We've Moved!

We are now running  classes at our new location!  We are now located at 16720-16722 Oakmont Avenue (behind Potomac Kennels) in Gaithersburg, MD.  Although we're only a couple hundred yards from our old location it is a huge difference!  Come check it out for yourself!

The Expendables 2

This is the action cast of a lifetime! I'm not saying this movie is going to be good - but I am saying that it has a HUGE cast: Stallone, Willis, Schwarzennegger, Li, Statham, Norris and VanDamme!?!?  It's not due in theatres until the Summer of 2012 but I'm sure that it will be worth the wait... :)

Great Speech

The following speech, given by Charlie Chaplin in the "The Great Dictator", makes a powerful statement.  It is worth listening to... more than once.

Saturday AM Classes - December 2011

We will be having Saturday morning classes from 1000 to 1130 AM on 12/03/11 and 12/17/11.  Please mark your calendars now and plan your holiday shopping accordingly.


NOTE: please RSVP to the Xmas party as soon as possible.  We need to get a head-count to the caterer no later than 12/03/11.  Thanks!

Just in time for the holidays... another Jason Statham movie!

More from Erik Paulson

Erik Paulson is the epitome of an effective fighter and instructor - if you've trained with him you know that he makes every technique look smooth and flawless.  Take a few minutes to watch this episode of "Rolled Up" that features Erik and listen to his list of priorities... it may surprise you!

Lameco Eskrima

Take a look at the following video on Lameco Eskrima and see how/if it lines up with what we are working on in class.  Remember that differentiation on technique can come from a lot of sources and be reflected in a lot of ways.

Kettlebells For Warriors WOD Preview

For those of you who are joining us on November 11, 2011 at 1100 AM for the Kettlebells for Warriors WOD here's a preview of what you are in for!  If you are coming out for this WOD - be prepared to have a great time honoring our warriors... and be ready to take a nap afterward!

Your $20 donation will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Enter the Dojo

This is the first in a series of videos (comedy I think) about a martial art called Ameri-Do-Te - the most lethal martial art on earth! :)

Saturday AM Classes - November 2011

We will be having Saturday morning Martial Arts Koncepts classes in November on 11/05/11 and 11/19/11 from 1000 to 1130 AM.  Please mark your calendars NOW!

NOTE: we will be hosting a Kettlebells For Warriors WOD (Workout of the Day) on November 12, 2011 from 1100 AM to 1230 PM.  Anyone who is interested in participating in this event (a WOD named after SFC Leroy A. Petry, US Army) can do so for a $20.00 donation that will go to the Wounded Warrior Project and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

A Different Perspective on Combat

Not many people have had the opportunity to train in Savate or La Canne, which are both French martial arts.  Depending on who you talk to or which source you cite, their origins are either from the streets and dock of France or from the ruling class.  Either way you look at it, both systems take an interesting perspective on combat that is worth looking into.

Savate is sometimes called "foot fighting" but that is an unfair assessment of the system, that in it's modern form, has a fair utilization of Western Boxing skills to balance out the dynamic kicking skills.  Do a search on YouTube for "Savate" and you will see some impressive fighting skills.

La Canne is, in a very rough translation, the application of the sword fighting techniques (Epee, Saber and Foil) to the stick.  With it's long reach and whip-like application the La Canne is an evasive and scary weapon to face if you are not used to it.

NOTE: the following video is quite old and shows the Parisian style of Savate and La Canne; there are many "styles" of Savate and La Canne, and like many Eastern styles, they differ greatly in movement skills and emphasis.

Martial Mobility

Strength is on the mind of most martial artists when it comes to supplemental training, followed closely by flexibility.  Unfortunately you can develop both of those attributes and still not have the mobility to perform well.  There are a number of ways to develop mobility, and most of them work, but you need to find one that will keep you interested long enough to get benefit from it.  I'm a huge fan of using Indian Clubs to develop upper body mobility and I also use the Foam Roller every day to loosen up my legs, back and chest.

Another method would be to study Gimnastica Natural or even Systema.  They both have excellent drills for developing holistic mobility and body awareness.

JKD Low Line Strikes

Aside from the theatrical aspects of high kicks they can be somewhat risky to attempt in a combative situation (unless you're good at "setting them up").  With that in mind, traditional JKD uses a number of low line strikes to either destabilize, mobilize, or root the attackers base (feet or legs).  This allows the defender to bridge through high line barriers, low line barriers, or set up grappling takedowns.  The following video by Sifu Rick Faye shows how some the low line strikes can be used when high line barriers are in place.

Gimnastica Natural

Gimnastica Natural is a body weight training system that resembles yoga, tumbling and jiu-jitsu.  It's purpose is to enhance the individuals ability to move from position to position on the ground as well as create a baseline for strength, mobility and flexibility.  The following video will give you an idea how the system works and how practicing can help you move better as well as remediate any imbalances you may have in flexibility and strength.

FMA Emptyhand Techniques

There are a plethora of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) that have an empty hand component as part of their system.  Some of them have empty hand techniques as a direct derivative of the weapon techniques, while others have whole systems outside the weaponry sphere.  All of them will give you a baseline to understand striking and defensive techniques - but you have to look hard at some of the systems to make sure that you are getting what you are looking for.  For example, does the system emphasize hand speed over angulation and positioning?  Does the system require the utilization of potentially dangerous guard positions to accomplish some techniques?  Does the system rely on low percentage locks or control techniques over high percentage locks or submissions (style over substance)?

