MMA Shin guards can be used in many forms of martial arts: Grappling, Muay Thai and kick boxing. 

The next time you clash shins with an opponent, is when you will reconsider your MMA shin guard purchase. Imagine cracking 2 baseball bats together- that’s the equivalent force behind 2 people swing their legs at the same time. 

Before you purchase that cheap pair of shin guards, there are a few things you should consider. My MMA training includes over 25 years of Taekwondo training- this is where I learned the value of the quality MMA shin guard.

When shopping for MMA shin guards, the main thing to look for is a re-enforced “Spine” that runs down the front of the guard.I haven’t seen any of the MMA shin guards with this feature. As a long time Taekwondo fighter- this is a feature I always look for first (remember the baseball bats…). 

Perceived value

Many people purchase more expensive things thinking they are better in quality. In you years of working with MMA gear, I have found this is not the case. A perfect example is Hayabusa and Combat Sports. The padding and overall design are almost exactly the same. The marketing is what supports the higher price of Hayabusa.

Don’t get me wrong- I think they are both very good brands.  

The way that the shin guards are attached to the legs is also very important. The Sock type guards are better suited for grappling and also striking like muay thai. The reason for the sock type fit is so they don’t get spun around or even fall off when you’re on the ground. You need to ask yourself: Do I need Muay Thai Shin Guards or Do I need Grappling Shin Guards?

So, before you buy those cheap shin guards- think about how yours shins are going to feel after your first shin-to-shin full contact. Remember to look for a re-enforced spine down the front of the guard. If you are looking for quality, a higher price does not always mean they will protect any better. Consider the use- are you going to be rolling on the ground or are you just doing stand up.

One more thing to consider is the weight of the shin guard. Obviously the cloth type are going to weigh the least. There are some really heavy duty shin guards made of leather. These also have some very uncomfortable straps too. I would avoid these.

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When Dr. Jigoro Kano developed judo from its original martial art form, he wanted something more than skill in judo technique. He theorized that what was needed was a blend of the finer techniques of jujitsu with a form of mental training or philosophy as its driving force. Do or “the way” therefore came to signify the mental training that the judoist needs in order to make practical use of the judo philosophy in personal contacts, daily experiences, and career relations. In other words, judo basics involve the maximum efficient use of mental and physical energy in judo technique.

This is no more evident than in the special facet of judo called ukemi – the art of falling. In judo the method of falling is an art in itself. Mastery of ukemi, or the art of falling, is essential not only for the execution of free and quick movements but also for the prevention of injury when you are thrown. Thus ukemi is the first technique for you to learn and master.

The key point of ukemi is to make your upper and lower extremities strike the mat simultaneously just before your trunk makes contact. You can then utilize your shoulder, thigh, and knee joints as shock-absorbing. If you succeed in doing so, you can break your fall by dissipating the impulsive force.

In mastering ukemi you first learn how to strike the mat with both your arms and hands to prevent your head from hitting it when you fall backwards. The arms should be straight and make an angle of about 45 degrees with the trunk. Strike the mat as vigorously as possible with both arms and hands.

For the next step in judo basics you must learn to make one arm and hand strike the mat sideways to the left. The left hand and arm strike the mat toward the left. Then you must suddenly drop them on the mat and make them strike simultaneously and as strongly as possible. Repeat the practice alternately right and left in daily workouts.

Next learn to make one arm and one hand, one leg and one foot, and the sole of the other foot strike the mat simultaneously as you fall. After you have learned these ways of striking the mat, you advance further to the practice of the forward roll.

Here your arms and feet strike the mat as your body rolls forward in a motion like that of a somersault. Be sure that the hand which serves as a fulcrum is placed on the mat turned in at an angle of about 45 degrees so that you can roll over the bent elbow in such a way as to prevent injury.

In the next step in judo techniques require that you advance your right foot forward a little, then put your right hand on the mat turned in. Push the mat with your left leg, and your body will roll forward, completing a forward somersault. Your right elbow, shoulder, trunk, right side of the waist, outside of the left leg and foot, and sole of the right foot touch the mat in this consecutive order.To be perfectly safe in practicing judo make sure you have a thorough knowledge of ukemi.

