Disqus - Latest Comments for MarcJr

Re: Fear the Blade! Defense Against Knife Attack

Marc G. — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:12:05 -0000

Hey Steven,
Thank you for the kind words. I agree that those first 3 were pretty ineffective. They are, unfortunately, what is being taught as self defense against a knife in traditional dojos. It bothers me that the term "traditional" has become synonomous with esoteric. I have always believed that constant inovation in the martial arts is the strongest tradition they have. It keeps them effective. And, like you said, the second vid, being far more realistic, should be the training paradigm (even in a traditional dojo) to maintain usefulness of the arts. Many of the older training methods are very effective. But, we have to keep our "eyes on the prize" so to speak for the self defense applications of the arts to remain intact over time.

Re: Fear the Blade! Defense Against Knife Attack

Marc G. — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 10:17:11 -0000

Hey Tiger,

Thanks for stopping in. You make a very good point. While the knife itself is extremely dangerous, very few people know how to use it well or in synergy with their other natural weapons. So, (like you said) exploiting that overconfidence/dependant focus on the blade could be a key element if the fight was forced on you. But, remember, as the defender you are at a huge risk...avoidance and escape (if at all possible) is still you much better chance.
Happy New Year to you as well. And, best wishes in 2010!

Re: Happy New Years!

Marc G. — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 09:51:15 -0000

You've been doing great so far, Matt! Keep it up. Best wishes and Happy New Year to ALL!

Re: Fear the Blade! Defense Against Knife Attack

Marc G. — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:44:32 -0000

Neal,

Thanks for looking in. I hope I didn't come across as too harsh on traditional methods. I am a big beliver in them actually. But, in this case I think the modern approach does more harm than good alot of the time. And, the techniques as well as the thought process needs to be revised to maintain the effectiveness that the rest of the traditional training has to offer.

Re: The Value of Persistence

Marc G. — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:27:52 -0000

Neal,
Outstanding advice! And, thank you for connecting this not only to martial arts training, but to all points of life the way you did. It is something I noticed sometime ago...noone ver seems to talk about much. The positive effects the perseverence can have when it begins to work synegistically with other aspects of your life. Once someone has felt that positive momentum start to build, how could they not reach a positive tipping point in their life?
Once again...Kudos!
And, by the way, I love the stork and frog picture! I have a hand drawn version of it posted in my office. It motivates me often when I need it.
Take care...

Re: Ikigai Mug Schwag

Marc G. — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:13:53 -0000

Matt,
Very Cool!! Does it come in a smaller "morning coffee" version? I need one of those! Let me know, huh? :)

Re: Christmas Self Defense

Marc G. — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:09:29 -0000

That's a very good point Matt. But, around the hoilidays, once you have been accosted by the extended family for a couple of days, you would be suprised what WILL start to make sense to you. Excellent artistic exibition, by the way. Merry Christmas!

Re: Taekwondo Monkeys Attack Trainer!

Marc G. — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:25:12 -0000

I agree...I wish I had said it, but...well, I should have said it! LOL

Re: Taekwondo Monkeys Attack Trainer!

Marc G. — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:41:15 -0000

"It's all fun and games until the TKD monkeys attack!" I can't say I blame them. Someone training their pets to do things for fun is one thing. Training an animal to perform for show is ok too...as long as you are not mistreating them. My limited experience tells me that if animals are not mistreated (well taken care of, loved, etc...) they tend to bond with their trainers. This looks alot more like they hated him. I would bet if all the facts were know, he was less than kind to them regularly. I would bet he had it coming.

Re: Real Aikido in Action

Marc G. — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:00:46 -0000

Terry Dobson's story WAS phenominal... But, the older man who calmed the drunk would-be attacker took an enormous risk. I am in no way detracting from the compassion he showed or his wisdom in reading the situation well enough to resolve it how he did. However, I can't get behind it as a "standard" for others to try to live up to due to the fact I believe the old man's success would be the great exception...not the rule. I think he hit the 1 in 1000 shot that the assailant was calmable and he guessed right in how to do it. Once again...my deepest respect for his caring and wisdom...but, not sure if it would be a good standard go-to move.

I go alot deeper into my thoughts on this here:
http://actionkaratearts.com...

