He has a 3-0 MMA record and is expected to be a major star before long.

Mark Schultz: A three-time champion for Oklahoma from 1981-83, and a 1984 Olympic gold medalist, he was in Detroit for a UFC show in 1996 to work the corner when there was a pullout. The night before the show, on almost a lark, he agreed to fight Gary Goodridge, and used his wrestling to beat Goodridge. But he never fought again. At the time, he was head wrestling coach at Brigham Young University and UFC was being savaged by the media. The college told him he couldn't be associated with MMA.

Mike Van Arsdale The 1988 champion at 167 pounds for Iowa State. Van Arsdale, who competed for years internationally for the U.S., went 4-1 in 1998, losing a brutal match in Brazil to Wanderlei Silva. He came back years later and although in his early 40s, still competes and has a 9-5 record, including a high profile loss to Couture.

Dave Meltzer covers mixed martial arts for Yahoo! Sports. Meltzer, who has published the pro wrestling trade industry publication the Wrestling Observer Newsletter since 1982, began covering MMA with UFC 1 in 1993. He is a graduate of San Jose State University, and has written for the Oakland Tribune, Los Angeles Times, and The National. Send Dave a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Technique - Triangle Choke

2008-01-29T15:37:00.001-08:00

A triangle choke is a type of strangulation technique used with four-figure chokehold trick which encircles opponent's neck and an arm such that the whole posture looks like a triangle. It is commonly known as Sankaku Jime in judo. Triangle choke constricts blood flow from carotid arteries to brains. The technique can cause unconsciousness from 10 to 15 seconds. It may kill the opponent when held too long. It is used with strict guidelines in judo fights since it is the most dreaded technique to be used. And is also used in various grappling martial arts including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Professional Wrestling, Sambo and other mixed martial arts competition.

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, this technique is usually applied with the legs from a guarding position held from the ground. One leg of the attacker encircles the neck and arm of the opponent, with the knee next to the opponent's neck; the other leg crosses the ankle of his first leg, using the foot of the first leg to lock the second leg of the opponent at the knee. The effectiveness of the technique can be increased by pulling the legs together and using the arms to pull the opponent's head towards the attacker's shoulder.

Triangle chokes are of different types such as arm triangle choke, anaconda choke and side triangle choke. These triangle chokes are widely taught or practiced under the basic kimura closed guard and open guard techniques. The triangle choke method has become immensely popular, and is depicted in many movies, for example in Lethal Weapon, this triangle choke is illustrated.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gina_Dean

Nerve Strikes - With Your Knee

2008-01-29T15:35:00.000-08:00

You face your attacker. It's going to be a close-range fight. Your assailant grabs you, and drops to the ground in pain. You already know this nerve strike. The beauty of this application is you execute your nerve strikes with your knee.

Nerve Strikes From Childhood Antics
When you were a kid, did you ever receive (or give) a "Charlie Horse?"

It's that sickeningly painful feeling you get when someone raps his or her knuckles on the center of one of your muscles.

When we were kids, the older boys in the neighborhood would pound us a good one on the edge of the biceps or on the middle of the thigh. Boy, did those punches hurt -- a nerve strike, right on the muscle. Ouch.

Using the Thigh Nerve Strike
Early in my martial-arts studies with Steve Golden (original Bruce Lee and Ed Parker student), the more senior students reacquainted me with the nerve strike on the thigh muscle.

Except, they executed their thigh nerve strikes with their knees.

We would be in close, fighting. I would concentrate on the hands, and make the beginner's error of forgetting about the lower lines of attack.

Suddenly, when my opponent's leg was slightly to the outside of mine, he'd angle his leg back in and dig his knee into my upper leg -- right on the Charlie Horse spot.

The knee would strike my leg, and I would instantly feel like vomiting. The pain started as a sharp pain, but would quickly spread to the rest of the thigh. I had to limp to the side of the workout area.

Improving Your Nerve Strikes
Execute your nerve strikes when your opponent's attention is focused on your face or hands. In other words:

* Take advantage of unexpected distractions
* Create your own distractions
* Knee strike as a secondary move
* Don't look down before you strike -- no sense warning your opponent

And as you strike with your knee into the nerves on the thigh, already be on your way with your follow-up technique.

What and where will you strike while your opponent is reacting to the nerve strike on the thigh? Will you follow with another nerve strike to a different part of the body?

If you like efficient martial-arts strikes and counters, then read my new, Free ebooklet:

Download this Free ebooklet: Elbow Strikes and Counters

For an article on martial arts solo training, read Training By Yourself.

Here's a site about punching harder and faster ... Free Punch ebook.

Keith Pascal is a martial-arts writer and has taught martial arts for 25 years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Pascal

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Technique - The Turtle Mount

2008-01-19T20:49:00.001-08:00

The turtle mount is also know as rear mount or the back mount - Top. In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques the turtle mount involves one to be behind the opponent, with one's legs hooked around them(the opponent). In this turtle mount position, one has a major advantage over the opponent. It is an excellent position by which one can apply chokes since the opponent is unable to see what you're doing. The back mount is used when the opponent is on all-fours position. It is advised to be sure and confident, and hook your feet around the opponent so that the opponent can't throw you off. This is yet another transition of the turtle mount from behind. In this position the back mount can also be used when one is on their own back. This position arises when the opponent tries to roll you off from the first back mount position. For the turtle mount one should always remember to hook the feet on to the opponents hips and never cross the feet, else this will end up in a nasty foot lock.

Modern day competitions have proved that the 'turtle mount' is a very powerful way to control an opponent. However the medieval samurai and submission grappler's had different concerns while grappling on the ground. The major advantage of this position is that an opponent becomes helpless to a number of submissions and has very little options or positions to escape and counter-attack. The turtle mount is not favored much in classical Ju-jutsu, because disengaging from an opponent and moving to another position quickly, is quite difficult.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gina_Dean

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Technique - The Guard

2008-01-19T20:45:00.000-08:00

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and ground-fighting the most common position used is the Guard. In this position the opponent is said to be the guard when one wraps legs around the opponent. This becomes a dominating position as one is on the back of the opponent. In the guard position it is easy to apply joint locks and chokes. With the legs crossed behind the opponents back it is possible to straighten the legs, so as to crush opponents chest. This position could be very uncomfortable for the opponent and obviously make it hard for them to breathe.

It is said by experts that 'being in someone's guard is not as severe as being mounted'. There are not many techniques that will defeat the opponent. It is better to escape and attain a position such as the mount and then apply submission holds. Yet another variant of this position is the simple 'closed' guard. In this guard position one has to keep the head on the floor to save energy. If the opponent is throwing strikes, it is better not to leave head on the floor; it becomes easy for the opponent to knock out with nothing to cushion the blows. For beginners the 'closed' guard position is the best, it prevents the opponent from escaping easily. Scissor Sweep or the 'Guard to Mount' is a transition technique. In this guard position the feet are uncrossed and put on the ground by putting weight on your right foot and left shoulder. With this movement on can take up the mounted position.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gina_Dean

Standing Locks - Effective or Not

2008-01-19T20:44:00.000-08:00

Many times the following has been seen and experienced. Two martial artists are sparring. They spar using strikes, clinch fighting, takedowns and ground fighting. There strikes are impressive, there clinching fighting is smooth as are there takedowns and they move from submission to submission incorporating locks to nearly every joint and a variety of chokes when on the ground. They seem to be experts in there field, except that not one can apply a lock of any type while standing. Why?

Well the reason why, is because of the fact that they are both experienced fighters. To be able to apply a lock (standing or on the ground) a few factors need to be addressed. Firstly the person being locked must not be able to move away from it. When standing, it is very hard to control an opponent from moving away. On the floor it is much easier especially if they are on there back or lying on there front. When standing, as soon as your opponent sees that you are going for a lock, he/she will quickly move away. On the ground your opponent may see that you are going for a lock but it may be nearly impossible for him/her to move from it, so there is more of a chance they shall be locked. Secondly, when standing, and after moving away from the intended lock, your opponent creates gaps and breaks the tight hold that is necessary for a lock to be applied. There must be leverage in order to apply a knee bar, arm locks or any other type of lock. Being very tight into your opponent is the only way to create this leverage. So when your opponent moves away from you, the leverage is lost and the lock will not be applied. Thirdly, being easier for your opponent to hit you when standing, than when on the ground, as you try to put on a lock from a standing position, your opponent can easily strike you with any limb available, and since you are trying to lock your opponent with one or both hands, your defence is weak. On the ground, your opponent may be in a position where it is impossible to strike effectively as a lock is being applied which makes it easier for you to apply it.

This is not to say that locks have no place in standing situations, but they are much harder to apply. Against a trained opponent who may expect locks during sparring, then there is a small chance of pulling one off, against someone on the street with no fighting experience, it may be easier. Following up locks after a hard strike are good times to apply them as your opponent may be stunned from the strike, and his/her reflexes and attention might not be available to react to the lock. The bottom line is that practice is needed and experience of the best way to apply locks from standing positions is necessary to be able to pull them off.

Markos

markschat.blogspot.com Fighting and Training Methods for the Realistic Martial Artist

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Markos_Markou

Sprawl and Brawl Guide for Mixed Martial Arts

2008-01-19T20:43:00.001-08:00

Sprawl and Brawl is the hottest thing in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) right now. Just ask fighters like former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell.

A kickboxer who prefers to stand and pick his opponents apart with strikes rather than grapple either standing or on the floor, the 'Iceman' is one of the best no holds barred fighters in the world, and you can bet it's because he knows how to stop the takedown.

Liddell may be known as a kickboxer, but not many people know that before he started training as a striker he competed for many years in both high school and college as a freestyle wrestler. Not all of us have the luxury to be able to spend that long learning the intricacies of the grappling arts.

If you're a boxer or kickboxer who trains in mixed martial arts, you'll know how difficult it is to stop a determined grappler from putting you on your back. Once a submission artist has you on the canvas, it can feel like you're drowning in quicksand, with a choke or joint lock only seconds away.

For a striker, getting drawn into a grappling match is the last thing you want. Even if you're on top of your opponent, a skilled jiu-jitsu exponent can still submit you from his guard, ending the fight and taking away the victory you wanted.

Learning how to wrestle is one answer, but it is only one answer to the anti-grappling conundrum; 'Keep it Standing' is another.

'Keep it Standing' is a revolutionary sprawl and brawl strategy, a cutting edge style of fighting that has found it's way into cages and rings across the world. Everyone from aspiring fighters to seasoned professionals are now using this highly effective and easy-to-learn system.

The keys to staying on your feet and off the mat are simple: good footwork, clean and controlled punches and a knowledge of how grapplers think. Even though it sounds simple, learning how to resist and combat a grappler's game plan is a subtle and complicated endeavour.

You'll need to learn that distance is the key to preventing the takedown, and that footwork is what controls distance. Punching from a solid and stable, yet mobile base is paramount. One of the biggest errors made by strikers is over-commital, putting everything into shots that miss and allow a grappler the opportunity to take them down. If you fight with flat feet, you're asking to be taken down.

If a grappler does get in range, then the last thing you want to do is grapple with him. Even sprawling on your opponent gives him what he wants - you've entered his world now, a place where your strengths are negated and his will prevail. By entering into the grappling phase you're deviating from your strategy, and taking away your ability to knock him out.

Resisting the temptation to clinch with your opponent is another mistake made by strikers. Even if you remain on your feet, clinching with a grappler allows them the opportunity to not only take you down but to tie you up on the fence or ropes and work for position. You can't punch somebody in the face with knockout power when you're chest to chest.

Simply put, if you want to defend the takedown then you need to learn how to Keep it Standing. Leading mixed martial arts coach and trainer of champions Karl Tanswell understands exactly what you need to do to keep it on the feet, and his DVD breaks down exactly what you need to know.

Keeping it on the feet is what all strikers want to do. If you're a boxer or a kickboxer who fights in mixed martial arts, or even a martial artist concerned with realistic self defence applications, then you'll want to discover the secrets to keeping it standing.

Glyn Powditch
BJJ Purple Belt
Judoka
MMA Instructor

http://www.sbguk.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glyn_Powditch

Nerve Strikes - With Your Knee

2007-12-27T23:19:00.001-08:00

Nerve Strikes From Childhood Antics
When you were a kid, did you ever receive (or give) a "Charlie Horse?"

It's that sickeningly painful feeling you get when someone raps his or her knuckles on the center of one of your muscles.

Except, they executed their thigh nerve strikes with their knees.

We would be in close, fighting. I would concentrate on the hands, and make the beginner's error of forgetting about the lower lines of attack.

Suddenly, when my opponent's leg was slightly to the outside of mine, he'd angle his leg back in and dig his knee into my upper leg -- right on the Charlie Horse spot.

Improving Your Nerve Strikes
Execute your nerve strikes when your opponent's attention is focused on your face or hands. In other words:

* Take advantage of unexpected distractions
* Create your own distractions
* Knee strike as a secondary move
* Don't look down before you strike -- no sense warning your opponent

And as you strike with your knee into the nerves on the thigh, already be on your way with your follow-up technique.

What and where will you strike while your opponent is reacting to the nerve strike on the thigh? Will you follow with another nerve strike to a different part of the body?

If you like efficient martial-arts strikes and counters, then read my new, Free ebooklet:

Download this Free ebooklet: Elbow Strikes and Counters

For an article on martial arts solo training, read Training By Yourself.

Here's a site about punching harder and faster ... Free Punch ebook.

Keith Pascal is a martial-arts writer and has taught martial arts for 25 years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Pascal

How to Avoid These MMA Workout Mistakes

2007-12-27T23:17:00.000-08:00

If your Mixed Martial Arts workout could produce any results you desire, what would those be? Would you like to have more strength? Maybe you'd like to be more flexible. Or maybe you'd like to fight until that final bell rings without getting tired?

The answers you just came up with in your head probably depend on your current strengths and weaknesses. And I'm willing to bet that right now you have some area of physical weakness that you've thought "If I only had better (fill in the blank), my performance would improve ten fold. Recognizing this is a huge step forward because these weak areas are what really hold your performance back.

For example, take the fighter who is very physically strong. Whenever you have to train with this guy, you think to yourself "I hate fighting this guy. He over powers me every time."

But then you remind yourself that while he is very strong, his strength doesn't last for very long. You know that if you can force him to exert some energy, his strength quickly drains.

In the end, it's not his incredible strength that stands out, but his lack of endurance. Endurance is his Achilles heel, and pretty soon his strength doesn't even matter anymore.

The other example that I've seen a lot, is the fighter who has incredible flexibility, but very little strength.

