BJJ Life Style, Grappling And Steroids!

    

     Okay I love Brazilian Jiujitsu.  Just love it, always have and always will.  The technical ability of a good BJJ person on the ground is awesome to behold.  Fluid movement and the ability to change are paramount.  I saw this video up on Youtube and you can see quite a bit of good movement so enjoy:

Nice video on the BJJ Life Style:

 

   Now grappling is an essential Martial Science skill.  You have to be able to defend yourself on the ground this is absolutely important.  In a violent encounter you may not be able to choose the time, place or range, so you may end up on the ground.  If you are on the ground you really need a finely developed skill set.  This could give you an advantage in the moment.  While not every violent encounter will end up on the ground a good percentage do and your grappling skills and the movement that you employ could save the day.  Do you want to take a chance by not having any skill sets?  No I do not think so…..  In Instinctive Response Training we incorporate grappling right from the get go and also incorporate utilizing tools while grappling.  This is just another way to give yourself an advantage in the moment.  Hit the mats and break a sweat and you will not be disapointed in the improvement of your martial skills. 

Check out the following IRT grappling video clip with folding knife deployment!

     Now onto the aspect of steroids.  If you put steroids into your body you are placing a poison into your system that could eventually damage you.  Why not just train naturally and improve through serious hard effort?  Steroids in the long run can only damage you and hurt you so before you use them think of the consequences and understand that you can get ahead just by training correctly and really getting after it.  Below is a video of Relson Gracie talking about Royce Gracies positive steroid test.  There is a little wisdom here.

Relson Gracie on Royce Gracie’s positive steroid test:

That was a very honest interview with Relson! 

A Good Martial Life Style Will Include Grappling And Will Shun Steroids!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Training With Tools!

     Ask yourself this when was the last time you cut a steak with your hand?  When was the last time you hammered a nail with your fist?  When was the last time you screwed in a screw with your finger nail.  When did you last walk to work (if you live five minutes or more from work) and did not drive your car?  When was the last time you failed to use a flash light in darkness to perform a task?  The point I am trying to make is that we as human’s use tools all the time.  This is an essential point to understand in your Martial Science growth.

     Most predators will try to give themselves an edge.  How will they do this?  With surprise and also with a tool in hand to allow them to achieve dominance.  Your Martial Science training needs to be tool based if you will function well in the real world.  You need to know how to use projectile tools such as firearms, chemical tools such as OC, Mace, etc, vehicular tools like a car, (yes a car is a great tool) blunt tools such as a cane or a stick, bladed tools such as all the myriad different types of knives, flexible tools such as your belt, rolled up shirt, etc.  So you can see that you need to be well versed in how to utilize tools to your advantage.

    Ask yourself this question?  If some predator violently attacks you or your loved ones with a knife would you rather have to deal with them with your bare hands or some tool such as a firearm, knife, stick, etc?  The answer is pretty simple.  We humans use tools for everything and that is an essential part of our nature and one of the reasons we are so successful on this planet.  It should be no different in the Martial Sciences!

Utilize A Tool And Succeed!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Distraction In The Moment!

     Okay an important thing to remember when in a physical confrontation whether sparring in class or out in the real world is the ability to distract your opponent in the moment.  Utilizing distraction techniques can give you that tiny edge that may be all you need to survive. 

     So how do you distract someone?  Well you need to have something that could ever so slightly overload your opponent’s sences.  This could be stomping your foot, slapping your body, yelling, saying someones name, etc.  Lots of various things you could do.  I personally love to utilize multiple distraction techniques whether on the mats or in the real world.  Overload your opponent to get a fraction of a second of free movement before they react.  That is really, really what these type of techniques are all about.

     Distraction techniques are best taught and learned from someone who knows what they are doing and have experience in using them.  There are mechanics involved that the experets are looking for and it is essential that you pick these up.  It is not enough just to know what to do but also when to do it and when you can then execute your skill set.  Learn them well and your skill set will really go up a notch!

Distract And Dominate!  

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

    

Reverse Grip Knife Skills!

