Blog
Double or Nothing
I had a look at an interview with Geoff Thompson, the ‘boy from Coventry’ who invented Reality Based Self Defence. He did it because of necessity to ensure survival working at the doors of the toughest nightclubs of England in the ‘70’s & ‘80’s. My son, Jonathan, and I were talking about this and he said that if you need to defeat your enemy, the first thing you have to do is find out what they do. In that case, you better know what the Boxers and Wrestlers do. Jonathan referred to the classic TV Hogan’s Heroes show (not withstanding it is only fictional and comedy), meaning the prisoners did so well because they knew everything about their enemy. In any type of warfare, there is a lot of intelligence gathered before a battle is engaged rather than just meet the enemy Ad Hoc. Geoff Thompson’s ideology of self defence is very similar to any type of warfare. There are many factors to be taken into consideration:
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Environment: type of place, space availability, ground surface.
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Who & how many you are dealing with?
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Aggressor’s motive.
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Any weapon or anything which may be used as a weapon?
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Is alcohol or drug a factor?
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Back-up availability.
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Escape route.
There is much more to this; any information is a luxury if you are able to get it in time and 
but this gets the point across that things are not simple as they seem. However, Geoff Thompson’s principles simplify things when dealing with street conflicts.
I was saying to Shihan Richard how we did not have to deal with the MMA style of fighter at the doors of nightclubs back in the '80's. A story comes to Richard's mind where police in a suburb of Los Angeles were being taken to the ground by young louts. The police didn't know how to counter double leg takedowns and went to Big John McCarthy for advice of how to deal with them; they had to, it wasn't a choice!
When we set time aside for Reality Based Self Defence, that’s when the mind should go in overdrive to pick up as much as you can because it's about dealing with the real world.
If you would like to keep up to date with the progress of John Will's son, you might want to read Ronin Will's blog. Ronin is a very lovely young man and is working very hard at his recovery. It is quite interesting to see what he says.
GA
More Time on my Hands
One leg, in plaster of paris, definitely has some advantages if you want to look at the bright side, if there is one. To begin with, my work colleagues tell me how lucky I am to be off work. I have more time for my website, more time to try and figure out the MAC’s software and I even get to speak to internationals when makng calls for technical support; emore time to blog! Unfortunately, I had to do away with the weights because; carrying myself around on crutches, is hard work already.
I can now sit down and watch BJJ & Kickboxing DVDs. I must confess to dragging myself across the mats and going over some BJJ drills. Of course, without the full use of my feet, I have to focus on particular techniques which I now have become very good at. It is always a good idea for Instructors to set time aside for focusing on particular techniques to lift the student’s skill level. It’s about paying attention to detail; that’s what separates us from the mediocre.
On another subject, my injury is next to nothing compared to what other people are going through, right now. At least, I am not in pain, except for the feeling of inconvenience and frustration. Blogging, at least, makes me feel in touch with students and friends.
GA
It was a Good Friday
Good Friday was a very interesting evening for me. Normally, I would be at work, during this busy period, with my guys and assisting the Greek Easter street parades but having your leg in a cast has taken a turn on things for me this weekend. Instead, I picked up my very good friends, Richard Norton and his wife, Judy Green, from the Airport who have been invited by 
James Taylor for his concert tour in the Hunter Valley. My intention, just a cup of coffee, and then head back home. I met with some very wonderful people, including the famous James Taylor. I knew my queue when to leave but they insisted I stay for dinner. However, my mind was made up and I walked (with crutches) back to my car, with Richard and Judy behind me, insisting I stay. It took several goes before I changed my mind. I returned only to be given the ‘welcome back’ treatment by these wonderful people.
I was extremely impressed with the company. Richard was James’s bodyguard in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s and has been a friend ever since. It was interesting to hear James Taylor talk about the martial arts (apart from many other things) of how Richard used to train him whilst on tour. He talked about his son doing Karate and Kung Fu for a number of years and now immersed into BJJ with Renzo Gracie in New York.
The drummer of the band, by the name of Russell, was a wondeful human being. He insisted on walking back with me to my vehicle where we had a one on one conversation. Russ been great friends with Richard for a a very long time and he said, “If you are friend of Richard’s, then you are friend of mine.” I told him he stood out from the rest of the crowd. He said the same about me. I replied, “I have no doubt” pointing to my foot (lol)! He waited so he can tip the carpark attendant who brought over my vehicle. I hope to cross paths with this man again.
This might not mean much but what a lot of good I experienced that evening. This is the same goodness I often come across in the martial arts. I told James Taylor I am going to make him more famous by including him in my blog.
GA