Martial Arts Experiences Discussion Thread

[James Y]

I plan to acquire some of these things. Watched the video 2x, and forwarded it to folks that I know.

Urban Survival (the grey man) - Ed Calderon worked as a police officer in Tijuana, Mexico and now works in executive protection.

RFID Fortac Five, small programmable disc (could not find)

$100+ in Cash (20's)

Debit card with a few hundred dollars on it

Gold coins in plastic containers or small bars
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LB7U7QS/re ... B00LB7U7QS

Bic Pens with tip shaved down to hypodermic needle shape
https://www.amazon.com/BIC-Cristal-Smoo ... ref=sr_1_5

Walmart pioneer woman fixed blade knife with light cardboard sheath
https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Pioneer- ... hbdg=L1600

Zip ties and tools to defeat them (dress for the restraints that will be used against you)

Beacon or Hyfin chest seals
https://beaconchestseal.com/
https://www.amazon.com/North-American-R ... 69-9834964

Chito Guaze
https://www.amazon.com/HemCon-ChitoGauz ... ref=sr_1_4

Packing gauze
https://www.amazon.com/HemCon-ChitoGauz ... ref=sr_1_4
https://www.amazon.com/QuikClot-Advance ... 69-9834964

2 - Soft-T Tourniquet Gen 4, high vis orange worn down pant leg
https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Medical ... ref=sr_1_3

Hemostat
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Hemostat&i=s ... TZ4TQ6HVS8

Pack of cigarettes

Alcohol flask

Know how to panhandle to MAKE CASH AVAILABLE, study it, cardboard signs, how to observe, how to dress

Learn how to convince environment you are part of it

small 1/2 x 1/2 ceramic blade to fit in your mouth (cannot find)

Catholic Escapulario magnetic with kevlar cordage, Santa Muerte scapular (unable to find magnetic model)
https://inhisname.com/saint-michael-shi ... ular-10089
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=Santa+Mue ... pe=gallery
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=scapulars+ca ... VA2ZB469NU

Kevlar cordage
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kevlar+corda ... 2C1KA4PMAL

change in your pocket is a handcuff key
https://shomer-tec.com/products/escape-nickel

personal alarm that fits in your pocket "Basu eAlarm"
https://myealarm.com/
https://www.basu.com/store/p26/eAlarmPRO.html#/

door wedge alarm
https://www.amazon.com/EMDMAK-Alarm-120 ... ref=sr_1_3

wifi signal jammer used by pentesters (so cal off grid)
https://www.offgridweb.com/preparation/ ... l-jammers/
https://www.perfectjammer.com/wireless- ... mmers.html

Nice post! Thanks.

Jim

[James Y]

Most Feared Street Fighters / Tonga (AKA Haku; AKA Meng); with Lenny McLean, Gary Spiers, Mike Tyson, & Malcolm Price

I'm ashamed to admit that at times I had forgotten about Tonga 'Uli'uli Fifita (Haku/Meng). I don't know how that could be, because he was my favorite pro wrestler. I liked his entire persona. And he was one of the most-feared (and rightfully so) street fighters in real life. Most people make fun of professional wrestling as fake; but what they don't understand is that, besides performing in show wrestling, many of the old-school pro wrestlers could actually fight for real. And Tonga was the toughest and most dangerous of them all. Andre the Giant feared him IRL.

https://youtu.be/L8XBNpTJpr4?si=WaiUPMb5WlGvx2Lt

Jim

[James Y]

Why Sparring is Dead

During my years coming up in martial arts, sparring was always an important part of training, and was one of my favorites. However, looking back now, I can see the many instances where the sparring was too hard. That was back in the day, where almost everything was done "the harder, the better." There wasn't always an element of play to it for me, until sometime in my 30s. You had to find the right partners for that. With some people, every sparring match was a life-or-death brawl.

