I really like this quote from the movie “The Forbidden Kingdom”
Jackie Chan as Lu Yan:
“Kung Fu is hard work over time to accomplish skill. A painter can have Kung Fu, or the butcher who cuts meat with such skill, his knife never touches bone. A musician can have Kung Fu, or the poet who paints pictures with words and makes emperors weep, this too is Kung Fu.”
A similar description for Kung Fu was given in the Netflix series "Marco Polo".
It makes sense as the writer for both of those is John Fusco
The point being hard work over time to accomplish skill is a path to "the way".
"The Way" can be used for anything
Another way of looking at this was mentioned in a recent episode of Doctor Who titled "The Woman that lived"
In the previous episode Ashildr was made functionally immortal. In this episode the Doctor catches up with her 800 years later.
- The Doctor: You're immortal, not indestructible. You can be hurt - killed, even.
- Ashildr: 10,000 hours is all it takes to master any skill. Over 100,000 hours and you're the best there's ever been. I don't need to be indestructible - I'm superb.
Cool episode, made even cooler by the fact that Ashildr is played by Maisie Williams who also plays Arya Stark on Game of Thrones (she is my fav)
Fanboy mode off, let's get back on track.
Why I bring this up now, is that after last week playing with Maija Soderholm using different weapons and styles I feel "the way" reveals itself through motion. Regardless of what you are using the motion for there are only so many ways a human body can move. Some motions are more efficient than others. When you remove all the motions that require strength or speed,or are representative of only one very specific physical endeavor, the remaining motions are going to look awfully similar. None of us are indestructible, or even immortal, however, we can all be superb. We can't devote 100,000's of hours to training in different skills. So we must make the most of the 10,000's of hours we can train and learn how to make that work for other skills.
The trick is not to let things get compartmentalized. Rather use your way the way as you know it for new purposes. Adult learning theory calls this building bridges to previous learning. Building a new skill out of parts of things you already know how to do. Recently I helped Cabot put on a class - Firearms for Martial Artists.
After a solid level of familiarity with the weapons was attained you could see the fundamental motions sneak through as the students had to move to cover and transition to different shooting positions. The information was no longer compartmentalized as gun stuff over here, martial arts stuff over there. Gun stuff is martial arts stuff. This is how I move, becomes no different than this is how I move with a gun.
We were out there for about 6 hours. In those 6 hours we pushed the students further than I have ever pushed a beginner's class before. This was possible because they were like sponges, they wanted to be there, and didn't have bad habits to break. This was also possible because Cabot excels at building bridges to the students' previous knowledge. It is customised individual training. Not a one size fits all cookie cutter approach. Because they were sponges, and martial arts "nerds" they asked for home work. - Ashildr: 10,000 hours is all it takes to master any skill. Over 100,000 hours and you're the best there's ever been. I don't need to be indestructible - I'm superb. These are the type of folks, that if you give them a drill they will find time to work that drill to mastery. So I told them I would post some drills on the blog. With out further adieu - Gun Fu.
"I know gun fu"
C'mon you know you just read that in Neo's voice
Dry fire drills I started typing out all the dry fire drills that I do. It was a pain in the ass, and if you haven't already done the drills the descriptions really didn't make much sense. So I figured I'd talk one of my partners into filming a couple of the drills. Randy King makes a video rant like every 4 months so how hard can it be?
Bullet Balance
Move Draw Shoot
So there you go, two very basic drills you can work every day to be a better gun fighter.
All it costs you a a little time and effort.
Hard work over time to accomplish skill. You won't be indestructible, or even immortal, however, we can all become superb. I hope you liked the videos, if you would like to see some more gun fu, let me know in the comment section. Making the videos was actually much harder than Randy makes them look.
A major tenant of Katamedo JuJitsu is that the principles of the grappling arts are common, only the rules differ.
Whether the rules are department policy or rules of engagement for professional use of force, state statutes for personal protection or sport rules for competition in any grappling or mixed martial arts setting.
The principles of grappling are constant, as are the skills involved; it is the techniques of applying these skills that holds the potential for the progressive evolution of the art.
A practitioner of Katamedo JuJitsu will be able to use these skills within the context appropriate to the circumstances
For example, a great freestyle wrestler will be able to adapt to sport judo, jujitsu, Sambo, Capoeira or Greco-Roman wrestling, and vice versa.
The most confident fighter is one who can compete on equal ground no matter what the rules.
For personal protection and professional use of force you have to be able to compete on equal ground no matter what the rules. Confidence in this is built through competence. Competence is built using modern sporting methods to prepare practitioners for the situations they will be called upon to face and train them to deal with those situations in the most realistic manner safely possible.
