another day another senseless death

It seems that if we are not reading about the global financial meltdown then it is about the senseless slaughter of someone on our streets.

Today the news managed to combine both with the report of the Banker murdered when he tried to step in to help.

These headlines are headlines because they are exceptional and for every one reported there are many occasions where someone steps in and diffuses the situation with no harm to themselves or others

It is amazing that despite a lot of headlines like this, brave people of conscience do still try and stand up for others and do what they can- from the early stage reporting I have seen, his literally fatal mistake was to hang around after.

If you are going to become involved then you must always leave the scene/area as soon as you can, before their reinforcements arrive or they decide to give it another go- never stand around "accepting the applause of others"- they wont step in to help you.

A lot of problems also occur when you have gone to ground either with your head making contact with the hard unforgiving concrete first or with the punishment you then get, over the coming weeks we will cover this in more detail, even it it only saves you from injury when you slip on an icy pavement, its worthwhile learning.

Hope to see you all tomorrow.

Train Hard....Fight Easy

Mark

Last Nights Class

Dear All

Just a quickie to thank everyone for the effort they put in last night, I was extremely impressed but the "dont give up" attitude you all displayed, particularly in the final pressure testings, having done quite a lot of physical work prior and for most of you coming from no fighting background.

Thank you for making it so easy to instruct such a great group, you are all picking things up very quickly.

I hope you are not all aching too much, especially as we ran out of time for a good warm down and stretch and that all those "newbies" will be sufficiently inspired to come back next week.

When I can get my USB link to work I will post some of the pictures on the blog and once we have enough good ones will, with your permission, add them to the main website.

If any one has any question from last night please do not hesitate to call or email me and I would recommend that you do all bring a notebook and pencil along to class as there is a large amount of techniques we will cover and it is useful to have something to read and do homework with!

If you would like to be automatically advised when I have put some more ramblings on here, let me know and I will add you to the subscribers list.

Until next time

Train Hard.....Fight Easy


Mark

Navy Day

As promised a few piccies from the day with the Navy.

Special thanks to Navy Command and Lieutenant Simon Latus Commanding Officer of HMS Ranger for allowing the use of his Ship for the day and unlike last year we managed not to break anything!

Until Next time

Train Hard........Fight Easy


Mark

Class Tonight

Greetings guys and girls.

Looking forward to another class tonight after a long day with the Navy yesterday- will post something on this later if I can get my camera to work and upload the pictures.

We have quite a few new people coming tonight if everyone turns up, so if those who attended last week will indulge me I will spend sometime going over an introduction again so we all know where we are and where we are going.

Time for some knife threats tonight I think so see you all later.


Train Hard............Fight Easy

Mark

A First Class- First Class

Dear All,

Just a quick Blog to thank all of you who made it tonight (particularly those who travelled a long way) for a great class.

I was really impressed by the effort you put in, particularly when the going got tough on the pressure test at the end, you all showed a great fighting spirit and remembered the techniques well.

I hope those who could not make this week do manage to get down for next week.

A reminder for when you are writing up any notes that we covered a few of the preemptive attacks (strike to the groin head take down, push pull take down and Bi*"h Slap) , the fence and slashing bottle defense.

We will do a couple more of these preemptive next week and probably look at some knife threats/attacks.

Until next time

Train Hard.........Fight Easy

Mark

24 Hours to go

Greetings all,

Well its only 24 hours or so and we will be launched in East Sussex.
Please make sure you know where we are as there is a lot to get through on our first night so will be aiming to start bang on time.

I had a great 2 hour session with the founder and Chief Instructor, Stewart McGill, earlier on today revising a lot of groundwork submissions and escapes so have got some good ideas for drills over the coming weeks to cover those times when you have not been able to stay on your feet.

Look forward to seeing you all Wednesday and if there is anyone intending to come along who has not yet confirmed with me, please do so as soon as possible so I can plan the lesson taking into account numbers etc.

Until tomorrow

Train hard...Fight Easy

Mark

1 Week to Go

For everyone attending our new class next Wednesday, just a reminder to bring along something to drink, perhaps a change of t-shirt for your way home and a towel to mop your weary brows.