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The judo throw is a most important aspect of technique. Three of the crucial judo throws, hiza-guruma (knee wheel) and harai-tsurikomi-ashi (lifting foot sweep) and de-ashi-harai (advanced foot sweep) are outlined in this article.

Hiza-guruma (knee wheel)

If one knee cannot move freely, it will be difficult to balance yourself. The technique of hiza-guruma rests on this principle.

You and your opponent hold each other in right natural posture. The moment his weight rests on his left leg, which is bent a little at the knee, you put your left foot, with the toes turned in, to your left front corner near his right foot, and break his posture to his left front corner.

With your right hand, which holds his left sleeve, pull toward your right in a circular motion, at the same time putting the sole of your right foot on the outside of his left knee. Your left hand helps the pull of your right hand by lifting his right arm. His knee will then rotate around your foot, and he will fall to the mat.

KEY POINTS FOR KNEE WHEEL JUDO THROW:
a. Pivot to the right with your left toes turned inside in order to make the rotating motion easier.
b. Pull your opponent’s sleeve.

Harai-tsurikomi-ashi (lifting foot sweep)

You can use these judo throw and judo techniques to great effect against any opponent. When both knees are bent, they serve to change and control the balance of the body. Therefore, for instance, when your opponent leans forward toward the left, you attack his left knee with your right foot. But when he stands without bending his knees, it would be useless to attack the left knee. If you understand this rule, you will be able to understand harai-tsurikomi-ashi very well.

You hold your opponent by his right and left sleeves. When he is about to lean to his left front corner, you pull strongly with your right hand in the direction of your right back corner and push him to his left front corner with your left hand while letting your body pivot to the right. At the same time you sweep between his knee and the outer part of his ankle with the sole of your right foot. He will then be swept and thrown forward.

KEY POINTS FOR THE LIFTING FOOT SWEEP JUDO THROW:
a. Your left hand pushes your opponent’s body up and forward so as to help the pull of your right hand.

De-ashi-harai (advanced foot sweep)

Imagine walking on a frozen road in the winter. You and your opponent hold each other in right natural posture. When he advances inward with a larger step than usual you place your right foot at the back of your left foot. The moment he rests almost half his weight on the advanced foot, you sweep the ball of your left foot against the heel of his advanced foot just below the tendon of Achilles, at the same time pulling him to his right front corner.

KEY POINTS FOR THE ADVANCED FOOT SWEEP JUDO THROW:
a. You should apply this judo technique the moment your opponent has placed almost half his weight on his advanced foot and is just about to put his entire weight down. At this moment he cannot easily shift the direction of his advanced foot. Practise each judo throw carefully.

There are three basic grappling techniques used in judo. They are holddowns, strangles and elbow locks and twists. All these techniques should be learned by the student of judo. He should also know defensive methods in grappling. 1.Osaekomi-waza (holddowns)
These are techniques that are used to immobilize your opponent when he is lying on his back on the mat. They include kesagatame (collar hold), kata-gatame (single shoulder holddown), kami-shiho-gatame (four-quarter holddown), kuzure-kami-shiho-gatame (modified four-quarter holddown), and yoko-shiho-gatame (side four-quarter holddown).

2.Shime-waza (strangles)
These are judo techniques by which you strangle your opponent into submission. Both hands press against either the windpipe or the carotid arteries to stop the flow of blood to his head. Shime-waza include such techniques as navni-juji-jime (normal cross strangle), gyaku-juji-jime (reverse cross strangle), kata-juji-jime (half cross strangle), okuri-eri-jime (sliding collar strangle), kata-ha-jime (single wing strangle), hada-ka-jime (bare-hand strangle), and ryote-jime (two-hand strangle).

