With that in mind we can then relate to the fact that  drills are somehow the equivalent of a map and fighting is the territory. We all know that mere accumulation of drills it is not the right path to follow in the task of mastering the Arts and if you have a good Instructor this is a great piece of advice you have probably heard many times by now, but unfortunately though this is not something you can grasp straight away, it can only happen after going through a thorough process of trial and error.

It usually happens when you start to experiment the techniques you learn in sparring. You will then start to see what works for you and what doesn’t. Given the right amount of time you will start to realize that “none” of the combinations you learn will “ever” go through exactly in “that” specific order and the more you try to force it the less it works. You will then have doubts and confusion will rise. No need to panic it’s only normal.

The thing is that the “sequence” of your combination, is rather dictated by your opponent dynamics than the combination itself. Is what your opponent does that will determine your action/reaction. You have to “feel” it. Practicing drills will allow you to do endless repetitions until each move becomes part of your muscle memory response. But a drill is no more than a dead pattern if you try to force it during a sparring scenario or even worse in a fight.

You should never get too attached to drills or you will miss the all point of having one in the first place. I know it sounds confusing (even writing about it is not very easy), but that’s how it works. Is just how Bruce Lee used to put it – “Don’t look at the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory “– the finger being the drill in this case.

So what is the key to learning then?

Simple; “concentrate on the unit”. Yes that’s it. You have to master every single move individually. Only then you can put them together properly.

Unfortunately there is a really bad trend in Martial Arts today where “drills” get taught before anything else.

This is a little bit like cooking really, if you know a recipe that means you know all the ingredients, you also know the right amount of each single ones, the time of cooking, how often you might want to be staring the dish and so on.

But if you want to learn how to cook it, you don’t start from a ready cooked meal. You have to cook it from scratch. Learning the arts from drills accumulation would be equivalent of trying learning the recipe by “UN – cooking the meal.

It won’t taste very good.

Until the next time

Train Hard & Hit even harder

Antonio Faedda

The two days seminar will be held at the Salim Badat Mixed Martial Arts Academy.

I will be introducing the beautiful and devastating NUDDA Filipino Boxing principles as well as the blade based art of Kaliradman for the first time in South Africa.

Day one:

NUDDA guard principles.

Zoning and Footwork

Limbs destruction

Body manipulations

Pad work applications

Day two:

Kaliradman

Warm up drills

Laban (fight stance) principles

Footwork – zoning

Sparring applications drills

For more information and to sign up for the seminar please contact Salim Abat

E-mail - salimbjkd@gmail.com

Web site - http://www.jkdsouthafrica.co.za

Over the two days we will be covering all the relevant areas of the NUDDA Filipino Boxing principles and the blade Art of Kaliradman. During the course we will be working on building the necessary Skills in our Expression in the Arts and on the understanding of its principles.

Teaching is an Art on its own, and it requires practice just as the more physical part of the training. Therefore, although the course will be very physical we will also focus on building your confidence on passing on the torch of your knowledge.

The NUDDA Instructor course is open to all those who having acquired a high standard of skill in other Arts are looking to expand their knowledge and look into bringing into their existing schools a truly unique new curriculum.

All participants will receive a certificate of attendance; but please note that this course will not automatically grant you the licence to teach NUDDA.

By joining us in this two days of training will give you the chance to get involved in our group. Once the relationship will be established on a personal level we will be able to discuss the best way to get you started in the NUDDA instructor ranking program.

The Instructor Course is mandatory for all qualified NUDDA Instructors.

For more information please email info@nudda.com giving a brief of your Martial Arts background and the reasons why you would like to get involved in NUDDA M.A.X.TRAINING^TM.

Looking forward to meeting you all

Antonio Faedda – Founder of NUDDA M.A.X.TRAINING^TM

]]> http://nudda.com/2012/04/26/nudda-instructor-course-september-2012/feed/ 0 http://nudda.com/2012/04/16/on-trapping/ http://nudda.com/2012/04/16/on-trapping/#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:45:32 +0000 admin http://nudda.com/?p=911 This is a very delicate topic, as I have to admit that energy and flow drills are one of my favourite areas of training, so I will try not to be bias.