I would recommend you bring a notepad and pencil to make notes as well as we will be covering a lot of ground in the initial weeks (and ongoing!) and though we will be coming back to techniques, writing them down really does help.

Other than that come in whatever you are comfy in and happy to get pulled,dirty, wet(!) etc.

Please leave all personal jewelry at home, you will not be able to train wearing rings,necklaces,watches bracelets and interesting piercings and we have no lockers to store these in on site so best to leave at home.

Any questions please do email or phone me and I look forward to seeing you all next Wednesday

For now

Train Hard....Fight Easy

Mark

UKM Goes Operational with The Royal Navy!

On the 23rd of September, I will be trekking down to Portsmouth to spend a day on an operational ship with the Royal Navy (HMS Ranger), where we will be involved in various exercise scenarios on the Solent, before rendezvousing with other operational units during the day.

Above are a couple of pictures from last year.

If the weather holds out we should be able to fit in a boarding exercise with the Royal Marines coming in by Sea King and taking us hostage- assuming I escape I will let you know what happens in due course!

Train Hard......Fight Easy

Mark (Popeye!)

You Tube clips

To give those who have yet to start, a taster, and those who already do, a reminder- link below to our clips on You Tube "hosted" by our founder and "beloved leader" Stewart McGill.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sHIy3AEEZJI
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj3-alVq1TI&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dR8GoYzhsvw&feature=related

You'll find plenty more once you are there.

These are taken from a fantastic full 6 CD set available to buy- see me at class or ping an email if you would like to order.

Train Hard.......... Fight Easy

Mark

Workout no1

As promised a I have detailed below a basic circuit work out for getting fit to fight.
The beauty of these circuits is that the seven exercises chosen, work as many different muscle groups as possible and require a high tempo thereby ensuring the maximum calorie burn in the shortest time and with no Kit.

Do the exercises back to back taking 60 seconds per exercise and try not to rest in between.
One whole circuit takes 7 minutes, Aim to do as many circuits as time and fitness allow.

Do each move quickly and powerfully but without compromising good form.

1. Bastards

• Get into a press up position with your hands shoulder width apart- do one press up.
• Jump both feet forwards beneath you (like you are doing a squat thrust).
• Jump up into the air bringing your knees to your chest
• Land and back into the press up position- that's one rep

2. Turkish Get Up (right arm raised)

• Lie on your back with you right arm pointing straight up
• Keeping you arm in position roll onto your side
• Move into a standing position with your arm still pointing up
• Reverse the movement back to the floor and repeat

3. Jackknife

• Lie on the floor with your arms behind your head and keeping your feet and hands off the floor
• Keeping your arms and legs straight raise them to meet over you belly
• Return to the start and repeat

4.T Press ups

• Keep your body straight in the press up position- don't let your hips sag
• Lower your chest to the floor and push up powerfully
• Twist your torso and reach one hand towards the ceiling
• Alternate sides with each rep

5. Turkish Get up (Left arm raised)


6. Side lunge and Touch

• Stand up straight and take a big step to the side
• Bend you knee and lean forwards form the hips to touch one foot
• Keep your back straight at all times
• Alternate sides with each rep

7.Squat to reach

• Stand with your feet shoulder width apart
• Squat keeping your back straight and your feet in line with your knees
• Stand up and raise your arms high over your head and rise up on your toes
• Return to the start and repeat.

And the usual disclaimer: Always check with your GP before undertaking a vigorous exercise regime. Listen to your body.If you feel unwell or in pain at any time, stop.
Mark O'Neil, Sussex Urban Krav Maga,Urban Krav Maga and associated clubs can not be held responsible for any injury sustained in attempting these exercises which you do so solely at your own risk.

Instructor Training

Why not another blog for today.

We are now rolling out the next stage of our instructor training programme- the picture opposite comes from the last one held at the world famous Gleesons Boxing Gym.

Because UKM is a highly developed and complete fighting system we do not accept just anyone onto the course and most candidates have to be introduced to the programme by an existing instructor first, but for anyone interested, I have posted some basic information below.

