Adapt-Apply-Create

Just one of the principles I teach is that of “Adapt – Apply-Create” . This is one of the many principles drummed into me whilst training with Dave Turton. What I intend with this blog is to go into each of them briefly. I say briefly as there are many layers to these principles, if people like what they read though, just get in touch and I can go into them in more depth if requested.

So, starting with the first of these “Adapt”.  It is vital that each technique we are taught is adapted to suit us, the individual, be it something as basic as stances through to how you “apply” any specific  technique. Another point we must remember is that we must “adapt” what we are training for it to work in the environment that we need them to. Quick example, if you only train within a combative sport arena, (boxing, mma, kick boxing etc) then will these sports prepare you to defend yourself against someone trying to gut you open with a Stanley blade?  Don’t get me wrong, training in these arts will make you a good fighter but fighting, self protection and self defence are different, require different training, yes there are crossovers but you will need to “adapt” techniques, training methods and principles for them to be more effective for your favoured (or required) environment.

“Apply” – With any tool or technique in your arsenal you must be able to apply the technique against a resisting opponent. Each and every move should be trained gradually against increasing levels of pressure in order for one to be able to apply them effectively. This is where pressure testing comes in. We are not talking jumping straight in with “Animal Day” style pressure testing. There are many levels of pressure testing we can incorporate into our training. Restrictive sparring is just one of the methods used within the Rider Martial Arts System. Basic drills such as using specific techniques only. A quick example, using a lead straight (Jab) in sparring or only being able to submit your partner using a rear naked strangle. Doing drills like this will make your weaker techniques stronger and make you a better martial artist. Without the ability to “apply” your techniques, then you are wasting your time.

“Create” – One of the most restricting training methods is where students are expected to learn specific  follow ups for their self defence training, let me give you an example of what I mean:-

Attacker grabs you in a front strangle, you react with a palm heel strike, round elbow and finish with a knee strike! (or something similar) anyway once this is learnt you are then expected to remember and perform this ad-nauseam at every grading, class etc.

I term this as alphabet learning and is something that I really only teach to absolute beginners. Once they have been training for a while I expect them to become more creative and not follow an A,B,C,D, routine. Instead they should be using an A, B whatever free flow method.

Another way of becoming more creative in your training is by having a good training partner. It is vital that your partner reacts in a way that is congruent to what you’re doing. Another quick example, your opening move is a groin shot, a good partner should react in a way that represents  being struck in the groin, ie staggering away, dropping to the floor, bending over to protect this area, something that is a natural reaction. This allows you to “adapt” to the situation and become creative. An incorrect response / follow up would be opening with a groin shot and following up with a jab / cross finish, (yeah great on the pads for attribute development but not when training for correct application of tools for a self defence scenario).  Why, because in reality your opponent should not still be standing tall directly in front of you. Much more likely that they have moved away from you and so you need to adapt to this situation, apply foot work etc to close the distance or run away and create from the situation as determined by how the opponent has reacted to your opening move.

Anyway, that was just a brief intro to these principles. I hope you get where i am coming from, feel free to contact me if you want to discuss this further.

Until next time, stay safe and have fun.

To find out more about Rider Martial Arts visit: http://www.ridermartialarts.webs.com/
 You can e-mail Stuart at: stuart.rider@hotmail.co.uk

A bit about me...

I suppose with this being my first blog I had better introduce myself. Before doing so I would like to thank Phil for inviting me to become one of the regular bloggers for Martial News. 

So, back to a bit about me and my background.  Very briefly, I have been training in the martial arts for 20+ years and studied various styles. I hold grades of various levels in different styles including Choi Kwang Do, Free Style Martial Arts, JKD, Kali and SDF Self Defence. For a number of years I was a senior representative and assessor for the Self Defence Federation under Dave Turton.

As well as my experience and qualifications in Martial Arts and Self Defence I am also qualified as a Holistic and Complementary Therapist. Under this heading i am trained in Holistic Massage, Aromatherapy and Reflexology. I am also certified as a Master / Teacher in Usui Reiki. My reason for training in these methods is that they have given me a better understanding of the human body and as such makes me more holistic as a martial artist.

These days I teach what I term as the Rider Martial Arts System, now I know that many of you will think that it is really egotistical of me to name what I teach after myself  the reason I have decided to use the name Rider Martial Arts is simple really. It is just because it is very difficult to come up with a name that describes the system that someone else is not already using in some form or another. There is No egotistical reason for using my own name, at all. If you look at other arts though you will see it is not that unusual either. Just a few examples are, Sayoc Kali, Illustrisimo Kalis, Floro Fighting System, and probably one of the most recognisable in this day and age, Gracie Ju Jitsu. Also look at many of the Chinese Arts and you will see the family name used frequently. In no way am I comparing myself or my skill level to these superb martial artists I am just pointing out that it is not uncommon. The Rider Martial Arts System is basically my personal interpretation and expression of the martial arts and self defence methods i have studied and trained in.

The methods and principles I teach are not competition orientated. We do not train for competition although with some tweeks here and there to the training methods it can and has been done. Also I do not class the system as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). With the popularity of MMA and number of people training, fighting and instructing in MMA these days, I personally class MMA as a Combat Sport with its own identity. But there is a paradox when we are talking about the methods I teach and MMA, as both methods of combat draw from a mix of different martial arts. This however is nothing new and if you investigate various martial arts styles over history you will find this has always been done.

Just a quick note, It would have been easy for me just to mention the arts that have influenced me but I believe it is important to pay tribute and respect to the instructors that have influenced me. Their teaching manner, professionalism etc have had as much of an influence and made me the instructor I am today.

Over the coming months I intend to cover a whole range of topics that I hope you will find interesting. This will range from training methods as well as combative principles and concepts that I teach. My general thoughts about the martial arts as well as the information on Reiki and other holistic therapies. Hopefully you will find this informative and may get you thinking.

To find out more about Rider Martial Arts visit: http://www.ridermartialarts.webs.com/
 You can e-mail Stuart at: stuart.rider@hotmail.co.uk