James Bullock

I agree with Bushidoman on all points..

Shorin, Excellent posts indeed, I agree whole heartedly.....the internal principles and dynamics of real kata are unfortunately not addressed and in many cases not known about within the American martial arts world. Your term osae is the same thing as what we call structural forward pressure. The structure and alignment of the body "presses" and creates forward pressure that is far different internally and externally than using the arms or body lean. When the hips are used correctly they act as a "bow" (as in bow and arrow) and can generate an amazing amount of power and speed...not to mention the shock and penetration it delivers upon impact. The hips used in conjunction with the hara or iiten can help you cover a considerable distance seamlessly and with very little effort. The dynamics and principles of movement once understood can be devastating and universal in application.

That would be great Bushidoman I am sure I would learn a great deal from you as well my friend. It would be fun to share information with each other.

I know what you mean...lol...I am often impatient in my own training... Tuesday the 27th 5 hours of Kenpo training.. Wednesday the 28th Neuromuscular Efficiency Development N.E.D Neutral Position • Side Kick 2x1min • Straight Kick 2x1min • Hook Kick 2x1min D.R.P / Deceptive Reference Posture • Side Kick 1min • Straight Kick 1min • Hook Kick 1min Repetitive Method D.R.P / Deceptive Reference Posture • Side Kick 3x15 • Straight Kick 3x15 • Hook Kick 3x15 • Knee 3x10 - Use various Random Steps F.R.P / Fighting Reference Posture • Side Kick 3x15 • Straight Kick 3x15 • Hook Kick 3x15 • Heel Kick 2x15 • Oblique Kick 2x10 • Knee 2x10 - Use various Random Steps Speed Development Neutral Position • Side Kick 4x5 • Straight Kick 4x5 • Hook Kick 4x5 F.R.P / Fighting Reference Posture • Side Kick 4x5 • Straight Kick 4x5 • Hook Kick 4x5 - Use various Random Steps

Hey Bushidoman, CS is a realistic training system / and a combative system. By this I mean it can be used to realistically implement the techniques from any system or style. With the drills and scenarios I use it will show what really works within a given style. It is also a combative system that has specific techniques and tools very similar to JKD and what Hock does. I have four specific programs I teach. Combative Sciences which is the h2h, clinch, and ground fighting program. Offensive Combatives which is designed to teach fundamental and vital personal protection skills in a short amount of time. I usually teach this program to police, military and so on. Situational Assault is the stylistic enhancement program designed to to be used with any system or style to bring out the techniques that will really work under combative stress. And last is the Mixed Martial Arts sport program... If you are interested at looking at the site the address is.. http://combative_sciences.tripod.com/

Congratulations on your promotion..

Fantastic Job, Congratulations on your promotion.

