KDT demo in Nottingham University

Alex represent us and Fiona was supposed to give a sampler of the CSBC training. 3 groups (Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwan Do and us, Kissaki Defensive Tactics - KDT) will be giving demonstration to the students with the hope of recruiting them to join each clubs in the University.

What happened was kinda of an eye opener and well, funny (depending on how you look at it).

TANG SOO DO
The Sensei gave a long sheet with the history of the art (will sure impress those who are there to study history). He then proceeded to do a demo of the basics (fist, knife-hand, palm, kicks), followed by a pattern. Next, he asked Raj to help him demostrate some self defense techniques, typical punch-kick stuffs. There was one moment he actually asked Raj to stay still while he measured the distance with his arm in order for him to perform the technique. This is supposedly the typical way one learns distance and control to prevent hurting your demo partner.

Then he asked yours truly to help him with a wrist grab. Suddenly he tried to strike my neck so I immediately ducked my neck into my arm (ala Crazy Monkey style). He was frustrated and asked me not to do that. He proceeded to "demolish" me with punches & kicks as I stand still without any measure of distraction, unbalancing or control. Next, he put an arm lock & pushed me to the ground so hard (probably due to stage fright or to make it look good) that I had no choice but to spin out of it to prevent any potential injury to my elbow. The look on his surprised face when I spun out made all the training I had in BJJ worthwhile. Nevertheless, he showed good form and control (I like the breezy wind near my face when he shadow punched and kicked me).

TAE KWON DO
The Master brought 8 teenage black belts students to demonstrate. He started with his "prestigious" lineage and track record in training the Malaysian national team members. He said (in his thick Chinese accent) something like: "We don't have many students, only 60,000. We don't have many clubs, only 60 in whole Malaysia... blah blah. TKD is the most popular MA in Malaysia, shows how (good) it is, so everyone should learn it." Next he proceeded to ask his students to show some basic patterns, and techniques. I must confessed that I find his students basics and stances a little sloppy, esp. for black belts level. But what do I know about stances and such.

Then comes the ever anticipated breaking techniques to show power. First, his student showed turning kick & jumping front kick - crack, crack, both boards broke. Second, he showed some Jacky Chan like climb-the-wall-and-kick technique - 3 times but failed to break. Third, he tried to break 3 boards which were placed low near the floor. Went back bout 7-8 ft, ran - tat, tat, tat - all hit but none broke. Went back another 10-12 ft, ran - tat tat tat - same again, none broke. Went further back to maybe 15ft, and well... no prize for guessing what happen? I whispered to Raj, maybe he ought to take a cab to KL and run back here to break em. By then, the whole audience was bursting into laughter everytime it was done. I felt kinda bad making fun of others but I don't see any logic in such training whereby you need to adjust the height, angle, distance, then make sure target stays still in order to break it. So it's not whether he manages to break any of the boards but where are the benefits of such training (maybe I don't know bout the $$$ involved in TKD shows).

Finally comes the most poorly rehearsed self-defense demo I've ever seen. All the students lined-up in 2 rows to show how to break free from rear bear hug. All I saw was some sloppy elbow strikes "argh argh argh...", delayed 2 secs, only then attacker let go (slow-mo perhaps), knee "argh argh argh", delayed another 2 secs (stunned perhaps), pushed attacker to floor, and jumped high up to land elbow to the back of attacker, delayed 2 secs again, then heard "ouch, ohhh" rang out (delayed pain reaction). Now think what would happen if you jump high up and land with your elbows and knees on a tar road.

The Master said his TKD is an evolved form, from WTF to WWF so it includes wrestling moves like what we've just seen (jumping elbow strike to back of down opponent). So he said there's no need to seek elsewhere for "mixed" martial arts training. His "rojak" (Malaysian delicacy) style is more than enough. No prize for guessing my view.

PS. Tommy felt bad coz it's a poor representation of what TKD can really do.

KISSAKI DEFENSIVE TACTICS (Alex called it Kissaki Karate for ease of identification).
Alex started by saying while it's nice to watch people do snapping punch and flying kicks, what matter most is learning what really works. He then showed few typical Shotokan snapping punches and kicks. Looks nice, can be learned easily but do you know what will happen to your joints when you do this for 20 years?

Then he called yours truly out (man I thought I've escaped being a demo partner by refusing to change into my gi), asked me to move into a front stance and punch him in the stomach. First of all, how many people really have time to move into a stance, then throw strikes accurately in a real fight. Why then train with still partners? Worse, he shows that it's hard to hurt someone even if your punch struck him accurately 1-2 times. If I can't do it, what can women do? The crowd really appreciated Alex's explanation on how to setup for strikes if you must strikes. Next, he hightlighted how dangerous it is to stay in the centerline, esp. when you are ambushed. And what happens once you do not have distance to throw punches and kicks anymore. Simple principles (and techniques) were shown on how to distract, stun, unbalance and control the attacker before running or...

Equally important is the need to understand and incorporate reality into training, a man normally would not grab another by the wrist if he wants to attack him. Raj and Fiona then proceeded to demonstrate how a woman can break free from common grabs following those principles mentioned above. Similar thing with weapons defense, how controlling the arm/body works better than controlling the weapon. Training with Aliveness was explained and progression of training from mitts, bags to sparring with moving resisting opponents.

Next, he asked Tommy to show some fancy kicks - roundhouse, 360 turning kicks to validate that each person can have and use his own unique way of fighting with KDTA, once he's aware of our principles and approach in training. A person will be trained in all ranges (kick, punch, clinch, ground) in KDTA.

Finally, Alex explained how we need to live a healthy lifestyle to be fit by working out regularly (this is the part where I bowed my head down in shame) How a fit person can outrun/outlast his/her attacker/s. He then explained what Core Strength workout is and how well it integrates with KDT training - best of both worlds.

The thunderous applause at the end of the demo showed common sense ruled the day (or perhaps they like Alex's Scottish accent). Kudos to Alex for being such a great presenter and coach - a real natural.

Download our Aliveness concepts and pressure drills videos here.
Fight Club Library

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