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"OCFM Training Camps"

 

The cost of training is as follows:

• $900.00 / £450.00 for NON Members. If Booked BEFORE June 30th 2008. If after this date, then the price will be $1200.00 / £600.00
• $450.00 / £225.00 for OCFM Members. If booked BEFORE June 30th 2008. If after this date, then the price will be $750.00 / £375.00
• $0.00 (FREE) for Russell Stutely Platinum Training Program Members. If booked BEFORE June 30th 2008. If after this date, then the price will be $300.00 / £150.00
• $0.00 (FREE) for OCFM School Owners. If booked BEFORE June 30th 2008. If after this date, then the price will be $300.00 / £150.00

 

Training Sessions

Saturday 15th: No Training, Arrival Day, just a Meet and Greet.

Sunday 16th: 09.30 to 12.30 and 15.00 to 18.00

Monday 17th: 09.30 to 12.30 and 15.00 to 18.00

Tuesday 18th: 09.30 to 12.30 and 15.00 to 18.00

Wednesday 19th: 09.30 to 12.30 and 15.00 to 18.00

Thursday 20th: 09.30 to 12.30 and 15.00 to 18.00

Friday 21st: 09.30 to 12.30 and 15.00 to 18.00

Saturday 22nd: No Training, Departure Day

 
Instructors for the Week:

Russell Stutely – OCFM International Coach

Plus one or some or all of the below Instructors:

John Andrews – OCFM National Grappling Coach

Herol “Bomber” Graham – OCFM National Boxing Coach

Steve Kelly – OCFM National Coach

Tony Cecchine – OCFM International Grappling Coach

What will be covered during the Training Week?

1. Balance Points
2. Waveforms
3. BAR
4. Players
5. Pressure Point location and Activation

1. Boxing
2. Kick Boxing
3. Thai Boxing
4. MMA
5. Grappling
6. YOUR Martial Art
7. Self Defence

• Boxing Gloves
• MMA Gloves
• Groin Guard
• Gum Shield
• Gi
• Shorts and T Shirt
• Grappling / Boxing / Wrestling Shoes
• Great Attitude

I look forward to training with you on this awesome event!

To book your ticket please click the relevant button below

 

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Open Circle Fighting Method (OCFM) Training Camps.

The OCFM prides itself on the quality of the teaching at its Camps. Each year we hold a one week training Camp, for 3 years it has been in Cyprus and in 2006 it was held in Torromolinos, Spain. These are superb fun and also full of great training.

OCFM Winter Training Camp - 2007

November 17th to 24th - Saturday to Saturday.

The Metta Centre retreat, Ancona Italy

Reports due in soon

Below are some reports of various Training Camps. These reports will give you an idea as to how the Camps operate and what to expect.


OCFM Training Camp 2006 - Torromolinos, Spain

What a fantastic week of training. The Training Camp ran from November 19th to the 26th at a 3star All Inclusive Hotel. The food was excellent and the drinks flowed freely... too freely on the 1st night (well afternoon actually). Pillage disgraced himself. After that it was best behaviour every step of the way. Pillage actually leading from the front in the be a good boy and do your homework stakes.

The first day was training on the beach... hard to get your footing for Boxing training in deep sand. However, if you can Box well under those conditions, you can box well with even footing. The next session was in the Hotel Grounds - 3 hours of adding points and Players to Grappling with John Andrews.

John found a great Centre for us train at... fully matted and looking brand new. It was to be our new home every afternoon for 3 hours. The morning session (being stand up) could still take place in the grounds of the Hotel.

The week just flew by. There was something for everyone on this Training Camp... the fighters came away with a different point of view as regards the application of Points and Players.

Everyone just joined in and trained, with no egos and no "my style is better than your style" kind of stuff. 5 hours a day of good, solid training took its toll and no-one was too lively at night, even though the booze was included!

The highlight of the week for me was seeing Ken Culhanes face at the end of his Black belt Grading on the Thursday and to hear his impromptu speech at the end. Several of us "tough guys" admitted to having a little tear in our eyes.

Ken is a student of John Andrews. For those of you that do not know John, he is quite simply a superbly talented Martial Artist, an incredible Teacher and to top it off a great guy as well. To get a Black Belt with John is somewhat harder than in any other style I have seen.

I have been fortunate enough to be on the Grading Panel of 2 out of 3 of John's Black belt Gradings. Matt Summerfield in Winchester and Ken Culhane in Torromolinos.

I can only say that if anyone deserves their Black Belts it is these two guys.
 

 

 

 

Open Circle Fighting Method European Convention, Cyprus, Feb 2004

Report by Richard Peace

The aim of the Open Circle Fighting Method (OCFM) is to be at the forefront of research into the combative aspects of the martial arts. Their mission is to make this “technology” widely available to anyone who is prepared to put in the effort to learn. With this in mind Renshi Russell Stutely (5th dan) and Renshi Anthony Blades (5th dan) began planning for a European Convention, at which this knowledge could be widely shared amongst martial artists of many disciplines and backgrounds. Over the course of 2002 & 2003 the evolving formulation of what is now known as the Open Circle Fighting Method (OCFM) came to fruition; the official launch being at the Cyprus convention in February 2004. The main instructors for the convention were Russell Stutely, Anthony Blades, Mike Davis (4th dan Matsukaze Aiki-budo, USA), Pete Holmes, Martyn Harris and John Burke. Over 30 people attended.

The camp began at 6:30am on Monday with a run along the beach, circuit training and for some a spell in the ring with Russell and his senior student, Costas. We had been told that the run was optional, unless everyone didn’t turn up, in which case it became compulsory! Most managed on day one, but over the course of the week due to injuries and fatigue the numbers dropped to four by the last day! Generally there was time for a quick shower and breakfast before the main OCFM training sessions which would run from 9 till 12 every day. There were plenty of options for training in the evening with Fitness, Grappling, Thai Boxing, and some other “weird stuff” being taught. A typical day left you buzzing, but fatigued – nothing a few beers couldn’t fix.