3.Kansetsu-waza (elbow locks and twists)
These are judo techniques by which you bend, twist, or lock the elbow joint of your opponent’s arm in order to bring him to submission. Kansetsu-waza include juji-gatame (cross armlock), hiza-gatame (knee-elbow lock), ude-gatame (straight armlock), and ude-garami (entangled armlock). Because of the obvious danger if the other joints are involved, the rules of the Kodokan prohibit the locking of any joint except the elbow.
Defense methods in grappling

Put both your hands and knees on the mat. In this posture you can use the waist and abdominal region at will to defend yourself from an attack from the rear. The force of the waist and abdominal region, which enables all your muscles to cooperate, comes from the power of your legs, which press against the mat. Your defensive power is therefore larger than his offensive power. Never give him the opportunity to flatten your body against the mat, for in this posture you can use neither the force of your legs nor that of your waist and abdominal region.

If only you are free to push the mat with one of your legs, it will be impossible for your opponent to strangle you. By pushing the mat effectively, you can set your body in a posture that will allow the power of the waist and abdominal region to operate in defense against the attack. 

The object in a judo match is to throw the opponent to the ground on his shoulder; to pin him to the ground principally on his back; or to force him to submit to a choke, strangle or an armlock. Any of these score ippon, immediately winning the match.

Below are some judo techniques to help improve your performance in judo tournaments.

Kansetsu-waza are the twists, bends, or locks applied on the elbow joint only in judo. 1. Hiza-gatame (knee-elbow lock)
To produce a positive effect in locking, bending, or twisting your opponent’s elbow joint, it is necessary to break his posture to prevent him from using the force of his waist and abdominal region before you apply the lock.

At the same time you break his posture by pushing back his left thigh with your right foot while pulling his left lapel with your right hand.

Now with your left knee press his right elbow joint from the outside while bending your body upward.

KEY POINTS:
a. Hold your opponent’s right wrist firmly under your left armpit; otherwise, he may escape by pulling it away. 2. Juji-gatame (cross armlock)

As your opponent lies on his back, you sit at his right side. When he carelessly extends his right arm toward your chest, you quickly grasp the arm and hold it in your arms. Now you turn your body to the right to sit at the right side of his right shoulder.

Your right leg is planted against his right side. At the same time raise your abdomen and place pressure against his elbow joint for the completion of the lock.

KEY POINTS:
a. You must pull your opponent’s right hand so that his little finger will touch your chest.
d. Pin his upper arm by pressing your knees together. In the above-described techniques you reverse the natural bend of your opponent’s elbow joint. In ude-garami, however, you twist to apply pressure on your opponent. Then you lean across his chest, bringing your left hand under his right arm and up to grasp your own right arm-left wrist on top. If you lift up his right elbow a little with your left forearm while pushing down his right wrist with your right hand, you will exert enough pressure on his elbow joint to bring about his submission.

KEY POINTS:
a. Lift your opponent’s elbow and push down on his right wrist as he is lying on his back.
b. Apply the entangled elbow lock only when your opponent’s arm is in a bent position.

Mastery of these judo techniques will help you to improve the level of your current skill.

The judo history makes a fascinating study and can provide valuable insight into judo techniques. Soon after the end of the Tokugawa period in Japan, the Restoration period was in progress, and the old forms of hand-to-hand combat were replaced by weapons of steel. The masters of the jujitsu art were dismissed from service to their feudal lords, and many turned to public showmanship as a means of making a living. The natural result was a degradation of the art.

About this time, an eighteen-year-old student, soon to become famous among Japanese educators, began his practice of jujitsu under the instruction of Professor Hachinosuke Fukuda, the eminent master of the Tenj in Shinyo-ryu school. The student, who was to become the founder of judo, was Jigoro Kano. After the death of Professor Fukuda, Dr. Kano trained under the new master of that school, Professor Masatomo Iso. Death soon took Professor Iso, however, and Dr. Kano transferred to the Kito-ryu school to study under Professor Tsunetoshi Iikubo.

Dr. Kano began to study jujitsu because of his respect for the prowess of his masters, but he soon began to thirst for a mental knowledge that was lacking in their teachings. He began to look for the secrets behind the superior expert control that the professors had mastered. He theorized that there would be greater value in combining the various schools and their techniques into one standard system: one that could be adopted as a physical education program for schools and would at the same time embody mental culture as well as physical skill.

