Wim Demeere's Blog

Understanding Violence: You, Society, World

Training versus applying, Part two

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In part one of Training versus applying, I mentioned the lead hook as an example of how training for techniques and applying them in real life isn’t always the same. Let’s take a look at another example, this time one from muay Thai and MMA: the leg kick. Take a look at 1min40 when Rob Mccullough explains where to place the right arm.

httpv://youtu.be/a0pXVT9malY

He specifies that the right arm has to be straightened out forward, towards your opponent, when you throw the rear leg kick.  OK… Take a look at this video now and watch what happens when Rob Kaman (who was called “Hammerkick” for a reason…) throws his rear leg kick.

httpv://youtu.be/UG5WtG5vX5g

How many times did you see him straighten out his arm towards his opponent when he does a rear leg kick? Not once…

Here’s Ernesto Hoost, another fighter who you can hardly call an amateur… [Read more…]

Training versus applying

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I just started training an 18 year-old girl in boxing and this one came up: training versus applying.

In training, you sometimes do things that you don’t (or hardly ever) use when you apply the technique in real life. It doesn’t matter if you train for sports or self defense, this applies across the board. I’ll give you some examples first and then tell you how I see it. First up, boxing’s lead hook.

Check out this instructional video:

httpv://youtu.be/Fv_rKM0d39A

I want you to notice two things:

  • The weight shifts form the lead to the back leg.
  • The lead heel is all the way up.

In this video, Freddie Roach teaches the lead hook: [Read more…]

Rob Kaman Interview

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Here’s a long interview with muay Thai and kickboxing legend Rob Kaman that just came out:

httpv://youtu.be/ltl3BUd24oE

In this interview, you see him talking with his former sparring partner and the current Mejiro Gym trainer, André Mannaert. They reminisce on days gone by and on what’s going on in the muay Thai and kickboxing world right now.

What strikes me the most is how calm and relaxed they both are. Neither man has anything left to prove and it shows in their demeanor. I always liked that in true champions, they don’t feel the need to rub into your face how special they are. Which is a far cry from some of the attention seekers and diva’s you see in todays combat sports. [Read more…]

MMA Against Multiple Opponents, Part Five

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I wrote about MMA against multiple opponents in detail in the past, but this fifth part sums it all up so well. Take a look at this video of a street fight that goes to the ground..

httpv://youtu.be/O4jwWUlooN0

 

Here’s the full fight:

httpv://youtu.be/LMrkbyYGvIw

 

Now you can give me a load of excuses why this isn’t “real MMA” and how much these guys suck at it and why I’m wrong. I’ll even help you get started:

  • Their technique sucked.
  • They weren’t in shape.
  • They should have done technique X instead of Y.
  • GSP would kick your ass!
  • You just suck man, WTF are you doing undermining my self-esteem!
  • And so on ad nauseam.

I’m sure you can come up with a bunch more “arguments” but that’s not really the issue. Anyway you slice it, the young man was doing MMA when he hit the ground: he got side control, guard, tried chokes, ground and pound, the works. Granted, he didn’t do a good job of it but you didn’t see him try strategies from traditional arts.

The real issue is that this video illustrates what I’ve been saying for so long: [Read more…]

Can combat sports get you killed in a self-defense situation?

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Before I talk about why your MMA or muay Thai might get you killed in a self-defense situation, go read this excellent blog post by Kasey Keckeisen.The man is a SWAT team leader and instructor; he knows what he’s talking about.

 

Can my MMA or muay Thai get me killed in the street?

Yes it can. Not necessarily, but it can. Before you start writing flaming comments, read this:

  • I train in and teach combat sports and absolutely love it. I’ve done so for the last 20 years, I’m not bashing them at all.  Here’s a clip form my Sanshou class if you don’t believe me.

httpv://youtu.be/_IPxg0HKBk0

  • Nor am I saying that traditional arts or H2H systems are the best thing since sliced bread. Yes, I do train in and teach these too. I believe they’re just as valuable as the full contact sports.
  • The most important thing: there are no guarantees in a fight, regardless of which style or art you practice, so in a way, the point is moot.

That said, if you’re interested in using MMA, muay Thai, kickboxing or sports karate not only to stay in shape or to compete but also to defend yourself in the street, then I’m going to assume you’re interested in learning the differences between the ring/cage and the street. Because that’s what’ll determine if you make it out alive or not.  If you’re not interested in those, then you’re a fool. Not because you aren’t intelligent but because you refuse to accept these differences out of pride. I’m sorry if that offends you but I believe it is true.

I’ve written about the differences between sports fighting and MMA before, so I won’t go over it again. If you want to read my reasoning, go here first: [Read more…]

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