507 - Training diary: "Throwing hands"
Plus a reader question and an update.
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First an update:
Tonight sees the reopening of men’s training here after a near 2 month hiatus over the summer.
Thematically, I’ll be covering general striking and movement skills, defence, several aspects of sucker punching as well as looking at some specific problems when countering the knife. I’ll post relevant training diary entries here as we go, you’ll find one below.
Other groups restart from next week.
Outside of coaching and writing, the past few months have been very busy with a situation that continues to need attention (thanks for your continued patience and support of this journal) as well as a new collaborative project that is nearing readiness and I’ll announce that here when it’s good to go.
Reader question
I had an email from a young guy who’s new to training which voiced a common concern for some when starting out about how good at fighting are common criminals.
This is impossible to answer in many ways as there cannot be and indeed, must not be an attempt to pigeonhole individuals into a specific type that can somehow be predicted and prepared for so thoroughly that you will appear jedi-like during a confrontation. Even the term “criminal” has little meaning as it encompasses a huge spectrum of people and situations.
If your idea of a threat is a young male and friends who steal your phone, then how disciplined and “highly trained” in fighting do you think that individual would be? Experienced? Yes, perhaps.
All of the dedicated guys that I’ve known through the years in various martial systems (including jujitsu, MMA, BJJ, boxing, kickboxing and more) were focused on excelling and lived their lives accordingly. The type of individuals we are talking about would never have lasted in these environments free from the crutches of handouts and excuse making.
As older guys, we are painfully aware that we must defy the ageing process, train daily and keep in shape to avoid the increasing threat of possible victimisation posed by the predatory behaviour of those many years younger that may well sleep all day and smoke weed all night, and stir only to check a TikTok feed.
Hardly highly trained but despite this, the willingness and indeed, enjoyment to harm are an elevated threat to you if you cross paths.
Each demographic and ultimately, individual has it’s or their own perceived threat or threats.
This is a huge area of study, and as always the answer is to keep studying, keep training in an honest and intelligent way for a destination, that if we are straight with ourselves, can never be truly arrived at.
Safer, yes but never safe.
That being said, some out there are highly trained lethal weapons… lock your door, stay home…
Training diary : "Throwing hands"
Training development / performance notes.
With regard to solo practice of striking for a fight that is visualised as being at