Me Time

This has been a tumultuous year for me. After a good 06 and fantastic 07, my business suffered severe setbacks this year. Coz of that, I've been unable to make it for training consistently.

For those few times that I managed to attend, I really enjoyed the training despite some confusion due to me missing too many classes. It's the one thing I look forward to when I felt down from my business turmoil. Hmmm... perhaps I like to beat people to de-stress, or get beaten in return. Lol...

This is also the year Vince introduced to us many elements of MMA (kicks, clinches, takedowns, grappling, submissions, ground & pound etc). I absorbed some techniques (eg. passing the guard MMA style, basic clinch) like a sponge and yet failed to register some seemingly easy techniques (sprawl, basic low kicks, throws from clinch, breaking the half guard into submission etc).

There are times I contemplated stopping for good. I gave myself many reasons not to continue something I've been doing since the last 7 years. I told myself I'm too old for this shit, too clumsy and slow, this is not a priority in my life, my business is in a mess, I got a growing daughter to take care etc etc. I even said to myself that grown men mutually bashing one another for an hour is not healthy for my spiritual development and bearings. I got so demotivated that sometimes I just let time pass beyond 8pm to gave myself an excuse to skip training.

It has gotten to a point where I told myself I'll sign up a fitness center because I can workout anytime I like and to find something more "suitable" for my age, like Tai Chi, Chi Gung or Aikido, the latter being more appealing to me having so many friends into it. But I did not act on any of these. I'm still busy with work.

Then on Wed night, the guys asked me if I'll be more free now that I've released my company and will be going back to a regular working life. They asked me come to open mats on Sat. I was reluctant to answer because I knew there are many other things to do on Sat even if I don't work. My coach and old buddy Vince looked me in the eyes and said candidly, "Hey, look at it as some ME time... ME... get it?"

All of sudden, a realisation came to me. Why have I been so edgy this year, it's because I was derived of ME TIME. The Crazy Monkey Defense Program in KDTA has always been my favourite pastime. I have been neglecting my "hobby" for too long, hence no proper R&R. Of course there are other martial arts or sports I can do but this is me, full contact combat sports has always been my cup of tea. And the camaraderie in the gym is awesome, call it Brotherhood of Gloves. ;)

Guess I'll keep on this road till my tyres are punctured or worn out.

Throwing proper body hooks

I had few nicknames that the guys gave me in Facebook. One of them is Uncle Choy Lay Futt. I guessed this had to do with the way I sparred. Although I can no longer be considered a newbie in boxing, I still do few common no-nos like dropping my hands (see the pic in previous entry) and throwing those telegraphic long winded haymakers like a gorilla swinging his arms wildly.

Although my last entry detailed out the steps I need to do to correct these mistakes, it wasn't until I observed Mike sparring recently that I realised the beauty of proper boxing moves. Mike just rushed in and threw textbook body hooks that were not only beautiful to watch, but also painfully effective.

His body hooks were simply by the book: bend the knees, keep the hands close to body, rotate the elbow and hip 90 degree and use the legs to drive the shots. Read this entry for more details.

The only advantage he probably had is his height where he doesn't need to level change much when throwing those body hooks. I imagine any tall guy would have real troubles from his body shots. Way to go buddy!

Boxing - back to basics

Just broke my own record. Not fights won or lost, but attendance record! I managed to train twice a week since, err... this year. ;D

This week we sparred one pair at a time while the others observed. Everyone will then comment on their performance. This is really helpful for us to reflect on our strengths, and to correct our mistakes.

Although I wasn't aware of it during sparring, it appears that I dropped my hands too much (see pic above), esp when delivering body shots and was slowed to pull my hands back when doing straight shots. Everytime I dropped my hands to do body shots or even hooks, I got decked in the face. I felt like a sitting duck in an open field.

Some comments were:

1. I need to pull my hand back faster. Earlier I was worried about my control when I jab and pull fast I might hit too hard. Then Vince suggested I pull back fast but keep an open hand instead of a clench fist. This worked rather well for me tonight.