This is what separated Kano's Jujitsu from other older schools and led to Judo becoming the preeminent Jujitsu style in Japan.
Live training that embraces all forms of grappling.
There was a time when Judo was growing that the Kodokan sent out representatives to teach and compete all across the world.
This interaction with other grappling styles spurred positive changes. Judoka were getting taken down with a double leg, so Judo incorporated Morote Gari
Morote gari (双手刈) is a double leg takedown adopted later by the Kodokan into their Shinmeisho No Waza (newly accepted techniques).
This is representative of the best attitude shown by the best people I have trained with.
If you catch them in something, they don't get mad. They don't bump up the intensity to retaliate. They respond with something like - Wow! that was cool how did you do that?, or show the class how you did that to me?
Then they work on incorporating what you did, or learning how to defend against it.
Sadly, that is not the case in Judo any more. Instead of incorporating or defending, rules are changed to make more and more things illegal in competition.
Some Judo organizations going so far as to bar their members from participating in any other form of grappling competition besides Judo.
The primary focus of my school is personal protection and professional use of force.
I employ modern sporting methods so that we can train against a resisting opponent as realistically as safely possible.
I also want to offer students interested an opportunity to compete. Randori in class and Shiai competitions are not "fights". However, there are some things you can only learn by stepping in the ring - pushing yourself to do something uncomfortable.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
- Theodore Roosevelt (Boxer, Wrestler, Judoka)
I want my guys to be able to do this safely with out a rule set that will ingrain negative habits that could get them killed in an actual confrontation.
The best rule set I have found is USA Combat Wrestling
WINNING THE MATCH:
1. Tap or verbal submission to joint lock or strangle hold
2. Technical victory via 12 point differential
3. Majority of points.
4. In case of equal score, the winner will be determined by the following factors:
a) Player with less cautions wins
b) If neither player has any cautions, the player with the highest scoring throw/takedown will win
c) In case the score is still equal, two extensions of 3 minutes are permitted. In the two extensions, the player who scored 2 or more points first wins. If the match finishes without a clear winner, the referees can vote to declare a winner based on his performance (active game play, willingness to finish the match, submission attempts).
POINT SYSTEM:
1. Throws/Takedowns:
1 point for throws/takedowns landing the opponent on his front (belly) or on his buttocks, and he is not lifted off the mat. (What would be Koka in Judo)
2 points for throws/takedowns landing the opponent on his side. (What would be Yuko in Judo)
4 points for throws/takedowns landing the opponent on his back, or throws which lift the opponent off the mat with full rotation over of elevation higher than the attacker’s hips (landing position is not considered in throws where the player is rotated or lifted above the attackers hips for a throw). (What would be Waza-ari in Judo) There is no Ippon or win by throw
*Pulling/jumping guard risks being scored against as a throw.
*Players are not penalized for disengaging subsequent to a throw (in other words, you can urge your opponent back to their feet).
*Players who lift a grounded opponent (from turtle or belly down position) above the elevation of the attackers hips can score throw points.
*Wrestlers using flying armbars, flying triangles, etc, must bring his opponent to at least his knees for action to continue. Otherwise, the submission attempt will be considered a standing submission (illegal) and action will be stopped.
2. Positioning:
1 point for back mount (two hooks in for 3 seconds).
1 point for mount position (held for 3 seconds).
*Back mount and mount points can only be score once per match.
3. Pins:
Pins are scored when the top player has immobilized his opponent with torso to torso positions passed the guard (mount, side control, north-south, chest compression, etc). A player can score a pin from a back to chest position IF he is not being threatened by submission from bottom player. Pins can’t be scored from guard or half guard.
1 point will be awarded for a 10-19 second pin. (Koka)
3 points awarded for 20-29 second pin. (Yuko)
4 points awarded for 30 seconds. (Waza-ari) There is no Ippon or win by pin
*A maximum of 4 pin points can be scored per match. If the pin is applied in the end of the match time, the immobilization will be allowed for the full length, even if exceeding the duration of the match.
For in house randori we usually don't keep score, but if we do I like to add 2 points for a reversal and 1 point for an escape like "folk style" wrestling.
CAUTIONS AND RELATED TOPICS:
1. Inactivity. If the two players are not active on the ground, the referee will break them up and the action will be restarted from standing in the center of the mat. The referee can award cautions to both players at his discretion if Inactivity continues after verbal warnings.
2. Failure to engage. If one of the players is reluctant to fight and continues to fail to engage after a verbal warning, the player will be awarded caution and 1 point will be granted to his opponent. If the inactive player continues to avoid engagement, a second caution will be awarded and 1 point to his opponent. A third caution leads to immediate disqualification.
