Advanced Member Manual

ADVANCED AFMA MEMBER MANUAL

AUSTRALIAN FREESTYLE MARTIAL ARTS

www.proactiveselfdefence.com

Pro-Active Self Defence Academy 8 Brock Street, Thomastown. Ph 9464 4546

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MARTIAL ARTS

As a combat art, the Martial Arts have traditionally represented a large number of offensive and defensive fighting techniques derived from the Far East. Historically, the techniques were developed in India and then transmitted to mainland China by Bodhidharma, the legendary founder of the famous Shaolin School. During the Sui and T’ang Dynasties these skills were spread to Korea, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Brazil. Throughout most of these formulative years the arts were secretly developed and transferred by word of mouth due, in large part to repressive feudalism. Since World War 2 military serviceman carried the arts worldwide, with the development of commercial air travel, and information technology virtually everyone has been exposed to some aspects of the martial arts. Today much of the exposure and hype bombards viewers through television, video and cinema, however the reality of the martial arts is far from this media presentation. Styles are shrouded in tradition and a degree of mystery. Each country (and region) developed its own fighting skills. Each art is unique and was developed through trial and error on the battlefield and personal defence. Below are short summaries of such: JAPANESE martial arts stretch back more than 600 years. Kendo is one of the most ancient. Ninja's were contract assassins, hired to dispatch their victims, usually by poison or by a knife in the back. The samurai were the soldiers of ancient Japan. They believed to die in battle was a fitting and noble death that would guarantee everlasting life in the next world. The four original styles of Karate Shotokan, Wado Ryu, Shito Ryu and Goju Ryu began on the island of Okinawa and spread to the Japanese mainland quite recently, 1920AD by Funakoshi. CHINESE martial arts are the oldest in the world with some dating back more than 2000 years. They are linked to Taoism, which uses the yin/yang symbol to show how strength should be balanced with compassion and gentleness. The Shaolin monks were introduced to Martial arts to assist their academic studies. They are renowned for their amazing feats and agility. KOREAN In 1909 Japanese troops invaded nearby Korea and introduced the Japanese arts. The Korean people developed their own form and created Tang Soo Do, Hapkido and Taekwondo. Taekwondo was introduced as an Olympic sport at the Sydney 2000 Olympic games. BRAZILIAN Jiu Jitsu has evolved from its early 20th century beginnings to become a formidable ground fighting art winning many of the early UFC no holds barred competitions. PHILIPPINES Eskrima, Kali & Arnis (Stick Fighting) were developed by the Filipinos whilst defending against invading neighbouring islands. The Filipinos also used single and double sticks to ward off the sword wielding Spanish empire invaders to defend their home. The Filipino's then incorporated blade and sword into their arts. THAILAND An independent country with a strong fighting heritage developed Muay Thai & Krabi Krobong (weapon system) on the battlefield whilst defending their homeland. WESTERN / EUROPEAN. From the Gladiators to the Holy Wars, fighting was developed utilizing various weapons. Firearms put an end to Swordsmanship. Weapon restrictions to civilians saw an increase in unarmed combat with boxing, wrestling and hybrids developing. MILITARY WARFARE As technology evolves, so too does the weapons of warfare. FREESTYLE Martial Arts developed with the ‘information age’ where travel and communication has allowed Martial Artists worldwide the opportunity to learn and grow from an immensely wide choice of skills and concepts. Bruce Lee was one of the first to embrace the idea of blending arts. AUSTRALIAN FREESTYLE MARTIAL ARTS Has developed using modern fighting concepts to build an effective self-defence system with all the benefits of Martial Arts. A blend of traditional martial arts, modern sport sciences (body mechanics, combat psychology) & survival techniques, give you a unique system of self defence and fitness made for today’s modern and unfortunately often violent world.

