While Master Mahan is deployed to Iraq for his 3rd tour, I can be reached using the contact form with any program or  membership questions for Let’s Get Training and The American Combat Arts Federation.  Your email will also reach Master Mahan, but I will be the main contact.

Jim, we wish you a successful mission!

Respectfully,

Matt Munson

Matt Munson of Champions Combat Arts hosted a basic weapons seminar this past Saturday. Matt is the Regional Representative for Central Texas.  We had a nice group of folks with a wide variety of martial arts and bladed experience. The day flew past and lots of stick banging as well as slashing and stabbing was the standard!

Katy Overman and Rick Johnson took the exams for basic Instructor certification in Single and Double Stick as well as the Knife. Fine job by both of them.

 Thanks to Matt and Pam for a great event!

I am happy to have met two new friends, Gerry and Mate. Great guys who love knives. How can that get any better? 

  

Saturday, January 19, 2008

American Combat Arts Federation Holds Weapons Seminar!

Instructed by Master Jim Mahan

Module One will cover:

Basic Single Stick:

• Basic striking angles
• Basic blocking techniques
• Basic weapon disarming techniques
• Basic joint locking techniques
• Basic Single Stick pattern or form
• Training exercises to develop this skill set
• Sparring exercises to develop this skill set

Basic Double Stick:

• Basic Double Stick striking angles
• Basic Double Stick blocking techniques
• Basic Double Stick disarming techniques
• Basic Sinawali patterns

Module Two will cover:

Basic Knife:

• Basic Knife slashing and stabbing angles
• Basic Knife interception techniques
• Basic Knife disarming techniques
• Basic Knife pattern or form
• Training exercises to develop this skill set
• Sparring exercises to develop this skill set

Module 1 will be held 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., cost = $75
Module 2 will be held 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., cost = $60
If attending both Modules, total cost = $110

Location: CrossFit Champions, Spring, TX.

Contact Matt (281-636-3087 or use the contact form here) immediately to reserve your spot!

Are we able to find all our movements on a pattern? The Kenpoists think so and to a certain degree so do the FMA folks. In the Black Belt levels of SJK, you will be required to work in and explain these patterns of movement. My power versus your power is an argument that has been around for years and will continue to muddle on for quite a while. In the arts we that we study, the student learns that there is always someone stronger than you, so trying to muscle your way through a technique won’t work.So how do we defeat a stronger opponent or sometimes just a stronger attack? When using the motion pattern you can always put yourself into the opponents opposite pattern or position him to be in your strong side pattern (which ever way you prefer).

By positioning yourself you are able to break his balance without using a whole lot of body movement.How do we do that? If you are face to face with an opponent in a clinch postion, you are both at an equal advantage. If you move at a 45 degree angle to either your left or right, you have just broken his balance. That’s using an angle to get into a strong position where you can strike or take down the opponent. The same principle also applies if you move forward 45 degrees as well. We have just made an ” X ” by moving at the 4 mentioned 45 degree angles.  In a striking situation you always try to put yourself in a position where you are able to strike the opponent with all types of body weapons but he is only able to respond with one. When we work against punch attacks, we always move inside/outside or back to avoid the strike.

Imagine your opponent in a diamond or two mated triangles, one facing north the other facing south. If he is in the center of the diamond, that leaves the diamond shape itself for you to work with. Start by moving up and down the diamond along the lines. Interesting how you just walked around the opponent at a very close range.

When you block, think about the motion pattern and how it is directly relating to your opponent or his strike that is entering into your defensive movement pattern. Take a parry and strike combination. If you parry across the centerline and hit below that line, you begin to separate the halves of the opponent’s body. If you use the triangle footwork and penetrate past the opponent as in several of the SJK one steps, you can even take your opponent down by separating the halves of his body and forcing the fall.

Stick evasions or blocking use shapes also. In the FMA, we can use the palasut as an example. We meet the attack at a reduced angle to lessen to blow. Then we attach our stick to theirs and roll around it to our strike. Another example is the basic meeting block. You are standing in front of your opponent and he is holding the stick at position one for angle one. He begins to cut or strike down, you move to your left or maybe your right or maybe you decided to step back and clear the length of the cut. What if you step forward and cram him up from being able to move? So lets see, you can move straight, left, right or back….This is an example of the plus sign in the motion pattern.

Using the motion theory patterns for throws or takedowns are interesting as well. Imagine you have an opponent standing in front of you, feet are square at the shoulders. A triangle has 3 points, keep this in mind. So if we are to imagine the attacker to be a triangle it would work like this: his left foot would be one point, his right foot would be the second point.