There are many views and different opinions about its efficiency and many do wonder if training in “trapping” would add any value to their Journey in the Arts or whether is only a waste of time . Many people are skeptical and I don’t blame them. The main argument is that anything you don’t see happening in a cage or ring can’t be proven to work. Other people believes that trapping should be only trained because it’s fun, and finally other might state that it gives them a lot in terms of reaction skills and “hands eye” coordination.

I think all the above statements are true. Including the fact that is never been proven to work in the cage. That is true. Wouldn’t that be great? Oh yes it would. Could it ever happen? Maybe it will.

What people needs to address is the fact that if you are into MMA it’ll be hard to find “coaches” that can bring the “energy and flow” elements into the training routine. Some people might laugh at this but this is no laughing Matter. “Trapping” can indeed make a huge difference and considerably enhance your skills if learned and trained appropriately but you got to spend time on it and fighters don’t have that luxury, so they think anyways.

As for those who claim that trapping is simply “fun” and good for “hands eye” coordination, I think their view is just as limited.

So what is “Trapping”? In two simple words: “a science”.

There are very few people that can truly teach trapping without falling into simply showing off some useless drills that are only good to please the “untrained” eye. That is not what trapping is. Trapping is about understanding “Energies”.

With a thorough investigation and diligent training in the “energy and flow” field you will learn how to feel “the magic moment”. This is hard to explain in words as it’s a very subtle physical experience we are talking about here , but what we should try to learn is to recreate the same feel you get when you are about to fall – you either follow that fall and land graciously or you hit the ground hard.

Imagine you are trying to split in two parts a broom stick by placing its extremities one on the wall and the other one over the floor with your foot pushing in the middle. That “breaking point” feel is what you are trying to learn to recognize.

In a fight, there is always an “in between” element where we are “both going at it”. Meaning we are both punching each other trying to land a good shot; and it’s during that transition that the “Trapping” science comes into place.

We always talk about ranges. Largo (long) Medio (Middle) Corto (closed) range. The late Edgar Sulite came up with the LAMECO name for his expression of FMA, which I thought was the work of a genius in the process.

It’s in between those ranges is where you will find the new frontier of MA training, the subtle science of “energy and flow” drills. In FMA it’s usually referred as “Hubud – Lubud” (literally “To Tie and Untie”) but it’s not by learning as many Hubud patterns as possible that you will find “that magic moment” I am trying to describe.

It’s the principle behind the trapping science that matters the most. It’s about moving in a state of continuous “flow” without hesitation until you reach the point of no return… and when you get there “that very same point” will become the new beginning for the next destination.

It never ends. But that is not a good reason to stop or to not even start the journey all together.

If you are looking to take your training to the next level look into the “science “of Trapping.

Just make sure you get someone worth spending your time and money with or you might as well no bother.

Until the next time

Train hard and hit even harder

Antonio Faedda

Only a few years back any martial artist that went through a rigorous period of training could have managed to handle himself well against a typical pub brawler, regardless their MA background. Most times anyways.

Times have changed dramatically as Martial Arts have become a lot more appealing to a wider public (including brawlers) because of the MMA phenomenon. So these days is not uncommon to find a brawler well-trained  in MMA.

So what does a brawler see in MMA that couldn’t find in the past? Brawlers are not exactly clever individuals (otherwise they wouldn’t be brawlers) so what they see is simply that MMA is great for learning how to beat people up. So they are all going to learn that now. Some of them might become better people in the process, but let’s be honest is not what they are there for in the first place.

It used to be like this for Boxing. The Boxing lodges and the noble art have always been full of “not so noble” characters. But the reality is that Boxing requires A LOT more diligent practice and effort than MMA. It doesn’t matter how tough you are. In a Boxing ring you either “Box” or you get BADLY hurt.