OCFM is a principle-based approach to training. As such there are no “techniques” (just hit and hit hard, and keep hitting till the job is done) and whilst pressure-tested combinations are taught the main goal is to leave the student of OCFM with the tools and techniques for analysing and creating their own ways of “getting there”. The example of this is a right hook. One might have the best right hook in the world (a technique). If you can’t land it, then it is a useless technique. As Russell says, “you have to earn the right to land your blow”. So in OCFM you would practice many ways of getting to your favourite/best technique. The principles are the keys to earning it, and generally the pre-requisite is movement and body mechanics. If we can flow and take what is given to us, and then give it back, things happen.

Now these principles are not necessarily new. However what the OCFM brings to the table is a way of teaching and training these principles which any martial artist can make useful to themselves and their own art. It is presented in a clear and easy manner; the only secret in the OCFM is that there are no secrets. Over the course of the week we looked at various training methods including Waveforms, Centreline, Heavy Hands, Flow, Body Mechanics, Angles and Direction, Vibration, Energetics, Power Zone, Body Alarm Reaction (BAR), working from natural Flinch Reactions, and Balance Points. No-one was left wanting more. By the end of the week people were combining all of these principles together to devastating effect. Note that whilst Pressure Points were taught on the course, these are but one element of OCFM study.

Several students were tested during the week for Apprentice Instructor. Successful students were Mathew Dawson, Steve Kelly, Haydn Mann (France), Alfredo Marano (Italy), Richard Peace and Daniel Thomas (Isle of Man). Alfredo Marano was also awarded his 4th dan in Shotokan karate-do.

To sum up the week, tension became “controlled pliability”, fear became “fun”, confusion became learning, and most importantly strangers became friends. To anyone who has not trained with the OCFM, it cannot be recommend highly enough. You may have to question some of your beliefs, but if you are not doing that already then you are not living.

The OCFM hold regular seminars in the United Kingdom and across Europe. For details of these seminars visit www.ocfm.co.uk  Plans are underway to run another European Convention in the near future. Announcements will be made in the martial arts press shortly.

Review of the Week by Michael Davis

What can I say other than...WOW!

It had been my original intention when invited to Cyprus to help with teaching some of what I know to those attending. Shortly after arriving there, I found out that this would NOT be the case and that it would be, in fact, a real learning experience for me and show me what I didn't know.

Before I dive into a random set of comments and observations of my two week oddysey, some words of thanks needs to be addressed to some individuals.

First of all, there is Russell. I have him to thank for inviting me in the first place. There are a variety of reasons that could have been used as to why he should not have. But his true character showed and he invited me anyway.

Next is Anthony Blades. Anthony made himself responsible for entertaining me while I was in Bourne the week before we all went to Cyprus. And what a week it was! For a guy who hates American beer, it was a real learning experience for me as I learned all about beer in the UK, including ale, bitter and lager. When Anthony says, "Mine's a Stella", he is speaking for me as well! Also, kudos have to go out to his lovely wife Claire as she also put up with me taking her time away from her husband and played taxi driver for us so we could eat, drink and tell stories.

There is also Christian Pinder. Due to work commitments, Anthony was not able to pick me up at Gatwick when I arrived. Rather than having me take the train, Christian made a VERY early day of it and went way out of his way to pick me up at Gatwick and get me delivered to Bourne in one piece. That is much appreciated.

And then there is Pete Holmes. He opened up his home and his home dojo to me site unseen so that we could go over a few things in person that we had been talking about via email as well as chat extensively over coffee for most of the day. And then his lovely wife made us all a great dinner when the conversation continued until well into the evening. And if you have not met his darling daughter Chloe, then you are really missing out. Pete has just about the hardest punch I have ever been on the receiving end of as well...but more on that later.

I also have to thank Steve Scales. He played taxi driver for me in getting from Bourne to Pete's and back and also played uke for what everyone was demonstrating. IN addition, he did some great Reiki work on me and really helped me make it through the week as I was really out of sorts due to an upper respitory infection and dealing with the effects of a car wreck from the week before.

Also, there is Steve Kelly. He showed up at Pete's after he got off of work and also played uke for us during a second wave of "show and tell". Steve, I am still wondering what it was you were going to call me as Pete vibrated into "Inner Gate" at my suggestion! (LOL!). Also, Steve was responsible for finding me a hotel in Luton so that I had a place to sleep when we returned from Cyprus and before I started my trek across the pond.

Lastly, I have to say thanks to everyone else that attended the seminar in Cyprus. There are far too many to list and I don't want to leave anyone out and offend them. But absolutely everyone was great to me. Both on the mat when I had either suggestions for them or questions about what they were doing. And off the mat as well. A totally fantastic group of folks to spend time with socially and have a few drinks with. And a few of them can even sing pretty well!

OK...on to my thoughts about the training...and these are random and not meant to be in any particular order.

For those that don't know, I first met Russell about 10 or so years ago when he was attending one of the DSI national conventions in Phoenix, AZ. At that time, Russell was thinking about joining up with the DSI for training and Rick Moneymaker put the two of us together to make sure we worked on everything together. Since that time, we have kept in touch with one another via phone and email. I say this because Russell knows who I have trained with over the years and knows that I am not easily impressed. With that being said, I can honestly say that I was totally blown away with what was shown to me and demonstrated on me in both the UK and Cyprus. As a result, I have really had to re-evaluate where I was in the martial arts and what I thought I could do. It was, truly, an eye opening experience for me.

