Boxing
Kickboxing
Low kix
Thai
Randori
Newaza
Vale Tudo - MMA
In the clinch phase there are two elements:
Thai knee sparring
Judo and wrestling randori
in VT we combine both elements at this phase
In ground phase there are 3 elements:
pin
submission
striking
the first two apply to wrestling and Judo - two versions of how to win the fight.
The third applies to VT.
In MMA only hand strikes are allowed on the ground.
In VT and Street you use HKE on the ground.
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Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Sparring light vs hard
Light sparring freestyle gives you a chance to try out new moves and be daring. It lets you take chances.
In hard sparring, as in competition or combat, you can't take chances as you can't risk getting hit. You only use your best techniques, your tried and tested methods and ABCs.
So although hard sparring has it's place, it's the light sparring that will be your main development area.
Hard sparring is for pressure testing.
You can spar light in the points karate and freestyle SC, and also boxing, kb and Thai.
In hard sparring, as in competition or combat, you can't take chances as you can't risk getting hit. You only use your best techniques, your tried and tested methods and ABCs.
So although hard sparring has it's place, it's the light sparring that will be your main development area.
Hard sparring is for pressure testing.
You can spar light in the points karate and freestyle SC, and also boxing, kb and Thai.
Ranges
We start our kobudo training with single stick, so base our range system on that.
Ranges in kobudo start from the outrange, the pre-contact phase.
Then there is weapons range where the stick can hit each other.
Then there is largo where we can hit the hand.
Then there is medio where the stick reaches him, we can check his weapon hand with our alive hand, and our kix can reach him.
Corto is close range where we can hit with the punch, the punyo - butt of the stick, our punches and our HKE. It is the range of stick locks.
Grappling range is body-to-body where we use the stick chokes and throws.
Ground range is when the fight goes to the ground.
The weapons range and largo range extend out to sword range and spear range for the longer weapons.
Range in Kickboxing starts from the outrange.
Then we get kick range, then punch range, which are self explanatory.
Corto for KB would be the range of hooks and uppercuts in boxing, knee and elbow in Thai.
Boxing of course has no kick range.
A TKD fighter wuld be like a largo mano fighter, staying at long range throwing big kicks.
A karate fighter would use kicks and punch ranges then come out. They would not court corto range.
A kickboxer would be comfortable in corto, using hooks and uppercuts, and Thai fighters love to get in and use the knee.
Wing Chun fighters stay pretty much at corto. Theyenter quickly through kick and punch range, avoiding the whole kickboxing phase so theycan epmploy traps and close range blasts.
A grappler ingores kick, punch and trap ranges and starts with a collar/elbow tie up from which he looks for throws.
It can be argued that the tie up is corto and the uchikomi is the entry to grappling range.
Ranges in kobudo start from the outrange, the pre-contact phase.
Then there is weapons range where the stick can hit each other.
Then there is largo where we can hit the hand.
Then there is medio where the stick reaches him, we can check his weapon hand with our alive hand, and our kix can reach him.
Corto is close range where we can hit with the punch, the punyo - butt of the stick, our punches and our HKE. It is the range of stick locks.
Grappling range is body-to-body where we use the stick chokes and throws.
Ground range is when the fight goes to the ground.
The weapons range and largo range extend out to sword range and spear range for the longer weapons.
Range in Kickboxing starts from the outrange.
Then we get kick range, then punch range, which are self explanatory.
Corto for KB would be the range of hooks and uppercuts in boxing, knee and elbow in Thai.
Boxing of course has no kick range.
A TKD fighter wuld be like a largo mano fighter, staying at long range throwing big kicks.
A karate fighter would use kicks and punch ranges then come out. They would not court corto range.
A kickboxer would be comfortable in corto, using hooks and uppercuts, and Thai fighters love to get in and use the knee.
Wing Chun fighters stay pretty much at corto. Theyenter quickly through kick and punch range, avoiding the whole kickboxing phase so theycan epmploy traps and close range blasts.
A grappler ingores kick, punch and trap ranges and starts with a collar/elbow tie up from which he looks for throws.
It can be argued that the tie up is corto and the uchikomi is the entry to grappling range.
Kyusho - Pressure Points - PSNA
Pressure points are one of the most misunderstood and exaggerated areas of MA.
Kyusho is the Japanese word.
PSNA stands for Pressure Sensitive Nerve Areas, an American anacronysm.
People who don't know about them claim there are anywhere between 25 and 360 and they do various things. You can buy lists and charts showing all kinds of alleged PSNA. Most of these do nothing. The ones that do something are meaningless unless you are shown how to apply them in combat in real tme.
For example, we punch to the chin for a KO. A groin kick will stop an attacker. But to actually land these shots you need to train for them, not just know them theoretically. So it is with PSNA.
I teach a primary list of 52 PSNA for use in combat.
(One for each week of the year!)
I do not give out lists and charts to be memorised. You learn these PSNA in context, in the dojo, and you remember them.
There are 3 kinds of PSNA:
ones you strike
ones you press
ones you rub
What I NEVER want to see is people in class trying to explain to each other what PSNA are "There's one there", "there's one there", things like that. You learn these at the proper time in the proper context, not from some chart or book, or what "a mate who does Jujutsu showed me".
Practice, not theory!
Keep I mind you can strike and grind these points with stick as well as your "body tools".
Here is a list of the first 26 you have already been introduced to in class and that you will no doubt recognise (and remember painfully!).
Eyes and groin are obvious PSNA that can be atacked by a strike or pressure.
The eyes and called ganseki. The groin is kinteki.
Wanshun is the back of the upper arm, the tricep.
In the lap sao drill you strike this point.
In ikkyo henka you rub the tendon just above the elbow.
In tonfa ikkyo this point is self evident.
Kokutsu is the shinbone.
We have all had that experience where you've "barked" your shin on the coffee table when crossing the room in a hurry.
In combat we strike kokutsu to give him that "coffee table moment".
Hizakansetsu is the knee joint, attacked with a strike, usually a kick.
Uchikurobushi is the inside of the ankle joint.
Believed by some to be the most painful PSNA on the body, especially when rubbed.
Sobi is the back of the leg at the base of the calf.
A good target in keri kudaki, or vertical grappling.
Yako - the inside of the upper thigh, the long muscle. Painful if kicked at kb or vertical grappling range.
Ben's vastus the "teardrop" muscle at the lower inner thigh, just below where Yako runs to. The target of the "Ben Kick".
Miyakudokoro - inside the forearm.
Against an opponent punching you will cause real pain when cut into with your shuto.
Also a press and rub point when applying locks, particularly yonkyo.
Akiresuken - the achilles tendon.
Can be attacked with a strike.
Particularly effective when pressure is applied in ground fighting.
Three well known body blows are:
Suigetsu - solar plexus.
Kanzo - the liver.
Jinzo - the kidneys.
Sonu - the base of the throat, great for an ippon nukite strike or pressure attack.
Shofu - side of the neck - attack with shuto.
Keichu - nape of the neck. Attack with shuto.
The site of boxing's infamous "rabbit punch".
Komekami - the temple.
Three on the face which can be struck or pressed:
Miken - nasion or bridge of the nose
Jinchu - philtrum
Gekon - the labret point
NOTE: You CANNOT kill somebody by "punching the nose bone into the brain" That is a common myth spread by people who have no real experience. If this was possible boxers would die in the ring every week.
Mikazuki - the jaw - KO!
Quad sweep - the outer thigh, where we land the Thai kick.
Kori - upper foot. Stamp on this!
Shuko - back of the hand. Strike or grind.
Kyusho is the Japanese word.
PSNA stands for Pressure Sensitive Nerve Areas, an American anacronysm.
People who don't know about them claim there are anywhere between 25 and 360 and they do various things. You can buy lists and charts showing all kinds of alleged PSNA. Most of these do nothing. The ones that do something are meaningless unless you are shown how to apply them in combat in real tme.
For example, we punch to the chin for a KO. A groin kick will stop an attacker. But to actually land these shots you need to train for them, not just know them theoretically. So it is with PSNA.
I teach a primary list of 52 PSNA for use in combat.
(One for each week of the year!)
I do not give out lists and charts to be memorised. You learn these PSNA in context, in the dojo, and you remember them.
There are 3 kinds of PSNA:
ones you strike
ones you press
ones you rub
What I NEVER want to see is people in class trying to explain to each other what PSNA are "There's one there", "there's one there", things like that. You learn these at the proper time in the proper context, not from some chart or book, or what "a mate who does Jujutsu showed me".
Practice, not theory!
Keep I mind you can strike and grind these points with stick as well as your "body tools".
Here is a list of the first 26 you have already been introduced to in class and that you will no doubt recognise (and remember painfully!).
Eyes and groin are obvious PSNA that can be atacked by a strike or pressure.
The eyes and called ganseki. The groin is kinteki.
Wanshun is the back of the upper arm, the tricep.
In the lap sao drill you strike this point.
