The Sparring Dilemma
While sparring is absolutely essential for any martial artist, the real issue is how to develop a safe, effective approach.
In my last article, Earning...
Footwork, Footwork, Footwork
The single biggest distinction between fitness and martial arts training is whether participants move or remain stationary, and the key is learning footwork.
However they...
Shihan Abbott’s Unique Training Methods
USADOJO.COM spent time with Shihan Dana Abbott discussing his unique training methods in the sword arts. We asked him about his training and the...
Fuydoshin and Zanshin
After reviewing an article I had previously written ("What Does a Black Belt Mean?"), one of my seniors in the SMAA that I highly...
Dont Say There is No Kicking or Punching in Aikido
By Rik Ellis ~ I am a MMA / Cage Fighter trained by Alex Reid and Suleman Raja, but I have a strong background...
How to Cut Weight and Make Weight
Have any of you ever watched a weight class fight in which one fighter looks far bigger and heavier than the other even though...
Nunchaku
Since Bruce Lee exposed the wider world to the humble nunchaku, a whole industry has developed around this much misrepresented weapon. Unfortunately this industry,...
No Such Thing as Pressure Points
I realize this is controversial, it will upset some, it will anger others, but that should not prevent it from being said.
We need to...
The Pinan / Heian Kata Series as a Fighting System: Part 2
In the first part of this series we examined how the Pinan / Heian katas represents a complete fighting system that contains techniques for...
Israeli Martial Arts and Deadly Mistakes in Gun Disarming
Gun disarming is one of the most important skills you want to obtain when training in a martial art that claims to be about...
CHI – Life Energy or Inner Energy
By examining the history of various peoples around the world, we often stumble upon the concept of energy which resides in the body and...
The Best Defense Is A Good Offense
The BTK killer was asked if there was anything that would have made a difference with his victims. He answered, “I guess if they...
Bunkai: The Meaning Behind Kata
Okay! Bunkai (分解), literally meaning “analysis” or “disassembly,” is a term used in Japanese martial arts referring to process of analyzing kata and extracting...
Full-Contact Weapon Sparring with the Staff
There is now a venue open to martial artists and combatants from around the world. Competing with no restrictions, at full speed and power,...
A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing: A Special 1911 Pattern Frame and Caspian Arms Slide
"You're not actually going to shoot that, are you?" "Oh sure," I answered, locking the slide open and applying a couple drops of oil...
The Basics of Bunkai – Part 1
Kata (formal forms) were regarded as the cornerstone of martial arts training by the past masters. However, many modern karate practitioners question the value...
