Types of Gun Owners

Great discussion on the type of gun owners that are out there in the following video.  The classifications can also be applied to the martial arts community as well... but he missed out on a couple fun ones like "groupies" and "chi masters"! :)

Training: Important or Not?

I've been a student and instructor in the martial arts for all of my adult life.  When I tell you that I've heard every f-ing excuse in the book I mean it.  I get five calls a week telling me that they've been looking for JKD, Filipino Martial Arts, etc. training... but I teach too far away from them (they live in Germantown, Silver Spring, Potomac, etc.).  Really?  Do you know what I've done to get the training I have?  No, scratch that.  Do you know what lengths my instructor (Guro Dan Inosanto) has gone through (and continues to go through) to get his training?  You've got no idea... so shut up and keep playing Medal of Honor instead of training.

Old Guys Kick A$$!

Thought you would enjoy this clip from The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Lou Ferigno (The Incredible Hulk) and Bill Underwood the creator of Defendo.  While pretty primitive by today's standards it is entertaining to watch! :)

Combat Knowledge is Universal

Take a look at the following video and see if you recognize any of the material on it.  A lot of it should look familiar to many of you.  The defender is a gentlemen named Kevin Secour and he teaches Russian Systema.  I've had some training in Sambo and Cambo as well as Systema in the past - Kevin has taken the art a long way since then.

Fit To Fight

I'm a fan of a lot of the stuff that Gabe Suarez says about the realities of combat and this article is just another reason to read and watch his stuff.  If you are training with combat implements (guns, knives, sticks, etc.) then you need to address the platform that all of the above weapons are deployed from.  I'm talking about your physical conditioning and how it is going to impact the way you are going to be able to utilize your weapon of choice (or weapon at hand).  If you get gassed from carrying the groceries in from the car then you're going to have a uphill battle in a scrap.  If you believe that all you need is technique to thwart and aggressor then I have some swampland in Florida to sell you...

Think about your weaknesses, honestly, and work at making them your strengths.  Doing nothing to improve your weaknesses will guarantee your failure.  But consistent and dedicated training will at least give you an edge... or a couple more rounds.  Check out this article for more thoughts on this subject.

We Were Just Talking About This...

Pocket Folder for CQC?

If you carry a folder for CQC (Close Quarters Combat) you need to think about a few things as you choose and carry the knife.  Here is a short list:

1. Is the blade long enough to produce trauma or a fatal injury in an attacker?
2. Does the blade configuration limit it to either thrusting or slashing efficiently?
3. Can you access the knife with either the left or right hand?
4. Can you open the knife with both the left and right hand?
5. Can you powerfully grip the knife with the tip up and tip down?
6. Can you deploy (i.e.) open the knife while moving?
7. Does the knife have safeties and/or blade locks?
8. Is the knife expensive enough that you will hesitate to use it or leave it behind?

For more things to think about when choosing and carrying a folder check out this article as well... and safe carry!

Pistol Basics - Sight Alignment

Establishing a sight picture is an integral part of being able to consistently hit what you are aiming at.  At extreme close quarters it's more a question of establishing a shooting posture, but once you get beyond 10 feet or so you need to be able to re-establish the sight picture after each and every shot - even if the target is moving.

Does this apply to empty hand, impact and edged weapons as well?  Of course... and this is where your offensive platform/posture becomes even more important.  It's important because it sets up a launching point for all of your techniques and follow-ups, but it should also give you a platform to survive failed attacks as well.

Check out this video on Sight Alignment and Sight Picture for more information on how this applies to combat pistol shooting:

The Ready Position

The Ready Position when holding a firearm should mimic your unarmed, edged or impact weapon ready position/stance.  The ability to launch any tool from this stance is an imperative qualification when choosing the art or arts that you train in if you are in the military, law enforcement or a civilian with a CCP.  Can you transition from striking to grappling, grappling to edged weapons, edged to impact weapons, and then to projectile weapons?  The answer is yes, if and only if, you have a ready position that supports all of these functions.  The following video outlines a ready stance that is very similar to the one we use across the combat spectrum.

Pistol Basics - The Grip

This is a great demo of what a stable shooting platform is and how it can be established.

Carry or Not?

I've watched the following video several times since the Colorado Movie Theater shooting and the similarities are startling.  If someone in the theater had been armed I sincerely believe the situation would have been resolved much differently.  BTW - I'm not condoning that everyone carry, but I think that if you are able and trained then you should...

Happy 50th Birthday James Bond

Fifty years and 23(+) movies... quite a legacy and the longest running and most successful movie franchise in the West.  The new Bond film "Skyfall" opens in the States on November 09, 2012.

October 2012 Training Updates

Saturday morning classes in October will be on:

• October 12, 2012
• October 27, 2012

NOTE: Guro Cass Magda will be in town for a two-day workshop on November 3&4, 2012. Check your calendar and pre-register for this training as soon as possible.

Fighting Knives

Any knife you have when you enter into an armed conflict is a fighting knife.  With that in mind, does the knife you carry regularly meet your requirements for a fighting knife?  Do you even have any in mind when you purchase and carry a knife regularly?

How about this - following are the minimum requirements I have for a knife I carry on a regular basis:

• Long blade length (minimum four inches)
• Thick blade width (must withstand breaking during extreme thrusts)
• Robust handle and locking mechanism (need to be able to hold it securely with and without gloves)
• Inexpensive (expensive enough to be made well but not so expensive that I won't leave it behind)

Those are my basic requirements - what are yours?