In ikkyo henka you rub the tendon just above the elbow.
In tonfa ikkyo this point is self evident.
Kokutsu is the shinbone.
We have all had that experience where you've "barked" your shin on the coffee table when crossing the room in a hurry.
In combat we strike kokutsu to give him that "coffee table moment".
Hizakansetsu is the knee joint, attacked with a strike, usually a kick.
Uchikurobushi is the inside of the ankle joint.
Believed by some to be the most painful PSNA on the body, especially when rubbed.
Sobi is the back of the leg at the base of the calf.
A good target in keri kudaki, or vertical grappling.
Yako - the inside of the upper thigh, the long muscle. Painful if kicked at kb or vertical grappling range.
Ben's vastus the "teardrop" muscle at the lower inner thigh, just below where Yako runs to. The target of the "Ben Kick".
Miyakudokoro - inside the forearm.
Against an opponent punching you will cause real pain when cut into with your shuto.
Also a press and rub point when applying locks, particularly yonkyo.
Akiresuken - the achilles tendon.
Can be attacked with a strike.
Particularly effective when pressure is applied in ground fighting.
Three well known body blows are:
Suigetsu - solar plexus.
Kanzo - the liver.
Jinzo - the kidneys.
Sonu - the base of the throat, great for an ippon nukite strike or pressure attack.
Shofu - side of the neck - attack with shuto.
Keichu - nape of the neck. Attack with shuto.
The site of boxing's infamous "rabbit punch".
Komekami - the temple.
Three on the face which can be struck or pressed:
Miken - nasion or bridge of the nose
Jinchu - philtrum
Gekon - the labret point
NOTE: You CANNOT kill somebody by "punching the nose bone into the brain" That is a common myth spread by people who have no real experience. If this was possible boxers would die in the ring every week.
Mikazuki - the jaw - KO!
Quad sweep - the outer thigh, where we land the Thai kick.
Kori - upper foot. Stamp on this!
Shuko - back of the hand. Strike or grind.
Torite and Chin Na
Torite is the art of seizing limbs and locking joints.
It also covers kyusho - Pressure Points.
In Chinese this system is called Chin Na.
Although it is a subset of Jujutsu, Karate, Kung Fu, Kali, etc, it is also a complete MA system in it's own right if developed to a high enough level.
In class, you may hear me refer to Chin Na or Torite in context, or that we are having a "Chin Na" session.
It also covers kyusho - Pressure Points.
In Chinese this system is called Chin Na.
Although it is a subset of Jujutsu, Karate, Kung Fu, Kali, etc, it is also a complete MA system in it's own right if developed to a high enough level.
In class, you may hear me refer to Chin Na or Torite in context, or that we are having a "Chin Na" session.
Ken - fist - knuckles
Though we tend to think of the word "ken" as meaning "sword", as in Kendo and Kenjutsu, (even though the Japanese word for sword is actually "To") in Karate we use the word Ken to refer to our physical weapons or striking tools.
The word ken perhaps best translates to the English word "fist" or "knuckles".
When making a strike it is vital to be aware what Fist you are making and what knuckles you are hitting with.
Make a clenched fist and you have a Fudoken.
With this you might do a boxing cross using the first two knuckles
or a Wing Chun choy and use the bottom three.
Shuto is the knife hand. As well as the fleshy part, you have a knuckle at the base, the pisiform bone.
Haito - the ridge hand, using the index knuckle.
Koppo Ken - the thumb knuckle
Uraken - the backfist.
You'd be surprised how many people, having trained extensively in pads, actually think you hit with the back of the hand. Good way to break the metacarpals on the opponent's skull.
Use the back of the first two knuckles of fudoken.
Palm heel - heel of the palm, obviously.
With the long bones such as the elbow, knee or shin - well, we've all seen the cartoon dog holding a bone in it's mouth, with the nobbly ends. It's these nobbly ends we're using as "knuckles".
The elbow, knee and shin kick use the knuckle at the end of the ulna, femur and tibia respectively.
When kicking with the foot, use the knuckle of the foot, not the laces. If you have steel caps on, this makes your shoe a weapon.
Koshi is the ball of the foot.
The heel is the bottom of the heel, like in a stamp.
Head. The general rule for a headbutt is the line above the eyebrows is the weapon and the line below the eyebrows is the target.
The Japanese name for he head as a weapon is kikaku ken. But another term is zu tsuki meaning horn thrust. Imagine you have horns on your forehead, like a bull. Use one of those. Forward, down, sideways or up.
The word ken perhaps best translates to the English word "fist" or "knuckles".
When making a strike it is vital to be aware what Fist you are making and what knuckles you are hitting with.
Make a clenched fist and you have a Fudoken.
With this you might do a boxing cross using the first two knuckles
or a Wing Chun choy and use the bottom three.
Shuto is the knife hand. As well as the fleshy part, you have a knuckle at the base, the pisiform bone.
Haito - the ridge hand, using the index knuckle.
Koppo Ken - the thumb knuckle
Uraken - the backfist.
You'd be surprised how many people, having trained extensively in pads, actually think you hit with the back of the hand. Good way to break the metacarpals on the opponent's skull.
Use the back of the first two knuckles of fudoken.
Palm heel - heel of the palm, obviously.
With the long bones such as the elbow, knee or shin - well, we've all seen the cartoon dog holding a bone in it's mouth, with the nobbly ends. It's these nobbly ends we're using as "knuckles".
The elbow, knee and shin kick use the knuckle at the end of the ulna, femur and tibia respectively.
When kicking with the foot, use the knuckle of the foot, not the laces. If you have steel caps on, this makes your shoe a weapon.
Koshi is the ball of the foot.
The heel is the bottom of the heel, like in a stamp.
Head. The general rule for a headbutt is the line above the eyebrows is the weapon and the line below the eyebrows is the target.
The Japanese name for he head as a weapon is kikaku ken. But another term is zu tsuki meaning horn thrust. Imagine you have horns on your forehead, like a bull. Use one of those. Forward, down, sideways or up.
Buffalo eyebrow
This is a combat concept.
One of our primary concepts is that we defend angles of attack rather than worry about specific weapons or what style the attacker trains in.
The strike that comes in to the left side of your head is angle #1. You defend it with the appropriate block.
It doesn't matter if the attacker is:
a "street fighter" throwing a haymaker
a boxer throwing a hook
a karate stylist throwing a shuto
another stylist throwing a ridge hand
throwing a crane beak
throwing a "buffalo eyebrow"
or anything else
"Buffalo eyebrow" is of course made up. It's not a real technique (as far as we know!)
It provokes laughter when we cover this concept in class and that helps you remember it.
One of our primary concepts is that we defend angles of attack rather than worry about specific weapons or what style the attacker trains in.
The strike that comes in to the left side of your head is angle #1. You defend it with the appropriate block.
It doesn't matter if the attacker is:
a "street fighter" throwing a haymaker
a boxer throwing a hook
a karate stylist throwing a shuto
another stylist throwing a ridge hand
throwing a crane beak
throwing a "buffalo eyebrow"
or anything else
"Buffalo eyebrow" is of course made up. It's not a real technique (as far as we know!)
It provokes laughter when we cover this concept in class and that helps you remember it.
That "coffee table" moment
This is a combat concept.
You have all had that experience where you've "barked" your shin on the coffee table when crossing the room in a hurry. It makes you forget what you were originally rushing to do and focusses all your attention on the site of the pain.
In combat we strike kokutsu, the shinbone, with a hard kick, to give him that "coffee table moment". It makes him forget all about attacking us.
You have all had that experience where you've "barked" your shin on the coffee table when crossing the room in a hurry. It makes you forget what you were originally rushing to do and focusses all your attention on the site of the pain.
In combat we strike kokutsu, the shinbone, with a hard kick, to give him that "coffee table moment". It makes him forget all about attacking us.
Lin Sil Die Dar
This is a combat concept.
It means similtanous block and strike.
We have various ways of practicing this.
It's harder to do, but more effective than "block then punch".
It means similtanous block and strike.
We have various ways of practicing this.
It's harder to do, but more effective than "block then punch".
Longest weapon the closest target
This is a combat concept.
It means what it says:
Use your low lead kick to hit the opponent's leg as he steps into range.
Use your lead jab to his face, or eye jab to the eye as he moves in.
It means what it says:
Use your low lead kick to hit the opponent's leg as he steps into range.
Use your lead jab to his face, or eye jab to the eye as he moves in.
The Jerry Springer syndrome
This is a Combat Concept.
You've seen the Jerry Springer Show where "guests" on stage are arguing, the argument escalates until they are really shouting, then BANG they go at each other and they go straight to Vertical Grappling phase, with other people trying to pull them apart.
This is how most real fights happen, certainly in pubs and clubs.
You have the verbal stage of build up before the BANG into VG - that's JS Syndrome.