     Okay last night during a semi-private training session we really worked the reverse knife grip and some serious skills that go along with it.  The reverse knife grip is a powerful and dangerous method of utilizing the blade.  With your forearm protected by the blade it does make it harder for an opponent to grab your wrist and therefore get some control of you.  This is just one of the reasons why I enjoy training with the reverse grip.  Other aspects are the ability to utilize the blade to pass a limb or to hook and use it almost like a thumb to grip a limb.  There is quite a bit more but suffice to say that it is a very dangerous method of utlizing a bladed instrument in the right hands.

    Now last night we trained with utilizing a crossing hands motion on the cut then a pass to the outside thereby giving us dominant position and we were taking an angle that would utilize out body structure and weaken the opponents position.  Doing this we played with multiple options and came up with different ways while utilizing the same transport method.  All in all it was a good time and I am pretty sure that everyone learned quite a bit.

    If you do practice with the blade make sure you get some reverse grip knife work in.  You will be fascinated with the possibilities!

Train Hard And Train Smart For Some Day Your Life May Depend Upon It!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Striking The Bag And Live Cutting Practice!

     Okay so your training in a Martial System that utilizes tools such as sticks or knives.  Well in time you will need to challenge yourself with some bag work and also some live blade work.  Eventually you will want to do some live cutting whether on tatami, rolled up newspapers, water bottle or a hanging chicken. (already dead)

     This type of training is essential for your development as a Filipino Martial Artist or any system that utilizes a stick or blade.  There are several ways to go about it.  Heavy bag’s provide a great striking target for training with a stick.  However, they are costly and to much excessive stick work on one will eventually wear it down quickly and you will then have to replace the bag.  Still a heavy bag is a good tool to use now and then for your stick striking surface.  Another option is to create a tire dummy.  Tire dummies usually cost almost nothing but a little sweat.  They also last for a long, long time.  Following is a video of one version of a tire dummy with some training.

Here is a video of a ginunting test cutting on a water botel.  Simple effective but very important to do now and then.

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Combative Customs Fighting Bolo!

     Okay the other day we had our Budo Taijutsu seminar with Shihan Michael Asuncion.  My good NSI friends from the great white north Matt Lamphere and Bill Bednarick came down and participated.   While Bill was here I got my hands on one of his Combative Customs Fighting Bolo’s.  This particular bolo trainer is simply the best I have ever had in my collection.  Now I have played with all the models out there available from Bram Franks design to a dozen of so directly from the Philippines to Edges2, etc.  So I have really looked around to find ones that I like and well let’s just say I like to collect sharp pointy things and the trainer’s that go along with them.  This particular Fighting Bolo is really sweet.  It simply feels like the real thing in your hands and that is exactly what a trainer should do.  What makes it way above it’s competitor’s is that Bill has gone beyond the commonly found paracord wrap and is now making identical wood handles to what you would have on the real thing.  That gives it a great feeling that is simply awesome and a real step up from any other trainer out there.

If I had only enough money for one style of Fighting Bolo then this is it!  I do not promote many products but only the best in my opinion.

You can find all of Bill’s products here at:  http://www.combativecustoms.com/index.htm

Take a look through the photo gallery to see some incredible trainer’s that were given out at the last Sulong tournament.

Only The Bold Shall Succeed!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Budo Taijutsu Seminar The Day After!

    

     Well we had a great time at the seminar yesterday.  We worked quite a bit with the Kyoketsu Shoge working on some of the finer points in particular the looping and tieing aspects.  Then we went into some Bujinkan style boxing techniques along with some locks and throws.  Definately a good time was had by all.

 Here are some pictures:

   

   

   

 

Train For One Day You May Need It!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Seminar Day!

     Well today we will be focusing the seminar presented by Shihan Michael Asuncion.  This particular seminar will have the Bujinkan 2008 theme of the year so we will be delving into Togakure Ryu.

