kali
The Eye Jab Is A Great Self-Defense Technique
Many times even seasoned martial arts practitioners are overwhelmed by the variety of self-defense techniques at their disposal.
More often than not the solution to a problem, in our example, self-defense could be much easier than we first think.
And that’s why today I thought it might be a good idea to draw our attention to a self-defense technique that doesn’t even require years of training, if applied correctly in the appropriate situation.
Bruce Lee said it best, when faced with a choice of hitting your opponent in the ribs or poking him in the eyes, you go for the eyes every time.
The technique that I am referrring today is simply known as the eye jab.
You can use this effective technique to “buy time” during a surprise attack and to thwart an attacker.
What’s really cool about the eye jab is that even if you miss the eyes, your attacker will blink and will give you the opportunity to follow up.
Should your jab however connect, meaning touch his eyes, they will immediately water and your attacker’s vision will severely blur.
The rest is up to you.
Especially among Kali and Jeet Kune Do practioners this swatting finger jab is a popular hand technique.
And because one doesn’t require a lot of strength the eye jab is a very practical technique. It does rely on speed, accuracy and timing.
Thus, if you have just halfway decent motor skills, you can do this one, no matter how physically fit you are.
Just make sure you are loose and not stiff during its execution. It’s like swatting a fly.
It’s also very important that your fingers of the jabbing hand are close to one another and slightly bent to avoid injury on the finger joints in case you accidentally hit bone on impact.
You should try to project toward the target without telegraphing it to your attacker.
The actual execution reminds me of a striking cobra.
I found a video clip with the legendary Paul Vunak, who puts it all together with an eye jab, elbow strike and head butt.
The execution is so fast that you might want to watch it a couple of times.
Use the eye jab responsibly and always stay safe!
My Conversation With My Filipino-American Barber – Revisited
Yesterday, while getting my hair cut, my trusted barber also told me about Mr. Philippines.
Even though he couldn’t immediately remember his name, he knew that he was an accomplished bodybuilder and a very skillful FMA practitioner.
So, I simply set out to find some more information on Mr. Philippines, who was considered a National Treasure of the Philippines.
He was Rolando Pintoy Dantes, born June 15, 1944 and unfortunately died way too young on March 16, 2009.
Rolando Dantes was an international action movie star as well as a Filipino martial artist who trained with the legendary Grandmaster Remy Presas for over 30 years.
Furthermore, he trained in Filipino stick fighting with other highly acclaimed masters such as as Cacoy Canete and Edgar Sulite.
As one of the best-known Filipino actors, Rolando Dantes had leading roles in movies including “The Pacific Connection” and “Arnis: The Sticks Of Death.”
Dantes was a bodybuilder who won the “Mr. Philippines” title five times between 1969-1980 and placed in competitions for the titles “Mr. Universe” and “Mr. World”.
R.I.P., Rolando “Mr. Philippines” Dantes.
Greetings! Enjoy The Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
This sure was another exciting week at The MartialArtsReporter.com!
And here it is “The Week In Review”.
I hope you enjoy your Sunday and find the time to take in all the video clips in their entirety.
Celebrating The Life Of Brandon Lee, Who Would Have Turned 45 Today
Get A Great Lower Body Stretching Workout In Only 3 Minutes!
Here’s An Upper Body Stretching Workout In Just 3 Minutes!
Boxing Insights From My Filipino-American Barber
Jeff Imada, The Genius Behind Great Action Movies
We Will Never Forget 9/11 American Hero And Judo Champion, Jeremy Glick
I hope you come back tomorrow for a new post.
Take care. Stay safe.
Jeff Imada, The Genius Behind Great Action Movies
When you talk about movies like Rush Hour, Armageddon, Lethal Weapon 4, The Bourne Ultimatum, Gone In Sixty Seconds, The Last Samurai, The Fight Club, just to mention a few, I am sure the action-filled scenes are the first thing that come to mind.
And when you think about it, some of the most popular movies became box-office successes due to the spectacular stunts and fight scenes displayed on the Big Screen.
Without the stunt and fight professionals, who by the way usually aren’t household names like those of the celebrities on the Red Carpet, many movie productions would never turn out the way they do.
One of these professionals, who deserve more credit for what they do and someone whom I truly admire, is Jeff Imada.
And yes, the movies I listed above were strongly influenced by Jeff Imada. He either did many of the stunts or coordinated them! Man, this guy must have been in hundreds of great movie productions. It’s absolutely mind-boggling!
Beyond Tinseltown, Jeff Imada is highly recognized and revered on the martial arts circuit for his mastery of Jeet Kune Do (JKD) and Filipino Martial Arts (FMA).
Born in 1955 in Southern California, Jeff Imada started studying martial arts at the age of 15. So, let’s see, that would have been 1970.
