Archive for May, 2012
Hook on Your Trailer
Before we get into this topic I would like you to know that I did traditional martial arts for over 10 years and got a black belt, and without the skills I got from those days I could not do what I do now.
Since 1993 MMA has developed from style v style into a sport by itself, however it is still largely kickboxing / boxing, wrestling and BJJ put together. 99% of the top fighters would focus their training on those disciplines. The fact is that in MMA the traditional arts just do not work.
I went through this process as well. At the time I was a New Zealand Karate Champion, and I went to kickboxing to see how I would go. In my mind these kickboxers would be too slow to give me any real problems (yes I was one of those guys) – how wrong I was. We did some pad work and the trainer was laughing at my technique as it was ?pretty? but not effective, and I did not know what he meant until sparring. Their guard was high and I distinctly remember thinking that I could score a point on them easy, turns out they didn?t care about my pit pat punches and just lined me up and hit me harder than I had ever been hit before. Then it was on to fight the NZ Champ who I out weighed by 20kg. This should be better I thought – nope, I got a hiding. After that night it was a quick transition to kickboxing, then BJJ and wrestling.
When I see a traditional style saying that they do MMA training based on the theory that they have striking techniques, takedowns and some ground work, I get suspicious. There was an interview with a BJJ black belt and a karate guy said for something similar try us, because we have a similar ground syllabus. In the words of Master Ken ? Bullshit.
What make MMA different is that you know what works, it is not a theory or a magic technique it just works. In MMA I have seen people accidently put people to sleep, wobble people with punches and stretch a few ligaments from hard training. The techniques in karate were good, but the only thing that was missing was that you train to miss all the time, which means that in competition you got warned for hitting people too hard. You will never know if a technique works if you can?t use it properly.
Traditional styles are good as not everyone wants to get punched in face every night or roll around with other men. However as long as they know that what they are doing is to be done in a safe environment aimed for the masses (for example there are no punches to the head in sparring which is just not realistic). They should not believe that they can compete with MMA as it is a different sport, a top TKD guy would get destroyed under MMA rules, just like a MMA guy would get destroyed by a TKD guy under their rules and that is fine as long as MMA doesn?t advertise that they do TKD because they throw a few kicks. Stick to what you know and don?t hitch your trailer on to someone else wagon because it is the ?in sport? right now.
Gareth Lewis
Head MMA Instructor
Give up the Power
This blog is going out to any instructors, or people that take classes – give up the power and see how great it is for your club?s development.
For the last few months I have been watching the sessions as I had guys training for fights so I had to keep an eye on their technique, temperament, sort out game plans and so on. This took me away from all the other guys at the club as my focus had to be on the fighters. Now the fights are over I have taken a step back and I am loving it.
I have two of my trusted lieutenants step up to take the classes. This leaves me to train on the mat with the rest of the guys and get hands on with everyone. This is working really well for a number of reasons, but the fact that I get to train with the guys and work all the same skills and drills gives me a great view of our clubs training. If I just stood up the front and barked orders then I would lose touch and forget how 20 double leg takedowns in a minute felt. When you forget what things feel like it is common to take things too far, eg 20 double legs in one minute is hard, so the next time you do the drill you increase the number until you have gone too far and reached a level that you couldn?t do yourself. I believe as an instructor that you should never ask your students to do something that you can?t or haven?t done. Doing the sessions has been great to make sure that we have the training at a realistic level. The guys on the mat also know that I practice what I preach in terms of technique and skills.
The other more enjoyable part of the process is having someone else take the session and see them develop as instructors. I think this is important so if I am away then the guys know that there are good people who will take the class that I trust. The guys that I have been getting to take the sessions have been doing a great job working together to figure out who takes what session and what techniques are shown. As they both have different strengths it very interesting for me as a trainer to see how they use their skills. They have shown techniques that I wouldn?t and that is great as it gives the guys a different perspective to the positions shown. Overall it has been great watching two skilled guys develop as instructors.
Some instructors will be saying ?I don?t want my students taking the class when I am there? as it almost be like you have been demoted in rank. Yes I can understand that but it is more important that your students know that if you are not there that there are some very good guys that can step up. Having a strong level of teaching is very important for a strong club.
Some instructors will be saying ?But people come here for me?. That?s true, and you are still the big dog in the club and everyone knows it, but having that strong group of people around you is priceless.
In short, don?t be arrogant enough to think that you can?t learn from your students and it is a great way to help them with their development. Get on the mat with your students, partner up with them for drills, and they will remember that session for years. Meanwhile you are developing some great instructors and you are there for them as a safety net if they need it. The only downside is it becomes hard to keep your mouth shut during the drills ? let them do their technique their way and enjoy the ride.
Gareth Lewis
Head MMA Instructor