What is the training like?

When you fight, you just go and beat the crap out of each other. This is the point. Sure, you look to get that “One Shot One Kill” but you have to train in a way that prepares you for reality. If you train to stop after that first shot- you are developing a habit that will come back to haunt you. You always train three techniques ahead.

Immediately, you will find out what works and what doesn’t work. Depending on the drill, sometimes we do rounds, sometimes 10 second bursts. There’s a little stalking- but when you go, it’s like two freight trains smashing into one another. You hit, you get hit, you lock up, you knee and you throw- great stuff. One of the first things you will notice is that when you punch or kick the hard surfaces of the bogu- it hurts. A body will feel like a feather bed compared to a bogu. But, after a while- it doesn’t hurt. Then you can start really throwing some lead!

You will also see what strikes have an effect and which ones do not. If you can back a guy up with the bogu on or ring his bell a bit- chances are it’s a good shot. If you graze him, he keeps coming and you have to keep fighting.

The bogu also teaches you to keep fighting! Lesser equipment will cause you to slow down and stop when things get critical. Or stop when one person scores the point. Scoring a point does not mean the fight has ended. It’s only a symbolic representation of it. It’s not literal.

Wearing the bogu allows you to take punishment without being seriously hurt- save the fat lip, sore legs, fingers, toes or sore jaw. You will get used to the shock of being hit. This will enable you to operate in that harsh environment of combat and it will allow you to absorb as much damage as possible. I have seen people develop other things that allow you to feel nothing. This isn’t really good either. It takes away the risk factor and all you have is two supermen running into one another with out any fear of pain. Plus it takes away the body conditioning element. As always, exercise caution and work at a level you can handle. When starting with people who haven’t done it before- take it a little easy so they can get used to it. After a couple times- then you can blast ‘em.

The MEN (Head Piece) of the bogu is extremely claustrophobic. This is an excellent way of replicating the effect of tunnel vision and frustration you feel when you are the hormonal stress of combat. Don’t talk to me about something for MACHO or even Shureido- unless it’s got the grill, it ain’t cutting it.

The head piece also provides neck and chin protection that modern head-gear do not. Again, the chest protector is HARD. This is important to develop power and condition your weapons.

Can you tell who wins and who loses? Well if the guy quits you win. If you quit, you loose. But that’s not the point. IT’S THE TRAINING. It’s the befit of fighting like this that you want; the overall training effect NOT winning a game. Sure there are tournament rules, but that will force you to stop when you should be fighting!! It’s the feeling of the fight, the punishment and the impact that counts. It’s dealing with the confines of the bogu. Just the simple fact that your training partner no longer has a face and is replaced by this samurai from hell is worth the price of admission.

Is it cheap, no- but do you value good training or do you want to used that foamed dipped crap. It’s up to you. This stuff will last you a life time.
If you can sucker I mean convince some people to invest- take the plunge. Go to
http://www.bogubag.com/Bogu/Karate_Bogu/karate_bogu.html. Get the traditional “Do” and “Tare”, a set of grappling gloves a good cup, knee pads, the good old white, cheap shin and instep pads and a hachi maki or a bandanna. You don’t need a mouth piece- the bogu will keep you mouth shut. I don’t think Bogu bag knows I am recommending the link- but, it’s good stuff.

Copyright 2003 http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com ©

Damian Ross is the owner of Zenshin and instructor of Tekkenryu jujutsu and Kodokan Judo. He started competing in the combative sport of wrestling in 1975 at the age of 7 and began his study of Asian martial arts with Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do at the age of 16 in 1984. In 1989, Shinan Cestari gave a seminar at Sensei Ross’s dojo. Sensei Ross has trained under Shinan Cestari’s direction ever since. In addition to Tekkenryu Jujutsu, Judo and Tae Kwon Do, Sensei Ross has also studied Bando. Sensei Ross continues his study of Judo under the direction of 8th degree black belt Yoshisada Yonezuka and Tekkenryu Jujutsu under it’s founder, Carl Cestari. Below are is a list of some of his title ranks
Yodan (fourth degree black belt) Tekkenryu Jujutsu under Carl Cestari
Shodan (First degree black belt) Kodokan Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Varsity Wrestling Lehigh University under Thad Turner
2nd Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do

Unfortunately everything in the self defence world works on faith. You put your faith in an instructor because you assume he knows more than you do and after all let’s face it, you have no idea about combat at all. The instructors are often painted with special names such as Sensei, Sempai, Sifu, and Master. Immediately placing them on a higher plane. Respect for their teachings is often demanded and no questions can be asked. After they are an expert aren’t they?