What I am saying here is simple. If I take your legs away and your clinches or take downs and anything else you would use “INSTINCTIVELY” in a “brawl “and I leave you there “BOXING” (NOT fighting) in a ring, you better know what you are doing. Also “brawlers” didn’t cope too well with the commitment required in Boxing and the majority would eventually leave. After learning how to trough a few good punches in the process maybe.

I am pretty sure it would be the same if they went to try a “Muay Thai” or Wrestling school. These are extremely effective arts, but just as Boxing they require time to master the skills to a good degree of execution.

MMA is different; within a matter of days you’ll be punching and kicking and throwing and all that, and guess what? It just feels so natural. At the end of the day is the only sport that can immediately bring you close to being in a brawl. So it’s not going to be completely unknown territory for a “brawler”is it?  And if he’s tough and aggressive enough, he can (with a bit of luck) even impose himself over a more experienced , technical and gifted fighter. He might not WIN on the scoring cards, but he can give them trouble. Sure fact.

Am I talking about a perfect “nobody” against a top ranked fighter such as GSP? No of course not. I am talking about that “nobody” against a seasoned regular student in an MMA Gym even with a few bouts on his belt. So MMA is almost technical brawling isn’t it? Yes we could say that. Would it work in the street where there are NO RULES?

We don’t question the validity of what Boxing or Muay Thai OR Wrestling could bring to the table when it comes to effective self-defense. And if you have a good standard in all of those areas you will surely be able to look after your self. So we don’t go around wondering if MMA would work in the street. Anyone that does that is a fool.

And now I can almost hear someone “saying”, there are too many rules and limitations in the cage – “If I was in a real fight I would do this and I would do that (eye gouging – testicles strikes – pressure points – the death touch – la “Mano di Travertino”. You name it.

Oh I forgot biting, that is a big one. They even sell instructional videos on biting. Brilliant. Yeah I know, sure you would.

Let’s get back to reality now. MMA has that appeal of unquestionable “effectiveness” that Martial Arts never before managed to achieve by itself before being codified into the perfect “blend” for combat. And brawlers (as well as the rest of us normal people) are buying into it. I have. So should you.

Being the simple people they are, “brawlers” just want to fight and I don’t blame them.  I still read many forums and articles concerning a realistic approach to “street defence”. They of course stress the fact that in the street there are no rules (see above paragraph) and they all seem to be big and have many angles and different visions about “the right frame of mind” or “Killer Instinct” to adopt in a fight.

I am sorry but that is not something you can learn or teach. Trying to get people to dip into their darker side is a bad idea. Is brain washing and is bad news. Especially because these are guys that will be out there “thinking” they are tough. They are not. You don’t want to mess around with the wrong people. They don’t have ANYTHING to loose and they will gladly take you in their fucked places where their brain lives any day of the week JUST FOR FUN. People with a normal upbringing shouldn’t look into that. Your mum and dad have worked so hard to get you into a civilized world and give you education and the prospect of a bright future. Hold to those values tight that’s my advice.

Only life can make you tough. And if you are leaving a “not tough life” you should feel blessed. You are one of the lucky ones.

But the good news is that; regardless your upbringings you can still learn how to fight. That is something you can learn without the need to be “tough”. So in that respect, keep it simple just as a “brawler”does. Just go there and learn how to fight because is what you need/want to do. Fighting can be taught. Toughness’ : “forget about it”.

In regards of what art you should learn, of course I would say learn NUDDA – but if you are not lucky enough to find us anywhere near the comforts of your own town, then look into something that will give you results pretty soon if fighting is what you want to learn.

I am sorry to disappoint many here but if you don’t have a solid core of “Boxing” – “Muay Thai” and “Grappling” you simply don’t stand any chances against anyone that has got it.  Unless of course, you want to fool yourself and keep play the “Grass hopper” with Mr Miagi.

You see this is actually quite simple. You don’t say Boxing is shit: you say: “he’s shit at Boxing”.

You just don’t question the effectiveness of Boxing (Muay Thai or Wrestling for that matter). You might question the person skills in the Art but not the Art itself. So yes there are Arts that are superiors to others simply because they work ALL the time. Even against different Arts. All you need is to get decent at it.

