Elite Training Center: Redondo

Challenge yourself everyday to accomplish a goal. Elite Training Center (Redondo Beach, CA), encourages and challenges its members to push themselves to achieve their next goal. As we often talk about in Krav Maga, achieving a short term goal such as your next stripe can lead to accomplishing long term goals such as earning a black belt.

Refine your technique slowly and thoroughly: through this practice, perfecting movement from roundkicks to gun dissarms will lead you to attaining your short and long term goals.

Kali/Silat emphasizes the slow and controlled movement in all aspects of training. Whether it is empty hand combat, blade or impact weapon, to focus on speed above concise and surgical movements would simply instill bad habits and result in failure.

Whether we train in Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or the combination of the above to form a platform for an MMA fighter, precision and controlled movements are paramount in a martial artist’s repertoire.

It is said that in the heat of battle that technique will reveal itself. Tell that to someone who gets into the Octagon, drops their right on their jab and catches one on the chin!

We must address the reality of fighting and confrontation. Krav Maga, Kali Silat, MMA, BJJ and Muay Thai Kickboxing at Elite Training Center in Redondo Beach always stresses the importance of technique. Therefore we pay close attention to not only deployment of strikes, but also the risks therein. To perform sloppily in any of life’s endeavors will often leave us unsuccessful (“whoops…” said the doctor as he performed surgery).

Human possess about 30 to 45 seconds of adrenaline which surges through the body under extreme duress. From that point on, if the altercation hasn’t been resolved, training and conditioning will be called upon. With limbs flailing and searching out targets, proper training will be the solution in the end. Proper training consists of many key elements, however technique, conditioning, and control are 3 major points to focus on.

At Elite our classes cover the above 3 components. It is up to the student to decide if all 3 are trained in or not. We instill in people to not neglect those classes that challenge. In fact we encourage all students to stay current in all areas. One can never tell if today will be the day that these 3 components will be necessary.

Martial arts have been and still are used for a myriad of things. From their humble beginnings spanning thousands of years the term “martial art” is derived from “arts of Mars,” the Roman god of war. Every culture has a lineage of combative arts that have been handed down from generation to generation. It is this mindset that keeps Elite Training Center studying various systems.  This also gives people the understanding that combative arts are supposed to be passed down from friend to friend and/or loved one to loved one.

We encourage all of our students to invite those they deem fit and able to prosper and benefit from what Elite has to offer. By fit and able is simply willing and wanting to learn something new.  The scope of various martial arts practiced is not the end all for all the arts. We at Elite believe that Krav Maga, Kali Silat, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Muay Thai Kickboxing cover the gambit of combat, however this is not to say it is for all.

Elite Training Center in Redondo Beach takes pride in bringing the most effective martial arts based on experience. To give the gift of self defense is the greatest gift that can be given. To give anything less would not be in accordance with the true essence of martial arts.

Promotion is this week at Elite Training Center in Redondo Beach. This unprecedented style of promotion/testing is a great way to instill comraderie amongst Elite’s student body.

Regardless of the discipline the students are enrolled in, all are welcome. One of the greatest things to see are the students from the various arts participating and more importantly encouraging those moving up in the ranks.

Elite Training Center promotes the cross training of other systems, thus resulting in the development of self defense skill sets faster and more effectively. For one to deem any particular art not effective or “not as good” doesn’t quite comprehend the true essence of combative mixed martial arts.

Take the above as initiative to explore new new martial arts. At Elite we train in Krav Maga, Kali Silat, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and MMA. We feel these martial arts are all complimentary to the next. Branch out and try new things. It could save your life.

Some people say, “don’t sweat the small stuff.”  Those are the same people who haven’t experienced a street fight. Paying attention to detail can be the difference between success or failure.

Although the above is stated with tongue in cheek, it is very important for people studying martial arts at Elite Training Center in Redondo Beach to pay extra close attention to detail when learning. Through the various martial arts at Elite defensive position with hands up by the head are integral to staying protected.

In Krav Maga and Muay Thai / Kickboxing focusing on the hands and arms staying flush against the head and covering the back of the neck is paramount! This although seemingly trivial tactic keeps the brain stem and carrotid artery protected from impact and edged weapons as well as fists and kicks.

In Kali Silat neglecting proper hand positioning can make or break a tactic within this all emcompassing combat system from the Philippines. Again, likening it back to keeping your hands up and at the ready when dealing with either an armed or unarmed combatant.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA, although rooted in more sport aspects of combative mixed martial arts must also adhere to the hands up and by the head in order to stay safe practice. Head kicks and punches if landed in any open spot around the head can have a major effect on the outcome of a competition.