Congratulations to Jean Jacques Machado!

Monday June 6th, 2011. One Legend bestows an honor to another.

Without doubt, the most renowned Jiu Jitsu master in the world, Rickson Gracie, promotes his cousin, friend and long time student, Master Jean Jacques Machado, in what was an emotionally yet inspiring private ceremony in Los Angeles, California.

Professor Machado was bestowed promotion to Red/Black Belt in recognition of his 25 years as a Black Belt Instructor, competitor and world champion.

NOTE: I have had the honor of training and spending some downtime with Jean Jacques and he is truly one of the nicest and most humble person you would ever want to meet.  If you ever get the chance to train with him do it!

"Act of Valor"

Interesting concept for a story: use real Navy SEALs, to tell a fictional story (based on real events), but show their faces (which means their operational effectiveness is now zero), and real tactics (right)!  Anyway, the preview looks pretty good... if it doesn't do well in the theatres I'm sure it will be a good rental at least!

Zombie Killer Sword from Ka-Bar

You never know when you are going to run into a zombie that needs its head lopped off so be prepared - get your Zombie Killer Sword from Ka-Bar!  Ridiculous name or not, this is a serious looking knife (15 1/8" long) that would be great for camping or outdoor work.

At a ridiculously low price of $49.99 it would make a great Christmas gift for your favorite martial arts instructor! :)

The Four Hour Body Revisted

My beautiful wife Francine mentioned to me that she picked up another copy of "The Four Hour Body" at Target where it is on sale at thirty percent off the cover price (unfortunately this was last week).  It seems she was getting tired of me bitching about her walking around with my autgraphed copy of the book and getting it banged up.  Anyway - it's available both in store and online at Barnes and Noble for $16.36!  Trust me - it's worth every penny!

Don't forget - "The Detachment"

"The Detachment", Barry Eisler's newest novel, will be available in paperback on October 18, 2011.  Eisler's latest novel brings together two separate story lines and characters into one tightly packed thriller.  I've already pre-ordered a copy from Barnes and Noble... have you?

Fitness Training For MMA?

The only way this would qualify as preparation for MMA would be if you think that Tae Bo training would prepare you to fight! :)

Haywire

"Haywire" is directed by Oscar winning director Steven Soderbergh and starring MMA star Gina Carano.  The movie was well received at Comic Con this year and the trailer has already had over 1.8 million hits on YouTube.  It looks like a female version of the Jason Bourne movies - well worth checking out when it hits the theaters later this year!

Movie Synopsis:
Mallory Kane is a highly trained operative who works for a government security contractor in the dirtiest, most dangerous corners of the world. After successfully freeing a Chinese journalist held hostage, she is double crossed and left for dead by someone close to her in her own agency. Suddenly the target of skilled assassins who know her every move, Mallory must find the truth in order to stay alive.

Using her black-ops military training, she devises an ingenious—and dangerous—trap. But when things go haywire, Mallory realizes she'll be killed in the blink of an eye unless she finds a way to turn the tables on her ruthless adversary.

The Universality of Truth in Movement

Many people talk about the differences between styles and that their style is "better" than all the other styles.  I've got say that conversations like this are a waste of time and highlight the immaturity and lack of understanding of the people involved.  No one style is better than any other - they all have merit and they all have faults.  For the most part combative styles "look and feel" the same - the only differences come from application and "stylistic" variables.

For example, a kickboxer would look at the video below and see how the kicks are used to set up the hands.  A boxer would look at the same video and see how the hands are used to finish off the person.  A trapping-based (Wing Chun, Silat, etc.) martial artist would see how hand and foot trapping are used to set up the finishing techniques.  A JKD practitioner would see how the techniques all work together to create a seamless transition from range to range.

Who's right and who's wrong?  It's irrelevant.  What they should be looking at is the fact that it works, works well and that the techniques utilized can be from many arts, styles and cultures.  In other worlds, there is a "universality of truth in movement" that could be from any combative style and the reason that the technique is in so many styles is because it works.

Moral Responsibility

I've been asked a number of times over the last twenty years or so to make a video on some of the "darker" skills that I have acquired during my training.  Most of them having to do with the knife and others having to do with quick "take-outs".  I have always, and will continue to, not publicly disseminate this material - ever.  The information was given to me by my instructors because they trusted me to pass it on in a responsible and moral manner.  I have also been asked by several groups (names not to be disclosed for obvious reasons), and offered considerable fees, to teach them knife skills - and I refused because I knew the information would be used for offensive or criminal purposes.  Putting information that can potentially be used against our law enforcement, military or civilians on a venue such as YouTube is tantamount to criminal negligence.  The following video, while not as bad as some that are out there, shows techniques using a knife in a lethal manner against an already defeated attacker (not to mention the "defender" is dressed to appear like he is in law enforcement or the military).  Don't get me wrong - in a life or death situation on the battlefield this is potentially justifiable; it just doesn't have a place on YouTube.

Saturday AM Classes - October 2011

We will be having Saturday morning Martial Arts Koncepts classes in October on 10/08/11 and 10/29/11 from 1000 to 1130 AM.  Please mark your calendars NOW!

