Our friend Dennis Ocampo of the Sina Tirsia Wali Kali System recently did a training video for the new TheUltimateKnife.com CDHK Folding Karambit. Take a look at the video to see Dennis properly demonstrate the techniques and pay attention to the targets. The Karambit is a tricky knife to get used to. If you've mostly used straight blades, it takes a while to get comfortable with the proper wrist rotations to make effective cuts. Dennis makes it look easy but this is a man of mad skills! I have watched Dennis at seminars before and am amazed at his lightening speed, intensity, and quick reflexes. Enjoy!
Another fantastic 3 day MBC training camp with Michael Janich was held in VA Beach November 2016. Michael had a large turnout of instructors so everybody received personal attention and tune ups. Many thanks to Gary Mah for hosting these yearly events. Stay tuned to the MBC website to look for additional opportunities around the country to train with the MBC instructors.
This is a really good clip from Funker Tactical. It's important to know how to use improvised weapons such as a flashlight, palm stick, Worden Travel Wrench or Saf-T-Wrench, etc. There are times when you cannot carry a gun or even a knife (try to get in a concert now with a knife let alone TSA). Empty hands is usually your starting point in a fight. Having something you can transition to or even better, have at the ready when needed, will give you an extra margin of effectiveness IF you use it properly. And that's what I like about this video. It shows the use of gross, natural motor skills in the strikes and for some of you, you see the FMA checking come into play.
A long time ago, I was in a Hoch seminar and he made a point so strong it has stuck with me till now. He said "I've got 75 tools (techniques) in my bag that I can do but when a real fight occurs, I'm probably only going to use 5 or 6 and they are all very basic." He went on to talk about how everybody has certain techniques that feel "right" to them and those should be your "go to" tools. So, with improvised weapons, you need to practice with them, not just carry them and hope that when you need to execute, some scenario you had in your head will work. It's only thru pell/ Bob/ partner training that you going to know that "your" technique will feel right to you. So grab a pair of gloves and a throwaway flashlight, watch the video, and go try the same techniques. Do the drills, find 'your" favorite strikes/ defends, then practice 10 minutes every other day for a month, and you will "burn" the motions into you to become automatic.
Check out this great video showing Fred Mastro breaking a choke hold. Reality based technique very effective but you do need to practice the maneuver. Simple, gross motor skills which can be executed while being shoved backwards.
Maestro Erik Buenaflor teaches Siete Pares Escrima in San Antonio, TX. His group uses a few of the TAK trainers and had some very kind words. If you are in the area, I would suggest to reach out to him. I really appreciate how they train hard with the proper equipment. Function is better than flash every time!
This was a pleasant surprise! Ferdinand Terado picked up a few of our hawks and I was really amazed with this video he produced. Great application of FMA techniques to a frontier weapon designed by Col. Dwight McLemore and made by Tim Ridge of Swamp Fox knives. Dwight is a good friend and when he produced the Fighting Tomahawk video with Paladin Press, we made trainers to mimic the live hawk.
Ferd is a certified Guro in the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali System and leads the PTK-SMF Peninsula affiliate group. He has many great videos so don't stop watching after this one!
I received my tomahawk trainers yesterday, thank you! Gotta say, fantastic product! I couldn't wait to go outside and play with them, hahaha! Even shot a video, I hope you enjoy it! Cheers!
Ferd
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A little more on the The Fighting Tomahawk video. If this is not in your collection, it should be. It is one of the best produced videos so hats off to Paladin Press. This clip shows only one small segment of the video but every chapter is so different than the other, it is amazing to watch. It covers the historical perspective, how to train, actual fight scenarios, training equipment, and more.
I'm very passionate about certain topics. And this is one of them.
Honor, Integrity, Trustworthiness, and Responsibility are all traits of people that have served in the military. They are the people that are standing up for your right to be free, express yourself, and not live in fear. They are the protectors. The people who go and do what the rest don't want to do or can't do. Many of them have died. And that is what Memorial Day is for, honoring the fallen soldiers.
It's hard to single out one person who exemplifies the above traits. There are many. Many killed in battle and many that made it back alive, scarred or not. So, I could talk about my dad, my uncle, or many friends. But I want to single out one person who, fortunately, made it back.
A very good friend of mine, Roger, used to tell many stories of his father-in-law, Medal of Honor recipient, Col Van Barfoot. The best thing about these stories was not what he did during the war, it was about how people were so honored to meet Col. Barfoot through his later years. I am proud that so many people in this country still honor our veterans and show them respect.
To honor our fallen veterans during this Memorial Day, please take a few minutes to learn about Col. Van Barfoot and reflect on what heroes are made of. While you're firing up the BBQ on the long weekend, stop a moment and give thanks for all of those who put their lives on the line so that you can live free.
Update: Col. Barfoot's Son In Law, Roger, is a very good friend of mine. I was very honored to have him bestow upon me this challenge coin. Knowing how much Roger admired Col. Barfoot makes it that much more special. A treasure to cherish from a great friend.