With many martial arts systems logic does not prevail. You are not allowed free speech and to question what you do. Here is an example:

You ask a question- “Why are we doing this technique?”

Your answer- “Because this is how we have been doing it for 600 years”

My answer as a combat instructor to a client is a complete logical response so the client can thoroughly understand the tactic and see the logic behind what they are doing.

Here is a realistic way to look at combat training. Humans progress through Evolution. Right? Then why is it that most martial arts system are caught in the past?

Think about it. If I said to you that a horse was the best form of transportation because we were using it 600 years ago, you would call me an idiot. Yet, why is it that when someone who says that our system was created 600 years ago so it is the best form of self defence most people believe it?

It boils down to key factors that influence peoples beliefs about martial arts and combat training:

1. Faith- Can get you killed. Put your faith in logic not other people. Remember your instructor is a human not a god.

2. Movies- I saw the Matrix once and Keanu Reeves went flipping off wall to wall and dogged bullets but hey we all know that is a movie right. Why is it that people see a martial arts action hero and start perceiving that what he does on screen is a try demonstration of their fighting skill? They are an actor and are there to entertain. Sure they are very skilled athletes but not one of them can perform exactly like that. Not saying they can’t fight just saying that their skill on TV is just like a dance. Choreography. No one can fight like that so don’t aspire too it.

3. Magic- Ever been sold a martial arts system on some amazing feat? You know egg standing, knock out point demonstrations, concrete breaking, board breaking, ice breaking etc? Some of these are great feats of strength. But most are tricks, designed to make you believe in the hidden secrets of martial arts. All of them fail to demonstrate one thing. Why they are useful in any real world combat application. Each one of the ones I listed have a trick behind them and have been used for centuries to build faith and fear in people. It’s no different to David Copperfield making the statue of liberty disappear. Some of them require great amounts of concentration and special breathing. Bit hard to tell a guy about to punch you in the head ” hang on I just need to develop my chi for 5 minutes”

4. The club hero- So you go to a martial arts school and argue logic and they say but wait we have “Joe Bloggs” who is our expert fighter. You watch this guy and he is awesome can move and fight with ease. If he can do it you can right? Wrong. What they didn’t tell you is that they have 500 students and no one can fight except for that 1 guy. A good combat system is one where the mass majority of people are proficient at what they do not the minority. Some people are super athletes that can apply anything they know. But this is not the mass majority of people.

It is for these very reasons I hate being painted with the Martial Artist brush. I have been there and will never go there ever again. I am a combat instructor and my role and promise to those who train with me is simple.

1. To teach people to survive in the worst possible situations.

2. To ensure that I always respond with a logical and practical solution

3. To deliver information in the easiest possible format so that you can apply what you know.

4. To have you walk away knowing you have made the best investment in your own personal protection.

5. To paint my self as a normal human being not some sort of god.

6. To only deliver information that is realistic and that has purpose to reality based combat training.

These basic promises are what any professional combat instructor should be delivering too you. If not. Find somewhere else to train. If you are like I was once and hunting for all the solutions because something didn’t feel right. Or you were waiting for the big secret to be revealed cut your loses now. Find a new training place that will deliver you the truth of reality combat training.

Whether you start training with me or someone else choose a reality based training system. I teach Close Quarter Combat a blend of the very best military, martial arts and law enforcement tactics. Realistic, logical and effective. You can visit my site at www.cqctactics.com and email me directly from there if you have any questions.

I hope this article helped open your eyes to the reality of combat training and helps you make a more informed choice about real world self defence training.