Witik Pullback flick stick strike Loptik Through strike – stick Espady Daga Stick (sword) & knife Punio Butt of stick Abiniko ‘Fan’ strike / block Sombrada Counter for counter drill Redonda Circular sweeping strike Floretti Circle strike within redonda Jab Strike with lead hand Cross Strike with rear hand Orthodox Stance with right hand / leg back. (Strongest hand /leg back). Southpaw Opposite of orthodox - mostly used by left-handed boxers. Dojo Training hall or club (place of learning and development). Kiai Karate ‘scream’, used for channelling aggression, and unsettling opponent. Karenza Shadow boxing with weapons. Karate Empty hand Japanese martial art. Established 1920. Jiu Jitsu Japanese system with emphasis on locks and throws. Also Brazilian style. Aikido Japanese ‘soft’ art using opponents force. Hapkido Dynamic and acrobatic Korean art inspired by Japanese aikido. Kung Fu Chinese internal art emphasizing ‘Chi’ energy & centreline offence & defence. Kendo ‘The way of the sword’ est. circa 1400AD. Wushu Chinese weapon art & combat routines in dance like movements. Savate French kickboxing style. Sombo Russian KGB developed military art, emphasis on fatal throws & grapple. Muay Thai Thai Kickboxing using ‘the 8 weapons’: punches, kicks, elbows & knees. Taekwondo Korean art emphasizing high kicks. Recently made as an Olympic sport.

THE BOWS

KARATE BOW

Attention Stance heels together (toes point out 45 degrees). Hands on thigh, Lean forward 10 to 15 degrees; generally used in most Karate forums such as all-style tournaments.

FORM / KATA BOW

FORMAL JAPANESE BOW

Neutral Attention stance (feet apart), (R) Hand on top of left palms up, reverse to palms down whilst (L) foot come to (R) in Attention Stance heels together (toes point out 45 degrees). Turn to right, kneel left then right and face front in kneeling position with closed fists on thigh. Hands to spade shape and Kneeling Bow. (Formal = 3 bows: 1.Dojo, 2.Instructor/s, 3.Others)

AFMA SPARRING GUIDELINES

FIGHTING VERSUS SPARRING

To engage in a ‘street fight’ is foolish and potentially fatal. Fighting is the last resort! As Martial Artists we focus on violence awareness and prevention. As Martial Artists we have a responsibility to educate the community on the benefits of Martial Arts and the importance of being aware of, and resolving conflict before it escalates into violence.

As Martial Artists we reserve the right to our personal safety and security. We give ourselves the right to defend ourselves vigorously and aggressively in the instance of extreme danger or unprovoked attack. To this end sparring can develop attributes that may assist us if we are attacked. Note: “Sparring” is not “fighting”, and “fighting” is not “sparring”.

Sparring is NOT Self defence (nor Street Fighting). Self defence requires full contact strikes to targets to remove threat of an imminent attack or further injury from a criminally minded attacker. Obviously in self defence there are NO rules, NO safety equipment, NO body to call stop (or start) and NO care for your welfare.

Self defence drills with safety equipment and closely supervised can incorporate realism and mental pressure to using heavier contact levels, while addressing the concern of students getting a false sense of security of real life street fighting.

Sparring is the sport component of Martial Arts. Rules and Guidelines must be adhered to for the safety of participants. Rules and guidelines vary between combat styles as seen in All-Style Karate Tournaments, Kickboxing, Pancreation, Taekwondo, U.F.C, Boxing, Muay Thai, etc.

Contact levels vary between styles and tournaments. From ‘NO Contact’ (controlled and safe) to ‘Full Contact’ whereby the objective is to maim, injure or knock out an opponent into submission. Full contact participants must weigh in, have pre and post medicals and be matched in experience. Referees ensure rules are adhered to and safety of fighters.

If you are interested in sparring in other styles, discuss with your Instructor the levels of contact, rules, inherent dangers, regulations and training requirements required.

Because of the vague and often misrepresented terminology used to explain Contact Levels in so called ‘Semi-contact’ (or even ‘kiss contact’) we have formulated Rules and Contact Levels for all AFMA Sparring, Training, Grading and Tournaments.