That makes it already 40 years of solid martial arts training experience and what I haven’t mentioned so far in this post:
Jeff Imada is a master student/protege of the world-famous, Guro Dan Inosanto. Remember him?
Jeff was also a very good friend of Brandon Lee, back in the day. Later on, he was the primary fight choreographer in Brandon Lee’s successful movie, ‘The Crow’.
He has been a stuntman, stunt coordinator and fight choreographer in countless movie productions that have become financial box-office hits, also because of his ingenuity and professionalism.
I was reminded of him just some time ago after I heard about ‘The Book Of Eli’ starring Denzel Washington and Mila Kunis.
In one of the many interviews promoting this movie, Denzel mentioned Dan Inosanto (remember him?) and Jeff Imada in connection with training for the fight scenes.
He’s bringing it, so you better be ready!
Boxing Insights From My Filipino-American Barber
It was really time to get my hair cut. I kept on putting it off because of busyness. Does that ever happen to you, too?
If you have been following this blog during the last couple of months y’all know that I have a favorite barber. Just check the archives on the right.
Let’s just call him “Danny”. He is a naturalized U.S. American and originally from the Philippines. Like all Filipinos I have met so far, he too is just the nicest guy you can entrust your hair-styling needs with.
We always talk about the Philippines and fighting arts such as Arnis, Eskrima, Kali and of course Western boxing. Also because the arguably best boxer of all time is Filipino. Most of you probably know whom I am talking about: Manny Pacquiao (did I spell that right?).
Alright, so we got over the news that Floyd (Mayweather Jr.) just isn’t that into Manny (Pacquiao) and their fight scheduled for this coming March has been cancelled, for now anyway.
Instead, Floyd will be fighting Shane (Mosley) on May 1 and Manny (Pacquiao) vs. Joshua (Clottey) mid March. Both fights are welterweight division bouts.
That’s sounds interesting, but I needed to know more (the investigative reporter that I am!):
My question: “Danny, why isn’t Floyd fighting against Manny?”
His answer: “Because Floyd is suing Manny for taking drugs!!!!”
My reaction: “What?? ?*&%$#.”
His answer: “Let me explain this to you, my priend. Alright?!’
My response: “Are you sure you’re not cutting my hair too short?”
His answer: “You keep on coming back to see me. So no, it’s not too short! Now listen to me, my priend. Mayweather is calling for random blood tests for all future opponents including Pacquiao, because he wants to clean up boxing. Haha. He requested this after they had all agreed on random urine testing, even though it’s not required by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that regulates all professional boxing fights. Manny was alright with 3 blood tests, but not within 24 days of the fight and then he went along with a blood test right after the fight. Do you understand, my priend?
My response: “Hmm. Yeah, sure. So are they ever going to fight? Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, I mean.”
His final answer (because my hair was really getting kinda short, even though he would never admit that): “This would be the most lucrative fight in all of boxing history. If Mayweather and Pacquiao do step into the same ring at the same time, the prize money could possibly gross US$200 million. So I think everybody involved is going to do whatever it takes to make this happen.”
My response: “Now I get it. By the way, my hair looks great and you are a true artist, Danny, my Filipino-American barber. Talk to you again in a couple of weeks.”
Jack Bauer/Kiefer Sutherland Of “24″ And The Art Of Fighting
Alright then, I have officially watched the first 4 episodes of this season’s “24″ with federal agent Jack Bauer, convincingly played by Kiefer Sutherland.
And yes, I am hooked again.
I actually don’t watch much TV anymore. Honestly, it can’t be more than 4 hours a ….. week.
Now that would be a good book title, “The 4 Hour Watch Week”. And ever since I reduced it to the current consumption level, I am getting a lot more done.
But there is definitely one TV show I really do enjoy and that is “24″ which is known to be one of the shows for adrenaline junkies (and I am not normally to be considered as such!).
Besides all the twists and turns in a “24″ script including very special effects, I of course enjoy the fight scenes with Kiefer Sutherland. I mean Jack Bauer.
I have been trying to find out what fighting style he uses to get the job done and so far I haven’t found out what it is.
To me it looks like elements of Wing Chun, JKD, Kali, Krav Maga.
Is there anybody out there reading this post who can tell me what fighting style Jack Bauer uses to make the world a safer place?
Another Glimpse Of Astonishing Filipino Martial Arts
I have expressed my appreciation of FMA (Filipino Martial Arts) several times before. And today is no exception.
FMA are generally referred to as Kali Escrima Arnis, depending on whom you are talking to.
Practitioners of FMA with a high level of proficiency really know their stuff when it comes to stick fighting. Sometimes it’s single and sometimes it’s double stick. And of course, handling sharp blades (long and short), too.
