Elite Training Center: Redondo

Don’t be so quick to dismiss someone who doesn’t have as much experience as you in your martial arts career. There is always something to learn either through viewing or doing. At Elite Training Center in Redondo Beach we refer to our upper level programs as Master Path.

Although Krav Maga is not steeped in such rich history as Kali Silat, it is continually changing and moving to ensure efficiency. Kali Silat, 2000 years old is continually researching and developing to come up with new technology to counter enemy tactics. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) stems from Japanese Jiu Jitsu. A once thought art of strength and position was slowly developed into position and angles.

If martial arts are always changing then how can one call themselves or deem another a “master?” There is the masters path, a journey that has no end, only the gathering and accumulation of knowledge in the martial way.

Do not forget how important this time of year is for self defense. With the amount of people doing holiday shopping, good people must be on the lookout.

At Elite Training Center in Redondo Beach, CA we encourage all of our students to use situational awareness each and every day. Krav Maga, Kali Silat, Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu all focus on identifying and anticipating movement of an attacker or opponent. With the “silly” season upon on it is important to recognize the dangers that lie within.

Violent attacks and muggings occur around this time often out of desperation. Take this time to recognize what is going on around you. Utilize these simple steps to utilize situational awareness:

Don’t text while walking back to your car from a busy day of shopping. Keep your head up and move with purpose.

Don’t disengage your car alarm until you are at your car. Don’t make a steady line towards your own vehicle if you are alone. Move in the direction of another vehicle and then make a quick move.

Don’t hold onto too many bags which can inhibit your vision and mobility. Shop simply and smart.

Be sure to lock up your belongings and don’t leave anything in view worth stealing.

One more thing…don’t be a bad person. Santa’s watching…

     Justice should not only be used in the perception of government and law. It can be implied in all ways of life. A just man or woman uses justice to always put their friends needs and the needs of life above theirs. A just person does not indulge themselves in selfish acts but more in the well being and betterment of those around them.  How does this pertain to us at Elite Training Center? Whether it is Krav Maga, Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kali or Kickboxing, using such a principle as being a just person, you will always strive to the success of those around you. In turn this forms the best possible training environment for all. For there is something to be said about the lessons learned in teaching someone a step behind you. Grab a student who’s been here for a shorter period of time and you have taken a step forward.

-Rome

We are proud when each and every one of our students performs well on and off the mat. To reinforce positive behavior we must instill positivity in each student. This is important in the early stages of the martial artist’s path.

Last Friday the Youth Krav Maga students had a promotion and test along with the Youth MMA students. To see each and every student perform not only technique but exercise proper etiquette was rewarding for the instructors. But without signing praises for behavior as well as execution of technique would be a disservice to all that Elite Training Center is about.

We expect our Youth programs to carry over into the areas of life that coincide with societal contributions i.e. school, groups, teams, and family activities.

Never settle for less than your best! Again, fantastic job!!!

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