3. Rude and un-sportsmanlike behavior and/or verbal & physical aggression towards any event staff or official, by any player or his coach, corner man or team-mate.
4. Disqualifications: In case of 3 cautions. The referee can disqualify any player at his discretion in the case of a serious foul. Malicious or uncontrolled application of any submission can lead to a disqualification.
5. Prohibited actions:
a) Use of closed guard (full guard).
b) cervical and spinal locks.
c) Small joints manipulation (fingers/toes/wrists).
d) Heel hook.
e) Spiking on the head
f) Throws against the joint.
g) Standing joint locks.
h) Any kind of striking.
i) Slamming
j) Use of Vaseline or any similar substances on the body.
k) Biting, scratching, eye gouging, fish hooking.
l) Any kind of non- sportsmanship behavior.
Two mottos of the Keishoukan Dojo are:
Maintaining traditions of the past.
Utilizing the best training methods of today
and
Time Tested
Pressure Tested
In order to safely use modern training methods to pressure test your skills you need to take a smart and considered approach.
The following video is fairly lengthy, but makes a lot of good points.
A lot of the suggestions they make, especially for people in their first 6 months are built directly into our training methods.
I like to work a 12 week peak program
We start with principle based drills to help people learn to see and improvise.
Then we start to use more force on force drills focused on problem solving with each person having a specific task to accomplish.
Finally we move to freestyle drills.
Even in freestyle although we are competing the focus is on helping each other learn.
After 12 weeks we start again with principle based drills.
This method helps prepare students for increasingly difficult training.
Sadly most of today's youth have never played a contact sport yet alone been in a fight. Also most young women grow up never rough housing. So they never learn the unwritten social rules of violence, and all violence becomes perceived as wrong or evil. (Not good when you need to use violence justifiably to protect yourself)
This method also helps me get a read of who I am teaching.
If someone gets overly aggressive (emotionally out of control) or competitive during the intro drills they will be dangerous at higher speed drills
I reserve the right not to teach anyone.
The Dojo has to be a emotionally safe place to practice physically dangerous things.
It also has to be a physically safe place to practice emotionally difficult things.
That sounds pretty profound right? Honestly I just stole it from Dillon I don't if it was his or if he was quoting someone else but the sentiment rings true.
Another tenant of Katamedo JuJitsu is that every person has his or her own set of abilities and disabilities. Katamedo embraces practitioners of all abilities, races, religions and creeds.
Katamedo believes that organized sports and occupations can assist in providing important values and habits that help to organize the individual and assisting him or her in everyday life. One may have a challenge in life like attention deficit disorder, depression, visual impairments or an amputation. These in themselves do not preclude performance. They may initially impede performance, but in the end, the diversity and richness that these individuals provide improves themselves and all others involved.
With this 12 week peak method I want to provide everyone an opportunity to receive the positive benefits of force on force training.
Some of my students are dealing with a life time of injuries. I can't let them get hurt. I want them to learn, the things you can only learn by stepping in the ring - pushing yourself to do something uncomfortable.
So I wrestle them. I am confident in my control that I won't hurt them. I know I won't get all weird competitive.
I also benefit from this training. I improve my skills by the just enough method.
What the hell is the just enough method?
Rory Miller told me a story of his Sensei Dave Sumner.
Rory was young and dumb and thought Judo was the only thing worth while in the world, and while he couldn't train in Judo at the time he would give this Old Jujutsu school a try. So he sat in seiza and watched an entire class. Eventually he introduced himself. Finally he rolled with Dave, and although Dave was tough, and the head of this school he just barely beat Rory. Then Rory watched him roll with someone else, and Dave just barely beat that guy. So fourth and so on until...
Rory realized that Dave was so good he could roll with anyone adjust what he was doing so his partner was striving and struggling and learning, and then beat them by just enough.
Any chuckle head can crush someone of lesser skill and or physical ability. It takes something much more to to win by just enough.
So, all my guys have an opportunity to train in randori no matter what physical challenges they may face.
I also want to provide opportunities to compete for those interested.
I am working with Allegiance Fitness in the Metro and Lee's Champion Tae Kwon Do in Mankato to host a USA Combat Wrestling open grappling competition twice a year (Once in spring and once in fall)
Why USA Combat Wrestling?
Besides the rules that embrace all styles of grappling as mentioned before, the reason I chose to work with this organization is Tim Kuth
I met Tim (on line at least) 6 or so years ago through Taiho Jitsu International. Steve Jimerfield's organization.
Tim is a Police Officer and runs a martial arts school TK Martial Arts click here to check out his school
Tim is also a Katamedo JuJitsu Instructor.
Sounds pretty cool right? I know a guy just like that. When guys have this much in common they either become good buddies or bitter rivals.
