FFMA Blog - February 2010, by Tony Terranova

Another successful month for FFMA with full attendance at all classes with Mark Woodard's MMA classes gaining in popularity by the week.

Mark Woodard's (Mark1) MMA sessions

covered several techniques and principles with Mark1 emphasizing the importance of training smart - training with your partner (to get the best out of each other) - and being respectful to your training partner (he hates bullies!).

• Correct posture and set up for knee strikes in side control
• Side control shoulder of justice
• Sit-out spinners
• Rear naked choke defence and how to remove the hooks
• Wall walk & Wall roll

Mark Collett’s (Mark2) BJJ classes

continue to focus on FFMA's BJJ syllabus (which is provided by John B. Will). With John visiting us this April repetition of syllabus drills was the theme; the following are only some of the techniques we drilled:

• Top Control, Circuit, Guard-work and Mount to Back Drill
• Basic Armbar from Mount
• Rear Naked Choke
• Standing guard pass to mount/Elbow Escape/Sweep/Armbar
• Mount reversal
• From Guard - All Blue Belt Submissions
• " All 4 x blue belt sweeps and chokes

• Repetition is the mother of success; I had my good friend Duncan Webb drilling with me at our last BJJ session. I made Duncan do 20 x BJJ moves in transition with only 3 seconds allowed as the waiting time in between each move - and I made him do it 3 times (which he successfully did after moaning "Tony I can't do it mate"!.)

Mark2’s stand up MMA classes

focused on clinch in isolation through to takedowns and MMA conditioning drills. Restricted sparring was a repeating theme, e.g.: MMA Kick-boxer Vs Grappler. This helps to develop timing and distance for each individual discipline such as boxing, grappling etc. These are only a small example of the drills/techniques practiced:

• Clinch x 3 knees - Turn x 2 knees - Push away - Roundhouse kick - Sprawl to stop the takedown - Underhook --Takedown and Kneeride with x 3 Strikes
• Scrum down drills with partner moving into guard strike 30 secs
• Takedowns: Tackle, Hip Thrust, Double Leg

Tony's stand up MMA classes

focused on the following with Tim helping me to coach:

• Defense and counters for low and mid section kicks & punches
• Impact & balance development using Muay Thai combinations
• Technical training on variations of the lead hand hook punch with every detail covered
• Ground and pound drills
• Combat conditioning drills specific to martial arts strength and endurance training
• Sparring drills - using variations such as Mongolian wrestling bouts which keep the training fresh and fun while helping you to develop good balance for takedowns. I hate to admit this but I actually lost 3 -1 in my bout against my friend Craig - and I was looking for excuses such as; he is bigger than me; my shorts were too loose; I forgot to put my pants on under my shorts; I slipped on sweat; Craig cheated; but I could not find any and so he beat me fair and square (but I will nail you next time Craig!)

Joe Viall’s boxing MMA classes

stay focused on the fundamental principles of boxing using fitness drills specific to boxing. Joe makes full use of all the punch bags, speed balls and floor to ceiling balls to ensure a comprehensive boxing workout is provided. Joe's next fight may be in April (maybe May) therefore the other coaches at FFMA adapt Joe's training to make sure he is ready. This is a very popular class due to Joe being such a friendly and relaxed coach.

Emma's ladies boxing-fitness classes

continue to be fun and cardio effective sessions using combination boxing and fitness drills. Emma's drills are effective for weight loss and muscle toning whilst learning basic boxing skills in a fun and safe training environment. Emma is a very inspirational ladies coach encouraging and supporting students throughout the session.

Tim's FFMA generic class

was on Monday the 28th of February. Tim Coppin has trained a lot with the BCA (British Combat Association) guys so he loves pressure testing and line ups. The emphasis was non stop line ups with one student (with his back against the wall) using only grappling skills to shut down the other student who could only box. He always adds old school FFMA cardio drills into the session to make sure we are all wasted by the end of the session (he gets a kick out of seeing us all blowing).