Once when I was new in a particular school, I was admonished by the teacher for going way too hard and being too aggressive in sparring. And he was totally justified. It was what I had been used to from my previous training and experiences, but I learned better. This doesn't mean being a powderpuff, but sparring in such a way that it's a mutual learning experience for both participants, and allowing yourself to have fun and try out various skills that you wouldn't even dream of attempting if you're always worrying about having to fight for your life.

I myself no longer spar for various reasons, not the least of which is that I did it for so long, and my focus in life has changed.

IMO, sparring is an extremely important part of training, especially when you are in the developmental stages; but I now agree that it should be done in a spirit of play.

https://youtu.be/twE-zdUkB_U?si=Q4grHwgDeBRwADJO

Jim

[James Y]

When Wrestling Turns Real: How a Pro Wrestler Knocked Out a Judo Legend

https://youtu.be/h2IUaoyH3tQ?si=45UaG1I71eqiCoQ1

Jim

[Naperville]

We did not spar in several of the dojos that I was in for some reason, but in the better dojos we did, and we did it often.

What I mean by "better" is that looking back I learned more, but we did get hurt so maybe it was too much. In some cases it was over the top, I admit it.

People laugh at Chung Mo Quan, which I was in for 2 years. But I have to tell you, they were the most insanely aggressive group, and sparring was part of the equation. You were supposed to go less than 100%, but I always saw fat lips and black eyes.

At Iowa State the Master broke his arm sparring while I was at the university. I am not sure which group it was where he was hurt, he taught Judo, HapKiDo and Tae Kwon Do. I also had my shoulder subluxed...came right out of the socket while sparring. Bad throw? Bad fall? Poor timing?

In Bahala Na Escrima/Arnis, after I left one poor guy that was in a graduation ceremony had his scalp split open! The scalp had been hit so hard with a rattan stick that it split around 5+ inches!!! There may still be video of him on the Internet getting struck with rattan at full speed / full force, and later having the staples in his head.

Of course I sparred in Chung Mo Quan and Bahala Na. In neither art did we use protective gear of any kind at all either. No gloves, shin pads, cups or helmets.

In Bahala Na I was sparring and I think I know what happened. I was defending by throwing a roof block to an overhand strike and I did not get there in time or was not aggressive enough with my block. I almost lost one of my eyes! If the strike had been 1/2 an inch deeper, I'd only have one eye!!! I fell to the floor, could not see for 5 minutes, and had a nice cherry under one of my eyes. That mark was on my face for a month, and you better believe if I have to throw a roof block again I'll be there early, not late.

[James Y]

We did not spar in several of the dojos that I was in for some reason, but in the better dojos we did, and we did it often.

What I mean by "better" is that looking back I learned more, but we did get hurt so maybe it was too much. In some cases it was over the top, I admit it.

People laugh at Chung Mo Quan, which I was in for 2 years. But I have to tell you, they were the most insanely aggressive group, and sparring was part of the equation. You were supposed to go less than 100%, but I always saw fat lips and black eyes.

At Iowa State the Master broke his arm sparring while I was at the university. I am not sure which group it was where he was hurt, he taught Judo, HapKiDo and Tae Kwon Do. I also had my shoulder subluxed...came right out of the socket while sparring. Bad throw? Bad fall? Poor timing?

In Bahala Na Escrima/Arnis, after I left one poor guy that was in a graduation ceremony had his scalp split open! The scalp had been hit so hard with a rattan stick that it split around 5+ inches!!! There may still be video of him on the Internet getting struck with rattan at full speed / full force, and later having the staples in his head.

Of course I sparred in Chung Mo Quan and Bahala Na. In neither art did we use protective gear of any kind at all either. No gloves, shin pads, cups or helmets.

In Bahala Na I was sparring and I think I know what happened. I was defending by throwing a roof block to an overhand strike and I did not get there in time or was not aggressive enough with my block. I almost lost one of my eyes! If the strike had been 1/2 an inch deeper, I'd only have one eye!!! I fell to the floor, could not see for 5 minutes, and had a nice cherry under one of my eyes. That mark was on my face for a month, and you better believe if I have to throw a roof block again I'll be there early, not late.

