Efficiency in Fighting

[Tacticus]

After studying in the Elite-Fighters System, I have found it to be the most efficient combative systems out there. Right from the beginning you learn complete methods of protecting yourself. The system uses an ingenious teaching method that works for your physical and mental makeup. American kenpo may have been the best at one time in the past, but they are now the past. Jeet Kune Do never developed a system that can be taught in a complete setting. JKD is more like a buffet line, you take what you want (or can stomach).

I love the Elite-Fighters System!

Tacticus

[pigram86]

Tacticus,

How long have you been studying the EF system? I have not got to take any actual classes yet, but it looks extremely effective. Is it a hard concept to learn? What if you have previous Am Kenpo training?
Your thoughts appreciated!
Pig

[Tacticus]

I'm a black belt in american kenpo. I've been in it a long time, so I can assure you that I really know a good thing whe I see it. I'm really excited to learn, train and perfect the rest of the Elite-Fighters System.
Tacticus

[Dragon77]

I'm an East Coast Kenpoist and have been studying Kenpo for 5 years. I just got my 1st black last summer. At first, I though the Elite system was just another Kenpo incarnation, but now I know different. It is everything that Kenpo WISHES it could be. Bruce Lee's JKD can't even compare! It has everything..grappling, knives, guns, wrestling...you name it!

I 've been studying the Elite system for 6 weeks now and I now know what real combat training is all about. Looking back at my Kenpo training (and wing chung) I feel that I have been lied to and used at all these Kenpo seminars. I guess I was just a source of money for their beer and motorcycles.

The training is now easy, but it has HUGE payoffs. I feel that I am in basic training all over again. This is like training for the Special Forces. I can only imagine the awesome stuff I will learn in the advanced levels.

Keep Training!!!

Dragon77

[Cord the Seeker]

I haven't been able to see the Elite-Fighting System, yet. But, I will. I agree that most of the kenpo has degraded over the years. It is another belt factory now - just like TKD. I never liked the JKD videos out there. THey don't stand up to Bruce Lee's ideas, just ride on the coat tails.

So, if this system is as good as it appears, and what others are saying, then I can't wait to get started.

I have my first lesson set up this week. Does anyone know if I am going to get hurt - or do they use safety measures? I have always found that insrtuctors are either out to prove something, or afraid to get hurt themselves. I want something in between. Something that lets me know it works, and lets me get back to work tomorrow without injury.

Cord

[pigram86]

Cord,

While I haven't trained in the EF system as of yet, I had the pleasure of learning AM Kenpo from the developers of this system back in '94 and '95. Their classes are fast paced and you will get a great workout! The most I ever received out of any of the classes were some brusies and sore muscles. You will be able to work the next day. It seems from reading the other posts, that they have stepped it up a couple of notches. I just love challenges.
Have fun at class!!!
Let us all know how it goes.
Todd

[Dragon77]

I've been very impressed by the professionalism, knowledge, and experience these guys have. They prove themselves by developing great fighters. These guys know their stuff, they can make it work, and they can train others how to do it too.

It's been my expereince that the ones that DONT have skills and DONT have confidence are the ones that have to prove it to their students by beating them up! It's amazing to me how humble the Architects are. They don't have to prove anything because the've done it in actual combat and on the street!

Dragon77

[stormshadow]

Cord,
I can assure you that your first lesson will be an exciting, challenging, and completely safe experience. I'm glad to see someone has put their curiosity into action. I have studied under the Administrator since '95 and I have never been injured.

If your just across the river, and Tacticus, Myself, and another soon to be Elite student are all so close,why dont we get a training group going? If nothing else then at least we can encourage eachother. If your interested (Tacticus you too) then send me an email

Between the four of us we could get some good training in! We can harness our Chi and go for the $1,000,000 challenge!

....(that was a joke :)

[Tacticus]

The efficiency that I speak of is the way this system completely dominates the opponent from first touch to the last. It's amazing!

Tacticus

[Tacticus]

This is my fourth week in training. I am now getting past the constant sore stage. Now the soreness just migrates from muscle to muscle. Thanks for the tips on the warm up and stretches. I had ignored them and the cool downs in the past. It seems to be the key to getting rid of soreness. Now, I must say, I am moving more efficiently than in the old days too. I can't get over how great this training program is. I am always challenged mentally and physically. Thanks, again.

Tacticus

[Tacticus]

Thanks Eric and Kevin for some of the drills that you emailed me.
The speed drill #1 has actually increased my back fist speed about 16% using your log charts - all in the last two weeks of the training! I can actually launch a pop strike on my buddy and not get defensive side kicked!

Are there any specific speed drills that you have for kicks and other strikes?

Thanks!
Tacticus

[administrator]

You're Welcome,

We are posting all of the new drills in the Praetorium instead of emailing them out individually. However, we still tailor specific workout drills for anyone will special needs. So, if you get stuck in a rut, or not you are not seeing progress, let us know.

I will let Maximus speak more of the training drills.

Kevin Lamkin
Administrator

[Tacticus]

I guess this is sort of like my training diary. I am just finishing week #5. The drills are starting to come more naturally. I am actually enjoying running now. I always hated it in the past. It's so boring. But using some of those running drills and thinking of the Trials keeps me motivated.
Tacticus

[administrator]

Keep up the good work Tacticus.

This demonstrates the law of inertia (Newton's 1st Law of Motion).
- A body at rest tends to stay at rest.
- A body in motion tends to stay in motion.

