Hi all,
I have just got back from the first meeting of the team putting together the EFMA in Disneyland Paris next year. It was fantastic - the venue is incredible (as are the rides), the organisation team is first class, and the package is well priced. There is going to be a BJJ tournament, a TKD tournament, Karate Tournament and of course, the 2008 round of COMBAT 32, of which Summersdale are great supporters (http://www.combat32.co.uk/) , as well as amazing demonstrations from some of martial arts most impressive acts and a seminar programme featuring an A list of martial artists. Summersdale will of course be there, with some of our artists and would love to see you all there too. Please visit www.efma.com for more information on the event and tickets.
In the mean time, have an amazing xmas and new year!
Nick
Thursday 20 December 2007
Thursday 6 December 2007
Special offer for all Summersdale Blog subscribers
Summersdale Blog subscribers can get Buy one Get one free on all martial arts DVDs in the run up to xmas. Simply order your DVD online viawww.summersdale.com and then email dvds@summersdale.com with the DVD you would like free and your order number.
Easy!
Also - we have just started getting feedback on our new interactive Martial arts Fitness Drills DVD! Thanks for such a positive response everyone, we always try to push the boundaries inour genre, each time we take on a new project but it is great to see it so warmly recieved!
Nick
Easy!
Also - we have just started getting feedback on our new interactive Martial arts Fitness Drills DVD! Thanks for such a positive response everyone, we always try to push the boundaries inour genre, each time we take on a new project but it is great to see it so warmly recieved!
Nick
Wednesday 14 November 2007
Guest article - Matt Sylvester from TRAD meets Professor Rick clarke - Pressure Point Supremo!
Hi everyone,
I am delighted to be able to post up a new feature from my friend and colleague Matt Sylvester, feature writer for Traditional Karate Magazine and combat Magazine. Matt is a good friend of pressure point fighter Rick Clarke, who is without doubt, one of the most incredible (and downright hilarious) martial artists I have had the pleasure to work with. If you have a club, get him over or if not, get his DVD, it is amazing!
Over to you Matt!
Matt. What was your first experience of the martial arts?
RC - Back in 1962 I first started in Boxing and then saw a Judo class being offered at our local YMCA – and thought this is for me. My parents gave their permission, reluctantly and truly believed I would last about a week. Well that was a long time ago and its one of the few times I have seen my parents wrong.
Matt. Why did you start the martial arts?
RC - Like many of us in the martial arts, I was looking for a form of self defense. I was not a very assertive kid and when the older or bigger kids sense weakness they are drawn like sharks to blood. I need to harden myself up so I could stand up for myself.
Matt. What has inspired you to keep training all this time?
RC - There is not enough room in an article to answer this question but the short answer is the friendships I have made over the years, around the world. You can go just about anywhere in the world and find a group of people with similar attitudes who will take you in and make you feel at home.
Matt. Do you feel that instructors should encourage their students to exceed the skill level of the instructor?
RC - Of course! That would be like not wanting research to be carried on in science, we would still think the world is flat, there would be no penicillin, cell phones, all of the progress we have made over the course of civilization would be nothing because none of the students would have outperformed their teacher. It’s our responsibility to increase the body of knowledge base in the martial arts and then pass that knowledge on to as many students as possible.
Matt. Should students be encouraged to look at other styles and at what level would you do this?
RC - Back in 1962 I first started in Boxing and then saw a Judo class being offered at our local YMCA – and thought this is for me. My parents gave their permission, reluctantly and truly believed I would last about a week. Well that was a long time ago and its one of the few times I have seen my parents wrong.
Matt. Why did you start the martial arts?
RC - Like many of us in the martial arts, I was looking for a form of self defense. I was not a very assertive kid and when the older or bigger kids sense weakness they are drawn like sharks to blood. I need to harden myself up so I could stand up for myself.
Matt. What has inspired you to keep training all this time?
RC - There is not enough room in an article to answer this question but the short answer is the friendships I have made over the years, around the world. You can go just about anywhere in the world and find a group of people with similar attitudes who will take you in and make you feel at home.
Matt. Do you feel that instructors should encourage their students to exceed the skill level of the instructor?
RC - Of course! That would be like not wanting research to be carried on in science, we would still think the world is flat, there would be no penicillin, cell phones, all of the progress we have made over the course of civilization would be nothing because none of the students would have outperformed their teacher. It’s our responsibility to increase the body of knowledge base in the martial arts and then pass that knowledge on to as many students as possible.
Matt. Should students be encouraged to look at other styles and at what level would you do this?