Re: Sensei’s Secret Techniqe

Marc G. — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:05:33 -0000

Very much so! There is always the old saying: "The devil is in the details." The details of even the (seemingly) simplest techniques are just as important as the most complex kata. If you let them slide (instead of scrutinizing them)...there is no effectiveness in the technique. So, you end up just wasting your time. And, I don't think anyone could have reached Master Higaonna's standing without knowing this. Having been "caught" training the most basic of techniques only goes to prove it.
An excellent post and point!

Re: Martial Arts Competitions: How Useful Are They?

Marc G. — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:40:34 -0000

Another good one Neal. I gave up competition years ago for several reasons...but mostly (like you said) I found myself training to compete. That is opposed to training to fight. I began to see myself forgoing training very useful techniques (strikes to certain target areas, elbow strikes, etc...) because they were not permitted in competition. I saw that i was kidding myself if I thought: "Well, I will know to use them on the street if I need to." Under that kind of stress you go on auto-pilot your body does what you have trained it to do. And, if that is to only tournament moves...that is what it will do. As well, there was no gain for me in competition. I won my share of trophies, but they just took up space. So... I walked away from it and got back to training for the fight I hoped never came. I have been alot stronger and happier in my training ever since. Nothing wrong with it every once in a while for fun...but, it's just my thing anymore. I hope you do enjoy it though..if you do it. Just don't lose sight of the real prize in your training... Take care!

Re: Community Giveaway II Results!

Marc G. — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:33:45 -0000

Congrats all around to the lucky winners! And, Kudos Matt! Good looking out for your readers. Always give something back to the ones that keep you going.

Re: Should You Train When You’re Sick?

Marc G. — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:27:39 -0000

Hey Neal,
I appreciate you bringing this up. It is something that I had to deal with alot in the Marine Corps. Some guys want to have the name (US Marine) but did not wan to earn it. I am speaking of realatively few (but there none the less) that would try to turn the sniffles into something much worse so they could get a few days of light duty. While I was in uniform, I could simply make life harder on them if they tried it. But, when you're teaching civilians in a dojo, you don't have the leverage to force them to a deeper commitment level...all you can do is influence by example. And, if you are the type of person who yourself is easily pulled away from training if you have a good excuse, then you probably need to reexamine your own degree of dedication.
But, if you truly believe you are ill, then trying to fight through can do alot more harm than good. My sister's husband spent 2 weeks in the hospital with a sever lung infection that he let go untreated. He was convinced it was nothing...until he nearly died. He is still recovering from the effects and that was 2 months ago. Like I said, I agree that illness is a commitment/gut check...but, it must be tempered with common sense as well.

Re: Thoughts on Footwear

Marc G. — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:56:37 -0000

Hey Matt!
It's been a while since I was able to look in last. I love this one about the differences between then and now on training methods. It has been a bone oc contention for a while between me and some friends who also train but in more "modern" styles and methods. I am a big believer in traditioonal karate training and that there is still great value in traditional methods even if the world has changed alot. And, while I agree minor adjustments should be made here and there to accomodate for these changes, I bristle when someone says the "old school" ways are outdated and a waste of time. This narefoot training arguement has always been the "go to" move for some who disagree with me. Yes I think shoes can be useful in a fight and some training should be committed to that end...social changes this slight are not a good reason to abandon a training methodology that (as a whole) has worked so well for so long. But, just my thoughts. Take care man!

Re: Kata Ichi Go

Marc G. — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:46:11 -0000

An outstanding post, Matt! I could not agree more. I am always dumbfounded by people who profess kata training to be a waste of time. I guess you could not blame them if it is what they were taught by their instructors. But, I have never heard of an instructor even bothering to mention let alone berate a subject they DON'T teach. They would most likely would not mention it at all. So, it sounds more to me like some individuals were not taught the true value of kata and were simply taught the movements for their next belt test, tournament, etc... But, then again, hopefully there are enough Sensei and karate-ka out there who can keep an excellent training method alive for the next generation.
And, I hope you don't mind I added a link to this post from an older one of mine on the same subject. you made too many good points here for me to not bring attention to them.
http://actionkaratearts.com...

Re: Kick to the Face!