Couch potatoes are the hardest to get motivated simply because their bodies, minds and will power does not want the change. Out of shape bodies fight back by sending messages back to the motivation center in your brain. Many times when an out of shape individual begins a new workout program, he may fall ill with cold or flu symptoms, and of course, lactic acid build up. This reduces the motivation to train.

On the other hand, those who have gotten into decent shape or better, not only look forward to training, but feel bad if they don't. If you don't train when you are in shape, you can feel agitated, restless, and have difficulty falling to sleep. But inertia still keeps you at a stasis. To push to higher plateaus, you must exert more concentrated and planned effort. Follow the plan that we have provided.

Therefore, for those who feel like this is difficult journey, don't worry - just get moving. You can follow the training guide at your own pace and intensity. Over time, you can pick up the pace and reach for new heights.

Keep training,

Kevin Lamkin
Administrator

[Tacticus]

During my 6th week of training I developed a cold or virus or something. It tried to keep me down, but I managed to keep the motivation going, although a bit of less intensity. Midweek the fever broke and I am back on the road again. So, if your body revolts, just keep on going!

I actually gained a few inches on my leg stretch last week. I really didn't do anything different. Its just like all of the sudden flexibility increased. What causes that? Will it continue?

Tacticus

[Maximus]

Your body will undergo an adjustment period during any new physical training program. This is because you have introduced new stressors on the body (both physical and mental). Stress is an important factor in training, but too much or the wrong type of stress can be detrimental to your training and to your health.

"Adaptive" stress is the type of stress that you undergo while in training. Remaining motivated and fighting through this period is essential to your development and growth. For example, boot camp places a great deal of stress on the new recruit. If the recruit succumbs to the stress and allows it to defeat him, then he will never become a soldier. Essentially, he lacks what it takes.

There are other types of stress in your life that you must eliminate or learn to cope with. Emotional stress due to bad relationships, poor self esteem, or depression can cause stress that affects other areas of your life including your training.

Not enough sleep and improper nutrition also contribute to stress. You must always take care of your basic needs and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Common sense will tell you that junk food, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption will have a negative affect on your training. Remember, GIGO (garbage in, garbage out).

Also, your mind and body are not separate. An illness in one affects the other. According to the American Heart Association, "high mental stress is linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular death." (For further information visit www.americanheart.org). One way to maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduce stress is to participate in a physical activity such as the Elite Fighter System. This will give you the physical and mental relief that you need.

There will be many ups and downs in your training. The important point to remember is to keep working toward your goal and to stay motivated. The most critical time to train is when you absolutely don't feel like it. Just pace yourself. You were sick, yet you pushed through that barrier. If you have to reduce the intensity, that's fine. Your body may need the rest (this is called Active Rest; refer to the Defender Level Training Guide). The reason your flexibility increased is because you rested. In fact, a lack of rest may have been a contributing factor to your cold. Keep training and you will see greater effects on your flexibility and your skills.

-Maximus

[Cornelius]

When should we train the Reactionary Defense Methods on the opposite side. What I mean is, if the description of a combat scenario teaches you how to react against a right punch, shouldn't we also train to defend against the left punch? This is the same problem I had in american kenpo. I find that the time it takes to make one side to equal the other, a lot of valuable time has been wasted. Also, sometimes the coordination that it takes to learn the other side slows down my good side (or the way I originally learned it). This frustrates me because I have been doing this since I started last month, and I find myself slowing down my progress. So what should we do? Does it even matter to train both sides? Sorry for rambling ...

Cornelius

[Maximus]

The Elite Fighter System's principle philosophy is a balance of opposites. The entire system is built upon this principle. For example, unlike most martial art systems, we fully train defensive methods AND offensive methods. Included in this structure is the arrangement of the PCS's in the Harmonic Groups. After you learn all PCS's, you will find that you can respond equally to an attack from the right side as well as from the left side. Do we practice both sides of a PCS? The answer is "yes", but at the proper training time.

Your first concern should be to learn the PCS's as they are. By doing so, you will be able to concentrate more fully on your study without having to adjust for your weaker side. You will find that your skills will develop more quickly this way. In addition, you will be able to see the Harmonic Relationships between PCS's more easily. This is vital for all of your training.

Once you have advanced to the next training level, it is then recommended that you train all previous PCS's on the opposite side. This will challenge your coordination and skill. Over time, you will then notice significant improvements.

Yes, we train both side, but do so at the proper moment. Focus on your current curriculum and you will see your frustration level drop and your skills increase.

One final note, don't get become trapped into thinking that PCS's are the main focus of study; they are only stepping stones to more sophisticated methods such as: Strategic Offensive Methods, Grappling, Groundfighting, Weapons, Sector Fighting, Limb Destructions, Trapping, and Live Fire Training.

-Maximus

[Tacticus]

This is my 7th week of training. I can't wait to start training the Practice Combat Scenarious next week! At first I thought that going 7 working basics would be boring, especially coming from my background. But it was more like boot camp. I have lost 24 ponds so far and I feel like I did in my 20s! I can't stop - I'm hooked on sweat and lactic acid! I need to get with the group in Louisville soon.

Tacticus

[Tacticus]

This is my 14th week and I'm taking the scheduled rest. During this week I am resting my body to prepare for the special training class that Eric is bringing to us next week at the retreat.

I can't believe it has only been 14 weeks. I am in as good of shape now as I was years ago for my black belt test. The program is so well designed! I have not experienced boredom, or burn out as other programs quickly produce. I look forward to each day for new improvements. Training now is a habit, like brushing my teeth.

Thanks again, Eric and Kevin

Tacticus