I got to meet Tim in person this summer at the USMAA National Training Camp where he taught Muay Thai.
Luckily we became pretty good buddies. So when I saw he was involved with USA Combat Wrestling I looked into it further and liked what I saw.
They are inclusive to all grappling styles. The rules make sense. The rules are for safety, not to give an advantage to any one style over another. Nor to make grappling more exciting for the spectator.
Judo, Wrestling, any grappling sport is not a spectator sport. Honestly it is boring to watch and no adjustment to the rules is going to change that.
Grappling is boring to watch...unless you grapple, or know the person who is grappling. Then it is very exciting.
Grappling is a participation sport not a spectator sport. If we (as a grappling community) want to increase viewership of grappling events, we need to increase the amount of people that are actively participating in grappling.
USA Combat Wrestling is a way to achieve that.
My sister Kay loves to watch collegiate wrestling. Why? Because she knows how to wrestle. She was the practice partner at home for my older brothers for years. When she would come home from the Air Force for Christmas she would routinely kick my ass through my sophomore year (even then I think she was taking it easy on me so I wouldn't cry).
As fun as wrestling is to watch for someone who has wrestled, and watched family wrestle. Watching wrestling will never be as fun as WRESTLING.
USA Combat Wrestling can provide opportunities to my daughters that my sister never had.
It can also be a life long pursuit. It is easy to let your self get soft. If you continue to challenge yourself, doing what is necessary to maintain capibility becomes habit. Not a hobby, a lifestyle
Do you want to be part of USA Combat Wrestling?
Of course you do. Who dosen't?
Well, you can't be any geek off the street. You have to be good with the steel if you know what I mean.
Do you know the riddle of steel?
"Crom is strong! If I die, I have to go before him, and he will ask me, 'What is the riddle of steel?' If I don't know it, he will cast me out of Valhalla and laugh at me." ~Conan the Barbarian
The true strength of steel is in the hand that wields it – in other words, it is the resolve and commitment we bring to a task, not the quality or quantity of tools we use in performing it, that is the most important factor in determining success.
So if you are willing to put in the work you can be part of USA Combat Wrestling
USA Combat Wrestling is open to any club from any wrestling or grappling style that wishes to join USACW in our efforts to help promote Combat Wrestling in the United States. If you practice, compete & encourage training for the Combat Wrestling rule set at your club, you are eligible to be listed in the club directory. As your club becomes more active with USA Combat Wrestling and earns competitive achievements, they will be noted along side your club’s directory listing.
Hey everybody, I am excited to announce that Maija is coming to the greater Minneapolis / St. Paul metro area.
Who is Maija Soderholm?
Author of the Sword and Circle Blog Author of The Liar, The Cheat, and The Thief
Maija is a student of the Visayan Style Corto Kadena and Larga Mano of Maestro Sonny Umpad
Sonny's method encompassed empty hand, feet, short and long blades, sickles, projectiles as well as sticks and canes. Though primarily an edged weapons system, the cane and the Bogsai are also considered vital parts of understanding the whole.
One of the most interesting elements of the system is learning how to use short weapons in the manner of long weapons, and longer weapons at very close range.
Maija is in the Cites to work on, and I quote "A super secret project". Her days will be filled with what ever she crossed state lines to accomplish and does not feel comfortable discussing with a Police Officer.
Luckily for us that leaves her nights free to play.
The following is a fairly laid back schedule and subject to change.
Wednesday 10/7/15
7-9 PM
Jujitsu at Allegiance Fitness.
One of the cool things about this trip is getting to see how the things that Maija does and the things that I do work together. What aspects are the same , where are they different and why. To get that ball rolling I figured a good start was for her to see a basic Jujitsu class.
Thursday 10/8/15
7-9 PM
Play time at Allegiance Fitness - Kung Fu
I know Maija has a Tai Ji teacher who lives in Minneapolis she wants to meet up with.
Dillon won't shut his yap about how he wants to steal as much of Maija's Kung Fu as he can.
So I figure we can use Allegiance Fitness as a centrally located training facility and just play.
Play, but with the vibe of Kung Fu. I'll also use this opportunity to introduce some fundamental motion exercises that relate to the fire arms training we will be doing later on.
Friday 10/9/15
7-9 PM
Play time at Allegiance Fitness - Tacticool
One of the things I would like to work with Maija on is deployment of an edged weapon at close quarters. So if you carry a blade regularly as part of your every day carry, bring a training version of it and we will play. I also invite all Law Enforcement and Military reading this to bring in their kit and trainers (if possible) to see if they can get to their blades under pressure. I'll be bringing my gear and rigging equipment (Molle / Tie Downs) if I or anyone else needs to re-rig their kit after the experience.
