This past week was amazing to say the least! It started off like any other then deteriorated quickly as both my wife and I got sick and I missed two days of work. It quickly turned around when two of my high school wrestlers made it to the finals match of the 4A 189 lb. and 5A 215 lb. divisions. Aaron Kuttler (189) of East High School won his title match 9 to 3 against Joseph Carley of Mountain Crest becoming the first East High state champion in years! Lars Oveson (215) of Alta High School fought a tough battle against returning champion Dustin Dennison of Pleasant Grove losing in overtime. Both of our athletes put on a great performance and made me proud!
Then Saturday night, Koffi "The Lion King" Adzitso, went up against Brandon "The Murderer" Melendez for the PSUAC Welterweight Utah State Championship. Many believed that Melendez would win easily over Koffi...we knew that would not be the case. We had a game plan that included attacking our opponent's weaknesses and playing to our strengths. Koffi executed beautifully and won by TKO in the first round!
Koffi has made huge improvements the past year since training with us. His recent wins over Kevin Burns (UFC Veteran) and now Brandon Melendez (TUF Finalist) solidify what I already knew...Koffi is one tough competitor!
This was a great week for me as a coach to be able to see the success of my athletes and also to re-solidify that the technique I teach and the stategies we employ work across the board and at the highest levels.
Click here to see our wrestlers in action.
Click here to see Koffi pre and post fight.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Clearing the Air
For years martial artists have argued "which style or discipline is best?". For years there has been little resolved until the UFC's first few tournaments. What I find ironic is even though we've learned so much from those first few tournaments in 'reality based' competition that the argument has still found a way to resurface and remain strong.
I've noticed in magazines and online that 'traditional' martial artists still love to claim the lock on usable 'real' skills and abilities. Somehow they're 'deadly' techniques are the best and there is no way a 'sport' guy could even hope to hang with them...I completely disagree.
The history of martial arts in particular, Judo, was instrumental in creating a way for martial artists to train full power in moves that were less debilitating (generally speaking) and allowed for a martial artist to more fully develop their skills. The 'deadly' or 'lethal' techniques never went away from the art. The 'sport' was still based in MARTIAL skills.
That being said in my own experience "The Rules Make the Game". Whether you're fighting for points, trophies or your life, the rules make the game. Combat at its essence is still combat. There may be more or less dangers and some trained responses from one art or 'sport' may not transfer as well to another. However here are the advantages of a 'sport' guy vs. a 'traditional' martial artist:
1. Real time experience with full power techniques and full resistance. This is critical in real encounters. How many times have you heard 'it has to be instinctual'? How does a technique or principle become instinctual if you never get to actually use full power or experience full power against you? Without a real time resisting opponent how will you deal with one on the street? My experience with athletes is that those who experience dealing with pressure and resistance eventually come to find ways to execute their game plans and techniques. Under high stress circumstances this is of utmost importance. Execution becomes paramount.
2. Superior Conditioning. 'Sport' guys quickly learn that conditioning can be one of your greatest allies or one of your worst enemies. Without it you won't last long and your execution will be sloppy at best. With it you stand a great chance of executing your technique and game plan and coming out on top. Let's be honest few people want to face the ugly monster of conditioning. The 'sport' guy at least understands the value of it and is conditioning in order to compete. Conditioning not only allows you to execute your technique it allows you the energy to defend and recover more quickly from your opponent's attacks.
3. Game Plan and Strategy. Traditional martial arts constantly talk about strategy and philosophy. Sport guys actually do it. There is no greater way to develop your strengths than to actually have them tested against those of your opponent. When your opponent is out to defeat you while you're simultaneously trying to do the same you will experience many setbacks and reality checks. Sometimes you will be exposed to your true weaknesses and lack of skill or strategy. This is one of the greatest advantages that the 'sport' guy has...he learns, evaluates and improves on regular basis.
All that being said each and every martial art or 'combat sport' will have something to offer. In real situations the advantage goes to the one who establishes dominance first. The ones who are prepared mentally to deal with pressure situations and still execute will prevail. This is the bottome line.
I've noticed in magazines and online that 'traditional' martial artists still love to claim the lock on usable 'real' skills and abilities. Somehow they're 'deadly' techniques are the best and there is no way a 'sport' guy could even hope to hang with them...I completely disagree.
The history of martial arts in particular, Judo, was instrumental in creating a way for martial artists to train full power in moves that were less debilitating (generally speaking) and allowed for a martial artist to more fully develop their skills. The 'deadly' or 'lethal' techniques never went away from the art. The 'sport' was still based in MARTIAL skills.
That being said in my own experience "The Rules Make the Game". Whether you're fighting for points, trophies or your life, the rules make the game. Combat at its essence is still combat. There may be more or less dangers and some trained responses from one art or 'sport' may not transfer as well to another. However here are the advantages of a 'sport' guy vs. a 'traditional' martial artist:
1. Real time experience with full power techniques and full resistance. This is critical in real encounters. How many times have you heard 'it has to be instinctual'? How does a technique or principle become instinctual if you never get to actually use full power or experience full power against you? Without a real time resisting opponent how will you deal with one on the street? My experience with athletes is that those who experience dealing with pressure and resistance eventually come to find ways to execute their game plans and techniques. Under high stress circumstances this is of utmost importance. Execution becomes paramount.
2. Superior Conditioning. 'Sport' guys quickly learn that conditioning can be one of your greatest allies or one of your worst enemies. Without it you won't last long and your execution will be sloppy at best. With it you stand a great chance of executing your technique and game plan and coming out on top. Let's be honest few people want to face the ugly monster of conditioning. The 'sport' guy at least understands the value of it and is conditioning in order to compete. Conditioning not only allows you to execute your technique it allows you the energy to defend and recover more quickly from your opponent's attacks.
3. Game Plan and Strategy. Traditional martial arts constantly talk about strategy and philosophy. Sport guys actually do it. There is no greater way to develop your strengths than to actually have them tested against those of your opponent. When your opponent is out to defeat you while you're simultaneously trying to do the same you will experience many setbacks and reality checks. Sometimes you will be exposed to your true weaknesses and lack of skill or strategy. This is one of the greatest advantages that the 'sport' guy has...he learns, evaluates and improves on regular basis.
All that being said each and every martial art or 'combat sport' will have something to offer. In real situations the advantage goes to the one who establishes dominance first. The ones who are prepared mentally to deal with pressure situations and still execute will prevail. This is the bottome line.
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