bushido_man96

6/7/2013 Gracie Combatives, Day 5: 8:00-noon. More review, and we also added in some basic knife defense. I think it has some uses, but there may be some better knife defense work out there. But as a starter, I can go with it. We also did some gun retention from a rear grab. We spent the last half hour of the class reviewing on our own, working through various scenarios, and working to completion by getting to cuffing. There are some things I am recalling better than others, but, with practice, I'll be able to start hitting everything really well. Just takes practice. And I hope to some more rolling in the future, as well. Overall, a really great MA experience, and one I'll remember for a long time. This one will rank up near the top.

This schedule definitely looks better. I lift before karate--just make sure you're staying hydrated! As far as speed goes, as long as you do your lifts quickly you will promote fast-twitch muscle development. Remember that the weight may not move quickly if it's heavy, but if you are trying to move it fast, that's what counts. I agree with Wastelander. This is a better looking schedule. Leave Friday and Saturday as rest days. Don't lift, don't run, don't do anything on those days as far as a workout. You'll need the rest for recovery, because recovery is when you get stronger. I would worry about plyometrics for the time being. You'll see an increase in power and speed as you get progressively stronger. Make sure to use good progression in your weight training, too. That's how you see results. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

I agree with the removal of the safety gear. If it isn't helping, then get it out of the way.

I'd heard of Chessboxing before, but not ChessPoker. But, it takes all kinds, I guess.

I agree. Even the difference between the Chinese and Okinawan counterparts confirm this. Its only natural that things change over time.

That does seem kind of odd. What is his reasoning in attaining a conceal-carry license? Is it so he can do the background checks? A little visualization goes a long way in helping some people to remember the "why" behind a technique. Good stuff.

If you are really concerned about the etiquette, then I would speak to each of the instructors you would be working with, and tell them your plans. Personally, I think what you spend your time and money to do, outside of anything illegal, is your business. If one instructor only offers class once a week, then I don't see any issues in seeking training the other days of the week. Also, welcome to the Forums. Glad to have you here.

Anytime, Patrick. It was a fantastic time, and the work was pretty hard. We did so many reps. It will definitely be one of my best MA memories. Royce was big on doing things in slow motion, and talking our way through the movements. We would talk through it as the officer, then some times we would talk the other guy through the moves, and sometimes we would stand on the outside and talk others through it. We did punching defenses, gun retention, and of course the ground stuff, either in positions of control, or in case we as LEOs ended up in a bad position, in order to improve our position, and regain control. Royce was very mellow, and a very nice guy. He posed for a few pictures with me, signed a book for me, and even choked me out once, for "court purposes." I learned so much, and even learned something about how skilled the BJJers out there are, even at what other arts would call "low ranked" levels. There is so much to it. I made some great contacts as well, some guys I can contact in regards to any technical questions I might have. Now, to start getting some mat time in. I'm going to continue studying the manual he gave us, read through it and refresh, and hopefully start providing some classes for the department soon. I can't wait to go renew in a year.

Sounds like it was a great experience. Thanks for sharing! Did you make some pretty good contacts?

I can't disagree with you there. Good thoughts, Bob.

I think that the implementation of judges on artistic performance just tends to allow politics into the scoring, but that's really just my opinion. Kind of the difference between sparring and judging a forms competition in MA tourneys. No doubt all of us can think of a time when we thought our technical performance was at or near to being a winning performance, but for some reason a judge picked someone else's performance. Its just part of the game, and everyone likely gets bit by it at least once. But, barring a bad call in sparring, its usually decided by the two athletes on the floor, and not the judges. Its just a personal preference of mine, really, to try to keep judging out of it as much as possible.

Yeah, that's the whole point.Which would be worse, I mean, the better leg workout, running on the beach, or hill sprints? I imagine each has their own properties for making us stronger.

Congrats!

I agree that grappling arts are going to serve you best here. Being able to use your body to restrain them, and getting your limbs into position to protect them from biting or what not. What will be even more beneficial is working with the other workers there on how to effectively grapple with someone 2 on 1 or more so. The pig pile isn't as effective as having a plan, with one securing the legs, and the other looking for the restraint.

I don't like them too short. I'd rather have it down around mid-thigh, or a bit longer. Definitely not to the knees, though, not for me.

