WHY MARTIAL SCIENCE?
I started learning martial arts around 25 years ago. I started out learning unarmed combat in the Military. As expected the training was very much about short, sharp and brutally effective techniques; maximum incapacitation of an opponent with minimal time and effort; finesse was not in the vocabulary. Techniques were demonstrated with a brief explanation of the purpose followed by much repetition, followed by corrective actions from the instructors and again followed by much repetition. After an adequate number of repetitions we were able to either demonstrate the techniques to an acceptable standard or we failed to achieve the objectives and course. Fortunately I passed the initial course and subsequent instructor courses but along the way I did ask the dreaded "technical how and why?" questions, if I was lucky I got pushups or squat thrusts followed by another basic demonstration and more repetitions, if I was unlucky I became the "assistant" for a very vigorous demonstration followed by pushups and again many repetitions.
During this process I realized two things, first I was getting excellent at pushups, and second most instructors don't like how and why questions. The situation was compounded when we had multiple instructors each with their own variations on basic techniques, none of them could really explain verbally how or why their variations were better, even though their technique appeared flawless.
Since then I have also trained in boxing and various martial arts inclusive of Hapkido, Jujitsu, Kajukenbo, and various combat or street fighting derivatives. I realized that universally Martial Arts and Self Defence are taught using the demonstration / repetition (and pushups) model, and that in most cases instructors do not like the technical "How and Why" questions.
In 1994 I established the Sydney University Hapkido club and started teaching Hapkido (and boxing) to fellow university students, the old saying "what goes around, comes around" springs to mind. Most of my students were fellow engineers or scientists and boy did they have "BUT WHY AND HOW?" questions. I am a traditionalist at heart so yes they got lots of pushups and several vigorous demonstrations but I did lots of research and answered most of the questions using physics and engineering, along the way I also learnt a heck of a lot of Martial Theory. I was able to satisfactorily answer my own and others questions regarding subjects like how and why do we effectively use all the different stances, what are the trade-offs regarding mobility, why are there so many variations with styles for punches, kicks, blocks, throws, locks etc. and how do you evaluate which of the variations are best given your body type and the situation at hand.
After graduating from University (as a Robotics Engineer) and doing a few years of a PhD, I disappointed all and focused again on the Military and Private Security Industry, I worked in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Asia / Pacific and I currently live and work in Kuwait, through all my travels I have cross trained with many like minded (and some not so like minded) individuals from all walks of life and from many styles; what I have come to realize is that many people want more theory. Since 1994 I have taught Hapkido and Specialist Unarmed combat / Self defense courses, privately and or for Military / Government Security Forces. The following pages cover most of the theory I use to continuously improve my own technique and teaching methods and it has evolved from the thousands of questions I have received (and asked) and best endeavored to answer. In this way it is continuously evolving thanks to students and training partners who dare to ask "How and Why?
I want this site to be useful to a wide audience and I understand that maths, physics and theory is not for everyone, so the site is split into two key learning areas; theory section and tutorials section. For most the theory section can be skimmed for concepts and key points followed by practical tutorials referencing these key points. Alternatively some people will just dive into the practical tutorials and reference the theory on an as required basis. The last thing I would like to see is people seeing the theory pages and either deciding its not for them or getting so wrapped up in the theory that they don't get to convert some of that knowledge into actual skills.
The various pages cover the following topics, with both theory and practical tutorials, but please bear with me as it is very much under development.
During this process I realized two things, first I was getting excellent at pushups, and second most instructors don't like how and why questions. The situation was compounded when we had multiple instructors each with their own variations on basic techniques, none of them could really explain verbally how or why their variations were better, even though their technique appeared flawless.
Since then I have also trained in boxing and various martial arts inclusive of Hapkido, Jujitsu, Kajukenbo, and various combat or street fighting derivatives. I realized that universally Martial Arts and Self Defence are taught using the demonstration / repetition (and pushups) model, and that in most cases instructors do not like the technical "How and Why" questions.
In 1994 I established the Sydney University Hapkido club and started teaching Hapkido (and boxing) to fellow university students, the old saying "what goes around, comes around" springs to mind. Most of my students were fellow engineers or scientists and boy did they have "BUT WHY AND HOW?" questions. I am a traditionalist at heart so yes they got lots of pushups and several vigorous demonstrations but I did lots of research and answered most of the questions using physics and engineering, along the way I also learnt a heck of a lot of Martial Theory. I was able to satisfactorily answer my own and others questions regarding subjects like how and why do we effectively use all the different stances, what are the trade-offs regarding mobility, why are there so many variations with styles for punches, kicks, blocks, throws, locks etc. and how do you evaluate which of the variations are best given your body type and the situation at hand.
