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The Wave- West Coast Jiu-Jitsu Newsletter>
The Wave- WCJJ Newsletter #1
February 13, 2006
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INTRODUCTION
This is the first edition of "The Wave," the bi-monthly
newsletter of West Coast Jiu-Jitsu. This publication is
intended to provide you the latest news related to our
club, useful information about Jiu-jitsu and martial arts
in general, and to inform you of future events. This
edition's feature article is about the physical concepts a
student must learn to become a proficient martial artist.
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NEWS
*West Coast Jiu-Jitsu Grand Opening
On Jan. 16, we held our first class for 3 students and a
gaggle of students and instructors from JJBC clubs. Shihan
Steve Hiscoe opened the class for us with a few words of
welcome and we then proceeded to overwhelm the new students
with black belt attention. And it was appreciated. All 3
students signed up and since then, we have signed up 4 more
for a total of 7. We'll be limiting our numbers to 10-12
students until some of them advance to the next level. This
is to ensure a good teacher-student ratio during the
important developmental stages of white belt training.
*February Technical Seminar
On Feb. 12, Sempai Ken and I went to Abbotsford for the
JJBC Technical Seminar led by Shihan Michael Seamark from
Sadhana Jiu-Jitsu in Burnaby. At this 2-hour seminar, we
learned a number of interesting techniques involving atemi
(a Japanese term for vulnerable points on the body). We
really enjoyed learning his highly technical methods and we
hope to continue our learning by visiting his dojo for
training in the future. After the seminar we headed out
with the group for bite to eat and a chat. We had a great
time and we hope to attend more of these educational
seminars and perhaps introduce some of our students to the
JJBC community.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
*JJBC Membership Cards and Patches
While at the JJBC technical seminar, I received the
membership cards and patches for all our students, as well
as the dojo certificate of membership. These cards will
identify you as a JJBC member if you decide to take
advantage of the open dojo policy within the community and
visit some of the member schools. Students should see me
before or after class to receive their cards and patches.
*Sempai Ken Neumann to Test for Black Belt
Shihan Steve Hiscoe confirmed with me that Sempai Ken will
be testing for his black belt this coming fall, likely in
October. I will be his uke for the test (meaning I’ll be
getting a good beating). Between now and then Ken will be
training hard to prepare for it, so let’s all support him
in whatever way we can.
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Developing a Martial Artist- 5 Physical
Concepts Every Student Should Learn
In addition to the standard belt requirements, it is
equally important to learn the general physical concepts of
martial arts technique. These are not specific to
Jiu-jitsu and can be found in every art from boxing to
Aikido. No matter what art you study, you should not only
focus on your belt's required techniques, but also on the
physical concepts that make them effective. These are what
make you a martial artist.
1) Structure
To make any technique effective, a student must have good
structure; this includes strong stances, good posture, and
the ability to initiate movements from the hip. The
student should be mindful of their structure for all
strikes, throws, takedowns, joint manipulation, etc.
2) Target location/ Time-On-Target
The student should know and be able to achieve the desired
target location using all the relevant strikes of their
level. One should also understand the effect of the
strike. The student should also be able to apply the
principles of time-on-target for the relevant targets.
*Note: A junior student shouldn’t focus on speed or power
until 1) and 2) are well understood.
3) Breathing
When initiating any action, ideally, breathing should be
used to enhance its performance. A short, rapid out-breath
should accompany strikes. A slow, elongated out-breath
should accompany any joint manipulation. Breathing serves
to focus your energy as well as your mind. Kiai is used
with strikes in the same way, directing more energy
into the strike.
4) Control
As a student improves his or her technique, striking speed
and power increases. It is therefore important for the
student to understand their power to affect others.
The student should always be cautious of the speed and/or
pressure applied in various strikes, throws and controlling
techniques. One should strive to only use as much power as
necessary, while using proper technique, to cause their
partner to tap out or feel the effect of the target
location. As soon as a partner taps, the student should
have the ability to immediately discontinue the pressure
applied in a technique.
5) Snap
This is the ability to use your body when striking to
maximize power. The method involves keeping your muscles
relaxed throughout the range of motion of a strike until
the moment of impact. At this point the muscles tense,
creating a snapping effect which greatly increases the
power of the strike. Depending on the strike, it can also
involve turning the striking part of our body (e.g. your
fist in the bottom fist strike) just at the point of
impact. This, combined with the concept of time-on-target,
greatly increases the effect of your strike.
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