June 2002 mailbag

Dear Mr. Mattson,

My name is John Musacchio and I mainly study GoJu-Ryu Karate. I have noticed as of late that several teachers, students, and practitioners of martial arts have been advocating and training without truly "training"; it is becoming a more common practice, as I saw in a recent magazine article, that "martial artists" are throwing out several of their traditional techniques, including kata, in order to have a more centralized workout. However, this new ideology of "only do what feels good" goes against everything that I have been taught as a martial artist, and it seems to go against the art itself. The practitioners who exercise this ideology should be referred to as streetfighters (who repeatedly use seven or eight techniques) rather than martial artists (who can form countless combinations of strikes based on kata and other resources, virtually never repeating themselves). For if the martial artist spent time perfecting the "uncomfortable" techniques, he/she could learn naturally to incorporate them into their combat repertoire. The traditional techniques contain benefits not only for the body, but also for the mind.

I wish to write an article . . . about the benefits of well-rounded training, making use of kata and other traditional techniques. . .

Sincerely, John A. Musacchio

Very interesting subject for an article John. Keep us informed regarding where we can read your article when published. GEM

Hi Mr Mattson, I am trying to research a Uechi-Ryu class in the Franklin area. My grandson is taking it in school and my daughter wants to find a class. My husband is a former student of Walter Mattston and holds a 3rd degree black belt so he wants him to have Uechi-Ryu.

Thanks for any help you can give us. . . .

Tomorrow is the Uechi-ryu Karate Club of Lakeland's first work-out scheduled for 10a.m. Eight people have purchased gis and are confirmed for starting Sat.! I just got back from East Coast Martial Art Supplies-Orlando. They know David Berndt and told me what a hard style Uechi is. By the way, David B. called me this week to say hello and to probably just check me out. He was real friendly and invited us to his dojo anytime. I told him you were planning a trip to Florida in June.

Please place my name and the Lakeland dojo on any list; my e-mail is: dz1050@aol.com. Also, I don't know if my order for the book and patches have been sent out yet? How long does a typical order take? I'll let you know how tomorrow goes, and send some pictures ASAP.
Regards,
David Zelbovitz,Psy.D.

Congratulations David. Sounds like a great start for your Uechi club. Looking forward to working out with you soon. Your books and patches should arrive in a few days. GEM

Sensei,
Thanks for the kind words of praise on the What's News. I am glad I did you proud that day. Who knows, maybe now I can be referred to as the "Uechi" guy as well as the "weapons" guy. ;) Hope all is well. Looking forward to seeing you at camp.
Raffi

Sensei:

I am with plans to learn a little Tai Chi, while it visits Newton, in the Calvin Chi Academy, is its friend, I have restlessness to add to my wild Okinawan style, a little flexibility and relax. And to experience something different. Create you who you helped tai chi me?

On the other hand, I was working I complete year with the trainers of karate sport who visited Argentinean. I have a program of seminaries with body job, very good work on the subject. If you wish I can send it to him the document with the general assignments and maybe we can organize together, while I visit New England, to offer Seminaries in the Dojos of the zone. They are three different seminaries, one for Children and jovenes. another one for 18 years and greater and one special one for those who are coach or teach. If you want to see in question, him control the document by mail, is really good, and a work of high very serious level, and deals with all the aspects the Shai Kumite, the tecnic, the psiquico and the emotional one.

A hug to you and my affection to Susan and my Thia friend.

Sensei Carlos Ciriza 6° Dan Renshi Rokudan
International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation
To Everyone: Anyone interested in hosting a seminar on Kumite, by one of the best, please contact me for dates and times. Click here to review the content of the seminar.

Hi Sensei,

Hope all is well!

Did you receive the video CD I sent you of Camp 2001? Those were some fine looking katas!

Looking forward to seeing you at Camp this year. I hope to be bringing along a few students with me.

Classes are going well down here in PA. I have a small but steadily growing group. They all work hard and we have fun!

Sounds like Dana Sheets and some of her dojo mates will be coming to the dojo for FAST Defense on 6/1/02. We all hope to get together for a Uechi workout the night before. Should be fun to see Dana slam the bulletman! (-:

Best to you and Susan,

Alan Lowell

Hi Alan: Yes, I did receive the CD. Many thanks. Just read Dana's critique of her visit. Sounds as though she had a great time. Hopefully we will be able to offer a "Bulletman" course at camp this year. GEM

Sensei:

The meeting in Rhode Island came at such a coincidence. I received a request from a 24 year old pitcher who graduated LAST year from Boston College. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox and had a so-so year at Class A baseball (Lowell Red Sox). This is how crooked and disorganized the Red Sox were under Dan Duquette: He signed a one year contract for the 2002 season. On the last day of spring training, the Red Sox released him, sending him home. By releasing a player on the last day, it gives him little or NO time to speak with other teams... It's one low kick to the groin!

