Martial Arts have never been regarded as a mainstream activity in the West.  It is one of the fundamental contradictions that such a niche pastime is practised across every continent by millions of people on a regular basis.  Martial arts training for the masses has come in and out of fashion during recent times, often dependent more on what films are being shown in the cinema than any one particular discipline or master.  Society has become very fast moving with both an over reliance on technology and an unhealthy addiction to instant results.  People want to see rewards quickly for any time or effort on their part.  Do we therefore change the way we approach Martial Arts training?  Is it something that should now be viewed as a short term activity where the success lies solely in results gained within the quickest time frame possible?  Or now see it purely as physical training as we would if were going to the gym, playing football or swimming?  I think that in truth, one of the beautiful things about training in Martial Arts is that even though the majority of people, when they start, approach it with the lightest of touches ie desiring a specific outcome such as fitness, confidence etc, each individual can gain so much more should they wish it.  Like most things in life, the old adage 'the more you give (or the harder you work), the more you get in return' is an obvious truth.  For some students, it will always remain simply something they do for fitness and fun.  For others, it will grow and become something much more, a passion, a way of life and something that potentially gives their whole being definition and direction.  It is these potential outcomes of martial arts training that set them aside from just being any sport.  For me, Martial Arts are just as relevant today as they have ever been (if not more so).  It is not just about physical training, health benefits and sporting achievements, they are but bonuses accrued on the journey trying to achieve what should be every Martial Artist's lifelong primary aim - to better oneself as a human being.

There seems to be a big division within the martial arts community at present.  It boils down to a huge difference of opinion on whether the growth of MMA through promotions such as the UFC and WEC is a good thing or a step back for martial arts.  The most recent hysteria surrounding the kids cage fighting headlines that reverberated around the world is proof (if it was required) that the general public still have a very negative perception of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).  A lot of martial artists who have grown up learning traditional art forms such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu view MMA also share this view (albeit from a more experienced stance).  Personally I can see the arguments for and against in this instance.  I come from a fairly hybrid background (The Freestyle Karate syllabus I learned from was essentially a mixed martial art, combining elements from a number of other styles and influences) and such feel something of a kinship with both the traditionalists (as I have always been taught to appreciate technique, self development, the importance of the belt system etc) and the more modern exponents (as I was also taught to be open to other disciplines, look at what truly works best, cross training etc).  So, where do I stand?  I think that there are some less than ideal connotations between MMA and a lot of things that do not sit well with the kind of ethos that should form the foundation of martial arts.  As such, that is why I set up Takedown MMA to try and address some of these factors, but I don't think MMA is a particularly new concept at all. However, the re packaging of it into the current form you see today is more as a result of the changes in society than it is in any ground breaking movement within the martial arts community.  I believe that MMA has a place in the broad colourful spectrum that is the world of martial arts.  Like Kickboxing, it is a modern twist on older martial art styles in forming a new sport.  I think that the next few years will see the sport become more regulated and with that hopefully will come more education.  Not just for the general public but also for everyone involved in the sport.  This is, in my opinion, the only way we can take MMA forward and allow it to fulfil its potential as a truly great sport. That is an important point though.  It is a sport.  The study of martial arts is so much more.  It can last a lifetime, not just the period of time that a person can actively compete.  So, just as in the seventies and eighties, Punk music did not spell the end of music or civil society, neither will MMA be the death of martial arts.  It is just another new chord in the music that is the evolution of martial arts...