New FFMA T-Shirts now available:

We now have our new FFMA design t-shirts ready for sale. We offer two cuts for men; (1) is a standard fit at £10 per shirt; (2) slim fit at £12 per shirt. For ladies we offer one standard ladies fit at £10 per shirt and the option of purchasing the male fits (as they are unisex). Please see attached t-shirt flyer with this newsletter (illustrating the colors and sizes available per t-shirt type). Also a complete set of samples of all the t-shirts and sizes are kept at Newlands so you can try them on before ordering. To order t-shirts please contact Erik Burger via email or talk to Erik at training as he will be handling all FFMA t-shirt sales. Erik's email: erikburger@hotmail.co.uk - you can also visit our FACEBOOK and see the range.

FFMA Cub - MMA Fight Night (only for FFMA members)

We will be holding our first ever inter club MMA competition. This is a rare chance to feel that adrenalin rush that comes from knowing you are going to fight - and a great way to pressure test your skills - and overcome your own fears (slay your demons). It will give you a great sense of achievement and truly calibrate your skills. Here are the details:

• Date; Friday the 21st of May, 6.15 to 8.15 - no Gi competition
• Cost is 3 pounds for spectators and 5 pounds for fighters, which will go to a charity (Huntington's disease association). You can pay on the night.
• Each bout will be a 4 minute MMA round with no head shots or elbows. Win by submission (or knockout if you know how throw a good shot to the liver!) otherwise it will be a draw. Shin pads/MMA sparring gloves/gum shields will be worn.
• Weight categories will be below 85kg and 85kg and above
• Referee will be Mark Woodard. Mark Collett & Chris watts will corner each fighter.
• To book your place you need to email Mark Woodard: mark.woodard@fightingfit.gb.com
• And we are all having a drink afterwards at Newlands to celebrate our first event.

FFMA training system/coaching apprentice (coach mentoring):

FFMA coaches are currently discussing the possibility of developing an apprentice/coach mentoring course. Basically each coach will be assigned a student and you will be mentored by that coach for a period of time. We have not finalized the details yet but will very soon, therefore anyone interested in being mentored please email us. This is being championed by Mark Woodard, therefore again please email Mark with confirmation of your interest. Each coach has different but similar skills so you will learn a very complete set of skills.

FFMA Ladies Boxing-Fitness class venue change:

Emma's Thursday class will be moving from Southam Hall to Newlands with the first class at Newlands starting Thursday the 11th of February. This is a positive move as our girls will now be able to use all the FFMA training equipment.

John B Will masterclass and BJJ syllabus gradings:

• John is visiting us on the 21st of April travelling from Australia. He will be grading us at Newlands from 5.00pm to about 6.30/7.00pm. You can be graded/have your current grading accredited by him once a year. The cost is £30 and that also covers you for the masterclass afterwards.
• John will then be doing a no Gi masterclass at 7.30 to 9.30 at the Cheltenham recreation centre the cost is £15. John is one of the best in the world so we recommend you attend.
• You need to book now for your grading or masterclass by giving a cheque to Alan Macdonald as there are limited places (we will not cash your cheques until the masterclass has been done). See attached flyer.
• " FFMA Coaches will be training privately with John from about 3.30 at Newlands.

• FFMA FACEBOOK:

  Big thank you to my bro and FFMA student Duncan Webb for putting together FFMA's FACEBOOK - you can visit our FACEBOOK to see other events such as you recent FFMA 10 mile Brecons walk; cut and paste the below link:

  http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=4575693&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=309955530800&aid=-1&id=533653108&fbid=319592528108

  FFMA weekly 7.30am Saturday Morning 26kg back pack boot camp hill walk:

  To my amazement this continues to grow in popularity. I used to do this on my own and then one day last year (May 2009) Matt Viall came with me and he told others about it. I used to destroy Matt on the hill drills now it's the other way round. Then Tave Lewis joined us, then Martin Febery, then Erik Burger and now we also have; James Theyer (AKA, Turkish); Chris Davis; Tim Coppin; Nisa Eurob; Steve Griffiths - and Tony Cross just did his first 2 walks this month (well done Tony all heart mate and determination bro on those last few hill climbs as you had nothing left in the tank). This is a simple training method that takes 90 minutes and you get an all round work out (endurance, strength and cardio) and you are back home before most people have even got out of the sack!

  Thank You

  February's class attendances have been excellent, a big thank you from all the coaches to all our students for your dedication and support. We aim to provide the best service possible to our members, our business philosophy is simple "if you give everyone everything they want - then you can have anything you want".

  Stay happy,
  Tony. T
  

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