Thanks for sharing. I rememberd that story about your eye. That was EXTREMELY lucky.

Jim

[Naperville]

Tai Chi

Why this popular exercise can lower blood pressure even more than intense cardio
https://nypost.com/2024/02/13/lifestyle ... an-cardio/

FREE MEDICAL ARTICLE
Effect of Tai Chi vs Aerobic Exercise on Blood Pressure in Patients With Prehypertension: A Randomized Clinical Trial
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamane ... le/2814872

[James Y]

The Tragic Story of a UFC Fighter that Makes You Think ...

https://youtu.be/WdpMg_rNu4c?si=OQOrpu6dMpKX0lbG

I've posted other videos on the subject of brain injury in combat sports before, and Gary Goodridge was even shown in at least one of those. Buy this is HIS story.

Back when I used to watch lots of MMA fights, I'd begun noticing several long-time fighters who showed signs of mental deterioration when you looked at them just speaking in interviews. And there will be damage even if you can't see it at the moment.

On a side note, the video mentions a Kuk Sool Won school that awarded Gary Goodridge (who actually came from a boxing background) a black belt after only a month of training, on the condition that he represent the school in his fights. Goodridge just needed to show that he had some kind of martial arts background to be accepted to fight in the UFC. I'm not surprised that it was a Korean martial arts school. Back in the day, there were many outstanding old-school Korean martial arts teachers; however, there were also a lot of unethical Korean teachers who awarded "honorary black belts" to actors, politicians, etc., for the sake of publicity. This seemed to happen mostly back in the '80s and '90s, but may still be happening today. The awarding of "honorary black belts" seems to be a uniquely Korean thing. Usually in Tae Kwon Do; but in Gary Goodridge's case, it was a Kuk Sool Won school. I don't blame Gary Goodridge at all for that. I blame the Kuk Sool Won teacher for having low ethical standards.

Jim

[James Y]

Understanding How to Use Any Tool of Opportunity Inside of a Level Ten Situation

https://youtu.be/Vzjh3WM5qPQ?si=JNPhsKCxKvFZKST3

Jim

[James Y]

Bus Driver Can Do Martial Arts

https://youtube.com/shorts/9-zXqmT-eX0?si=OG-RGR8wbP5uRYMC

Although (IMO) those types of kicks have little to do directly with actual street self-defense, this man is a perfect example of:

Don't. Underestimate.
Anyone.

In one competitive match I had, I faced an opponent with a somewhat flabby-looking physique who, at first glance, didn't look like he could do anything athletic. Within the first few seconds of the match, he caught me full-on with a perfect, lightning-fast spinning hook kick. Before I could recover, he immediately landed a second spinning hook kick with the same (right) leg, almost in the same spot. Those kicks were hard, and although they hadn't dropped me or stopped me, that was the only time in my life that anyone ever caught me with a spinning hook kick. I also had a bad headache for a couple of days afterwards.

I've seen people who were fat, but who were flexible enough to easily go into a full split, throw side-facing kicks at 11:00 high, and were extremely fast and agile.

On the other end of the spectrum, I've also seen (and even faced) some skinny, frail-looking guys who possessed amazing striking power; they have extraordinary leverage when they use their reach and catch you at the end of their punches and strikes.

The majority of people make sweeping judgments about other people, and what they potentially are or aren't capable of, based solely on their physical appearance.

Jim

[James Y]

Pocket Stick as a Force Multiplier

https://youtu.be/4sBRUNLOwjw?si=EH7dK5nhndoP1cwz

Jim

[James Y]

Pressure Testing Saps and Blackjacks

https://youtu.be/0klL8rSRjcY?si=QL1Ub5XU3cMCgR67

Jim

[twinboysdad]

Pressure Testing Saps and Blackjacks

https://youtu.be/0klL8rSRjcY?si=QL1Ub5XU3cMCgR67

Jim

I have seen this video and Kevin does a great job. I love saps and blackjacks but they are illegal as beastiality in most places in the US. I wish that would be reformed like brass knuckles have been in some states

