Friday, September 05, 2008

TEST DAY!

It is 0400 hrs. and I am preparing for my final exam for the SPEAR course. It has been a great experience, and definitely an enlightening experience with regards to combatives (both coaching and participating). I truly regret not attending the Tony Blauer/Pavel seminar when it occurred. That was a one-shot deal that probably would never happen again. There is a lot of commonality when it comes to their approach to combatives and strength training, specifically the biomechanical and physiological approach that maximizes anyone's potential.

The challenge is given at the course and it is summed up by these two symbols: 1*

One asterisk or spoken a little slower, one ass t' risk. Whose "ass"? Apparently anyone trying to change the status quo in combatives.

BTS explains that Physiology precedes the cognitive EVERY TIME. You tube has a lot of videos showing what people do when they are surprised by an ambush; their hands come up between them and the perceived the threat and pushes away danger. Check out the videos of people playing the scary maze game. It is not age specific, in fact, (although I don't understand why people would allow their small children to knowingly play a frightening game for a laugh)one child playing it (probably age 5-6) shows the perfect display of a physiological and biomechanical response to a sudden threat- his hands come up between him and the threat, protects his command center (head) and pushes away danger (even though it is a video screen) and then his feet move him away from the threat.

If that is what an untrained person does when surprised/ambushed, why not train the physiological and biomechanical response into a combative response as well? It is perfect for anyone wishing to defend themselves, not just LEO/Military. A Blauer trademark is "Be Your Own Bodyguard". What a great mindset!

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Blauer Tactical Systems Maxim

"Don't show your students what you can do; show them what they can do".

This is a pretty deep maxim, especially in the arena of self defense. All you need to do is go onto Youtube and there are plenty of videos of "senseis" performing "one touch" knockouts on their student who is passively standing there. (I can't embed the video but here is an example of crap being taught and money being taken by some unsuspecting person who will actually believe in this garbage.- click on the title)

One thing I am very impressed with by the Blauer instruction team is that they are passionate about SPEAR (Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response), they made it very clear that you must earn your certificate (no "I attended the cert, so I get the shirt" mentality)they use realistic drills based from realistic scenarios using movements really used in a street situation. They also used alot of realtime fight/attack videos and broke down the physiology of the fight. There is no " you attacked me wrong" mentality. In addition, everyone attending the certification came from a variety of law enforcement entities, local, state and federal. Everyone picked up the drills quickly, and received quality attention/instruction from the instructors. I can't recommend this course highly enough.

Monday, September 01, 2008

Q: What is the most important aspect in a fight?

A:"The result."- Tony Blauer

I love these men!



I love the fact that he started when he was 40. It is never too late to start getting physical. I never tire of hearing the Team Hoyt story. I love the drive, the sense of humor, and the tireless positive nature of Dick Hoyt. I can't imagine how many times he has probably told this story, and yet he is happy to tell the story after so many years.