In clubs I manage - I am always the Head Doorman where I work, I never work on somebody else's team with somebody else's rules and methods - I stand so I can watch the bar, the dance floor, and the seating area. I watch for changes in movement that are precursors to a fight.
Have you ever been in a club where a fight suddenly kicks off and the bouncers are already there pulling the aggressors apart, while the rest of the security team are monitoring their friends to make sure it doesn't turn into an all out brawl?
Well that's how we do it - the Head Door will watch for JS Syn and order his bouncers to "dance floor" or "bar" as appopriate. We know these guys will be in a fight before they do.
In SD it is important not to get into JS Syn yourself - avoid the whole verbal stage. Keep the attacker on the Fence and keep calm, keep a cool head. Take him out with a pre-emptive strike while he's still in the verbal stage.
All bouncers who have seen JS Syn from the third person POV will recognise it from the Defensive POV and know how to deal with it.
At STMA we pass this knowledge onto you, so you can apply it when needed.
You've seen the Jerry Springer Show where "guests" on stage are arguing, the argument escalates until they are really shouting, then BANG they go at each other and they go straight to Vertical Grappling phase, with other people trying to pull them apart.
This is how most real fights happen, certainly in pubs and clubs.
You have the verbal stage of build up before the BANG into VG - that's JS Syndrome.
In clubs I manage - I am always the Head Doorman where I work, I never work on somebody else's team with somebody else's rules and methods - I stand so I can watch the bar, the dance floor, and the seating area. I watch for changes in movement that are precursors to a fight.
Have you ever been in a club where a fight suddenly kicks off and the bouncers are already there pulling the aggressors apart, while the rest of the security team are monitoring their friends to make sure it doesn't turn into an all out brawl?
Well that's how we do it - the Head Door will watch for JS Syn and order his bouncers to "dance floor" or "bar" as appopriate. We know these guys will be in a fight before they do.
In SD it is important not to get into JS Syn yourself - avoid the whole verbal stage. Keep the attacker on the Fence and keep calm, keep a cool head. Take him out with a pre-emptive strike while he's still in the verbal stage.
All bouncers who have seen JS Syn from the third person POV will recognise it from the Defensive POV and know how to deal with it.
At STMA we pass this knowledge onto you, so you can apply it when needed.
The 3 POVS - Points of View
There are 3 Points of View in a fight.
The attacker
The defender
A third person watching
It is important to view the fight from all 3 POVs to completely understand it. We cover this reguarly in STMA training.
The attacker
The defender
A third person watching
It is important to view the fight from all 3 POVs to completely understand it. We cover this reguarly in STMA training.
Applied Fighting Arts
AFA stands for Applied Fighting Arts.
It is the precursor to what is now STMA - the Shiro Tora Martial Arts, the Applied Fighting Arts of Karate, Jujutsu, Wing Chun, Kali and Muay Thai - Martial Arts adapted and applied in real Self Defence situations on the Streets of 21st Century Britain.
We use the Applied Fighting Arts of Freestyle Karate, Boxing, Kickboxing and Thai Boxing in our impact work and sparring.
We use the Applied Fighting Arts of Judo, JuJutsu and wrestling in our matwork and grappling.
We use the Applied Fighting Arts of Japanese Kobudo, Okinawan Kobudo, Kali, Eskrima and Krabi in our weapons defence, drills, combat and sparring.
We apply these arts in Self Defence and Street Fighting.
We apply these in Sparring and they can be applied in Sport contests.
The application of the Kickboxing arts with the Grappling arts forms Vale Tudo, our MMA sparring system.
Vale Tudo mixed with the Feng Wei arts creates Street Combat or SPARKS.
AFA is an American style anacronysm, simlar to what the JKD guys use.
It is the precursor to what is now STMA - the Shiro Tora Martial Arts, the Applied Fighting Arts of Karate, Jujutsu, Wing Chun, Kali and Muay Thai - Martial Arts adapted and applied in real Self Defence situations on the Streets of 21st Century Britain.
We use the Applied Fighting Arts of Freestyle Karate, Boxing, Kickboxing and Thai Boxing in our impact work and sparring.
We use the Applied Fighting Arts of Judo, JuJutsu and wrestling in our matwork and grappling.
We use the Applied Fighting Arts of Japanese Kobudo, Okinawan Kobudo, Kali, Eskrima and Krabi in our weapons defence, drills, combat and sparring.
We apply these arts in Self Defence and Street Fighting.
We apply these in Sparring and they can be applied in Sport contests.
The application of the Kickboxing arts with the Grappling arts forms Vale Tudo, our MMA sparring system.
Vale Tudo mixed with the Feng Wei arts creates Street Combat or SPARKS.
AFA is an American style anacronysm, simlar to what the JKD guys use.
Kobudo - Eskrima - weapons
Progressive weapons training.
We start with the single stick drills of serada escrima, developing over 4 ranges:
largo (long), medio (mid range), Quarto (close) and grappling.
We then move to sinawalli double stick drills, which are done at the largo range.
These become increasingly complex as you progress.
Sparring is done in armour:
men - helmet
do - body armour
kote - gauntlets
A harder style of "dog" fighting is done at the higher level, with less protection, eventually wearing only a fencing mask.
The 2nd weapon you learn is the tonfa side handled baton.
As well as block and counter drills there is a wide range of grappling techniques, including many locks.
There is no tonfa sparring as such.
The 3rd weapon you learn is the nunchaku.
First singlely, then doublely, there are many challenging and exciting drills.
Sparring is done in the armour, usually with a single chuck of foam rubber.
After this you move onto two handed weapons.
The sword is an eclectic mix of Japanese kenjutusu, as well as the ninja art of kukkishinden ryu. We also employ drills from Filipino kampilan.
Sparring is done kendo style, in armour, with like baboo shinai or rattan bokuto.
We then move onto the
hanbo 3 foot stick
Jo 4 foot stick
Bo 6 foot stick.
After Bo there are drills with the yari spear and naginate halberd for those who want to take their training to higher levels.
There is possible sparring between swords, staves and spears, an art called To-So-Jutsu at the higher level.
This is basically a weapons based class. It takes the same spirit as systems such as kukkishinden ryu, one of the nine schools of ninjutsu, which starts students with weapons training.
The first weapon is the single stick - serrada escrima - close quarter combat. Easy to learn and remember drills.
As early as this students can begin sparring in armour.
Armour is similar to kendo armour:
men helmet
do body armour
kote gloves
From single stick they progress to double sticks - the sinawalli drills.
There are also stick defences and disarms as well as stick locks.
There is double stick sparring
The second weapon is the tonfa - used single or in pairs, against sticks and other weapons.
There are a lot of tonfa locks.
There is no real practical tonfa sparring.
The 3rd weapon is the nuncha.
Initially single, later in pairs.
There is nuncha sparring.
Then we move onto longer weapons.
This is a more advanced stage of the student's training.
The short sword, as in katana and ninja to.
The hanbo, 3ft stick, which has a lot of locks.
The Jo staff and Bo staff.
Sparring is first done with shinai, as in kendo, and also with bokken.
We then use jo, bokken and bo against each other in drilling then sparring.
We start with the single stick drills of serada escrima, developing over 4 ranges:
largo (long), medio (mid range), Quarto (close) and grappling.
We then move to sinawalli double stick drills, which are done at the largo range.
These become increasingly complex as you progress.
Sparring is done in armour:
men - helmet
do - body armour
kote - gauntlets
A harder style of "dog" fighting is done at the higher level, with less protection, eventually wearing only a fencing mask.
The 2nd weapon you learn is the tonfa side handled baton.
As well as block and counter drills there is a wide range of grappling techniques, including many locks.
There is no tonfa sparring as such.
The 3rd weapon you learn is the nunchaku.
First singlely, then doublely, there are many challenging and exciting drills.
Sparring is done in the armour, usually with a single chuck of foam rubber.
After this you move onto two handed weapons.
The sword is an eclectic mix of Japanese kenjutusu, as well as the ninja art of kukkishinden ryu. We also employ drills from Filipino kampilan.
Sparring is done kendo style, in armour, with like baboo shinai or rattan bokuto.
We then move onto the
hanbo 3 foot stick
Jo 4 foot stick
Bo 6 foot stick.
After Bo there are drills with the yari spear and naginate halberd for those who want to take their training to higher levels.
There is possible sparring between swords, staves and spears, an art called To-So-Jutsu at the higher level.
This is basically a weapons based class. It takes the same spirit as systems such as kukkishinden ryu, one of the nine schools of ninjutsu, which starts students with weapons training.
The first weapon is the single stick - serrada escrima - close quarter combat. Easy to learn and remember drills.
As early as this students can begin sparring in armour.
Armour is similar to kendo armour:
men helmet
do body armour
kote gloves
From single stick they progress to double sticks - the sinawalli drills.
There are also stick defences and disarms as well as stick locks.
There is double stick sparring
The second weapon is the tonfa - used single or in pairs, against sticks and other weapons.
There are a lot of tonfa locks.