For quite some time now, folks have been trying to explain to me how it is that they do the wave form punch via email. Obviously, that forum does not lend itself to that type of explanation very well. However, being there first hand and having Pete deliver several to me through about 4" of etherfoam was enlightening beyond words! I have to say, honestly, that Pete has one of the hardest punches I have ever been on the receiving end of. That includes everyone that I am training with and everyone that I have trained with. And when I say everyone, that does mean EVERYONE! And the sad part is that Pete never got to about 100% power. Once he got to about 60% or 70%, that was about all that I could take.

And while on the topic of waves, I would be remiss if I did not mention Russell's elbow. My God! Talk about being able to generate power and pain through the wave! I don't think Russell got even close to 100% power through the etherfoam, but at any rate...it was the most powerful that I have ever felt...from anyone in any organization...no matter what they have to say about the wave.

Last comment on the wave is this...I have never seen it done the way that it was shown to me in the UK/Cyprus. By anyone. I know that there are those on this side of the pond that have seen it broken down this way, but rest assured that no one here is doing it that way or are they capable of generating the kind of power that I have seen. Again, when I say "no one", I mean exactly that. Read between the lines all you like...I mean NO ONE. And I should also include that after I saw what I did and felt what I did, I completely dropped any idea I had on teaching on the wave right them and there. On this topic, I am the beginner and it is back to these newly learned basics for me! No ego involved there at all. I could not touch what was being shown to me on this topic at all and I thank all of those who were willing to get me on the road to "doing it right".

Next comes the topic of BAR or Body Alarm Reaction. AS was the case with the wave, I have had several folks trying to tell me about "putting BAR into someone" via email. And again, that forum did not lend itself to describing it very well. I can assure you that after donning some headgear and letting Russell having a go with it, I know exactly what he means and what it feels like to have BAR put into you. Of that, there is no longer any doubt! Nowadays, you hear about lots of groups and individuals talking about BAR and putting out products on BAR. Man, are they only getting parts of it right. So far, as far as I am concerned, they are only scratching the surface on the topic as they are only dealing with effect that it has on you in a fight and NOT how to turn the tables on the attacker concerning BAR. The idea of "putting BAR into the attacker" as Russell and the OCFM lot have developed is light years beyond that and is a total fight stopper when applied correctly. I have first hand experience on that and would dare anyone to argue the point. And I again have to point out that this has been shown to folks over here on this side of the pond. While I have no idea as to why Russell and group were told not to teach it, I can assure you that no one here is doing it that way. Why, I cannot say, maybe it might be seen as "too violent" for the seminar circuit. I don't know. But I do know first hand that it is damned effective and should be taught as the OCFM is doing.

The next topic that I have to deal with is balance points. My God! So utterly simple it is totally profound! Really, I was just dumbstruck (or should I say gobsmacked) at the entire concept. In a matter of just a few minutes, my entire thought process with regards to my Taijiquan push hands was completely changed...if you think I am embellishing this at all, just ask Russell or Pete. I just could not believe how something that simple was put to work and felt totally stupid as I had never picked up on it. And, as what you might be noticing by now is a bit of a trend in this message, no one over here is using that information and I know that they have been exposed to it. Don't ask me to explain it, I just know that it is so.

The last thing that I really wanted to comment on was the range at which the OCFM is doing their self-defense work. As Russell emphasized over the course of the week, do not let it become a fight. End it as soon as it starts and don't let it be a fight. Now, Russell and I (as well as several other members of the OCFM) spent years learning and attempting to master another system or way in regards to this. In an effort to reduce the possibility of a flame war, I'll leave out names or initials...but most of you know who or what I am talking about. While this work could be made to be effective, this was all done at a distance (maai) that would allow the situation to escalate to a fight...especially if what you tried was not initially effective. Not a good thing. The range Russell was demonstrating is uncomfortable to be in when you are not use to it. But I have to fully and freely admit that it all made sense and it all worked. And it certainly gave me a ton more to work on here. Again, believe me when I say that this is not being taught in this way or manner over here, even though it has been shown.

OK....that basically covers the "technical" side of the trip in a very short version...included now are some other thoughts and comments about the trip.

Primarily, Russell and Anthony had me in the ring working with the original three folks who were there to test for their Apprentice Instructor certifications (Richard, Hayden and Steve). I appreciate the both of them letting me do that and also be a part of the testing process. I got to be uke for each of them as they presented their techniques that they needed to develop and then explain at various different levels. That was alot of fun for me as I got to learn alot about their thought process and I also got to participate in giving each of them feedback on the techniques as a part of the testing procedure. Hopefully, the comments of constructive criticism that was offered was of some help to them. Overall, I was impressed with their skill and ability and am glad to see that they passed their grading and now hold that certification.

In addition, Anthony and John Burke were kind enough to allow me to sit in as a part of the testing board as one of John's students tested for his Shodan in Shotokan. Isn't Anthony quite impressive when he comes out with that "Mr. Renshi" voice?!? <grin!> Anyway, it was great to be able to participate and offer up comments concerning the testing. I must say that I was impressed with the skill level displayed by someone of such a young age and some of the responses to questions asked by Anthony were classic! John Burke should be congratulated for training his people so well.

Anthony and Russell were also kind enough to let me teach some bits and pieces during the course of the week in Cyprus and the information on the fire walk qigong seemed to have gone over rather well with just about everyone that commented on it. I hope that everyone enjoyed it and was able to feel and benefit from it. Of course, there had to be one person that decided to go after it a bit longer than recommended and that was Matt. He ended up doing the exercise for like 45 minutes. I was anxious to see how his dreams would be after doing that...but unfortunately, he spent the rest of the evening/night staring at the ceiling listening to young Mike snore! But at least he saw the point.