Now, lets find point 3, if one and two are side by side then the third must be in the middle of both points but slightly forward or behind him ( remember we are using a triangle) Stand with both feet shoulder distance apart, now lean forward till you have to step to get your balance so you don’t eat the floor. Did you see where your leg moved? That was the third point of the triangle.

Gives you food for thought.

Well, it looks like I will not be deploying until after the New Year! We have been informed that there is a new timeline for my unit and we’ll continue training and wait and see what happens next.

All affiliates and Instructors will be contacted within the next week to discuss possible training options until I deploy.

Talk to all of you soon!

We welcome Mike Puett and his club, Idaho Modern Mudo Association to our family. He brings lots of experience and knowledge to our family.

Welcome Mike!

Greetings. It’s that time again. We have closed the Fort Hood Absolute Combat Grappling Club due to upcoming Iraq deployment. Thanks to all those who took the time to train. We’ll start up again once we redeploy.

As the saying goes, time flies. I’ll be heading out to Iraq in the next couple of months. I have tried to reach all those of you who are affiliates, independant instructors, students and communicate goals as well as training strategies for the time that I’ll be gone.

If I have missed you, please don’t be offended; contact me as our member roster may be inaccurate. I’ll contact you immediately once you let me know.

In the time that I’ll be gone you can still contact our VP Master Roger Lewis for guidance and information. For membership and other instructional materials needs, please contact our Secretary General, Mr. Matt Munson. He’ll be able to take care of all your needs.

I hope to be able to talk with or train with most of you before I go. Once I am deployed, I’ll be sending back updates and pictures so interested folks can see what is going on with my third Iraq deployment.

Until then, Let’s Get Training!

Hi all, this is a subject that is always confusing to some and very interesting to others. This information can be interpreted many ways and used forever with new material always cropping up. Take a look!

The ABC’s Training Method

· Stage 1: One Block, one hit
· Stage 2: One Block, two hits
· Stage 3: One Block, three hits
· Stage 4: Receive two hits (1-1,1-2, 1-3, through 12, then 2-1, 2-2, 3-3 and etc)
· Stage 5: Receive three hits
· Stage 6: Receive fakes (fake the 1, give the 1, fake the 2, give the 2 and etc)
· Stage 7: Utilize different weapons
Using different weapons
Receiving different weapons
Using different locks
Receiving different locks (counters)
Using different takedowns
Receiving different takedowns (counters)
· Stage 8: Receive while retreating
· Stage 9: Receive while moving right to left or left to right
· Stage 10: Receive while circling
· Stage 11: Receive low to high or high to low
· Stage 12: Receive on different terrain or environment

Note: Stages 1 - 7 are trained in a stationary posture
Note: Stages 8 - 12 focus on footwork while blocking and countering

ABC’s Weapon Progression

· Stage 1: Stick vs. Stick
Strike with middle of stick
Strike with tip of the stick
Strike with butt of the stick
· Stage 2: Stick vs. Stick and Knife
· Stage 3: Stick and Knife vs. Stick and Knife
· Stage 4: Double stick vs. Double stick
· Stage 5: Double stick vs. Stick and Knife
· Stage 6: Single Knife vs. Double Knife
· Stage 7: Double Knife vs. Double Knife

Sparring Template

BASE VS. A B C D E

1) S/S S/S D/S K EH SAK
2) D/S D/S K EH SAK S/S
3) K K EH SAK S/S D/S
4) EH EH SAK S/S D/S K
5) SAK SAK S/S D/S K EH
6) P S/S D/S K EH SAK
7) D/D D/D P S/S D/S EH
ST S/S D/S EH PS K
9) P/S DP/S S/S K EH SAK
10) D/PS S/S D/S EH SAK PS
11) R S/S D/S EH SAK PS

Legend:

S/S - Single Stick ST- Staff
D/S - Double Stick D/D - Double Knife
EH - Empty Hand K - Knife
P/S - Palm Stick R- Rope
SAK - Stick and Knife D/PS - Double PS

As Grand Master Ernesto used to say, “Play, go to work”!

As you can see, I am back from my training at Ft Benning, Ga. It was a very long 7 weeks. It’s great to be home and back to work. I am a few short months away from going back to Iraq, so things are very hectic and fast paced.

I’ll be going to Matt Munson’s school in Champions, Texas next weekend for some training and to speak with potential new members to our organization. It should be an awesome time. Matt and Pam Munson are great folks and always do things up nice. If you are into getting into great physical shape, you absolutely owe it to yourself to pay them a visit.