In addition, jujitsu could be practiced as a competitive sport if the more dangerous techniques were omitted. This mastery of mental culture could thus produce a pattern of subconscious behavior that would be useful in achieving “mutual welfare and benefit.” He wanted a system that would be rational and logical and would develop the potential of the student’s real personality. The ‘do’ of the word judo symbolizes this philosophy.

In 1882 Dr. Kano formed his system and called it “judo,” the word which has now superseded the term “jujitsu.” The final step in the history of judo came when he founded the Kodo-kan in Tokyo, the institution that was to become the mecca of judo. The name Kodokan is made up of three words: ko, meaning “to preach,” do, meaning “way,” and kan, meaning “hall.”

Dr. Kano explained the new art of judo by pointing out that “gentleness means giving way until the right moment arrives”; that is, not to oppose the brute force of your opponent and thus to be defeated, but to utilize this force to your own advantage.

Suppose that your opponent has a total force of ten units, while yours is equal to three. If he pushes toward you with a force of seven units and your force equals only three, it is futile for you to try to oppose his force, for it will overcome you. But if you give way and harmonize your force of three units with his attacking force of seven, you automatically acquire a force of ten units.

Now you can defeat him because you can overcome his force of seven units with yours of ten. It can thus be appreciated that judo is a highly valuable science as well as an art, and this can be applied to judo technique.

When you seek it, you cannot find it. Your hand cannot reach it Nor your mind exceed it. When you no longer seek it, It is always with you.
Zen proverb

The key to the fascinating history of judo cannot be better summarized than this.

Russian martial art

Throughout history, people from all over the world have developed martial arts systems of their own. The roots are the same — local authorities once outlawed the lower class from owning and using weapons of any form, prompting people to find a way to protect themselves regardless. Korean martial art, Japanese martial art and other systems of martial art were created as farmers needed to protect themselves and their lands from invaders. These people, caught between the power struggles that went on around them, had to have some form of self-defense. This is how the Russian martial art developed as well.

Russia is no exception. Russia has a long history of internal conflict and invasion. It is a massive country with borders that span over 11 time zones. The Russians came to expect the unexpected when in battle and no two enemies would fight the same. From these encounters, the Russian warriors developed into the type of fighter that reacted on instinct. They had to face the enemy as an individual and adapt to whatever the enemy threw at them. The Russian martial arts had to be as versatile as the men who practiced it.

Russia is so huge that, in the beginning, a standard army was not possible. There were too many tiny villages and towns scattered across the land, as well as too many lords and territories, that made this type of organization nearly impossible. During times of war, men were recruited from the towns and villages to fight and, when the battle was over, they went home. During peacetime, these men would continue to train on their own. This Russian martial arts were tailor-made to fit the common man.

Systema has no prearranged kumite (choreographed two man fighting) like the martial arts of the Far East. Russian martial arts are fluid — the goal being able to fight without consciousness. Like the many forms of Eastern martial arts, Russian martial arts started with one “ideal” and evolved into many different styles of that form across Russia, each one geared towards that locale’s specific needs. The basic principals remained consistent and provided the common thread of the Russian martial arts.

The Russian martial art came from a conglomeration of loose teachings that were slowly brought together via friendly competitions between towns. From this, the martial art styles became known as systema. Sadly, when the Communist party took over in 1917, they outlawed most Russian traditions, including the combative arts. But, like all traditions, it would not be killed. The Russian martial art went underground, being taught from family to family, father to son, and generation to generation.

When the new Soviet government had to focus on arming their soldiers, they sent agents to find the best fighting systems in the world. They didn’t have to search too far, the answer was right under their nose. From that point on, the Russian army began instruction in an age-old technique pulled right from the roots of their own heritage.

The martial arts have continued to grow in popularity in recent years, and the Russian martial art systema is no different. While it’s mostly used by the Russian Special Operation Units, the form spread to the Western world when several soldiers left Russia after the Cold War ended.