SPARRING AIMS

Sparring is an integral component of Martial Arts training. It is sometimes hard for Non Martial Artists to understand sparring and they should be educated as to its merits, safety rules, contact levels and benefits. AFMA Sparring is fun, enjoyable, challenging and character building. Skill benefits include: improved timing, ranging / distancing, targeting, defensive attributes and development of instinctive attack combinations. The aim of sparring is not only to put your skills into practice, but also to discover more about yourself. AFMA Colour & Black Belt gradings exemplifies this with sparring experiences that challenges us in a controlled and safe environment.

BLACK BELT VERSUS COLOUR BELT GRADING SPARRING

Colour Belt Sparring is about learning and developing basic sparring skills, (& to prepare you for the Black Belt Grading). Colour Belt is deliberately Light Sparring ONLY! No Contact to the Head and Touch Contact to Body is required due to the relative inexperience of colour belts. Black Belt Grading is where your real confidence grows when you are challenged and tested by your own doubts and fears. To know you can face overwhelming odd. To know when you are exhausted and facing a ‘tougher’ opponent, though you may not ‘win’, you do not give up, that you push yourself from within, to continue attacking. You can defend yourself. That’s the essence of self defence. That’s Black Belt!

The following guidelines are used to maximize your enjoyment and safety. Sparring is potentially dangerous. AFMA members must adhere to the following guidelines.

Do Not practice sparring unless: 1/. You are supervised by a qualified Instructor. 2/. You are wearing approved protective equipment. 3/. You have defensive skills and control of offensive skills. (Minimum skill level for free sparring is Blue Belt – 6th Kyu). 4/. You understand contact levels. 5/. You understand legal & illegal techniques. 6/. You understand legal & illegal target areas. 7/. You understand the rules of the sparring style.

Contact levels vary in sparring due to: individuals various experience (Belt level determines skill and control) but more importantly due to varying individual physical characteristics.

INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATIONS – PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Weight: A 100kg person physically hits twice as hard as a 50kg person. Children: Physical maturity, muscular and skeletal development. Children vary in their development of; basic motor skills, co-ordination, reflex, & peripheral vision. Look for stripes on belt, not at size as to age group. 1 stripe = Secondary, 2 stripes = Primary, 3 stripes = Pre-School Age: Veterans (over 40) take longer to heal and recover from injury. Sex: It is generally accepted that males are physically stronger than females. Fitness & Fatigue An individual, even though fit and strong, will tire and fatigue in later rounds, especially when up against fresh opponents. Experience Belt levels give us a guide to Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. Miscellaneous Mental or Physical disability’s or health related issues.

CONTACT LEVEL POLICING Contact levels must be adhered to, in order to keep sparring enjoyable and safe. Work to push individuals to their best in a safe and constructive manner. Ensuring contact levels are obeyed requires vigilance and communication by everyone by; 1. Ability to control techniques and contact. 2. Education and understanding sparring guidelines. 3. Observing contact levels. Advanced members & instructors have greater experience and recognition of contact levels by observing and providing verbal guidance. 4. Advanced members and instructors ‘setting the pace’ for new sparring members to feel contact levels and receive feedback during sparring and drills.

Sparring is not an opportunity to beat up or take out personal issues with an individual. Conflicts should be dealt with verbally to find a resolution. Individuals who do not follow guidelines or adhere to contact levels will be verbally warned. Accidental contact should be acknowledged by ‘time out on side’ & 10 push up self imposed penalty. Deliberate or malicious contact will result in removal from sparring.

CONTACT LEVELS

AFMA Sparring is NOT full contact! Sparring is conducted in a working, non-hostile environment to allow members to practice and develop skills. Safety of members is paramount. Rules and guidelines are strictly adhered to. Understanding of contact levels is imperative for the safety of all participants. Instructors rigidly monitor contact levels during all sparring sessions.