I will also use this opportunity to further explore how fundamental motions of empty hand martial art apply to fire arms skills.
Saturday I don't have to work, and Maija's super secret project should be wrapped up so we get to play all day
Maija's primary purpose on coming to Minnesota is the super secret project.
Having a martial arts seminar is secondary to that, but can also help off set her costs.
So we are going to have a seminar.
The folks at Q Fitness stepped up. They wanted to host the seminar. Cool, one less thing I have on my busy plate. All I have to do is show up and train? - Fantastic!
I started planning, they started planning. They didn't know I was planning the same thing.
Hey, that is a snake. No that is a tree. Wait it is an elephant.
I take full responsibility for any confusion, that is on me, but it actually turned out pretty cool.
The seminar is to off set Maija's costs. Maija likes to keep the numbers down for more one on one instruction. Both Q and I planned seminars.
So guess what?
2 seminars on Saturday!!!
Double the opportunities to train
When: Saturday 10 / 10 /15
10 - 1 (or earlier so we can eat and get to the after noon seminar)
$25
The after noon seminar can pay for Maija's travel expenses
This money can pay for scotch, cigars,admission to the SPAM museum, and bail money depending on how the super secret project goes
Where: Allegiance Fitness 2240 Woodale Dr Mounds View MN 55112
I want to thank Anna Valdiserri for making this poster for me. If you don't already, you should be reading her blog God's Bastard at https://godsbastard.wordpress.com/
When developing this seminar with Maija I figured I am pretty confident in the edged weapons skills I am most likely to ever have to use. However, I have old shit knees from Football and Wrestling. It is not outside the realm of possibility that I may need a cane some day. It would be really cool to be able to pound the piss (justifiably and within state statute of course) out of some one with a cane.
Fast foreword to about 2:48
So for Maija's part, the workshop will focus on power generation at short range and give a glimpse at the incredible versatility of the cane as a weapon. In a way it is even more complex than the sword, having 3 distinct ranges, 2 ends, and the ability to switch right and left hands.
Based on what I learn playing with her Thursday and Friday, my part will cover the similarities of stick and knife with Jo and Ken and how those fundamental similarities apply to effortless / combat effective throws.
Sounds cool right?! I'm excited
Saturday After noon will be hosted by Q
<< Sword/Play :: Exploring Human Movement with Maija Soderholm >>
Join us in welcoming Maija Soderholm to Minneapolis! She has graciously offered to share her expertise in the pursuit of self mastery through the lens of martial studies--mostly Filipino style weapons, and sword play specifically. Take advantage of this incredible opportunity to experience excellence in teaching, learning and movement.
The weapon is said to be an extension of the body, and in this Sword/Play workshop we will look at how different weapons demand different movement paradigms depending on their usage. Form follows function, and in this case, the function is defined by the weapon and the opponent.
WHEN: Sat., Oct. 10
WHERE: St. Louis Park, MN
WHAT: Maija Soderholm teaching in MN!
There are only 10 spots for this seminar! Registration will be first-come-first-served, pre-paid (by credit or debit card), and online. Registration will open at 3am (yes, 3AM) on Friday, September 25th.
*** Email start.here @ querenciafitness .com with subject "a minute with Maija" to receive the link and instructions to register. ***
Looks like we are keeping Maija very busy on her trip to "The North"
There will be some down time as well. One of the evenings after training I plan on having her over to stately Keckeisen Manor for some steak, scotch and cigars.
It has become tradition for my daughters to try to "assassinate" any instructors that visit the house.
They have earned the collective code name "Gungnir" because they have never missed. They have "killed" them all.
Gungir was Odin’s own spear. Its main ability was that it hit whatever you threw it at. It didn’t matter how strong or how skilled you were, whatever you threw Gungnir at, you hit.
Around the fire over scotch and cigars is actually where I've learned the most form folks I've invited to come teach.
So I figured it would be cool if I could re-create that environment for the readers of The Budo Blog, which leads me to ...
5 questions with...
Clearly the first instalment will be 5 questions with Maija Soderholm.
In the comments bellow write a question you would like me to ask Maija. Top 5 questions make it into the interview. Interview will be posted on YouTube, and this blog.
Maija warns, "People may not get the answer they want if they ask boring/obvious questions ...."
So ask good questions and make me look really smart.
Last but not least Sunday 10 11 15
Just as Q is experimenting with hosting a martial arts seminar, I am experimenting with presenting tactical fire arms training to the public.
As this is a trial run it is by invite only. If things go the way I hope this will be a regularly offered ODIN presentation.
The effective use of firearms is the logical “next step” in martial arts weapons training. Certain forms and principles remain the same.