Flexibility is such a great thing for a mixed martial artist to have because it gives you a very distinct advantage over your opponents. But again, it's usually your weak areas that show through the most.

There are some really great fighters out there that are incredibly flexible, but they lack strength, power, and conditioning - or even all three.

Don't let your weak areas overshadow your strengths. Don't let your opponent negate your strength because your endurance is weak. Don't let your opponent overcome your superior technique because your conditioning is faulty.

Strengthen your current physical short comings and your performance will improve ten fold.

Use an Ideal MMA Workout:

Just like a mixed martial artist cross trains in fighting styles - becoming great at wrestling, Jiu Jitsu, submissions, boxing, kickboxing, etc - he also needs to "cross train" in his physical conditioning.

Your ideal mixed martial arts workout should build up all of the physical tools you need.

It shouldn't focus just on flexibility, just on strength, or just on endurance. It should improve all of those things together - as much as is possible. This way you don't end up like the guy we talked about above who has a ton strength, but gets tired too fast. This way you won't be the guy who can run a two and a half hour marathon, but doesn't have any functional strength.

In a fight, you don't use flexibility, or strength or endurance separately. They are all combined at the same time. And you will be more successful if you have a good balance of all of them. So the best mixed martial arts workouts train these elements simultaneously.

Rickson Gracie explains this concept -

"[In a] fight you must have speed. You must be flexible. You must have strength. You must have endurance. Everything at once. And the exercises I do combine all of them."

So now I would like to give you a very simple, but powerful way, to put this into action so your workouts actually simulate a fight.

Pick five exercises or drills to perform. (There are way too many options to cover them all in this article) We will just pick a few simple ones that you probably already know how to do.

We'll use a variety of bodyweight exercises: pushups, sit-ups, squats, lunges, and leg lifts. These exercises are very basic, but you can substitute different exercises in the future.

We have chosen five exercises that hit various muscle groups throughout your entire body.

Now you want to perform the exercises in a continuous, circuit style fashion for five minutes straight without stopping. To make the workout even more specific to mixed martial arts, you can add 30 second bouts of shadow boxing to the circuit. Here's a quick run down of the end result:

Minute 1:
30 seconds - pushups
30 seconds - shadow boxing

Minute 2:
30 seconds - sit-ups
30 seconds - shadow boxing

Minute 3:
30 seconds - squats
30 seconds - shadow boxing

Minute 4:
30 seconds - leg lifts
30 seconds - shadow boxing

Minute 5:
30 seconds - lunges
30 seconds - shadow boxing

Now, you have a very simple, high intensity, five-minute workout that you can use any time, anywhere.

This circuit style MMA workout conditions your body to perform the same way you would in a fight, getting no rest for an entire five minutes and using a wide variety of full body exercises.

The workout seems simple, but you'll begin experiencing positive results very quickly if you use the process as I have outlined it above. And, as your conditioning improves, you can begin implementing more advanced exercises and more MMA-specific drills to increase the intensity and take your conditioning to an even higher level!

Powerhouse author, specializing in Mixed Martial Arts workouts, conditioning and training, Marcus Fisher, has a passion for helping fighters, grapplers and other combat athletes reach their peak performance.

He runs a training website filled with resources for mixed martial artists, grapplers and fighters including workout articles, conditioning books, training manuals and DVDs. Visit his MMA Training, Workout and Conditioning site and while you're there, you can also get his free daily health and conditioning tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcus_Fisher

Pressure Points

2007-12-27T23:16:00.001-08:00

Martial artists are known for making use of pressure points in a fight. Whether applying a joint lock or pressing a spot on the body with a finger, martial practitioners can inflict pain, at will.

They press a spot on the arm, maybe another behind the ear, and their opponents howl in pain.

For the purpose of this discussion and this martial-arts article only, a pressure point will be any point on the body, other than a vulnerable target, that when pressed with a finger, causes pain. (This modified definition will suit our purpose.)

We could argue that an eyeball or groin is a pressure point. After all, press your finger into someone’s eyeball and you’ll get that yelp of agony.

Still, I am more interested in the almost secret pressure points. These pressure points are great for:

* Striking with a phoenix eye fist (one raised knuckle) at a particular spot, possibly to end the fight in one move.
* Pressing a particular point, to control your opponent more after snapping on a wrist lock. Use the pressure point to move your opponent.
* Either hitting or pressing a point, to cause a reaction. Your opponent retracts his (or her) arm in pain, and BAM! Exactly what you wanted.

Finding Martial Arts Pressure Points
If pressure points are such a secret how is a martial artist to find good pressure points to use in a real fight?

Don’t martial artists closely guard their pressure point secrets?

Here are my suggestions for developing good pressure points for self defense:

* Experiment with spots that you know from past experience hurt. For example the mastoid process is the soft spot behind the ear. Press that indentation lightly to feel the pain. Also, above the inside of the elbow has a good soft spot.
* Join a martial arts class that focuses on self defense. Good classes incorporate pressure points into their curriculum.
* Find Chinese health charts that show meridians and pressure points. Hint -- the pressure points shown near where muscles, ligaments, and tendons are attached often offer some painful pressure points.
* Watch videos of real fights -- or something that has a few aspects of realism, like UFC. If you see someone cause pain by hooking a thumb under the jaw, that should give you a beginning point for experimentation.
* Read more articles on the subject and take notes. For example, here’s a useful article that will take you beyond pressure points in causing pain, Martial Arts -- Beyond Pressure Points

Now, the question is ... will you be able to make use of your pressure points in a real street fight? If you worry about gripping fear in a fight, then read my ebook:

This Free ebooklet will help you to be ready for any street fight -- any attack.

Download Free --“Street Fighting Tips #1 -- Ready for Anyone and Anything”

Keith Pascal has been a full-time martial-arts writer for eight years and a martial-arts teacher for 25 years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Pascal

What if We Eliminated The Belt System in Martial Arts

2007-12-27T23:14:00.000-08:00

A few years ago I delivered a major customer service training program to a large company in the Midwest.

When the going got rough, as it always seems to do when you're trying to introduce sweeping change to hundreds of workers, one of my contacts at the company, in exasperation, asked:

"Why can't you just give us a prize and go away?"

It seems the same service unit I was struggling to fix had the misfortune to have been handed a "Best in Service" award by an industry survey company, the previous year.

From that point forward, many of the workers were simply ineducable. They thought they knew everything, were already wonderful, and couldn't really advance. Moreover, they didn't want to get any better at what they did for a living.

At my own expense I flew to New England to interview the president of the company that issued the award to that flawed team. Along with a few of his key associates, we had lunch and at one very relaxed moment I asked him: "What would happen if your company stopped issuing customer service awards?"

He looked at me to check my sanity and then said, barely suppressing a laugh, "Why we'd go broke."

I had him, and I knew it.

Then, I asked: "So, you're really in the PRIZE business even more than the survey research business, right?""

Knowing he was cornered, he forced a smile and conceded, "I guess we are."

I offer this elaborate tale to put a question to you, especially if you own or belong to a martial arts dojo.

Are you in the martial arts training field or in the "belt business?" And what would happen if you decided to eliminate the various belt ranks, which range in most cases from white to black?

Would you go broke as well?

I happen to believe the belt system of promotion, while exceedingly popular in the United States and in many countries, is fundamentally flawed and it, too, leads people to aim at the prize instead of the underlying capabilities that the prizes, in this case the belts, signify.

This isn't sour grapes. After eight arduous and sacrificial years, I was awarded my black belt in kenpo karate.

But many aspects of the belt-chase were counterproductive, and if I had it to do over again, I doubt I'd join a dojo that uses this system of recognition and advancement. As I pointed out in a recent article:

"Belts make the trainee impatient and greedy for the next promotion, for acquiring the next color in the martial arts rainbow. Belts spawn competition among peers to become the first to test for the next higher level, causing a certain amount of strife, accusations of favoritism or toadyism, and occasionally injuries as contestants vie for increasingly distinguished and relatively unpopulated rungs on the status ladder.

"You might find it interesting to note, in the last paragraph I alluded to, arguably six of The Seven Deadly Sins, articulated in the Bible and by various theologians through time, including Pope St. Gregory and Buddha. These are vices that the sages have said mortals are wise to avoid indulging: Pride, Greed, Envy,Wrath/Anger. Lust, Gluttony, and Sloth. It makes you wonder if the Enlightened One would feel comfortable meditating under the bodhi tree with a martial arts sash tied around his waist!"

Perhaps getting rid of the belt system would leave only those students that genuinely want to learn and teachers that want to teach. Instead of focusing inordinately on symbols of achievement, perhaps we could dedicate ourselves to the real thing.

Dr. Gary S. Goodman is a top trainer, conference and convention speaker, sales, customer service, and negotiation consultant, and attorney. A frequent expert commentator on radio and TV, he is also the best-selling author of 12 books, more than 1,000 articles and several popular audio and video programs. His seminars are sponsored internationally and he teaches at more than 40 university extension programs, including UC Berkeley and UCLA. Gary's sales, management and consulting experience is combined with impressive academic credentials: A Ph.D. from USC, an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School of Management, and a J.D. degree from Loyola Law School, his clients include several Fortune 1000 companies.

His web site is: http://www.customersatisfaction.com and he can be reached at: gary@customersatisfaction.com - His blogs include: YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS! and ALWAYS COLD CALL! at: http://www.alwayscoldcall.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Gary_S._Goodman

Top 10 Mixed Martial Arts Dream Matches - No Rematches

2007-12-27T23:13:00.001-08:00

Many MMA fans have their own personal fights that they would like to see, but might never happen. Hopefully the list I'm about write with come true and these fights will take place at some point in time. Chuck Liddell vs Wanderlei Silva is on for UFC 79, so that dream match has finally come true. Obviously there are many rematches that we would like to see, but I'll save that for another post.

10. Forrest Griffin vs Quinton Rampage Jackson- Dana White is dreaming of the day this fight takes place, both hardcore and reletively new fans would pay to see this fight. Griffin is coming off an amazing victory over Mauricio Rua, a fighter that Jackson lost too badly. Rampage has been on a roll and is getting more and more popular because of his charisma and personality.

9. BJ Penn vs Sean Sherk- This fight was planned and I was really excited about it, but unfortunately Sherk tested positive for steroids and now the lightweight belt is in limbo. Penn was recently quoted as telling Sherk to "grow some balls", this fight should happen down the road.

8. Wanderlei Silva vs Mauricio Shogun Rua- Wanderlei has stated many times that he will not fight his longtime friend and training partner, but what a fight it would be. They know each others styles in and out, it would be a true chess match. One stipulation, the fight has to be in a ring and soccer kicks and stomps are allowed.

7. Fedor Emelianenko vs Josh Barnett- This fight should've already happen but it never materialized. Barnett has long been considered the biggest threat to dethrone the Russian king, Emelianenko. For fans who have followed both of the fighter's careers this would be the ultimate test for Fedor.

6. Takanori Gomi vs Gilbert Melendez- This fight would be a war and both fighters have common opponents. Both fighters like to slug it out and it could be very similar to Gomi vs Nick Diaz which is one of the best fights Ive ever seen.

5. Anderson Silva vs Paulo Filho- Both of these fighters have tremendous Jiu-Jitsu skills, obviously Silva would have the advantage standing, but whatever the strategy would be this would be a dream matchup. Filho is undefeated and Silva looks like he could beat anyone on the planet right now. Dana White if your listening "Sign Paulo Filho!!!!".

4. Wanderlei Silva vs Fedor Emelianenko- Wanderlei has fought heavyweights like Crocop twice and Mark Hunt, why not the Fedor. This fight could've happened if Pride was still around, with their open-weight grand prix tournaments. Both fighters are warriors who give it everything they have in every fight. This fight is unfortunately probably never gonna happen.

3. Dan Henderson vs Anderson Silva- If Henderson were to drop back to middleweight, the hype for this fight would be enormous. Both fighters are so well-versed in every aspect of the game. Would Hendo's wrestling be too much for Silva? Could Hendo avoid the nasty clinch of Silva? Many more questions would be answered if this superfight were to take place.

2. Fedor Emelianenko vs Randy Couture- Whether you hate Fedor or you love him, all 3 fights with him in it that are on this list, you would pay to see. This fight was close to happening, if the UFC could've signed Fedor it would've probably been his first fight. Now that Fedor has signed with M-1 global and Couture has quit the UFC, its only a matter of months left on Couture's UFC contract that we could see this fight. Could Couture press the greco roman clinch and dirty box Fedor to death or would it be just another day at the office for the Russian experiment?

1. Kazushi Sakuraba vs Rickson Gracie- The "Gracie Hunter" against the legendary champion of the Gracie family, who claims to have won over 300 fights without a loss. This fight will probably never happen, but we can dream. This fight would be so huge in Japan you would probably have to kill 3 people just to get a nose bleed seat.

Richard Pauley is the writer of the 2 MMA blogs below.
http://onepunchko.com
http://ultimatemma.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Pauley

SIMPLE WAY OF FIGHTING.....PRACTICAL COACHING

2007-12-04T00:22:00.000-08:00

Eric Florez vs Louisville MMA

2007-12-04T00:19:00.000-08:00

Why you Should Watch Aikido Video Clips

2007-12-04T00:11:00.000-08:00

Aikido was developed by as a martial art by Morihei Ueshiba who studied several martial arts since 1912. Known to many aikido practitioners as "O Sensei" or the "Great Teacher," Ueshiba was able to develop the martial art based on a purely physical level using techniques and movements such those of "Jujitsu" and "Kenjutsu" called "aikido."

It is believed that aikido was first introduced to the Western culture way back in 1951 by a martial arts practitioner Minoru Mochizuki when he visited France. Then, he introduced aikido and several aikido techniques to judo students in different areas of France. After this introduction, Tadashi Abe, who cane as the official Aikikai Honbu representative in 1952, remained in France for less than seven years and continued the pursuit.

The following year, Kenji Tomiki conducted a tour along with various martial arts delegates in 15 continental states in the US. And in that same year, Koichi Tohei of Aikikai Honbu was sent by for a year to Hawaii just to set up a number of dojos. After invading the US, Aikido gained patronage in the UK, Germany, and Australia. Today, thousands of dojos are set up for those who would want to learn the practice of the martial art.

BITS AND PIECES OF AIKIDO

If you are interested with aikido but do not have the time and money to go to a dojo and enroll for an aikido class, then you should find other means to do so. One of the easiest ways to introduce yourself into the exciting world of aikido is to browse the Internet and look for aikido video clips.