I teach Combative Sciences and I teach/study GoJu, American Kenpo, JKD. The following is a description of Combative Sciences as it appears on my CS website. Combative Sciences- the study and implementation of the psychological and bio-mechanical dynamics of the human body as it applies to combat and survival. Above is a basic, simple definition of CS. This is not just another eclectic or esoteric martial art claiming to have the ultimate truth in combat. The role and purpose of CS is an inward study and understanding of our potential as well as our developmental capacity. It is through this intricate study of our body mechanics and psychological attributes that we will discover our personal truth within the realm of self defense and preservation. Limitations are not imposed on anyone, rather we want everyone to shatter all self imposed boundaries and limitations so that they can discover their own creative and expressive self. Within the CS philosophy there is no such thing as reaching potential only increasing potential. Technical mastery is not the goal of CS. We seek to master, if there is such a thing, our entire lives. Every thing has a process and self-preservation is a vital part of the process of life. Everyone has different physical, emotional, and psychological attributes. With this being the case, everyone is taught as a unique individual. Most will learn the same techniques and strategies, however, the manner in which they are performed or applied to various situations will be expressed differently by different individuals. There is no one truth or way to do something. Biomechanical principles are deeply studied in Combative Sciences. The reason for this, is once we understand the principles of movement, speed, power, structure, etc, then the techniques to implement them will be universal in application. Within the paradigm of the martial arts there are many similarities in each style or system. However, most martial arts styles are based on traditional techniques dating back hundreds of years. These techniques were effective at one time. As the times change we must progress in every way to renew our understanding and to increase our potential. Most styles teach fifteen to one hundred different responses to one stimulus. By doing this it lengthens reaction time, which in turn increases the chance of being hurt. To reduce reactions to a minimum we have to effectively eliminate choice reaction. In other words we need one answer for many questions or attacks, this is called fistic law. (not to be confused with Kenpo or law of the fist) Combative Sciences adapts to everyone, regardless of height, strength or speed. It is designed to maximize your physical and mental attributes in the shortest amount of time. By far one of the most important responsibilities in our lives is the survival and protection of our loved ones. This in fact, is a duty not a choice. With Combative Sciences you are able to find the best way for you as an individual to defend yourself. No one is like you, except you. The Components of Combative Sciences The training methodology of CS is a 4-stage system: 1. Technique 2. Attributes 3. Strategy 4. Situational Assault Hand to hand techniques as well as different types of weapons are taught in CS. Hand to hand combat requires that you develop an efficient, effective anatomical arsenal. The defensive tactics and tools we utilize are simple and direct. Our defensive tactics are based on being active rather than passive. By being active you execute your techniques in such a way that you are placed in an advantageous position. Two vital components of our defensive and offensive tactics are distancing and timing. Without these two components no strategy or tool will work effectively. Our approach to hand to hand combat and weapons training is unique in that we develop core body mechanics and specific bio-motor abilities that facilitate optimum efficiency and maximum safety. It is essential to develop a combat mentality so that you can successfully implement all of your training. In order to survive in todays world you must be willing to do what is necessary to ensure your survival. When a criminal chooses you as his target he has decided that he can control, manipulate, and overpower you any way he pleases. These individuals will not care if you have a family to support or if you are a corporate executive that contributes to charity. You must decide how much you value your life and the life of those you love. Those who rape, murder, and assault people know of the consequences and could care less. They derive pleasure from pain and suffering. Therefore, they have willingly signed their own life away in attempting to take another human life. You and everyone else has the right to fight for your life at all costs. During a violent altercation the only thoughts that should exist are to SURVIVE. Survival should be your only objective! If you dwell on why the person is doing this to you or if it is really happening then you are not focused on surviving and may become another statistic. There is nothing enjoyable about having to injure or possibly kill another human being. Criminals that prey on people only understand on thing, violence. Your desire to survive has to be greater than the criminals desire to harm or kill you. Many combat instructors believe in the concept that everyone has a killer instinct. Although everyone is capable of a violent act including killing there is no specific instinct to kill exclusively. Everyone on the planet does in fact have survival instincts contrary to what many people believe. If you want protection from those who would victimize you then you must cultivate and use your survival instincts. I have heard people say that protection is a police officers job. Unfortunately there isn't a police officer at every corner, dark alley, parking garage, or at your front porch. The police do their best but your first line of defense is yourself. It isn't enough for a combat athlete to have physical techniques and movements. Without the strategies and tactics to implement those tools your ability to protect yourself will be greatly diminished. Strategies and tactics are the when and where of combat. Strategies are your plans, tactics are what you use to implement your strategy. Strategies and tactics have many variations as it applies to combat. Knowledge and understanding of these variations is necessary for the combat athlete to intelligently adapt and manipulate his or her tools regardless of the situation. In order to properly function under stress, we need to acknowledge the possibility and probability of unforeseen occurrences at any time or place. Unexpected things do happen to everyone. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are not the victim of a surprise assault. This is easy to say and put into writing, however, it is very difficult when your attention, thoughts, and emotions are dispersed all over the place. This makes the cues and signals of a possible assault or threat hard to recognize through all of the clutter. Within Combative Sciences we teach all aspects of Awareness: - Self Awareness - Environmental Awareness - Home - Workplace - Car - Public Transportation - Street There cannot be a lapse of awareness if you are to act with any kind of immediacy. Do not confuse this with paranoia, the mind must not become complacent in any situation. Knowing this and understanding when, where, and how to act or not to act is very important. No matter how things seem, common sense, intuition, and awareness will let you know whether to enter a place or area. It is far more effective to leave at the possibility of danger than to chance it. Proper awareness of internal and external events develops proper strategy. A combat athlete is not only aware of changes in condition, he or she creates and causes change as well. To change outward occurrences and situations we must change our actions and mentality based on awareness. The single most important benefit of truly knowing your physiological and psychological tools is continued survival.

I don't know that I agree with that. If I wanted to protect myself, I'd carry a pistol.Hi TigerDude, Protection/Self Defense is not as easy as just carrying a pistol. It is just as difficult to shoot a pistol under stress as it is to throw a punch under stress. The first line of defense that anyone has is yourself as in your mind, and entire body. A warrior (in my opinion) should be able to fight with and without various weapons including improvised weapons found within the environment. Carrying a pistol doesn't mean that a person can use it or has it when it is a matter of life and death. Just like studying martial arts doesn't always mean that a person can use their skills when it is necessary. Protection is a mindset as well as realist physical tactics and strategy.

It's about thirty minutes or so away from Pittsburgh. It was great got the usual autograph, pictures and such. He was one of the nicest martial arts stars I have met. It was put on by a guy that is apart of SWAT. It is an organization that has many TKD practitioners. There was an open tournament the day after the seminar.

I have trained while sick many times....by myself that is. I didn't go to the Dojo so I wouldn't infect others. I think most should train at least once (by themselves) while sick considering violence isn't biased or prejudiced. You don't get to choose where, when, why, or how you are attacked at any given moment. Preparation is the only thing we have control over. Obviously with common sense...if you are severely ill then don't train.