6/6/2013 Gracie Combatives, Day 4: More review, with a few new variations on some things. We went from a guard control position to a Kimura, and then cuffing. This also branched off of the punch defense we did from the guard, securing the arms and with the knees up and heels on hips. From there, we could drop a leg, secure the gun side arm, and then attempt to umpa them over. If they base out, we would go to the Kimura and work to cuff. I'm beginning to see the combinations come together, and where different things can feed in for changing scenarios. We did gun retention with the suspect grabbing with both arms, working to a Kimura from there as well, with some minor adjustments. We also did an armbar variation from one of our rolling the bad guy over scenarios, where he bases and stops us from rolling him. We also did some two-person approaches and cuffing tactics, and some escort tactics for the "passive" resisters. Lots of good stuff, and one more day to go. And, here's a fun video of those of you who would like to see something rather funny, but something Royce mentioned to have done for articulation purposes in court.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7I0yotu_Zo

It does kind of scream "ego" to me. If you want to go train, then go train, and don't worry about what's around your waist. Worry about what's in your head. Are you going to learn, or to show them what rank you are? I started over in my current TKD school as a white belt. I was a 2nd dan in a different TKD school. No big deal. I was there to learn. Remeber, its not what's around the waist, but what's in your head that matters.

Welcome to the Forums.

I notice the sad face here, so I was wondering, why the sad face? I really don't think its too big of a deal that it has changed some over the years. Even the "ancient masters" made changes. Its a mark of exploring and improvement.

If you are happy, then stay. As also suggested, checking out other schools and getting a feel for where you lie in regards to them might help ease your mind a little. But if its not a bother to you, then don't worry about it.

Thank you, sir! I've been having a great time, and learing a lot. A great opportunity, in deed.

6/5/2013 Gracie Combatives, Day 3: More review, and more reps, which is helping a lot. We added cuffing setups to the Kimura and the arm bar. We aslo worked from the headlocks some more, and had a variation where we were headlocked on the ground. We would secure the arm, get a leg over, and straighten/walk up onto their back, or if they had a leg based, we would basically post onto our head, hips up and on our toes, drive our shoulder into their shoulder, upon which time they would release, and we could work to cuffing. We also did some punch defense with bad guy in guard, blocking with knees and securing the arms at the biceps, trying to get the foot to the hip, achieving this on both sides. From there, we would go to a leg down, shrimp a bit, knee blocking the other arm, bring the other leg up and over to touch heel to knee. We could strike from there, and keep them away for the most part. I think we could go to the armbar from there, as well. We did another variation from guard, where the bad guy would be savvy and keep his head close to our body, and pop up for a quick strike and then back down. We would get our arms inside, push his head away from our gun side with both hands, then bring the leg up and grab the pant leg, and secure the other arm, and try to hold. If they posted their hand or went for the gun, we would go to Kimura. Lots of fun stuff, but trying to remember and write it down later is hard at times, but I keep trying to think through it. More reps tomorrow, and I hope it all falls into place. So far, so good.

I agree with Wastelander on having off days. If you are going to be training that much, then it would probably be wiser to decide if you want more focus on MA or on lifting. Pick one, and let the other supplement it. If you only get two days a week lifting, then so be it. I've read that for MAists, the 5/3/1 has some really good setup variants that makes it great for atheltes who don't focus on lifting, but use it as a supplement to their other training. Also, if your current gym doesn't have a squat rack, then try to find another gym. If you can't find one, then do what you can to buy your own, especially if you plan to really committ to the 5x5 program. Otherwise, your progression will catch up with you, and you won't be able to add weight to your squats.

Personally, I think there's a bit too much bicep dumbell exercises in there. You don't need quite that much, especially if you are looking to build power, as your thread title describes your routine. I don't see a lot of power building in it at all, other than the squats. What is the "lifeline" used with the shoulder press, and are those with dumbells or barbells?

An update here. So far, the course is going really well. Royce is such a great teacher, and so smooth with everything he does. He has an assistant with him as well, Mark Baumeister, and he is a great guy as well, and has been very helpful with me so far. Both guys are just so cool, mellow, and easy-going. They are both very approachable, and always helpful, always positive. Royce is really big on giving us lots of reps, lots of review, and going in slow motion as we train. He also has us talk our way through the techniques while doing them, which is great for memory retention, and great prep for teaching this stuff later on. Royce has been teaching us the techniques a bit at a time, moving from the setups to the submissions, and then adding in the movements into cuffing techniques after compliance has been gained. This course has been an awesome experience, and I'll remember this forever. Royce has been cool enough to pose for a few pictures with me, as well as Mark, and Royce also signed one of his books I've had for quite some time. For those of you looking into some info of the techniques we've been working on, I've been updating that in The Martial Artists' Training Log thread in the Health, Training, and Fitness forum.