Also, Steve Scales topped that back in the UK after I demoed it for him in the UK and I believe he got a really big response from it. Also, the parts of the Soaring Crane qigong that I showed seemed to help lots of folks get rid of the negative energy and get things balanced back out as well as the part of the 5 Element qigong that I showed. Hopefully, folks will add those pieces to their training in the future and maybe, if there is enough interest, Anthony and Russell would give some consideration to coming up with a standard qigong training for the OCFM. From the feedback that I got, there certainly seems to be enough interest there to explore that as an option in the future. And I also hope that the principle based work I did off of "brush/grab" got some folks to thinking and will have them revisit the idea of principle based training over technique based training.

OK...last comment to finish out this long message....

I have toned things down a bit in an effort to reduce the chance that a real flame war would break out. However, I do not think I would be doing this post justice if I did not include the following comments no matter who it pisses off. With that being said....

I have been a part of training with individuals and organizations in the past that evolved into basically staying within a certain comfort zone and never getting out of it. I do not mean that as a statement to be derogatory towards those still there. I include myself firmly within the group of maintaining that comfort level. And it is an easy trap to fall into. When you only meet up with the head of your system once or twice a year and all of your training really revolves around doing or participating in seminars with those of a skill level far below your own, it is easy to never motivate yourself out of that comfort zone. I just want all OCFM folks to know that this is not the case with your instructors. Again, I was absolutely and totally blown away with what I was shown and what I had demonstrated on me. No one, and I do mean no one outside of the OCFM has made these strides and is teaching this information at the level that I was shown. I don't care if they have been exposed to it or not...it just has not been done....unless they are keeping it all at the instructor level and "secret". And I really doubt that is being done based off of comments that I have seen on the internet. And you folks in the OCFM should know that and keep that in mind as you move forward. My hat is off to you all.

As a very last comment, I really want to thank everyone for allowing me to participate and make me hungry in the martial arts again. I realize now that I have alot of material to work on and understand and I look forward to the challenge and showing you all what has been accomplished at Cyprus 2005. Mostly, I thank you for the friendship and openness that was given to me. I feel that I have made alot of new friends and some of these new friendships will blossom in wonderful ways.

I look forward to discussing any of these comments with whomever would like to either in private or on this forum.

My thanks again to all that were involved with a great experience for me!
 

OCFM Camp Cyprus 2005 - My Journey Inside the Box

This is a report from the OCFM November Training Camp held annually in Cyprus. Written by Gavin King www.gosokempo.com who had up till this point never trained with the OCFM Team. Gav has 4 years experience as a Doorman and is a highly rated Kempo Karate practitioner. This is an unedited straight from the heart write up.

It was a pleasure to have Gavin and people like him on this Training Camp. It is this kind of story that makes it all worthwhile.
I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all that attended and also to my fellow OCFM Team Members, Jon Ryley, Steve Kelly, Herol Graham and Tony Bailey for their great help and Instruction over the week.

Thanks guys!

Russell Stutely

Tony Bailey & Russell Stutely

 

 

Day 1 - 13th November

It was 6.30am and I was waiting patiently by the front door for my lift to the airport. After the hundredth check of my passport, traveller’s cheques and training bag I was as happy that I hadn’t forgotten anything and finally ready for one of my students Mark who was giving me a lift to the airport. Ten minutes later, Mark must be running late, did I pack the charger for my laptop? Twenty minutes later and its 7.00am and still no Mark! Rather agitated I decided to drive myself. One stroppy answerphone message later and I’m in my car whizzing through the empty morning streets trying to make up the lost time. My phone rings with a sleepy and extremely apologetic Mark on the other end, “Sorry Gav, overslept mate! Bring you’re car round mine I’ll get you to the airport on time!”

True to his word we arrived at the airport on time and all I needed now was my tickets and I’ll be happily on my way to Cyprus. I went to the service desk only to find out that my tickets were no where to be seen! It was also at this point that I found out that there is a difference between a Tour operator and a Travel Agent, I knew the name of the Travel Agent I booked through but I didn’t have the foggiest who the Tour Operator was, an essential piece of information according to the Lady behind the desk. Panic was starting to set in and I wandered the airport desperately trying to find anyone who might be able to help me. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a guy wearing a Mind Body and Kick Ass Moves (MBKAM) T-Shirt, my hero! The wearer of the T-Shirt turned out to be one of Tony Pillage’s students Mark accompanied by his colleague Chris. Long story short, the airline managed to issue me with some new tickets and I managed to sit down and have a much needed beer with my two new friends.
Unlike the events prior to the setting off, the flight was thankfully a painless affair. During the flight it actually dawned on me what I was actually doing, spending a week with complete strangers, some of whom are considered to be amongst the finest Martial Artists in the world. I felt like the little country mouse making his first journey into the big city. Surprisingly I found the whole notion rather taunting, but I was on the plane now so turning back was not an option.

After a half hour minibus journey from the airport we arrived at the hotel at about 6.40pm. I was checking in when I heard the words “Is that Gav King!” and turned to see a rather tall and scary looking guy coming over to me arms out stretched, first contact with the legendary Tony Pillage had been made! Tony took me over to the bar to meet Russell, “Hi Gav, nice to meet you! Now take your bags up to your room and get back down here! We’re on a schedule and leaving at 7!” This wasn’t exactly the reception I was expecting and barely had enough time to put on my new MBKAM T-Shirt before being whisked off to what would be a regular feature for the week, the Step Inn, a bar in Limassol, Cyprus. After a few beers I made the mistake of asking Russell to show me a few bits and pieces, I can honestly say that I never knew the level of pain that a simply wrist lock could generate!