I am a big believer in teaching martial arts from the ground up.  This literally starts with understanding your feet and the floor you are stood upon.  My best advice for anyone who wants to improve their sparring or the application of their martial arts skill is simply to work on developing their stance and footwork.  With that in mind, here are my top 10 tips for improving your footwork
1. Get comfortable with both stances (it helps create balance and a wider skill base if you regular switch from orthodox to southpaw in training)
2. Commit to constantly checking (or even better, get your coach to check) your stance is correct until it becomes second nature (a large number of boxers regularly train with a piece of equipment that ensures the stance remains the same whilst moving around.  There is a product called fast feet that is available within the UK from stockists such as www.sugarrays.co.uk, which is a good representation of this)
3. Skip (skipping develops the calf muscles and is great for developing not only fitness and endurance but also timing and rapid foot movement) regularly
4. Start simple.  Don't overcomplicate your footwork to begin with.  Work and drill in isolation moving forward, back, left and right.  Then drill rounds working this movement in combination.  Once you start to feel comfortable and have balance moving in any direction, start to add techniques singly onto the beginning or end of the footwork
5. Understand your distancing.  For a drill to help you with this, you will need some coloured tape and a bag.  Put lines of tape on the floor that mark the distance away from the bag that mark where (a) you can reach with a straight punch, (b) you can reach with a kick and (c) you cannot reach with any technique.  These won't be that far apart.  These small movements and their practise will help greatly with the ratio of the techniques that are thrown/landed during training and sparring as you start to intuitively grasp where you need to be in order to hit
6. Introduce over types and variations of footwork one at a time in isolation before adding into the mix combining pieces together in drills prior to constant practise via shadow boxing and training.  An example of this would be to introduce the side step.  Practise in both directions in both stances prior to combining with footwork already practised ie move back one step, side step to the left.  Make sure you work progressively with this.  See my lesson plans on improving footwork for an example of a laid out structure
7. Use a partner.  A great drill to utilise is to mirror a partners footwork.  One person should lead the drill (for a 2min round prior to swapping roles) by moving one step using any of the practised pieces of footwork.  The other person should then mirror that footwork to try and stay in exactly the same place/distance from their partner.  This should be started slowly but then as confidence improves it can be speeded up and made more difficult (by utilising combinations of footwork).  
8. Integrate your footwork into every aspect of your training.  Create drills with your coach that allow you to practise each movement on varied pieces of equipment.  A good starting point would be executing single techniques utilising the correct distance moving forward, back, left and right on focus pads.
9. Create sparring drills that allow you to practise your newly found footwork within its correct context.  For example, one person attacks with just the jab (lead hand straight punch) whilst the other tries to defend primarily utilising footwork.  
10. Free spar.  Lower the contact so that you are not overly preoccupied with being hit and work rounds with as many different bodies as you can.  Constant practise of your footwork in this environment will ensure you will see the results of all your hard training as you become both more elusive at avoiding being hit and more effective at landing the shots you throw

I have used the kind of footwork that is commonly found in styles such as boxing, kickboxing and thai boxing but the principles would remain correct for any other discipline as well (with a little tweaking on the specifics).  
Happy training and to quote a man well know for his speedy movement...
"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can't hit what his eyes can't see. Now you see me, now you don't. George thinks he will, but I know he won't" - Muhammed Ali

I am something of eclectic reader.  If you look upon my book shelf, you will see books you may expect to find, such as Mixed Martial Arts by BJ Penn and The Art of War by Sun Tzu.  But, you will also find Good Omens by Neil Gaiman/Terry Pratchett, The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, The Ascent of Science by Brian Silver and The five people you meet in heaven by Mitch Albom.  I love to read and I am quite happy to read up on just about any subject.  I enjoy the fact that you are never quite the same once you have been touched by the messages conveyed by the author.  They change your perception, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse, sometimes rightly and sometimes wrongly.  It is quite the power that authors have.  If you connect with them, they can change how you perceive your world without ever having met you.  
Perception is a very wide encompassing word.  Within Martial Arts, I think it in relating to many areas.  It is how you view and interact with your instructor and your fellow martial artists.  It is how you learn the art form that is being taught to you via sight and touch.  It is how you grow in skill by recognising movements and developing timing.  We are aware of this, it is for all intents and purposes pretty common sense stuff.  
However, the real power with perception (as the authors of the above books now realise) comes from the individuals innate ability to change their own life.  Think about the feelings you have had in the past when you have felt good about life or inspired to do something.  Remember how buoyant you were and how you approached every other aspect of your life for that time afterwards in a positive way?  Why can we not feel that way more often?  Or can we?  Your life is pretty much made up of how you perceive it.  We are all capable of being so much more.  But, to create the life that we want, we must first change the way we perceive it.  I am as guilty of struggling with this as anyone else.  I have my ups and my downs.  That though is where martial arts comes to fruition within my own life.  The self discipline instilled in me through regular training is what I try to draw upon constantly to pause, reset and change my perception of the world so that once again, I find myself back on track.  The study of martial arts is essentially about bettering yourself, but it is not just about the mastering of physical skills.  The real skill comes in the mastery of ones own mind and perception.  Through this, we not only change our own life, but also affect positively all the lives that ours comes into contact with.  So, now you know the answer to the question, "what do you, BJ Penn, Terry Pratchett and Niccolo Machiavelli all have in common"?.  You all have the ability to change your world....