NOTE: we will be finishing work on the Double Stick Abecedario and CSW ankle and leg locks this month.  Saturday morning classes will be a little more "intense" for the next couple months so come early and be prepared to train hard! 

Satria Silat

The following video is from a system called Satria Silat and it shows bridging and takedown techniques from their system.  Interesting stuff and worth taking a couple minutes to watch... but I want to you watch the video with the concept of "universal movement skills" in mind.  Those of you who are training with us at the moment will recognize the takedowns (done a little differently but similar to those demontrated) and how these techniques can be found in everything from Wrestling to BJJ to Kali.  Think about it...

Angel Cabales' Legacy

For those of you that are not familiar with Serrada Escrima the name Angel Cabales will be unknown.  Those of you who do recognize his name will know that he left a number of highly qualified instructors to carry on his teachings after he passed many years ago.  Angel's accuracy and speed never diminished, nor did his passion and intensity for sharing his martial art.  The following video is representative of the martial legacy that Angel left behind and the instructors that continue to develop and transmit his art.

New "Gray Man" Novel out on 10/04/11

For those of you who followed my lead and picked up Mark Greaney's first two "Gray Man" novels (and enjoyed them as much as I did) you'll be happy to know that a new one will be released next Tuesday (10/04/11).  Entitled "Ballistic" this new novel will find Court Gentry (the Gray Man) flushed from his hiding place in the Amazon rain forest and sent back into harms way.

"Ballistic" can be pre-ordered through Amazon.com for $10.20.

NOTE: both Lee Child and Stephen Hunter have new books coming out as well.

Ted Nugent on Gun Control

You can never tell where people stand on the Second Amendment.  There will be no surprise to anyone that knows me that I firmly and resolutely stand by the individuals right to keep and bear (translation: carry) arms.  I have had personal experience with the use and application of firearms in less than ideal situations and feel that their presence led to the conclusion of conflict not the escalation of it. My own feelings, based upon traveling around the USA over the last 30 years or so, is that the more restrictive the gun control laws are the more danger you are going to be in and the more open they are the safer you are going to be and feel.  You're going to find a lot of inflammatory comments about how unsafe guns are but the presence of firearms will reduce crime and violence in the short and long term - period.

A now a word from Uncle Ted Nugent on the Second Amendment:

Heavy Persian Meel Swinging

Army Maguire, or Ageless Strength, is one of the strongest people I know.  He is also one of the smartest people I know.  So when Army talks about the benefits of swinging the Meel (Indian Clubs) I listen.  They are an excellent tool to create and restore mobility in the shoulder girdle, balance the anterior and posterior structure, and develop endurance and power.

More Golok Training

Following is another video on the application of the Golok.  Due to its small size and tip it would be a challenging weapon to close on but highly advantageous to use in close quarters.

Silat Suffian Bela Diri

From the Silat Suffian Worldwide website:

PURPOSE

• To uphold the traditional values and spirit of Bruneian Culture and martial arts in diversity, friendship, tolerance, respect, discipline, honor, loyalty, family and bravery at its highest level.
• To commit in striving for the highest standards of excellence in: understanding, teaching, developing quality instructors and students.
• To provide an educational, safe, enjoyable and positive training environment.
• To provide outstanding understanding in the principles of the art, and organized instructions equal to other professional service industries in the world.

NOTE: this looks like an interesting system of Silat.  I particularly like how they apply to Golok - fast, direct and devastating.  Take a look on their website, as well as on YouTube, for more examples of their training.

 

Tae Kwon Do versus Muay Thai

Came across this on YouTube and I thought I would share it with you if you haven't seen it yet.  It's a video of a match between a TKD practitioner and a Muay Thai practitioner.  Not sure where the Muay Thai fighter trained, or how much experience he has, but he didn't make Muay Thai appear very effective.  I've seen similar pair-ups before and the outcome was very different... is the TKD fighter that much better or is something else going on?

Here is another clip.  Watch the difference in the fighters, especially the Muay Thai fighter, and how his structure and stalking skills differ from the fighter above:

Knowledge is Universal

After studying the martial arts the better part of 35 years and training with some of the most respected instructors in the world I've learned one important lesson - knowledge is universal.

What does that mean?  It means that no martial art has the market cornered on being the best or the most effective and that in the rest space and time, everything works.  Now, don't get me wrong... there have to be some serious alignment of the heavens for some stuff to even have a chance of being effective - but it could happen!  Look at it this way - any system that digs deep enough into a particular aspect of combat is going to discover certain universal principles that work and others that don't.  Guro Dan once said that there are only so many way you can punch, kick or throw another human being... and throughout time all those ways have been found and forgotten many, many, many times.

The following video is from a Korean system of martial arts and demonstrates their utilization of a short stick to control and submit someone.  I can almost guarantee that this material wasn't developed in a "vacuum" and has been influenced by other martial arts - but it does show you that knowledge is transferred and assimilated across cultures and martial arts.  NOTE: observe the similarities behind the final locking and control positions.  The transitions and entries into the locking and control positions are different than what we teach in the Filipino Martial Arts, or what I teach as part of the Police Command and Control Baton Program, but if it's got two arms, two legs and a neck you can choke - it's all the same!