Regardless of the system you study, we encourage everyone to “sweat the small stuff.”

Hello Elite Training Center Friends,

This week’s classes in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program saw us practicing techniques in combatives and self-defense focusing on escaping from the front bearhug over both arms and under both arms; effectively using the front headlock snap down; the single leg takedown & the standing hook sweep takedown. On the mats this week, we continued to practice sweeps from the guard.

Observations in the basic program this week were how very good all of you are getting at jiu-jitsu and of how very fast the advance program will be here. I for one am excited to see you all start sparring full time in the advance program. Up until now, the basic program has been learning techniques and light positional sparring. In the advance program, each class will have sparring at the end of the lesson; moreover, we will begin having open mat sessions. During open mat, it is common to see students practicing jiu-jitsu right-along-side other students practicing krav maga, kickboxing and mixed martial arts.

Be ready for October,

Prof. Tony Pacenski

Hello Elite Training Center Friends,

This week’s classes in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program saw us practicing techniques in combatives and self-defense focusing escaping from the back mount and finishing the fight from the mounted position. In addition, we learned how escape from the standing headlock and attacks from behind oneself by surprise.

The self-defense strategy of escaping from a headlock was a technique we continued address this week. This time around we learned how to prevent the attacker from breaking our posture. Once on the ground, we practiced the spinning armlock with knee on the belly and also added the standing armlock variation. These two types of armlock finishes were said to used in many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu self-defense techniques. At the end of the week we practices escapes against the rear choke attack. Each move used a throw to takedown the attacker. The rear choke escape throw showed us the importance of quickly gaining our base and throwing the attacker over your head. Two points during the escape is to lower your hips lower than the attacker’s and after the throw is performed, hold onto the arm of the opponent so you do lose your balance moving backwards.

The second technique to escape the rear choke attack practiced this week was when the opponent pulled you off balance and backwards with the choke. If was important to attempt the first throw over your head first and only use the step back throwing strategy second if pulled off balance by the attack. One tip was to step back on the arm-side you are being choked with deeply. A second tip was to turn your head and look to the spine of the opponent. This will help you get gain superior leverage and the best angle to trip the attacker to the ground as you move behind him.

On the mats this week we looked escaping the back mount and finishing from the front mount. Quick notes to about escaping the back mount, aways protect you neck from the choke, learn to be in control of your hips and found an effective escape strategy. Remember that when you are late in your defense, many times the opponent will determine what type of defense strategy you will use. You can not force it.

Lastly, during the week of classes, we explored basic finishing attacks from the front mount. Techinques that were reviewed and taught were the spinning armlock, the arm trap to rear naked choke and the arm trap to armlock. I could see a lot improvements in the students jiu jitsu practice in the performance of the armlocks this week.
This weekend led us to the first Elite Training Center Survival Camp in Santa Barbara, CA. Many of you that attended quickly learned the difference between training jiu jitsu on the mats verses ground survival training in the elements. But that is another story…

Best,

Prof. Tony Pacenski

This week’s classes in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program saw us practicing techniques in combatives and self-defense focusing takedowns and escapes if attacked from behind.  In addition, we explored the knee in the belly position and how to turn the fight with a variation on the hook sweep.

For the self-defense aspects on this week, we learned what to do if attacked and held over both arms or under both arms.  This was the classic bearhug attack. Both attacks were easily defended with jiu jitsu by use of leverage and basic tricks.  Further in the week we defended against the sucker punch.  This attack led to the clinch and the basic hip throw.  Two takedowns that were added this week were the hip throw and side trip takedown from the clinch reference point.  

On the mat this week we practice how to control the opponent using the knee in the belly position.  This position opens up many strategies such as submission attacks, transitional position control and the ability to where down the opponent with control, strikes or technical grips on the pants, sleeve and jacket.  Simply using the knee in the belly to transition to the mount position is a key objective.

Lastly, on the mat this week, we practiced using the hook sweep from the guard position.  Before learning this move, we reviewed how to use the armtriangle choke and also create an angle to take the back of the opponent.  It was this ability to move your hips under your opponent that determined what technique you could use or where you would end up next in the positional battle.  What we practice was to move the hips out to side the opposite way than taking the back position.  By doing this, we were able to learn the hook sweep and turn the fight.  In the end, this strategy led to the submission finish using the armtriangle choke.  Remember that the submission from the mount is half neck crank and half choke hold.  Therefore, it was practice to move to the side control to finialize the armtriangle.  All choke this way!