If you would like to be considered for this please do give me a call/email etc

Basic Criteria for Entry

Basically 4 years experience in a recognised martial art/fighting discipline, though this criterion will be relaxed if a candidate is known to and recommended by a Certified Urban Krav Maga Instructor. Prior to acceptance on the course, candidates who are not known to a Certified Urban Krav Maga Instructor will be required to attend a training session at an appropriate venue to confirm their suitability for the course.

Some Feedback on the Course

After training in several martial arts over many years, including Wing Chun and several other styles of Krav Maga, I’ve found what I’m looking for in Urban Krav Maga; a fully developed fighting system using proven techniques. I wish I’d found you years ago.
I would recommend anyone interested in the reality of going to the ground in the street look at the groundwork section of UKM.
Mark O’Neil – Urban Krav Maga Instructor (that will be me then!!!!)

As a novice to ground work I was not looking forward to this weekend,but thanks to Gershon & Andy’s training methods,knowledge & personalities the weekend was incredible & despite the bruised chest,ribs,neck,shoulders & ears I came away buzzing. I would also like to thank every one else on the instructors course, a great bunch of very talented guys, for all their support & help.Thanks every one. Would not change a thing.
Jonathan Saunders – Urban Krav Maga and Tae Kwan Do Instructor

Great course, great team.
Ben Hockman, Chief Instructor Beyond Fighting

These weekends seemed like a doubled edged sword. While continuously leaving the gym battered, bruised and physically and mentally shattered I thrived on the fact that I was drilling this system inside out.
I thought that although there was a hell of a lot to cover (due to the breadth of the system), everyone taking part did a fantastic job taking it all in and did excellently on the final weekend. Personally, after Gershon and Andy’s weekend I feel a lot more able when it comes to ‘rolling’.
Geoff Roberts – Urban Krav Maga Instructor

Structure of the Course

These courses are open to people that wish to become instructors and to those that wish to do some intensive training over a weekend or weekends. Candidate Instructors must attend all 4 parts of the course; others can attend any weekend that they wish though it should be noted that the Final weekend will be dedicated to revision and testing for the Candidate Instructors and will be open only to those candidates.

Basically there are 4 Intensive Weekends (over 60 hours of training). Throughout the course Candidate Instructors will be regularly asked to teach techniques to the rest of the group. This is to help internalise techniques as well as afford an opportunity to develop teaching skills.

Until next time

Train Hard Fight Easy

Mark

Corporate Self Defence.

UKM continues its march to global dominance (well nearly) as we have recently been engaged by Goldman Sachs and UBS to provide training to their staff.

It is good to see these large organisations taking an active concern in the protection of their staff and I can see a time in this increasing litigious world where a company could be taken to task (and therefore court) if it has not made such a service available to its staff whilst expecting them to work late or in areas where they could be exposed to danger.

There is a good link to our thoughts on personal safety and what you can do to help yourself on my main site site so in the absence of your company kindly paying for our services, it is worth taking the time to look at this, as even without the ability to always physically defend your self the tips contained in there could just make the difference.

If any one does want to know what we can cover in these corporate courses and prices etc please do get in touch and I will happily discuss matters.

Until next time

Train Hard Fight Easy

Mark

2 Weeks to go

Well we are nearly there with the opening of our first UKM school in Sussex.

From the 17th of September we will be based at 5 Ashes Village Hall, Five Ashes East Sussex, every Wednesday 19:00 to 21:00.

There has been a great deal of interest so far with a number of people already registered with a mix of "fighting" backgrounds from those with no martial arts experience to those with a good grounding in other styles- All are welcome!

We have also been talking to local reporters and hope to have some local press coverage over the coming weeks.

For the first lesson we will be looking at the background to UKM and starting on learning some of the defences against the top 10 attacks as well as some good anaerobic work to simulate the stress that the body goes through in a fight situation- I will post some suggested exercises in future posts.

All those attending, please bring along a towel and something to drink (not beer or fizzy pop!)

That's it for now except to say that I look forward to welcoming you all to the class!!


Train hard, Fight Easy

Mark