We welcome Norman Vaden from Ft Worth, Texas to our ACAF and BJJ/Submission Grappling Family. Mr. Vaden has an extensive background in the military and the grappling arts. He works at LA Boxing in Ft Worth and teaches a Submission Grappling program.

I look forward to training with him and developing a great relationship.

Great having you!

Hello Everyone,

If you’re wondering where I’ve been, I have been in the field training with my unit. We are preparing for yet another combat deployment to Iraq. So, my posting will be a little hit or miss for awhile. I should be back home at the end of the month, and then will leave for a professional development school in May for 6 weeks. Until then, keep working and remember to move off the X!

Jim

Well, I finally gave in and went to see the Doctor. For those that don’t know me personally, I got injured in Iraq when some lucky insurgent dropped a mortar round into our ammunition area. As it happens, most of my Platoon and I were standing outside on the landing and were watching the festivities as crass as that sounds. Hey, I am a Soldier and that sort of stuff is cool to me.

Anyway, a huge explosion lit up the sky and a enormous concussion wave blew me across the room and landed me on my back on top of a storage container. Yes, it hurt like hell. I almost blacked out and was drug from the room by one of my Soldiers. Eventually, I was carried down to the command post and trucked to the medics where I was given morphine (wow, it’s really good) and evaluated. Soon thereafter, I was allowed to go back to my barracks with the advice to stay off my feet for a few days and stay out of body armor. Yeah right, where did they think I was?

Zooming back to present… Like I said, I went to the medics recently. I finally gave in to the pain in my back and got help. I was told that I have something or other like “Spinal Compression” and I needed Chiropractic and Physical therapy and to lay off the physical training for awhile. Yeah, right. I am a Platoon Sergeant and have to lead my men. You can’t lead gunfighters if you aren’t a gunfighter.

So, I turn to my good friend and student, Matt Munson for help. Matt and Pam Munson run Crossfit Champions over near Houston, Texas. Matt hooks me up with some advice and some CrossFit therapy of his own. I plan to post my pain and improvement as I go. Stay tuned…

I would like to take a minute and welcome Michael Sian to our Instructional family. He is career Air Force and stationed at Grand Rapids Air Base in North Dakota. His web home is www.sickmma.com, check him out and drop a line.

Welcome! I can’t wait to train!

 

I would like to take a minute and welcome Mr. Liam White to the Instructional Family. I am sure that we will enjoy a long friendship. Good Luck on your training, Liam!

Jim

We will begin training in Bldg. 37004 on Ft Hood in the old 1st Cav area. The training area is in the confrence room of C Trp, 1-10 CAV until we can convince the post gym system to allow us some training area. Training times for now are Tuesday and Thursday at 1800 until we get done. Everyone should remember that any military training event or exercise will preclude us from training.

Remember, training is still free. But every student is expected to help defray the cost of my association membership. You can pay this by using the tuition link in my store. 

Any questions, call Jim Mahan at 247-4999 or email.

This week’s training tip will cover block and attack patterns. For Korean Martial artists, you might  recognize these as free form 3 steps. These drills should be used in the the middle range or close range attacks. They can be practiced solo, versus any prepared, freestyle weapon or empty hand attack. Remember zoning footwork and torso positioning. In the course of advanced striking, remember to either grab or check the attack when applicable during this process.

This list documents only the next strike above the basic drill. No one is saying that you cannot continue with more strikes! Remember my rule of three’s! For those that train in weapons with me or happen to train in any number of Filipino bladed arts this multiple attack response will take you right into Sinawali or stick weaving patterns and Tapi Tapi trapping hands drills.

Okay, enough already, here we go…

---

Set One - Same side block, attack and an opposite hand attack: Two count drill

• Express pattern through double sticks
• Express through single stick, a) right handed, b) left handed
• Express through knife, a) right handed, b) left handed
• Express through empty hands, a) right handed, b) left handed

Set Two - Cross body block, attack, and an opposite hand attack: Three count drill

• Express pattern through double sticks
• Express through single stick, a) right handed, b) left handed
• Express through knife, a) right handed, b) left handed
• Express through empty hands, a) right handed, b) left handed

Set Three - Same side block, Parry, Attack and Opposite hand attack: a four count drill

• Express pattern through double sticks
• Express through single stick, a) right handed, b) left handed
• Express through knife, a) right handed, b) left handed
• Express through empty hands, a) right handed, b) left handed

Set Four - Same side block, Cross body block/strike, same side attack, opposite hand attack: A four count drill