Later in the evening I again made the mistake of asking a few questions and was passed around the OCFM coaches like a new play toy. At one point in the proceedings I was actually in so much pain I was in so much pain I was on the floor hugging Russell’s ankles. Once I got on my feet again Russell just looked at me told me that none of them had used more than 1% of what they could do, any doubts I had about these guys abilities were left firmly on the floor of the Step Inn!
 

Day 2 - 14th November

Whilst most of the guys were nursing hangovers, I was tending to what felt like a broken wrist. Being abused with so little effort by the OCFM Coaches was frightening and the pain in my wrist was a reminder of the reason why I was there. I brought some Ibuprofen from the local chemist. Whilst sloshing back the water it dawned on me “If I’m having to take pain killers before the course has even started, what am I going to be like at the end of the week?”

The first session of the week was taken by Tony Bailey who took us through some basic guards and holds on the floor. I can honestly say that ground fighting has never really appealed to me, just doesn’t float my boat. This was until I was taught by Tony, the skill and finesse with which he demonstrated is breathtaking. Over the session he talked us step by step how to manoeuvre from one hold to the next, pointing out common pitfalls and explaining how to avoid them. At the end of the session we had a roll round trying to apply principles and techniques Tony had covered. In the space of two hours with Tony I found a new appreciation of how complicated and skilful grappling actually is!

After lunch we were back in the gym for a session with legendary boxer Herol “Bomber” Graham. Before coming out to Cyprus I’d decided that I was going to volunteer for everything. I wanted to push myself to the absolute limits of endurance and skill, even with this in mind I was absolutely petrified of stepping into the ring with Herol. Not long into the session Herol announced the sparring the motioned for me to step into the ring with him. “Hit me!” he said as he offered his upper arm to me. I flicked a jab out on to his arm. “Hit me hard!” as I flicked out another jab, “Hit me like you mean it! Come on!” The hardest jab I could muster simply bounced of his arm. “I said HIT ME! One Two, come on HIT ME!” he kept on saying as my blows just felt dead and lifeless on his arms. “Hit through the target! Like this!” he said as he delivered a light jab to my shoulder that knocked me back 3 feet. Over the course of five minutes I threw everything I had at Herol which was simply absorbed by his guard. My futile pummelling of his guard was punctuated only by the occasional body shot which drained my reserves even faster. I left the ring absolutely exhausted and completely awestruck; I had just witnessed first hand a small portion of what had made Herol such a legend.

I had hardly had a chance to take in some water when Russell shouted over to me, “Come on Gav!” Into the breach once more, I’ll admit to really trying to give it to Russell. I figured this would be an ideal chance to reap some revenge for the pain he’d inflicted the previous night, a plain that was unfortunately hampered by the fact that Russell is also great boxer! Suffice to say the only thing I succeeded in hitting hard was the ground with exhaustion, aided by a couple of Russell’s body shots.

After the sparring everyone was spent and broke off into little groups and discussed the days training. Tony Pillage walked over with an Ethafoam pad and said he’d show me a Wave form. I’ve seen them on Russell’s DVD, but had yet to feel them first hand, all I can say is “Wow!” Tony’s elbows shot through the pad like a bullet, now this was the stuff that I came over to learn! Thinking the session was over I was packing my gear into my bag when Russell came over with a pad and asked if I’d felt a Wave Form yet. I managed to half answer the question as Russell stuck the pad on my chest and told me how he wanted me to hold it. Now Tony’s elbows were hard, but Russell’s were like being hit by a car. Even more impressive than the awesome power he generated was the complete lack of effort with which he deliver it. I instantly became a true Wave Form believer!
The evening session was taken by Herol again. Unlike the afternoon session Herol broke everything down and started showing us the science behind his art. I can honestly say that I’ve been hitting the pads for a fair few years now but five minutes with Herol took 18 years of work straight back to the drawing board. Funny as it sounds Herol actually had me singing while hitting the pads because I wasn’t relaxing enough. Not being known for my singing voice I tend to avoid its practice like the plague, however having the Bomber offering you a choice between being knocked out or singing I took the latter. In the afternoon session I found out why Herol was a world class boxer, the evening session showed him to be nothing short of a coaching genius. Such an easy going friendly manner, backed up by years of hard earned experience made for what will go down as one of the highlights of the week.

Over dinner the learning didn’t stop, I think we covered every subject from power generation to nutrition. All worries about not fitting in had completely evaporated; I was beginning to feel truly at home amongst like minded Martial Artists. The only difficulty I was having was taking in all of the information that I was receiving, it was like being a spoilt kid in a Martial Arts sweety shop!
 

Day 3 – 15th November

The morning session opened with Wave Forms. After feeling the power generated using Wave Forms the previous day I was anxious to begin and start learning the science behind them.

First off Russell choose to go through head butts using Wave Forms much to the dismay of those who’d spent to long down the Step Inn the previous night! Being the new OFCM chew toy Russell pulled me out to demonstrate a Wave Form head butt. When Russell was demonstrating slowly it looked like such a pleasant little movement, just roll in with your head. Imagine my utter shock as I saw my feet pass over my head as I was sent rolling backwards out of the gym! Awesome, utterly awesome. I leapt to my feet, paired up and started to practice. Despite the initial simplicity of the movement I soon found out that there is actually a great deal of finesse to the technique. After a couple of tries I was having moderate success, but I think that it will take a lot of practice to reach anywhere near the level of power Russell was generating.

After the head butts we moved on the Elbows. Russell explained that you should be able to simply walk up to someone and deliver power. “Just walk through it!” became the mantra for the session,
“Do you normally walk with your arse sticking out Gav?” asked Russell.
“Well, no!”
“Then don’t stick your arse out then!”

Oh how simple those little Wave Form elbows look, yet they are tricky little buggers to get the hang of and you can safely say that I just wasn’t getting it. I’ll probably go down in OCFM history as the worst waver ever!