RC - Today its hard not to see other styles and even to practice. It’s not like 40 years ago when martial arts schools were far and few between. Now most cities will have several clubs or schools of various martial arts. As to when a student could cross train it’s up to the skill of the students and their ability to recognize that there is a difference between various arts. They need to be sufficiently aware that there are differences between arts and have the ability to keep the arts separate as needed by their instructors.
Matt. What styles have you looked at outside of your core style and why?
RC - I have been very lucky to have been around a lot of really good martial artists and have had the opportunity to practice quite a few arts over the years. Judo, Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan, Shotokan, Ju-Jitsu, Arnis, Ryukyu Kempo, Chinese Kempo, Isshin-ryu, Tai Chi Chuan, Hapkido, Aikido to name a few. The reason I trained with them is because they were available to me and I have always been inquisitive.
Matt. Mixed Martial Arts have come to the fore recently do you think they are evolution or devolution?
RC - To me mixed arts are in fact the more traditional arts. If you consider that when a warrior several hundred years ago trained they trained in arts with edged weapons, projectile weapons, grappling arts, and other arts, you would not play a round of golf with one club. What we consider as traditional martial arts have only been in existence a little over 100 years. Karate as we know it today did not come into existence until 1922.
Matt. What do you feel makes YOUR art unique?
RC - I don’t think the “art” is unique it the person who is unique. Each of us unique and have our own way of performing techniques, and which techniques we prefer. Each of us will perform techniques different with age, experience, and physical ability. Even those who practice in the same school will still be unique in their application of that art.
Matt. Based on my own experience classes learn a given applications, do it a couple of times, and then move on to something else. Do you think that there is room in present dojos/dojangs to incorporate grappling as taught in the kata/patterns into the curriculum proper?
RC - I guess it depends on the time frame you will have a student, if you are teaching someone for only 3 or 4 years then no you don’t have time. But if you have students for 15 or more years you have the time to add a full most everything you want.
Matt. There are going to be a lot of defensive martial artists out there who will not like your approach to your style, they might even decry it. What would you say to them?
RC - Not much, they have their opinions and they are valid for their own individual purpose. Just as my definition of martial arts is valid for myself, I do not need the approval of individuals who have no connection to me. Self defense arts are just what they say, they are for the self not for others.
Matt. Your style is very practical. What about the claims that pressure points are at the heart of karate/judo/whatever bunkai. Does your style cover pressure points?
RC - For me it’s central to my martial art, in fact I believe they are central to all of the martial arts. Look at just about any text on martial arts and you are likely to find some mention of striking or grabbing various points of the body. If so many arts make use of them then it seems to me it must be important.
Matt. There is a lot of judo in karate bunkai. Would you recommend that students also study judo to get a better understanding?
RC - Sure, if nothing else for the fact it’s important for a martial artist to be able to take a fall properly. But really I see more Ju-jitsu type movements in Bunkai than Judo. Judo as you know was developed from several styles of Ju-jitsu and was made safe for practice by students in the school systems. Erwin Von Baelz, I believe played a major role in the formation of the concept of a martial art to be used as a means of physical education for the masses. Von Baelz influenced the founder of Judo and Kendo both of which were the first of the “Do” arts. (Matthew take a look at my article on Von Baelz on the web page for more information on this).
Matt. What is your favourite technique/pattern?
RC - For the past 12 years or so I have been concentrating on Naihanchi / Teki / Chulgi 1.
Matt. What is your greatest personal achievement to date?
RC - In life the greatest personal achievement any parent can have is the success of your children, both of whom have turned out to be wonderful young men that I am very proud of. I understand this interview is for (NAME OF MAGAZINE) so my second greatest personal achievement is without a doubt the success of my students. Just as a parent is proud of the growth of their children, an instructor is proud of the success of those individuals they have influenced in even a small way.
Matt. Who do you most look up to/want to emulate?RC - One of my major influences was my first instructor Wesley Hughes. He was my instructor, and tragically was involved in an automobile accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Once he was out of the hospital he was brought to the dojo in a wheel chair to coach the class from the side of the matt. That man gave me so much inspiration for his spirit I hope to be able to follow his example in his spirit of teaching and desire to share his knowledge.
Matt. Should children (for argument's sake, under 16s) be awarded black belts?
RC - It depends on the individual and the individual requirements of the style or association. Could someone get a black belt who was 15 and 9 months old? Or should it be 17? What is in an arbitrary age? For me you can have a 14 year old who is much better qualified to be a black belt than a 18 year old who spent the same amount of time in class. Plus you have to consider that Jigoro Kano was around the age of 21 when he founded Judo, which is a relatively young age.