• Express pattern through double sticks
• Express through single stick, a) right handed, b) left handed
• Express through knife, a) right handed, b) left handed
• Express through empty hands, a) right handed, b) left handed

---

Okay, chew on that for awhile. Remember to move or zone away before you start counter-attacking. It is also important to remember that the cross body block can only come when the economy of motion dictates that the opposite side of the attack is the most efficient way to block or intercept the attack. Lastly, the Block, Parry, Strike response can only come when the economy of motion dictates that this is the most efficient way to move.Instructors…this progression properly develops a student through the skill buildling process of moving, blocking, disarming, striking, and executing follow-up counter attacks. Few if any systems will have this common sense progression, this natural maturation of movement development.

Good luck, Let’s Get Training!

Footwork is extremely important while fighting. As I teach it, there are two sets of stepping patterns. The “V” series and the “+” series. To go along with those stepping patterns, we need to discuss phases to a fight. As I have said many times before, there are typically three phases to a fight. They are:

1. Early phase - All defense and the following offensive techniques begin and end in the first few moves of the attacker.
2. Middle phase - This phase can be alluded to stopping the fight once you and the opponent have both exchanged a technique or two and then you finish the fight with a debilitating techniqe to one of the 6 major components of the body.
3. Late phase - This phase is simply about a battle, where both opponents trade blows back and forth until one can no longer stand.

Footwork can make or break your ability to get away from your opponent’s tools, and deliver your own defensive technique and follow up with a series of offensive ones. The stepping pattern you use mainly depends on which type of “phase fighter” you are. This post will talk about the female of the footwork patterns or the fighting V.

Figure one and two shows the left side of the basic “female V” pattern.

(figure 1), (figure 2)

Notice that in figure 1, my posture in the fighting stance is upright, covered and springy. Prepared to move in any direction indicated with the two sticks. In figure 2, I have moved along the left side of the female pattern and aligned my body in height, width, and angulation to match the attacking posture of my opponent. This posture is extremely important for the defense. Next, let’s show how we take this angulation and use it to deliver blocking or striking. 

(figure 3), (figure 4)

Figure 3 shows a close up of the hand positioning while I do the left side evasion, using the female pattern. Both hands are up in the window of combat prepared to remove barriers, assume a clinch position or to strike. Figure 4, shows Matt Munson attacking, I used the female stepping pattern to evade and block. Then, I simply pivoted on my heel and ball of foot and returned a over the bridge counter attack (These techniques and terms can be found in the American Combat Taekwondo Instructor’s Manual and in the Standing Grappling DVD series).

Remember to think about body angulation while stepping. Look at these following photos taking into account of the body posture while blocking or striking.

 

(figure 5)          (figure 6)          (figure 7)          (figure8 )

You will notice that in each photo, the body is postured a little different to facilitate the technique being delivered. Remember the defensive technique doesn’t always change just because the tool is different. An attack delivered with a shovel at angle #1 can most times be defended with the same technique even if the attack is delivered with a knife.

So, remember when you do your stepping pattern practice to keep your body posture and angulation in mind. Until we meet again, Let’s get Training!

Jim

The Ft Hood Absolute Combat Club will begin it’s classes for 2007 beginning in January. Training will be offered in several disciplines. Everyone interested please contact Jim at 254-247-4999. Instruction is FREE, but students must pay $20 a month to help defray association costs. This payment can be made through our online store. You can take either class.

Equipment needed is listed below:

• GI class: standard jiu-jitsu uniform and protective mouthpiece, water bottle, and notebook.

No GI class: loose appropriate athletic clothing, protective mouthpiece, water bottle and notebook.

Club T-shirts will be offered to those who want them. They can be found here.

More information on what the club teaches and lessons can be found on the programs page. I hope to see you there! Let’s Get Training!

I would like to wish all of my extended family and friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Especially a safe return home from Iraq. As you go about your holiday festivities, please take a moment and remember and be thankful for the men and women in the military serving far from home in combat zones.

Lastly, please pray or think good thoughts for those men and women who gave their last full measure for our country and their friends. I for one, will pray for the men of Charlie Troop 1st Squadron, 10th United States Cavalry of the 4th Infantry Division who I served with this last year in Iraq. Those that we left behind were five outstanding young men who will be remembered as friends, comrades and men of valor. Rest in Peace brothers and Merry Christmas.

Next year will bring lots of new programs, several Black Belt testings as well as several folks who will test for Instructor levels in our Submission Grappling program. I wish you luck and lots of fun!

Until then, Let’s Get Training!

Jim