CONTACT DESCRIPTION LEVEL NO CONTACT MAKES NO CONTACT WHATSOEVER! TOUCH MAKES TOUCH CONTACT ONLY. NO PENETRATION. CONTACT (Sometimes called Kiss contact) SEMI SLIGHT PENETRATION THAT SHOULD NOT DISPLACE CONTACT OR MOVE THE RECIEVER. Individual & weight considerations must be taken into account. Care & responsibility is placed on striker. FULL FULL PENETRATION THROUGH TARGET TO CAUSE CONTACT DELIBERATE AND SEVERE FORCE THAT MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. Maximum contact used on pads, bags, full contact competition and in real life self defence.

COLOUR BELT SPARRING: GRADING, & TRAINING CONTACT LEVELS

HEAD BODY GROUP DESCRIPTION CONTACT CONTACT LEVEL LEVEL LITTLE Age 4 -7 DRAGONS Pre & Primary School NO TOUCH JUNIORS 7 - age 13 CONTACT CONTACT TEEN Aged 13 – 17 FEMALES Adult Female 18 –39 MALES Adult Male 18 –39 VETERANS Over 40 MASTERS Over 50

COLOUR BELT SPARRING FOR GRADINGS

BELT TOTAL EXPLANATION OF COLORED BELT GRADING ROUNDS LIGHT CONTACT SPARRING GREEN 3 No Contact Head. PURPLE 5 Touch Contact Body. BROWN BAR PURPLE BELT 7 Participants must wear approved sparring BROWN BELT 9 BLACK BAR BROWN BELT 10 safety protective equipment. See ‘Safety Considerations’ below.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS The Head Especially protected. Contact levels to head are deliberately lighter than body due to safety considerations. For ALL Colour Belts there is no contact to the head in general sparring (However there is Touch contact in Boxing Glove drills). Illegal Targets: Eyes, Throat, Groin, Knee joint, Back of Head, Neck & Spine. Illegal Techniques: Eye gouges, Biting, Throws, and Leg Sweeps. Knees , Elbows & Head- Butt. (Note: Black & Dan Grading Kumite; Knees & Elbows may be used to body using appropriate contact level) Compulsory Mouth-guard (Dental fitted recommended) Sparring Equipment. Hand Mitts, Shin / Instep protectors. (Cotton, foam dip, or leather) Males groin guard. Optional Head-guards (leather or foam dipped). Recommended Forearm / Knee / Elbow protectors. Safety Equipment: Female groin guards and chest protectors. Martial Arts training shoes. (must be approved, no sharp edges)

RESPECT We know respect has to be given to be gained, and all should acknowledge this. Sometimes a higher ranked person will help lower ranks learn by giving them open targets to come in and work on. A lower rank should not take advantage of this by increasing the level of contact. Just work!

TOURNAMENTS

Tournaments are an excellent sporting challenge. There is a wide range of tournament styles, formats and rules. If you would like to compete please speak to your instructor prior as contact levels and rules vary immensely. Your instructor will be able to advise you on which tournaments are suitable. AFMA occasionally will run an interclub tournament, that suits our style, is fair to all members, runs safely & timely, and is a fun & positive. Every participant is awarded a medallion or trophy. The AFMA Interclub tournament has divisions suitable for all levels, including novice levels.

TEAM FREESTYLE

Team Freestyle is An elite group of AFMA (XMA & MTK) members who train and compete in All-Style tournaments in a variety of formats including point, continuos sparring, team events, Kata, forms, breaking, synchronised & to music demonstrations. Team Freestyle gives selected members the opportunity to compete against competitors from various styles in regular competition, as well as state, national and world titles.

To make Team Freestyle you must first be invited! You must be over Blue Belt and show the right qualities in general training. To be invited, you must train hard, display good sportsmanship, and prove you would be a quality ambassador for AFMA. If you meet the above requirements, Your Instructor may nominate you with a formal invitation to try out.