But there are Arts that don’t work against other Arts. They only work against themselves. That is like trying to catch up with your mirror image: a waste of time if you ask me.

HOWEVER if you bring a solid core of MMA skills into the ART you practice, then you will see that Art flourishing and you will become better at it. Why? Well that is simply because you will analyse things from a brawler point of view and you will start to keep things a lot more into prospective. That is without having to get as stupid as the brawler is.

I teach sometimes MMA “practitioners” looking for new ideas that they can use in the cage. It is really refreshing training with them as they look trough things without ever “over analyzing”.

The principles in NUDDA are all FMA based. But you got to make those principles work when it matters. If you can then you know you are on the right track.

Some people ask me sometimes “why don’t you teach JKD” Antonio? (As a matter of fact I am a well-qualified JKD Instructor)- Which I reply – “JKD as a principle is bound to eternity. But I still don’t think Bruce would be training or teaching the same way he used to 40 years ago. That stuff is simply out of date. So I had to let go. And it feels so good”. But again this will be another Blog.

I simply can’t be doing or teaching what I have learned over 15years ago. Much has changed over the last 15 years and I truly feel like I have evolved as a martial artist and as a person. I have been constantly “outgrowing my trousers” and that is how it should be. If you feel comfortable in the same clothes for too long is because you are refusing to “grow”. It’s a choice.

But that brawler has also made his choice. To beat anyone up in style with his new acquired MMA skills. And if you are into FMA and you are now telling me that you would show him your blade because you ALWAYS carry a knife , than you are just as screwed up as that brawler is and I hope someday you will face justice and get introduced to a fine mental hospital.

Embrace the evolution of combat and it will add up value to any other Art you might be training.

I still concentrate and mostly train FMA (both weaponry and empty hands) and Silat but I don’t let them define my training. Neither had I let MMA do that.

Bring a healthy balance of both into your table, and it will feel just as a good balanced diet. You will feel complete.

Just remember: It has to work. No Ifs No Buts.

Until the next time

Train hard and hit even harder

Antonio Faedda

Antonio is and inspiring coach with a wealth of knowledge and experience which is applied in this awesome reality based combat system. This is NOT to be missed!

In this seminar we will focus on the application of the NUDDA  Filipino Boxing principles to different street related scenarios.

The price of £40.00 per person.

Contact : Roger Hunt on 07736-549-591 for further details.

There are different opinions about the right frame of mind to adopt when we are going to decide that it is time for us to become “students” again. Some people advocate that is best to approach things like a three years old kid as at that age, we don’t have any pre conceptions over things and we just absorb anything new in its entirety without worrying with the “right or wrongs”.

I believe as an Instructor I am certainly happier and more willing to give to those that approach me with this sort attitude. It is a lot easier to teach anyone that has “an empty cup” and it’s also a lot more fun. This is I believe, because by doing that we become “that three years old kid” and with kids at that age everything is a game. Apparently we learn at our best when we are relaxed and in a more joyous state. I can sympathize with that completely.

Possibly the most inspiring figure of all and the most influential into my own approach towards training in the Arts was also the biggest big headed person I have ever met in my life. He had SO much to give in terms of insights (not to mention valuable material) and understanding, yet: he was so uptight and abrupt that left me wondering “where is the fun gone”? My inner three years old boy died within hours from the moment I started training with the guy. So I was brought back to adult hood.

So here I was training with this guy, loving his stuff and at the same time wondering what made him evolve so much into such a sad individual, in the process of becoming the most talented Martial Arts Instructor I ever met. So I started NOT liking him (I don’t necessarily think he liked me either and that’s only life) and I started to “question” the validity of his teaching. The first problem was that I was coming from a different school and obviously that can cause problems at the beginning of a new adventure because of the “that’s what my teacher told me” paradigm.

But in all honesty, I didn’t have a problem with learning “his” stuff from scratch (the reason I was there was that I saw an exhibition of one of his senior representative and I was completely blown away by the performance).

