Remote Training

[delta1]

I'll see how far I get before I have to go.

**35$ per hour is just plain robery, no one is worth that much.

 

Actually, that is cheap for good private instruction. I've seen it at $50.00/ half hour. Whether it is worth it or not depends on what you get out of it.

If I could find the type of instructor that you mention Shorinryu I would love it. I have checked but Delta is right, it would be out the back of someone's garage.

 

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with that- just means you might have to look a little harder to find them.

I like the Kenpo style and it's adaptability, like I said it seems the most practical to me. I have been raised on hard style martial arts and it would be a real mind * for me to try and switch.. but I could broaden my mind I suppose.

 

I obviousely agree about its adaptability and practicality. One of the things that make it so is that it effectively combines both hard and soft, circular and linear. Another is that, more than any other system I"ve seen, it is based on principles and logic. You not only learn to do it right, you learn why it is right. This is important because the student can, to some degree, become self correcting. I can show you 20 times how to do something, and it may or may not ever sink in. But you only have to figure it out once for yourself, and it is internalized like nothing I could ever show you. Obviously, you need some guidance so as not to internalize incorrect things. But it is far better than the old "do it this way because we do it this way" method.

It is a small world indeed if you have been to Payette, ID! How long ago were you here?

 

It's been many years, but I can't immagine it's changed that much. I sort of liked the area, but then I'm a rural type of guy.

[delta1]

Delta1, I am interested in what you have in that program. I would love to review it. I can tell when something is practical or not and if I can touch base with an instructor everynow and then so he can right my wrongs that would be great. Furthermore I have the perfect opportunity to get practical application with my comrades here. They are as eager as I... I have brought what I know to them and we have all sponged it up. We spar frequently. I tend to get more "hearty" in sparring then some of them. I want the realism and I believe we will all get full contact gear sometime soon. What I have found is that by taking the martial arts with the upmost seriousness and dedication you draw men and women of the same mentality to you. I train with intensity and I instruct a TaeBo (met Billy Blanks, he is an awesome Christian guy) fitness class. I believe I can get a handle on a video program... I know I can. But to find a excellent instructor would still be in order.

 

Well, ok, here it is. First, the base. I'm looking at the IKCA because they are a Parker Kenpo system (though they list their style as Chinese). They do a few things differently than wht I'm used to in American Kenpo, but they are still very similar to my base, so changing bases here is not really a significant thing. The course is an abreviated system, 55 techniques as opposed to 154 (+/-). They get all the principles in those 55, but there are obviously some things they are not gooing to be able to include (if you are familiar with AK: family groupings, numerouse techniques for similar attacks to deal with subtle variations, etc.). They do deal with these as extra instruction, but how well I can't say (yet).

 

To be honest, there were some things I questioned about their system. For example, I don't like their bear hug techniques, as written. Frankly, most of the bear hug defenses in most systems are bogus any way- my not so humble opinion, and with no apologies to the many grand pooh butts I might offend. But, I think I can use their method as a base to work a useable defense, with modifications. Also, I can import some good techniques from the AK I already know- and I know they work because I've applied them under full force assaults.

 

If you are not familiar with AK, you may look at some of these techniques and question whether they work. Remember, you learn first 'by the numbers', and things don't allways fit. But, when you add flow later on, and do it under force, you'll be surprised how things fall into place. I certainly found that working with some of the IKCA techniques. And, after you sign on as a student (as opposed to just buying the videos) they apparently give you a lot of pointers and change-ups.

 

I'll probably do their course, and test through them, so I can get all the info. But I won't require anyone else working out with us to do that. I think I have enough experience to make this work, combined with the video instruction. I can also handle adapting the other systems to Kenpo- I already do some of this now, and it works well.

 

The extra systems we'll use are Tae Kwon Do, SCARS, Arnis, WWII Combatives, and hopefully a little grappling. These are the areas that those who (hopefully) want to work out are interested in. While we'll all learn the base style well, no one will be required to learn the others. What we will do is take them, break them down for the principles, possibly re-arrange them and drill the **** out of them. This, in addition to developing fighting skills, promotes understanding of principles and concepts. It also insures that everyone is thinking outside the @#%^ box!

 

TKD is a hard, linear style that is known for its distance techniques. I find it an extremely effective in close system, if you work it right. SCARS is an extremely aggressive, mostly circular system, with some good moves. But they telegraph worse than anything I've come across, and waste a lot of motion, with their wind up to punch and large looping circular approach. These two systems will make good fodder for us to dissect and reconstruct with Kenpo principles and moves.

 

The Arnis and WWII combatives I want mostly for weapons, but they too will be brought into the Kenpo methodology.

 

In addition, we intend to work psychology, physiology, awareness, police and counter terror tactics, night fighting, intervention, ... in short, if it concerns practical combatives and self defense, we'll work on it. We also spar with contact, ground is an option, and we fight with the weapons we train for (training weapons, obviousely).

 

Between us, we already have most of the gear we need, and I am one of the great improvisers (read that 'cheap SOB' of training gear out there.

 

I'm still on medical down time, but I've run through some of this with a partner, and I've been doing a lot of research, planning and organizing. Hopefully this will fly. But, there's my plan, so far any way.

[aefibird]

The extra systems we'll use are Tae Kwon Do, SCARS, Arnis, WWII Combatives, and hopefully a little grappling.

 

Good luck with your new direction in training, Delta! Sorry to hear that things are slipping a bit at your TKD school.

 

Now... can you tell stupid ol' me what exactly is SCARS? I've not heard of it before!

 

Thanks.

[delta1]

Good luck with your new direction in training, Delta! Sorry to hear that things are slipping a bit at your TKD school. Now... can you tell stupid ol' me what exactly is SCARS?

 

Thanks, aefi. Yeah, I'm a little bummed, but then, if this works out, it may be for the best.

 

SCARS is an acronym, and I don't remember what it stands for. The actual subsystem we'll be useing is called HCS, which stands for 'Hostile Control Systems'. It's a modern combative system, similar philosophy to Krav Maga. I'd looked at it before, and wasn't that impressed- though it was better than the little KM I've seen. But it was brought up as an area of interest, and I have the time right now to look at their tapes more. It has some problems, but there is actually some good stuff there- it just really needs to be cleaned up- which, incidentally, suits my purposes here to a TEE!

[Quest33]

When I took Kempo under Rod Boslo out of Boise, ID he had that instruction style. He would always make us think of what we were doing and have us correct ourselves.... guiding us along.

 

I am going to give a IKCA a good eval. We shall see. Thanks again for the info.

[aefibird]

Thanks for the info Delta!