ARTICLES
AND COMMENTARY
“GAB JAM “ 2007
A few months back, I
envisioned an ongoing training vehicle that would perpetuate the participation
of cross training by those interested in that pursuit. I already had a prototype
in place called the Dragon Jam, which I hold annually. From this format, thanks
to friends and associates that are also avid cross trainers, we put together the
first of many “JAMS” to come. It was held, Saturday, September the 15th,
at Master David Gabbards dojo, in Dechard, Tennessee. Hence the name “GAB JAM”.
I knew that the attendees would be the hard hat, blue collar type
of trainers who aren’t easily impressed. They would come with knowledge of their
own and a reputation for enjoying rough and tumble training. I was exactly
right! The people showed up to work!!! My plan with this group was to get these
“Jams” off to the best start possible. So I led off with an all star cast of
cross training masters and trainers (Masters; Chris Spruiell, Butch Hill, James
Ogle and David Gabbard). I mistakenly placed myself in the group of instructors
and realized too late that I should have spent my entire time as a student. I
was more interested in learning, than hearing myself talk. I also wanted to
expose my students to as much new material as possible. They hear me enough
already. So I did a segment on striking with the emphasis on boxing
combinations. I did a lousy job. I was bored with myself and as I said, more
interested in furthering my education. The other instructors took care of that.
Each had a hour to demonstrate, then teach. It was not intended to be a stage
for the instructors to just demonstrate and entertain. It was for the purpose of
teaching people skills they either don’t presently possess, or help them improve
on their present ones.. Both aspects were served as the instructors passed along
their information with hands on training. They each offered a variety of
approaches that made everything an elective. It reminded all of us that we
should have a complete circle of defensive weapons around us and be able to use
each effectively.
Chris
Spruiell was just awesome. He flowed flawlessly through any number of wrist, arm
and leg locks, neck cranks and general ground and pound. He was living proof of
the lethal aspects of ground fighting and how helpless the untrained would be
against it. He also demonstrated some stand up punching and kicking strength
that would have placed only his opponent on the ground
David
Gabbard demonstrated and taught, with ferocity, take downs from the kata. It was
an approach that David has used effectively for years and he re-sold us all on
it’s usefulness. One more fighting skill option taught by one of the best.
Later during the break, David engaged in a boxing match with Leon. It was just
another clinic these guys put on. Leon and Josh Jessie also had a pretty good
go, but it was in the spirit of training. The contact was minimized a bit. Just
a bit!!! It was that kind if day.
James and Butch took us through attack drills as well as
flow training. They were on the floor all day either training with each other or
others. I had a brief session with Butch and equally painful one with James.
These guys are real warriors and great teachers. They have been cross training
and teaching this for years. They have a wealth of knowledge and will share it
with anyone. They recharged our batteries and there was a lot of action going on
at the breaks and even after the day was over. No one wanted to wait until they
got home to try out their new stuff.
In the sweat soaked student group was Joe Laney, Ron
Honeycutt and Tony Williams. They brought students and worked even harder than
the ones they brought. They worked and soaked up the information like white
belts at their first class. They say the last thing to age in a warrior is his
heart. We had some living examples of that at the Jam. Many of us had some
injuries or ongoing joint problems.. You wouldn’t have known it watching people
train. It was a blend of like minded people who are use to hard core training.
Everyone worked with people from another dojo, so a lot of friendships were born
and a lot of information shared.
As I said earlier, everyone was reluctant to leave and were
carrying on their own standing to ground and back sessions. I would up in the
ring with my guy Darrin, who finished his day with Devin Pleasence. There was no
shortage of quality people to train with. After my last leg amputation session
with Chris Spruiell, hunger finally took over. We all met at the steak house,
where many calories were ingested and many war stories of the day and years gone
by, were swapped. A hard day of training, good food and good friends….Man Heaven
can wait.
In
talking to several of the participants, we will probably keep the attendance to
fifty or less. I’m not sure what the interest is beyond who was there. We filled
up so fast there wasn’t time to get a feel for that. I have a sense that all who
are really interested were there. Plus, there are some very good cross trainers
who have no interest in being there as a student; only as an instructor. These
guys have to have a little of the stage to be happy. This ain’t American Idol,
slick!…Get your work clothes on and get with the troops. I also think we have
fostered some, “counter cross training sessions” among some of our associates.
We mysteriously have not been invited to any of them, or our invitation comes
too late for us to attend. No problem! To each is own. We understand. My
students and I will continue to train and go places where legitimate martial
arts cross training is offered. Everyone has to train in the culture that most
suites their philosophy. Choice is what made chocolate and vanilla ice cream
In the
coming Jams, we will also allow more time for just partner training, with our
instructors working with everyone during this training. We will have some brief
demo’s to keep the info coming and set the stage for training but there will be
more bite and less bark. It will continue to cover beginner to advanced; and we
have the qualified people to teach every phase. And guess what!! It’s all free,
unless we grow out of our dojo’s and are forced to rent some space. The next Jam
is tentatively scheduled in February at Master Joe Laney’s. His schedule and
avoiding stepping on other events is still under consideration. I’ll keep all
posted on my site as time draws near. In the mean time, I’ll be asking for feed
back and recommendations on improving the day. So stay in shape, train hard, and
push the envelope every day. Court pain and avoid ignorance. Have a “put up or
shut up” approach to people who want to educate you or your students. You can
learn something from everyone but some of it is a waste of time. If they ain’t
training, they are coasting, and you can only coast down hill.