Matt. Do mixed classes (adult and under-16s) discourage some people from starting?
RC - What about classes with senior students who are uncomfortable with trying to keep up with the 20 year old students? Once again this an arbitrary division that really has to be taken to an individual situation of the club and instructor.
Matt. Do you think that Grappling/MMA are institutionally sexist due to the very nature of the training?
RC - I don’t think grappling is sexist in and of it’s self, rather it’s the culture that makes it more sexist. Martial arts as a whole are probably sexist in many respects just by that fact that women are not socialized to be fighters. But of course that does not mean women can not be excellent fighters and I have met some truly exceptional martial artists who are women. Going back to Jigoro Kano, he taught women early on, and we have women who compete internationally in Judo.
Matt. What do you consider to be the core aspect of your martial art?
RC - For me and members of my group I think we look at the individual development of their personal system. I truly believe no one system holds all of the answers for the individual. Each person comes to the martial arts for different but similar reasons, like we all will go to the shop to purchase a new set of clothing we can’t get all get the same size, nor do we all want the same style and color. To me martial arts are somewhat the same, in that we all want the concept of the martial arts yet we need to find the style and system that matches our style. Then further we need to tailor the clothing (martial art) to fit our individual needs.
Matt. Do you consider conditioning to be a vital part of your training?
RC - At one point in time it was important to me, but as age and health considerations creep up on me my views have changed. I think when you are young and in your prime you should make use of this time and be at your peak. However, I have had some health problems and injuries that have limited my physical training so as a consequence I am not in the shape I would like to be in. But then you play the hand your are dealt and I must work at the level I can and try to push myself forward a bit more.
Matt. How do you condition yourself?
RC - In the past year or so I have tried to improve my diet, increase the amount of exercise, and work on forms.
Matt. Are pressure points valid or do you consider them to be ineffective/pointless/so full of mysticism that you don't bother.
RC - Of course pressure points are valid, they have been a part of the martial arts for centuries, and have been documented over the years. TCM and WM have a place when you consider the application of pressure points. I look at pressure points from a TCM perspective ONLY for the nomenclature of naming and locating points. I do not believe there is any practical value in the attempt to explain why pressure points work using TCM theory. The example I most often use is that you could cut up little slips of paper with all of the various acupuncture points then put them in a hat and draw out any two or three. Then by using the various “laws” of acupuncture you would be able to construct a theory as to why you should get a knock out or severe pain from the application of these points. You have so many “laws” to draw on such as the cycle of creation, cycle of destruction, Yin / Yang, Midday / Midnight, Mother / Son etc. that you will find something that gives you an explanation.
Thus, if everything is included and nothing is excluded you do not have any predictive value to the paradigm. Equally WM can offer you a number of explanations as to why various techniques can work and will work. But yet at the same time when you ask a physician why it’s possible to knock out an individual by striking points on the arm or leg they just shake their head and say it should not be possible. So after a number of years of researching both perspectives I will take from each information that provides some explanation but fall back on my personal favorite the JHH paradigm. JHH is defined as Just Hit Here, once you know where the various points are located and the predictive results it is possible to say JHH and you will get these results.
Matt. What is your definition of a practical martial art?
RC - Once again this is a really important question because it falls back on what the individual wants out of the martial arts. What is practical for one person is not practical for another. This goes back to the principle of the art I teach where each individual begins to take personal responsibility for their own training and the results of that training. Even if you practice only one martial art, you have the choice as to what aspect of that art you practice and make your own. For example in Shotokan you have the opportunity to practice Kata or Kumite, you can practice for competition or for simply for the club. In addition if you look at Shotokan as Gichin Funakoshi taught in his book Karate Do Kyohan the original Japanese version, you will see him use a staff and sword. You see him utilizing locks and throws along with defensive techniques from the ground. So clearly this was part of his training at that time, in our time it seems that these aspects are not being practiced to a great extent. From my perspective someone who practices Shotokan should be able to research this aspect of their art and make this part of their training, and it could then be the thing that makes it practical for their own use.
Matt. What dan grade do you presently hold?
RC - I have been lucky enough to have been graded in several arts over the years an 8th dan is my highest rank. However, in the past few years I have been promoting my own organization Ao Denkou Kai and my own system Ao Denkou Jitsu. I don’t use a rank in my own system, because as the founder of the system I really don’t have a rank. Who would rank the founder of an organization and system? From a purely practical point of view as the founder I am able to promote individuals to 10th dan. But if I were ranked as a 10th dan in my own system I would only be able to promote to 9th dan. So for me its just as well to not be ranked as the founder of my own group.
Matt. At what level do you think Dan grades should stop?