I am excited to establish these forms and principles early on in the play and see how they manifest on the range.
Helping me with this is Cabot Welchlin
Who is Cabot Welchlin?
Cabot Welchlin retired from a 33 year law enforcement career that included employment in both police and sheriff’s departments. He functioned in many capacities, but most notably the past 21 years as a use of force instructor; serving as Lead Instructor, SWAT Team Leader and SWAT Training Coordinator. Welchlin and Chameleon Survival strive to provide instruction and insight for both law enforcement and the ordinary people of their communities. Lessons and course work are flexible and will seldom be considered repetitive, boring, or run-of-the-mill; constantly changing and adapting …….. Chameleon-like.
Cabot was the SWAT training coordinator before he groomed Mike and I to take over for him
Regular readers will know I don't give out compliments easily, nor will I call just anyone Sensei. Cabot is my shooting Sensei. As confident (cough, cough, arrogant) as I am with my skills. There is a reason Cabot will be the lead Instructor for this training. Clearly, he is a good shot. But I have never meet anyone who is as good at making other shooters better than Cabot.
I have been talking about making this presentation a real thing for a couple years now, I am excited to finally (pun fully intended) pull the trigger on it.
If you are in the area next week come and play
If not write a question for me to ask Maija
Stay tuned for here for future training opportunities
It is that time of year again. Time to start promoting the Violence Dynamics Seminar
We strive to refine the product and improve the training every year.
This year we changed the seminar to a four day format to make attendance more viable for everyone.
We chose to break down the massive nine day format into three different four day seminars. Each focusing on a different aspect. Rotating the focus between the three every year. This allows for more time and in depth training.
Some new instructors are presenting material from different perspectives. We are also alternating between physical and academic to help participants stay fresh and promote a more sustainable learning environment.
Additionally the Q-Crew from Querencia Fitness (Check out their Facebook page here) will be presenting principal based movement to help us all move better in the long run and survive the physical training in the short run.
Classes fill up quickly and capacity is limited so be sure to sign up soon
You can sign up now by clicking the link to Randy King's KPC Self Defense web site (Click here to register)
I am very excited for this new format. This seminar has traditionally been very successful, and I feel this is the best version of it yet.
All the fundamental things that make Violence Dynamics unique and necessary are covered, plus new twists and deeper training variations for the OG's (Original Gangstas - Participants that have attended multiple Violence Dynamics Seminars and lived to talk about it).
So, if you haven't already clicked the button to reserve your spot, let me further entice you with a brief run down of the seminar
THURSDAY 11 / 19 / 2015
The Mermaid Convention Center Atlantis Ballroom 2200 County Road 10 Mounds View MN 55112
8-8:45
Introduction to Violence Dynamics
Class Description
Welcome to Minnesota
Introduce Instructors
Get to know participants
Introductory Paper work
Instructor
Kasey Keckeisen
9 – 9:45
Introduction to basic drills
Every year at the Violence Dynamics Seminar there are basic drills we run. This class will be an introduction to those drills, safety briefing for training, and serve as a "pre-test" to help individually customize training.
Taking a note from the Q-Crew's book, the "pre-test" also serves to show the participant how much they have progressed when we revisit these drills through out the seminar.
Instructor
Kasey Keckeisen
10 – 11:45
Social Violence
Class Description
Students will demonstrate an increased knowledge of violence as it relates to interpersonal conflict
Course Objectives:
At the end of the course students will understand the different types of common violence; the motivations and patterns and be able to distinguish physical and de-escalation tactics appropriate to each type.
Training Topics Include:
Maslow’s Hierarchy and Types of Violence
Patterns of Social Violence
Monkey Dance (MD)
Group Monkey Dance (GMD)
Educational Beat Down (EBD)
Status Seeking Show (SSS)
Distinguishing Social and Asocial Violence
Instructors
Marc MacYoung & Randy King
1 – 1:45
Striking Power Generation
Class Description
Students will demonstrate the ability to apply power without relying on strength
Course Objectives:
At the end of this course, students will understand the elements of delivering power in a strike and will be able to effectively demonstrate three ways to apply power that do not rely on size or strength.
Training Topics Include:
Structure
Using gravity as a force, speed and range multiplier
Power Generation
Combining all these factors
Instructor
Dillon Beyer
(I think this was his Kindergarten ID photo)
2 – 2:45
Striking Targeting
Class Description
If the last class can be summarized as how to hit hard, this class can be summarized as where to hit and with what
Instructor
Dillon Beyer
3 – 4:45
Asocial Violence
Class Description
This class is the sister to the Social Violence class and completes the understanding of Violence Dynamics. The ability to recognize the violence you are facing and the skill to deal with it appropriately.
