Lock On: Joint Locking Essentials review

This is the first review for my new Lock On dvds:

This is truly a awesome DVD. Master Alain Burrese teaches the very basic concepts and techniques and then moves on to greater stuff. As a person who has trained in close cousin Martial Art, [Aikido,] this DVD really helped me and my teaching. I making these DVD's [Vol 1 and Vol 2] required for my Black Belts and some of the lower ranks also. Every one can gain something from this great set of DVD's. If you grapple, punch or throw this is for you, he covers a lot in a small space. Worth every dime Check them out !!

Toma the old one
4th Dan Birankai North America Aikido [Daiwa Aikido]
Burbank CA

Practice the Basics

Regardless of the martial art you choose to study, you must remember to practice the basics. In Hapkido, we have a lot of techniques, from very easy basic techniques to more complicated techniques that would be more difficult to actually use in a self-defense situation without a lot of practice and proficiency with them. Because of this, sometimes people have a tendency to practice more on the difficult techniques and neglect practicing the basics or easy ones.

Just because these techniques are easy to learn does not mean you don't need to practice them!

Repetitive practice, in a realistic mode, such as going all out on a heavy bag, is crucial to ingraining these basics so you can use them under the high stress of a physical attack. So continue to grow as a martial artist by learning new techniques, strategies and so forth, but do not neglect the basics. For defending yourself, a solid core of basic techniques, that you have practiced over and over, will be the ones that help you survive.

Yours in Training,
Alain

Take It To Them Before They Take It To You

One of the books I'm reading right now is a great little book called The Warrior's Mantra by Rodger Ruge. In it, he talks about the concept of reacting instantly and taking the fight to your opponent before they take it to you. This is part of that chapter:

"Most administrators, long removed from the field, have forgotten how dangerous certain people and events can be. Most can acknowledge intellectually the challenges that a warrior faces, but that is where their depth of understanding seems to end. Their concerns are often more focused on pleasing their constituents and the public than on the safety of their front line personnel.

Many in the command structure have a difficult time relating to the honed skills that a warrior needs to perceive, react, and survive a threat. Often, they no longer understand warrior tactics, and in this kinder, gentler society, the thought of attacking your opponents before they can strike is seen as being too aggressive or too violent. However, when properly applied, taking the fight to your opponent before they attack is an essential edge to surviving a violent encounter. Waiting until someone decides to attack you is giving a huge advantage to your opponent and will reduce your chances of survival significantly. That is simply unacceptable."

I agree with Ruge 100%. This last sentence of this same chapter is advice you should pay attention to. Ruge hits the mark with, "Whatever you decide to do, don't wait for the attack to come to you. Take the attack to him when you are legally and morally justified."

You must be legally and morally justified, that is a key here. But when you are, never wait for an opponent to hurt you, or try to hurt you, if you can stop it first.

Stay Safe,

Alain