I’ve written before about my severe criticisms of the concept of ‘give and take’ fighting. Your opponent attacks and then, for whatever reason pauses, and you attack. It’s thought of as a strategy like a chess game with constant, precise attacks and parries till one bests the other. It’s total nonsense. Fights are chaotic messes …
Counter Punching, Probably the Greatest Tool in a Fighter’s Tool Box Read More »
I’ve talked before about some of the strange practices that arts do that fly in the face of physics and one that really intrigues me is the stomping down to gain power forward. I am convinced this came about as a misunderstanding of projecting the body weight forward in a small shuffle, stepping into your …
I find it very strange how the human mind can be so critical and analytical in one area and then completely suspend those functions in another. Carl Sagan, the astrophysicist, once commented that it amazed him how a man could practice sound science all week and then go home on the weekends and promote completely …
Physics versus the Religion of Kung Fu Training. Read More »
Taiji vs MMA, Yes, I saw it, and many folks felt compelled to send it to me with a “…..well what do you think dude?” I suppose this was intended for me to defend it and somehow to identify with the Taiji “Master”. I don’t. I’ve railed against this type of fighting for years. What …
Yes I saw the video and now my continued criticism of ‘closed set’ fighting Read More »
Whenever I have a new student I start the first class with teaching them the ‘secret of martial arts’. I do this because most people think there is some secret knowledge/technique that only a few know and they hide it from others only to divulge it to their best and inner most students. Many masters …
I was approaching the ring on a job recently and ringside was the ex-heavy weight world champ who is now an announcer. He loves to imitate movies trailers so as I approach he starts in his best Don LaFontaine voice says, “ In a world where only one fighter can survive Joe McSorley is about …
Traditional fighting, Beautiful but Perhaps Dangerous for you Read More »
I ended this year with a great night with some of the legends of martial arts, men I truly like and respect. I’ve spent over four decades with this practice and the last three years traveling with the martial arts fights and fifteen years with the boxing crews. I’ve met a lot of great trainers …
New Year’s Eve 2016 from Madison Square Garden NY Read More »
There is a strain in this art, along with others, where the practioner is obsessed with doing the original style as was done only by the founder or as close to it as possible. This somehow legitimizes the artist as being more authentic or genuine and therefore more effective. If what they do is closest …
The ‘Original’ Jook Lum Kung Fu, Accept No Imitations……or Improvements Read More »
I know that I continually return to this topic from different angles but I feel it is necessary.I have heard people use the term ‘defensive art’ ever since I started training over forty years ago. I’ve even used the term in the past to describe Jook Lum. My feelings on this topic have evolved greatly …
One thing I notice more and more as I go through life these days is that people desire to learn things but do not want to have any discomfort in doing so. Whether it’s physical training, learning an instrument or whatever, folks just don’t want to go through any pain in the process. Many people …