# Las Vegas Black Belt Camp

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2010/09/28/blog-las-vegas-black-belt-camp/
- Published: 2010-09-28T21:08:00-04:00
- Author: Brian Johns

On the weekend of September 18, 2010, I attended a one-day camp in Las Vegas, Nevada,
taught by Master Chuck Gauss and Master Ken Smith. This camp was geared for brown
belts and black belts.

The focus of the day was on the details of the advanced aspects of [Modern Arnis](https://brianejohns.com//2007/10/09/blog-modern-arnis-what-it-is-and-it-isnt/).
The first 6 hours focused on right-hand techniques, particularly on the structure
and soundness of advanced material rather than the accumulation of techniques per
se.

 * ![Las Vegas Group Photo](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com//wp-content/uploads/
   2020/07/59112_1518000903999_1053798552_1537854_6426451_n.jpg?resize=720%2C540&
   ssl=1)
 * A merry band of Arnisadors!
 * ![Master Chuck and I.](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com//wp-content/uploads/
   2020/07/59112_1518000944000_1053798552_1537855_1183671_n.jpg?resize=720%2C540&
   ssl=1)
 * Working the left hand!
 * ![Master Chuck disarming me.](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com//wp-content/uploads/
   2020/07/59112_1518000984001_1053798552_1537856_628013_n.jpg?resize=720%2C540&
   ssl=1)
 * Disarming me!
 * ![Master Chuck about to finish me!](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com//wp-content/
   uploads/2020/07/59112_1518001024002_1053798552_1537857_7563182_n.jpg?resize=720%
   2C540&ssl=1)
 * Master Chuck is scary here!
 * ![Great guys!](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/07/
   63805_1518002384036_1053798552_1537860_338474_n.jpg?resize=270%2C202&ssl=1)
 * A great time!

The last three-hour session of the camp focused on left-hand material. Master Chuck
and Master Ken emphasized moving your opponent through sweepstrokes, tulaks, footwork,
and proper use of thrusts.

The video below contains material similar to what Master Chuck and Master Ken covered
at the camp.

If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/VBXeM-M4TNQ).

Master Chuck and Master Ken highlighted what they expected of the higher-ranking
belts as opposed to beginners. As Master Chuck said, if we don’t practice the art
as Professor Presas taught, the art will die.

This one-day camp represented an effort by Master Chuck and Master Ken to pass on
the advanced aspects of Professor Presas’s art. They are passionate about preserving
Professor Presas’s legacy and vision for the art of Modern Arnis. I had fun hanging
out with Master Chuck, Master Ken, Master Roland, Steve Cheston, and Robbie Harris
as we checked out Red Rock Canyon and the Vegas Strip.  

## A fantastic time in Las Vegas!

## Additional Reading

 * [Paul Vunak and Filipino Martial Arts](https://brianejohns.com/2008/04/04/blog-paul-vunak-and-filipino-martial-arts/)
 * [2010 ArnisFest](https://brianejohns.com/2010/10/04/blog-2010-arnisfest/)
 * [5 Reasons to Challenge Yourself](https://brianejohns.com/2022/08/03/blog-5-reasons-to-challenge-yourself/)
 * [“It Has To Be Done This Way!”](https://brianejohns.com/2015/05/17/blog-it-has-to-be-done-this-way/)
 * [A Great Michigan Camp](https://brianejohns.com/2023/08/01/blog-a-great-michigan-camp/)

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