I recently read that the Ultimate Fighting Championship has purchases the World Fighting Alliance. I think the (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is about to get a most welcomed shot in the arm, courtesy of the recent purchase. Let’s hope that the UFC decides to keep some of the top tier fighters in the WFA stable. The World Fighting Alliance is a relatively new operation which has gained some noteriety by signing some big name fighters. These fighters include Ricco Rodriguez, Quintin Jackson and Bas Rutten. What’s worth noting about these fighters is that they’ve all had past success in the UFC or against UFC fighters. Ricco Rodriguez is a former UFC heavyweight champion. Quintin Rampage Jackson fought and defeated Chuck Liddell in the Pride organization and not by submission as you might imagine. Rampage knocked Chuck (considered by many to be the best light heavyweight fighter in the world) out. Bas Rutten was an awesome fighter in his day and has recently had a comeback fight in which he looked extremely sharp. The welterweight division of the UFC is in pretty good shape, by that I mean it’s deep with talent. There is a great champion in George St Pierre, probably the best welterweight in the world and a long list of good contenders, starting with former welterweight champion, Matt Hughes all the way down to contenders Diego Sanchez, Matt Serra, Josh Koscheck and several others. The light heavyweight division also isn’t in bad shape with superstars, Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz who fight on December 30, 2006 as well as Forrest Griffin, Keith Jardine and Rashad Evans rounding out the top of the division. However, the WFA’s Quintin Rampage Jackson would certainly be a welcome addition to the mix. A Rampage Jackson, Chuck Liddell rematch sometime in 2007 would likely be a huge draw due to the fact that Rampage TKO’d Chuck in their first meeting in the Japanese Pride organization. Even if a Rampage, Liddell rematch isn’t in the cards, Rampage’s style would make an excellent matchup with Tito Ortiz or Forrest Griffin. As the world advances, our way of amusing ourselves also moves to the next level. Say for example our obsession with the UFC. ufc 2009 undisputed roster are amazing. No wonder viewers, gamers and fans are always looking for the ufc 2009 undisputed fighter list.

I hate walking into a Martial Art School and seeing a bunch of kids walking their way through techniques, blocks, exercises, stretches and katas as if they are just going through the motions waiting for the session to end.

I also hate walking into a class that is totally out of control with kids running wild and ignoring all instruction.It may seem strange to some but I hate to see the first problem more than the second.A great problem to have is a class full of kids who have too much energy, all you need to do is find a way to harness that energy.

At the start of every lesson you will have some kids bubbling with energy and others that need to be woken up, which is why I think the first 5-8 minutes of the lesson are the most important to get right.  You need to do something that will burn up the excess energy of the hyper kids and also wake up the slow starters.  One of my best solutions when teaching martial arts to kids is a quick game called “The Fury”.

The number of kids that can participate at one time is dictated by the size of your training area.  Make sure the kids are well spaced apart before starting this.To make sure that you can play the game safely you might want to break the class into a couple of different teams.

In my Martial Art we use the concept of a clock on the ground to give a reference point for techniques.  When you first take a ready stance the direction in front of you is 12o’clock, behind you is 6:00, your left side is 9:00 and your right is 3:00.  If you prefer you can try using the directions of a compass but I find the clock is more easily understood by the kids when first playing this Martial Game.

With the kids all facing the front in their fight stance  you explain to them that they are going to fight imaginary demons/bad guys/ghosts/ninjas… whatever you believe is the most relevant or interesting for their age.  Now tell them that they can use any technique they want to hurt the bad guys when they attack and that it is best not to repeat the same technique too often as the bad guys will notice and learn to block it.Tell them you can see the baddies and that you will tell them where they are so they know which direction they need to face and attack.  Now the fun begins.

Always call out the first attacker coming from 12:00 to get them started, then start mixing it up… there’s one at 3:00, now there’s another one at 9:00, quickly 12:00 get him… . Start at a slow pace and then speed it up so they have just enough time to recover their balance from the last attack before calling the next one.Keep making them face different directions and don’t get into a rhythm/pattern, occasionally make them wait and wonder what you are going to call next.

This Martial Game has a lot of great benefits:

1.       It teaches them direction

2.       It tests their knowledge of techniques

3.       It tests their techniques under pressure

4.       It tests their balance and footwork

5.       It teaches them to cover as they transition from one direction to another

6.       It gets the heart pumping, lungs opening, brain focusing

7.It chews through that excess energy but also energisers the slow starters by getting their blood pumping.