There is no real practical tonfa sparring.
The 3rd weapon is the nuncha.
Initially single, later in pairs.
There is nuncha sparring.
Then we move onto longer weapons.
This is a more advanced stage of the student's training.
The short sword, as in katana and ninja to.
The hanbo, 3ft stick, which has a lot of locks.
The Jo staff and Bo staff.
Sparring is first done with shinai, as in kendo, and also with bokken.
We then use jo, bokken and bo against each other in drilling then sparring.
Kickboxing
The core of the system, at the basic level, is the punches of boxing combined with the kicks of karate.
However the system is far more than these parts when you start progressing through your training.
Shihan has competed in traditional points karate, semi contact, and full contact kickboxing.
Our system also borrows from Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do and Savate Boxe Francais which Shihan has trained and sparred in.
Our TKD particularly sources the WTF system with it's full contact body sparring.
Training drills are impact based, using focus mitts, kick shields and Thai pads. We then progress to partner drills, then sparring.
Sparring is progressive and covers all levels:
Boxing - punching to head and body. Full gloves.
Kickboxing - punching and kicking to head and body. Full gloves and shin pads.
Lo Kix - kb with leg licks and blocks to add a whole new dimension.
Thai - as lo kix kb, but with the use of knees in the clinch.
Thai sparring becomes harder at the higher levels with the removal of protective equipment.
Trad karate - light or no pads and touch or light contact to the body. All head shots are pulled (sundome)
Perhaps the most skillfull and controlled form of sparring there is.
Sweeps - when sweeps are added it adds a new dimension
Semi contact - lighter pads and lighter contact than FC and a longer range. Relies more on long and high kicks.
TKD - like SC but with full contact to the body. Special "Hogu" armour is worn for this.
This is the same KB I was doing in Birmingham, the class I taught there, and you can see a lot of that on my vids, including the ring training.
After studying classical Wing Chun in Hong Kong, Bruce first taught a modified version in Oakland. When he moved to Seattle and started again, what he taught was the first real Jun Fan Kung Fu. When he got to LA and started again with Dan, he'd reversed his format and started teaching KB first - so students learned attributes before technique, and tried it all out in sparring. The "martial arts skills" came after.
My kb was originally adapted from the karate and boxing I was doing seperately. I worked the two skills together and tried it all out in sparring, and later in competition. As I was winning trophies I was obviously doing better than what other people were doing at the time, so I was on the right track.
I added a lot of Thai, some TKD - especially the kicks, and some savate to what the KB system now is.
I sparred with a lot of black belts from various styles such as TKD, Shotokan, Kyukushinkai, Thai, Freestyle and Lau Gar to adapt what I was doing to fit all kinds of opponents.
Now we have a system easy to learn and easy to fit into the style and character of the student.
Some students, big guys who like boxing, rugby and Judo, want to get stuck in with close combat and harder full contact sparring.
Some students, women and more athletic guys, into TKD, football, even dance, like to keep to semi contact and use a longer range, with more kicks.
As I've had students I've developed in these two extremes, and all the points in between, it's easy to set up a class that can accomodate and progress anyone.
However the system is far more than these parts when you start progressing through your training.
Shihan has competed in traditional points karate, semi contact, and full contact kickboxing.
Our system also borrows from Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do and Savate Boxe Francais which Shihan has trained and sparred in.
Our TKD particularly sources the WTF system with it's full contact body sparring.
Training drills are impact based, using focus mitts, kick shields and Thai pads. We then progress to partner drills, then sparring.
Sparring is progressive and covers all levels:
Boxing - punching to head and body. Full gloves.
Kickboxing - punching and kicking to head and body. Full gloves and shin pads.
Lo Kix - kb with leg licks and blocks to add a whole new dimension.
Thai - as lo kix kb, but with the use of knees in the clinch.
Thai sparring becomes harder at the higher levels with the removal of protective equipment.
Trad karate - light or no pads and touch or light contact to the body. All head shots are pulled (sundome)
Perhaps the most skillfull and controlled form of sparring there is.
Sweeps - when sweeps are added it adds a new dimension
Semi contact - lighter pads and lighter contact than FC and a longer range. Relies more on long and high kicks.
TKD - like SC but with full contact to the body. Special "Hogu" armour is worn for this.
This is the same KB I was doing in Birmingham, the class I taught there, and you can see a lot of that on my vids, including the ring training.
After studying classical Wing Chun in Hong Kong, Bruce first taught a modified version in Oakland. When he moved to Seattle and started again, what he taught was the first real Jun Fan Kung Fu. When he got to LA and started again with Dan, he'd reversed his format and started teaching KB first - so students learned attributes before technique, and tried it all out in sparring. The "martial arts skills" came after.
My kb was originally adapted from the karate and boxing I was doing seperately. I worked the two skills together and tried it all out in sparring, and later in competition. As I was winning trophies I was obviously doing better than what other people were doing at the time, so I was on the right track.
I added a lot of Thai, some TKD - especially the kicks, and some savate to what the KB system now is.
I sparred with a lot of black belts from various styles such as TKD, Shotokan, Kyukushinkai, Thai, Freestyle and Lau Gar to adapt what I was doing to fit all kinds of opponents.
Now we have a system easy to learn and easy to fit into the style and character of the student.
Some students, big guys who like boxing, rugby and Judo, want to get stuck in with close combat and harder full contact sparring.
Some students, women and more athletic guys, into TKD, football, even dance, like to keep to semi contact and use a longer range, with more kicks.
As I've had students I've developed in these two extremes, and all the points in between, it's easy to set up a class that can accomodate and progress anyone.
Feng Wei
Feng Wei is the name we have given to the core Fighting System in Shiro Tora. In Chinese it means "Phoenix". It is a streetfighting system for the streets of Britain at the start of the 21st Century.
As well as holding a 6th dan in karate, which has Okinawan and Chinese roots, Shihan is a full instructor in Wing Chun Kung Fu. He taught a Wing Chun class for 3 years in the early 90s. Shihan's training has included classical and modified WC, as well as private training from the late great Master Derek Jones of Body Mind Spirit.
Shihan has been involved for many years in Jun Fan Gung Fu and Jeet Kune Do, so has trained in all aspects of Bruce Lee's art from the modified WC of Oakland to the Seattle Jun Fan to the LA JKD. One of Shihan's teachers is Dan Inosanto, Bruce Lee's top student in America.
So as well as a core of Applied Karate, FW heavily borrows from WC and JF.
There are also elements of Jujutsu, Kali and Muay Thai.
Shihan was a nightclub doorman for several years and is one of the UK's foremost authorities in applying Martial Art in streetfighting and Self Protection.
Shihan's Threat Response system is unique to Shiro Tora and the FW class is the best place to learn them.
Classes include: Tool development, lineups, defence and counter drills, attack by combination, HIA traps, locks, chokes, immobilisations, takedowns, KOs, multiple opponent drills, the fence, threat escalation, conflict management.
Sparring at the higher level includes karate kumite and WC chi sao, so covers all levels of standing combat.
Whether you want to work in security, or just want an effective Self Protection system, we have it all right here.
As well as holding a 6th dan in karate, which has Okinawan and Chinese roots, Shihan is a full instructor in Wing Chun Kung Fu. He taught a Wing Chun class for 3 years in the early 90s. Shihan's training has included classical and modified WC, as well as private training from the late great Master Derek Jones of Body Mind Spirit.
Shihan has been involved for many years in Jun Fan Gung Fu and Jeet Kune Do, so has trained in all aspects of Bruce Lee's art from the modified WC of Oakland to the Seattle Jun Fan to the LA JKD. One of Shihan's teachers is Dan Inosanto, Bruce Lee's top student in America.
So as well as a core of Applied Karate, FW heavily borrows from WC and JF.
There are also elements of Jujutsu, Kali and Muay Thai.
Shihan was a nightclub doorman for several years and is one of the UK's foremost authorities in applying Martial Art in streetfighting and Self Protection.
Shihan's Threat Response system is unique to Shiro Tora and the FW class is the best place to learn them.
Classes include: Tool development, lineups, defence and counter drills, attack by combination, HIA traps, locks, chokes, immobilisations, takedowns, KOs, multiple opponent drills, the fence, threat escalation, conflict management.
Sparring at the higher level includes karate kumite and WC chi sao, so covers all levels of standing combat.
Whether you want to work in security, or just want an effective Self Protection system, we have it all right here.
We now have our own Forum:
Shiro Tora White Tiger Martial Arts Forum
As you'll see, we have actually had this set up for some time but are just now launching it for club use.
It is a members only forum, it can't be read by the public, and membership has to be approved by an administrator. If you look at it now it looks blank, but once your membership is approved and you log in you will have access to the boards.
It will be a good place for me to post information regarding the club and classes, and to discuss techniques and training through the week between sessions. We have used these before at other clubs we've run and students found them really useful. Also, if you miss a session, you will be able to catch up with what happened. It's a lot easier than texting and emailing each other individually as we've been doing a lot of recently.