RC - I am very comfortable with the kyu / dan grade system set up by Jigiro Kano, if some thing works well there is no reason to fix it.
Thank you for your time Rick.
My pleasure.
So there you have it - a great interview, thanks Matt! If you have any questions, please email me or you can email matt on matthewpma@practical-martial-arts.co.uk or check out Rick's website on http://www.ao-denkou-kai.org/ or you can buy Rick's DVD here: http://www.summersdale.com/product_info.php?products_id=712
Monday 12 November 2007
New DVDs!
Exciting times - new DVDs, christmas, new artists and some really exciting developments in the martial arts world whcih I will tell more about in my next post! Summersdale is due to release Iain Abernethy's fantastic new 'Martial arts Drills' DVD in time for xmas. For more info, please go to the site www.summersdale.com . Also, we have forthcoming, the new 'Beginning goju-ryu Karate' with the immense Shihan Chris Rowen. We also have a new addition to te Summersdale stabel in British Judo coach, Mike Liptrot. His new DVD 'Beginning Judo' is due to be released at the start of December.
To put your questions to us or to any of our artists, please email me on dvds@summersdale.com
To put your questions to us or to any of our artists, please email me on dvds@summersdale.com
Friday 26 October 2007
Interview with legendary boxing trainer Tommy Thompson by Rocky Sondhi
Q: Tommy can you please give a brief history of your boxing background.
A: I started boxing at the age of 7 at the YMCA here in Nottingham. At the age of 11 I joined the Sneinton Amateur Boxing Club where I improved steadily. While at Sneinton I boxed in 69 contests and won 42 of those. I signed to go professional shortly before my 18th birthday. My last amateur contest was a few weeks after signing but I failed the medical examination due to concerns about my eye-sight, which effectively destroyed all my hopes of becoming a professional boxer at the age of just 18.
At that point I was asking myself “What next?”
My coach at the time at Sneinton suggested that I should help coach the youngsters. Following that I took several coaching courses before becoming Nottingham’s only senior ABA coach graduating from Crystal Palace.
Q: Tommy can you tell me about some of the high-profile boxers that you have trained?
A: Kirkland and Tony Laing, who both went on to become British champions. Tony Sibson who challenged for the World Title, Johnny Nelson who is still the World Champion. Esham Pickering, Junior Whitter and Carl Greaves but to name a few. Additionally, I also worked with Prince Naseem.
Q: How did your relationship with Brendan Ingle develop?
A: I began taking boxers up to Brendan in the early 80’s and still continue to do so. I am also a boxing talent scout for Brendan throughout the East Midlands. I have a lot of respect for Brendan and admire him for his work in the world of boxing and to this day we remain close friends.
Q: Tommy apart from the boxing coaching is there anything else you’re working on or developing?
A: I am also a qualified SAQ coach and have completed a diploma on the subject. ( SAQ stands for Speed, Agility and Quickness ). This allows me to apply modern principles from sports science in boxing. I find it interesting applying modern ideas from other sports into boxing.
Q: Tommy can you tell me a little about the tvp™ coaching method and what makes it stand out from any of the other instructor training methods?
A: Well can I just point out that it is not an instructor’s method but a coaching method which you can apply to any combat sport not just boxing. (tvp™ stands for Technique, Versatility & Predictability)
Q: So Tommy can you tell me what the tvp™ method has to offer that other training concepts don’t?
A: The three main things that puts tvp™ apart from the other training methods , books, video’s etc is that it contains the 3 most important ingredients for training and coaching high performance in combat athletes which are versatility, originality and creativity. The method looks to get the individual fulfilling their potential and basically training in a way which suits their body type and mentality. The method is also quite challenging because it encourages the individual to explore creativity and do things differently.
Q: Tommy you have been coaching me now for 7 years, what are the main characteristics that kept your belief in me?
A: Rocky from day 1 you have shown me just what is needed by boxers and martial artists today, A genuine willingness to learn and a great attitude. When we talk I find your understanding of the boxing and the coaching truly outstanding. I wish I had worked with you from 16 i..e when you started the martial arts as I think you would have made it professionally.
Q: Thanks, I wish I had as well, but that’s another story. Tommy, every time you mention training or working with a boxer you keep using the term coaching not instructing, could you please explain the difference.
A: Ok sure, instructing means just what the name suggests, giving a set of orders without really taking into consideration the needs of the boxer or martial artist to improve. Coaching, on the other hand, means setting a training programme , or format, to fit the needs of the individual, or if training a group, a formula that is suitable for all.