For Want of a Knife

Doug Ritter of Knife Rights recently sent out an article that appeared in the August 28 issue of the LA Times in the Knife Rights newsletter. It concerns the death of an 11-month-child in a burning car. One man was there quick enough that he might have saved the child. However, the car seat the child was strapped into by a seat belt held the child captive in the burning auto. The buckle was too hot for him to unfasten and he could not remove the baby from the car.

He did not have a knife to cut the seat belt. He asked folks at the scene of the crash if anyone had a knife. No one had a knife. One man ran to get one, but by the time he returned, the entire car was engulfed in flames and rescue was impossible. The article included a photo of a hero, Salvadore Martinez, his hands and arms bandaged by burns caused by the fire and his attempted rescue.

The news article was well-written and included the fact that a life could have been saved had someone at the scene had a knife. I believe that in many instances that had a knife been available lives could have been saved. But the fact that no knife was available either augmented the severity of an accident or cost a life.

I wonder how many times tragic events like this happen and how often the fact that no knife was present has been omitted in the reporting of the accident?

NOTE: Thanks to Gary Boisen for passing this article along to me.

Tough Little Kids!

The Russo Brothers attended Erik Paulson's CSW Training Camp in 2011 and the following video is Erik working with them both on their striking and takedown skills.  Amazing athletes and well disciplined - they have great careers ahead of them!

Simplification is the Goal

Those of you who have trained with me for any period of time know that I STRONGLY believe in simplifying the training process.  Just because you "know" 24 counters to the Cross means that you can pull off any of them when it matters.  Most martial artists spend way to much time developing skills that either have very low probability of being successful or just look "cool" to do.  Think about what you are practicing and determine if it is going to benefit you in the long run as a martial artist or is it just an extra piece of "fluff" to add the mix.

I think applying the "80-20 Rule" is more reasonable, especially when your butt is on the line. (NOTE: if you don't know what the 80-20 Rule is look here.)  So that means that you should be spending your valuable training time on things that are going to actually pay-off for you.  This is doubly true when it comes to your conditioning time... quit screwing around with the bench press and grab a couple kettlebells instead; you'll thank me someday.  This also means that you should be looking for this that you can do that have a broad application as opposed to a narrow one.

My baseline philosophy in training has always been to make it as simple as possible - but being simple doesn't mean it's easy!

The following video show Erik Paulson "schooling" the interviewer on the similarities between the Kimura and the Toe-Heel lock.

Never... Not Ever!

Someone recently asked me if I taught "nunchucks" as part of the FMA program at Martial Arts Koncepts.  My response was that traditionally it fit within both the FMA (the Tabak Toyok) and JKD programs as an impact weapon and is taught, but not very often.  The reason being that you're going to be hard pressed to find a set of 'chucks lying around to use in the event you need them and if you carry them as a defensive weapon it could mean a felony charge for you and at least a night or two in jail.  While I always enjoy training with them and teaching others to use them, I don't make being functional with them a requirement for my students.

BTW - the following video is a perfect example why I don't teach 'chucks often.  This is not a baseline for martial skill it's more like baton twirling.

Erik Paulson - In the Ring

Following is a the lead-up and the fight between Erik Paulson (41 years old at the time) and Jeff Ford in 2007.  Watch the fight as Erik feels out Jeff's defense and then fakes high and enters low for a single leg takedown and a beautiful transition to an arm bar.  I would have been thrilled to see him pull off a leg lock but they may have been off-limits for this fight.  Either way - enjoy!

The Pugilists - Reality TV Show

The following video is a "treatment" for a potential reality TV show featuring Erik Paulson, Tonya Paulson, and Freddy George.  The series will follow the day-to-day operation of the CSW Training Center and the fighters and personalities that pass through their doors.  No word on if this is still in development or has been scrapped... if I find out more I'll pass it along.

Guro Dan - The Filipino Martial Arts and the Military

In this two-part interview with Guro Dan Inosanto he discusses his background and the background of his most prominent instructors.  He makes the point of mentioning that the majority of his FMA instructors served in the military (U.S. or Philippine) and that was why their training methods were so realistic.

Filipino Kali in the Movies

The following is from Sifu Burton Richardson and shows some nice choreographed fight scenes from movies that Sifu Burton was in or worked on.  Enjoy!

JKD 1-2 Series

The JKD 1-2 Series refers to training to defend against the Jab-Cross combination.  This is a fundamental training series in the JKD/Jun Fan curriculum and should be trained in the left lead, right lead, and the mixed lead (left vs. right and right vs. left).  A basic understanding of the various lines the Cross can come in on will make this training more beneficial so pay particular attention to which counters match up to a wide cross and which match up to a tight cross - they are not necessarily interchangeable!

Kali Demo in England

The following video shows a quick Kali demonstration in England done by Guro Dan Inosanto and Sifu Burton Richardson.  Nicely choreographed and well received by the audience.

Saturday AM Classes - September 2011

We will be having Saturday morning Martial Arts Koncepts classes in September on 09/10/11 and 09/24/11 from 1000 to 1130 AM.  Please mark your calendars NOW!

NOTE: we will be continuing work on Double Stick Abecedario training and CSW Standing and Groundwork this month.  Saturday morning classes will be a little more "intense" for the next couple months so come early and be prepared to train hard! 

Guro Dan Discussing Filipino Military in WWII

Great historical information on the Filipino Martial Arts and their use during World War II.  NOTE: many of you have had the opportunity to hear this lecture in person from Guro Dan at seminars, but if you haven't, it is a great historical perspective on how deeply integrated the FMA were in the combat action in this part of the world.

