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New York Martial Arts AcademyThe Straight Blast |
"Absorb what is useful"
by Derek Weismandel
November was an exciting month here at the academy. Three of the four weekends had something going on. The first weekend was a semi-private seminar with Sifu Ted Wong. Those in attendance were treated to ten hours of personal attention from one of the most knowledgeable J.K.D. instructors in the world. Sifu Ted covered in detail stance, half beat footwork, infighting (including slipping, bob and weave, and hooks), and defense against kicks. Next was the Guru Cass Magda Seminar. This was the first seminar for a number of new students. They were exposed to a number of topics including the application of sweeps from Djuru #1, knife disarms, the hammer principle, and the flesche (footwork from fencing). The last weekend was the monthly Kali workshop with Guru Greg Alland, who covered options from one of the Sumbrada drills.
The next seminar will be with Sifu Ted Wong on February 9 & 10, 2002. Sifu Chris Kent will be back in either late April or early May. Sifu Dino is also trying to arrange a summer seminar with Sifu Dan Lee, who was the first student admitted to Bruce Lee's Chinatown school. Guru Greg Alland will be back for another workshop in January. Stay tuned for more information and do not miss these golden opportunities to advance your training.
Anyone who has seen Sifu Ted Wong has heard him state that Bruce stressed "Footwork, footwork, and then more footwork". It is important because it is utilized in all the aspects of combat including attack, defense, deception, and the conservation of energy. When it comes to attack, you can have the best jab in the world, but if you cannot get it to the target it is useless.
Mobility is what allows you to close the distance effectively in order to deliver your tools. It also contributes to the speed and power of your strikes. If your feet are slow, your kicks and punches will be slow. Footwork enables you to put your body weight into your strikes, as well as, maintain the proper body alignment for maximum power transfer into the target. Mobility is vital in defense because it enables you to offset the opponent's line of attack and can cause him to misjudge his distance. Alsoa moving target is harder to hit and can initiate both attack and defense quicker than one that is standing still. The better your footwork is, the less you need to utilize your hands in defense which leaves them free to hit. For deceptive purposes, you want to vary the length, speed, and rhythm of your seps in order to disturb the opponent's attack or defense. You conserve energy when you can evade without having to block. Proper footwork also makes the delivery of your strikes more efficient, which expends less energy.
The footwork of Jeet Kune Do strives for simplicity, economy, and speed with a minimum of movement. One does not want to expend energy jumping around. Your footwork should be alive, springy and fluid. The steps should be small to ensure balance and let you change directions or attack quickly. Relaxation and maintaining your weight on the balls of your feet facilitate ease of motion. Your footwork is meant to keep you just out of range, yet close enough to take advantage of openings. It controls the distance of your strikes and shold align your body for proper mechanics.
There are a number of ways to develop good footwork. First is jumping rope, which helps you learn to stay light on your feet. Running, squats, and squat jumps strengthen the legs for explosive movements. Working specific steps and shadow boxing are effective methods of solo training. The mirror drill and sparring foster the learning of proper distance and timing with your footwork. Remember, to utilize your footwork in attack, defense, and in conjunctin with your tools.
Monday nights from 7:00 - 8:00pm there is a J.K.D. footwork and tool development class. This class is a must for both new and senior students. Stance and footwork are the core of J.K.D. and as it states in Bruce Lee's Fighting Method (vol. 3, p.11) "Finesse in movement is not innate; it has to be learned like any other skill." This class concentrates on fine tuning your footwork and body mechanics.
Phase 3,4,5 class has returned on Mondays from 8:00 - 9:00 pm. All students phase 3 and above are required to attend this class in order to advance. It is the only class where the curriculum for those phases is being taught. YOU CANNOT PASS YOUR TEST IF YOU DO NOT ATTEND THIS CLASS. Your equipment is needed for this class.
The early class on Tuesdays is now a glove work/sparring class. The first half will be offensive/defensive drills and evasion. The second half of the class will be sparring. The first class worked sparring two on one. Anyone phase 3 and above can automatically attend. Phase 2 students require permission from Sifu in order to take this class. You must have all your equipment for this class. Any student who has been in the school for one month is required to purchase a set of sparring equipment.
The Filipino Martial Arts class has moved to Wedensday at 6:30pm.
Sifu Dino would like to thank all those who donated money for turkeys to feed the hungry on Thanksgiving.
We would also like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and remind you that the academy will be closed December 24, 25, & 31 as well as January 1, 2002.
"The essense of fighting is the art of moving." - Bruce Lee
"Keep relating, to move is to relate." - Bruce Lee
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