I don’t easily get impressed with Martial Artists or “systems”, but this really was a world apart from anything I ever witnessed before, so I wanted in. So I called the guy and said, I would like to learn and cutting long story short I took a bank loan and went training to his school for almost three weeks. I used to sleep in his gym floor to save money and be able to afford private tuition’s as well as the regular classes on a daily base.

It definitely wasn’t me that had an issue with learning something “new”. But he did have a MAJOR issue with the schooling I had up until that point in the Arts.  The current question he used to ask was: “Is that going to work?” Obviously my answer was: “Yes of course, if you train diligently anything can work”. That really got him I think. After a week or soI kind of got his son to like me so over time he did soften up a little bit up until one night he invited me to have dinner in his house. We had food (Filipino) and we started to drink beer so we got a little drunk.

In the heat of the conversation he then said to me: “Antonio if you really want to learn from me you will have to let go of your past in the Arts, because none of it makes sense in the real world”. Is very simple he said, “You’ll never be able to disarm a knife or any kind of blade with your bear hands – so you should stop working and focusing in stuff that would never work”. Me being a bit tipsy and feeling a little bit more at ease with the guy made me feel more comfortable and I said something on the line of: “I still believe if you are good you could pull it off” – BAD MOVE – I still can see his eyes expression changing in a blink of an eye, the guy was an ex-Army man and killed people for real, he wasn’t having any of it.

So he reached a kitchen knife – a pretty big one (bigger blades are easier to disarm as any expert can confirm) and shouted:

“So why don’t you take this off my hands then Antonio???!!!” I crapped myself. For a split second I actually thought I would take on the challenge (that was the beer wasn’t it?). I then decided to seat still and never say a word until he would calm down.

Luckily he did and today I can write this story. I still wonder whether he would have hesitated to actually stab me If I ever tried to attempt a “disarm “on him. You see – I didn’t have an issue with learning his stuff from scratch…yet…I wasn’t willing to let go of the past and empty my cup. Suddenly I realized he was right. But that wasn’t enough. The Day after there was a sparring match with rattan sticks and “no protections” waiting for me. It wasn’t planned. I actually challenged one of his students to “a play”. I nearly lost an eye. I still watch the video sometimes (I tape everything I do in training any time I can). Looking back I looked like a penguin trying to take on a cheetah in the Savannah. He owned my ass. No If’s No Buts.

I had two choices. I could have stayed in my comfort zone and leave. Pretend nothing happened and go back to play FMA the way I used to, or swallow my pride and stay. I stayed. Only problem was…The guy still didn’t like me and vice versa. I made friend with all his students but that wasn’t enough. I could sense I wasn’t welcome there. But I stayed and decided to learn as much as I could from the guy. We’ve been in touch for about three years after that. I got some more out of him and he got some more money in exchange (he milked me profusely but can’t complain his stuff was awesome) and then decided to leave it. Is never good to do business with people you don’t like, and no matter how much is true that is “the student that chooses his teacher”, you can’t force anyone to teach you if they don’t want to.

So what was the biggest lesson I learned from this mysterious man? Apart from an amazing and truly unique FMA system and some of the finest Muay Boran training you can ever find in the world? Oh I think I learned quite a few other things:

• DO become a three years old kid when you decide to learn again.
• If anything you learn don’t have at least an 85/90% success ration within six month of dedicated training you better leave it.

• I will never behave or treat anyone the way I was treated. It is just not nice to make anyone feel unwelcomed or mistreated like that. If you ever start teaching anyone and you don’t seem to get along with him, just say it.

• Be honest and speak the truth when you make a point to a student but don’t try to force anything. Some people simply need time to grasp new concepts and idea.

• Whatever you learn makes it your own but be aware that it will take some time to master it.

• Always ask yourself the magic question – “Is that going to work?”

Until the next time

Train hard and hit even harder

Antonio Faedda

Most people coming from other MA backgrounds are more focused on an empty hands approach as most situations would be dealt with by “their fists”.

I am not entirely sure that would always be the case as the tendency of carrying knifes (if not guns) and other weapons is actually on the increase, and focusing only on an empty hands scenario could be quite a limiting approach to training. I must confess I was one of those guys “who wasn’t interested”. I wanted to learn how to smash people faces with my bear hands: after all that’s what happens when you fight out there right?