Do You Need A Reason?

Why do you train? Really... why? Do you train in the martial arts out of some fear of a future event?  Or do you train to look deep inside yourself to find the person you are yet to become?  Only you know the answer.  But I put this to you - you will need to fail to succeed. You will need to work on the things that you fear or are bad at. Then, and only then, will you be able to succeed.

Think about it. The answer to this question will determine you succeed or fail in life and in your martial arts training.

JKD Grappling

What most people don't realize is that there are many facets to JKD that are not widely publicized.  JKD Weaponry is one. Don't think that JKD has a weapons component then just watch "The Game of Death".  How about JKD Grappling? Watch "Enter the Dragon".  The scenes in those movies weren't staged for dramatic purposes but were Sigung Bruce's expression of his combat reality.

NOTE: understand that the reality of 1973 and 2011 are vastly different and if Sigung Bruce were alive today his JKD would have changed and evolved as it did during his lifetime.  It had already changed dramatically from it's inception in 1962 and I'm sure if he had lived it would be well beyond the Pak Sao, Lop Sao, Que Chuie that many today think exemplifies what JKD is.

This article in Black Belt magazine outlines Guro Dan's views on JKD Grappling and it's growth and evolution since Sigung Bruce's death.

Edged Weapon Awareness

I distinctly remember when this video came out and the impact it had on the tactical training community.  If I remember correctly Guro Dan, Tuhon Leo Gaje, and my friend Don Garon were all in the video or were advisors.  While the information is over 30 years old it's still valid today - don't bring a gun to a knife fight!

Bunraku

The following is from Wikipedia:
"Bunraku is an 2010 computer-animated fantasy film that revolves around a "Man with No Name" stock character known as 'The Drifter'. Directed by Guy Moshe from his own script, the title of the film is based on a 400-year-old form of Japanese puppet theater, a style of storytelling that uses 4-foot (1.2 m)-tall puppets with highly detailed heads, each operated by several puppeteers who blend into the background wearing black robes and hoods.^[1]
The classic tale is re-imagined in a world that mixes skewed reality with shadow-play fantasy. Its themes draw heavily on Samurai and Western.^[2] Bunraku premiered as an official selection of the Midnight Madness section at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival in Canada.^[3][4] A theatrical release is slated for 2011."

Richard "Army" Maguire - Indian Club Expert

The following video is from a very good friend of mine named Richard "Army" Maguire.  He has an amazing background (martial artist, animal trainer, carny, etc.) and is one of the most innovative and smart trainers I have ever met.  He works with a number of fighters (boxing, MMA, etc.) on the West Coast in regards to Indian Clubs and hand conditioning as well as being an inventor of training equipment.  BTW - Guro Dan has told me on a number of occasions that Army is a "genius" and "does things I have never seen before"... a pretty astounding endorsement if you ask me.

New Interview with Guro Dan Inosanto

Follow this link (Guro Dan Inosanto Video Interview and Text Interview on Frank151.com) for a new and very interesting interview with Guro Dan.  At 74 years old Guro Dan is still teaching several times a week at his school in Marina Del Rey, California and training (BJJ, Silat, Russian Kettlebells, Escrima, etc.) daily, as well as traveling around the world teaching seminars almost every weekend.

BTW - I unsuccessfully tied to embed this video into the blog but was unable to do so for some reason.  If someone can figure out why I wasn't able to do so I would greatly appreciate it!

Women Cage Fighters

How would you like to get your butt kicked by a girl?  Several of the women in this documentary are perfectly capable of doing it... and I'm sure would rather enjoy it!

Great Analogy on Martial Arts

While the following video is meant for BJJ students, it's message is really for all martial artists.  In short, you need to master the basics (words/terms) before you can create sentences ( a combination) and well before you can debate (spar/fight) with someone else.  This message has been lost (or diluted) over time in that people think that after a few days/weeks/months of training that they are ready to take on all comers... this is far from the truth.

New John Rain Novel Coming

From Amazon.com

John Rain is back. And “the most charismatic assassin since James Bond” (San Francisco Chronicle) is up against his most formidable enemy yet: the nexus of political, military, media, and corporate factions known only as the Oligarchy.

When legendary black ops veteran Colonel Scott “Hort” Horton tracks Rain down in Tokyo, Rain can’t resist the offer: a multi-million dollar payday for the “natural causes” demise of three ultra-high-profile targets who are dangerously close to launching a coup in America.

But the opposition on this job is going to be too much for even Rain to pull it off alone. He’ll need a detachment of other deniable irregulars: his partner, the former Marine sniper, Dox. Ben Treven, a covert operator with ambivalent motives and conflicted loyalties. And Larison, a man with a hair trigger and a secret he’ll kill to protect.
From the shadowy backstreets of Tokyo and Vienna, to the deceptive glitz and glamour of Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and finally to a Washington, D.C. in a permanent state of war, these four lone wolf killers will have to survive presidential hit teams, secret CIA prisons, and a national security state as obsessed with guarding its own secrets as it is with invading the privacy of the populace.

But first, they’ll have to survive each other.

The Detachment is what fans of Eisler, “one of the most talented and literary writers in the thriller genre” (Chicago Sun-Times), have been waiting for: the worlds of the award-winning Rain series, and of the bestselling Fault Line and Inside Out, colliding in one explosive thriller as real as today’s headlines and as frightening as tomorrow’s.

