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ARTICLES AND COMMENTARY

ICA JAM IN KNOXVILLE
 

  For weeks I extolled the merits and opportunities of the upcoming Jam this past week end (3/5/2011). I never worried about over hyping it, as I should have worried about under hyping it. It out did the other ones and set a new standard of both quality and quantity. As for quantity, it was the first time I was glad everyone who said they were coming did not. I don’t know how we would have worked anyone else in. Be sure we would have been found trying. I counted during the day, 93 people who attended. That did not include spectators.

  We were treated to some Isshin-ryu Legends by the presence of Glenn Webb, Pete Shelton, Maurice Msarsa, and the recuperating Cas Cox, who was not able to take a physical part. These are four reasons why Isshin-ryu was thriving before myself and some of the rest of us entered it. When I changed from Kung fu to Isshin-ryu, Cas was my instructor and role model. I often refer to him as my sensei.

  It was a day dedicated to action. People were split up with advanced mma, kick boxers, Ju-jitsu, on one side of the room, with beginner to intermediate on the other. They were the further broken down into two groups each, and partnered up with each other. Kick boxing was the first training exercise. Training, not competition speed; contact was emphasized and was maintained.  A part of the training coordinators handled the shuffling in and out of the two groups. It was like interval training. The rest of the trainers drifted through the fighting, giving tips and advice where needed. James Ogle, Devin Plaisance and Jason Anzur, had one group. Joe Laney, Chuck Reynolds and Butch Hill had the other. Willie Wilson was the overseer.  That left me to participate. I had a ball. Dead left arm and all, I got in six, good, 2 minute matches. Thanks to all the workers for letting me play this time.

  Afterwards Master Willie Wilson demonstrated and instructed his special brand of jujitsu. He instructed on take downs and arm bars from the standing position. It wasn’t the clinching we do. He never let it go that far. He flipped and slammed Melbert Lee Jr, like a small child. I continue to be amazed by the grace and especially his foot work. He is a big man, yet moves like a dancer.

  Then came “The big bopper,” Brad Hatcher. He demonstrated and instructed everyone on the use of the gi(or any clothing) for gaining the advantage in anything from competition to a street fight. I wanted him there because he is one who leads by example and practices what he preaches. That is the prevailing philosophy that permeates the Sensei’s and Masters who attend these kind of activities. Good leadership recreates itself. So lots of second and third comings were in attendance.

  It ended with the same arrangement for ground work that was for stand up. There were no restrictions here on max effort. Everyone hustled in and out changing partners on each shift. I got so caught up at times, that I would forget to call for the change. This activity topped off what was left of most of us, as the ground takes a lot more energy applied, than kick boxing.
 

  Why was our attendance so high? We have always had good attendance, but this was the most yet. It helps to do something the first of the year, when people are not traveling and spent out from events and up coming ones. We also decided not to charge. We let people use that money for gas and a meal. Before we charged as we were in a fund raising mode. After reaching our goal For the Harold Long Foundation, we had no further need for money. We also went totally neutral from any political affiliation as well as changing our structure of the ICA. That may have helped everyone except the people who called it politics, when it was personal all the time it became crystal clear, that they were not interested in attending or allowing their students to attend. So we, meaning the ICA, reached out to it’s own kind. The mma/ kick boxing, jujitsu group(s). We will continue to pursue this line of training and all the tournaments, seminars, and related activities it offers. It is fun, street smart and a way to stay fresh and meet new like minded people. In the relatively short time we have been attending these events we have found that they could give a tinkers damn about rank and politics. Their instructors are still active and not fulla bulla. . .

  We all walked out of there at three o’clock. Safe in the knowledge that if advanced training is the goal for you and your students; Mission accomplished!!