Best,

Prof. Tony Pacenski

Hello Elite Training Center Friends,

This week’s classes in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program saw us practicing techniques in combatives and self-defense focusing passing the guard, escaping from headlocks against a wall and escaping for the mounted position against a resisting opponent or one that throws punches. Last week, I was on the East Coast conducting Martial Arts seminars and I had a busy schedule that affected the writing process for the first week of September in our blog. Nonetheless, let us reflect on this week’s progress.

Passing the guard of your opponent is one of the most difficult objectives in a ground fight. The opponent has many tools and strategies that he or she can use to defend against your attacks. In a jiu-jitsu competition is a commonplace to see full matches spent inside the guard. Once again the basic objectives in passing are to establish posture, open the legs on your opponent in a technical way using leverage; control the hips of your opponent in some form, and move pass the legs of your opponent to the knee in the belly, side control or mounted position on top. This week we reviewed the basic leg on the shoulder passing and strategy of passing over one leg. The main concept taught was to learn how to change sides when the opponent resists your forward movement; or should I say forward-angled-pressure-movement. Yes, with the leg on the shoulder pass or passing over the leg pass, we learned the importance of “being” very heavy at the correct times.

One rule I have always followed is, “If the opponent wants space, be tight…and if the opponent wants no space, create space!” It is a game of influencing the distance, timing, movement and pressure. The latter technique we worked on this week was to pass under both legs. During the type of guard pass, the technique of gaining the superior grip on the kimono/uniform or controlling the far hip on the opponent was explored. When questions what I met by, “Control the gi/lapel first before you move to pass the guard,” I demonstrated how get gaining the superior grip before making the next transition could lead to running in circles wasting energy, using strength verse leverage, losing control of the position instead of controlling the next part of the positional battle. Please remember that is the series of little battles that wins positions in a ground fight. And when you win superior positions, you will start to finalize more victories in your training.

Further into the week we practiced escaping headlocks against the wall. In two different headlocks, the opponent was using the wall for assistance. The escape and counter to these specific types of headlocks were different compared to a headlock in the open space. In both situations, we learned to use the wall for your advantage. From there was took the lesson to the mounted position, yet we reviewed how to escape the position.

The basic concept that was type this week was to understand how to use the trap & roll (Opa) technique and the elbow & knee escape technique effectively. The approach here was to use one strategy first and if there is any resistance from the opponent, use the second strategy next at this correct time. It is important to commit to one strategy first whole-heartedly, and only use the second strategy when there is a real resistance. Many times in escaping the mount in a technical way, “IT” is a give and take battle or relationship. For the opponent to choke you, he or she needs to give up his or her arms. In this context to defend the choke, you can trap the arms (TAKE) and roll the heavier opponent.

Finally, we practiced learning one of the basic strategies and techniques of defending against a punching opponent that is in the top mounted position. Once again for the opponent to gain the most leverage and power to punch downward towards your face/head, he will need to create distance. When you close this space and get really tight to the opponent’s chest, you can effectively protect your face from damage. In this situation you are in a survival mode, yet you need to relax so you do not use a lot of personal strength. The technique we practiced from here was to trap the arm and roll. The major details are for those that came to class. Moving forward as you develop better ground fighting skills, the defenses to the mount will be making in very difficult of the opponent to mount you the first place. You strategies in escaping from the cross side position and putting up defensive “Road-Blocks” will prevent the mount position from being established.

Congratulations to all of the students that have been promoted this week in their progress towards blue belts: Faixa Azul!

Be ready for next week!

Best,

Prof. Tony Pacenski

Elite Training Center

As September 11th draws near we are continually reminded about the horrors of that day. We all remember where we were when we either heard about commercial airliners being used as weapons, or watched it unfold.

Throughout history when such events occur, the images are burned into our psyches. Sayings such as, “Never Forget” and “Always Remember” are uttered and posted. I wonder how could we forget? How can we NOT remember? But these sayings must ring true because we as Americans often take the luxuries we have for granted. Thus we forget and don’t remember what has made this country great, sacrifice.

Post 9/11 Americans were put on high alert and began to see first hand what extremism could do when spun by zealots and misinformation.

At Elite Training Center in Redondo Beach we continually remind one another, both students and instructors about the fortunate lifestyle we all live here in America. We get to wake up everyday and go to a kickboxing class! We rise and shine, have something to eat , maybe grab a cup of coffee and train in Krav Maga, Kali, or  Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Then we get to go home, eat more and go to work, often to jobs we complain about.

We are so very fortunate to have the opportunities we have. This doesn’t negate the hard work that we put in to sustain or reach for a better life. It is simply to state that we must recognize what we have, how we have it and why.

Daily, men and women throughout the world are working nonstop to ensure that events such as 9/11 don’t happen again. For this we are grateful. But do we actually remind ourselves about it? When we wake up and roll out of bed do we stop and think how great we have it?