Marc G. — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:41:43 -0000

It is true that society is "a little" different than it used to be. This DOES change the type of actions that might be appropriate in certain civil situations like the one above. But, I think we still have a moral obligation to help eachother and to get involved when help is needed. The technique chosen above was not extreme in its application and did not inflict sever damege to anything but the running man's ego. So, I don't think there was an error in judgement there. But, the only other comment on this I would make is that once he got involved, he has an obligation to see it through. I mean that in a situation like this if you were to only have a second or 2 to guess what is going on and react, then you take on the responsibility of making sure your reactions don't cause more harm. For instance: if the man running had not been the "bad guy" but a "good guy" running for his life from a "robber", then after our hero dropped him he has the responsibility of finding out those facts. And, when he sees he was wrong, it is then his moral responsibility to act to (if neccesary) protect the man he kicked because his actions are what put that man in more (not less) danger. It sounds like the "in for a penny...in for a pound" mentality. But, in truth it is more of the "with the right to act comes the resposibility for your actions" moral ethic.

Re: Thugs Get What They Deserve

Marc G. — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:18:25 -0000

I saw several instances where there was the possibility of serious injury to the "hero" in this story. Our "villan" was allowed to get way too close to him far too many times. IF... there had been a knife or other object invloved in this story, then the hero could be dead or dying within a few seconds. Or, simply caught by suprise by a sucker punch. Anyone within arms reach with obviously violent intentions is a very serious threat. I DO however admire the hero's restraint. It proved to be a win for him in this situation. But, it could have easily gone the other way...and he had no way to know it at the time. As skilled as he was in the martial arts, in this particular story, I think he was also extremely lucky!

Re: A Street Thug Who Makes Trouble At the Wrong Doorstep

Marc G. — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:16:26 -0000

I agree with you, Jesse. I saw several instances where there was the possibility of serious injury to the "hero" in this story. Our "villan" was allowed to get way too close to him far too many times. IF... there had been a knife or other object invloved in this story, then the hero could be dead or dying within a few seconds. Or, simply caught by suprise by a sucker punch. Anyone within arms reach with obviously violent intentions is a very serious threat. I DO however admire the hero's restraint. It proved to be a win for him in this situation. But, it could have easily gone the other way...and he had no way to know it at the time. As skilled as he was in the martial arts, in this particular story, I think he was also extremely lucky!

Re: The Head Butt- Your Secret Street Self Defense Weapon

Marc G. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:12:10 -0000

Wim,
Thanks for the info. I don't have a lot of experience with Filipino MA's outside of seeing a few demos, etc... But, you are right, based on what I saw they are VERY results oriented when it comes to combat. My background is in traditional karate-do, but if I get the opportunity, I would love to get some training experience in that area. A lot to learn there, I am seeing. Take care...

Re: The Head Butt- Your Secret Street Self Defense Weapon

Marc G. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:28:37 -0000

Hey Neal! Another good one! to me, it is amazing that very few (if any) of the more traditional martial arts had anything like this. You are right about the effectiveness, realative ease and recoverability on this particular strike. You would think these would be the hallmarks of solid solid and traditional technique. But, noone cleared the idea with me, so I had no say. Take care and keep 'em coming!

Re: The True Kata Applications…Part 2

Marc G. — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:39:35 -0000

Hello John…
I agree, hopefully the need for combat application of kata will get less with age for all of us. But, like you said, we can still practice it as long as we’re physically able. And, if you enjoyed it, and it (the training itself) was of value to you once…then I would think it would be something you would WANT to continue as well. I know I do. Thanks for looking in.
Best to you…Keep training hard!

Re: Kuwa – Okinawan Hoe (And Tool of Self Defense!)

Marc G. — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:15:45 -0000

Good post, Matt! I like how you present what could be seen as a simple gardening tool and explain the training and potential for self defense. The fact that kobudo was once a way of survival for some people proves the usefulness of things like this. And, I think this shouldn't be discounted in modern society either. Just because new ways come along...we shouldn't forget the things that have worked well so far. We may need those skills again one day. Training in kobudo, especially in (what could be) improvised weapons of oppotunity like this, is still very useful skill today. Thanks for showing that with this post.

Re: The True Kata Applications…Part 2

Marc G. — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:38:42 -0000

Thank you Matt! I agree, a true "Modern Master" I believe.

Re: The Bad Habits of Sweat

Marc G. — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:08:48 -0000

An excellent post, Matt! I love that someone finally said it out loud. The idea that hard work is needed, but not the ONLY thing needed is long over due to be accepted in modern karate (and most other martail arts) training. Keep up the good thinking workout!