I was NEVER released, but this must of hurt this kid's feelings to no end. My family doctor is this kid's neighbor. When my doctor's office called me, I thought they found something wrong with my health. They asked me, "Lenny, could you take a look at this kid, he's 6'3" and throws in the high 80's.?" The name of this kid is Jed Rogers (you can find him on the internet by just typing his name on the hyperlink or internet and find his stats.) I looked at his stats and just by looking, I could see that he walked way too many hitters and slowed his pitches down to get the ball over the plate. In the pros, they can hit speeds from 50 to 100 mph....you have to have movement or a tailing fastball. You can attain this goal by practicing gripping the ball by 2 seams.

The Red Sox "figured" that since he was a big kid, his 4 seamed fastball would rise. But you have to have very, very strong hands and fingers like Nolan Ryan. To make a long story short, I told him that I would get him back in the pro's if he practiced his grips along the 2 seams, not four. I called a scout I knew from the Pirates, who will be signing 2 kids I've been training in the winter. (One who wanted to learn Sanchin when I told him that it improved my fastball at least 6 mph.) Sanchin is amazing on how many muscles it builds...if anyone knows this, it is you. However, I skipped Sanchin, it deserves serious attention and respect.

Nevertheless, pitchers I train have been getting scholarships to division I colleges or get drafted. The Rogers kid is now pitching in Florida at a class A level with the Pirates having first option on him. In one week, I had requests from the Mets, Astros, Padres, Blue jays and Royals...all who had scouts that remember me....so I have possible life again in baseball.

I'm sure, George, how good you feel when you see the gradual improvement from a white belt to shodan! That's how i feel when I'm done working with a young pitcher. God's listening to my prayers but he keeps testing my patience......and I am getting better. Imagine if I "hung out" with you.

I have kept you long enough on the internet. I will keep in touch...I was just worried about bothering you TOO MUCH.

Your fan, Lenny

Dear Mr. Mattson:

How have you been? More than two years had passed since we last met. I have wanted to call you for a long time, but I failed to do so because the limitation of my English.

It is my great pleasure to invite you and your wife to attain the Grand Opening Ceremony and press conference organized by Fujian Association of Martial Arts in Jinfeng hotel on Elizabeth Street New York, NY 10002, on May 4, 2002, 2pm.

It will be appreciated if you can accept the title of the honored general consultant of this association.

Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Yuan Sang OR
Chairman of the Board of Council of Fujian Association of Martial Arts

Dear Mr. Mattson, As a displaced Uechi-Ryu practitioner without a local dojo, I am a little frustrated at the list of instructors on your site. For instance, Ron LaBrie is listed as the instructor of the Beverly Dojo. The last time I was in Massachusetts I was informed that Ron had sold his dojo to two of his senior students. I currently live in Alabama, where there are no instructors listed. I am currently looking for new employment in other areas of the country and am making the availability of a dojo high on my criterion. Is it possible the instructor list could be updated? Thank you, Keith Place

Hey Keith. I can only update information I receive. Many dojo do not communicate with anyone outside of their own isolated world. This is unfortunate, but not my fault. GEM

Mr Mattson, I was wondering if you knew my grandfather. He was posted in Okinawa during his service in the military. His name Was Paul Peters. One of our relatives, an aunt I believe said that he had studied Uechi Ryu and she mentioned your name. I'm very curious.

Hi George,

Greg Postal and I will be coming to the Summer Camp this year. Unfortunately I will only be able to make it on Saturday and Saturday night. . .
. . .
I'm looking forward to seeing all my old friends at the summer camp. If you want me to teach anything just let me know. I offer a hojundo bunkai session if you want.

Jerry McDonald

Looking forward to seeing both you and Greg at camp. And. . . the hojundo bunkai sounds great. GEM

Dear Mattson-Sensei,

Thank you for your notice about the upcoming Uechi Ryu World Championships. While I train Goju, I appreciate the notice.

I have a question . . . I know that Uechi Ryu and Goju Ryu share kata, including Sanchin. Does Uechi-Ryu perform the kata as we do in Goju with the exception of doing it open-hand and not closed fist? Are there other differences? Any help or info is appreciated.

Also, if you wish, go to this address:

http://www.cybersurvey.com/kata.htm

It is an article I wrote for fightingarts.com, admittedly weird :-) about the comparison of kata and ceremonial forms of worship. I'd appreciate your feedback.

Best Regards, Gary Gabelhouse

Hi Gary:

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

Besides the open hand vs closed fist, the biggest difference I've noticed in Sanchin is the breathing. (However, many Uechi teachers are now practicing a strong exhalation during the strike)

Circle blocks appear closer to the body/face in Goju. Possible application variations. Lot more deep stances in Goju. We tend not to do more than one technique in a deep stance, preferring to work out of a more upright position.

I really enjoyed your article. I'll post a link to it for our readers if you don't mind. GEM

Hi George,
Suzanne and I got back from a Bat-Mitzvah in LA this pas weekend. I wanted to drop you a line and say HI.