Jon Ryley, one of Russell’s Coaches, then demonstrated how to utilise Wave Forms within parrying and trapping. I found this part extremely useful as it slotted in perfectly with the hand and body movements I utilise in my native Kempo.

After the trapping and parrying Jon went onto explain the “Figure 8” principle. To demonstrate this Jon simply grabbed a handful of flesh from my face and moved his hand in a figure 8 style motion. My face literally felt like it was on fire! Like many of the principles already covered Jons figure 8 motions are so simple its ridiculous, yet the pain they yield is almost unbearable.

While the rest broke off for lunch I stuck around to practice the Wave Form elbows again. Half an hour later they were still awful so I admitted defeat and had some lunch. Sitting in the café opposite the hotel my mind was still buzzing and frustrated that I couldn’t master this simple movement. I wolfed down my lunch and headed straight back to the gym.  This is where I met Marco, one of Russell’s students over in Cyprus and a man I’m sure you’ll be hearing a lot more about on the MMA scene in the near future. Marco saw that I struggling with the Wave Forms and kindly gave me a few pointers. This man has the patient of a saint, if there a mistake to be made I found it. Hips and elbow at the same time, learning forwards, leaving the foot back, you name and I done it.

Again I admitted defeat and asked Marco if he wanted to practice some groundwork. I quickly realised that I was well and truly in his backyard, and he kindly took the time to give me some insights into life on the matt. As is becoming a recurring theme with this course I received far more information than I could possibly take in. Macro could literally have tied me in a knot, yet showed remarkable control. As cool as all this was I quickly realised that I spent the best part of the three hour break rolling round on the floor and elbowing the bag. By the time the afternoon session came round I was ready to turn it in for day!

During the afternoon session we covered a huge amount of combat applications with Steve Kelly and Jon Ryley. This was my first time seeing Steve in action, outside of the beatings I’ve seen him take on Russell’s DVD’s. Under his easy going and mellow exterior lays a man who is extremely capable of dishing out pain as well as receiving it. Between Jon and Steve covered a huge array parries, strikes, face bars and chokes, most of which were demonstrated on my good self. I’m a firm believer in need to feel the results of a technique in order to be able to understand it, and Jon and Steve definitely gave me ample opportunities to “feel” the techniques.
I think Jon’s whole approach can be summed up with a direct quote from the man himself, “In hard and fast, out clean and smiling!” He does indeed go in fast and extremely hard. This session basically involved pain and lots of it. As much I was enjoying all the information my body was telling me it was time to call it a day, this was the hardest days training so far!

Gav's leg.... one week AFTER the Training Camp... following one waveform kick through an ethafoam pad..... Sorry about that Gav... Russell:)

Day 4 – 16th November

I awoke feeling like I’d been hit by a car; my body was really beginning to feel the toll of the intensive training. After a futile attempt to loosen myself up in a boiling hot bath I hobbled down to the gym. Skipping with Herol, exactly what the doctor didn’t order!

The session started with me clumsily tripping over the rope, but I soon started to pick up the rhythm and find my feet with it. Next Herol had us try to do two rotations of the rope to every jump we did, a lot easier than it sounds. This is the point where I discovered exactly how painful a skipping rope can be when it hits a bare toe. Ouch! Herol then showed us swinging the rope out to the side, running on the spot, jumping to the four points of the compass and other drills to improve coordination and timing. By this point I was feeling as coordinated as a drunk gorilla, Herol’s answer to this? Skipping backwards! Now if I thought skipping forwards was hard, it was a lazy stroll in the park compared to skipping backwards. “Once you can do it backwards, everything else is easy!” explained Herol, a point I’m going to have to take his word on not being able to skip in either direction.
When I looked up at the clock I realised that we’d been skipping for well over an hour, how time flies when you’re having fun!  Herol finished covering the previous session’s points in finer detail and again showed his deep understanding of his art. Another truly wonderful session.
After lunch we were back in the hands of Jon Ryley and Steve Kelly, two guys I’m beginning to associate with pain. Like with Herol, Steve and Jon covered similar techniques to yesterday’s session yet this time they introduced “Players to the Game”. “Players” are specific isolated principles that are added to a technique to enhance it, basically meaning they make it hurt even more. Combining just one or two “Players” makes a technique completely unbearable, I was shocked to find out that there are actually 97! If all of these were brought into play I was left in no doubts that I’d be dead.

Steve then introduced me to Ragging or the “Sweeping the floor”. To demonstrate he applied a rear choke on me and then told me to hold on to his arms to stop the choke going on, explaining that it simply too dangerous to do without doing it safely. When I had hold Steve’s arm he proceeded to shake me from left to right like a rag doll down to the floor. If I had a duster stuck to my posterior he could have used me to polish the floor with. Steve has applied a couple of chokes on me over the course of the week, but just using this simply addition increased the severity by a factor of about ten. If I hadn’t held onto his hand I seriously think that I would have been badly injured. Absolutely frightening!
Jon then covered adding Wave forms into our parries and traps in greater detail. He also introduced me to the Wave Form slap and this is something that I assure you that you don’t want to be the receiving end of.