Training topics include:
Patterns of Asocial Violence
Panic / Primal
Resource
Process
Distinguishing Social and Asocial Violence
Instructors:
Marc MacYoung & Randy King
That is quite a day, I'm sure you are scrolling back up to the top to hit the register now button. But wait - there is more
Day 2 - FRIDAY 11 / 20 / 2015
8 - 8:45
Counter Assault A
(Discussion and principles)
9 – 9:45
Counter Assault B
(Application and drills)
What is Counter Ambush?
Counter Ambush is about the first contact of an assault. The critical quarter of a second.
When a threat attacks you, he has a plan and is counting on surprise. He is expecting you to freeze, allowing him to succeed. An operant conditioned response will kick in before that adrenalin dumb. At the speed of nerve. It will give you one technique with all your speed, power and precision before your fight or flight response kicks in and robs you of your fine and complex motor skill. An operant conditioned response will mess up a threats plan, especially if it causes him damage. It will force the threat to reorient and have his fight or flight response kick in. It doesn’t guarantee victory (nothing can) but it sure helps level out the playing field
- Rory Miller (Author of Meditations on Violence and Scaling Force)
Training Goal
Students will display the ability to recognize pre attack indicators, prevent opportunities for assault, and recover form ambush attacks to regain the initiative.
Specific performance objectives
Students will be able to:
• Understands what victim profiles they may fit
• Recognize where / when they are most at risk
• Recognize the conditions necessary to launch an ambush
• Protect themselves from violent attack by mitigating those conditions
• Understand the physical and psychological factors involved in high stress human performance
• Develop conditioned responses to sudden violence
• Follow up with tactics and techniques to quickly end the confrontation
• Prevail in violent close quarters confrontations
Instructor
Randy King
10 – 11:45
Logic of Violence
Class Description
This is an advanced class. It isn’t about escaping from a wrist grab or what to do when menaced with a knife. From the very ground up, we are going to use the tools of disaster planning to create and evaluate self-defense systems.
Does it require advanced martial knowledge? No. But it will require attention and creativity. If you are still collecting techniques or stuck in the belief that self-defense is primarily a physical skill, this class isn’t for you.
If you already feel that you know everything and the answers you have been given by some higher authority are unimpeachable, this class isn’t for you. If the deep purpose of your instructor or system is to make sure you always have an answer and never have to think for yourself, stay home.
If you want to explore and experiment with the subject of violence; if you want to engineer your own high-end self-defense plans; if you want or need skills in understanding violence, predicting violence and articulating your decisions; if you are a creative professional who wants your characters and worlds to ring true... then this class just might be for you.
Topics Include the goal,parameters,victim profiles, and locations of different types of violence
Instructor
Rory Miller
(Look at all that hair, and all those working joints)
Judo is best known for its spectacular throwing techniques. However, in sport Judo these throws work because of a “gentlemen’s agreement” not to hit or kick each other, to follow a specific set of rules, and competitors are separated into different weight and gender categories .
Practical applications of throwing principles have to work without such an arrangement, against a hostile aggressor that will attack you in any manner available to them.
Training Goal
Participants will display proficiency in taking subjects down and controlling them on the ground
Specific performance objectives
Participants will be able to:
•Understand the principles of what makes a takedown work
•Takedown and control larger stronger Subjects
•Improvise takedowns under pressure
•End violent confrontations quickly
•Avoid unnecessary force
Training Topics Include
How to fall
Maintain Your Base
Fundamental Motions
Positioning
Getting a Grip
Off Balance - Destroying their base
Delivery Methods
•Lever
•Area Denial
•Remove Structure
•Trebuchet
•Body Throw / Sacrifice
Instructor
Kasey Keckeisen
The Mermaid Convention Center Atlantis Ballroom 2200 County Road 10 Mounds View MN 55112 3 – 3:45 Force Law (Pre-arrest)
Class Description
A break down of the common elements of use of force law, state statutes, and policy.
The goal of this class is to escape from legal jargon and give participants a functional usable understanding of use of force law.
Go home safe Don't get sued...successfully or for civilian personal protection, don't get arrested. Dont't end up on you tube
Instructor
Kasey Keckeisen
4 – 4:45 Force Law (Post-arrest)
Class Description
What to do if/when you are arrested for using force in a self defense scenario
Learning Goal -- Citizen interface with investigating officer
Course Objectives -- At the end of this course students will demonstrate an understanding of assisting an officer in his/her investigation over a use of force incident. As self-defense is an affirmative defense articulation of circumstances that justified the use of force must be clearly conveyed.
