Perhaps only briefly, the Convocation of Combat Arts has opened to the public! Yes, the inner workings of the exclusive and mysterious group are now open for viewing. It boggles the mind! To participate, you'll still need to join, however. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
I'd love it if all of our millions (only a slight exaggeration) of TDA Training readers would join so that we can converse and share ideas.
Quite a while ago, a group of us (martial arts bloggers) decided to create a place where we could discuss amongst ourselves, and with our reader, the issues of the martial day in a civil, mature way, without gratuitous, and anonymous personal attacks or unjustified opinions. Thus, The Convocation of Combat Arts was born. We've just moved over to a new platform, Ning, from our original Google Groups home, and are launching now. Please head over and check us out (membership required)! The original Partners (partner blogs) are (more are added daily):
Fight Geek's fault!
Brilliant. This was inspired by Fight Geek completely unnecessary A-Team reference on a forum - this is my way of getting him back!
What I'm referring to in the title is the new Convocation of Combat Arts, comprised of the best martial arts bloggers on the planet, and me, too. We're getting ready for the public launch of the site, a combined forum, social networking mishmash, and weird grouping of bloggers and their readers. More shortly.
The Convocation of Combat Arts is moving. If you want to be invited to be a member of the new forum, please email me (tdatraining at gmail dot com), or just wait for the new link and announcement.
It's going to be good. Very good. I'm talking better than average. Seriously!
[Update, October 26, 2008] I have invited all the member from the old Convocation to the new one. A few more kinks to work out, then we'll start promoting the new site. We have a healthy 7 members now (as compared to 70 members at the old)!
Photo: Bruce Lee : The Divine Wind
Matt of Mat's Way has posed an excellent question at the Convocation of Combat Arts:
How has Bruce Lee affected your training?
Here's my answer:
Great question! Bruce Lee was, and still is, one of the biggest breakers of new ground in any area, I think.
Hmm. Let me start by saying that I was deeply affected in two ways:In the beginning of my martial arts journey, I was affected as a kid by his intensity and the magic of his on-screen charisma. Like many then and now, I was impressed by his on-camera virtuosity, and the ability to turn "just a punch" or "just a kick" into something that looked like it could blast down a brick wall! That original inspiration led me and my brother to start screeching and beating each other up almost every day - something I'm very sure my parents appreciated! It got us started in the martial arts, and that has never ended for me, the magic.
Later, after receiving actual training in arts as diverse as TKD, Isshin-Ryu, Aikido, and starting on boxing and muay Thai, I went back and started studying what he wrote, read, and said about the martial arts, and was even more impressed. I had, by that time, dismissed MA flicks as junk and bunk. Later, after realizing what Lee actually did, I realized that his on-screen greatness just scratched the surface. Lee's "Way of the Intercepting Fist," Jeet Kune Do, was his embrace of what martial arts really is - many things. Martial arts are much more than punching and kicking, and yet just that. There is an obvious contradiction between training for something (conflict) which reduces the chance that it will occur! By facing violence, it's diminished. Lee was on the same path, in my opinion, as a Uyeshiba or Funakoshi, and transcended the specifics of how he got there.
On a purely technical level, I think the "Tao of Jeet Kune Do" is one of the finest tomes on martial arts ever, on a par with "The Art of War" or anything else out there. It's a look into the mind of a genius. The breakdown of technique, from boxing to Judo to Savate and muay Thai into their respective aspects of the approach to the problem of physical conflict shows that he really understood them. The illustration and ideas are fantastic. Just little tips like, "hand before feet, always" (a paraphrase), concerning the concept of being non-telegraphic with a lead are invaluable for building your arsenal.
To finish my long reply to your excellent question, I think his effect on my training is indistinguishable from my training.
--
What are your thoughts? If you have an answer, please head over to the Convocation thread and give your own answer! Reminder: non-members CAN post there!