Abecedario Training

The concept of Abecedario is an integral one in the Filipino Martial Arts, but is also part of many others as well.  Abecedario is the mastery of the A-B-C's or the basics. Abecedario, as done in the Inosanto Blend of Kali, Arnis and Excrima, is done with the single stick, double sticks, stick and dagger, staff, etc.

Following is a video of Guro Harley Elmore demonstrating Abecedario with a number of weapons:

Saturday AM Classes - August 2011

We will be having Saturday morning Martial Arts Koncepts classes in August on 08/13/11 and 08/27/11 from 1000 to 1130 AM. Please mark your calendars NOW!

NOTE: don't forget that Ajarn Chai Sirisute will be in Ellicott City, MD on August 20 and 21, 2011 giving a Thai Boxing seminar.  Contact Scott Anderson via the Maryland Thai Boxing website for more information.

Wing Chun and Hubud

I've stated on many occasions that if I had to introduce someone to the concept of trapping I would initiate the learning curve from the Filipino Martial Arts (in particular Higot Hikot Hubud Lubud) as opposed to Wing Chun (Chi Sao).  I know this will anger some and confuse others, but my rationale is that most people will be able to feed and receive (quickly) the basics behind Hubud long before they will be able to grasp similar concepts in Chi Sao.  I also like the integration of weapons (both impact and edged) that allow me to teach and reinforce the concepts and skills without the training "appearing" repetitive when in reality it is... a little "dog psychology" that works well.

The following video shows a nice integration of Wing Chun and Hubud that will hopefully help you bridge the two concepts and systems.

$1,999 Kali Stick for Sale

Interested in adding a Kali Stick to your collection that was used by Guro Dan?  Well you can pick it up on Ebay for only $1,999!  That's right - one thousand nine hundred and ninety nine dollars! :)

BTW - if this stick sells for anything even close to that I'll have to dig out all of my training notes with Guro Dan's handwritten notes on them as well as the training equipment that he's signed or given me over the past 25 years.  I could pay for Mak and Jak's tuition this year... maybe!

Hubud Lubud Training - Part I

Look very closely and you might see some of the techniques that we have been working on in class in relation to the Hubud Lubud.  No, really... look really closely because you might miss it! :)

Sherlock Holmes - A Game of Shadows

I've always been a fan of Sherlock Holmes and have read all of the original stories and several of the contemporary ones as well.  Most people don't realize that Sherlock was as quick with his hands and feet as he was with his mind... and he was pretty good with a cudgel as well.

If you haven't seen Robert Downey's first foray in the Sherlock Holmes character be sure to watch the first  one (made back in 2009).  The next movie will be our in December 2011 - for now you'll just have to settle for the trailer (note all of the fight scenes as well!):

Atillo Balitawak Escrima

For those of you who attended the Guro Dan Inosanto seminar this past weekend this is the Balitawak system that he was introducing us to (Atillo Balintawak).  The following video shows Guro Dan working with GM Atillo at the Inosanto Academy and demonstrates both structured and unstructured flows in the Atillo system.

Guro Dan Seminar Preview

The following video is from an appearance that Guro Dan made in Washington, DC for the Smithsonian Institution.  He was invited to give a presentation on the Filipino Martial Arts and the video captures most of the action.  NOTE: I've seen Guro hundreds of times at seminars over the last 25+ years and I can almost guarantee you that you'll see a large percentage of this material at the seminar... so watch closely!

Dan Inosanto vs. Steven Seagal

I remember hearing stories about Guro Dan (and others from the Inosanto Academy) working with Steven Seagal over the years. Guro Dan can share quite a few about Seagal's early years teaching Aikido here in the United States. There are also a few good ones about filming the fight scene below for "Out For Justice". If you get a chance ask him about it this weekend at the seminar.

Too Accurate?

The following is from John Farnam and is a good read for anyone that is interested in defensive pistol-work or the martial arts:

I counsel my young and energetic students, as a "general rule,"to be always "too accurate, rather than too fast." That is, they are advised to ever-error in the direction of being excessively accurate, rather than inordinately fast.

However, I also encourage them, during training, to "push the envelope" in an effort to see how fast they can really be.  Knowing how fast you can run your trigger, and still get desired results, is a judgment that only comes from experience, mostly negative experience. Put another way, you need to fail regularly (in training) if you want to really learn anything. Who "play it safe," never risking missing a shot, will never know how fast they can go (while  maintaining accuracy to an acceptable degree).

There was a time when we all carried six-shooters, and reloading, even with revolver speed-loaders, was a relatively tedious and slow task.  We had to remind ourselves that every shot had to be effective.  Rifles were similarly limited.

Today, our pistols are fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen-shooters, and reloading them is smooth and fast.  Our rifles now have thirty-round magazines. With these magnificent technological improvements, many of us have become complacent and lazy, thinking all that firepower will somehow compensate for personal incompetence.