You can join the Forum from this page:
Join Shiro Tora Forum
Once registered, your login details will be emailed to you. Then once I've approved your account, you'll be in.
See you all at The Forum!
As you'll see, we have actually had this set up for some time but are just now launching it for club use.
It is a members only forum, it can't be read by the public, and membership has to be approved by an administrator. If you look at it now it looks blank, but once your membership is approved and you log in you will have access to the boards.
It will be a good place for me to post information regarding the club and classes, and to discuss techniques and training through the week between sessions. We have used these before at other clubs we've run and students found them really useful. Also, if you miss a session, you will be able to catch up with what happened. It's a lot easier than texting and emailing each other individually as we've been doing a lot of recently.
You can join the Forum from this page:
Join Shiro Tora Forum
Once registered, your login details will be emailed to you. Then once I've approved your account, you'll be in.
See you all at The Forum!
Practical, Realistic and Effective Street Self Defence
Close quarter combat training taken from our core arts of
Karate, Jujutsu and Wing Chun.
Impact training and sparring from Freestyle Kickboxing.
Weapons training, combat and defence from Kobudo – Eskrima.
All forms of Defence Combat taught
Strikes, Kicks, Punches and Counterattacks
Headbutts, Knees, Elbows (HKE)
HIA, Trapping, Energy Drills and Chi Sao
Chokes and Strangles – Locks and Controls
Throws and Takedowns – Ground and Pound
Boxing, Kickboxing, Grappling and Vale Tudo - MMA
Stick and Knife – Sword and Staff – Nunchaku and Tonfa
Threat Awareness – Threat Avoidance – Threat Response
Self Protection – Street Fighting – Unarmed Combat
Learn from a 6th degree Black Belt with over 30 years training and almost 10 years real world experience on the doors of Britain’s pubs and clubs.
Training sessions held in Caterham (Over 18s)
Caterham Methodist Church, Coulsdon Road, Caterham-on-the-Hill
Thursday 7 – 9 pm £5 a session.
email: ShiroToraTiger@yahoo.co.uk
website: ShiroToraTiger.blogspot.com
Beginners Welcome
Karate, Jujutsu and Wing Chun.
Impact training and sparring from Freestyle Kickboxing.
Weapons training, combat and defence from Kobudo – Eskrima.
All forms of Defence Combat taught
Strikes, Kicks, Punches and Counterattacks
Headbutts, Knees, Elbows (HKE)
HIA, Trapping, Energy Drills and Chi Sao
Chokes and Strangles – Locks and Controls
Throws and Takedowns – Ground and Pound
Boxing, Kickboxing, Grappling and Vale Tudo - MMA
Stick and Knife – Sword and Staff – Nunchaku and Tonfa
Threat Awareness – Threat Avoidance – Threat Response
Self Protection – Street Fighting – Unarmed Combat
Learn from a 6th degree Black Belt with over 30 years training and almost 10 years real world experience on the doors of Britain’s pubs and clubs.
Training sessions held in Caterham (Over 18s)
Caterham Methodist Church, Coulsdon Road, Caterham-on-the-Hill
Thursday 7 – 9 pm £5 a session.
email: ShiroToraTiger@yahoo.co.uk
website: ShiroToraTiger.blogspot.com
Beginners Welcome
White Tiger syllabus
Over 18s Only!
Due to the content and standard of our training it is only suitable for persons over the age of 18.
We suggest junior students join an external Junior club in Karate or Judo, then come to us as a senior once they reach 18.
Any MA experience you get before you turn up here will be beneficial, so go for it!
Class syllabus
Sessions will be based on the following arts and systems:
Combat Karate
Practical applied karate from Japanese Shotokan, Shotokai and Kyukushinkai, Okinawan Goju and American Kenpo.
Learn how to apply karate from a 6th degree black belt who has real street experience.
Traditional katas available for those who want to learn them.
Karate Kumite to test your skills in sparring.
Combat Jujutsu
The perfect compliment to Combat Karate. As well as strikes and counters, we practice locks, pressure points, takedowns and ground finishes.
Syllabus based on Kempo JuJutsu, Goshin Jutsu, Kyushindo, Taijutsu, and also some Brazilian JJ and Judo Newaza for those who like their groundwork.
OK you can roll and fight on mats? What about on the wooden floor? What about on concrete? What about a flight of stairs? Come to us and make your grappling functional for the real world.
Combat Kung Fu (Feng Wei)
Syllabus distilled from the Chinese arts we practice and teach - Traditional and Modified Wing Chun, Jun Fan, Mantis, Ba Gua, Shaolin, and some Tai Chi (yes it does have some combat applications).
Classes include NRG (energy) drills, HIA (Trapping) and locking, Close Quarter Combat, and Chi Sao sparring.
Traditional Wing Chun forms available for those who want to learn them.
Kickboxing
Functional drills for tool development, and defence and counter, building to a comprehensive sparring program to test and develop your skills to the max.
Impact work on pads to develop the important attributes of speed, power, coordination, distance and timing.
Sparring forms include points karate, semi contact, full contact Kickboxing, and Thai boxing.
Syllabus taken from karate, freestyle, semi contact, full contact, Tae Kwon Do (WTF), Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Savate.
Mat, ring, and street tested methods.
Kobudo - weapons
Filipino Kali and Eskrima stick and knife,
Okinawan Nunchaku and Tonfa,
Japanese bokken, shinai, bo and jo - sword, spear and staff.
Grappling
Throws, takedowns and groundfighting. Methods taken from Judo and Jujutsu and the western Wrestling systems of Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Russian Sombo.
Judo is 90% throws and 10% groundwork. Brazilian JJ is 90% groundwork and 10% throws. In this session we work to combine the elements and bridge the gap.
Vale Tudo
Vale Tudo is the Portuguese for "anything goes". The original Mixed Martial Art in Brazil.
In our club we combine the elements of Kickboxing and Grappling so you spar and fight at all ranges. Functional drills and sparring to make you a fully competant fighter.
Due to the content and standard of our training it is only suitable for persons over the age of 18.
We suggest junior students join an external Junior club in Karate or Judo, then come to us as a senior once they reach 18.
Any MA experience you get before you turn up here will be beneficial, so go for it!
Class syllabus
Sessions will be based on the following arts and systems:
Combat Karate
Practical applied karate from Japanese Shotokan, Shotokai and Kyukushinkai, Okinawan Goju and American Kenpo.
Learn how to apply karate from a 6th degree black belt who has real street experience.
Traditional katas available for those who want to learn them.
Karate Kumite to test your skills in sparring.
Combat Jujutsu
The perfect compliment to Combat Karate. As well as strikes and counters, we practice locks, pressure points, takedowns and ground finishes.
Syllabus based on Kempo JuJutsu, Goshin Jutsu, Kyushindo, Taijutsu, and also some Brazilian JJ and Judo Newaza for those who like their groundwork.
OK you can roll and fight on mats? What about on the wooden floor? What about on concrete? What about a flight of stairs? Come to us and make your grappling functional for the real world.
Combat Kung Fu (Feng Wei)
Syllabus distilled from the Chinese arts we practice and teach - Traditional and Modified Wing Chun, Jun Fan, Mantis, Ba Gua, Shaolin, and some Tai Chi (yes it does have some combat applications).
Classes include NRG (energy) drills, HIA (Trapping) and locking, Close Quarter Combat, and Chi Sao sparring.
Traditional Wing Chun forms available for those who want to learn them.
Kickboxing
Functional drills for tool development, and defence and counter, building to a comprehensive sparring program to test and develop your skills to the max.
Impact work on pads to develop the important attributes of speed, power, coordination, distance and timing.
Sparring forms include points karate, semi contact, full contact Kickboxing, and Thai boxing.
Syllabus taken from karate, freestyle, semi contact, full contact, Tae Kwon Do (WTF), Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Savate.
Mat, ring, and street tested methods.
Kobudo - weapons
Filipino Kali and Eskrima stick and knife,
Okinawan Nunchaku and Tonfa,
Japanese bokken, shinai, bo and jo - sword, spear and staff.
Grappling
Throws, takedowns and groundfighting. Methods taken from Judo and Jujutsu and the western Wrestling systems of Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Russian Sombo.
Judo is 90% throws and 10% groundwork. Brazilian JJ is 90% groundwork and 10% throws. In this session we work to combine the elements and bridge the gap.
Vale Tudo
Vale Tudo is the Portuguese for "anything goes". The original Mixed Martial Art in Brazil.
In our club we combine the elements of Kickboxing and Grappling so you spar and fight at all ranges. Functional drills and sparring to make you a fully competant fighter.
Advertising space
We also use this blurb in our ads:
Those interested in Martial Arts in the South London area should check out the Shiro Tora Budo Kai - the White Tiger Combat Academy.