Being a limitless source of any information, browsing the Internet for various aikido video clips can give you better options and the specific details you would want to learn. Today, there are so many websites that offer aikido clip videos for free for those who would want to learn the basics and for those who would want to get an idea how the martial art works before enrolling to it.

Usually, aikido video clips contain loose form training or popularly known as "ki nagare." Here, the aikido practitioners are just playing around even and after the martial art presentation. The most viewed aikido video clips are those of famous aikido practitioners while conducting their classes or during their practice. But since these are just clips, it is not possible for you to learn everything about the techniques of the martial art.

Amateurs who document the practitioner's lessons and stunts during practice usually take these aikido video clips. Since these are taken in impromptu, you cannot expect high quality resolution and sound. The most common problem would be is that the aikido video clip has a noisy background due to the noises created by people from neighboring gym hall or from the enthusiastic audience inside the dojo.

After filming, they upload these files into the Internet so others can see it. Although these are just short clips, there is a possibility that you pick up aikido techniques that you can practice. Unlike in full-length aikido videos, the variety of aikido techniques is limited when you watch an aikido video clip.

Aikido video clips are available in various aikido sites or from yahoo, google, and u-tube. There are many more websites that offer free aikido video clips but expect that limited amount of information can be gathered.
http://www.articlesbase.com/martial-arts-articles/why-you-should-watch-aikido-video-clips-199516.html

Street Fighting - Timing Between Techniques

2007-11-21T17:57:00.001-08:00

Street Fight Advice

This is not a sparring session. This is the real deal ... a real street attack. Now, what?

In a street fight, assuming that you can’t get away, you are either going to have to deal with a hit or kick or you are going to have to be the one to make the first move.

Even if you are being attacked, you can still be the first one to strike.

Note: Often the courts will rule against you, if you are the first to hit. In their eyes, that’s not self defense. Even if you feel you were forced to strike out, in order to protect yourself. Be aware of the law.

So, at some point, you are going to have to hit. Even if you kick first, then chances are that you will eventually hit, as well. If your attacker hits first, then you are really going to have to hit.

Either you will respond to your attacker’s hit with a block and then a hit, a kick and then a hit, or a hit -- eliminating any extra blocking motion that would precede the punch.

Did you know that once you are in punching range, you will probably continue the fight from that range, or move even closer.

If you’d like to get a martial advantage, then you need to get the upper hand. You have to punch and kick openings. And you have to punch when your opponent isn’t ready for it.

How to Get the Upper Hand Between Moves

I want you to imagine that you are punching an attacker in a street fight. As discussed above, at some point you are going to punch your enemy.

So, you punch (in your mind, for now).

Now, as you punch, I want you to imagine stepping in close as the follow up. I want you close enough to elbow strike your opponent. (Imagine the garlic on your opponent’s breath. Yes, that close.)

In order to get the advantage, you need to shorten the time between that first punch and the elbow strike.

Since street fights progress to close combat range. I want you to get to that range first. Surprise your attacker with the elbow strike.

How do you shorten the space between the two strikes?

Don’t retract your first punch. Morph directly into the elbow shot.

Don’t cock back your elbow in preparation for a strong elbow jab. You don’t need any retraction, first. You can generate a ton of power and save a lot of time going straight forward to your target.

If you can eliminate enough time between the two strikes, then you will be at least a half a beat ahead of your opponent. In a street fight, this can be very important.

So far, this has all been in your mind ... words on a computer screen. How are you going to practice, to make this a real skill?

By the way, how’s your elbow strike?

If you are looking to make your elbow strike faster and stronger, AND you want a great response for when someone tries to get the advantage over you with an elbow strike ... then check out my Free ebooklet on Developing an Elbow Strike Counter. This is a guaranteed skill builder.

This Free ebooklet will give you tips for improving your in-close elbow strike, and a great way to counter almost any elbow strike attempted on you.

The Perfect Free ebooklet for street fighting. Click Here!

Keith Pascal has been a full-time martial-arts writer for eight years and a martial-arts teacher for 25 years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Pascal

Street Fighting - When Your Attacker Is Drunk

2007-11-21T17:55:00.000-08:00

Would you like an unorthodox tactic for dealing with someone drunk in a street fight?

This one concept could mean that you either won’t have to fight the drunk individual, or you’ll have a definite upper hand, if you do have to fight.

I want to ask you a personal question?

Have you ever been drunk? (No, need to verbally respond to your computer screen.)

Think about all of the symptoms (or characteristics) of being drunk:

* Loss of balance

* The spins (feelings of vertigo)

* Loss of speed in walking and running

* Movement causing nausea

* Loss of stamina

* Blurred vision

* Slurred speech

Can you think of any more?

Unorthodox Street Fighting Tactics
Rather than explain specific martial-arts moves, I’d like to give you a more useful set of tactics.

If you have to face someone being aggressive, who is ‘royally snockered’ on alcohol, then use his (or her) condition to your advantage.

Let’s choose one of the above symptoms ... how about movement making a drunk person sick.

You have to face the drunk street fighter in front of you. So, your tactic could be to be unstable. Rock from one foot to the other.

Take little steps from side to side.

Maybe walk around or circle your opponent, while staying just out of reach.

Imagine how sick your drunkard would get trying to follow you ... around and around ... and aroun -- d....

Are there any other symptoms on the list that you could use against your wanna-be assailant?

Of course, this unorthodox tactic of using your drunks condition against him isn’t guaranteed to work. It “is” designed to give you the advantage. Maybe the ability to get away.

And if your attacker comes in close, you will have the martial skills and the advantage of a clear head, should you have to strike out.

Are you wondering about an effective move to use against a drunk? No, wrist locks and joint locks may not work on someone with dulled senses.

You may have to hit or kick.

I have a little ebooklet that will teach you a couple of important fighting skills. It’s free.

When you get to the part about the three nerve areas to cause pain, I want you to remember that those points may not be as effective on someone who is drunk.

No problem. Just adjust your follow-up hit to a new target, but maintain the same upper arm pressure.

You’ll see what I mean, when you take a look.

This Free ebooklet really will give you tips for improving your in-close elbow strike, and a great way to counter almost any elbow strike attempted on you.

The Perfect Free ebooklet for street fighting. Click Here!

Keith Pascal has been a full-time martial-arts writer for eight years and a martial-arts teacher for 25 years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Pascal

Street Fighting - One Way To Make Sparring More Realistic

2007-11-21T17:54:00.000-08:00

There has always been a big debate in martial arts:

Does sparring in the dojo (martial arts studio) prepare you for real street fighting?

Many feel that the answer is that it doesn’t prepare you, if you practice “classical” sparring.

(Which is weird if you think about it. It doesn’t prepare you for real street fighting, yet so many continue sparring, claiming they are practicing self defense. Hmmm.)

What I mean by classical sparring is that you face off against one opponent. (Only one opponent? We should be so lucky in a street fight.)

Either you advance on your opponent, or your opponent advances on you. One tries a move, the other responds with a pat against the incoming limb. All nice and clean.

Yawn. Boring -- and not very practical.

Both opponents stay at a relatively safe distance.

Sparring Variation

A variation that is a little better -- notice, I said “a little” -- is when one opponent attacks, and then there is an exchange of two or three moves before each party goes back to his or her comfort zone -- the safe distance.

Well, at least in the variation, there is some contact. You have to respond to an attack.

Still, it’s not preparing you for real street fighting.

Street Fight Preparedness

In a real street fight, when have you known any fighter to maintain a safe distance. Once contact is made, it becomes an in-fight. And it stays that way.

And so, one technique for making your sparring more realistic is to stay in close, once you make contact. Don’t retreat to a safe kicking distance, once you have moved into punching range.

And learn to fight in close.

Practice short vertical punches. Kick low. Develop fast and powerful elbow strikes.

If you're looking to develop a fast and powerful elbow strike for your street fighting, and a good counter or two, read my Free ebooklet on Developing an Elbow Strike Counter.

This Free ebooklet will give you tips for improving your in-close elbow strike, and a great way to counter almost any elbow strike attempted on you.

The Perfect Free ebooklet for street fighting. Click Here!

Keith Pascal has been a full-time martial-arts writer for eight years and a martial-arts teacher for 25 years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Pascal

Ray Mercer vs. Kimbo Slice - Both Fighters Make Their MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Debut

2007-11-21T17:53:00.001-08:00

By now, most sports fans are very familiar with the UFC and the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. In fact, the sport is rapidly growing to be more popular than boxing. The UFC Ultimate Fighting Championship) has become a household name in many countries around the world. The Cage Fury Fighting Championship is not as well known as the UFC, but they are doing a good job of drawing attention to themselves, because hardcore MMA fans across the globe are anxiously awaiting this weekends show, and the main even in particular. A topic that is often debated is whether or not a world-class boxer would be able to compete successfully in Mixed Martial Arts. Perhaps on Saturday, June 23rd 2007, we'll know at least how former world heavyweight boxing champion Ray Mercer performs in his MMA debut against an internet legend and brawler by the name of Kimbo Slice.

Ray Mercer has a very impressive boxing record, which includes a WBO World Heavyweight Championship, as well as an Olympic gold medal. During his boxing career, Ray Mercer has fought some of the best heavyweights of our generation, such as Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Larry Holmes, and Wladimir Klitschko. Since retiring from professional boxing, "Merciless" Ray Mercer has decided he wants to try Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), the fastest growing sport in the world.

Mercer’s opponent will be another big name making his professional MMA debut. Kimbo Slice is a big, scary looking heavyweight who developed a cult following on the internet due to his famous bare knuckle brawl videos that are posted on various internet sites. Kimbo has appeared very impressive in these fights, but I'm not sure about the quality of his opponents. Nonetheless, Kimbo's power seems unquestionable. Also, in 2003, Kimbo Slice squared off against Sean Gannon, a MMA practicioner who later fought (and lost) in the UFC. Sean Gannon won his fight against Kimbo, leaving Kimbo laying on the ground unable to continue. However, most of Kimbo's opponents were not as skilled. If you watch his videos online, you will see overweight and untrained fighters that use names such as "Afro Puff" or "Big Mac" and inevitably they get punched out by Kimbo.

Both Ray Mercer and Kimbo Slice are primarily stand-up fighters, preferring to slug it out with their fists. Most MMA fans don't believe either of the fighters have any ground skills, but Kimbo has been seen working on his grappling with Bas Rutten, a MMA legend. Ideally, fans would like to see a slugfest, but I won't be surprised if Kimbo tries to take this fight to the ground, considering Ray Mercer is a former boxing world champion with fierce punching power.

Age could also be a determining factor in this match. Kimbo is 31 years old, and Ray Mercer is 46, but that extra experience could be in Mercer's favor. I definitely give the advantage to Ray Mercer if this turns out to be a stand-up battle. Ray Mercer hits like a truck and is known to have an iron chin. Kimbo should try to take this fight to the mat as quickly as he can, unless he just feels confident that he can take Mercer's punches. Also, Kimbo should not make the mistake of underestimating Ray Mercer on the ground, as he has supposedly been training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and also has some background in wrestling.

My heart wants Ray Mercer to win this fight, but if you're going to guess who will win you have to consider which fighter has more desire to win. Kimbo is young, and may still feel like he has something to prove, whereas Ray Mercer has been champion and already established himself in the fight sports world. In 2005 Ray Mercer fought a kickboxing match in K1 against Remy Bonjasky, and quit after being kicked upside the head. I may be wrong, but I'm still going to say Mercer wins this. Regardless of the outcome, I just hope it lives up to the hype and is a legitimate, outstanding fight.

Discuss this fight on the new free MMA Forums at www.mma-extreme.com/forum and visit the front page for random thoughts on the UFC and Mixed Martial Arts world at MMA-Extreme.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=P_Andrews

Choosing the Best Martial Arts Style

2007-11-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

For anyone who wants to learn a martial art, there is a lot to know in regards to the many different styles. Of course there is the question of finding the best martial art, which is a question a lot of people ask with so many martial arts styles to choose from, it can be very complicated to pick one to learn.

No matter what you may hear or what others have to say, it is quite impossible to name one style of martial arts as the ultimate best. Actually, there are several factors that come into play,Even though one style may beat another in a competition or a fight it doesn’t always mean that the winning style is the best.

Before deciding to rush out there and learn a martial art, there are several things that you should decide first. Martial arts are great to learn, no matter which style you decide on. A martial art can teach you self discipline, self defence, and several other traits that will help you no matter where you decide to go in life.

Self defence
All over the world, there are several martial arts schools and dojo’s that emphasize self defence a lot more than others. Schools that focus on kata, forms, or light sparring are less than likely to teach you what you need to protect yourself on the street. If you are looking for street self defence, then you’ll want a style that trains hard and doesn’t let up.

Fitness
Even though martial arts can improve your fitness level, it isn’t the goal behind a lot of the martial arts styles. Several styles, such as Tae Bo, are based purely on martial arts and don’t include a lot of physical fitness training. If you are looking for fitness as your main goal, then you should be looking into something other than martial arts.

Fighting ability
This will vary among the many different martial arts styles. Self defence schools will most often take advantage of fighting skills, teaching you everything you need to survive. Most martial arts styles are slow in theory, teaching you kata, movements, and forms. Self defence schools on the other hand, teach you how to inflict the most amounts of damage in the least amount of time.

Competition
Competition based martial arts are all about winning trophies and showing the world your style of martial arts. The competition that you have chosen, will greatly impact your style of martial arts. You’ll need to decide if you will be fighting or showcasing display kata, light or heavy contact, or focusing on grappling or striking.

Before you decide on a martial arts style, you should always research the schools and dojo’s in your area and see what they offer. The best schools will allow you to participate in a few free classes, or offer you discounts on your first few months. They will answer any questions that you have, and work with you to help you learn as much as you can.

Martial arts can be a very fun and exciting learning experience. There are hundreds of different martial arts styles out there, although you may be limited in choice, depending on what all is offered in your area. Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, and Jiu-Jitsu and some of the most common types of martial arts, and normally offered just about everywhere. The more distinct styles, such as Kung Fu, Shoot fighting, Kenpo, and Shaolin styles are a bit harder to find.

If you do your homework on some of the styles that are offered in your area, you’ll find one that best fits your reasons to study. Martial arts can change your outlook on life - all you have to do is devote yourself to learning all you can about the philosophy of your martial art.

You can find out more information on martial arts styles and which one that might be right for you at www.martialarts-technique.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Maclean

Who is the Best Welterweight Fighter in the Ufc

2007-10-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

While the UFC has certainly upped it's talent pool with the addition of many fighters from the Pride Fighting Championships, the UFC welterweight division has always been deep in talent.

