Mark,
Very good points and very well put. If my comments were perceived as to
question Stephen’s ability in regard to ground fighting, then, I thank you for
pointing that out, and I apologize. I have nothing but respect for him and the
foundation of 1Touch. Stephen has stressed to us that, as coaches, we must
always perceive ourselves as students first, and I whole heartedly believe in
this philosophy. Therefore, I was not insinuating that Stephen could learn
from this guy except from building on the premise that Stephen appears to learn
from the perspective of others which makes him the expert he is. So, my
comments were academic specific. What I intended to get across is that,
because MMA and self-defense are dissimilar as you so eloquently put it, this
guy may have an awakening to the possibilities if introduced to 1Touch, and
maybe, he may be interested in pursuing a CCC and becoming a coach that may
open up the doors to 1Touch in South Africa. There are a lot of maybes in my
suggestions, but if we can get buy in by people in these countries and
communities that already have street cred, then we have already won part of the
battle of dissemination of the best program of self defense for people with
disabilities that could have been created. It sounded cool until I took the
CCC. Then, it became a reality that far surpassed my expectations and
imagination. If this guy or any other person who is trying to create a self
defense curriculum sat through a CCC and was not sold on it, then, they are
just stupid.
I hope I have clarified that I am not suggesting any negativity toward
Professor Nichols. I believe in him and his ability to get across the simple
truth that the 1Touch standard is quite simply the best method of teaching
through practicality and muscle memory that has been tested in the real world.
Roger
Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 9, 2017, at 12:17 PM, Mark Melonson
<mark.melonson@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:mark.melonson@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
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.bing.com/th?id=OVF.D5oL9tz%2binTHJfy25yHJ9Q&pid=Api]<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...