One of the many benefits of a forum, whether a town hall meeting, or an Internet version of the same, such as the excellent FightingArts.com Forum or the Convocation of Combat Arts (full disclosure: I am the administrator of CoCA), is the ability to share thoughts and ideas. A major part of that interactivity is that your ideas may be challenged on their merits, and debated to your heart's content. The very act of presenting a case, and arguing it exposes your ideas to new perspectives, which may sometimes even change your mind.
One such recent debate (on what is considered a "martial art") at CoCA reinforced the importance of defining terms. The CoCA debate in question was long, and well-argued, but left much to be desired in that many of the participant were arguing the same point, just using different terms.
A better example at another forum (I can't recall where at this point) was related to the subject of "rolling." The person who posted the beginning of the thread was asking about the difference between how styles teach rolling, and some who practiced BJJ or MMA started on their philosophy of grappling in practice or competition (rolling for them), while others were, in the same thread, debating things like posting the back foot or not while rolling (for them, ukemi, or breakfalls or somersaults). You can imagine how hilarious it was when someone let this go on for a couple of days, then calmly posted brief definitions of what "rolling" mean to the respective parties, and the debate cooled considerably.
The same can happen in discussions of anything, be it politics, parenting, religion, or, most importantly, martial arts! To that end, let's try to explain exactly what we mean. Know what I mean?
The Convocation of Combat Arts has just welcomed Argos Classic Martial Reprints as a full Partner. I've linked to Argos for a long time. One of the most unique martial arts blogs out there, Argos find things that almost no one else would know existed. Like this. :-O
Since posting The Efficacy of Kata, there have been a number of excellent responses at CoCA, and a new post by Charles. Please read them over. After Charles new post, my response:
Hi Charles, etc. First of all, let me say that I greatly respect your opinions, but still disagree, and both are OK.
I want to add:I don't expect to change anyone's mind, but I think that every opinion posted in any forum should be backed up with the reasons for the belief. If they are convincing reasons, they may convince. Charles, BBM, and others have tried to give those reasons, and for that, have earned my respect.
- Kata are an important training method for many styles, but not all. Some have no kata at all, and few would argue that that they are viable fighting methods.
- Kata are, in the history of personal combat, or warfare, as defined by Charles' post and common practice, a relatively recent method of training method, and not widely adopted in that sense. As far as I know, only asian fighting arts practice them in the way that we're discussing it, and truly doubt that they are practiced widely as a formal training method by their police or military forces. Neither are they used as a primary training method by any police force, paramilitary, or combatives (military) training system. Since my own training is not almost entirely in a DT/combatives focus, I am sensitive to what I perceive as being practical for that type of training for myself and my students, many of whom are, or have been in law-enforcement/public safety. My LEO students at my TKD schools seemed to appreciate poomse for what it was, TKD, but asked for scenario-based training, and so saw the "traditional" within the TKD as a supplement to that training. I look at this as akin to range-only shooting, as opposed to the "aliveness" of tactical course and, now airsoft scenarios. Which is better? The innovation of the tactical training by modern equipment will never supplant the fixed target practice on the range, but instead focus on building the true combat skill. Would an officer who went through just fixed target, or even the same course of pop-up target be more effective than one who ALSO trained versus live, resisting opponents in airsoft scenarios? I think not.
- Even the staunchest advocates of kata do not seem to claim that kata are the best method of training for combat, but a part of that training, or one of many methods. It seems that those advocates posit that they're the "encyclopedia" of their art's techniques.
I agree.- I read through Maj. Morgan fine book over ten years ago, shortly after it was published, and agreed with much of it, though not all. I will definitely review it again, and pay a great deal of attention to his opinion on forms, and may post again at that time.