In fact, our top two fighters each hold wins over each other and our #3 fighter holds the title. Hold on for a bumpy ride as I try to justify my top five UFC welterweight rankings.

5. Jon Fitch is #5 on my top UFC welterweight list. While the UFC marketing machine has been busy promoting Diego Sanchez and Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch has been slowly building what is the best record in the welterweight division. In fact, Fitch has not been defeated since 2002. He's beaten Luigi Fioravanti, Thiago Alves, Josh Burkman, Jeff Joslin and Shonie Carter on route to his current thirteen fight winner streak. Unfortunately Fitch has yet to fight any of the fighters in our top 4, something that will be corrected at UFC 76 when he meets our #4 fighter, Diego Sanchez.

4. Diego Sanchez has a near perfect mixed martial arts record. He's gone 20 wins with only one defeat. That defeat came at the hands of Josh Koscheck at UFC 69. Diego was going through some health problems at the time, it turned out to be a staph infection in his leg, and probably didn't fight up to his potential. Wins over Nick Diaz, Karo Parisyan, Joe Riggs and Kenny Florian put Diego up near the big boys in the 170lb weight class.

3. Matt Serra is the current UFC welterweight kingpin. He earned his crown by defeating Georges St Pierre at UFC 69. He not only defeated Georges St Pierre, but humiliated him with a first round knockout. This is the first time that Serra has shown really aggressive, effective striking in the Octagon; I hope it continues. One thing Serra has shown is brilliant Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He's used those skills in wins over Chris Lytle, Yves Edwards and near decision losses to "The Prodigy", BJ Penn and Din Thomas.

2. Matt Hughes is the former UFC welterweight champion. He lost his belt to Georges St Pierre, but not before he had a chance to build up wins over Goerges St Piere, Sean Sherk, Frank Trigg, BJ Penn, Carlos Newton and another MMA legend you may have heard of, Royce Gracie.

1. Georges St Pierre has lost to both the #2 and #3 ranked fighters on this list, so how can I justify ranking Georges #1? Call it gut feeling, call it favoritism, I don't know but what I do know is that Georges St Pierre is the best welterweight fighter in the UFC. Georges does not only have wins over Frank Trigg and Sean Sherk, but dominant, one sided wins. While Matt Hughes struggled with these guys early, Georges just steam rolled them. The same can be said of his second fight with Hughes where St Pierre's striking and take down defense made it a one sided match up. St Pierre has also defeated BJ Penn, in a close decision, Karo Parisyan and most recently Georges surprised the MMA community by out wrestling Josh Koscheck on way to a decisive victory. Georges is back on track and ready to face the winner of Hughes vs Serra.

Matt Hughes and Matt Serra will fight following the conclusion of the Ultimate Fighter "Team Hughes vs Team Serra" reality show. I believe that Georges St Pierre will face the winner of that fight. The truth is, with a talent pool as deep as the UFC welterweight division any one of the top 6 or 7 fighters in the division (add in Karo and Josh) could beat any other one on any given night. That makes every fight in this division exciting!
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-articles/who-is-the-best-welterweight-fighter-in-the-ufc-213645.html

Mixed Martial Arts vs Jeet Kune Do - Is This Even a Legitimate Question

2007-10-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

In 1993, the Ultimate Fighting Championship was unveiled to the world, and along with the UFC, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (specifically, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu). In the first UFC, along with a host of subsequent others that would soon follow, one was privy to watch the seasoned jiu-jitsu stylist, Royce Gracie, beat all comers. And he beat them easily to boot. No matter the martial artist’s size or style, they all went down.

Many in the martial arts community were shocked and their universe seemingly crumbled about them as the striker was continually felled by the grappler. Many threw in the towel and stopped training in the striking-oriented arts (e.g., Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Boxing) altogether and took up grappling as their martial art of choice. Obviously, grappling was a much better—a more effective—system than the other systems. A grappling craze soon ensued and took the world by storm.

Fast forward to 2007. The UFC is still going strong alongside a number of other mixed martial arts (MMA) venues. And yes, grappling is still a mainstay. However, today, we are witnessing the reverse of what we were watching back in 1993 and to follow. Today, we are seeing the emergence of better strikers and thus more striking in such tournaments and less dependence, for the most part, on grappling. Why this reversal?

The analysis of this particular situation is rather simple. For one, most striking arts, traditionally at least, focused entirely upon striking and ignored the other ranges of combat, i.e., trapping and grappling. The grapplers, early on, were able to capitalize on this weakness in the striking game and thus win match after match, at least for a good while.

After a short time, everyone was on the grappling bandwagon and most of the fights became but mere wrestling matches. As the playing game leveled among the fighters as more and more incorporated grappling into their arsenal, striking would again reemerge as something more was needed to “get an edge” over the competition. The result—more well rounded fighters fighting in such venues and thus the emergence of the phenomenon referred to as mixed martial arts.

Some interesting changes took place in the MMA community due to this. The initial UFCs for example were, effectively, no holds barred tournaments with no weight divisions or time limits. As fighters became increasingly more skilled at both the stand-up and ground games weight divisions had to be implemented along with a timed round scheme.

Today, thanks to the UFC primarily and other like fight venues (Pride Fighting, IFL, etc.) one can train in the “new” martial art, MMA, as schools are springing up all over the world, especially in the US, most taught by actual MMA sport fighters.

What is MMA anyway? Well, at base, MMA is a combination of kickboxing and grappling, though this varies from one proponent to the next. Some emphasize the kickboxing aspect of the art and others the grappling. The kickboxing can be either eastern or western or both and the grappling a mixture of jiu-jitsu and wrestling most typically. In either case, the combination provides for some very well rounded sport fighters.

In the minds of many, MMA is itself considered the ultimate martial art. This is, no doubt, in large part due to the effectiveness of MMA and to the many successes of its proponents in both the octagon and ring. It is indeed effective and this can’t be called into question. But, does this effectiveness in the ring translate into effectiveness in the street? More pertinently, is MMA an art for the average individual concerned with self-defense as opposed to prize fighting?
These questions will be considered more fully in the next installment…stay tuned!

M. Shane Huey is a Jeet Kune Do practitioner and freelance author. He makes his home in South Florida where he lives with his wife Kelli. To learn more about the art of Jeet Kune Do, please visit Sifu Lamar M. Davis II's Hard Core JKD.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M._Shane_Huey

The 7 Keys to Martial Arts Speed

2007-09-10T21:24:00.000-07:00

Regardless of your martial arts style or method...you cannot apply it unless you can react quickly and respond instantly. Speed is critical for success in competition and self-defense. Razor-sharp reflexes are often the sole difference between winning and losing a physical confrontation.
By accessing the seven keys to martial arts speed, you can maximize the benefits of your training and improve your skills for competition and self-defense. The absolute best vehicle for accessing the seven keys to martial arts speed is the Speed Loop™ training system.
The Speed Loop is comprised of the seven components of speed and their relationship to each other when applied in competition or self-defense. The Speed Loop training system is designed to isolate, transform, maximize, and integrate the seven attributes of martial arts speed, including:
1. Visual Reflexes: This component focuses on the training methods that will increase your ability to spot openings and track movements. Exceptional visual reflexes allow you to recognize, track, distinguish, adapt to, and counter movements with precision and confidence. In the martial arts, visual reflexes are primarily utilized during long range fighting. In addition, visual reflexes are critical to the success of world-class athletes in all competitive sports.
2. Tactile Reflexes: This component focuses on the training methods that will develop your tactile (touch) reflexes. With practice, you can learn to instantly feel what the opponent is attempting to do by quickly interpreting the direction of his body force. You must anticipate the opponent's every move when you are in the grappling or trapping range. Ninety-five percent of all fights end up in close range. Be prepared!
3. Auditory Reflexes: You can improve your auditory reflexes by enhancing your listening skills. It is important to react quickly to what you hear. In a situation where you must defend yourself against multiple attackers, you will more than likely hear the attack before you see it. If you have ever experienced blind sparring, or fighting in the dark, you know the importance of this attribute.
4. Adaptation Speed: This component deals with your mind's ability to instantaneously select the perfect action in response to an attack or opening. You should develop the ability to instantly select the most effective movements to use at any point during a physical confrontation. Highly developed adaptation speed will allow your reflexes to carry out the movement selection process automatically. With training, you will learn to respond quickly, accurately, and seemingly without thought.
5. Initiation Speed: You must focus on the development of your explosiveness, once you have chosen the correct action to initiate. It's not how fast you move, but how soon you get there that really counts. Your attack may be very fast in flight, but a slow takeoff will severely reduce your chances of effectively landing that attack on target. Train yourself to make your movements felt before they are seen by developing a flawless poker face and the ability to relax at will.
6. Movement Speed: Movement speed is the ability to quickly transfer part or all of your body from one place to another. It is the speed that is most recognized by the public at large. In addition to genetics and body weight, your ability to contract and relax your muscles efficiently will determine your movement speed. Don’t be concerned with “demonstration” speed. Your training should focus on developing the “applied” speed that will help you overwhelm and subdue an opponent in seconds.
7. Alteration Speed: During your training, be sure to engage in drills that will develop the safeguard known as alteration speed. Alteration speed involves the ability to quickly change directions in the midst of movement. Essentially, it involves control of balance and inertia. Through mastery of body mechanics, you can develop the ability to stop your movement instantly…just in case you initiate a wrong move.
In addition to the seven keys, you should incorporate speed hampering drills into your training for complete speed development. Speed Hampering is the ability to effectively slow down the opponent’s reaction time to your attacks. Having good speed hampering skills will enhance your ability to confuse, immobilize, and defeat an opponent.
By focusing on the maximum development of each individual speed component, your training will be more efficient and effective. This will help you develop superior speed and reflexes in the shortest possible time.
Use the innovative Speed Loop training system to improve the seven keys to martial arts speed and you will see a significant improvement in your total speed and reflexes.
About the Author: J. Barnes has more than 20 years of experience in Mixed Martial Arts. He is the author of “Speed Training for Martial Arts: How to Maximize Speed for Competition and Self-Defense,” which is published by Fitness Lifestyle and is available through Amazon.com, all major book retailers, and all major martial arts suppliers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Barnes

Choosing the Best Martial Arts Style

2007-09-01T21:56:00.001-07:00

No matter what you may hear or what others have to say, it is quite impossible to name one style of martial arts as the ultimate best. Actually, there are several factors that come into play,Even though one style may beat another in a competition or a fight it doesn’t always mean that the winning style is the best.

Before deciding to rush out there and learn a martial art, there are several things that you should decide first. Martial arts are great to learn, no matter which style you decide on. A martial art can teach you self discipline, self defence, and several other traits that will help you no matter where you decide to go in life.

Self defence All over the world, there are several martial arts schools and dojo’s that emphasize self defence a lot more than others. Schools that focus on kata, forms, or light sparring are less than likely to teach you what you need to protect yourself on the street. If you are looking for street self defence, then you’ll want a style that trains hard and doesn’t let up.

Fitness Even though martial arts can improve your fitness level, it isn’t the goal behind a lot of the martial arts styles. Several styles, such as Tae Bo, are based purely on martial arts and don’t include a lot of physical fitness training. If you are looking for fitness as your main goal, then you should be looking into something other than martial arts.

Fighting ability This will vary among the many different martial arts styles. Self defence schools will most often take advantage of fighting skills, teaching you everything you need to survive. Most martial arts styles are slow in theory, teaching you kata, movements, and forms. Self defence schools on the other hand, teach you how to inflict the most amounts of damage in the least amount of time.

Competition Competition based martial arts are all about winning trophies and showing the world your style of martial arts. The competition that you have chosen, will greatly impact your style of martial arts. You’ll need to decide if you will be fighting or showcasing display kata, light or heavy contact, or focusing on grappling or striking.

Before you decide on a martial arts style, you should always research the schools and dojo’s in your area and see what they offer. The best schools will allow you to participate in a few free classes, or offer you discounts on your first few months. They will answer any questions that you have, and work with you to help you learn as much as you can.

Martial arts can be a very fun and exciting learning experience. There are hundreds of different martial arts styles out there, although you may be limited in choice, depending on what all is offered in your area. Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, and Jiu-Jitsu and some of the most common types of martial arts, and normally offered just about everywhere. The more distinct styles, such as Kung Fu, Shoot fighting, Kenpo, and Shaolin styles are a bit harder to find.

If you do your homework on some of the styles that are offered in your area, you’ll find one that best fits your reasons to study. Martial arts can change your outlook on life - all you have to do is devote yourself to learning all you can about the philosophy of your martial art.

You can find out more information on martial arts styles and which one that might be right for you at www.martialarts-technique.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Maclean

An Insight Into Muay Thai Kick Boxing

2007-08-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

The exact date muay Thai kick boxing was started is hard to narrow down, but it does date back all the way to medieval times. King Nareasen made it famous in 1560 AD when he was given a chance to fight for his freedom. King Nareasan was victorious, freed, and returned home where he declared the fighting style (then called Siamese style boxing) a national sport.

The art of muay thai kick boxing is known as both a hard martial art and as "the deadly art." Muay thai kick boxing is a self defence art developed in Thailand and it enjoys immense popularity in many south-Asian countries as well. There is a wide variety of forms and styles, just like other styles of martial arts.

Muay thai kick boxing is the national sport of only Thailand, though it has become popular in many other countries. The main point that separates muay thai kick boxing from western developed boxing is the fact you are allowed to use shins, knees, elbows and fists. The fighter is able to use 8 parts of his body to strike his opponent.

About 50 years ago, boxing gloves where introduced - before this it was more common to bond smashed shards of glass to a rope binding around the hands. This practice was ended when international muay thai kick boxing tournaments began. This ultimate full-contact martial art, builds stamina and mental toughness. In Thailand, every boy is mandated to learn muay thai and most girls will learn at least some basic moves.

Muay thai kick boxing is designed to be performed unarmed, as every move can be done with combinations of eight body parts. Unlike other forms of martial arts where grappling is done on the floor, the grappling done in muay thai kick boxing is done while standing. The most common techniques used while grappling are attempts to hit the opponent's stomach or head with the knees. Muay thai kick boxing appears as an extremely violent form of martial arts. Contrary to how it appears, it actually provides you with anger control and a constant strive for peace and unity.

To find out more information on muay thai kick boxing as well as other styles of martial arts go to http://www.martialarts-technique.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Maclean

The Ultimate Fighting Secret

2007-08-20T16:16:00.000-07:00

Last month, I sat down with a group of friends to watch the latest pay-per-view Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event.

The host of the party was a major fan, and he laid out a nice spread for us with plenty of food and cold beer. The fights started and all seemed to be going well until my host started acting as if he knew something about fighting.