I wanted also to tell you that I had a good if not grueling time judging at the tournament. The only comment I'd like to make about it is that the judging was subjective (as usual). I can even point to the change in the judging I did during the black belt fighting as I was more willing to call excessive or aggressive contact as the fighting continued. I'm not sure this was necessarily a bad thing to happen but wanted to point it out.

Anyway, I found this in the WSJ today. Thought you might find it humorous.

http://www.bumfights.com Note the video preview.

Regards,

Harry Skeffington

Hi Harry:

If you have time, drop into our Optecs site tomorrow. We will be discussing the kumite portion of the tournament. So far, most everyone agrees that the officials (especially the adv. ranks) did a great job.

Bottom line... no injuries, no disqualifications. We must have done something right.

See you soon??

Best to you, Suzanne and the kids GEM

Mr. Mattson,
Please help me with a situation in which I think I need to educate myself more on. My eleven year old has been studying Uechi-Ryu since August 2001. Already he is a purple belt and will test for Junior Black Belt hopefully in April 2003. My problem is two-fold. First and foremost, I think his advancement is too quick and I question the legitimacy of the school. I want for him to learn all aspects of the art and not just kata. Second, we will be relocating and I may have to send him to a Shorin-Ryu school. He strongly opposes this but I feel that if the desire is within him; he will continue. What do you suggest? How do I know he is getting high quality instruction? I live in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area with one Uechi-Ryu school. The Shorin-Ryu schools that are of abundance tell me that they all teach different styles. Please help. Thank you. ---

Hi:

Generally, it takes 3-4 years to make jr. Black Belt. Naturally, this can vary from school to school and a lot depends on the student.

Not knowing who your son's teacher is, I can only say that most of the Uechi schools in Michigan are excellent.

Shorin-ryu style is much different and will be a bit difficult for your son. However, the basics are pretty much the same and if the school is a good one, your son will probably adapt quickly.

Where are you moving to? Perhaps there is a Uechi school near by.

Good luck,
GEM

Blessings Mr. Mattson:

I just wanted to say thank you for the spot on your web site.. I have already begun to get responses from the exposure. I am working with a new distributor/printer and it also looks like Walden's is in the near future! I'm really excited about it all.

Thank you also for the comments on my recent emails to the forum and your column. It means a lot to me to receive confirmation of what I'm thinking about re: karate and is certainly helping me with my second book.

You really have been a great help to me!

Most Sincerely;

Kerry Morgan

Hello again George. Attached is a pic of the new USMC recruiting poster. If you ever have a place to post it feel free. They'd love the advertising.

The Marines are going to push the martial arts as a reason to sign up. The young Marines are really getting in to it. The older ones are somewhat less excited about doing breakfalls and being thrown many, many times out on the hard surfaces. It seems that one reason I'm invited to participate is to show the old farts it can be done even if you are over 35.

Should I get in enough training to qualify for green belt the test involves a three mile run through the woods with about a dozen black belts waiting out there to attack. At one point you must submit to pepper spray in the face. I'll have to think hard about that.

Take care, Rich in Richmond

First let me apologize for not making your tournament. My daughters both had dance recitals and dress rehearsals that weekend of May 18th. I have competed in about 4-5 Judo tournaments in the past 6 months. Let me assure you that changes in rules, and controversy in judging is not only found in Karate. Judo has been competing as a sport for a 100 years and still has these problems. I'm having a small youth tournament June 8th at my place in Hingham, check tournament topics for the info.

My idea for this developed from Judo because 2 schools in our area have monthly tournaments year round. Hopefully this will result in more experienced students, and offer Uechi some more experienced judges. All the problems you probably encounter will be mine on a smaller scale, or others who I hope will pick up the torch and host the next ones. Any help you can offer would be wonderful, I hope to give back to Uechi and it's future with this tournament series. Respectfully, Fred Channell

Fred: Please send me the details and I'll post it on the home page.

Actually, we didn't have any real problems at the tournament. It went off just fine. No injuries and No disqualifications. A couple of "spectators" were upset because there wasn't enough contact or injuries!

We need to provide a place for our people to compete. . . since this is the safest and best way for them to experience the type of stress felt in a real-life fight. I hope to see lots more events in the future. GEM

Sensai, The Martial Arts world, has lost one of its' greatest. On Wednesday- May 22, 2002, My Sensai/Sifu, Virgil D'Arcy Kimmey; Founder of U.S. TAI Karate, entered into rest, while at his home. He shall be missed.

Mr. Mattson,

I readied your article "Uechi-ryu Karate" and found it very interesting. Especially the way the class was taught. The time taken to pass on the education and the personal stories (e.g. the brakes for tea and the story of walking on the teacups). I wonder how we as American's would like classes like that. I found the way the web site is going very exciting and the way you manage the site. I will try to see if I have any more of my prototypes or samples of my ideas that I can send to you to tryout. May time be with you and your family and may you find it full of peace.