2. Remember TES - Tight Economical Structure. Hunchback, hands up, diving board punches and circle off.

3. Stick to boxing basics: level change when throwing body shots, bend the knees, keep the hands close to body, rotate the hips and use the legs to drive up the shots.

4. I need to do more pad works and focus mitts. Argh, how to spare time for this lar?

Thanks guys for the feedbacks.

My first MMA sparring

I finally got a taste of the what MMA sparring is like on Wed. And it was nothing like what I imagined it would be!

After another class featuring more takedowns from the clinch, we move on to some light sparring covering standup, clinch and ground aka MMA. I've done sparring before during my Karate days and Boxing lessons but none in a proper MMA format.

Things I learned from my first MMA sparring:

1. You can tire easily especially when you clinch or grapple too much. OK I admit, I'm as fit as pig trying to do horse jumping.

2. Be careful when kicking because it compromise your balance. Don't let your opponent trap or catch your leg. Anderson Silva vs James Irvin comes to mind.

3. Keep the defense tight. Do not neglect defense in favour of an offensive game. Do not engage openly if you are exhausted. Slither away to catch your breath. I failed to learn this the umpteenth time and guess I need some hard knocks to be reminded of this.

4. Setup for kicks or takedowns. Do not blindly rush in or you'll eat many nasty shots.

5. It's real hard to defend strikes when you are in the bottom. See my post on Ground and Pound.

6. Focus on my strengths and do not try too many things at once. This is probably more applicable in a real match because it's only through sparring you can discover what works best for you. So it's ok to try out whatever you've learned. Sparring is also the best way to discover one's strengths and weaknesses.

7. Despite learning maybe 4-5 throws/takedowns from the clinch, I didn't get to make it work during sparring. Guess I just need to put in more mat time.

Looking forward to the next sparring sessions.

The Whizzer of Octagon

I gotta admit I know very little about takedowns. I preferred standup striking to takedown or grappling, except for the clinch or Muay Thai neck tie.

Things have gotten to be very interesting this year. With focus sessions and integration of MMA techniques into our Crazy Monkey boxing structure has ignited my interest in a whole different way. I missed pure boxing, and BJJ rolling too. Too bad we have limited time to feed our infinite interest.

One of the most interesting technique I've learned is the whizzer, or some called it overhooking the arm. This common MMA technique has multiple use: from defending a single leg takedown to controlling your opponent or taking him down.

As demonstrated above by one of my favorite MMA instructor, Mark Hatmaker, the whizzer is a must have tool in any MMA fighter arsenal. Because of my hectic schedule, I still haven't got the opportunity to put this to a test. Will write more as soon as I get the chance to try this in sparring. Felt kinda awkward having learned so many MMA techniques recently. I'm worried I'll be slowed down by the increase of techniques in my fighting toolbox - too many to choose from. Hope more mat time will disprove this.

Single Leg Takedown

Learned my first "proper" takedown early this month: the common single leg takedown.

Bert was the instructor that night and I must say his coaching skills have improved tremendously ever since he signed on to become a Trainer-in-Training of the Crazy Monkey Defense Program. There are occasions where I felt I enjoyed his class more than Vince. Hope I won't get my ass kick by Vince for saying this. ;D

Now onto the single leg takedown:

1. You must first set it up, normally with some strikes (eg. a fast jab-cross).

2. Level change to the opponent's hips and grab his lead leg using gorilla grip (no interlocking the fingers). Grab it tight and lift up his leg.

3. Rise up and place your head on his chest as if listening to his heart. This will make it difficult for him to sprawl or guillotine your head.

4. Push him forward to bring him down or swing him around by moving your lead leg to the rear.

5. Follow up with side control, mount, knee ride or anything you prefer.

Another variation below where you see the instructor did not grip his hands together but rather place one hand behind the opponent's knee and the other on his ankle. He did not rise, he just drive forward and pull the ankle up to bring the opponent down.

My understanding is single leg takedown has a higher percentage of working compare to the double leg takedown, and it's a widely used technique in many MMA fights. Looking forward to practice it in this month sparring.

Crazy Monkey drills as introduction to MMA

Lately the Crazy Monkey Defense Program here in KDT Academy has been incorporating many drills covering more than boxing: punch-kick combos, takedown defense, sprawl, escape from sprawl and recover to standup.