After graduating from University (as a Robotics Engineer) and doing a few years of a PhD, I disappointed all and focused again on the Military and Private Security Industry, I worked in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Asia / Pacific and I currently live and work in Kuwait, through all my travels I have cross trained with many like minded (and some not so like minded) individuals from all walks of life and from many styles; what I have come to realize is that many people want more theory. Since 1994 I have taught Hapkido and Specialist Unarmed combat / Self defense courses, privately and or for Military / Government Security Forces. The following pages cover most of the theory I use to continuously improve my own technique and teaching methods and it has evolved from the thousands of questions I have received (and asked) and best endeavored to answer. In this way it is continuously evolving thanks to students and training partners who dare to ask "How and Why?
I want this site to be useful to a wide audience and I understand that maths, physics and theory is not for everyone, so the site is split into two key learning areas; theory section and tutorials section. For most the theory section can be skimmed for concepts and key points followed by practical tutorials referencing these key points. Alternatively some people will just dive into the practical tutorials and reference the theory on an as required basis. The last thing I would like to see is people seeing the theory pages and either deciding its not for them or getting so wrapped up in the theory that they don't get to convert some of that knowledge into actual skills.
The various pages cover the following topics, with both theory and practical tutorials, but please bear with me as it is very much under development.
- Basics of Balance: Stances and theory of Stability vs. Mobility. Ability to answer questions such as: What and where is my (or opponents) centre of gravity and how can I use this against an opponent? How do different stances and postures effect my stability and what are the trade-offs between these and mobility for striking and defending.
- Impact Mechanics / Basics of Force and Motion: Learn what is Kinetic Energy? Where does it come from? How can we maximise it? What is Momentum and how is this related to impact force. Apply all these principles to QUANTIFY why and how to defend, strike, kick, lock and throw an opponent for any given situation.
- Advanced Motion / Circular Motion: Ability to redirect and either amplify or negate an opponents Kinetic Energy / Momentum. Generate maximum breaking force for throwing and locking or the ability to counter throws and locks through the understanding of moments, moment couples and moments of inertia.
- Reaction and Cognitive Training: The brain can react to a combat situation in two ways, cognitive (Explicit Reaction) and non-cognitive (Implicit or Instinctive Action). Specific modes of training can be used to ensure the best immediate non-cognitive response followed by the most efficient adaption to the situation through explicit or cognitive decision making. Ability to adapt a training program for implicit and explicit outcomes; this is critical to any combat or martial training as failure to understand the modes can result in an inappropriate or ineffective immediate response followed by "decision lock". Military and Police are normally taught about the "OODA" cognitive cycle and yet most are unaware of the Non-Cognitive training implications of the Implicit mode of the OODA model. An understanding of all modes of the OODA cycle can also enable you to disrupt your opponents ability to decide and act (respond) in an effective manner.
OPEN SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE
The purpose for this web site is to scientifically advance the body of knowledge of martial science and to provide a forum for people to exchange ideas to further develop the body of knowledge in a progressive and non-sectarian way. It is intended to be an open source of knowledge and as such I would welcome any constructive feedback and or contributions. I am also currently producing video tutorials and would welcome input in that regard also. This is very much an under construction project so please bear with me. If you are passing through Kuwait or train in Kuwait and would like to cross train please do not hesitate to contact me.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants" (ISACC NEWTON, FATHER OF MODERN PHYSICS).
I must acknowledge firstly all the exceptional people who have and continue to instruct me. Extra special thanks must go to those who started me on this path (and never asked for a cent in return): Greg Blandy (Hapkido), Fred, Paul, and Ellie Massih (boxing and general thuggery), Alan Havill (Kung-Fu & Tai Chi) and Reg Hayes (Boxing and more thuggery). Thanks to all the persons with whom I have trained and most recently all the exceptional people (students and Instructors alike ) from the International Hapkido Alliance who have re-ignited my passion for learning (and increasing my physio and dental bills).
I must acknowledge firstly all the exceptional people who have and continue to instruct me. Extra special thanks must go to those who started me on this path (and never asked for a cent in return): Greg Blandy (Hapkido), Fred, Paul, and Ellie Massih (boxing and general thuggery), Alan Havill (Kung-Fu & Tai Chi) and Reg Hayes (Boxing and more thuggery). Thanks to all the persons with whom I have trained and most recently all the exceptional people (students and Instructors alike ) from the International Hapkido Alliance who have re-ignited my passion for learning (and increasing my physio and dental bills).
