Phenomenal Houston Modern Arnis Camp
What can I say about last week’s Houston Modern Arnis Camp? I had a phenomenal time training and teaching. The last time I went to Houston was pre-COVID-19. In addition, I missed last year’s camp since it took place three weeks after my right hip…
Video of the Week 2: Footwork
Inaugural Video of the Week: Stick and Foot Position
Sparring or Free Play?
Sensei Jesse Enkamp has a great video on the issue of sparring versus free play. It’s a worthwhile watch. Martial artists often discuss the concepts of free play and sparring. On the one hand, free play, characterized by a less structured and more exploratory form…
Five Great Ways to Get Popeye’s Forearms!
There are five great ways to get Popeye’s forearms without lifting weights. You only need sticks for the exercises demonstrated below. The following methods will leave you feeling like you have Popeye’s forearms! (1) Squeeze the sticks One exercise is to do the controlled version…
Navigating Between Too Much Or Just Enough
Some of you know I am a huge football fan in addition to martial arts. After all, it’s hard to avoid watching football in Ohio. I have clear memories of watching the 1970 Cotton Bowl game between Notre Dame and Texas with my father. I…
What A Phenomenal ArnisFest!
Wow, what can I say about the 25th ArnisFest, which occurred this past weekend in Mooresville, Indiana? It was a phenomenal event filled with great instruction, training, friendships, and making new friends. In short, I’ve been blessed to have attended two great camps this year….
Friday Recommendation #18
Disarms play a significant role in Filipino Martial Arts (FMA). By mastering disarms, practitioners develop a deep understanding of range, timing, leverage, and body mechanics. Moreover, this skill teaches students the inherent danger of facing an armed attacker, fostering respect for the devastating potential of…
Complicated Drills Are A Waste Of Time!
I recently watched a martial arts video on YouTube where an instructor demonstrated a rather complicated drill. In this post, I discuss the downside of overly complicated drills. I understand that I don’t have all the information about the video. The instructor may have performed…
Friday Recommendation #16
Modern Arnis is well known for its different locks and techniques using sticks and empty hands. Locking is used to break a joint, control another person, or set up a hit. Since applying a joint lock in a live situation is difficult, I think more…