Sincerely Charles Robert

Dear Sensei Mattson; I have always trained to chamber my punches. Recently however, I was told that chambering was a beginner technique. I just wanted to get your opinion on this matter. Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you. SLR

In an ideal situation, you would have time to chamber. We teach newer students the "ideal", but as they become more advanced, we encourage them to move from whatever position they may find themselves in. In most cases, Sanchin arm position is the most comfortable (similar to a boxing stance/position), hence. . . lots of punching will be done right from Sanchin. Too many students end up moving into the attacker while drawing their arms back into a "chamber" position. . . essentially, punching with their noses.

Hope this helps. GEM

Good afternoon, My daughter Brandy had an outstanding time at the New England open in the Uechi Ryu divisions. She placed 4th in the Form 14-15 Division and 1st in the fighting. Is there an updated website that I may go and "brag" to my colleagues about the tournament and how incredible your schools are! Thank you for any help you can give me
Kind Regards,

-Bonnie-
Hi Bonnie: Thanks for the Kudos regarding the tournament. I'm surprised that you haven't discovered the Uechi web yet.... it is the most popular martial art site on the internet:

http://uechi-ryu.com

I've posted two sets of pictures, which can be accessed from the home page. The results are being mailed to me by the tournament director. I'll post them probably next week.(Now posted)

Bill Glasheen's forum has a couple of threads relating to the tournament. That would be a great place for you to say hello and tell everyone about your daughter's success.

Again, thanks for writing.

best, GEM

Dear Mr Mattson,it would be appreciated if you would update your international listing of Uechi-ryu Instructors. Sensei Myles Carroll's (Australia -NSW -Emu Plains) phone number is now 02 9387 5717.E-mail can be forwarded to him at p_coller@hotmail.com.au Many thanks, Paul Coller

Where is the nearest school to me i'm in miramichi, new brunswick ,canada lawrence head i was under mark burgess in nova scotia canada.

Check the "Instructor's" listing, which can be found in the "drop-down" links on the home page. GEM

Dear Mattson Sensei,

Great to hear from you and I hope the tournament goes well. I will pass the word to my students with my encouragement for them to participate. Unfortunately, the time is just too busy with end of school year stuff (3 teenagers now); one graduating HS... it's a bit of a wacky time. My heart will be with you though; this is a worthwhile and fun event that I understand is run very well.

Will you be having any Energy arts either taught, demonstrated or made available for service at the Summer Camp? I continue to do this work, teach healing classes and it is becoming a very important part of what I do. I see Energy Healing in the broader sense as the extended refinement beyond chi/ki/qi focused for martial purposes. In fact, the healing aspect brings in much more of the available outside energetic resources all around us. Also, I feel strongly (albeit intuitively) that Uechi Kanbun, Chou Ze Hou and others of that time incorporated such healing approaches in their armimentarium along with herbs, massage and some level of acupressure. What do you think? Thanks and regards to Susan.

Rik

Lots of surprises this year at camp, including a number of "healing" arts seminars and workshops. Hopefully you will be running at least one of them. GEM

I thank you for the invitation, I will ask if any of my students are interested. I would love to attend, if any thing just to shake your hand. I have to ask you, did you have any idea that this Art would blossom and become what it is today in America? I have studied several self defense systems over the years but it seems that Uechi-Ryu becomes more a part of life with my students than any of the other systems. I find that each student develops his/her own style (so to speak) within the system, what is good for one may not be the favor of another, but all that are willing adapt well.

Tate is in quite a bit of pain right now, he took a bad fall and broke a couple ribs, one almost in half. Tate was the Louisiana State kick boxing champion and also fought for the world championship twice. He is close friends with Randall "Tex" Cobb, who you probably heard of, and many of the big name boxers and martial artists. He took a kick in the head several years ago and ended his career. They found a blood clot on the brain days later. Did not have to operate but now, the scar tissue from that clot is causing him to have seizures. It's in an area of the brain where they cannot get into. So he is on meds.

He's a crazy bastard, ya gotta love him though and we just hit it off and have become very close. I have been helping him get through the depression stage of this kind of injury. He is very active and this ties him down. Anyway, his address is: Tate Williams . . . . I'm sure he would appreciate getting the newsletter. His e mail is Sircajun3@aol.com. Advice,, don't get on an email exchange bull shit level with him. He will talk your head off. lol. The picture he refers to, of you, is one of the ones you gave me with Tommie and you. He had trained many years and then got into the competition, remember when the kick boxing was on TV? He has spared with Michael Moore, McNeely, Tex Cobb, and many other well known boxers. He's taken too many shots. Hopefully he will be coming up to visit me in the near future.