- My position, and be clear that it is only mine, and from my experience, is that kata are not the most efficient means to the end of training for combat. I stated in the reasons for my original opinion (Are Kata/Poomse Important?), "Kata performance is not an efficient means of preparing for sparring, fighting, or self-defense. If it was, Lennox Lewis, Tyson, and all other fighters with millions on the line would be doing them, wouldn't they. Oh, they're boxers? How about martial artists? Did you see a Chuck Norris, Bill Wallace, Joe Lewis, Nasty Anderson, or Arlene Limas (dating myself, eh?) doing forms to prepare for competition? No, of course not. Enough said."
Ok, obviously it was not enough said, and it was also a poor example of anything other than those fighter's preparation for sport competition, not combat, but to support that point, our Marines, Navy SEALS, and Army infantry, don't have kata included in their training regimes for a reason. If they were the most efficient means to prepare for combat, they'd be included. Perhaps in the future those forces, as well as civilian defensive tactics would include them, but I don't think that will happen.
There are definitely well-formed lines of disagreement here. To me they are not a disagreement of substance, just of degree. Excellent thread, and worthy discussion. The only thing I would hope for, more input from practitioners of systems or styles that do not include forms, but have done them in the past. That's probably too much to ask, though.--
Nathan Teodoro
I am catching up on email (sorry for whomever has emailed and not gotten a polite and timely response), and on threads at the Convocation of Martial Arts, and came upon a thread entitled, "How would you defend yourself in your home?" Excellent! Read through the whole thing, then post if you like, but I'd like to ask a more pertinent question that can be a learning experience for us all:
Have you ever had to defend your home? Rather, have you ever been in a situation where you've faced an intruder and, successfully or unsuccessfully defended yourself? If so, this isn't a theoretical situation for you, and you can help thousands of the readers of this blog and the partner sites at CoCA. Please reply via comment, or better yet, at the Have you HAD to defend your home? thread there.
Questions:
Many thanks,
Nathan
Have you seen the MCMAP episode on The Human Weapon? I've started a thread at the Convocation of Combat Arts, and you're invited! Daniel, sign on and post! Watch some of the video here.
The CoCA thread is here.
... of consciousness
There! Now I feel better. Have a great Thursday. Stay safe.
In our continuing Convocation thread, "Have you ever used it," discussing real-life uses of martial arts or self-defense, our CoCA Partner Black Belt Mama gives an account of an attempted date-rape she successfully deterred. She recalled, with remarkable clarity, the mistakes she made in getting into the situation, and how she took matters into her own hands (and feet), and successfully counter-attacked in a manner that turned the tables quickly. From BBM's post:
"A friend of mine wanted to go out with this guy. He had a friend who wanted to go out with me. I didn't care for him at all. He rubbed me the wrong way, but my friend really wanted me to go along so I agreed. I thought, what's one date right? (First stupid mistake!). So, we met at a neutral location and my friend and I went with the guys in their car. (Second stupid mistake). I thought we were going to the movies. They had other plans. The one guy's parents were not home, so they drove us back there. My friend and her date went outside to the pool. I wasn't interested in swimming. It was also clear my friend wanted to be alone with her date. It was awkward. I should have demanded to leave right then and there, but they lived in the middle of no where, I didn't have my car, and I was too embarrassed to call someone for a ride. (Mistake number 3) I should have called my Dad. So, instead of hanging otuside with the bugs, we went inside to the living room. There was a sofa bed and it was pulled out. He put on a movie and we sat down. I remember not even sitting near him because I didn't want to give him the wrong idea. There was not another piece of furniture to sit on.
We're watching the movie and the next thing I know he is on top of me..."
From there, it gets better for BBM, and much worse for the piece of s*** who climbed on her. Read the rest, and comment at the Convocation of Combat Arts.
Note, for the record, that BBM is now married, and is no longer available to beat up would-be date rapers, but is blogging her way to her black belt (she's almost there), whereupon the date-rapers will probably pre-emptively beat themselves up before even considering trying anything on her (if they're smart). BTW, BBM is also available for singing engagements, and Mr. BBM is now a successful music video producer, so everything turned out for the best.