Maybe that’s how it used to be. Today it’s a different story all together. It is scary to know that a huge percentage of kids are carrying knives these days. Apparently it’s because is not safe to go out without it as everybody else is carrying one.

Facing an attacker with a blade in his hands is not an easy task. And this is a very delicate matter and it should be taken VERY seriously. The first thing you should know and ALWAYS remember is that a knife will stab, cut or slash any time you will make contact with it and before you start thinking of attempting a disarm with your bear hands always try to look for an equalizer ( of course a way out it’s always your best bet ).

Where ever you look around is full of objects that can be turned into a weapon. With a bit of imagination we can turn anything: from a bottle to a tea spoon, a pen or pencil even an umbrella or walking stick into a fine counter weapon. If you are used to train with weapons and have a “weapon based mentality” these should become second nature to you, however if you never train with weapons and never deal with that particular scenario even in training then it would be hard to deal with such a scenario if you were unlucky enough to find yourself in that particular situation.

Now here’s the catch. Just because you play with knives and sticks and swords in the safety of your dojo it doesn’t mean that ANY kind of weapon training is as good as the other simply because you are holding one in class. The first thing you must learn is zoning and positioning. That means foot work, lots of it. If you are learning to stand in front of your opponent trading blows for more than a second or two it is already a bad sign.

You must constantly move and get used moving in different spaces and scenarios. That means learning to master a weapon while “moving” and not from a spot.

Another VERY important factor is that you should ALWAYS avoid contact with the weapon, even if you are being attacked with a stick. Bones breaks more easily than you think. When attempting a disarm focus on two things.

Number one – don’t get hit (or stabbed or slashed neither of those is ever good). That simply means, don’t rush into attempting any disarms. And while you are at it look for a way out. Run if you have to. There is no shame on defeat if that means living another day. Remember that anyone that is looking for this sort of trouble is people that have nothing to lose in life. You probably have. Your life (most likely you have one), your family and friends.

Number two – focus on the attacker’s limb. If there is no way out and you have to look into a disarming techniques try not to take the blade into your bear hands (or forearms or any other body part). If you attempt any of those things make sure you know what you are doing because any mistake can be a deadly one. If you have to reach for something reach for their limbs. Try to pull and push and smash and break that harm if you can. Don’t stand still when you do it and be aware of the environment as again; if you can find either an equalizer or a way out you should capitalize on it as soon as the opportunity presents itself.

Some people say that we should train with weapons so that we can improve our empty hands. The weapon training will definitely enhance our body mechanics and vastly improve certain attributes in terms of reaction and coordination skills, but I personally think that weapon training and empty hands training have to be analysed and treated differently.

In Filipino Boxing usually there is a tight link in the way we apply angles of punching and limb destructions based on the use of the knife. But this is purely an exercise that is meant to develop creativity AFTER you have gained a set of solid skills. The BASICS as we often refer to them.

Treat a weapon for what it is. And train in the arts of weaponry bearing in mind what a weapon does. It kills.

Until the next time

Train hard and hit even harder

Antonio Faedda

Having covered the basic needs to survival such as food shelter and good health, we are now creating a society that is growing wicker than ever. Depression and unhappiness seems to be at the highest rates in the western and more “evolved” part of the world. We lose ourselves over things such as weight problems and not wearing the right clothes or driving the right car.

This is such a shallow vision of life. Yet the Medias every day are bombarding us with news about the financial meltdown afflicting the world. They want us to believe that the way out is to buy more. Buy More cars, buy more clothes, buy more houses borrow more money. This will help the economy recover and we shall all benefit from this. Or is it?

Or is it just so that they can meet their target and get a fat bonus so that the house prices are going to go on the increase again? The funny thing is the Media will tell us that that is “good sign” and that things are on the mend.

There are just so many shoes we will wear during the course of a year and a brand new car can last up to 15/20 years especially if you can dare to walk to do the basic tasks in the neighborhood.