Oh, he knew plenty about the UFC athletes, but not much about an actual street fight.

For him, the be-all-end-all was Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He raved about how the Gracie family had invented the sport and how their fighting style dominated anything else out there.

I tried to keep quite, but you can only listen to someone spout the wrong information for so long.

I explained to him that the Gracie's did not invent anything, and that everything they taught they learned from Judo. Sure, they were tough and were a great bunch of athletes (and some of the nicest guys you'd ever meet) but they did not do anything new.

To fully understand BJJ you must first must look at the evolution of jujutsu into the pre-WWII Judo curriculum developed by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century.

Though supporters of BJJ say Kano considered ground fighting unimportant, they couldn't be more wrong. Kano simply stressed standing techniques because it took ten-times longer to learn then ground work.

In fact, in Japan the saying is "One year to learn ground, ten years to learn standing."

One of Kano's students Mitsuyo Maeda, a veteran Judo instructor who had already taught in a number of countries, seemed like the perfect choice to go to Brazil after World War I.

Maeda showed what Judo could do when he defeated many wrestlers and boxers with pins, armbars, and throws. He even allowed one challenger to use a knife and still quickly defeated the man. These exhibitions made Maeda one of the first mix martial artists. He became very popular in Brazil and impressed Gastao Gracie, a wealthy businessman.

In exchange for financial help, Maeda agreed to train his sons. Maeda only had a few months with the boy so he started with the basics and stressed groundwork rather then the more complex standing techniques.

Helio Gracie loved Judo and continued his training and teaching. While it is unsure why he began calling it Jiu Jitsu, every takedowns, throw, and submission were all things he learned from Maeda.

Helio's only defeat (most matches were draws) was to Japanese Judoka Masahiko Kimura who broke Helio's arm and won the match. To Helio's credit, he didn't tap out, but Kimura completely dominated the match throwing his lesser skilled opponent to the ground at will.

The family continued to teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and even brought back "old-school" judo leg-locks and lower body submission. When they brought it to the United States through the UFC, its popularity grew greatly.

While the BJJ guys preyed on wrestlers, boxers, and other martial artists who had never even been choked before, the judo community continued to focus its efforts on the Olympics.

When retired judo Olympic champ Yoshida entered the "Pride Fighting Championships" (Japan's UFC), he handily bested any BJJ practitioner who stepped into the ring. - including UFC champ Royce Gracie.

I can't even imagine the damage he would have done in his prime to today's mediocre mixed martial arts fighters.

Listen, I have no problem admitting that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu works well in a ring, cage, or octagon. While an Olympic caliber judoka would destroy them in competition, BJJ still seems to be a useful skill for today's MMA fighter.

But don't you dare think that BJJ is the answer on the street.

When you hit the deck, there are way too many variables to consider. Including being stomped on, bitten, gouged, or slammed into concrete.

While judo is still technically a sport, at least its training is symbolic of real combat. Throw a man to the ground with force, gain dominant position, THEN finish him off if necessary...otherwise be on your feet and ready for your next opponent.
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/the-ultimate-fighting-secret-153973.html

Chuck Liddell - The Iceman Of Mma, Part 1

2007-08-14T23:26:00.000-07:00

e of the most well known names in the world of mixed martial arts is the Ultimate Fighting Championship, more simply referred to as the UFC. The UFC has been a place for many fighters to show their skills and gain fame as professional fighters. One of the more prominent names in the sport of UFC is Chuck Liddell.

Liddell started his martial arts training at age 12. Liddell fights out of San Luis Obispo, California. He is a California born and raised fighter. He went to college at California Polytechnic State University where he wrestled and graduated with a major in accounting. Despite his accounting degree, Liddell worked as a bouncer and bartender before he started his full-time fighting career.

Chuck made his first appearance in the UFC in 1998 fighting in UFC 17. He made his way up the ranks and by 2002, Liddell was the number one contender for the light heavyweight title, which was held by the controversial Tito Ortiz. Liddell and Ortiz had trained together at the Pitfight Club and had a falling out. Ortiz was unwilling to give Liddell a shot at the title, so Liddell was instead scheduled to fight Randy Couture, a veteran of the UFC and former heavyweight champion.

Liddell lost to Couture and Couture later beat Ortiz and became the light heavyweight champion. It was only after Ortiz lost the title that Liddell finally got to fight his bitter rival. In UFC 47, Liddell knocked Ortiz out with a series of brutal punches to claim victory for himself.

In UFC 52, Liddell once faced off against the veteran fighter and light heavyweight champion, Randy Couture. This time, Liddell knocked out Couture and claimed the light heavyweight title. Couture announced his retirement following his loss of the title. Liddell successfully defended the light heavyweight title four more times before he lost the belt to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in UFC 71. Liddell had held the light heavyweight champion belt for just over two years.
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-articles/chuck-liddell-the-iceman-of-mma-part-1-173016.html

The Top 3 Mixed Martial Arts Betting Strategies - Don't Bet Again Until You Read This!

2007-08-12T22:52:00.000-07:00

Mixed martial arts is a fast growing sport, but the amount of information about betting on mixed martial arts is very scarce. As a professional sports bettor I've learned the ins and outs of mixed martial arts betting in the past 6 months, and I have come up with three betting strategies that are very successful, and will help you profit every year.

Underdog betting
Betting on underdogs has always been a great strategy in sports betting, and in mixed martial arts this strategy is even more successful. In high profile fights, such as large UFC bouts, the underdog is always undervalued and a great bet. Stay away from large favorites, and you'll be in a great spot to profit.

Bet against the public
The majority of sports bettors lose money, so betting against them is always a great idea in sports. In mixed martial arts betting, this also works very well because the sport is so new to the mainstream. Many new bettors are jumping at the chance to bet on fights, and they really have no idea what they're doing. If you want to make some good money with MMA, make sure you are not betting on the same fighters that the general public is as well.

System betting
Betting systems are a crucial part of most professional bettors strategies. Systems are based on certain situations and instances that happen over and over again. Developing a system is very easy in sports such as basketball, which have lots of games every season and you can spot trends pretty easily. In mixed martial arts this is not as easy to do, but systems can be developed. Some guys fight better against certain styles of fighting than others, and you should always pay attention to this when making a system.

Overall, these are my three favorite strategies for betting on mixed martial arts. Implement them into your own betting style and I think it will help you increase your profits in MMA betting.

If you liked this article, be sure to check out my website about how to bet on UFC fights, UFC sportsbooks, and our main MMA betting page

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_Goff

When Chops And Blocks Alone Will Not Protect You

2007-08-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

By using MMA Training gear, you will find that your body is more protected and better toned to withstand those nasty chops and painful blocks. You need to look into the training devices and accessories that you can get from MMA Training. One piece of equipment is the wooden dummy; with the Dummy you can train without a live person, teach you to hold the proper positions for a better attack. It also helps you to be able to withstand an attack by pre-training your body to withstand the blows. You will also have a better position in your fighting stance.

You will learn counter attacking, attacking, and to attack with more than just your hand but your hand and say foot. It also trains your footwork, your kicking, shows you how some reactions will get you opposite reactions. You will find your balance improved and your speed even greater.

Now, for those times when your toes go “I have had enough”. There are shoes designed to protect your foot and, specifically, your toes. These shoes are called grappling shoes or better known as sparring shoes. These shoes will keep you from ending up like that guy with the broken bones in his foot, or the other guy with mangled toes, and even a damaged Achilles tendon. The grappling shoes have extra padding around your ankles and on the upper foot.

The shoes have special soles that will not mark up the gym floors or mats, while the reinforced rubber instep will help provide the best traction possible.

Not to forget how cool these shoes look when you are dressed for your next sparring match.

Next I have the MMA Grappling Gloves, which are made to help your hands be the weapons you are training them to be. The hand has dozens of tiny bones in it, each breakable do to the wrong hit, or even the right hit. With the training gloves you protect your hands while still having the flexibility to finish your hits and blocks properly.

The gloves are made of leather and made to protect your hands while making your grip stronger causing the power per hit to be stronger. You will also find that the padding in them helps keep your fingers safe during those training and sparring sessions. The gloves are double stitched for better durability, and the Velcro Wristbands will make them fit you better and protect your wrist.

With just the right amount of equipment such as the ones I have listed above you will find your MMA Training Gear to be the top of the line, causing the best work out you have yet to experience.

Yoshi E Kundagawa is a freelance journalist. He covers the mixed martial arts industry. For a free report on MMA training gear visit his blog.

Yoshi Kundagawa is a freelance journalist covering the martial arts world. Too much time at his computer eating donuts reduced him to couch potato status. He's on a quest to recapture his youth and fitness. You can read his blog at http://www.martialarts3000.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yoshi_Kundagawa

The Importance Of Weight Room Training When Preparing For A Mixed Martial Arts Fight

2007-08-01T21:21:00.000-07:00

Contrary to what many believe, the importance of weight room training when preparing for mixed martial arts fights cannot be understated. Over the years, many people mistakenly believe that weight training will cause loss of flexibility and a decrease in speed and this is not so when weight training is tailored to martial arts requirements.Weight room training is a very important part of Mixed martial arts training for a very a number of reasons.

A mixed martial artist needs not only the strength and power for use as attack but must also have the muscle power and stamina to absorb an attack from his opponent. Stretching is very important as it helps create flexibility by increasing your range of motion and the better your range of motion, the more muscle fiber will be stimulated, the more muscle will be produced. This not only increases your strength but also your balance, speed and agility. It also helps provide protection against injury of the tendons, ligaments and connective tissue.

When thinking about weight training, it is vital to remember that there are many forms of weight training and these forms are used to suit the individual and what they are trying to achieve. Sometimes, the word weight training conjures up the picture of a huge muscle bound weight lifter or a massive footballer. These people work at producing large muscles to lift heavy weights for a short time. With mixed martial arts training, the artist wants to increase muscle strength while producing greater speed and stamina.

It should be obvious that if one person has been training and doing squats and bench presses, he is going to be stronger than the guy who only does half the amount of weight training. Nobody is suggesting that you go to the gym and begin to bulk up, far from it. But with a program especially for the mixed martial artist, with your body weight and shape in mind, you will be able to notice a difference in no time. As an example, doing 3 sets of 15 reps of squats, the same with leg curls and leg extensions, add to this walking lunges, standing or seated calf raises, all while using dumbbells (not overly heavy) and including some bench presses should see you building strength fairly quickly.

At this stage, though, as with any new mixed martial arts training regimes, you may notice some soreness as you will be working muscles that have not been worked at this intensity before. Any soreness will decrease as your body adjusts to this new regimen and begins to strengthen. It is wise to consult a trainer at your gym with regards to the exact type of weight training that is right for you. Advise him that you do mixed martial arts and as a precaution, be sure to advise him of any injuries you have had in the past.

Yoshi Kundagawa is a freelance journalist covering
the martial arts world. Too much time at his computer
eating donuts reduced him to couch potato status.
He's on a quest to recapture his youth and fitness.
You can read his blog at http://www.martialarts3000.com

Yoshi E Kundagawa is a freelance journalist. He covers the mixed martial arts industry. For a free report on mma training visit his blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yoshi_Kundagawa

Kickboxing Training Drills To Improve Your Timing In Competitions

2007-07-28T15:05:00.003-07:00

Kickboxing is a sport that is somewhat similar to boxing but allows the use of kicks. This simple change creates many more variables and changes the way a fighter must fight. Kicks can be very devastating, but also tend to be slower than punches. Many of the world's best kickboxers can deliver lightning fast kicks, and this is how they become the top fighters in their weight class. Your kickboxing drills should stress speed and timing along with raw power. Even if power must be sacrificed, you should always strive for well-timed kicks that actually land on target. A very strong kick that is blocked wastes your energy, inflicts little damage, and scores no points with the judges. Fast kicks that hit their target do a lot of damage even if there is not much power behind the kick. Also, the judges score based on the number of landed strikes, not how strong you are.

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Your kickboxing drills should have specific targets that you can kick at full speed. The use of a training partner and pads is the best way to improve your accuracy while boosting your speed. When in a match your opponent will have a certain timing to his movements. It is important to learn how to read the timing of an opponent and throw your kicks at the best moments. Using a punching bag does not help you learn to kick at the right moment, but using a human partner does. Your partner should move like he would in a real match and use arm or hand mounted pads to absorb your kicks. These pads serve as targets for you to hit, and your partner will essentially be a dynamic punching bag that actually reacts like a human would.

Your training partner can also feign strikes at you. This helps you learn to time your attacks along with your blocks and dodges. As your training partner throws a punch you can duck it and then respond with a kick or punch. The goal is to land the strike before his punching arm has time to get back to block. Your training partner should then either absorb your strike with his other arm's pad, or wear a full body pad to absorb strikes that come too quickly for him. This kickboxing drill helps you learn how to react to an opponent and his timing rather than just learning your blocking and striking separately. In a real match, striking and blocked are interwoven, not separate. Your eventual goal should be that your partner will have to wear full body pads because his hands cannot keep up with your strikes.
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-articles/kickboxing-training-drills-to-improve-your-timing-in-competitions-167729.html

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An Interview With Ufc Fighter Mike Swick

2007-07-28T15:05:00.001-07:00

Mike "Quick" Swick (born 19 June 1979) is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter.

He was a participant in the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, a reality television series produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is one of the reasons for his popularity. He was eliminated from the competition after a semi-final loss to Stephan Bonnar.

Since joining the ranks of the UFC, Mike has gone 5-0 and is considered on of the top Middleweight contenders in the UFC

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MMAToday: How did you get involved in martial arts and MMA?

MS: I started in Tae-Kwon-Do at the age of 8. I have just been progressing from there every since...

MMAToday: Once you got started did you ever think you make it all the way to the UFC?

MS: I hoped! Ha-ha

MMAToday: How much did your appearance on TUF affect your training and your career?

MS: It made my career what it is today. It was the exposure that I needed and it made me train harder than ever.

MMAToday: What is it like going from fighting in smaller shows to fighting in the UFC? Were you nervous or did you feel you were ready to be there?

MS: It's a big difference. The UFC is the Big Show. I felt ready.

MMAToday: Your first 4 fights in the UFC lasted a combined 6 minutes or so, what was the rush?

MS: I am just an aggressive fighter... ha-ha

MMAToday: How has your training been coming? And how is the hand?

MS: Training is going great! Hand is almost 100%. I am still sparring and doing mitt work, I am just still a little careful with it.

MMAToday: Can you give us a little insight into your training regimen?

MS: We train 2-3 times a day, 6 days a week.

MMAToday: Who are you currently training with?