Team Freestyle sessions are specialized classes focusing on Tournament training, and skills required in sports karate. You will learn the rules, strategies and skills required for; Sparring (Point & Continuous), Forms / Kata, Board Breaking, Demonstration and team events. Team Freestyle training sessions are only open to AFMA members who are 100% committed to training to their personal best.

BLACK & DAN RANK SPARRING STYLES & CONTACT LEVELS

SPAR STYLES BLACK 1ST DAN 2ND DAN 3RD DAN 4TH DAN LIGHT 4 4 4 NA NA LIGHT 2 : 1 1 1 1 NA NA SINGLE STICK 3 3 3 3 3 DOUBLE STICK 2 2 2 2 2 KUMITE 5 5 5 5 5 KICKBOXING 5 5 15 10 10 TOTAL 20 20 30 15 15

LIGHT SPAR DESCRIPTION HEAD BODY CONTACT LEVEL CONTACT LEVEL EVERYONE General sparring with protective NO TOUCH equipment. Hand CONTACT CONTACT & Legs only.

LIGHT 2:1 DESCRIPTION HEAD BODY CONTACT LEVEL CONTACT LEVEL EVERYONE General sparring with protective NO TOUCH equipment. CONTACT CONTACT

STICK DESCRIPTION HEAD BODY SPARRING CONTACT LEVEL CONTACT LEVEL LITTLE DRAGONS Aged 4-6 JUNIOR PRIMARY 7 -12 NO TOUCH JUNIOR SECONDARY 13-17 CONTACT CONTACT VETERANS 40 + MASTERS 50+ Must wear helmet with No stab/thrusts. FEMALES 18-39 full face guard and use Can kick & Punch ADULT MALE 18-39 soft sticks.

KUMITE DESCRIPTION HEAD BODY CONTACT LEVEL CONTACT LEVEL LITTLE DRAGONS Aged 4-6 JUNIOR PRIMARY 7 -12 NO TOUCH JUNIOR SECONDARY 13-17 CONTACT CONTACT VETERANS 40 + MASTERS 50+ FEMALES 18-39 ADULT MALE 18-39 SEMI CONTACT

KICKBOXING DESCRIPTION HEAD BODY CONTACT LEVEL CONTACT LEVEL LITTLE DRAGONS Aged 4-6 NO CONTACT JUNIOR PRIMARY 7 -12 TOUCH MASTERS 50+ CONTACT JUNIOR SECONDARY 13-17 TOUCH CONTACT VETERANS 40 + FEMALES 18-39 ADULT MALE 18-39 SEMI CONTACT

SPARRING SAFETY

SPARRING SAFETY: Show care and control towards fellow members who may panic, or run back in to objects or others. FATIGUE: Ensure your fitness is sufficient to defend yourself. Keep yourself hydrated. SPECTATOR SAFETY: Keep children (and spectators) off sparring area. SECONDS: Be Responsible for cleaning up water spillages. OBSERVERS: Monitor contact levels and safety. ACCIDENTAL CONTACT: 1st Óffence’ Penalty = Time out spar partner, Move safely to side and do 10 ‘penalty’ push ups. If an Instructor has given a warning, you get 20 push ups. Don’t take it personal just do it. 2nd Offence penalty =. See above. 3rd Offence = Third warning is out. DELIBERATE / EXCESSIVE CONTACT: Suspended from sparring.

PRE SPARRING CHECK

All participants understand: Sparring Style. (Light, Multiple 2:1, Kumite, Stick, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, etc) Targets; Legal (& Illegal) Techniques; Legal (& Illegal) Age Group Classification ((Pre-School, Primary Junior, Secondary Junior Contact Level (No, Touch, Semi or Full Contact)

SPARRING TIPS • Keep hands up and protect yourself at all times. • Protecting your head is your highest defensive objective. • Control range; Attack In, Defend Out. • A moving target is harder to hit. Move! • When in doubt…Jab Out!