I found these drills to be great introduction to MMA techniques and I realised what I thought I knew (from BJJ, Boxing and watching too much UFC) were quite different when tried, bringing the old adage to mind: it's easier to say than to do. For me, it's ten times of that coz my cardio is crap (isn't it always) and I haven't been training regularly this year.

Perhaps it's better if we spend more time drilling on a single aspect of MMA, eg. sprawl to recover and sprawl escape instead of doing the whole standup, clinch and ground within an hour. Nevertheless, these drills brought to life what I imagine MMA training to be: functional, complete and thoroughly enjoyable. Can't wait for us to try all these techniques out when we spar. For my buddies who have done it while I was away: save some fun for me ya. ;)

PS. For those who are wondering, I'm the clumsy dude in the white shirt.

Parrying and Counterpunching

Picked up something interesting from Bert. When I sparred with him, he surprised me when he parried my jab downward instead of employing our standard CMD (Crazy Monkey Defense using the forearms).

I then copied his method and used it successfully against few guys later. I threw a quick counterpunch everytime I parried away my opponent's punches. When my counterpunch connects, it stumped my opponent's momentarily so this is best time to unload combos, and kicks if he's backing up. I've to be mindful of parrying it just straight downward without lowering my hands too much, or it will compromise my defense and ability to counterpunch. I suspect that parrying & counterpunching works better using the lead hand than the rear hand since the lead hand is nearer to the opponent.

Works great when mixing it up with basic CMD. Neat repetoire to add in my arsenal. Will experiment with using parrying to secure the clinch, overhook and underhook. And also to add more offenses (hook, cross and uppercut) after the parry.

Sparring - defense or offense first

After a long absense, I attended my first class in Jan 9, 2008. I've gained 5 kg, became slower, and forgot my few favorite combos. Despite the long holidays, Vince ran the first class like a regular one, with drills and 5 rounds of free sparring (which seems like 5 years) at the end of the class.

I realised a few things from this first lesson of the year:

1. Basics first - hunchback, tuck in chin, look in front, hands up, push off from the rear leg.

2. Maintain posture, look in front when doing the modified duck or bop and weave. Never look down, or I'll eat uppercuts and knees.

3. Remain calm, find openings, and use angles.

The last part is kinda dodgy because I think I was too eager to "win" that I neglected my defense in the pursuit of strikes that connect. There were many occasions I felt like a sitting duck with gaps all over that my opponents can easily take advantage of. And I ate some nasty shots when I stand still to slug it out, zero footwork. I guess it boils down to one thing: must improve my mental game, ie. Defense First. Yes, I did use the clinch successfully but in the process of gaining the clinch, I saw so many lapses in my defense that even a 10 year old can KO me given the chance.

From now on, I'm just going to go slow even if I got hammered, and slowly work on my defensive skills first.

Note to self: must discover how the mental game and defensive approach fits in different types of fighting styles: eg. jabber, counter puncher, slugger, southpaw and etc.

Proper MMA punching techniques

Vince told me I'm still telegraphing my punches too much. So I gotta to practice more shadow boxing.

Few points to note when sparring:

1. Keep your chin down and mantain a general vision at opponent's chest. Punch from your forehead, elbows pointing down.

2. Visualize your opponent in the mirror. Your mirror image becomes your "opponent", aim for your opponent's chin when punching. Visualize making contact with the knuckles of the index and middle fingers.

3. There should be 95% extension of your arms with the straight punches. Remember to tuck your chin in under your arms when firing straight punches - diving board punching.

4. Retract your punches back to your forehead fast.

5. Do not telegraph your punches. Never allow elbows to go behind your body, particularly with uppercuts. KEEP ELBOWS IN FRONT OF BODY ALWAYS.

6. Always keep your lead foot pointing toward your opponent and rear foot visible in mirror (when shadow boxing) - square on to him.

7. Never bring the feet together when punching, don't cross your legs. Rear leg on your heel, ready to push off when firing jabs or combos.

Now if only I can find some time to practice shadow boxing, been so busy with work lately. :(