Hello Sensei Mattson, I received the mail you sent my way today. Great things happen when least expected. Bill B. has told me a lot about you. When I received the letter and newsletter I was and am very honored. As Clint Eastwood would say, "Go ahead and make my day." Seriously, I was very surprised and extremely honored. Sensei Mattson I will write a longer and more detailed e-mail later tonight. I have this strange feeling that you at one time or another just might have had a slight rib injury or have known someone who has. :-) I've been pushing it a little too fast the last few days and I'm paying for it today. In short, I'd love to make the event. I will have to work out the details of the trip, but I am going to do the everything in my power to be there. It's been years since I've felt so honored. Seeing the picture of the Kumite on the newsletter made me feel that when I attend that I'm going to be at the right place. I'm going to bring the newsletter to my room with me now a read it and reread it. My room has become my cage since the ribs got busted up. Thanks Again Sensei Mattson,

Tate Williams

I'm admitted to MARTIAL ARTS school in order to defend my self. So please help me and tell me:

1-WHAT IS THE BEST BOOK ABOUT MARTIAL ARTS in the world 2-WHAT IS THE BEST BOOK ABOUT SELF DEFENSE in the world 3-WHAT IS THE BEST BOOK ABOUT KARATE in the world? 4-WHAT IS THE BEST BOOK ABOUT KUNG FU in the world?

please tell me about the name of the book and the name of the author clearly. I hope you will answer my question.
thanks.

What style of karate are you studying?

The best book on martial arts is the one you will read, understand and practice. All books have something to offer. But for strictly self defense purposes, you should probably get a book that will supplement and aid your dojo study.

Best, George Mattson

Hello Sensei Mattson, My name is John Matlack and I have been studying Uechi-Ryu for 4 years under John Izzo in Upstate NY. I have moved to Newport News, VA and have been looking unsuccessfully for a Uechi-ryu school. Do you happen to know of one in this area? Thank you in advance.
JM
PS: Your book Uechiryu Karate DO is excellent

Dear Sensei Mattson,

I recently moved from Ithaca, NY to Tulsa, OK. Accordingly, there is no dojo at Cornell University. However, I'm sure I will start teaching sometime soon (in fact, I will probably be teaching kids who are abandoned by their parents--I already contacted the coordinator at Tulsa Boys' Home and she was very excited about the idea of teaching karate to those kids), so please add my contact information (918-488-8117 & mk77@cornell.edu) in the instructor list on the Web.

Regards,

Manabu

Mr. Mattson, Just went by your site and just wanted to say hi. I met you in Atlanta but didn't have much time to talk as Dan Smith kept me pretty busy. I have trained in Kojosho Kempo for over 34 years and in Shorin Ryu for the last 20 some years. I spent about 10 years under Shihan Toma and the last 12 or so under Dan Smith and Zempo Shimabukuro.

I was the general secretary of the USANKF for 4 years under Julius Thiry, but left due to a perceived bias against Okiniawan stylist. I am currently teaching accredited high school karate programs which I think is going to be the next big break though in American martial arts.

I signed up for you chat room, and if there is anything I can ever do to support you or your organization, please let me know.

Respectfully,

Terry Bryan

Hi Terry:

Thanks for the note. I'm trying to remember who you are... Dan kept quite a few people busy during the week! :)

Is this you on the right?

I agree with you that school programs are a very important part of the martial arts' growth. The Koreans have pretty much locked-up the college and universities in New England. . . having anticipated this market many years ago.

Today, dojo compete with the high schools. . . seems that kids in the teens are being pulled back to the schools for after-school activities. . . My feeling is that the schools recognize the competition from outside, professional schools and have in the last ten years, made a big push (at least in N.E.) to get kids to take after school activities run by the school. My experience with our member dojo, is that it is very difficult to maintain teens in the dojo.

Your idea to join forces with the schools may be the answer. Certainly, many of the kids who spend time in these programs, might eventually join the professional dojo.

Besides the Optecs Voice Cafe, we have a forum that was set up to discuss these issues. The moderator has been somewhat lax in building interest. Any chance that you might like to become the moderator for this forum? I would also like to see you host a monthly Voice Cafe program (one hour or so) where subjects like "high school karate programs" can be discussed.

Best, George Mattson

=============================

Mr. Mattson, Yes, that is me. I would be happy to help in any way possible. I have learned by helping others, that personal successes seem to come easier.

The high school Streetwise program was the idea of Jim Mather in California. He is under Kubota. There are producing an article on this topic for MASuccess magazine and I used that forum to edify Jim without giving too much information away. When I served as General Secretary for the USANKF, it seemed I was trying to save the world all the time. Since I have concentrated on my local community, I have made tremendous strides. Let me briefly explain the power of this program as I am doing it here in Colorado Springs.

First of all, I have an exclusive contract with the school districts I teach in. I teach accredited PE classes where we charge $189 per student - per semester which includes their belt test fee and uniform. I net about $6000 per school per semester. A teacher can teach up to 6 classes or about $36,000 per semester or $72,000 per year with summers off. Here we have a chance to really do something good, at a time when the teenagers really need it, and to also make a comfortable living. But thats not all.