MS: We have a great crew in now... As far as training, I have Lynn Schutz, Bob Cook, Dave Camarillo, and Javier Mendez. As far as teammates I got Fitch, Koscheck, Thomson, Prangley, Southworth, Fukada, plus a lot of great up and comers. Baroni should be back soon as well.

MMAToday: What motivated you to keep going and fighting?

MS: Wanting to be the best...

MMAToday: Your next opponent is Yushin Okami on March 3rd, anything special planned for that fight?

MS: This fight is not for sure. Nothing is signed. We are still working on it. I want this fight though.

MMAToday: Where do you see yourself in the Middleweight title picture if you are victorious there?

MS: I guess it depends on how I perform. I plan to perform at my best.

MMAToday: How well do you stack up against the current champ Anderson Silva?

MS: Wouldn't mind finding out... ha-ha

MMAToday: Is there any other Middleweight out there in the UFC you would like to fight? And why?

MS: All of them!

MMAToday: Would you still like a rematch with Chris Leben?

MS: That fight will happen eventually and yes I will be happy when it does. After his performance against MacDonald though, it wouldn't be a step up as far as my career goes. I want to fight top contenders right now.

MMAToday: What fights in your career are the most memorable to you?

MS: All my UFC fights have been very memorable.

MMAToday: How much longer do you have on your current contract?

MS: A little over a year...

MMAToday: Any possibilities of jumping ship to another promotion when it's up?

MS: Nope.

MMAToday: Is there any fighter outside the UFC you would like to mix it up with?

MS: Haven't thought about it really.

MMAToday: What fighters do you enjoy watching and why?

MS: GSP, Liddell, Couture, CroCop, Riggs, Loiseau, Silva, etc... All the exciting ones! I am a huge MMA fan myself.

MMAToday: What fighters do you look up to?

MS: Too many to list!

MMAToday: Who do think would be your toughest fight and why?

MS: Right now, I think Anderson Silva. It would be a good test for me.

MMAToday: What are your hobbies outside of MMA?

MS: Traveling. I love traveling! Whatever happens after you die happens, but this is the only earth we will ever have and I want to see it all. I like playing poker as well.

MMAToday: Who do you think the best over looked fighter in your weight class is?

MS: I am not sure. I don't follow the forums too much to know who is favored more and stuff...

MMAToday: What do you think of Randy coming back?

MS: I am excited, I like him a lot.

MMAToday: What do you think of the UFC bringing in fighters from pride etc?

MS: I think they are just getting the best fighters from all over the world from all organizations and I think it's great. I love competition.

MMAToday: If you could fight anyone who would it be? Why?

MS: Silva for the title. I want the belt! Ha-ha

MMAToday: Thank you very much for your time Mike, is there anything you would like to add here to your fans or anyone in general?

MS: Thanks for all your support guys! Please check out my webpage at MikeSwick.com and my Myspace at http://Myspace.com/mikeswick. I am also running a UNICEF campaign to raise money for underprivileged children worldwide. You can check out that page at http://unicefusa.org/ert/mikeswick. Thanks!
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-articles/an-interview-with-ufc-fighter-mike-swick-95145.html

Heavy Bag Training for Mixed Martial Arts, Self Defence and Fitness

2007-07-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

Heavy Bag training for Mixed Martial Arts, Self Defence and Fitness.

by S.Ward c/o www.themmaforums.com

The Heavy Bag is most often used suspended from a ceiling but should also be used on the ground to practice ground striking as well. It can be punched, kicked, kneed and elbowed. Used correctly it can improve the power of your striking and gives a great cardio workout as well, but if used improperly can cause injuries.

The Self-Defence benefits of Heavy Bag training

Striking the heavy bag can develop great fight related qualities but is nothing like a real combat situation. The strikes used against the heavy bag are what's known as Gross Motor Skills meaning they are simple actions using large muscle groups and when used under an Adrenal Dump status (the bodies Fight or Flight response) will often result in a greater performance in terms of strength and endurance.

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Training your striking skills can lead to an increased confidence in your ability to strike an opponent which can be beneficial to those whom may be reluctant to fight back or suffer greatly under the bodies adrenal responses.

Good strike training, against the heavy bag, pads and sparring with partner(s) builds competence and confidence and develops 'muscle memory' so when confronted by an assailant gives the ability for the body to strike as it does in training without the person making a concious effort to strike with these developed skills.

AnAerobic Training

Anaerobic training is training at such an intensity that the body is unable to keep up with it's oxygen requirements and so can only be carried out for a short period of time. Carrying out this type of training on the heavy bag both leads to an increased time in being able to carry out a 'flurry' of strikes and also develops the important factor of a 'determination to win'. Driving yourself to carry on with every single ounce of determination, mental stamina and 'grit' you can muster.

Note: This type of training is intense and should not be carried out unless you have a good foundation of conditioning and striking mechanics. Sprained wrists are a common injury sustained in this type of training.

Heavy Bag training for fitness

A good heavy bag training program improves your cardiovascular system, improves muscle strength, bone density, connective tissue strength and also burns calories and fat. By incorporating punching, elbowing, knees and kicks into your traing regime you use all the major muscle groups within the body. Arms, shoulders, abdominals, hip flexors and the leg muscles become both conditioned and also develop coordination.

Stress Management Benefits of Heavy Bag Training

The evolution of mankind has created our brain and bodies to react in a pre-programmed response to danger and is most commonly termed 'Fight or Flight' and causes a host of responses in the body to allow us to either run at a higher speed (flight), or fight at a higher level of intensity (fight). When confronted with danger this is a good thing, but is often mistaken as 'fear'. Today's modern lifestyles often cause the triggering of this pre-programmed response when it isn't needed or wanted, being stuck in a traffic jams, arguments at home can all be triggers for the response.

Also the response causes the body to release toxins which if not used up, cause what is commonly known as 'stress'. Physical exercise is required to flush this 'fight or flight' residue from our bodies before it compromises our health and immune system. Vigorous exercise, such as heavy bag training gives the exertion needed to burn off this residue and return the mind and body to a healthier state.

Take this training, turn up the music and destroy your 'opponent'. Remove all this negative 'energy' from within you and turn it into anger to destroy your imaginary opponent and allow Endorphins to give you that 'feel good' post workout sensation.

Precautions to consider when Heavy Bag Training

Like any form of exercise if taken to extremes, heavy bag training can be counter productive and involve risks. It is designed to 'build you up', increase your strength, your fitness and your health.

Just as impatient weight trainers damage their joints and strain their muscles, or runners who increase their mileage too quickly can suffer shin splints, bag training is exactly the same. Make sure you execute your strikes with proper form to maximise your gains whilst reducing the risks, this will allow you to continue your training for a much longer period of time.

The two types of athletic injuries most common with physical training are 'chronic' and 'acute'. Chronic injuries develop and last over an extended period. Training improperly, too intensely, or too often causes them. When your body is stressed through exercise, it must be given time to recover and rebuild itself in order to become more efficient and be ready to be trained again.

When your training too hard or not resting for sufficient time between your training sessions, you will develop overtraining injuries. It's imperative that you realize that the bodies muscles adapt much faster than the connective tissues and that striking puts a great deal of stress on these connective tissues. Your advances in speed and power will quickly exceed the capacities of your bones, tendons, ligaments and joints. This can result in torn muscles, chronic joint pain and even result in permanent injuries.

Acute injuries like a sprained wrist or a broken bone occur suddenly. The risk of these injuries should be reduced with proper form and of course common sense. Technique comes before speed and power. There isn't a need to smash the heavy bag as hard as you can every time you train. Concentrate on good body mechanics and allow the speed and power to develop by itself. Begin slowly and allow your speed and power to gradually increase and as always allow your body to adapt and become able to handle these stresses.

Avoiding bad practice

Often when people train on the heavy bag their proper technique goes out the window. Feet come off the ground, the body is badly aligned, they wind up their strikes like a baseball pitcher .Don't exaggerate your movements and keep your techniques correct. Apart from the risk of injuries, your practising of these bad techniques will result in incorrect 'muscle memory' and so when you use your techniques against a real opponent, you will leave yourself open to counter attack.

Telegraphing of your techniques

Telegraphing means you make obvious preparations to throw a technique, cocking your fist back before throwing a punch is a good example. As the bag doesn't fight back people often forget the importance of being able to strike your opponent without signalling your intention to do so.

Failing to defend

Because the bag doesn't hit back people drop often their guard when practicing. Keep your hands up at all times and concentrate on not just the attacking part of a technique, that's the easy bit, concentrate of maintaining a good defence as well. Do this with every strike you throw and slowly but surely you will do this automatically over time. Keep moving in and out of range, visualise your opponent doing the same and keep your head moving, don't just move straight back, move side to side, up and down.

Pushing instead of hitting the bag

A common mistake when hitting the bag is to follow through too deeply and push, rather than hit the bag. A punch or kick increases in speed from start of it's movement through until it's fully extended. The further an arm or leg for example moves, the faster and more powerful it will be. Strike the bag at the point near full extension. Penetrate it no more than a few inches beyond the surface and generate a "popping" sound on impact. Never lock out the limbs else you will hyper extend the joint and cause problems in the joint and it's connective tissues.

Holding your breath

People often hold their breath which is a bad habit. First it reduces your endurance by starving your body of the oxygen it needs. Secondly you increase thoracic pressure which can result in you injuring yourself. Exhale as you strike. This prevents the holding of your breath and improves your techniques power by tensing the muscles of your torso which are responsible for a great deal of the power in your strikes.

Always warm up and cool down

Warming up improves your performance and reduces the risk of injuries and post-exercise muscle soreness. Before exercising intensely work up a light sweat and engage in some basic limbering exercises to increase blood flow, your range of motion and to lubricate your joints. Jumping rope, 'running on the spot' and shadow boxing for 10 or 15 minutes are good ways to begin your workout. (Note: don't do extensive stretching during the warm up. It can compromise joint stability and make you more susceptible to injury. Leave vigorous stretching until the end of your workout). steadily cooling down at the end of your workout returns your system (breathing and heart rate etc) to a resting state. Never finish an intense workout and then just stop. The cool down is a time to work on your flexibility with stretching exercises and should be thoroughly enjoyed as flexibility is important, especially in MMA when the ranges and techniques involved range a great deal.

Some ideas for creating a training regime

There are a variety of Martial Arts from which MMA fighters source their striking techniques. The most common one though is Muay Thai but MMA fighters must adapt their footwork as they need to defend from a takedown and wrestling techniques attempts made by their opponent.

Repetition based training: Learn the basic strikes, kicks, knees, elbows and punches and create combinations you want to practice. Perform sets and reps of each. For example, execute two sets of 20 lead punches, three sets of 20 roundhouse kicks, etc. Rest long enough between sets to catch your breath and move on to the next.

Time-based Training: Another excellent way to train is to work for a time limit or set number of rounds. For example, execute either random strikes or pre-determined combinations continuously for 2 to 3 minute rounds with 1-minute rest period in between.

Circuit Training: Circuit training is good if you are already in good shape, consider alternating your bag work with other exercises to form a circuit. However, don't alternate with weight lifting exercises because the muscle fatigue will make you more susceptible to injury. For example alternate 3-5 minutes of jumping rope with 3-5 minutes of bag work. Complete as many cycles as you need to get a good workout.

AnAerobic Training: AnAerobic training should be reserved for those who have established a high level of fitness and proper striking mechanics. This training involves intense barrages of strikes for a time limit (15 to 30 seconds+) or a rep goal (20 to 30 repetitions of a combination). This training is as mental as it is physical as mentioned earlier. There are significant benefits to this "stop/start" or interval-based training. You exert yourself for a brief, intense period, recover, and then exert yourself again. This training improves your ability to recover quickly, increases the efficiency of your muscular and anaerobic energy systems and elevates your metabolism (burning body fat) for several hours post workout.

Frequency and intensity

Heavy bag training, like other forms of exercises, stresses the body. Training too intensely can surpass the body's (joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, nervous system) ability to recover. I recommend that heavy bag training be limited to 2 or 3 times per week. The more intensely you train, the more time off you should take between workouts. It is a good idea to alternate intense workouts with easier ones.
http://www.articlesbase.com/martial-arts-articles/heavy-bag-training-for-mixed-martial-arts-self-defence-and-fitness-by-sward-co-themmaforumscom-169623.html

mixed martial arts mma - July 20, 2007

2007-07-20T21:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the July 20, 2007 edition of mixed martial arts mma.

JohnC presents GRU training program - part 1 posted at Dagger and Cloak, saying, "Detailed information about GRU (Soviet Union/Russian Federation Main Intelligence Directorate) training techniques"

Chris presents Top 5 Reasons Why Pro MMA Fighters are Like Prostitutes posted at Martial Development, saying, "(A sense of humor is recommended.)"

Alvaro Fernandez presents Mental Training for Gratitude and Altruism posted at SharpBrains: Your Window into the Brain Fitness Revolution, saying, "on why, and how, we can become more altruistic and thankful for the gifts we receive."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of
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Why Did Skinny Little Royce Gracie Launch Mixed Martial Arts

2007-07-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

Could be luck - nope not luck. I first caught wind of this guy, Royce (pronounced like Hoyce - hey, don’t ask me, the guy is Brazilian!) Gracie at the first ever Ultimate Fighting Championship. I was pretty impressed, I must say.

First off, for a little history lesson. The Gracies go way back in the world of Jujitsu. When young Royce was just a kid, his grandfather Helio taught him everything he needed to know to kick butt. At age eight, little Royce started competing in tournaments. And he started winning all the time.

So, here I am at the first ever UFC tournament watching this guy I never heard of armbaring men so much larger than he was, they looked like they could eat him for breakfast. I remember thinking, is this hombre for real? He is 180 pounds, but a wirey 180, you know? He was skinny and did not look too strong. He certainly was not muscular or anything.

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You see, I always heard you get two guys, both of them skilled and the bigger hombre wins, 9 times out of 10. That is how it is supposed to work, right? Not with Royce. I saw him get hammered one time against a monster named Dan Severn. He must have outweighed Gracie close to fifty kilos! Severn picked Gracie up and slammed him back down to the mat a dozen times. He was on top of him the whole match. But right at the last second, old Danny boy taps out! I and the rest of us onlookers couldn’t believe what happened. Gracie got him in an arm bar and that was that. Victory for Gracie and Brazilian Jujitsu. Everyone was shocked.

