All,
I have attempted not to weigh in on this subject, however have found it
increasingly difficult as the thread has progressed. I'm sure that we
all realize that as 1Touch Coaches we represent persons with multiple
backgrounds professionally, as well as relating to the martial arts. My
oppinions are based on my professional and martial experience and are
not meant to step on anyone's toes so to speak. I also apologize if this
response is a bit lengthy, however anyone who knows me would not be
surprised by this.
This guy seems like an accomplished athlete and a credit to the sport of
MMA. He has obviously shown great dedication prior to losing his sight
and as the video suggests, has continued to do so through his teaching
endeavors. We certainly need coaches who are dedicated to their
training, as well as growing their understanding and ability to convey
the foundational principles and techniques a la 1Touch™.
In the course of this video two messages stood out and the editing made
me feel they were somewhat conflated. The first being that the sport of
MMA is accessible to the blind. The second was that the sport of MMA
provides solid foundations for teaching self-defense. There are of
course blind and low-vision MMA practitioners. Some who have
participated in both amateur and pro leagues. Let us assume that his
training is readily transferrable to his students. Is the curriculum
designed to create MMA fighters or teach self-defense? If both, I would
suggest that the two are quite disimilar, as it relates to our approach
to assessing the situation and avoiding escalation and unforseen
variables (pun unintended).
I hope he finds some degree of success, but cannot foresee meaningful
cross-polination, as it relates to further development of the 1Touch™
curriculum. Being a Jujitsu practitioner, I can attest to Professor
Nicholls proficiency regarding ground and all other aspects of the art.
I did not catch anything in the article stating this guy's teaching
credentials, but that brings us back to the above premise.
Ground strategies of the MMA fighter are designed with a set rules of
engagement, which in many training scenarios do not take into account
real world situations. Engaging with an attempt to end up on the ground
provides many more variables that have to be taken into account, many of
which are not typically modeled in groundwork training. Don't get me
wrong, I'm all for groundwork training, such is quite extensive in
Jujitsu, however I don't see how such would fit in 1Touch™ curriculum. I
would also question the focus on techniques that were designed for a
ring or cage, when we are not likely going to be attacked in such an
environment. If we find ourselves out and about there will also likely
be no rules preventing the assailant from hitting below the belt,
biting, eye-gouging, small joint manipulation, fish hooking, pulling out
keys or a weapon, and let's not even discuss willingly getting on the
ground on concrete, gravel, in a crowd of people or when there is the
potential of multiple assailants.
Then there is the process of getting someone on the ground via throw or
takedown and of course learning how to fall yourself. If learning such
is something you are interested in, I would highly recommend finding a
quality instructor. Becoming proficient in such will take several years
of dedicated training and even moreso to become a recognized and
qualified teacher of such.
Regards,
-Mark
On 10/8/2017 10:13 AM, Stephen Nicholls wrote:
Exactly.
Same problem we have all the time, explaining the basics to “professionals”.
I have just the man for the job, aka Brando Collins.
Well spoken, Stephen.
S
On 6 Oct 2017, at 12:51, Stephen Handschu <stephenhandschu@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:stephenhandschu@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
*/Hi all, of course it would be great if this, clearly impressive person, has something we could learn and benefit from. It would also be great if he recognized that our system could benefit him. Cross fertilization and all that. Not so simple to get there in my experience. Steve if you want to take some coaches to south Africa, I want to go. Having said all that, the video shows him to be a highly trained athlete, and contains a lot of boxing. Maybe useful if you were a talented boxer before you went blind, as he was. But not at all helpful for the average blind person, who is our target constituency./*
*//*
Stephen Handschu
Tel. 773-209-4539
www.handschusculpture.com <http://www.handschusculpture.com/>
stephenhandschu@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:stephenhandschu@xxxxxxxxx>
*//*
*From:*coaches-us-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:coaches-us-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> [mailto:coaches-us-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]*On Behalf Of*Stephen Nicholls
*Sent:*Thursday, October 05, 2017 9:33 PM
*To:*coaches-us@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:coaches-us@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Subject:*[coaches-us] Re: We are not alone ...
Indeed.
I have many views on this point and wish to discuss.
Lynne I need your services. There is a lady who is inventing a self defence course for people who are blind.
My blood boils….
-Stephen
On 5 Oct 2017, at 14:06, L K <klish.lyn@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:klish.lyn@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
This is for Roger Crome, correct?
On Oct 5, 2017 1:05 PM, "Stephen Nicholls" <director@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:director@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Call me. Free this afternoon. Much to discuss…. I agree in principal.
On 4 Oct 2017, at 23:44, Roger Crome <r_crome1@xxxxxxx <mailto:r_crome1@xxxxxxx>> wrote:
I got another thought after having someone sighted watch the video for me. Living in South Africa, he may not have any knowledge of 1Touch and the success of this program. He, as an MMA fighter that is blind, he may be able to bring in real prospective to the possibility of ground fighting.
Stephen, you are such a competent and well rounded fighter that has taken your craft to new heights. I have the utmost respect for you, and I believe that this may be an opportunity for you to collaborate with another skilled individual to enhance 1Touch even more. I don’t know how the travel budget is, but maybe you and a couple of coaches should travel to South Africa and meet this guy and compare notes. After seeing the awesomeness of 1Touch, he may be all in to help expand a tried and true curriculum.
Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 4, 2017, at 11:11 PM, Roger Crome <r_crome1@xxxxxxx <mailto:r_crome1@xxxxxxx>> wrote:
I wonder if this guy could be a good coach. Maybe not being able to see the video caused me to miss something. What I got from it was a guy using his success and skill level to help others with blindness to defend themselves. Rather than competition, perhaps this could be a partner that could help with the international growth.
Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 4, 2017, at 2:22 PM, Stephen Nicholls <director@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:director@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Twice I have heard this in one day….
Like re inventing the wheel….
Thanks, Nick.
Appreciate it even though it makes me sad. Such huge interest in other countries just now and putting together an international sub-committee for this reason.
S
On 4 Oct 2017, at 10:31, Nick Kirker <nickkirker@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:nickkirker@xxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Some one else is up to the same sort of thing.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2017/oct/03/fighting-with-out-sight-the-story-of-ronald-dlamini-video
<https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2017/oct/03/fighting-with-out-sight-the-story-of-ronald-dlamini-video>
The blind MMA fighter: Ronald Dlamini's story <https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2017/oct/03/fighting-with-out-sight-the-story-of-ronald-dlamini-video>
www.theguardian.com <http://www.theguardian.com/>
In 2009 Ronald Dlamini became the first black MMA champion in South African history by claiming the welterweight title. However, his life changed in 2012 aft...