Having gone to both catholic primary and secondary schools, I have more than a passing indoctrination of hymns, prayers and lines from the bible stored up within me.  I am not really a religious person, but I understand the benefits of following the kind of moral code that you tend to find at the centre of each particular one.  I have to admit though, I never really bought into any of it during my time within the education system.  I was considered a gifted but troubled student.  I just kind of switched off to a lot of it.  My record of achievement in primary school noted my worrying lack of fear or respect for authority.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed a lot of the time I spent actually learning.  I was a voracious reader with a love of english, science and maths.  The time that I have since spent training in martial arts has allowed me the gift of understanding when I look back in hindsight.  My RE teacher would no doubt think fondly of me for quoting the following "Do unto others as you would others do unto you".  I was being asked to respect and listen to my teachers, yet most never extended the same courtesy back.  The few that did consistently, I have fond memories of and would always listen and work well within their classes.

Training in martial arts offered me so much more than just physical sport.  Up until my starting martial arts, I enjoyed playing football and certain other activities in PE at school but I was never what anyone would describe as an avid sportsperson.  From the first time I set foot on the mats though, I found respect.  People respected me.  My instructor showed me constant respect, in how he addressed me, by sharing his time with me freely, by offering advice and guiding me whenever I needed it.  My peers respected me because I tried hard.  It did not come naturally to me as I was not a gifted athlete but they could appreciate how hard I worked.  Before long, new students who were less experienced then me were offering me respect because I was technically more capable.  This constant ebb of positive feeling, built in me what was missing, my self respect.  Suddenly, I in turn was becoming more respectful.  Towards other people that I trained with and with everyone that was a part of my life.  Within this, is a lesson that can be used within schools, work places and all walks of life.  The growth of respect often nourishes itself from its own process and dynamics.  Once the seed of respect has been planted and constantly fed, it will with time spread amongst all, even those in conflict.

I don't think that this is necessarily an element unique to martial arts.  However, I do believe that the very nature of its study lends itself well to the process described above.  I also do not believe that it is an age restricted benefit.  It is quite obvious as it was in my case, how it can help young people and children.  I know though, that there are many an adult who needs this aspect addressed, in order to reduce the conflict in their own life.  That is another one of the great things about martial arts training, you will get out of it what you need (physically, mentally and spiritually) as well as what you want (fitness, self defence etc) if you just give it the time.


As a martial arts instructor, I value respect more than I do just about anything else.  It is always brings me great pleasure when I see it at work within my classes.  It truly is the life blood of any functioning centre or gym.  The more successful the dojo or school, the more ingrained respect will be amongst the people who frequent it.  A teacher cannot impart any knowledge on a student who does not respect them.  But, it is also true that a student will not gain the most benefit from their training if they feel the instructor has no respect for them.  If you want respect, you have to show respect.  Just don't be afraid to make the first step...

I hope my RE teacher is not going to feel too offended now though as I am going to include a parting quote from a source probably not to their taste, but to one that I identify with from my own experiences
KNOWLEDGE WILL GIVE YOU POWER, BUT CHARACTER RESPECT
BRUCE LEE

We all love to succeed at whatever we endeavour to achieve.  From an early age, our successes and achievements are rewarded.  Starting with praise and attention, this then evolves to include certificates, awards, medals and all the other trappings achievement brings.  We are conditioned to believe that winning then is the ultimate aim and we strive to do this within all aspects of our life.  So strong are these desires, we are often left dejected and distraught when we perceive ourselves to have failed or lost.  As a martial arts instructor, I constantly see students in turmoil when they struggle to learn a particular skill, feel outclassed in sparring, lose a competition or do badly at a grading.  It is at these low points that the temptation to quit is strongest.  

The first problem though lies in that it is human nature to compare ourselves to the person next to us.  If they seem to be more successful or capable then we immediately feel bad by comparison.  As in the case of a student struggling to learn a particular skill, they feel unsuccessful because there are those around them that seem to grasp the techniques much quicker.  In sparring, one student often has the edge on another, again, leaving one feeling dejected.  In competition, it is obviously a case of one person against another with a winner/loser outcome guaranteed.  Doing badly at a grading is again usually as a result of a personal comparison to what other people achieve at that particular belt level.  

The study of martial arts though is more akin to a journey than it is to a race or contest.  There is no set time limit as to how long it takes to learn something.  We should only compete with ourselves to ensure we become better people but then use others only as sources of inspiration to help us achieve this, and whilst there is a destination (perfection), we are unlikely to ever reach it (although it is only through striving for perfection that we achieve excellence).

Once we understand this, the success of failure then comes to the fore.  If you do any reading on anyone who you think typifies of what you think of as a successful person, you will find that they define their achievements in comparison to their biggest failures.  I look back on my own experiences within martial arts and I note my struggles and failures as learning points higher than I do my successes and achievements.  The truth therefore is that we can only grow through struggle.  For example, that student who is finding it difficult to learn a particular skill, will gain the benefits of learning about the importance of perseverance and commitment prior to finally earning what will become intuitive, purely through the problems overcome.  Hence why "talent" is often overrated.  Those "unfortunate" students who grasp everything quickly often then do not get the opportunity to learn the valuable lessons about perseverance and the ability to overcome obstacles as often.  How often do we see "talented" people waste their gifts or not make the most of their ability?  
 