So, once again, here is the caveat: Missing is triply disastrous -

1. It doesn't stop the fight!  The longer this fight goes on, the more hurt I'm going to get.  When there must be a fight, the only kind that interests me is a short one!  When my life is endangered, I want the  threat(s) neutralized immediately.  Missing fails utterly in that  regard. In addition, missed shots will embolden your attacker(s).  When they conclude (correctly), from your slovenly shooting, that you are  personally incompetent, they may well press their attack, rather than  voluntarily disengaging or surrendering.
2. It provides me with one fewer round with which to solve my tactical problem.  Yes, I may have lots of rounds, assuming my gun(s) continues to function normally, but there may well be several individuals who all simultaneously represent lethal threats to me, and, accordingly, all must be neutralized quickly.  I might just need all those rounds, every one. I can't afford to miss, with any of them!
3. When one of my rounds fails to hit something I wanted it to hit, by definition, it will hit something I didn't want it to hit!  "Sloppy  shooting," as manifested by missed shots, missed shots that went on downrange to cause unintended injury and property damage, are never dealt with kindly by investigators, nor prosecutors, nor juries.  When one of your bullets ends  up in an "unhappy place," you're the one who will have to explain how it got there.  At that point, your "intent," no matter how sincere, is largely irrelevant!

Competent Operators hit consistently.  They know how fast they can hit, and go just that fast, but no faster.

SHOOT LESS.  KILL MORE!

The Bretzel 2.0

Most of you heed my advice to work on your mobility (and any asymmetries you might have) on a regular basis.  One of the cornerstone mobility exercises that I recommend is called "The Bretzel".  It is a unique mobility drill that enhances thoracic spine mobility and helps to even out asymmetries in the hips and shoulders.  The following two videos, featuring Gray Cook, discuss The Bretzel in detail and explain some fine-tuning that will help you get the most of it.  Watch them both and put into practice what you learn - you will be better off because of it!

Illuminate

Charles Shyrock (a friend of Martial Arts Koncepts), along with his brother John, and a group of very talented martial artists are premiering their show called "ILLUMINATE" this weekend in Washington, DC.  According to their Web site the show is "Karate Kid meets Star Wars. Others say it’s a karate rave.  ILLUMINATE showcases martial artists who strike, dodge, jump, break, and battle in the dark with LED equipment.  The lights go out and we witness a hero’s walk from student to master."

So if you're downtown this weekend be sure to check it out!

Killer Elite

When I saw the title of this movie I assumed it was a remake of the James Caan / Robert Duvall movie 1975... but after watching the trailer I'm pretty sure it's not.  (NOTE: according to the press release it is based on a "true story" of an ex-special forces trained officer who has to facilitate the release of his friend/handler by killing three high;y-trained assassins.) Either way it looks like it will be packed with fight scenes that focus on the athlete abilities of Jason Statham and Clive Owen.

Saturday AM Classes - July 2011

We will be having Saturday morning Martial Arts Koncepts classes in July on 07/09/11 and 07/23/11 from 1000 to 1130 AM. Please mark your calendars NOW!

NOTE: don't forget to pre-register with the Trident Academy for the Guro Dan Inosanto seminar on 07/16/11 and 07/17/11.  This is an outstanding opportunity to experience JKD, the Filipino martial arts, Silat, and much more from one of the most highly respected instructors in the world.

Agressive, Sharp and Structured

You wouldn't expect this kind of work from a 10 year old girl... but go figure!

Knife Throwing with Anthony DeLongis

Found the following video of Anthony DeLongis throwing some Cold Steel knives and was reminded of the time I spent with him and Mary at their ranch in the hills outside of Los Angeles.  Anthony and I spent the day throwing everything from stars to axes and didn't stop until it was so dark we couldn't see the target anymore!  Anthony has a beautiful and elegant release that is enjoyable to watch while my style of throwing is more brutal and powerful and is designed to make the person take a step back (at least one!) even if the blade doesn't stick.

Knife Throwing

Something that I spent a lot of time on many years ago was the ability to throw a knife (or pretty much anything with a point on it) with both hands.  It took a while to get good at it but I would say I passed from horrible to passable in a pretty short period of time.  I still break out my bag of "throwing implements" - everything from knives to nails to axes - every once in a while to see if the skill is still there.  One Saturday we'll have to get everyone together for another projectile weapon crash course.  Until then, enjoy The Great Throwdini!

Guro Dan Inosanto - July 16 & 17, 2011

Guro Dan Inosanto is going to be giving a two-day seminar at the Trident Academy in Woodbridge, VA.  The seminar will cover various aspects of JKD, the Filipino martial arts, Silat, and grappling.  Any time that you can spend with Guro Dan is well worth the nominal cost for the workshop.

NOTE: this is one of my favorite pictures of Guro Dan that I took back in the early '90's at Frank Cucci's school in Virginia Beach.  If I ever imagined how much it would be used on the Web I would have put my name on the bottom of the image!?!?

What Motivates Us

The following video discusses what really motivates people - and no it's not money!  One of the reasons that martial arts and Russian Kettlebells are so intriguing to me is the component f mastery that both require.  Coincidentally this is one of the prime motivating factors for people... go figure!

Ninja Stick Fighting

Well... I guess you can find anything on YouTube these days!  While trying to find a good video of Inosanto Double Stick training progressions I came across the video below.  NOTE: while training in Ninjutsu with Dr. Hatumi and GM Tanemura I never say this style of stick fighting... not even close! :)

RIP - Professor Wally Jay

Professor Wally Jay was the driving force behind the development of Small Circle Jiu-jitsu.  His understanding of locking and grappling brought him to the attention of Sifu Bruce Lee and they created a relationship based on their respect for each others skills and technical attributes.