Now I find myself in a position with lots of teenage brown and black belts. In an effort to edify my students and to help them , I have identified a mentor program where these senior teens go into the elementary and middle schools and teach one day a week the basic karate program and an anti bullying program. I pay the kids $1 per student per class and we don't make money off of tuition but special events such as belt tests, seminars and tournaments go to the organization. While the main dojo will at least break even, the real power is a city wide program with several thousand students producing 30-40 profit for the organization every month.

The real competitive advantage as I see it is that we will educate all the kids, from kinder garden through high school seniors, the value of traditional martial arts training. I am already seeing many of our graduates starting their own clubs on local campuses, so this proactive tactic may be just what Okinanwa karate needs to take back some of the ownership here in America.

I would be more than happy to help you in any way possible. I will have to figure out how to use a mike in order to help with the chat program, but I am sure that won't be a problem. I have a couple of things in the work that are keeping me busy - but at least that keeps me out of trouble. Next week Ripleys Believe It Or Not is coming out to film me catching an arrow. (Its a long story) Basically Jim Mather caught one on thats incredible about 20 years ago and when they asked him he said that he was not interested but that I might do it.:( Well they bugged me for while and I finally told them I would try it if they would edify my high school kids and they agreed. Once I tried it, I found it was possible - I am catching about 1 out of 10 right now but no worries - I have a week left to practice. :) I am hoping this will be a good PR piece for traditional karate.

Well, just let me know how I can help.

Respectfully,

Terry Bryan

www.americanblackbeltacademy.com

Making a difference, by empowering our students to significantly increase their human performance capabilities through classical martial arts training and success principles education.

January 5, 2002

National Journal http://www.nationaljournal.com

Making The Tough Tougher

By Stuart Taylor Jr.

QUANTICO, Va.--Capt. Louis E. Isabelle is in the ring, pounding furiously at Staff Sgt. Clive D. Mitchell. Fending off most of the blows with his heavy gloves, the sergeant gives as good as he gets.

A few feet away, about 10 other members of Isabelle's "team" shout out repetitions as they struggle through a succession of drills designed to be not merely strenuous, but impossible: more 50-pound-weight curls, more "Korean jumping jacks," more "Australian push-ups," more contortions of other varieties than even an iron man could do in the time allotted. Buckets of sweat pour down heavily muscled arms and chests. The roar is deafening.

Boxing gloves and padded headgear are not the weapons that any Marine would choose for jobs such as hunting down Al Qaeda in Afghanistan or executing amphibious landings on hostile shores. But in the fog of war, close-in combat is always a possibility, notes Lt. Col. George H. Bristol, "starting with assault-rifle fire at maybe 10 yards and moving in to where you're fighting with the weapon, being up in an enemy's face and having to either smash him or take him to the ground to finish him off."

Martial arts techniques of the non-lethal variety can also be invaluable in peacekeeping duty, disarming agitated civilians, dispersing angry mobs, transporting prisoners, or handing out food rations to crowds of starving people.

And for all the high-tech weaponry in today's arsenals, the grueling physical regimen and fighting techniques taught at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Training Program, which is based at Quantico, are playing an increasingly important role in training Marines at all levels, maintaining their warrior spirit, and giving them confidence that they will be ready when called upon to fight. "A Marine Corps of well-trained tan belts," says Bristol, the director of the program, "will kick the shit out of anybody else in the world, sir!"

The tan belt is the first of 10 rungs on the new Marine Corps martial arts training ladder. For the first time, all 172,000 active-duty Marines, from the commandant on down to the newest recruit, must earn tan belts--and by no later than 2003. And all are encouraged to progress to higher belt levels throughout their careers.

The tan-belt course includes 27.5 hours of instruction in 49 killing techniques to be used on enemies who are too close to stop with bullets or grenades. Among them are bayonet thrusts, knife slashes, "vertical stomps," choke holds (and how to break them), leg-sweep throws, eye gouges, and more.

Close-in combat has been part of Marine Corps basic training for as long as anyone can remember. But until recently, "it has always remained just out of the mainstream; practiced with zeal in entry-level training and by a few stalwarts but ignored by the Corps as a whole," Bristol wrote in the Marine Corps Gazette. "If you spend all day on a computer typing," says Master Gunnery Sgt. Cardo Urso, Bristol's chief instructor, "that warrior ethos goes away, and pretty soon you're just a diary clerk or a supply guy."

Gen. James L. Jones has pushed to change that since he became commandant of the Marine Corps in July 1999, and to meld the best of many martial arts techniques with rigorous conditioning, mental discipline, and character-building.

As a company commander in Vietnam, Jones was impressed that the South Korean Marines serving there had black belts in tae kwon do. To give the U.S. Marines a similar edge, the commandant assigned the 44-year-old Bristol-who has black belts in judo, jujitsu, and karate and a nose misshapen by 35 years of practicing hand-to-hand combat--to develop an intensive new martial arts training program for all Marines.