I would have to say I agree whole heartedly with Mr. Wallace's comments. As a matter of fact he said very similar things in his seminar he did in Columbus, Kansas a few weekends ago. The martial arts can be practiced for a variety of reasons including health, fitness, hobby, sport and so on. But the bottom line is that they were intended for warfare and fighting. A warrior is not just a scholar, he is not just supposed to be in shape, he "should" be trained to protect, fight, and kill if need be.

Great posts you guys...

Hi baron, As far as the type of training that I posted there are no websites. It is a result of the research I have done (still doing) within martial arts, kinesiology, body mechanics, and sports conditioning for the last several years. It is my personal training methodology that I have used for a while now with fantastic results. If you have any questions about it..you can ask here or e-mail me and I would be happy to answer them.

When you are practicing on your own time spend more time on working your boxing than your kicking until you become more comfortable with your hands. Then put them together again. I would work one day a week on kicking and 4 days on boxing.

Excellent explanation of the system John.

I agree... At least once a month I will do heavy alt. dumbbell curls. Or a heavy single or double on the straight bar.

Thanks for sharing your experience.. Sounds like you had a great time and learned a great deal. Congrats on your placings.

Sohan....you are someone after my own heart...lol I completely agree with your lifting advice. The power lifts, odd lifts, and so on are the best methods for a combat athlete. The best bicep developer of all in my opinion is the pull up and variations of the pull up. I like doing pull ups/chin ups with a 45 pound plate hanging from my waist.

Great Job Baron and Bushidoman! Neuromuscular Efficiency Training is also known as motion steady practice. You practice a movement extremely slow..which refines your movement by way of using only the correct muscles and neuro pathways. By doing this you are also working on principles such as entrainment, economy of motion, release, center of gravity activation and so on. Repetitive Method is doing the movement at about normal "practice" speed, still focusing on biomechanical unity and correct execution. Speed Development (Dynamic Effort Method) is executing the movement as fast as possible. Explosion from start to finish...going from a relaxed state to maximum speed. This really works the ligaments and tendons so it is best to do these in sets of 10 if alternating right and left...or sets of 5 if working one limb at a time. (you WILL get sore) A good gauge of when to stop with the Dynamic Effort is when you become noticeably fatigued. It is best to work specifically on speed when you are reasonably fresh. Repetitive Method, and Dynamic Effort Method can be done

To gain any amount of applicable skill in any endeavor a person has to train specifically to yield specific results. If you want to be good at Kata...do Kata If you want to be good at Point fighting...point fight If you want to be good at defending yourself...train realistically. Etc..

3-20-07 Kenpo from 4 pm to 9 pm....

3-19-07 Neuromuscular Efficiency Development N.E.D Neutral Position Alt Straight Punches 2x1min Alt Finger Jabs 2x1min D.R.P / Deceptive Reference Posture Alt Straight Punches 1min Alt Finger Jabs 1min Alt Straight Palms 1min Alt Thumb Hook 1min Alt Hook 1min Alt Shovel 1min Alt Palm Hooks 1min Alt Elbows 1min Alt Hammers 1min F.R.P / Fighting Reference Posture Straight Lead 1min Rear Straight 1min Lead Hook 1min Rear Hook 1min Lead Shovel 1min Rear Shovel 1min Palm Hook 1min Elbows 1min Repetitive Method D.R.P / Deceptive Reference Posture Alt Straight Punches 4x25 Alt Finger Jabs 4x25 Alt Straight Palms 4x25 Alt Thumb Hook 4x25 Alt Hook 4x25 Alt Shovel 4x25 Alt Palm Hooks 4x25 Alt Elbows 4x25 Alt Hammers 4x25 F.R.P / Fighting Reference Posture Straight Lead 3x15 Rear Straight 3x15 Lead Hook 3x15 Rear Hook 3x15 Lead Shovel 3x15 Rear Shovel 3x15 Palm Hook 2x10 Elbows 2x15 Speed Development Neutral Position Alt Straight Punches 4x10 Alt Finger Jabs 4x10 D.R.P / Deceptive Reference Posture Alt Straight Punches 2x10 Alt Finger Jabs 2x10 Alt Straight Palms 1x10 Alt Thumb Hook 1x10 Alt Hook 1x10 Alt Shovel 1x10 Alt Palm Hooks 1x10 Alt Elbows 1x10 Alt Hammers 1x10 - Use Random Steps F.R.P / Fighting Reference Posture Straight Lead 3x5 Rear Straight 3x5 Lead Hook 3x5 Rear Hook 3x5 Lead Shovel 2x5 Rear Shovel 2x5 Palm Hook 1x5 Elbows 2x5 - Use Random Steps

I completely agree.....100%

I wouldn't say never... Look how the sport of MMA has grown since the early nineties.... Anything is possible...