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:
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