Aliveness Training

[Nutz]

I keep reading about this new thing the SBGi guys are doing called "aliveness" training. Just what is it and what makes it so different from past training methods employed by JKD folks? Is it just another way of saying sparring against resisting opponents?

[smartmonkey]

"Is it just another way of saying sparring against resisting opponents?"

Many people who have not trained with us often times mistake Aliveness to mean rough training, or simply "sparring".

All of which are misconceptions we work very hard to correct.

One can clearly train 100% Alive, with drills, while also training safe, and intelligently, that's a fact. It's for every-body.

If you are interested on this topic I would suggest checking out the MMA.tv JKD forum, where many SBG Coaches post, or browsing our website at www.straightblastgym.com where the methodology for drilling, and class structures are discussed in detail.

-Matt Thornton
www.straightblastgym.com

[Nutz]

Thanks. I've checked out the sbg website on many occations, but this time I actually sat down and read the Q&A. From the sound of it, you guys are pretty much the actualization of my thoughts on JKD--too much emphasis on what doesn't apply for Joe Average. If you want to be a good fighter, you need to have the attributes that make a good fighter (aka conditioning). I too have found issue with many of the JDK methodologies & training that has taken shape over the last decade or so. Too much emphasis on stuff that doesn't have much applicability in a *real* fight.

I don't suppose there are any example videos of your guys in training? Nothing better to explain a subject then by actually seeing it in action.

[smartmonkey]

There are actually many clips around the web. We don't host them at our site, so I don't have any specific URL's for you. However, if you go to the forum I suggested above mma.tv then the jkd forum located in 'general forums', I am sure you will find some.

[Nutz]

Thanks. I'm still waiting for my user account for the mma forums.

When I get back to Maryland I'm gonna have to stop by Dynamic Martial Atheltics in Townsend.

Its refreshing to see people questioning the methodology and practices I have come to have found issue with.

After all thats said and done, I'm grateful that my first JKD instructor, Dave Durch of Champion Ohio, was one of the exceptions to the rule, so to speak. He didn't have any problem with sparring with students and student on student sparring. Once you learned a technique you sparred to see if it worked for you. If not, either adapt it or drop it. If later on in your training you wanted to try and explore it then so be it. We did do a lot of Kali drills, but I think it owes to what Burton said "...most of the drills developed in FMA was because sparring with the weapon was too dangerous. Now we have very good sparring equipment, so we can spar safely, or do realistic sparring at full speed and power with the protective gear. Therefore, the old drills are not really needed, and may actually hinder the fighter's development." The problem, or pitfall, we fell into was that even with the newer gear we were getting we were still holding onto the old drills. I think this is a problem that many schools and falling prey to. Fortunately, we did have the "Drill, spar, adjust the drills, and spar some more" training philosophy going for us. However, like you eluded to, this type of instructorship seems to be few and far between.


**Edit**
Turns out the place I was looking at, Dynamic Martial Atheltics, is in massachusetts, not Maryland. I don't suppose there are any SBG affiliates in the Fort Meade/Baltimore area?


Luis Gutierrez

[smartmonkey]

Sorry just saw this thread and reply.

No, we have no locations there that I am aware of at the moment. But you can always check the website under 'where' for the nearest location.

take care
-Matt Thornton
www.straightblastgym.com