So, the next time you struggle or fail with something, take the time to appreciate the lessons that can be learnt from the path you find yourself on and gain the experience that the success of failure brings...

As an instructor, I am often asked as to which Martial Arts style or discipline is the best.  I always conjure up a mental image of Harry Hill lining up a bout between Bruce Lee on one side and Alex Reid on the other (media perceptions of known martial artists being as well researched as they are).  But the truth is, that most people have no real idea of the difference between one martial art and another, other than what they might have seen in the media.  Therefore it is a fair question.  I personally believe it is more relevant to ask what it is the potential student wants from their time training in martial arts than it is to ask which is the better style.  There are suitable differences between most of the disciplines that should sway a potential students decision legitimately, but each art form also offers something that is unique to their discipline.  Not, as you might expect, is it with regards to secret techniques or Dim Mak moves (although this may also be the case) but, with the person who is the teacher.  The instructor, for me makes the art form.  An amazing instructor can make any art form seem magical and inspirational, whereas a poor one can make even the most exciting discipline a tedious activity.  They do say, when a student is ready, the teacher will appear.  
Or we can just decide this in a more acceptably mainstream way, 
"which martial art is better, lets find out, FIGHT!!!"

Sometimes, I feel that as an individual, I want to try everything.  Both within in martial arts, whether it is a different style/discipline or new technique/training method, and outside of it, through wanting to try my hand at new sports/activities, learn languages, draw, write, join the foreign legion...  Okay, the last one is possibly not something I would follow through with but the feeling is definitely there every time I watch certain programmes on the documentary channel.  I got to thinking whether this was just some aspect of my character or whether there was something more to it.  Drawing upon my own experiences within teaching and training in martial arts, I now think that it boils down to inspiration.  One of the meanings of this particular word (as written in the dictionary) is
The act or power of exercising an elevating or stimulating influence upon the intellect or emotions; the result of such influence which quickens or stimulates; as, the inspiration of occasion, of art, etc.
I realise that I am often inspired by the things that I see, read or hear.  There are numerous instances in each day that if we are open to it, will inspire us at any given moment to better ourselves.  Whether it is through trying harder at a particular activity, giving something completely new a go or just something as simple as reaching out and connecting with the people around us.  My wife inspires me to be more loving (as she constantly amazes me with her ability to be kind, loving and affectionate to just about any living thing) and my 2 year old daughter inspires me to make the most of life and live in the now (as all she ever wants from is simply my time and attention).  When I look more at my life in martial arts, I realise that I have been inspired by more people than I could mention in one sitting.  Sometimes through their physical skills, sometimes through their training methods and then sometimes just simply through the words that they have said.  A lot of these people I have had the pleasure of training with or meeting but there also a good number that physically have never been within a mile of my presence.  They probably never realised the extent of their influence on my life.  These people have not always been high ranking martial arts masters, they have often been normal people who in some way offer me a view to the person I aspire to be. That is their long lasting gift to me and the beauty of inspiration.  You never know what affect you have on the people who your life touches.  It is simply a ripple effect.  That is one of the reasons why I love teaching and training in martial arts.  Taking part in something that allows me the opportunity to be inspired on a regular basis...  
Sounds great, I am convinced, where do I sign up....

I have had a night off from teaching at my centre tonight.  Enforced upon me by lack of childcare rather than something I chose to do.  However, I have been thinking about my first post as I wanted it to be an indication of my own goals and thoughts.  I saw a quote for the first time recently by Mahatma Gandhi.  On the Facebook page of a student of mine of all places. "Be the change you want to see in the world" was the quote.  I have got to admit, I love quotes that get me thinking or really ring true with me.  This one immediately resonated with me in a number of ways.  I recognised it as something I am always striving for within my own life.  As my passion is Martial Arts, I realise how animated I become in conversation with complete strangers when we touch on anything close to this subject as I strive to convince all and sundry about the benefits of engaging in this particular activity.  As I have felt successful and fulfilled from my own training, I cannot help but wish the same for anyone that I meet.  Having now read this, I kind of realise that this is just my own small way of trying to benefit mankind.  My wife has constantly made playful digs at me about my change of pitch but now I kind of feel vindicated.  I am it would seem a natural follower of Gandhi's teachings.  I think I am going to knock on next door now and continue to spread the word....