Our blog website is here:
http://shirotoratiger.blogspot.com/
Classes include:
Combat Karate
Combat Jujutsu
Combat Kung Fu (Feng Wei)
Kickboxing
Kobudo - weapons
Grappling
Vale Tudo
We have a background in:
Traditional points karate
Freestyle karate
Semi Contact
Full contact kickboxing
Thai boxing
Judo
Jujutsu kumite
Ground grappling
Vale Tudo cage fighting
Kendo
Fencing
Eskrima stick fighting
Wing Cun style "Chi Sao"
Practical applied karate from Japanese Shotokan, Shotokai and Kyukushinkai, Okinawan Goju and American Kenpo.
Syllabus based on Kempo JuJutsu, Goshin Jutsu, Kyushindo, Taijutsu, and also some Brazilian JJ and Judo Newaza for those who like their groundwork.
Chinese arts - Traditional and Modified Wing Chun, Jun Fan, Mantis, Ba Gua, Shaolin, and some Tai Chi
karate, freestyle, semi contact, full contact, Tae Kwon Do (WTF), Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Savate.
Filipino kali and Eskrima stick and knife, Okinawan Nunchaku and Tonfa, Japanese sword, spear and staff.
Throws, takedowns and groundfighting. Methods taken from Judo and Jujutsu and the western Wrestling systems of Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Russian Sombo.
Vale Tudo is the Portuguese for "anything goes". The original Mixed Martial Art in Brazil.
So if you live in South London, Croydon, Caterham, Coulsdon, Whyteleafe, Warlingham, Surrey, Chaldon, Redhill and are interested in Martial Arts, Street Self Defence, Karate, Kickboxing, Kung Fu, Jujutsu, Weapons classes, this could be the place for you.
Those interested in Martial Arts in the South London area should check out the Shiro Tora Budo Kai - the White Tiger Combat Academy.
Our blog website is here:
http://shirotoratiger.blogspot.com/
Classes include:
Combat Karate
Combat Jujutsu
Combat Kung Fu (Feng Wei)
Kickboxing
Kobudo - weapons
Grappling
Vale Tudo
We have a background in:
Traditional points karate
Freestyle karate
Semi Contact
Full contact kickboxing
Thai boxing
Judo
Jujutsu kumite
Ground grappling
Vale Tudo cage fighting
Kendo
Fencing
Eskrima stick fighting
Wing Cun style "Chi Sao"
Practical applied karate from Japanese Shotokan, Shotokai and Kyukushinkai, Okinawan Goju and American Kenpo.
Syllabus based on Kempo JuJutsu, Goshin Jutsu, Kyushindo, Taijutsu, and also some Brazilian JJ and Judo Newaza for those who like their groundwork.
Chinese arts - Traditional and Modified Wing Chun, Jun Fan, Mantis, Ba Gua, Shaolin, and some Tai Chi
karate, freestyle, semi contact, full contact, Tae Kwon Do (WTF), Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Savate.
Filipino kali and Eskrima stick and knife, Okinawan Nunchaku and Tonfa, Japanese sword, spear and staff.
Throws, takedowns and groundfighting. Methods taken from Judo and Jujutsu and the western Wrestling systems of Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Russian Sombo.
Vale Tudo is the Portuguese for "anything goes". The original Mixed Martial Art in Brazil.
So if you live in South London, Croydon, Caterham, Coulsdon, Whyteleafe, Warlingham, Surrey, Chaldon, Redhill and are interested in Martial Arts, Street Self Defence, Karate, Kickboxing, Kung Fu, Jujutsu, Weapons classes, this could be the place for you.
Disabled Martial Artists
In coaching disabled martial artists, I've had a varied and diverse experience.
I've always done blindfold chi sao in my Wing Chun, but doing it with a blind student took the whole thing to a new dimension. The same applies for blindfold grappling.
When training with my friend in the wheelchair I used to sit in a chair and train pads and sticks with him. And as for applying the techniques against a standing attacker, it gave me another new appreciation of this dimension of combat.
There have also been various students with missing limbs, including one guy who was missing an arm (yes he did all the jokes about "Unarmed Combat") who became an expert kicker. And as his right elbow was just an elbow he became lethal with it.
This can be a rewarding teaching experience as well as a great learning experience.
I've always done blindfold chi sao in my Wing Chun, but doing it with a blind student took the whole thing to a new dimension. The same applies for blindfold grappling.
When training with my friend in the wheelchair I used to sit in a chair and train pads and sticks with him. And as for applying the techniques against a standing attacker, it gave me another new appreciation of this dimension of combat.
There have also been various students with missing limbs, including one guy who was missing an arm (yes he did all the jokes about "Unarmed Combat") who became an expert kicker. And as his right elbow was just an elbow he became lethal with it.
This can be a rewarding teaching experience as well as a great learning experience.
August ad
We've tweeked our ad copy even further for August so it says the following:
Practical, Realistic and Effective Street Self Defence
Close quarter combat training taken from our core arts of
Karate, Jujutsu and Wing Chun.
Impact training and sparring from Freestyle Kickboxing.
Weapons training, combat and defence from Kobudo – Eskrima.
All forms of Defence Combat taught
Strikes, Kicks, Punches and Counterattacks
Headbutts, Knees, Elbows (HKE)
HIA, Trapping, Energy Drills and Chi Sao
Chokes and Strangles – Locks and Controls
Throws and Takedowns – Ground and Pound
Boxing, Kickboxing, Grappling and Vale Tudo - MMA
Stick and Knife – Sword and Staff – Nunchaku and Tonfa
Threat Awareness – Threat Avoidance – Threat Response
Self Protection – Street Fighting – Unarmed Combat
Learn from a 6th degree Black Belt with over 30 years training and almost 10 years real world experience on the doors of Britain’s pubs and clubs.
Training sessions held in Caterham (Over 18s)
Caterham Methodist Church, Coulsdon Road, Caterham-on-the-Hill
Thursday 7 – 9 pm £5 a session.
email: ShiroToraTiger@yahoo.co.uk
website: ShiroToraTiger.blogspot.com
Beginners Welcome
Practical, Realistic and Effective Street Self Defence
Close quarter combat training taken from our core arts of
Karate, Jujutsu and Wing Chun.
Impact training and sparring from Freestyle Kickboxing.
Weapons training, combat and defence from Kobudo – Eskrima.
All forms of Defence Combat taught
Strikes, Kicks, Punches and Counterattacks
Headbutts, Knees, Elbows (HKE)
HIA, Trapping, Energy Drills and Chi Sao
Chokes and Strangles – Locks and Controls
Throws and Takedowns – Ground and Pound
Boxing, Kickboxing, Grappling and Vale Tudo - MMA
Stick and Knife – Sword and Staff – Nunchaku and Tonfa
Threat Awareness – Threat Avoidance – Threat Response
Self Protection – Street Fighting – Unarmed Combat
Learn from a 6th degree Black Belt with over 30 years training and almost 10 years real world experience on the doors of Britain’s pubs and clubs.
Training sessions held in Caterham (Over 18s)
Caterham Methodist Church, Coulsdon Road, Caterham-on-the-Hill
Thursday 7 – 9 pm £5 a session.
email: ShiroToraTiger@yahoo.co.uk
website: ShiroToraTiger.blogspot.com
Beginners Welcome
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
More ad copy
Those interested in Martial Arts in the South London area should check out the Shiro Tora Budo Kai - the White Tiger Combat Academy.
Our blog website is here:
http://shirotoratiger.blogspot.com/
Classes include:
Combat Karate
Combat Jujutsu
Combat Kung Fu (Feng Wei)
Kickboxing
Kobudo - weapons
Grappling
Vale Tudo
We have a background in:
Traditional points karate
Freestyle karate
Semi Contact
Full contact kickboxing
Thai boxing
Judo
Jujutsu kumite
Ground grappling
Vale Tudo cage fighting
Kendo
Fencing
Eskrima stick fighting
Wing Cun style "Chi Sao"
Practical applied karate from Japanese Shotokan, Shotokai and Kyukushinkai, Okinawan Goju and American Kenpo.
Syllabus based on Kempo JuJutsu, Goshin Jutsu, Kyushindo, Taijutsu, and also some Brazilian JJ and Judo Newaza for those who like their groundwork.
Chinese arts - Traditional and Modified Wing Chun, Jun Fan, Mantis, Ba Gua, Shaolin, and some Tai Chi
karate, freestyle, semi contact, full contact, Tae Kwon Do (WTF), Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Savate.
Filipino kali and Eskrima stick and knife, Okinawan Nunchaku and Tonfa, Japanese sword, spear and staff.
Throws, takedowns and groundfighting. Methods taken from Judo and Jujutsu and the western Wrestling systems of Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Russian Sombo.
Vale Tudo is the Portuguese for "anything goes". The original Mixed Martial Art in Brazil.
So if you live in South London, Croydon, Caterham, Coulsdon, Whyteleafe, Warlingham, Surrey, Chaldon, Redhill and are interested in Martial Arts, Street Self Defence, Karate, Kickboxing, Kung Fu, Jujutsu, Weapons classes, this could be the place for you.
