He taught a 12 hour weekend course of Filipino "dirty boxing" involving the various techniques and skills he has developed after 32 years of study and fellowship with Guro Dan Inosanto.
His lessons were filled with hard-hitting (literally) practical tips for improving the stand up game including very practical self-defense applications based on combinations of high-percentages strikes, elbows, knees, claws, stomps and other effective "dirty tricks". In addition to being a walking encyclopedia of the history of JKD/Jun-Fan and several styles of FMA and silat, he has a very effective teaching method to build muscle memory and fitness/cardio in the way that he drills. Overall, a fantastic learning experience and I highly recommend anyone to attend his seminars or camps if possible, or to go directly to his facility in Irvine, California.
One of the points he brought up was about how all arts basically start with two things: stance and footwork. From this we are able to understand what is important to a style and already get a firm grasp of its fighting principles.
We spent the weekend fighting in an orthodox stance, that is, left foot forward.
This can be a challenge for those of us who traditionally fight Southpaw (right foot forward).
Guro Daniel explained the theory of matched/unmatched stances, meaning when we are "matched" with both same side feet forward or "unmatched" when we have opposite feet forward. He further explained that at least 85% of the opponents we would be likely to face (trained or untrained) will stand left foot forward in order to put their power hand (right hand) back.
In weapon-based arts we are generally taught that we want the dominant hand forward since it is most likely to be holding the weapon and we want the weapon in between the opponent and ourselves. For us, it is sensible to not have to remember to switch stance from right forward to left forward depending on if we have an active weapon or not. Thus, we maintain a right foot forward stance at all times. I like many things about this style. I like having my power punch in front and being able to load my jab with enough stopping power to pin the opponent for my cross. I like how the southpaw stance confuses fighters who are used to an orthodox opponent. I like being able to hitch and load my right leg for kicking.
At the same time I must confess that it gets confusing to translate lengthy, complex combinations into southpaw when I watch videos or attend seminars. I also hate having to adjust to orthodox fighters, finding that it sometimes confuses me, too. It also makes it hard to go and train at other gyms or in other styles since I am not as comfortable orthodox as I am southpaw.
Guro Daniel clearly advised that if we choose a Southpaw stance, we should invest plenty of time and energy dealing with orthodox opponents. To do otherwise is an illusion, and we would be kidding ourselves to imagine we can safely defend ourselves when a majority of the population fight orthodox. His words rang true.
Ultimately, we must become comfortable to fight at any range or distance, with any weapon, standing or on the ground, since we never know how an encounter will evolve and our survival may depend on adaptability. For the stand up game this means spending time in both orthodox and southpaw, and working hard on the unmatched position if we choose to keep the integrity of our southpaw art.
The joy of seminars with such masters as Guro Daniel is not just the techniques and the fellowship. It is the thought-provoking insights that keep me examining the art over and over again. Heartfelt gratitude to Guro Daniel Sullivan, Guro Tony Davis and Sensei Eian and Shin Kali for arranging the excellent event.
Pugay!
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