But there is a tool that can become a vey painful weapon in its own right that I didn’t even think of before doing some research.
Are you ready for this?
It’s the ‘latigo’ or simply, horse whip.
The demonstration in the following video clearly shows the accuracy and slashing effect this basic age-old tool can have in the hand of proficient practitioner of Filipino Martial Arts.
Do not try this at home without sufficient training and professional supervision! No kidding!
Thanksgiving Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
I Hope You Enjoy Thanksgiving Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com And A Quote I Really Like!
Sifu Eddie Camden, The Instructor Recommended By Martial Arts Legends
Martial Artists And The Day After Thanksgiving, Aka Black Friday
Happy Thanksgiving 2009 From TheMartialArtsReporter.com
Peaceful Warrior Wisdom For Martial Artists (And Others, Too)
Urijah Faber, The California Kid Of World Extreme Cagefighting
Jet Li, From Humble Beginnings To Action/Martial Arts Movie Superstar
This week’s quote for readers of TheMartialArtsReporter.com:
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but the number of moments that take our breath away. ” Unkown
Sifu Eddie Camden, The Instructor Recommended By Martial Arts Legends
With his extensive background and over 30 years of striking, grappling and weapons training Sifu Eddie Camden has become one of the most complete and knowledgeable martial artists around. Many refer to him a true teachers’ teacher.
Just about every federal law enforcement agency and special warfare group in the United States such as C.I.A., the Secret Service, F.B.I, Green Berets, and the U.S. Navy Seals have benefitted from Sifu Eddie’s expertise.
He founded his Tiger Academy of Martial Arts in Atlanta, Georgia, back in 1998.
What make Sifu Eddie Camden so unique?
He holds numerous Black Belt /instructor rankings in the following arts: Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Wing Chun Kung Fu, and Filipino Kali.
There aren’t many in the world to hold Black Belts in such a diverse selection of martial arts.
Sifu Eddie has not only trained with, but has been certified by some of the world’s top experts in each of these martial arts.
This is what some martial arts legends say about Sifu Eddie Camden:
“Sifu Eddie you’re truly a martial artist! Your students are very lucky to have you be their teacher…You always have my support.” Francis Fong (international martial arts legend)
“Eddie, you’re a great all-around instructor. I recommend you to anyone!”
Dan Inosanto (martial arts legend, Bruce Lee’s protege)
“Eddie Camden is my long time training partner and good friend. He and his academy offer one of the very best programs found anywhere! I recommend this training for everyone who really wants to learn to defend themselves.”
Frank Cucci (U.S. Navy Seal, owner Linxx Martial Arts, VA Beach, vA)
“Not only is Eddie Camden one of the highest ranked students I have, he and Frank Cucci are the most well rounded martial artists I know.”
Pedro Sauer (7th degree red and black belt under – Helio and Rickson Gracie, voted best Brazilian jiu jitsu instructor in the world)
Besides being considered Sifu Francis Fong’s most advanced Wing Chun students, Sifu Eddie attained his black belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu by Pedro Sauer, who is hands-down considered Rickson Gracie’s most technical student.
Sifu Eddie Camden received his 1st degree on his black belt directly from Grandmaster Helio Gracie himself.
The experience of growing up in a volatile and violent area, and his vast training background have given Sifu Eddie Camden a unique perspective on teaching and training whose approach is positive, direct, and no nonsense.
With years of street conflicts and 36 undefeated challenge matches, he is with a doubt a rare martial artist.
Sifu Eddie Camden is an expert technician, teacher, and fighter, all in one package.
Special Note: TheMartialArtsReporter has met Sifu Eddie once in person, but is not a past or current student of his.
This Week In Review At The MartialArtsReporter.com
Thanks for checking in today.
You are always welcome here at TheMartialArtsReporter.com
Today, I am introducing something here for the first time and I hope you enjoy it:
A Weekly Review Of The Preceding 6 Days – Just Click On The Link Of The Post You Missed Or The One You Liked So Much That You Just Have To Read It Again.
Also, I would like to introduce an inspirational quote that I just know you’re going like.
Wishing you only the very best, always.
Garage-Style Filipino Stick Fighting (Arnis, Escrima, Kali) with Dan Inosanto
Tips From Former Navy SEAL Hand-To-Hand Combat Instructor, Paul Vunak
Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker Sr., Father Of American Kenpo Karate
Joe Lewis, The World’s Greatest Karate Fighter Of All Time
Manny Pacquiao Or What I Learn From My Barber
Albert Einstein For Martial Artists And Anybody Willing To Learn
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” – Albert Einstein
SUPER DEAL! SIGN UP TODAY!
Pages
Archives
Categories
Links
