ARTICLES AND COMMENTARY

 

BACK TO THE FUTURE

 

  Saturday July 16^th, we journeyed to Powell, Tennessee to participate in the Warrior Cup.   Chuck Reynolds and Brad Hatcher, were hosting what turned out to be a hugely successful tournament. If people are truly interested in competing in an arena of reality and variety, this is the one for you. It was a combination of continuous fighting, gi grappling and point sparring. Suffice it to say, it was not your traditional Isshin-ryu tournament.  Here is where the future wheels may come off, but I will address that later.  It was organized, well officiated, (especially since I was one of them), and fun, fun, fun.   The mood of the competitors was upbeat and the spectators were also an important part of the day.    It was a very casual, laid back day, with none of the bickering that goes on in points and kata scoring. If you came to fight, you had your money's worth. The day was also blessed with a certain brand of competitor. Continuous fighting/grappling competitors, have a different mindset, and are more serious trainers. They have to be. You have to train for several rounds of continuous, plus 5 minute matches of grappling. Then there are the Sensei, coach, Masters, or whatever you want to call them. They are looking more for training and education than wins or loses. There is much to be learned either way. They are also people who still train themselves, so they have a different feel for the action. The ultimate goal here is not to win brass. It is to develop your fighting skills for reality. That is not to say that they don't want to win. Just jump in the ring with their students if you don't believe me..

 

  I am hoping against hope, that this type of tournament catches on. It is the only kind of competition that we are interested in. So from a selfish stand point, we are going to support any we can. I thought about this all day yesterday. To be honest, I am skeptical as to its growth. There are things to overcome that is going to take time. Having helped organize and hold ICA, AND Dragon Jams, I know how thin the market is for this type of competition. Yet, we had 97 people training the last Jam, which was as large as most local tournaments. The Jams are a fair indicator, because we fight continuous and grapple. My old friend and competitor for life, James Hobby, told me that there were 300  competitors in Orlando, fighting continuous. So anything is possible.

 

 

Here are some of the reasons it may not go.

  The South, particularly the South East, is strongly traditional and clickish. Associations don't support each other’s events, and only a smattering of their members cross over to events outside their circle of associates. They have a strangle hold on their members and stay in their own small world of Cum by ya. The big Kahoonas, (Masters), that  attend and run these tournaments, may be just out of place in some others. They may not even be treated with great importance and reverence. Also, the Kings of the mountain that traditionally win in their own Association tournaments, may be hard pressed to win in these.

 

  Frankly, it is too rough for most people. You have to really train and get in shape. You cannot stop every time someone thinks you scored a point.  You get punched in the head and that is the last thing a lot of people want. Plus, if you participate in the whole day, you have one or more 5 minute grappling sessions waiting after the continuous fighting is over. . In addition some of the people point fought too. Definitely a breed apart these versatile game and well conditioned fighters.

 

 

Reasons why it could and should succeed.

  The combination of continuous and Jujitsu people is a recipe for success. I expect more Jujitsu people to start competing in both disciplines than Karate people. Ju-jitsu people are already hard trainers by the very nature of their discipline.

 

  There are a lot of people intrigued by MMA but haven't the time or interest to compete at that level. So continuous and grappling like Saturday is a rewarding alternative.

 

  It is also age friendly. Separating people by age, experience and weight, gives everyone a shot relative to their personal circumstance. If you have come to realize that one dimensional defense is not enough and are already participating in cross training, you should want to give yourself a reality check. It is not necessary to climb into a cage, to full contact kick box, grappling or fight MMA to test your all round skills. Obviously the cage sports are the ultimate test next to a street fight, but this will more than get the job done.

 

  If you don't answer the  point fighter mold, with fast foot and hand speed, and the timing to score a single point and not get hit doing it, you will have a better fit in continuous. Points take a high degree of skill and a specific approach to the fight.  The well conditioned puncher, kicker, who is game, has as good a chance as anyone to do well. There is no chance that you are going to travel, spend money, and wait for your match all day, only to last one minute or less by virtue of getting a slow start or lousy judging. Continuous puts you in control. And if you like points too, you can do that also. Not to mention grappling for all the same money.

 

  For people who have sworn off kata, or just don't do well in that department, it has been eliminated from the activities. As for me, I will never go watch Kata as a source of competition or entertainment. They are for me specifically a training tool for specific purposes. The years for me of watching and judging have taken their toll.  Lots of people really love the kata, weapons and point contest. There is nothing wrong with that. If you are going to spend your time, spend it enjoying yourself. I just lost my interest in the above. Tournament Kata to me, is like an American Idol audition or a beauty contest. Some look great, some should be beaten out of the gym with their own bo staff. I couldn't watch it anymore. Plus the greatest majority obviously couldn't fight their way out of a Tupper wear party. And suspense... None. After awhile, unless somebody blows an obi, you know that the same two or three people are going to win. Especially in a small association tourney. Same for the fighting. In one association there is only about five people who can even fight. It is a mere formality watching them predictably dispose of everyone before you get a good semi final. Of course, they are good fighters. What are they supposed to do?? I just don't want to hear any of them cry anymore about how light the contact is, smashing their opponent anyhow, and then dodging continuous live contact tournaments.

 

  With the combination of continuous, point and grappling everyone has a choice and you should. We started training for gi grappling instead of our no gi, three weeks before the tournament. We had fun doing it and felt no pressure going in. We trained so our opponents would get their money’s worth. We won four or five medals, three of them being first places. Yes for you Dragon haters, the competition was good. We were better , live with it.. I think this kind of casual but productive activity will catch on. Not to mention how much better prepared we are to use peoples clothing against them in the street.

 

  I would suggest that all the people (tournament directors) who would  like this format or at least continuous, to get in touch with Chuck Reynolds, or Brad Hatcher as a start. Then support each other. If you are willing to stick your creative neck out like Chuck and Brad, to get out in front of change, then we (Dragons) will sure support you.

 

  In closing let me share something I told my students Saturday. It is the truest thing I know under these circumstances. It doesn't matter how much brass you won or didn't win today. It is how you and your team feel about you on the way home. Our most valuable fighter didn't win a match, and got knocked down twice. Each time he bounced up, did his best, and lost his fear of the street completely. I'd say for a 14 year old that is a pretty good day in your life. We also had a 50 year old win first in grappling, who didn't want to go. He beat a 41 year old athlete, and lost his fear of losing by giving himself a chance to win.

 

  It is hard work. It is supposed to be hard, because it is worthwhile. If it were easy, you would have too many losers starting at the bottom, and liking it there.

 

  Congratulations to all who competed anywhere and everywhere this last weekend, and the week ends to come. You are different but all are doing their part for martial arts. MANY ROADS.... ONE DESTINATION...