     I expect we will be looking at the hidden things within Togakure Ryu and some specialty items like the Kyoketsu Shoge.  I particularly enjoy working with the Shoge as each time you practice it is unique.  That is one of the joy’s of flexible weapons/tools in that they never move quite the same way twice.   Needless to say it will be a great time as Shihan Michael Asuncion is truly a unique martial artist and has an incredible talent for passing on his skill.

     I wish you could all be here but alas I know that time and distance work against many of the reader’s of this Blog.  Still know that I will have some photo’s and possibly a video clip up tomorrow or on Monday by the latest.

See you on the mats!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Flexible Mind!

     With the last couple of posts talking about flexible tools or weapons I thought it would be time to talk about having a flexible mind.  What is a flexible mind?  Well it is when you do not fixate on something.  Anyone who has been training for quite a while has at some point employed a lock on someone or went with a certain game plan and it was not working.  When you have a flexible mind and something is not working you just switch to something else.  For example if you are grappling and you have an armbar but your opponent is defending it well then you should switch to a sweep, triangle, etc.  Another example might be that when thinking about your perimeter home defense you need to every now and then step back and think like a burglar/criminal and attempt to figure out how they would get in the house.  This flexible mind is very, very important.  The ability to change or be flexible is essential.  Due not fixate all the time or you will miss details that could help you accomplish your task. 

     Every time I went into an adverse situation whether physical or mental during my work in the law enforcement, security or loss prevention field I would have a plan or several plans.  These plans however were kind’ve like guidelines but in each specific situation would need to be tweaked or changed to get the desired outcome.  I could still stay within the rules that I had to but the plan or implementation method might change depending on the situation.  That is being flexible and using your flexible mind.  It is very important for success.

     Flexiblity is a key attribute that will allow you to succeed in life.  Every situation cannot be managed by one method.  So in order to succeed you have to be flexible enough to change in the moment and read the situation and adapt to what is needed.  Eventually you will get so good at it that you will simply slip into the Instinctive Response and take care of business.  That is cool!

Flexibility Is Essential In Life It Allows You To Adapt To Change and Counter Strife!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Realities Of Flexible Tools!

     Okay we will be training this weekend in Togakure Ryu and part of that training will be with the Kyoketsu Shoge.  The Kyoketsu Shoge is a flexible weapon that has a ring attached on one end and a wicked looking hook knife on the other. (see picture below)

Here is a Budo Taijutsu video of the Kusirigama (another flexible tool)  in action:

     So back in the day this would have been an unusual tool to say the least one that has reach and unpredictability written all over it.  Now a day’s you are probably not going to have a Kyoketsu Shoge with you when confronted.   However, you might have something that is also a flexible tool and that you can use in a similar manner.  Some examples might be the belt around your waist, coat, rope, hose, scarf, etc.  So the training is still very relevant in that the principles can be used just with a different tool.  Now if you were in a survival situation and you wanted a shoge like tool you could easily tie a knife to some rope and weight the end with some metal object.  This is very simple to do and I have rigged something up like this on several occasions to demonstrate to other practitioner’s in a matter of minutes.

     We will not always have a tool with us.  This is a fact.  I may not have my first choice of a firearm or my second of a knife on me.  However eighty percent of my awake  time I am wearing pants and a belt so I always have a flexible tool with me if needed.

     Flexible tools present problems for attackers in that they move in strange ways and lend themselves greatly to restraint and control.  I can speak from at least one instance where after arresting someone and handcuffing them that they continually tried to kick, run, etc. where I used a belt by the top of their knees to limit this motion.  Worked like a charm and limited what they could do which was basically yell obscenities.  Did not harm them and got the job done. 

Here is a nice flexible tool video from a small break off organization from the Bujinkan:

     You see a number of systems that use a scarf as a restraining controlling device.  In Penjak Silat you will see the sarong used in this manner as well.  In a pinch a t-shirt can be ripped off rolled up and used to evade and wrap and gain a control hold as well.

Here is a video of the late Pendakar Herman Suwanda (truly a great martial artist)

     Flexible tools are here to stay and if you are serious about your Martial Science then you need to explore them.

Flexible Tools Lead To A Flexible Mind!