Our blog website is here:
http://shirotoratiger.blogspot.com/
Classes include:
Combat Karate
Combat Jujutsu
Combat Kung Fu (Feng Wei)
Kickboxing
Kobudo - weapons
Grappling
Vale Tudo
We have a background in:
Traditional points karate
Freestyle karate
Semi Contact
Full contact kickboxing
Thai boxing
Judo
Jujutsu kumite
Ground grappling
Vale Tudo cage fighting
Kendo
Fencing
Eskrima stick fighting
Wing Cun style "Chi Sao"
Practical applied karate from Japanese Shotokan, Shotokai and Kyukushinkai, Okinawan Goju and American Kenpo.
Syllabus based on Kempo JuJutsu, Goshin Jutsu, Kyushindo, Taijutsu, and also some Brazilian JJ and Judo Newaza for those who like their groundwork.
Chinese arts - Traditional and Modified Wing Chun, Jun Fan, Mantis, Ba Gua, Shaolin, and some Tai Chi
karate, freestyle, semi contact, full contact, Tae Kwon Do (WTF), Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Savate.
Filipino kali and Eskrima stick and knife, Okinawan Nunchaku and Tonfa, Japanese sword, spear and staff.
Throws, takedowns and groundfighting. Methods taken from Judo and Jujutsu and the western Wrestling systems of Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Russian Sombo.
Vale Tudo is the Portuguese for "anything goes". The original Mixed Martial Art in Brazil.
So if you live in South London, Croydon, Caterham, Coulsdon, Whyteleafe, Warlingham, Surrey, Chaldon, Redhill and are interested in Martial Arts, Street Self Defence, Karate, Kickboxing, Kung Fu, Jujutsu, Weapons classes, this could be the place for you.
Grades and gradings
For grading we use the traditional Japanese kyu-dan system.
9 kyu grade coloured belts, then 9 dan grades of black belt.
As we're flexible here, you can decide what classes you take and what you want your award to be in, what you are working towards. Think of how the Open University compares to a "traditional" university.
One of our themes is "having no way as way, having no limitation as limitation".
Everyone who walks through our door has the potential to earn a black belt, and there is no reason you can't set your sites on that goal from day one.
Maybe you want to specialise with a black belt in karate, or be one of the first to earn a black belt in Feng Wei. Perhaps you'd like to do a "double degree" with a black belt in Karate and Feng Wei. Maybe you want to specialise in one area but cover others, so you become a black belt in Feng Wei with minors in kickboxing and weapons. Maybe you want to learn more, cover all the bases and work on an "Open degree", earning a black belt in "Shiro Tora". Whatever you want to work on we are flexible, and you can change your focus as you progress in your training.
Welcome to the school of future black belts!
9 kyu grade coloured belts, then 9 dan grades of black belt.
As we're flexible here, you can decide what classes you take and what you want your award to be in, what you are working towards. Think of how the Open University compares to a "traditional" university.
One of our themes is "having no way as way, having no limitation as limitation".
Everyone who walks through our door has the potential to earn a black belt, and there is no reason you can't set your sites on that goal from day one.
Maybe you want to specialise with a black belt in karate, or be one of the first to earn a black belt in Feng Wei. Perhaps you'd like to do a "double degree" with a black belt in Karate and Feng Wei. Maybe you want to specialise in one area but cover others, so you become a black belt in Feng Wei with minors in kickboxing and weapons. Maybe you want to learn more, cover all the bases and work on an "Open degree", earning a black belt in "Shiro Tora". Whatever you want to work on we are flexible, and you can change your focus as you progress in your training.
Welcome to the school of future black belts!
Sessions are be based on the following arts and systems:
Combat Karate
Practical applied karate from Japanese Shotokan, Shotokai and Kyukushinkai, Okinawan Goju and American Kenpo.
Learn how to apply karate from a 6th degree black belt who has real street experience.
Traditional katas available for those who want to learn them.
Karate Kumite to test your skills in sparring.
Combat Jujutsu
The perfect compliment to Combat Karate. As well as strikes and counters, we practice locks, pressure points, takedowns and ground finishes.
Syllabus based on Kempo JuJutsu, Goshin Jutsu, Kyushindo, Taijutsu, and also some Brazilian JJ and Judo Newaza for those who like their groundwork.
OK you can roll and fight on mats? What about on the wooden floor? What about on concrete? What about a flight of stairs? Come to us and make your grappling functional for the real world.
Combat Kung Fu (Feng Wei)
Syllabus distilled from the Chinese arts we practice and teach - Traditional and Modified Wing Chun, Jun Fan, Mantis, Ba Gua, Shaolin, and some Tai Chi (yes it does have some combat applications).
Classes include NRG (energy) drills, HIA (Trapping) and locking, Close Quarter Combat, and Chi Sao sparring.
Traditional Wing Chun forms available for those who want to learn them.
Kickboxing
Functional drills for tool development, and defence and counter, building to a comprehensive sparring program to test and develop your skills to the max.
Impact work on pads to develop the important attributes of speed, power, coordination, distance and timing.
Sparring forms include points karate, semi contact, full contact Kickboxing, and Thai boxing.
Syllabus taken from karate, freestyle, semi contact, full contact, Tae Kwon Do (WTF), Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Savate.
Mat, ring, and street tested methods.
Kobudo - weapons
Filipino Kali and Eskrima stick and knife,
Okinawan Nunchaku and Tonfa,
Japanese bokken, shinai, bo and jo - sword, spear and staff.
Grappling
Throws, takedowns and groundfighting. Methods taken from Judo and Jujutsu and the western Wrestling systems of Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Russian Sombo.
Judo is 90% throws and 10% groundwork. Brazilian JJ is 90% groundwork and 10% throws. In this session we work to combine the elements and bridge the gap.
Vale Tudo
Vale Tudo is the Portuguese for "anything goes". The original Mixed Martial Art in Brazil.
In our club we combine the elements of Kickboxing and Grappling so you spar and fight at all ranges. Functional drills and sparring to make you a fully competant fighter.
Practical applied karate from Japanese Shotokan, Shotokai and Kyukushinkai, Okinawan Goju and American Kenpo.
Learn how to apply karate from a 6th degree black belt who has real street experience.
Traditional katas available for those who want to learn them.
Karate Kumite to test your skills in sparring.
Combat Jujutsu
The perfect compliment to Combat Karate. As well as strikes and counters, we practice locks, pressure points, takedowns and ground finishes.
Syllabus based on Kempo JuJutsu, Goshin Jutsu, Kyushindo, Taijutsu, and also some Brazilian JJ and Judo Newaza for those who like their groundwork.
OK you can roll and fight on mats? What about on the wooden floor? What about on concrete? What about a flight of stairs? Come to us and make your grappling functional for the real world.
Combat Kung Fu (Feng Wei)
Syllabus distilled from the Chinese arts we practice and teach - Traditional and Modified Wing Chun, Jun Fan, Mantis, Ba Gua, Shaolin, and some Tai Chi (yes it does have some combat applications).
Classes include NRG (energy) drills, HIA (Trapping) and locking, Close Quarter Combat, and Chi Sao sparring.
Traditional Wing Chun forms available for those who want to learn them.
Kickboxing
Functional drills for tool development, and defence and counter, building to a comprehensive sparring program to test and develop your skills to the max.
Impact work on pads to develop the important attributes of speed, power, coordination, distance and timing.
Sparring forms include points karate, semi contact, full contact Kickboxing, and Thai boxing.
Syllabus taken from karate, freestyle, semi contact, full contact, Tae Kwon Do (WTF), Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Savate.
Mat, ring, and street tested methods.
Kobudo - weapons
Filipino Kali and Eskrima stick and knife,
Okinawan Nunchaku and Tonfa,
Japanese bokken, shinai, bo and jo - sword, spear and staff.
Grappling
Throws, takedowns and groundfighting. Methods taken from Judo and Jujutsu and the western Wrestling systems of Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Russian Sombo.
Judo is 90% throws and 10% groundwork. Brazilian JJ is 90% groundwork and 10% throws. In this session we work to combine the elements and bridge the gap.
Vale Tudo
Vale Tudo is the Portuguese for "anything goes". The original Mixed Martial Art in Brazil.
In our club we combine the elements of Kickboxing and Grappling so you spar and fight at all ranges. Functional drills and sparring to make you a fully competant fighter.
The First Rule of Fight Club...
... is don't talk about Fight Club.
I'm sure you've all seen the film (you may have even read the book).
It's also the second rule as well.
However at our "Fight Club" we want to reverse this rule.
DO tell people about our club. Tell your friends and invite the along. Email people our website address. Spread the word and get some new people here!
Open to anyone
Whether you are a complete beginner or seasoned black belt, a competition fighter, or just somebody interested in Self Protection, we have something for you.
