MasterPain

1/2 hour cardio and strength circuit 20 minutes wrestling takedowns (largely sucessful) 20 minutes sparring (showing off my ability to eat punches and take kicks to the right thigh) 15 minutes light lifting

Just curious, why do you want to discourage a more forward stance? The trouble I tend to have with beginners is a tendency to get overly sideways, giving up the ability to utilize the back hand and foot, not to mention easy shots at the kidneys, hamstring, and back of the head. An overly forward stance is bad as far as taking a hit square in the gut, but it's been my experience that this is easier to correct later than being too sideways.

That was Hattori Hanzo in Kill Bill Volume 1. Strike first, strike hard, no mercy, sir!

Undertaker wins by shear awesomeness. Tombstone pile-driver. The Shockmaster vs. Bastion Booger Extra credit if you don't have to look them up.

A jump to the left, then a step to the right, put your hands on your hips, and bring your knees in tight, but it's the pelvic thrusts that really drive you insane. LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!!!!!!

Personally I've always thought that locks are more effective if applied after a strike rather by itself. But I was never successful at convincing my Aikido or Judo instructor on that theory. Aikido guys tend to dislike the idea of hitting someone at all, I have respect for the art, but I have a harsher view towards people who perpetrate violence in the first place. I know it's always easier to lock my joints immediately after I've been hit in the face a few times.

"A good martial artist always uses only the degree of force necessary for the severity of the situation."-Tim Jones And as you said it could be words, or a nuke. Tim Walk is like a large Coach Buzzcut. "You wanna see a real man? KICK ME IN THE JIMMY!"

Sparring is an absolute necessity as far as I'm concerned. But, care must be taken to keep it realistic. I'm not saying to beat each other senseless all the time, but there are bad habits to avoid. One example is the typical point-sparring stance. If you want to hide the areas that count as a point, turn sideways and all that can be hit is your back, this is fine for point sparring tournaments, but it is a good way to get suplexed on your head in a real fight.Another bad habit from light sparring is to hit on the last inch of your punch and think of it as a hit. A strike while sparring should land with about 6 inches of extension left so that if you did not pull your strike it would penetrate the target causing damage. Contact levels should always be agreed upon, and no one should be hit harder than they want to be hit. This being said, I feel that once in a while it is wise to spar at about 70 to 80 percent power in order to more fully appreciate the feel of combat. Another point to be made is that there should be only enough rules to keep a good degree of safety, as a rule against leg kicks for example will teach a person not to protect their legs. In the words of my instructor, "those wearing a cup will be kicked in the cup, those not wearing a cup will be kicked in the testicles." I also recommend wearing goggles and allowing finger jabs to the eyes, lightly as this can still be dangerous.

This is true and I would most likely never have a need to, however there is no way I would just let it chew on me without trying to kill it.

Principles used will vary by the goals that need to be met. If you are just outside a crowded building that you would be safe inside, you could unbalance the attacker and escape, as entering a distance to control someone would be risky compared to getting to a place where you could get help. If attacked by a small teenager, it may be wise to skip the stun so as not to cause damage that you may be held liable for. If faced with more than one assailant,you need to use one as a meat shield through use of footwork while deploying whatever weapon seems appropriate. Different situations require different mindsets. It's like math class as a child. You had to memorize addition, subtraction, multiplication tables, but the ultimate goal is to develop problem solving skills.

Knife in my pocket, keys between my fingers, a hammer in the truck seat, screwdriver in door of the car. And an ink pen when I can't carry those.

I spar with sticks and knives some. The Filipino stuff is good. I like the Dog Brothers stuff. I can't say I have a style to speak of, more just what I can pick up from different sources.

My instructors- Life would have been different without them. Bruce Lee- Do not allow limitations of style. Niccolo Machiavelli- The man just understood human nature. The Spartans- Discipline and no nonsense. The Vikings- Imagine being shieldbashed and attacked with an ax by a crazy guy who lives on a boat. Scary. Royce Gracie- A reality check in the 90s. Ninja Turtles- awesomeness. Sho'nuff- Not only is he the master, he's also the shogun of Harlem.

A good Eskrima practitioner that carries a blade has my vote. You did say no rules.