Head over to the Convocation to learn about Kicks Boxes, a great new blog by Rick Fryer. From my CoCA description:
Please welcome our newest Convocation Partner blog, Kicks Boxes. Described as, "Discovering the World of Martial Arts & Combat Sports," Kicks Boxes is a newer MA blog (since June), but has some great content already. Rick Fryer describes the origin of the blog name like this:
The title of this site comes from my daughter, who while two years old, saw me working out by kicking a heavy bag in the basement one day and quietly asked me what I was doing. “Daddy’s doing his kickboxing,“ I’d told her. After that day, she’d proudly tell anyone and everyone who’d listen, “My daddy kicks boxes.” At the time, I guess she didn’t have a real good concept of what I was doing… but I’m slowly working on that!
I love it. Anyway, Rick likes romantic walks on the beach, watching the sun set, hiking, and teaching women more than men! Hmmm. Anyway, he's already contributed some nice commentary on CoCA, so we decided to forgo the rubber chicken.
If YOU are also a martial arts blogger and are interested in becoming a Convocation Partner, please contact me via email (on the sidebar). Everyone else is welcome as well, so come on down!
It was one year ago today that we published our interview with George Ruiz of CalSavate, ostensibly to find out more about an esoteric and mysterious art called "Savate." Well, I decided to catch up with George and see whether he's still kicking (couldn't help it) out there in California. I emailed the following interview only a couple of days before I needed it back, and so appreciate getting it back for you in such a timely manner. Thanks George.
__________________________________________________________________
Hi Nathan,
Hi Nathan, thanks for having me back on TDA Training. Man, that was a fast year, and here we are, still blogging! Well in the course of a year the California Savate Association has accomplished a lot of our goals. Through a series of qualifying tournaments held in California we selected a team of fighters who went on to do incredibly well at both the United States National Savate Championship and at the Assaut World Cup in Paris. At the national level, CSA members won every one of their fights to earn spots on Team USA. Team USA then went on to win an unprecedented five medals at the 2006 World Cup. Nicole Sedmak and Amy Hronek each won a Silver Medal, while Michael Giordani, Mary Frances Person and Adrienne Gilg each won Bronze Medals. That's the best that the United States has ever done in international savate competition. All the medalists were California Savate Association members and coaching them were LA based instructors, Nicolas Saignac and Michael Giordani. Many of the other Team USA members who didn't medal, nonetheless distinguished themselves in some really tough fights against the best savateurs in the world, and they all came back with invaluable ring experience. I'd call that a pretty good year for the CSA.George, it's been a year since we interviewed you at TDA. What's changed for the California Savate Association?
Le Blog? What's that? You know I renamed the blog Boot to the Head a few months ago when the whole thing went through a major redesign. I felt "Le Blog," while amusing, was just too generic and I wanted something that tied in directly to Savate and was just overall more dynamic. As you know, Savate training and fighting is all done in shoes and the sport's origins did include early practitioners that fought using wicked steel pointed boots - so I paid homage to our past and present with the name "Boot to the Head - Savate and Martial Arts news. Applied directly to your brain." Honestly, the new name didn't go over too well with a lot of readers who liked the simple humor of "Le Blog" and i got a lot of anti-Boot email, but whatevs. They adjusted and my snarky approach to martial arts (and savate in particular) continues as before. But as you've pointed out, I've taken on an expanded role in my company so it's been a challenge to keep blogging at the same pace I was at a year ago. It was sweet of you to notice.How about for your blog, Le Blog? How's that going? You've been posting less lately, what's up with that?!
As you know I've done a few podcasts and hope to produce them on a more regular schedule. Recently, however, I've also been toying with the idea of creating some video content for the Boot - either savate lessons or video podcasts or some combination of the two. The tools to produce interesting online content are readily available nowadays and apart from being a martial arts enthusiast I'm also a huge gadget and technology geek. If I can find the time, I'd like to shoot some of the wonderful savateurs here in Los Angeles and put it up on CalSavate.com. Michael Giordani is absolutely dynamic when he fights (you can watch him take on a champion Muay Thai fighter here) and Mary Frances Person is probably the most graceful and elegant fighter I've seen in competition. They'd both be great to watch in HD video.We've enjoyed LeBlog/Boot to the Head for a while now, what are the plans for that venture in the future?