Everyone will be able to work at their own pace, so this is an ideal class for beginners and ladies, but also for students who want to go a bit faster and harder and learn a bit quicker.
One of our mottos is:
"Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative".
This means we take what you are good at and help you polish and improve it, help you get even better. We then take what you are not so good at and bring you up to speed. Our aim is to make you a fully functional Martial Artist at all ranges, fill in the blanks, and make what you do fully functional for the real world.
Another of our mottos is:
"Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless, add what is specifically your own"
(quoted from the late, great Bruce Lee, the original cross-trainer)
which does exactly what it says. You take what is useful to you (including what you learn here), discard what is useless (including what you learn here), and add what is your own, to develop your own unique style of fighting that works for you.
I'm sure you've all seen the film (you may have even read the book).
It's also the second rule as well.
However at our "Fight Club" we want to reverse this rule.
DO tell people about our club. Tell your friends and invite the along. Email people our website address. Spread the word and get some new people here!
Open to anyone
Whether you are a complete beginner or seasoned black belt, a competition fighter, or just somebody interested in Self Protection, we have something for you.
Everyone will be able to work at their own pace, so this is an ideal class for beginners and ladies, but also for students who want to go a bit faster and harder and learn a bit quicker.
One of our mottos is:
"Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative".
This means we take what you are good at and help you polish and improve it, help you get even better. We then take what you are not so good at and bring you up to speed. Our aim is to make you a fully functional Martial Artist at all ranges, fill in the blanks, and make what you do fully functional for the real world.
Another of our mottos is:
"Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless, add what is specifically your own"
(quoted from the late, great Bruce Lee, the original cross-trainer)
which does exactly what it says. You take what is useful to you (including what you learn here), discard what is useless (including what you learn here), and add what is your own, to develop your own unique style of fighting that works for you.
Give it a fair go!
Is what we always say!
Don't just come to one class and decide you didn't like it.
Each class is different and the training is progressive. Try a few classes, 3 or maybe 4, before you decide.
We accept that some people will leave, just as new people will come along. Also not everybody will make every class.
But keep in mind we can tailor your training to what YOU want to learn and accomplish. It's not a rule that everybody practices then same. At a session we can have a couple of people kickboxing, a couple practicing locks, a couple working weapons.
Let me know what YOU want to see more or less of. Talk to me at class or send me an email. At Shoro Tora you have more latitude than at a "Traditional" class, so let us know what YOU want to gain from your time with us.
Don't just come to one class and decide you didn't like it.
Each class is different and the training is progressive. Try a few classes, 3 or maybe 4, before you decide.
We accept that some people will leave, just as new people will come along. Also not everybody will make every class.
But keep in mind we can tailor your training to what YOU want to learn and accomplish. It's not a rule that everybody practices then same. At a session we can have a couple of people kickboxing, a couple practicing locks, a couple working weapons.
Let me know what YOU want to see more or less of. Talk to me at class or send me an email. At Shoro Tora you have more latitude than at a "Traditional" class, so let us know what YOU want to gain from your time with us.
Club progression
We will be following the tried and tested method we have always used when starting up a club in a new area.
We start with one class a week, in an empty hall, with no real equipment, to build up a student base, and get you used to working with each other in the unarmed drills.
During this time we work on drills from the core arts.
There are no joining fees or membership at this point, everyone pays just £5 for a class.
Then we add a second class, then a third.
Not everybody wants to train three times a week, but a dedicated few will do. At this point a student will be paying £15 a week, which works out as £60 a month.
So, at this point, we offer a monthly membership of £40 or even £35 to drive down the cost to you. This encourages students to take extra classes with no extra cost. You spend time, not money, to build your skills.
As for equipment we start with empty hands, though I will bring pads and practice weapons to even the earliest session so I can demonstrate some of the drills and give students a chance to have a go. Nobody needs to bring anything to the first sessions, though students who have their own pads and sparring gear are welcome to do so.
Once we get underway we start bringing equipment to the Kickboxing sessions and weapons to the kobudo sessions.
Students are required to buy their own sparring gear, and encouraged to buy their own pads and shields.
We set up a deal with a supply company to get us a reasonable rate.
For the weapons class we start with sticks and knife.
Students need to by a training knife and a pair of sticks from us.
As sticks wear out through training you can buy replacements from us as needed.
We also supply "Stick tape" to wrap your sticks (you'll soon see why!)
Students start the kickboxing and weapons phase when they feel ready.
Nobody is forced to do either and can stay with unarmed drills if they wish.
Nobody is forced to spar until they feel ready.
However students with sparring experience can spar from day one if they wish, and do feel free to bring your own kit if you have it.
As we progress to two the three sessions a week we will decide which days will feature which disciplines. This will be up to you, the students, to help decide what you want to practice on which days. This is YOUR club so you help decide.
Also, somebody wanting to focus on a particular area, be it kickboxing, weapons, locks, whatever, are welcome to specialise and do that at any session.
We are totally flexible here.
We start with one class a week, in an empty hall, with no real equipment, to build up a student base, and get you used to working with each other in the unarmed drills.
During this time we work on drills from the core arts.
There are no joining fees or membership at this point, everyone pays just £5 for a class.
Then we add a second class, then a third.
Not everybody wants to train three times a week, but a dedicated few will do. At this point a student will be paying £15 a week, which works out as £60 a month.
So, at this point, we offer a monthly membership of £40 or even £35 to drive down the cost to you. This encourages students to take extra classes with no extra cost. You spend time, not money, to build your skills.
As for equipment we start with empty hands, though I will bring pads and practice weapons to even the earliest session so I can demonstrate some of the drills and give students a chance to have a go. Nobody needs to bring anything to the first sessions, though students who have their own pads and sparring gear are welcome to do so.
Once we get underway we start bringing equipment to the Kickboxing sessions and weapons to the kobudo sessions.
Students are required to buy their own sparring gear, and encouraged to buy their own pads and shields.
We set up a deal with a supply company to get us a reasonable rate.
For the weapons class we start with sticks and knife.
Students need to by a training knife and a pair of sticks from us.
As sticks wear out through training you can buy replacements from us as needed.
We also supply "Stick tape" to wrap your sticks (you'll soon see why!)
Students start the kickboxing and weapons phase when they feel ready.
Nobody is forced to do either and can stay with unarmed drills if they wish.
Nobody is forced to spar until they feel ready.
However students with sparring experience can spar from day one if they wish, and do feel free to bring your own kit if you have it.
As we progress to two the three sessions a week we will decide which days will feature which disciplines. This will be up to you, the students, to help decide what you want to practice on which days. This is YOUR club so you help decide.
Also, somebody wanting to focus on a particular area, be it kickboxing, weapons, locks, whatever, are welcome to specialise and do that at any session.
We are totally flexible here.
S.P.A.R.K.S
S.P.A.R.K.S (or S.P.A.R.C.S) stands for Scientific Progressive Aggressive Response Combat Systems.
When looking for a name for our system, as well as considering what the Japanese do, we also looked at what the Americans do. They tend to use acronyms for their systems. Paul Vunak calls his Progressive Fighting Systems (PFS) and Chris Kent calls his Combat Arts International (CAI) to name just two.
Although it's just a name (don't fuss over it) we tried out a few acronyms that might suit us and came up with SPARKS.
Scientific - because everything is scientifically tested, no guess work or assumption.
Progressive - because the training we do is progressive, through the ranges, disciplines, drilling and sparring.
Aggressive - because we are dealing with an aggressive attacker, and we are using aggressive, positive responses, not passive "self defence" moves.
Response - we are responding to a threat rather than reacting to an attack.
Kombat or Combat, depending on how we want to fit the acronym. Kombat is the harded German spelling,and of course is a nod to the game Mortal Kombat. We prefer the word Combat to Fighting.
System - which we prefer to Method or Art, or even Do (Way in Japanese).
So if you want to, you can tell people you do SPARKS!
(It's just a name, don't fuss over it!)
When looking for a name for our system, as well as considering what the Japanese do, we also looked at what the Americans do. They tend to use acronyms for their systems. Paul Vunak calls his Progressive Fighting Systems (PFS) and Chris Kent calls his Combat Arts International (CAI) to name just two.
Although it's just a name (don't fuss over it) we tried out a few acronyms that might suit us and came up with SPARKS.
Scientific - because everything is scientifically tested, no guess work or assumption.
Progressive - because the training we do is progressive, through the ranges, disciplines, drilling and sparring.
Aggressive - because we are dealing with an aggressive attacker, and we are using aggressive, positive responses, not passive "self defence" moves.
Response - we are responding to a threat rather than reacting to an attack.
Kombat or Combat, depending on how we want to fit the acronym. Kombat is the harded German spelling,and of course is a nod to the game Mortal Kombat. We prefer the word Combat to Fighting.
System - which we prefer to Method or Art, or even Do (Way in Japanese).
So if you want to, you can tell people you do SPARKS!
(It's just a name, don't fuss over it!)
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