This is a fun way to start a session as it gets everyone involved and creates an upbeat mood in the room.This way the kids are pumped up and on a high, but at the same time you’ve burnt off the excess energy that causes fidgeting and distractions.Your students are less inclined to misbehave when they’re huffing and puffing.

Please try this game in your next kids class and if you want a good laugh try it on the adults as well.

All the best

Aaron Perry

Note: Aaron Perry is the creator of “Martial Games for Kids” which has been sold to  instructors teaching kids martial arts around the world.  His Martial Games are now being used in England, America, Holland, Norway, Canada, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

Parents are always asking “When is the best time to start their kids in a Martial Art”… the answer is always as young as possible.  Obviously most instructors don’t want to be teaching lessons to 2 year olds so the youngest age of most schools to start teaching kids martial arts is around 5yo.

Although most Instructors don’t want to teach one, two or three year olds, they generally start teaching their own children as soon as they start walking.  Just jump on youtube and you can find proud parents showing their toddlers picking up sparring gloves and having a go or trying to get an arm bar on their Mum or Dad.kids with Martial Artist Parents should always have an advantage.Physical Exercise and martial Art Training is seen as a normal way of life.

I remember once being at my instructors house and we were sparring hard, groin shots, takedowns, chokes were all happening and then we see his 3yo daughter walk casually past us while we’re rolling on the ground, she climbs up onto the swing, gets it going and yells out “look at me Daddy,  look at me”

Seeing her Dad knocking around with friends was just a typical weekend.i think most “normal” kids would be worried about their dad passing out due to a rear naked chock but not this girl… she is now a brown belt and even though she is one of the smaller kids she always hits the target (normally a groin shot) and hits it harder than the average student, then she walks away giggling to herself.

The intro of this article has taken a small detour but my point is the younger kids start learning the better they will be when they are older.  I’m not just talking about teaching kids martial arts, but also Flexibility, Focus, Strength and Conditioning.

I’m sure I’ll upset a lot of people by saying that fat lazy kids annoy me, but that’s how I feel.I don’t blame the kids because I feel it’s generally the parents fault for not showing them a better lifestyle.Kids follow the examples they see and follow the best leader they can find.  I’m not saying that a Martial Arts Instructor should be expected to take on the responsibility of teaching kids how to be fit and healthy but if they are coming to you then why not do it as a bonus.Consider it your reward to be able to point them in the right direction.What you teach them will benefit everyone.

So what do I mean by Exploding/Explosive kids?

Kids excel at things they enjoy so it’s important to show them ways to build their Strength, their Fitness and their Flexibility safely and in a way that they find fun.

When it comes to Muscle, tendon, and Ligament Strength you have to be careful.I don’t recommend using heavy weights because if the kids are not properly supervised at all time they can use bad form while lifting and cause damage to developing bones, tendons and joints…. BUT with only using their own bodyweight there are plaenty of simple exercises to do.

There are three great advantages to body weight exercises:

1.       No-one has to pay for any equipment

2.       The Kids bodyweight is the perfect weight for them to train with

3.       Most exercises can be done anywhere at any time

Body weight exercises also use a lot of core muscles and compound muscle groups.The use of higher reps and the explosive nature of these exercises create great cardio endurance and explosive speed and power.  These are all the important things a fighter needs.

So “When is the best time to start teaching kids Strength, Conditioning and Flexibility”… NOW!!!

The basic exercises for core strength are push-ups, squats, dips, chin-ups and then add bridging which will strengthen the neck and back.  Don’t just do the standards of all these exercises, mix them up and teach the kids new ways to do them, for example in the push-up category you have: standard, wide, narrow, diamonds, wide-narrow, armpit push-ups, robots, clappers, high-lows, hovers… Show the kids some fun variations and make games out of them.

It’s a little scary to think how strong some of the young students will be as teenagers.Imagine fighting with an 18yo that’s been doing 100-200 push-ups, sit-ups and squats everyday since they were 5 years old.

My closing words of advice, Make sure you also do these exercises or one day these kids will be bigger and stronger than you… hold on to your advantage as long as you can.

I wish you all the best with your teaching and training

Regards

A.J.Perry – Author of “Martial Games for Kids“