So you might be wondering now: How is this related to Martial Arts? It’s simple just as the whole society is getting confused and is losing focus because of mass marketing; the Martial Arts society is focusing on buying what is been mass marketed as the “ultimate” self defence system that will save your life if ever…etc etc… (We all know that story don’t we?)

But the real question is: why should people train in Martial Arts or any form of combat sport? Surely is because they want to learn how to defend themselves right? I think people originally used to. Just like used to wear shoes for very practical reasons. Now is becoming more fashion. Yes we still need to wear shoes, but when we buy some more shoes is not really because we need a new pair. We simply want to be “fashionable”.

And then there is: “The one week end fast track training from white to black belt/instructor training course”. Which gives you a bunch of secret “eye gouging and groin strikes” techniques that will work “all the times 60% of the times”. So now we have more Instructors than students and they are all self defense “experts”.

Trust me when I say that if you will ever face anyone that is “worth fighting with” it will take A LOT MORE than a “secret move” to solve the problem. People don’t go down as easily as most people think. Some people dies and realize they are dead the day after they have been cracked their skulls open into the pavement of a dark street.

If you are looking for a short cut in a fight I am sorry but you are on a losing track.

Martial Arts today its a business. And it should be treated like one. And It’s only fair that we should charge people money in exchange for our knowledge. But there are good and bad businesses.

Focus on good quality teaching and you always have a full class and enough business to keep you going. As well as a little bit of Marketing awareness of course. A healthy balance is what you need.

But it shouldn’t be a matter of “selling” but rather a matter of “giving” and getting money in exchange of your knowledge.

What is the difference you might ask? To me the simple answer to this question is that as long as what you are offering has “real” quality and can give the people you are doing “business” with what they are looking for, than you are genuinely looking after their needs and therefore is good business. As it’s honest .

And that sometimes means shattering people’s dreams and illusions just as you would to a child for their own good. You wouldn’t want your kids to believe in fairy tales as they grow up into fine adults would you?

Often I get approached by many “experienced” M. Artists looking to learn the “secret behind my lighting speed” (It is flattering I have to say). But as much as I would like to have a secret recipe to give them, far too often is simply a lack of basics skills in all areas that is holding them back.

For some this is too hard to swallow. But for the few that gets past the first barrier and obstacle (pride and ego) then an improvement in all areas break loose and with some effort and diligent “guided” training they find themselves “faster and stronger” than ever before.

Some people approaches me saying that they want to learn NUDDA and become qualified Instructors. Well…that is great and flattering of course  however, as a “RESPONSIBLE” teacher and future mentor, I need to make sure they do the right things in the right order.

“Giving” rather than “Selling” simply means that what you give will add value to your students’ performance.

“Giving” rather than “Selling” simply means that what your students get in return for their money will stay with  them forever.

But it needs to be done in stages, at the right phase and you should only move to the next set of skills when the students are truly ready. What is the purpose of teaching trapping if your student can barely throw a good punch or a kick: or if his/her balance is all over the place during the execution of any technique?

Yes I agree there should be a progression within the syllabus. And it is always refreshing knowing that you are learning from someone that can give you access to tons and tons of material (or “ideas” as I like to call them).

Another issue is that there is a tendency of getting defined by the Arts we choose to train, where “in fact” we should define “the Art” within ourselves by finding (in due course) our personal expression of it. But it takes time, effort and investigation.

Fighting is a physical “business”…so I am talking about a “physical investigation” rather than the philosophical and theoretical ones.

We should focus on the very reason why we have chosen to train in Martial Arts. This should be “self-protection”. But it has to work – “No Ifs No Buts”. Getting fitter and leaner and other related benefits should be simply a logical result of training hard. Socializing is also important and having a great crew it’s a must. But we are there to train. Again everything else should simply become a logical consequence of it. It’s harsh I know. Such is life and getting beaten up its even harsher.

So if you want to “Start learning” stop going after “Learning” new material all the times. Work your basics and understand how your body moves. Stop “learning” and you will start to truly “Learn” something.

Until the next time

Train Hard and hit even Harder

Antonio Faedda

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