Launched in October 2000, the program includes the basic tan-belt course and follow-on training in more-sophisticated skills--such as karate-style chops to vulnerable parts of the neck, blocking knife attacks, executing a "face rip," and attacking pressure points on the neck, arms, and legs--and related reading assignments for Marines who want to progress through the tan, gray, green, and brown belts, to the six levels of the black belt.

Still more important than these specific combat skills and drills, Bristol and Urso stress, are the program's lessons in teamwork, tactical judgment, mental discipline, and character. Teamwork is built into every aspect of a grueling two-hour medley of conditioning drills--such as the "centipede," in which two teams of four helmeted Marines apiece lie on their bellies, with each man or woman's feet over the shoulders of the next in line; each group then pushes up to arm's length and races on its collective hands for about 50 yards. "You're almost there, man, you're almost there, keep going," yell the instructors. When the first four cross the finish line, they jump up, run back to the other four, pick them up fireman-carry style, and lug them the rest of the way. Then it's on, without a break, to the next drill, and the next, and the next.

The boxing session between Capt. Isabelle and Sgt. Mitchell is also part of a team enterprise. For the moment, Mitchell is acting as the instructor, and Isabelle is allied against him with the 10 or so Marines doing the impossible drills outside the boxing ring. Whenever Mitchell gets a chance to look over and inspect the progress of Isabelle's teammates, he calls out penalties, which mean they must do still more repetitions.

Isabelle's job is to throw a barrage of punches so relentless that it forces Mitchell's gaze away from his fellow trainees. Their job is to get through their repetitions as quickly as possible so that Isabelle can get out of the ring.

Learning how to run such a "combat cohesion" exercise is one aspect of an elite, seven-week instructor-training course here at Quantico. Urso and his 11 men-some of the fiercest hand-to-hand warriors in the Marine Corps-give advanced training to green- and brown-belt experts (including Isabelle and Mitchell) from Marine bases and ships around the world.

These trainees were already experienced martial arts instructors before they arrived at Quantico, and those who pass this course will earn black belts and thus qualify to train other instructors when they return to their bases and ships. But first they must undergo a daily regimen that combines martial arts instruction, running, and reading with "body-hardening" drills and other exercises.

These include kicking and being kicked-hard (albeit through pads); being thrown judo-style over another trainee's shoulder onto the ground, 10 times in a row; "Chinese push-ups," with the body formed into an inverted "V"; a 50-yard race on hands and feet, dragging a companion on his back while he hangs on to your waist; a 500-yard swim in full uniform, including heavy combat boots, capped by fighting in shallow water at the end; and much more.

"If this kind of close-in fighting is going to occur, it's going to occur when you're tired," explains Bristol. "So what we'll do normally is high repetitions of a technique where they get very tired, or rough-terrain movement-up and down hills--or running our obstacle course, and then fight at the end of that, so that the student is fairly exhausted before he throws the first bayonet thrust or the first punch."

But the idea is not to break people or tear them down. "Our focus is to get everybody through, not to make them say, `I quit,' " says Staff Sgt. Ricardo Mendoza, one of Urso's instructor trainers. "The point is to challenge them to their limits--and get them to surpass their previously known limits."

The urge to say, "I quit" must be considerable during a drill called "bull in the ring." Today's variant has a passing resemblance to college wrestling, only with eye gouges, face rips, and other unsporting techniques.

The unlucky "bull" has to grapple with seven other Marines in rapid succession, for several minutes each, starting each time from a seated, back-to-back position. By the time the bull faces the third opponent, exhaustion has set in--with four more fresh adversaries to go.

The others cheer the bull on before and after they take him on. "You've got a whole lot of heart, staff sergeant," one calls out. There is also some coaching: "You've got to get underneath that jaw or you're not getting any pressure on the carotid."

Occasionally an instructor will toss a "weapon of opportunity" within reach--a (plastic) knife, say, or a rock--to give whichever grappler can grab it first a chance to finish his adversary quickly. Back in the boxing-exercise room, Urso is talking about tactics. "This room is designed for them to fail," he says, "but they can pass it if they work as a team [and] find a way to get around that instructor."

The only way most of the trainees can get through their assigned drills is to sneak little breaks while the instructor is busy fending off punches and to call out more repetitions than they are actually doing. That's not cheating. It's tactics. It's doing just as much corner-cutting as necessary to get an impossible job done. And that, says Urso, "is what we want them doing on the battlefield. We also want them doing it in life."

Urso and his instructors offer trainees a combat analogy: When you are closing on the enemy, you will have to make tactical decisions. Do you move in as fast as possible, or pace yourself to save energy for fighting? Urso brings another analogy into play when teaching Marines how to choke off an enemy's carotid artery: "Let's talk about other chokes. What about the chokes that we do every day with our lance corporals who have new ideas, who want to try something, and me as a leader I start choking that lance corporal off, and I don't let him breathe? If you choke off those lines of communication, pretty soon you're going to have unconsciousness, and eventually it will lead to death."