Topics Include
Self-Defense -- affirmative defense
Justification -- The act by which a party accused shows and maintains a good and
legal reason in court, why he did the thing he is called upon to answer.
Articulation
Officer's job:
Personality test:
Initial contact:
Making a statement:
Instructor
Marc MacYoung
5:00 – 6:00 Principle based movement
Q Fitness
Operational security alert
The folks at Querencia Fitness asked me not to give away their lesson plan on a open intel source. (Julio wouldn't even tell me his real name for 2 years). So if you want to discover what they have in store for us you are going to have to come and find out first hand. From the training I have received from them previously, I know it will be outstanding.
Plus there is a high probability you will get to see Dillon wearing lululemon (lady's lululemon)
How much would you pay for this seminar? $1000, $2000?
But wait there is more!
Day 3 SATURDAY 11 / 21 / 2015
The Mermaid Convention Center Atlantis Ballroom 2200 County Road 10 Mounds View MN 55112
8-8:45 Con Com A
Conflict Communications presents a functional taxonomy to see, understand and manipulate the roots of conflict. If you have ever wondered why your boss ignored a suggestion that could save millions of dollars, or why you have the same argument again and again with your spouse, the answers are here. As well as the tools to do something about it.
This is one of my favorite classes we offer and has served me well personally and professionally. Saturday will be heavily focused on Con Com with every academic training block dedicated to it 9 – 9:45 Con Com B
Students will understand when the use of high levels of force is justified and have the skill sets necessary to end violent confrontations efficiently with or without weapons, regardless of size, age or gender.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Students will demonstrate basic understanding of how human anatomy can be exploited to end violent confrontations.
Students will demonstrate skill protecting themselves against lethal threats
Students will show proficiency in moving a opponent on the ground
Course Objectives:
At the end of this course, students will understand the elements of balance as it applies both standing and on the ground and will be able to demonstrate an ability to manipulate those elements.
Topics Include:
Elements of balance:
Finding the most efficient line:
Manipulating the base:
Manipulating the Center of Gravity (CoG)
Ethics and application of pain:
Integrating all elements:
Instructor Rory Miller
(Guys that work over nights hate it when you try to take off their satin sleepy time mask)
I know you want to scroll back up to the top to click the buy now button, but wait there is still more!
Day 4 SUNDAY 11 / 22 / 2015 8-8:45 Basic Drills Post Test Keckeisen
8:45 – 9 Conclusion paper work (Course reviews)
9 – 9:45 Mall Training Brief Miller
The rest of the day I am going to play close to my chest. I know Rory has some surprises in store. Also we are going to be in an open public location, so more specific details will only be reveled to participants with confirmed course reservations.
That is the most in depth course description I have ever provided for VioDy.
If you are a Law Enforcement Officer Minnesota POST credit is available.
Along those lines I read some feedback on facebook I wanted to address directly
The description on the website is preaching to the choir. I want to attend because I know Rory, etc but I also want to share this with an audience that doesn't know your instructors and doesn't have a clue what the abbreviations on your schedule mean.
It would be great to see a description that your mom could read and understand.
I get that it's lots of fun to play with the same people all the time but this information is soooo important and useful for people outside of your usual audience.
Here's hoping we can make it from Alaska.
Other feedback included
Learn how the bad guys think and how to avoid them and/or defend yourself from them.
This training is going to be amazing! I took a class from Rory Miller 2 weeks ago entitled Ambushes and Thugs. It changed the way I look at the skills I need to defend myself and those I love from a threat.
Don't be intimidated by the instructors or description. All skill levels will get something from this class.
1) I hope this blog can serve as a description my Mom can read and understand
2) I am proud of the high level teachers we have assembled for this. However, these guys have the smallest egos, and are some of the easiest people to work with I have ever encountered in the field. Everyone there is interested in making the participants the best versions of themselves they can be. As opposed to creating flawed imitations of the Instructors for personal gratification.
I can see how coming into this from outside the "tribe" can be scary. However there is no reason to be intimated by any of these guys. They are very inclusive, even if you have never trained with us before. Just ask my wife who ends up cooking extra food for rando strangers that get invited to our house after training every year. (Seriously stop inviting people my wife doesn't know to our house, she knows where I sleep and where I stash my weapons)
So now you know all about the training. You know that it is for all regardless off skill level or physicality.
How much would you pay for this training opportunity? $1000?, $2000?
We probably should ask for that much, but all involved are passionate about getting the information out there.
So we offer this seminar for the low low price of $425 for the entire seminar or $160 per day
I am attaching a poster for the event. Please post in your school, place of employment, gym, Police Department, any where you think people likely to be interested might see it
If you bring three, you train for free.
Meaning if you bring three people with you, your registration is free.