Towards the end of the session I was beginning to feel a bit groggy from a couple of hard shots I’d taken over the course of the session. Jon then demonstrated a simple jab attacking along the stomach meridian of the face, this shot nearly dropped me. I think that this was the shot that just pushed me over the edge, my entire head just felt foggy. After a minute or two of sitting down I was really beginning to feel quite sick, I asked Jon if I could duck out to the toilet. He sent one of his guys along to keep an eye on me. Luckily I didn’t vomit, but still felt extremely groggy so I asked Jon if there was anything he could recommend. He spun me round and started to manipulate a couple of points on the back of my neck and within fifteen minutes or so I started to feel a lot better.
At the end of this I day I will admit to feeling very dejected. Throughout the entire week I’ve tried to put myself in the firing line. Over my Martial Arts career I’ve take my fair share of knocks and consider myself to have pretty high tolerance for pain, but once the “Players” were applied the pain levels just shot completely through the roof. What made it even harder was the fact the power levels were being kept around the 1 to 3% level. I started having serious doubts as to whether I’d had what it took to actually pursue studying OCFM; I really reached the point where I just couldn’t take anymore pain.

The evening did little to appease my sense of failure and desire to give the whole thing up, so I pulled Russell aside and discussed it with him over a pint.

“Russ, I just don’t think I can take anymore pain. Once the Players were introduced, it just went beyond my threshold!” I said disappointedly.
Russell gave a little grin and just said, “No one can, that’s why we do it!”
I just smiled and it confirmed why I was here. I felt reassured that I wasn’t just a wuss and finished my pint ready for the next days training!
 

Day 5 – 17th November

My body is aching in ways I never dreamed possibly, I’m having trouble finding a part that hasn’t been systematically been battered, twisted and pushed in ways it most definitely doesn’t appreciate.

Tony Bailey started the session covering break falls and a few basic rolls. It has been quite some since I last practiced my break falls so I was a little rusty, but by the time we moved into the throws I’d shook off the cobwebs. Throwing has never been a particularly strong area for me, but Tony’s simple and concise teaching style soon had me flipping my fellow my training partner over with relative ease.

Tony finished the session with some free play work. Russell’s student Marco was training and knowing his MMA background I asked him if he’d mind pairing up with me. Our first exercise was simply required us to enter a standing clinch and try to get our opponent onto the floor. I was actually pretty happy with the fact that Marco only managed to put me on the matt once. Admittedly I didn’t come close to downing him, but accounting for the weight and strength advantage he had over me I was fairly happy with my performance.

The last little exercise saw me sitting back to back on the matt with Marco and then having us try to pin each other. This was when Marco’s experience and strength was brought to bare. He managed to pin me within about 10 seconds. I lasted a little longer the second time, but still succumbed to the same fate fairly easily. As mentioned previously I haven’t really done a lot of ground work but loved the physical side of it, but I’ve always been rather partial to a bit of rough and tumble and thoroughly enjoyed getting stuck in on the floor!

After lunch the session began with Herol taking a brief skipping session followed with some shadow boxing. Before coming on the course I considered myself to have quite a good level of stamina, yet after only a few sessions with Herol I’m beginning to realise how much fitter I could be. Herol went to explain that stamina is the fuel that powers us during a fight, without it we’ll quickly run out of stream. When I return home skipping is going to become a permanent addition to my training regime.

The rest of the session was spent with Jon and Steve continuing to reinforce the principles from their previous sessions. What started to dawn on me is how the same theme was beginning to crop up again and again. The same principles Tony was using with the grappling also applied to the stand up stuff covered by Steve. A lot of the nasty little “Players” that Jon covered on our feet was equally effective when used on the matt.
Jon covered some more flow work covering how to move from one hold to the next, causing as much damage and pain on the way through. Again this slotted in perfectly with Tony’s groundwork.

To finish the session Russell showed me how to “pulse” off of walls. It’s quite a hard technique to describe in writing but basically involves you bouncing off a wall. If done correctly you can actually surge great deal of force back into an opponent. It is also great for firing you up and getting the adrenaline pumping. 

After training a couple of us were standing around chatting with Russell. He was explaining that everything they do is principle based. Once you understand the principles they can then be applied to everything you do. Wave Forms for example can be applied to everything you do from locks to punches; it’s just a case of understanding the principle in the first place.

I’ve spent a lot of time looking outside of my own system to try and find answers to a lot of the questions I want answers too, Aikido, Wing Chun, Boxing, Tai Chi, you name it I’ve either read about it or trained at it. This weeks training is beginning to highlight the fact that I’ve been looking in all the wrong places for the answers. I’ve been collecting a huge range of different techniques without really understanding the universal principle that make them all work. Russell and the rest of the OCFM have looked inside the box to find out exactly what make the movements work. Principle based Martial Arts – the penny is starting to drop!
 

Day 6 – 18th November

This morning’s session was taken by Tony Bailey who took us through some of the more traditional Kihon’s or basics from his Jujitsu grading syllabus. These are simple drills that help the student explore the fundamentals of the system. Tony first presented the Kihon’s in their most basic form and then gradually walking them through in more detail, showing where different principles could be used to “enhance” the technique!
My training partner for the session was one of our young ASBO’s (a term affectionately used to describe a few of the young tearaways on the course and one I fear will stick for the rest of their Martial careers!) 18 year old David. Dave is one of Tony’s Jujitsu students and despite only having 6 months experience is an already a very talented young Martial Artist. My 3 stone weight advantage meant nothing to him as he tossed me effortless over his hip, demonstrating that technique and form are essential. I’m indebted to him for taking the time to walk me through the basics from his grading syllabus. Good luck with the grading Dave!

The main thing I took away from this session was the principle of “Complex Torque”, which involves rotating a joint or disrupting the posture by moving it in multiple planes of movement at the same time. For example when applying a wrist lock instead of just rotating the wrist in a horizontal circular motion, you also use a vertical circular motion combined with a sharp downward turn. This adds multiple points of stress to the joint which increases the pain levels dramatically. Again with as with most of topics covered on the course it was simply a minor adjustment to principles I already understood, yet although a small adjustment the effectiveness sores through the roof.