[James Y]

Pressure Testing Saps and Blackjacks

https://youtu.be/0klL8rSRjcY?si=QL1Ub5XU3cMCgR67

Jim

I have seen this video and Kevin does a great job. I love saps and blackjacks but they are illegal as beastiality in most places in the US. I wish that would be reformed like brass knuckles have been in some states

Yeah, sadly, they are illegal probably everywhere in the US. And I strongly suspect that the law would come down a lot harder on a law-abiding citizen who had to use one in legitimate self-defense, than it would on a criminal who used one to randomly assault and batter some old man or old woman. Unfortunately, "law and order" seems to be upside-down these days.

Jim

[James Y]

How to Generate a Knock Out Strike!

Excellent stuff.

https://youtu.be/rDOFnsO4mL4?si=gZb2CXGRhCaG8Hf_

Jim

[Naperville]

Pocket Stick as a Force Multiplier....you can also use a large closed folder as a pocket stick. Then it is in your hand, and if you need to open it, there it is.

When I was married my wife managed Wallgreens stores. She handled $15k, $25k and even more every evening, and got home at around midnight or later. So we bought her a handgun and an aluminum kuboton, which is the same thing as a pocket stick. The kuboton stayed on her keyring. An Iowa cop started giving me grief for having it one day and I told her it was my wife's car, wherein she started to tell me it was wrong for her to have it too.

People with badges who get to carry firearms, and can impose the power of the law should think about us peasants trying to go through life without being killed.

[James Y]

"Imagine Getting Done Like This in Front of Millions"

I would have posted this in the "Funny or Weird Things Caught on Camera" thread, but it's appropriate here, too. Plus, I think this thread gets more traffic overall.

The guy in the black trunks is having fun and clowning around, and being effective with it. If history is any indication, if he continually does that in fights, eventually he's going to get caught while doing that to the wrong opponent. I've seen plenty of footage of c0cky fighters getting KO'd while in the middle of clowning around. It even happened to Anderson Silva.

https://youtube.com/shorts/vWCAu28NFmU?si=VGs8mHGpFLAGxVrZ

Jim

[Naperville]

"Imagine Getting Done Like This in Front of Millions"

I would have posted this in the "Funny or Weird Things Caught on Camera" thread, but it's appropriate here, too. Plus, I think this thread gets more traffic overall.

The guy in the black trunks is having fun and clowning around, and being effective with it. If history is any indication, if he continually does that in fights, eventually he's going to get caught while doing that to the wrong opponent. I've seen plenty of footage of c0cky fighters getting KO'd while in the middle of clowning around. It even happened to Anderson Silva.

https://youtube.com/shorts/vWCAu28NFmU?si=VGs8mHGpFLAGxVrZ

Jim

Dangerous to play like that.

[James Y]

"Imagine Getting Done Like This in Front of Millions"

I would have posted this in the "Funny or Weird Things Caught on Camera" thread, but it's appropriate here, too. Plus, I think this thread gets more traffic overall.

The guy in the black trunks is having fun and clowning around, and being effective with it. If history is any indication, if he continually does that in fights, eventually he's going to get caught while doing that to the wrong opponent. I've seen plenty of footage of c0cky fighters getting KO'd while in the middle of clowning around. It even happened to Anderson Silva.

https://youtube.com/shorts/vWCAu28NFmU?si=VGs8mHGpFLAGxVrZ

Jim

Dangerous to play like that.

Yeah, he’s breaking the cardinal rule (or at least MY cardinal rule): Never Underestimate Anyone.

I’ve seen plenty of examples where fighters were acting stupid and goofing off, because they thought they were too good and untouchable; then they got knocked out…BADLY. Not only did they get KO’d, but because they were all loosely-goosey, it ended up more severe. Plus, because they were caught while arrogantly clowning around, they ended up looking even stupider.

Jim

[James Y]

How to Set Up Your Own Sucker Punch

https://youtu.be/bC64t_pk9zg?si=XkroSw_vJb8-zgGw

Jim