Up until then, no one really understood the importance of submissions and ground attacks in martial arts. No one had done the types of things Gracie did. No one understood them. But after Gracie captured three UFC titles, people were paying attention then, believe you me! It changed the world of MMA. Technique was critical from that point on. Everybody was scrambling to figure the next best triangle choke to get their opponents to tap out like Royce was doing to everyone. The smaller man now had an advantage if he had a complete jujitsu game.

So MMA took notice of a fighting style that had been perfected by the Gracie family for seventy years. Watching him battle with guts and skill made me a big fan of the sport. The sport received publicity and legitimacy the day he hit the scene. When he won the tournament and starting setting records, it was like everyone else came on board and the sport blew up in popularity from there. The world of mixed martial arts would not be what it is today without Royce and his family doing what they did for the sport.

Yoshi Kundagawa is a freelance journalist covering the martial arts world. Too much time at his computer eating donuts reduced him to couch potato status. He's on a quest to recapture his youth and fitness. You can read about Combat JuJitsu at http://www.martialarts3000.com/jujitsutraining.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yoshi_Kundagawa

The Importance Of Having The Right Training Gear When Competing In Mixed Martial Arts

2007-07-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

In the field of mixed martial arts, there is a lot to know. You have new terminology, new exercises, and a lot of hard work. If you have the dedication to become successful, you can go far. However, without the proper mixed martial arts training gear, you might not get very far. Without it, you can get seriously injured. Let’s look at a few things that you might need along the way.

There are many different types of training gear that you could have. Some training gear is good for protecting your body directly. Other types of training gear strengthen your body, thereby protecting it in the long run. Both are essential to being the best fighter you can be.

Probably the most obvious piece of mixed martial arts training gear that is needed is the clothing that you wear. It definitely needs to be something that allows you to move. You don’t want your clothing to restrict you in any way. Something comfortable is very important.

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A mouthpiece is also a good idea, unless you want to end up looking like a hockey player. Your teeth are probably important to you, so protect them. You never know when a stray elbow from an inexperienced fighter might come your way.

Depending on what type of training you’re planning on doing, some sort of headgear is probably important as well. There is a good chance that you could take a significant blow to the head at any point. This is obviously not a good idea without some protective headgear. You’ll want to be able to tell how many fingers your friend is holding up after practice.

During a one-on-one sparring session, you’ll probably need some hand protection. This will help protect your hands as well as the other person. Even if you don’t mean to make full contact with someone, there’s still a chance that their head could be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s best to not give someone a direct blow to the head. Soften the blow a little with some gloves.

As far as improving your skills, there are a few things that are important as well. A small conditioning bag is great for developing hand-eye coordination. This is one of the most important attributes for any fighter. Consistent practice on this piece of equipment can pay big dividends.

Another piece of training gear that is a must is the iron palm bag. It is constructed of extra heavy canvas and can be filled with steel shots. It is great for developing the strength in your fingers and hands. If you want to improve your open hand techniques, do so with one of these.

Having the right training gear is obviously very important for practicing all forms of martial arts. If you want to be the best fighter you can be, it’s important that you combine the best training equipment with a attitude of persistence.

Yoshi E Kundagawa is a freelance journalist. He covers the mixed martial arts industry. For a free report on MMA training gear visit his blog.

Yoshi Kundagawa is a freelance journalist covering the martial arts world. Too much time at his computer eating donuts reduced him to couch potato status. He's on a quest to recapture his youth and fitness. You can read his blog at http://www.martialarts3000.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yoshi_Kundagawa

Mixed martial arts 101 - Breaking down the different MMA organizations

2007-07-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

Casual MMA fans would be surprised to know just how many promotions run MMA events worldwide. Here is a primer on the many mixed martial arts organizations that run fight cards.

UFC
The most well-known fighting entity in the United States, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is synonymous with mixed martial arts to many. Founded in 1993, the company was first built as a blood sport to settle which fighting discipline was the strongest. Over time, it evolved into more of a sport with stricter rules, weight classes and judges. The promotion was successful on pay-per-view in the mid '90s, but the way the events were promoted led to a backlash. UFC was banned in many states and lost most of its pay-per-view clearance.

In 2001, Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta purchased the company and used their connections to gain greater pay-per-view clearance. The company ran its biggest events in Las Vegas and gained greater mainstream popularity with The Ultimate Fighter television show on Spike TV. In 2006 its pay-per-view buy rates exploded. The company broke its all time pay-per-view record on five separate occasions last year. The promotion is now a global phenomenon and is expanding its operations to run events in many new markets. Many of the sport's biggest stars including Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Randy Couture and Matt Hughes fight for UFC.

Pride FC
While UFC is the most well-known fighting organization among American fans, it is the Pride Fighting Championships promotion that has had the greatest long-term success. Founded in 1997, it was initially built around Japanese pro wrestler Nobuhiko Takada taking on Brazilian jiujitsu legend Rickson Gracie. Takada was never the fighter his pro wrestling fans thought he was, and the promotion had financial problems.

Those problems went away with the rise of a charismatic Japanese fighter who could back up his popularity in the ring. Kazushi Sakuraba became Pride's greatest star by carrying the mantle for Japanese pro wrestling against the Gracie family. Sakuraba scored wins over four members of the Gracie family, including a famous 90-minute win over the legendary Royce Gracie.

Pride's calling card became its Grand Prix tournaments, which featured star-studded lineups of elite fighters. The promotion regularly sold out the Saitama Super Arena and was a successful entity on Japanese television. Recently, however, the promotion was brought to its knees by scandal. Allegations that Pride's ownership group was affiliated with the yakuza -- Japanese mob -- cost Pride its highly valued television deal in Japan.

Unable to secure another outlet, Pride piled up losses and was forced to sell to the Fertittas (of UFC) earlier this year. The future of Pride remains in doubt with new ownership. Many of Pride's best fighters are being brought to the UFC.

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K1
K1 is a Japanese kickboxing powerhouse. The promotion has been very popular in Japan dating back to the '90s, and provided a start for MMA stars such as Bob Sapp, Mirko Cro Cop and Mark Hunt. The promotion now runs its own MMA organization, K1 Heroes, which has an opportunity to make headway in Japan with Pride in turmoil. The promotion also has plans to run in the United States, and ran a show earlier this year at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

K1 badly needs an influx of star power. Top draw Kid Yamamoto left the promotion to pursue his dream of wrestling in the Olympics. Yamamoto may return, which would be a major boon. Sapp, who became embroiled in a contract dispute with the company, reached an agreement to return, but has not yet signed a long term pact with the company. Kazushi Sakuraba was brought in from Pride, but he is on his last legs as a fighter. Yoshihiro Akiyama was going to be the next big star, but he disgraced himself by cheating in a fight with Sakuraba.

Elite XC

In EXC's first broadcast on Showtime, Frank Shamrock (above) was disqualified in his bout against Renzo Gracie.
John Medina/WireImage
EXC is a new MMA outfit founded by boxing promoter Gary Shaw. The company is affiliated with the Showtime Network, and ran its first Showtime event in February. That event featured a controversial main event when Frank Shamrock was disqualified against Renzo Gracie. Since then, EXC has collaborated with the K1 and Strikeforce promotions.

EXC has signed a number of prominent fighters, including women's star Gina Carano, superheavyweight Antonio Silva, Chute Boxe star Murilo "Ninja" Rua and top welterweights Nick Diaz and Jake Shields.

WEC
WEC was a small MMA group that ran shows for a number of years in California. UFC ownership purchased the group in 2006, and now runs the organization as a showcase for lighter weight fighters. Many of the top lighter-weight fighters in the world fight for WEC, which runs shows on the Versus network.

The promotion's top star is featherweight Urijah Faber, who may be headed for a showdown with former UFC Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver. Rob McCullough, Carlos Condit and Brock Larson are among the promotion's other top stars. WEC also recently signed elite middleweight Paulo Filho.

Bodog Fight
The biggest wildcard in MMA's future is Calvin Ayre's Bodog Fight. Ayre built a financial empire around online gambling and has put some of his extensive resources into starting an MMA company. What makes Bodog Fight intriguing is its willingness to bid against UFC for top stars, which could open up opportunities for success.

Bodog's biggest signing thus far was Fedor Emelianenko, widely regarded as the best fighter in the world. He signed a one fight contract to fight at home in Russia. He defeated former Olympic silver medallist Matt Lindland in the main event of that show, which was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bodog Fight is currently losing lots of money, but has the backing to be patient and hope for a breakthrough.

IFL
IFL is a publicly owned MMA company which features a unique team concept as its hook. The promotion features teams of five fighters which represent various cities. Each team has a coach and many are major names. Those teams compete for the IFL team championship, which will be decided at the end of the 2007 season. IFL runs shows Monday nights on My Network TV, featuring fighter profiles and past fights. The challenge, going forward, is selling the team concept in a sport that has always been sold on stars.

Strikeforce
Strikeforce is an MMA promotion based out of San Jose, which has put more of an emphasis than most MMA organizations on running in the black. It has primarily concentrated on shows for the San Jose market, building around local stars such as Frank Shamrock, Daniel Puder and Cung Le. Strikeforce recently ran its most ambitious show in conjunction with EXC on pay-per-view. Shamrock defeated Phil Baroni in an exciting main event.

Cage Rage
The top MMA promotion run out of the United Kingdom, Cage Rage brings in stars from around the world to its events. The promotion has most of its clearance in Europe and has run over 20 events. Cage Rage features a mix of British stars such as James Thompson, Mark Weir and Ian Freeman; and foreign stars including Vitor Belfort, Butterbean and Shaolin Ribeiro.

Icon Sport
Formerly known as Superbrawl, Icon runs shows out of Hawaii. Much like Cage Rage, the promotion mixes local stars such as Cabbage Correira and Renato Verissimo with UFC veterans like Robbie Lawler and Frank Trigg.

Shooto
Shooto is a small Japanese MMA organization that serves as a breeding ground for smaller Japanese fighters. The promotion runs frequently and provides experience for fighters on the rise. Most of Japan's top light-weight fighters have competed at one point for Shooto, including Tatsuya Kawajiri, Hayato Sakurai and Shinya Aoki.

Pancrase
Pancrase is one of the original mixed martial arts companies and was a starting point for major stars such as Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock and Bas Rutten. The promotion isn't a major factor now, but does feature many rising Japanese fighters.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/todd_martin/07/04/mma.organizations/

Martial arts: MMA more than karate a family business

2007-07-11T17:49:00.000-07:00

James and Ron Hill have carved careers out of something their father taught them when they were children.

The Rev. Charles Hill learned martial arts when he served in the Air Force in Japan and Guam. He passed those skills on to his boys, who took to the sport and wound up teaching others what their father had taught them.

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James and Ron, along with their partners, Brian Thompson and Laura Edler-Hill, now run HCX Mixed Martial Arts, which has been open for seven years. Through the years, the business has moved to different sites, and another move has just been completed, this time to Shorewood.

The Hills moved the Joliet training center at 203 Airport Drive to a new location in Shorewood to try to boost the number of children in their program and to provide more space for members.

The new center at 852 Sharp Drive opened Monday. A grand opening celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

A second studio at 12644 Old Plank Drive will remain open and will not be affected by the Shorewood move.

The Hills opened their first school on April 29, 2000, and they've been in business ever since. The Hill brothers have expanded into other areas, including teaching self-defense to area teachers, children and police officers. And they manage boxers' careers and have boxing rings at both martial arts schools.

Boxing is a martial art and so is wrestling, they say. Most people think only of judo and karate when they're talking about martial arts. But there are many more aspects to it, the Hills said.

HCX instructors teach a wide variety of martial arts including boxing, jiu-jitsu, karate, Muay Thai and San-Da kickboxing and mixed martial arts, "which is everything," James said. Some of the school's students compete at national tournaments.

The nice thing about martial arts is students can determine how far they will go in the sport, and there is no coach who will bench them, Ron said.

"It's what you do," he said. "You put the time in and you'll compete. Win or lose, you'll compete."

Through the years, the Hills have learned important business lessons. For instance, they used to be open more hours of the day. But now they restrict hours to times when it is convenient for members to train.

Also, they used to offer classes recommended by other people. But sometimes what one or two people want will not be well received by others.

"We didn't have a business mentor," James said. "We had to learn the hard way and try to fix things."

"A lot of things were trial and error," agreed Ron, who has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Lewis University in Romeoville.

Now things are going well and the boys are thankful that their dad, who died in 2004, lived to see them building a business out of the skills he taught them.

"We were born to do it," Ron said.

Reporter Cindy Wojdyla Cain may be reached at (815) 729-6044 or at ccain@scn1.com

mixed martial arts mma - July 6, 2007

2007-07-07T12:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the July 6, 2007 edition of mixed martial arts mma.

FitBuff presents How a Digital Scale Analyzes and Calculates Your Body Fat Percentage posted at FitBuff.com's Total Mind and Body Fitness Blog, saying, "Holy Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, Batman! Body fat scales, though not perfect, are a great way to track your general body composition progress, and greatly outweigh (pun intended) the benefits of a boring, traditional scale."

karate

Conan Stevens presents Want To Be A Martial Arts Movie Star - Here is How Ron Smoorenburg Did It posted at Conan Stevens Online.

mixed martial arts

Conan Stevens presents Daniel O'Neill - Amazing Gymnastic Martial Artist - Showreel posted at Conan Stevens Online, saying, "Another friend who has worked in HK with Jackie Chan now living and working in Thailand"

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mixed martial arts mma, blog carnival.

New Writers Needed

2007-07-03T23:49:00.000-07:00

We’re looking for more new writers for our Blogging Network. If you love writing or blogging, I’d like to chat with you.

A couple notes:
• Please send me a writing sample.
• Experience blogging isn’t required, I will train you.
• Some positions are paid, and some aren’t. Please specify in your email whether or not you’ll work for free.

Send an email to williamcoit@yahoo.com .

Mixed Martial Arts Video - Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs Kevin Randleman

2007-07-01T19:43:00.000-07:00

Mixed Martial Arts Video - Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs Alistair Overeem 2

2007-07-01T19:01:00.000-07:00

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs Alistair Overeem 2

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Mixed Martial Arts School

2007-07-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

Find MMA schools, BJJ schools, Muay Thai schools, Kickboxing schools, Boxing gyms, Judo clubs & other Martial art schools in your local area!

http://www.fightresource.com/

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Mixed Martial Arts Training

2007-06-27T20:42:00.000-07:00

It hardly takes much convincing to conclude that having blinding speed of punches or bone-cracking power in kicks are the most desirable assets for Martial Artists to possess.

Remember Miyamoto Musashi stated in his famous text "A Book of Five Rings" that one ultimate goal of the warrior is to learn to end the fight with a single blow! That's exactly where speed and power come in!