The afternoon session was taken by Russell and was one that I really didn’t know what to expect from. Russell had told me some months back via email that this session would be what he called the “Freaky Friday” session, and as I’m beginning to associate Russell with pain I wasn’t really too sure what to expect other than pain.

We started the session off by using Wave Forms to pull each other off balance via a grab to the wrist and a quick whip. The best way to describe the feeling is to think of the effect of whiplash. Russell went on to show the Wave Form whipping action in multiple directions leaving the poor guy on the receiving being flung round like a rag doll.

Now the Wave Form whipping motion was all fine and dandy but it wasn’t exactly freaky, so I was beginning to feel that Russell may have hyped this up a bit. Little did I know that he was just warming up. In a change of theme from the rest of the week Steve Kelly was used for the demonstration and for a brief moment I thought I’d been demoted from my new position as Russell’s favourite chew toy, however once I saw what happened to poor old Steve in the demonstration I was glad to be in the audience. Russell explained that he was going to “Inject poison” into Steve. He then proceeded to, what looked to be fairly softly, tap Steve on the chest. Steve let out a huge “Ooof” as he hit the ground curled up in pain on. I was willing to admit that was a bit weird.

After the “poison” came a simple push, again demonstrated on Steve. They both stood in the ring with Russell standing side on to Steve. Russell went slowly through what he was going to do, “I’m just turning, giving a little push and saying Go Away!” and in absolute honesty that is all he did. When Russell actually pushed Steve was sent flying across the ring and ended up splayed out on the ropes groaning. All that from a simple push? Ok, this is starting to get a bit freaky now. I tried and managed a few semi-decent attempts, but nothing to level of sending people flying across the room.

From that point on the session went even weirder as Russell and the other OCFM coaches began to play around with intent and visualisations, which involved spikes, spirals, hot lava and even humming. I’m kind of a loss on how to put some of the session down in writing, suffice to say it was definitely a “Freaky Friday” session!

Open Circle Fighting Method - European Training Camp - Cypru

15th – 22nd February 2004

Short Review of the Week

During this week of training it was my intention to push everyone to their limits and beyond. Not in a painful way, but in terms of physical exercise, mental toughness, will power etc.
Also, it was my intention to give out as much information as possible in order for the attendees to have loads of "take home" value from the course. I hope that was achieved! Being as many of the attendees have not trained with me before or not trained with me for some time, myself and Anthony Blades decided that I would do most of the teaching. It gave Anthony a rest from doing all the teaching in the UK:-)

The OCFM European Convention Attendees
 

06.30 after a run, some of us having some fun in the Boxing ring. Mal Griffin, Me, Brian Whatford and my great training partner in the mornings, Costas Vlachos. Big guy in red

My old mate Peter Holmes in the middle of delivering a "light" throw to Steve "horrible" Kelly. Steve has been a great mate and training partner of ours for a good number of years now. Bless him , he still talks to us:-)

Me and Mal having a laugh

Me and Pete waffling about something again.

Monday

Started with a brief run, circuit training and a bit of Boxing sparring for those that wanted to. 06.30 to 07.30. Well done to those that made the first session. Big no no to those that did not get up. Training then started at 09.00 to 12.30. The emphasis was on movement and waveforms. Also, I introduced Michael Davis to BAR.

Tuesday

09.00 start. More movement training, flow, transition etc. Some SD techniques. Tuesday night quite a few came to my regular class, that was fun:-)

Wednesday

Even less on the morning run! Upped the training, people starting to flow much better

Thursday

Upped the training again. Added more techniques and better flow. Everyone improving rapidly. Attitude adjustment made where appropriate. Some people came to my regular class on Thursday night. BAR and some "weird" stuff was shown to the lucky few. My students, Rustam and Damir, will live off what they achieved that night for years to come:-)

Friday

Even less on the morning run!!! Upped the training, BAR etc was shown at the first 3 levels (there are many more to go). Again, fitness, conditioning and flow was emphasised. Everyone moving much better. Tiredness from the weeks training was becoming evident.

Saturday

Last day training. Many were very tired and some were testing. A few were shown some "real weird shit" and were shown how to do it too. Some great results.

Conclusion

A massive thank you to all that attended. Just by turning up, you showed that you are a cut above the rest. I hope that you received the information that you wanted and that no questions were left unanswered. Everyone moved much better by the end of the week and some people improved tremendously. There were also a few people that I believe will become fantastic. I do not like picking out names of people who have done great or indeed not so great. But I feel that in the case of this week, some people deserve a special mention for the way they trained, conducted themselves, their attitude, lack of ego, humility, ability and being a general all round good egg.
In no particular order: Steve Kelly, Alfredo Marano, Haydn Mann, Matt Dawson, Daniel Thomas, Richard Peace, Hardeep, Chris Cuny, Brian Whatford all really impressed me.

I also will take this opportunity to say a special thank you to my old training partner and great mate Peter Holmes. Peter instructed for a while every day and trained at every opportunity and helped so much. Peter is without doubt one of the most gifted MA's I have ever had the pleasure to train with. His power generation is second to none and his attitude and teaching ability is right up there with the best in the World.
The OCI is indeed very fortunate to have the likes of Peter as a Guest Instructor on courses. I only wish that Peter could find the time to become even more involved with the OCI as he has so much to offer as one of the Worlds leading Instructors in what we do.
It is rare in the MA to find someone like Peter that is completely devoid of ego. He is just as happy teaching advanced Black Belts one minute and helping with the kids class the next. What a guy!

Michael Davis came from the USA for this course and was an example of open mindedness and willingness to learn and teach. Another guy with no ego. This is what the MA is all about. I hope that Michael now has a better understanding of all those stupid e-mails of mine:-)

I will be running another course in November 2004, all details to be confirmed in the next few days. Please contact me privately for more information.

What you on about Alf?




 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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