While I only had the pleasure of training with Professor Jay on several occasions back in the early '90's I am still saddened at his passing and the wealth of knowledge that passes with him.

Saturday AM Classes - June 2011

We will be having Saturday morning Martial Arts Koncepts classes in June on 06/11/11 and 06/18/11 from 1000 to 1130 AM. Please mark your calendars NOW!

NOTE: we will be continuing work on the single knife and will be moving to the double sticks later this month or early next month.  If you need sticks NOW is the time to get them.  If you are training full-time you should have your own training equipment and not be utilizing the equipment that is at the school for newcomers.

Happy Memorial Day 2011

Memorial Day is traditionally the start of Summer for most people.  Their first trip to the beach, their first sunburn of the season, and the anticipation fo school being over.

To me Memorial Day has always been a bitter-sweet holiday.  all of my adult life I have either worked directly with or have had close contact with the military and I look at this day a little differently than most.  I look at it as a day when we recognize the sacrifices that brave and selfless men and women have made to make our country what it is - the home of the free and the land of the brave.

The following video, featuring Lt. Col. Oliver North, tells of his encounters with our warriors and their bravery and valor under fire.

Bullwhip Cracking

I've always loved working with flexible weapons - Chinese Darts, Nunchuckas, and especially the Bullwhip.  I spent a lot of time, before I was married, had a couple kids and a dog, and three jobs - working on my whip skills.  I even worked on using two whips at once - beautiful to watch but painful is you screwed up... which was often.  Enjoy the following video of traditional Hungarian whip work.

Justice For Osama

I'm not really concerned on which side of the political line you fall on - never have and I never will.  Everyone has their right to an opinion - that doesn't mean I have to like yours or you like mine.  One thing I'm hoping we all can agree on is that putting a couple ounces of lead into Osama Bin Laden was an easy out for him but expedient for us (the United States).  Tossing his carcass in the ocean also solved a lot of problems as well.  Should I feel sorry for a mass murderer or his unfortunate family?  Don't count on it in this lifetime...

Enjoy the following video.  I've watched a number of videos from this gentleman and I really like his take on current events - like the demise of OBL.

Sensei Erik Paulson Seminar - July 31, 2011

Erik Paulson is an old friend and instructor of mine and I can absolutely guarantee that you will learn more than you can digest at one of his seminars.  Erik has, to put it in perspective, an encyclopedic knowledge of the striking and ground game and is one of the most in-demand trainers in MMA circles.  He also posses an innate ability to make things look impossibly easy and then make you feel okay about yourself when you still can't pull it off!  Go to his seminar - sweat, bleed, enjoy!

Erik will be at the Trident Academy in Woodbridge, VA on July 31, 2011 from 1100 AM to 0500 PM.

Saturday AM Classes - May 2011

We will be having Saturday morning Martial Arts Koncepts classes in May on 05/14/11 and 05/28/11 from 1000 to 1130 AM. Please mark your calendars NOW!

NOTE: don't forget that we are going to be using Lameco arm guards extensively over the next 6-8 weeks so order them now if you do not have your own.

The Truth About Killing

This is part one of a ten part series on mans biological response and reticence to kill their fellow human beings.  They interview Lt. Col. Dave Grossman as well as other experts in this field and come up with pretty much the same results - historically 100% of the killing (close quarters) was done by 02% of the soldiers.  Watch the whole series - it will open your eyes about what it takes physically and emotionally to take another life.

On Combat - Lt. Col. David Grossman

We all have influences in our past, and oftentimes the present, that have influenced our mindset and our operational mode.  I have had several and am thankful in so many ways to them all.  From Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, Guro Dan Inosanto, and Punong Guro Edgar Sulite I experienced a multitude of martial techniques but only one underlying mental/psychological philosophy - train as if your life depended on it.  Their collective insistence on mastering and reexamining the basic techniques and structures of their martial arts has molded my martial skill set over the years.

There is a book that I would think that any serious student of the warrior arts has read (entitled "On Combat" by Lt. Col. David Grossman) and then re-read again and again.  Those of you who know me will see a lot of my martial and personal philosophy reflected in this outstanding book.  If you have read it you should and once you've read it put it down and then read it again six months from now.  It really is that important a book.

BTW - all of Lt. Col. Grossman's books are available on Amazon.com.

Saturday AM Classes - April 2011

We will be having Saturday morning Martial Arts Koncepts classes in April on 04/09/11 and 04/23/11 from 1000 to 1130 AM. Please mark your calendars NOW!

NOTE: don't forget that we are going to be using Lameco arm guards extensively over the next 6-8 weeks so order them now if you do not have your own.

The Four Hour Body by Timothy Ferriss

There are a handful of books in my library that I consider irreplaceable - and this is one of them.  If you haven't read anything by Timothy Ferriss ( his book "The Four Hour Work Week" or his Blog) then you should start with his newest book called "The Four Hour Body".  It contains enough information on weight loss, conditioning and performance enhancement to keep you busy for years to come.

NOTE: pick it up on Amazon or Barnes and Noble for significantly less than it's cover price.  Regardless - it is well worth whatever you pay for it!

BTW - Tim is not only an author but a longtime martial artist as well with training in BJJ, Muay Thai, Kung Fu and other systems.