Work is going really well for me right now, but that's definitely cut into my training. I was doing regular lessons twice a week with Michael Giordani, but now that he's moved into a new training facility and with my work hours having gone up a lot, it's been tough to keep consistent. As it is now, I'm training 2 to 3 times a week in a local gym, doing more regular kickboxing and muay thai type of drills, bag and pad work. However, whenever I spar, it's only Savate that I use in the ring. My sparring partners like it because it exposes them to a style they aren't used to and keeps them on their toes. I've found that Savate's mobility and rapid kick-punch combinations are quite effective - but also gets you gassed a lot sooner if you haven't maintained your cardio. Consequently, I've grown to appreciate core conditioning and basic cardio work. That stuff really pays off in the ring. I know lots of fighters don't care about cardio much, with the oft quoted "real fights only last a few seconds", but putting in the road work pays off in the ring after that 3rd or 4th round. I'm also attending California Savate Association seminars when they're held every few months. They're great fun. They're conducted by Nicolas Saignac and Mary Frances Person and offer people who are curious about Savate a chance to try the sport in a non-competitive environment.How is your personal training going? What've you learned in the past year? Planning any changes or have any new goals? Still training with Mary Frances Person, Michael Giordani, and Nicolas Saignac?
Well, after 8 years of practicing this esoteric French fighting art, I still love it. It's dynamic, fast and requires more elegance and strategy than other art I've trained in (boxing, kenpo and tae kwon do). I'm not saying that Savate is better than any other martial art, but it just happens to suit me. It teaches tools that any fighter can use, even if they don't want solely dedicate themselves to Boxe-francaise. So I hope more fighters look into it and seek out some Savate lessons. The skills you learn in Savate will make you a better fighter in whatever style you choose.Anything else you'd like to share with TDA's vast and fearsome readership?
Also, I have to say, Nathan, that I really admire your blog and your dedication to martial arts in all its forms. You're one of those guys that like to connect people, whether its through the forum you recently started or interviews like this appearing in TDA Training. You expose people to new ideas. That makes you and your readers a dangerous lot. Hopefully some of them will check out Savate by visiting Boot to the Head and Calsavate.com. Thanks again for having me here.
Aw shucks. Thanks. Actually I have to thank George as well for his assistance. He and Dojo Rat have been instrumental in developing the concept and helping manage and moderate the Convocation of Combat Arts as well, so head over and check that out as well.
Please head over to check out some of the newest partners to the Convocation of Combat Arts (list here): Sendo to Kenpo, my journey, and Amanda Takes Off...and Takes on Korea.
Sendo is a very personal blog, mostly about the training and experiences of a Sendo Kung-Fu students move to Nick Cerio Kenpo. It's interesting to read about his daily training and class encounters, and how he was recently found out by his classmates (he was trying to blog anonymously). Enjoyable, and thoughtful commentary on martial arts in general. Check it out.
Amanda's blog is also unique, in that it covers aspects of her move, work, and daily life in Korea, with her Tae Kwon Do training being an aspect, but not the focus of the blog. Check out her excellent content, and say hello. You'll learn something about Korea, too!
Yeah, I told my coworker that the same has been said of boxing. He replied that boxing has rules. Well, so does MMA. So where do you draw the line? Football has rules and is still violent. Football has greed, steroids, overpaid athletes, unsportsmanlike players, etc.As for sportsmanship, well I have seen MMA fighters hug, shake hands, not murder each other, etc. in matches. Yet, I've also seen others lose their minds and try to hurt their opponent. I guess it's the level of "violence" and blood that bothers some people?