AFMA SPARRING OTHER

STICK SPARRING The same levels of contact apply for soft stick and hard stick sparring. Caution should be noted for thrust attacks to throat and head / eye / face guard areas.

GRAPPLING SPARRING GRADINGS No striking attacks are to be used. Submission attacks to limbs, (neck, arms, legs), Sleeper holds & Chokes must be controlled. Focus on control of attacking positions and escaping defensive positions. Note: striking and grappling simultaneously is suitable for experienced grapplers with appropriate control, safety equipment and supervision.

WEAPONS TRAINING

Weapons training is highly specialised and is generally limited to the following classes; AFMA Advanced Black, XMA, Kali Masters, Team Freestyle tournaments and demonstrations, and specialised seminars, all of which are closely supervised by senior instructors. Benefits of weapons training include; Development of body mechanics (extension of the arm), enhancing hand to eye peripheral vision, speed, agility and coordination. Weapons training is also limited to legislation depending on weapon type.

Weapon Description Conditions / Requirements Level Used Prohibited Type Weapon Approval Needed Kali Rattan Bamboo. No restrictions apply. Yellow Belt No Sticks (not hardwood) Junior & adult size sticks avail. 9th Kyu Staff Rattan Bamboo. No restrictions apply Black Bar No Junior & adult size staff. Brown Belt 1st Kyu Palm Rattan Bamboo. No restrictions apply Black Belt No Stick Training Flat dull edged. Must be Adult. Eligibility age 13 Black Belt No Knife & Wood. minimum of 18 years of age, and Training Rubber. minimum of Black Belt. sword Aluminium. NOTE: Live blades are not to be with blunt used in training drills. edge. Improvise Improvised weapons; Strict instruction in safety, use and 1st Dan. No d mobile phone, keys, potential dangers (sharp edge, etc) Training bag, plastic chairs, before demonstrating or using. Weapons Baseball bats, Clubs, laptop, etc Flexible Bandanna. Beware if weighted with coins. 2nd Dan No Rope. Minimum thickness. Plastic Chain Controlled range. Training Replica only. Timber, Beware of fingers getting caught 3rd Dan No Firearms Rubber, or Plastic. in grips. Note sharp edges and propensity to snap. Martial art Nunchaku, Karma, Approval from the Victorian chief Black Belt Yes Weapons Sai / Jitte, Tonfa, commissioner of police required Katana, Kubotan, to possess or use. If in doubt find Throwing stars, etc. out. Other Dagger, Crossbows, Special Approval from the AFMA - N.A. Yes prohibited Firearms, OC sprays, Victorian chief commissioner of Police / weapons Extendable baton, police required to possess or use. Security sling shots, etc If in doubt find out. industry trainers with special permission.

AFMA MEMBERS WEAPON CODE OF USE:

I will: • use the weapon responsibly (as required by the law), and not for any unlawful purpose; • not use the weapon in a way that endangers myself or other students; • only use it for training, demonstration or tournament purposes; • always employ safe handling practices when using the weapon; • only use the weapon for training purposes at times and in locations specified by the Principal Instructor or other specialist weapons trainer, and under the guidance and in the presence of that instructor or trainer; • not loan to, or allow other untrained students to handle the weapon; • undertake all due care and security when travelling with the weapon to training, tournament or demonstration venues; • accept responsibility for the purchase cost of the weapon as well as any additional, specialist training costs associated with the development of my skills in the use of the weapon; • Comply without question to the outcome of any Misuse of Weapon’s Review conducted by the Club.

PRESCRIBED WEAPONS & LICENSE REQUIREMENTS Many Weapons, in Victoria, are classified as prohibited weapons under the Control of Weapons Act 1990. AFMA supports student training in the art of Martial Arts weaponry. However, because of legal issues and the potentially dangerous aspect of our craft, we have developed a strict policy that will apply to any student wishing to develop these skills using prescribed weapons. If you wish to consider entering the ranks of those highly skilled weapons users, ask for a copy of the AFMA Weapons Policy.