Rooting for the Steelers and Arizona

Since my Redskins season was on the way down the drain after week 8, I’ve had a few bright spots this NFL season:

1. The Steelers are in it, and seem to be peaking on both sides of the ball
2. Dallas is out, too! Hah!
3. The old guy on the perennial loser team, Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals are looking good, taking on Philly as I write this.

If you love Dallas, sorry. I’m just glad they’ll be watching, too.

I do have to say that I’m rooting for the Cardinals and Pittsburgh!

 

Technorati Tags: Washington Redskins,Dallas Cowboys,Kurt Warner,Arizona Cardinals,Pittsburgh Steelers

Top 10 posts of 2008, part 1

I know, this is overdue, but I’m going to jump on the bandwagon, and, in case you missed them, these are the 10 most popular posts of 2008, in ascending order, starting with numbers 10 through 5:

10. Defend the Thai Clinch

I have often expressed my love for the knee, and it hasn't waned at all. I enjoy locking someone up in a Thai clinch and delivering multiple, full-power knees more than few other things. So, I have been asked how you defend the knee, but more important, how do you avoid getting kneed in the first place. To do that, you need to know how to escape or defend the Thai clinch.

9. Boxing Punch Numbering System

Similar to the stick angle numbering systems in the Filipino martial arts, boxing punch numbers help you learn to build combinations and to train a fighter as you have them throw the punches in drills or on the mitts.

8. Airsoft Pistols for Tactical Training

Airsoft (or soft air) weapons are one of the best tools in your training toolkit to develop realistic techniques and tactics with handguns and long guns. Head over to the post, then the link for more.

7. Anaerobic Training Drills

All types of fighting are closer to a sprint than marathon. Hence you should develop your anaerobic capacity. Check it out.

6. Why Do We Get Hit?

Besides the obvious answer of, "there was nothing in the way," the reason is usually one or more of these three factors…

5. Practical Hand Techniques is helpful because it covers what techniques to use for practical self-defense, not sparring. How do you adapt what you know for “the street?

Open-hand strike (slap) - awesome. Why did they outlaw the slap, elbows, and forearms in boxing? Why do they penalize you for using anything but the knuckle area in Olympic boxing? Because it works! There was a fighter named "Slapsie" Maxie Rosenbloom, for whom the rule about not using an open glove was created. He was a force to be reckoned with, and literally slapped his opponents around. The open-hand strike can be used to the trunk and head, and is excellent at delivering “blunt-force trauma”. Use with control!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Thai clinch,Filipino martial arts,Airsoft,Tactical training,weapons,self defense,handguns

Saturday Tribute to Military Veterans

This is beautiful, and worth your time. Please watch.

Thanks to all veterans.

Taekwondo versus wildlife

This was sent to my by my old muay Thai and boxing buddy Brian, and I just had to post it. Enjoy!

What do you think. Is it realistic? I’m wondering how other styles would fare? There goes that old style vs. style argument again…

Now you can follow TDA on Twitter

Click the pic or this link to check it out! If I should be following you too, please let me know!

And if I seem like an amateur at this Tweeting thing, it’s ‘cause I am.

What's up with TDA Training?

Instructional posts

One of my Christmas gifts to the family was a DVD burner that automatically converts old VHS and mini-DV tapes. I have well over a hundred hours of training and teaching video from which I plan to compile instructional posts, technique critiques, and sparring material.

Interviews

I have a great interview in the hopper, almost ready to go. Look for more.

Collaboration

Guest-posting, series with other bloggers, and discussions at the Convocation of Combat Arts will be relatively frequent.

Quote of the Day: Gace on Awareness and Preparation

“I make a habit of finding seating in restaurants where I can see the entrance and most of the room while putting my back to a wall or corner if possible. In my career I do many of these sorts of things; not pulling up directly in front of houses, approaching cars in a special manner, walking into convince stores from the side lot and looking in through the window before entering to buy a coffee&and many others. This is not done out out of fear or paranoia, just out of habit. Awareness and a bit of forethought will keep you alive a lot longer than fighting skills.” – Thomas Gace at The Things Worth Believing In

I have many of the same habits, but probably not to the well practiced degree that Thomas does, considering his line of work. The opening of his post quotes from a treatise on the duties of a feudal Japanese warrior tasked with guarding or escorting his lord, and what considerations he should take to ensure the safety of said lord. Should our safety or that of your family take any less importance to you?

Technorati Tags: crime prevention,awareness,Samurai,Preparation,forethought,Japanese,warrior,lord

Marines evaluating SAW replacement

Via Military Times:

The Corps has awarded four contracts to three companies to produce prototypes of the 5.56mm Infantry Automatic Rifle, which is slated to supplant the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, or SAW, according a Dec. 26 Marine Corps Systems Command announcement.

The three firms will compete for a contract that could be worth up to $27 million. The firm selected will manufacture from 4,476 to 6,500 rifles.

There always a need for heavy firepower, even at the squad level. The specs of the weapons seem pretty impressive, but what stands to me is the compact size and magazine (as opposed to box/drum) feed, which should mean a Marine or soldier can carry more. For more on the candidates, see this episode of Future Weapons, on of my son’s favorite shows. I watch too, just to make sure it’s OK for him, of course…

Technorati Tags: IAW,SAW,Marines,Infantry,Rifle,prototypes