Glenn Zwiers
Chief Instructor for the SFCA CQC System

Glenn Zwiers has diverse experience in combative arts, spanning more than 18 years from oriental to western and European fighting arts. He also has real world experience working as a bouncer at many of Melbourne’s pubs and night clubs. Glenn has also worked as a bodyguard and has protected a variety of clients including the former Premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennet. Glenn has also spent time in infantry reserve units with the Australian Army.

Glenn has appeared on National Television programs such as a Current Affairs and the Today Show and has been in magazines such as Blitz Martial Arts Magazine, Security Oz magazine, Ralph magazine, close quarter combat magazine. He was the first in the world to reach level 6 of the SFC elite. He was first in Australia to reach level 10 of the SFC unarmed combative and is currently the only level 12 in Australia and one of handful in the world. He is also one of the few people in the world ranked as a Level 10 Master in Knife Combat.

Below, I have listed some common issues and questions that parents often ask about martial arts for their children. Also, you will be much more informed about the benefits of martial arts, the structure with a martial arts school, and know what to realistically expect.

What should I be looking for in a martial arts school?

Safety comes as a first priority for parents who seek martial arts instruction for their children.
Here are a number of key factors to consider:

Is safety equipment used when children are performing exercises and drills that require contact? This is especially important when children are sparring in martial arts. In many martial arts schools, sparring equipment is required, or the child cannot spar. The number of injuries resulting from sparring in Karate, Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon Do is surprisingly low in comparison to many league sports.

Never the less, I once had a father pull his son out of our martial arts school because he found a karate studio that would let his son “fight” without protective equipment. In our school, it is mandatory to wear martial arts equipment for the safety of the students. Sparring equipment has come a long way, so why not use it?

The flooring surface should match the martial art. If take downs, sweeps, and throws are required, there should be some kind of matted floor available. Many of the state-of-the-art martial arts schools have a floor surface specifically designed for martial arts. It makes no sense to have anyone throw a classmate on a hard floor, with the type of flooring available, as this can result in long-term injuries.

Can parents watch Karate classes?

Let’s put it this way, if you cannot watch your child practice karate, or any other martial art, you should find another school. I can appreciate the fact that some martial arts instructors don’t want to deal with interfering parents. This is the reason for rules and signs.

Remember the “hockey dad” incident? There are a few people who, through their own conduct, create rules for the rest of us. However, you are the parent and are entitled to see your child train in karate or any martial arts class.

Fire exits, fire extinguishers, and someone who monitors visitors, as they enter a karate studio full of children, should be standard features. We have three fire exits and one main entrance, in our studio, but only one door is used for an entrance. Kids understand security because they see the same precautions in elementary school.

Also, watch out for poles in the middle of the room. Adults will spot them, but an excited child in a karate class may forget and end up crashing into one. Make sure that you feel secure about the studio, surroundings, rules, and the staff before you make a decision to have your child take martial arts classes.

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote Yoga: The Key to Self-Mastery. His martial arts site is: http://www.kids-karate.com

If you are merely purchasing a samurai sword for display purposes and positioning it as a focal point in a room then you certainly don’t need to spend anything like the amount suggested above, you can just go for a relatively cheap manufactured replica with the necessary sword stand. Sword stands come in a variety of applications – table standing, wall mounted or single standing sword stands. How you display your samurai sword or set is up to you, although I personally think they look fantastic on the wall above the fireplace. It gives the room a real atmosphere.

If you’re interested in martial arts however, buying a quality forged blade is an absolute must, both for safety in the Dojo and simply because it will be required for cutting. Handling swords is extremely dangerous alone, never mind trying to cut through objects and swing about a manufactured replica not meant for that purpose.

The Paul Chen range of practical Katanas is a brilliant start to your samurai sword martial arts career, and come in a variety of flavours – the popular Katana, Wakizashi and of course the Tanto. These blades are designed for cutting and are extremely sharp – always seek proper training when it comes to handling swords of any kind.

Article by Nick Johnson, visit his website on samurai swords for more information on samurai swords