Such homespun lessons might not be everybody's stairway to wisdom. But the 43-year-old Urso--a stocky, mustachioed bundle of energy with a shaved head, black belts in judo and karate, a penchant for spontaneous sparring with his men, and knuckles callused into mini-weapons by 30 years of boxing, wrestling, tae kwon do, sombo, jujitsu, kobudo, and other forms of fighting--radiates an infectious enthusiasm. "I know that martial arts training fundamentally changes young men and women for the better," he asserts. "I've seen that for 30 years.

We want ethical warriors. The way a Marine should feel is, when you walk into a room, everybody in the room should feel safer because you're there. [And] when we turn him or her back to society after, say, four years, society's getting a better citizen."

Maybe it has something to do with channeling into cooperative endeavors the primal, atavistic aggression that is hardwired into the human species by eons of struggling for survival. Whatever the reason, the instructors and trainees here exude an esprit de corps that would be impossible to fake, and hard to find among their contemporaries on university campuses.

Tempers do flare now and then. During one drill, a charging trainee slams his blunt, simulated bayonet much too hard into his instructor's chest pad. "If you can't control your weapon as a brown-belt instructor, something's wrong--you understand?" barks the instructor. "Yes, sir," comes the reply. But Urso adds, sotto voce, "We're neurologically wired to close in. We like them to do that."

The day before, 2nd Lt. Anuradha K. Bhagwati seemed to suspect the tall, powerfully built Marine with whom she was grappling of slacking off a bit: "Come on, sir, fight!" she demanded. "I'm fighting!" he replied. Bhagwati, whose day job is commanding a radio platoon in Okinawa, is the only woman--and not a very big one--in this group of instructor trainees. Many of the others sport the gigantic biceps (often splashed with tattoos) that come from pumping lots of iron. How can she hold her own against these hulks? "I generally get thrown back further," Bhagwati allows, "but every person, no matter their body size, can make a technique work." And so she does.

Commandant Jones initially considered focusing martial arts instruction on tae kwon do or aikido. But he and Bristol ultimately decided to emphasize techniques more likely to be useful in actual close-in combat by helmeted Marines armed with M-16s, bayonets, and knives, and carrying heavy packs and flak jackets. It would make little sense for a Marine thus encumbered to try a tae kwon do kick to the head of a helmeted enemy.

The Marine Corps brand of martial arts that Bristol and his staff have developed has "aspects of many different martial arts-punches, kicks, throwing techniques from judo, some of the joint manipulations from jujitsu and various weapons arts," he says. But it's not the sort of thing you would see in a Bruce Lee film.

"Military combative training is always done with a battlefield end-state in mind," says Bristol. "It's always weapons-based. No military society has ever won a battle punching and kicking. Our program begins with rifle firing, and it's not as if we're going to throw down our rifles and say, `Put up your dukes.' What these skills do is give you incredible confidence, not only in yourself but in your fellow Marines."

In today's world, Urso stresses, such confidence often means using as little force as possible. "The easy thing," he says, "is a well-defined enemy on the battlefield, because there's no doubt what you're supposed to do. The harder thing is in these areas like Afghanistan, where two weeks ago this village was Taliban, and now they're gone, and that's where it's more difficult for a 17- or an 18-year-old [Marine], maybe the first time he's ever away from home, who's now in harm's way, who doesn't know if these people are friend or foe.

" Suppose, he says, that "you've got a 14-year-old suspected terrorist and you've got him flex-cuffed on the ground and all of a sudden the 80-year-old grandmother comes out and she doesn't want you to take him away. The right response is not a three-round burst in her chest. It's to control her in a humane way If they're trained well, they don't go off the handle as quick, and they use less force."

The required reading to attain various belt levels includes books and articles about the feats of past Marine heroes, history's great warrior cultures--the Spartans, the Apaches, and the Zulus--and comparing the story of Achilles in the Trojan War with the experience of American fighting men in Vietnam. The seven-week instructor-training course that ended in early December included a final written test of about 100 questions.

And while their students were getting ready for that, Urso and six of his men were taking college courses at night in anatomy, physiology, and sports medicine, the better to prevent and mitigate injuries.

Before arriving at Quantico, this reporter had requested a chance to get a taste of martial arts training by participating in some of it--a request that Urso graciously humored by inviting me to put on the gloves in the boxing-training room, which was formerly called the "room of pain."

He stood patiently, occasionally firing off a gentle pop to my chest, while I flailed away at him with all my strength. In amazingly short order, all my strength was gone, my arms drooped like noodles at my sides, and my throat felt like I'd been a week in the desert without a drink. They changed the room's name, but they kept the pain. Master Gunnery Sgt. Cardo Urso looked fresh as a daisy.

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