The idea is to make them as specific as possible so as to achieve the most applicable results. In this article we will attempt to explore some of the best methods available to get those results.

Economy Of Motion.

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Basically the more you practice your particular techniques, the more your nervous system becomes familiar and you naturally get faster. It's a really good idea to use mirrors because you can self-coach, so to say, and strip away wasted movements as well as learn to utilize power centers (like the hips and legs). Click below to continue reading.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bioplyo5.htm

Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge Review

2007-06-27T19:51:00.000-07:00

Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge Review

Every once in awhile something new comes along that changes the way we think and the way we learn. It may be something newly designed or something that brings many useful articles together into one. BJ Penn’s Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge does both of these in an incredible fashion.

The book itself does not focus on one specific style of fighting, nor does it contain them all in a segregated fashion. Instead it takes a truly revolutionary approach in MMA fighting instruction; it fuses all styles of martial arts into one elaborate system. It will be difficult to find one “technique” that doesn’t represent this innovation. The book truly does take instructional books to the next level, in my opinion.

I will first give my initial impressions of the book, and then follow it up with an analysis of each of the major fighting categories (striking, wrestling, ground fighting). I will finish with my overall thoughts on the book, its layout, and so forth. So, let’s begin shall we?

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First Impressions

This is a simple technique given at www.victorybelt.com . For size issues, I made it smaller. I have to say that I had some unrealistically high expectations for this book. And I also must say, honestly, it was even better then I hoped! The only way to possibly describe my feelings would be the phrase “blown away”. I saw the table of contents for it awhile ago, and while I knew it was going to be pretty big, I had no idea just how all out BJ Penn and the guys at Victory Belt went! They held nothing back, and I mean that in the most literal way possible. I expected it to be about the same size as Eddie Bravo’s newest book, but this is tremendously more expansive and I daresay even more comprehensive and potent (especially for mixed martial artists). The content looked phenomenal and there were thousands of color pictures to feast your eyes upon. Each move was broken down into more steps then I have ever seen in an instructional, allowing every key point of a move to be analyzed from multiple angles by the reader. Now, enough of my babbling about my impressions, I’m sure I’m boring you. Let’s move on to the categories it covers.

Striking

When one reads this book, he or she must realize that you won’t find a traditional kickboxing (or even BJJ or Wrestling) instructional. It is hard for me, an enthusiastic martial arts book reviewer, to comment on things like striking in this specific volume. The reason this is hard is because when first looking at the “striking” section in this book, you will not be extremely blown away. The reason for this is, simply, that BJ includes only the fundamental punches, stance information, and defensive tactics (yes, there are no kicks; BJ doesn’t feel that they are practical for every single person so he didn’t include them, but he does acknowledge their usefulness). If you just assume this is the only striking in the whole book (as I somewhat did, initially), you will soon be in for a huge wakeup call. Just because the section is relatively small compared to other, striking-specific books out there does not mean BJ failed to cover striking adequately. What does this mean? Simply, he teaches you how to strike from EVERY position imaginable. On top of that, he teaches you how to set up almost every move you will ever use with some form of striking (knees, elbows, and punches). This includes places like clinches, on the ground, against the cage, setting up the takedown, and so on. The striking is very, very versatile in this book. However, if you are looking for a specific kickboxing ONLY book that teaches just the art of kickboxing and nothing about the other aspects of fighting, I would suggest Muay Thai Unleashed, one of the best and affordable kickboxing books on the market.

Wrestling

Another technique found on the Victorybelt website
In this day and age it is somewhat difficult to draw precise lines as to what is wrestling and what is BJJ, so I will try my best to draw the line somewhere. The techniques utilizing wrestling in this book are actually very good. The bread and butter techniques used are the double and single leg takedowns, which are shown with tremendous variations. In fact, there is an entire two sections dedicated to those two. On top of that, there are many body lock takedowns, takedowns from counters, some Greco-Roman (upper body) takedowns, some really good duck-unders to the back, and a bunch of really cool other little “tricks” that help you to dominate your opponent with grappling on the feet. He shows you how to use strikes with these as well to make them even more effective in MMA (the strikes don’t need to be applied for the techniques to work, meaning you can still use these moves in grappling matches if you wish). Other then the takedowns, BJ shows many wrestling principles on the ground especially with regards to weight distribution and holding the opponent down. Some wrestling transitions and even some pins (from which strikes can be unleashed) are shown as well. To sum things up, I was not expecting the wrestling in this book to be extraordinarily proficient. However, all my doubts were silenced when I saw, to my surprise, actual incredible wrestling techniques that can be applied in MMA.

Ground Fighting

Now, finally, I get to review the absolute greatest (in my opinion) aspect of this book! It is also, not shockingly, BJ Penn’s best trait in MMA: the Jiu-Jitsu game. And boy, does it deliver. This book covers everything you need to know about the BJJ game in MMA. It covers everything from the basic escapes and positions to super cool advanced things, such as utilizing the knee on belly position to attack from multiple angles effectively and causing heavy damage. All the submissions are both practical (the thing to look for in MMA) and easy to learn and execute. Every position is covered, offensively and defensively (something not recognized in most books which tell you all these cool offensive techniques but don’t give you even a hint on how to defend it). Ground fighting is often tricky, but things are broken down very clearly and almost every move can be learned quickly without have to do much interpretation due to the easy-to-follow set-up of the book. The most important aspect of the ground fighting in this book, in my opinion, is the fact that it is actually geared to MMA. Almost every grappling book out there is geared towards use of the gi, but this book is specifically designed to offer techniques that work in MMA without having to use the “handles” utilized in Gi-Jiu-Jitsu. I can remember some books offering about 30 of their 100 techniques being JUST collar chokes; this would not have helped anyone one bit in either No-Gi or MMA, two sports where the gi is not used. However, this book is absolutely superb with ALL aspects of ground fighting, period. If you want BJJ that will work especially well in MMA and No-Gi BJJ (to an extent), this is undoubtedly the best book to get on the market, and that’s a promise.

Overall Opinion on Book/Structure/Layout

Alright, I’ve pretty much summed up all the technical information about styles and such, so let’s go into a little detail about the book itself. It is pretty lengthy, over 300 pages in total. It doesn’t have an overly drawn out introduction that takes up ¼ of the content like some other books out there. It is actually quite interesting which gives the reader some great inside looks at BJ himself. It turns out the rumors of his dislocated rib in the second Matt Hughes fight were actually true, which is extremely unfortunate. It then goes into detail about some good training regimens which appear to be made by a personal trainer since each circuit offers a complete muscular system workout. Many people will talk trash about BJ’s cardio, but other then the Georges St. Pierre fight, the man has never gassed (extensively) once in his career. Moving on, the book is structured in a very, very good way. Random moves aren’t just thrown together in a jumbled mess as in most instructional books. Things are broken down into two big sections, stand-up game (striking, wrestling, clinching) and ground game (wrestling, ground and pound, and BJJ). In each of those, each position is given a section (an example would be the Double Leg Takedown Section in the Stand-Up Game section). Inside of these smaller sections are even more specific sections, which cover things in even more detail (A failed-double leg section inside the double leg takedown section). Every section is color coded in two colors to help the reader find exactly what he is looking for just by glancing at corners of the page. This structured system and layout makes reading the book a joy and will make it quite the reference book for all MMA fans and practitioners out there.

To conclude, this book is without a doubt the best MMA book on the market, especially since it is the first to be made on the subject that does it right and instructs with high quality and many desirable characteristics (such as ease of use and effectiveness of all moves). I highly recommend this book to any MMA fan who wants an idea of what MMA truly is or any practitioner who longs to improve his or her own game by leaps and bounds. I typically love playing devil’s advocate and looking for faults within a product. However, with BJ Penn’s Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge, it is just physically impossible to find any true fault within this astounding book. It is the best book in the world for MMA at the moment, and should be for years to come. 5 Stars out of 5 Stars.
http://www.lockflow.com/article_view.php?id=2730

Mixed Martial Arts News

2007-06-27T15:28:00.000-07:00

Slice beats Mercer in MMA match

Ray Mercer tried his hand at mixed martial arts this weekend. The result? He's sticking with boxing.

The former WBO world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist lost to noted street fighter Kimbo Slice in Atlantic City, N.J., this weekend in a fight that lasted just 1:12. Mercer submitted to Slice's guillotine choke hold.

"I walked right into his trap," Mercer said, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. "It was like I put my head in his armpit and said, 'Go ahead, choke me.' From now on, I'm sticking to boxing. I can't get choked out in boxing."

Mercer, 46, hasn't fought in the boxing ring since losing in seven rounds to Shannon Briggs in August 2005 in Hollywood, Fla.

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Mixed Martial Arts Training

2007-06-27T15:15:00.000-07:00

Tito's Dirty Little Secret To Kick Butt

If you're a fan of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), then chances are you've been following the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Tito Ortiz, who recently demolished Ken Shamrock, has come back on the fighting scene with a hard as a rock style of conditioning never seen before in the Octagon!

While many so called "champions" walk into the Octagon tough, they later blame their conditioning. In the fight against Matt Hughes it was evident that BJ Penn was not in shape. This one factor has cost many good fighters their titles recently.

Tito recently revealed his secret on the Ultimate Fighting show on Spike T.V.

Did you catch it?

What is Tito's secret weapon?

High Altitude Training

Boxers stumbled on to the secret years ago. So it should come as no surprise that Tito trains at Oscar DeLa Hoya's Camp.

If you live and train at high altitude for a minimum of 1 to 2 months you're body begins to adapt to the shortage of oxygen. The most important adaptation for the MMA athlete is an increase in the number of red blood cells, which are produced in response to greater release of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO) by the kidneys.

Red cells carry oxygen from your lungs to your muscles. More red cells means your blood can carry more oxygen, which partly makes up for the shortage of oxygen in the air. So to compete in an MMA event, you should live and train at altitude for several weeks before the event.
But what about when you come back to sea level?

Will the extra blood cells supercharge your muscles with oxygen and push you along with greater endurance than ever?

That's exactly what happens.

Many athletes and coaches have generally accepted the idea that traditional altitude training--living and training high--benefits sea-level endurance performance.

In a recent discussion between four experts on altitude training for athletics, the average best altitude and best duration at altitude were 2200 m for 4 weeks.

These coaches also thought that the effects of altitude training were optimal 2 to 3 weeks after return from altitude. But, what produces the optimal endurance benefit? Live in high altitude and train in high altitude or live high and train in low altitude?

The results of some recent tests have revealed the best strategy and in part 2 I will answer that question for you.

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Muay Thai training - kicks

Mixed Martial Arts Fighting Sport Wrestling

2007-06-25T14:13:00.000-07:00

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Royce Gracie vs Hidehiko Yoshida rematch PART 3

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Japanese Cage Fight (2)

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Learn to Fight and Win with Frank Shamrock - Power Striking

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Documentary

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Frank Shamrock's Advanced Submissions Clip

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XFA Promo 30 Sec - 062307

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UFC 71 Rampage -The Aftermath [Quinton Celebrates Victory]

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UFC Quinton "rampage" jackson--Chuck Lidell killer

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Johnnie Morton knocked out i k-1

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Learn to Punch like Chuck Liddell....

Mixed Martial Arts Fighting - Mixed Martial Arts (mma) 9

2007-06-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

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UFC 66 on Warrior Nation - Liddell v. Ortiz

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Kiai Master overs $5,000 challenge to any MMA fighter

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Royce Gracie v.s. Jason Delucia

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Rich Franklin Workout

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Mixed Martial Arts Highlight

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Erin Toughill Tribute: Top Female Fighter

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Genki Sudo Highlight

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Learn To Fight & Win With Frank Shamrock-Avoid Takedown Clip

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A Rear Naked Choke Tutorial

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Rob McCullough Highlight Reel

Mixed Martial Arts Technique - Why Choose Jujitsu Over Any Other Martial Art?

2007-06-25T13:41:00.000-07:00

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Getting a good Jujitsu Foundation

Judo was the first martial art I ever learned. I was a scrawny kid, with braces. Not quite a book worm, but rapidly on my way to being a teenaged couch potato. My Dad would tell me to run out and play, and I'd stay inside playing on my video game console.

One day I came home from school, and found that my Dad had replaced the video game console with a box, saying "Take a shower, and meet me in the garage at 4." The box had a martial arts suit (I later learned it was called a "gi") and my Dad took me to a martial arts class that afternoon, where we both went through the basics of learning judo. It was amazingly cool to do something like that with my Dad. I can still remember the first time I threw him on the mat - he still outweighed me by a good 40 pounds then! He looked so surprised to be laying on his back, then just grinned at me.

Fast forward more years than I like to admit, and I'm thankful that my Dad dragged my sorry butt off the couch. I went from judo to jujitsu, to a bunch of kung fu styles, and now work as a freelance journalist covering martial arts, as well as teaching those classes at the local dojo. Dad still does martial arts, but has moved on to softer styles like Wing Chun, because his joints aren't as limber as they used to be, and he doesn't think it's as fun to be thrown on the mat now that I outweigh him by 40 pounds!

And, well, as all the philosophy stuff says, things come full circle. I'm now teaching the introductory jujitsu classes at the school. In some ways, it's kind of challenging, I have to filter out the things I've learned from other styles, and focus on the basics. Jujitsu grew out of Japan, as opposed to the Chinese Kung Fu styles I learned later, and focuses on a stable stance, grapples, and throws. It doesn't focus so much on punches, because it was meant to be practiced by a man wearing armor, and punches against another person wearing armor are pretty futile, while putting him on his back makes him considerably more vulnerable.

It should be noted that I teach jujitsu, rather than its sporting form, 'judo', because I want to teach the full on martial art, and give someone a basis for learning more martial arts in the future, rather than a "recipe book" of throws, grapples, and such designed to win points in a tournament. I think jujitsu has a lot of practical use as a self defense martial art, mostly because it focuses on joint locks rather than throws. A joint lock is a very practical method of disarming someone; in its most basic sense, it's a means of applying force to a joint in the way that, mechanically, it's not meant to know. Anyone who's had their thumb turned 'round in a Hawaiian handcuff has had a joint lock done on them. The nice thing about joint locks is that they even out strength differentials quite well - originally, they were used to make an armed and armored foe drop a weapon, making him more vulnerable on a battle field, but they're quite useful for dealing with muggers, or bullies in a school yard.

Anyway, it's kind of neat, going back to my foundations, my first "real" martial art. I'm wondering if I'll see any father/son pairings at the school I teach at.

Getting A Kick Out Of Different Martial Arts, Part 1 - Mixed Martial Arts 7

2007-06-25T13:39:00.000-07:00