Q: Tommy, you mentioned earlier that you still work closely with Brendan Ingle. There has been criticism that Brendan trains all his boxers the same way.
A: Rocky, nothing could be further from the truth. When I first met Brendan back in the 80’s I did think the same and was one of his biggest critics but I’ve since learnt that this is untrue.
What he has done, and quite brilliantly I think, is he lays down a template for all his boxers to follow and from that basis they find the space to explore and to become good boxers with their own style. From the untrained eye they may all look the same but they are definitely not the same. Look at Herol Graham or Nazeem Hamed, Johnny Nelson or Ryan Rhodes - their individuality shows through in the styles in which they compete.
Q: Tommy, who were your mentors when you first started out in the coaching game?
A: There have been 4 men in the whole country that I can honestly say have a better knowledge of the boxing game than any others.
Firstly, Brendan Ingle, then there is Kevin Hickey who was national coach to the England team from 1973 until 1990. He has an awesome knowledge of the game. Brian Hinckley, who is an advanced coach in Derbyshire, and last but not least, Derrick Groombridge who is an advanced coach from Bingham, Nottinghamshire. I owe my love of this sport to these 4 men.
Q. What are your observations of the combat sports area today and what do you feel we have to offer this area with our methods?
A. There are a lot of people training and wanting to do well in the combat sports, but I feel there are too many people looking for quick fixes. They want to to learn a few tricks and feel that they have learned all there is to learn. I feel there is a lack of depth in understanding techniques and the factors that drive human performance.
The tvp™ Institute is geared towards building depth in understanding and encouraging people to go beyond a style – to basically treat their body as one, and make any technique work for them in an appropriate way – one body, no style!
Q: Finally Tommy, What are your plans for the future?
A: Well Rocky, with yourself we’ve got the regular workshops at the tvp™ Institute. I’m writing for Combat and Fighter Magazines. I am also working with more martial artists, working on new boxing and coaching techniques that can be applied to all combat sports.
Thanks Tommy and best of luck in the future – you deserve it.
(“tvp™ - Comprehensive Boxing Concepts” and the DVD "Beginning Boxing' by Rocky Sondhi and Tommy Thompson are available from http://www.summersdale.com/, priced £19.99. Rocky and Tommy are also available for workshops, consultations and private sessions on the above number. tvp™ boxing Certificated coaching qualification programmes are run regularly at the tvp™ Institute – call the above number or 07771928245 for details)
Thursday 25 October 2007
Welcome to the new Summersdale Martial Arts blog
As it is about time Summersdale started a martial arts blog, that is exactly what we have done! I hope, over the next few weeks, to add articles, new DVD info, special event info, guest blogs from some of the many incredible artists I have the priviledge to work with and much more. If there is anything you would like to ask any of the artists I know, or articles you want to see, I will be happy to relay your requests. Just email me on dvds@summersdale.com. I will pass on all questions (as long as they are not rude!) and do my best to get answers. Whether it is about techniques, general training, the mental side of martial arts, whatever, just ask away!
Incidentally, for those who don't know Iain Abernethy's new DVD, martial arts fitness drills will be arriving soon and it is set to push the boundaries for martial arts DVD product
ion once again. If you want to train at home but can't get motivated then buy it - it is made for people exactly like you!
We have also just finished an amazing day's filming with the man, the legend, Shihan Chris Rowen. It never ceases to amaze me how incredible his knowledge is and actually, what a genuinely nice and interesting guy he is! The DVD is going to be called 'Beginning Goju-Ryu Karate' (see the pic left) and looks like it will be a real winner! Chris has one of the most incredible backgrounds I have come across, not just in martial arts - if anyone is interested I can get a little biog up of Chris - he is the real life karate kid!
Incidentally, for those who don't know Iain Abernethy's new DVD, martial arts fitness drills will be arriving soon and it is set to push the boundaries for martial arts DVD product
ion once again. If you want to train at home but can't get motivated then buy it - it is made for people exactly like you!We have also just finished an amazing day's filming with the man, the legend, Shihan Chris Rowen. It never ceases to amaze me how incredible his knowledge is and actually, what a genuinely nice and interesting guy he is! The DVD is going to be called 'Beginning Goju-Ryu Karate' (see the pic left) and looks like it will be a real winner! Chris has one of the most incredible backgrounds I have come across, not just in martial arts - if anyone is interested I can get a little biog up of Chris - he is the real life karate kid!
I will also be getting other members of the Summersdale team to publish posts so you can see what we all do, what we are working on and our different takes on the martial arts world!
So once again, let me know what you all want to see here or on the main Summersdale site.
Until then, train well, train safely and train with the best.
Nick
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