I have had a number of people inquire about how they can start Carenza. I feel the double stick is a great place to start because you are working both hands equally. Here is a solid group of Open position striking patterns that will develop your body mechanics, left and right coordination, and a host of other physical attributes. In addition, your cognitive function and neuroplasticity can be enhanced. Check out Cognitive Kali with Paul McCarthy at TEDxUCLA.

Alternated between weapon (Carenza) and Shadow Boxing for 13 x 2 – 3:30 minute rounds.

Siniwalli-Boxing-Espada y Daga-Kickboxing-Dagger-Panantukan/Bunga-Kukri-Knee and Elbow-Nunchucks-Jun Fan Gung Fu-Barong-Ground and Pound-Siniwalli (last round didn’t make it on video).

I feel shadow boxing is one of the best warm ups, cool downs and contact free conditioning training methods you can do.

When you are Shadow Boxing you are working far more than just your technical skill. Shadow Boxing done right utilizes a ton of visualization. You are bringing in offense, defense and counter attacking, along with footwork and a lot of movement. Ultimately, you should move as if you are fighting someone.

You can Shadow Box slowly, 50%, 75% or full speed. Every aspect of fight can be brought into your shadow boxing. Have fun and move with purpose.

The Jab is one of the simplest and fastest punches that you have. The jab is the probe for range, for your opponent’s reactions and reflexes, it is a quick, snapping and powerful strike, a set up for other strikes, as an offensive tool, a counter attack and defensive strike. I feel the Jab is the most important tool to develop and time should be spent to sharpen this weapon.

Here I break down the basics of the jab, multiple Jabs
Flicker Jab
Power Jab
Marchers Jab
Retreating Jab
Slant Jab
Corkscrew Jab
Rising Jab
Jabbing using basic footwork.

While doing Carenza this morning I decided to mumble my musings about our current situation. Yes, this is new for everyone, but it is not a time to go backwards, au contraire mon frères et sœurs, it is a time to grow.

The ability to strike on the ground is key in MMA. Your body will adapt to the training you put it through and the more that your training resembles what happens in fights the better.

Often times you have to striking loose and fast, and then squeezing to hold or submit, and the. Immediately back to striking…. there is often no rhythm involved, you strike when you can and control, hold and squeeze when you have to. The goal is to randomly switch back and forth to mimic what happens in fights.

The Ground and Pound, Smash and Squeeze drill can be seriously tiring. The more tired you get the more focused on precise hitting you have to be.

If you have a dummy you can use this time to develop a crushing choke. When you are training with a live partner you can never full out squeeze and crush their neck and/or jaw for an extended period of time. If your choke is set once you start to squeeze they will tap or go to sleep relatively quickly.

With a dummy you can squeeze and crush it for as long as you can and want to. To develop strength and endurance you have to be able to maximize the use of your muscles over time. Well, you have the time and you can easily have the training equipment to develop that crushing choke.

Knife training is great for coordination, quick twitch movement, speed, body mechanics… Here I am focusing on some Key coordination and hand speed drills. Bottom line, everything helps everything when it comes to athleticism.

Taking some time to really focus on developing an initial proper grip and sharpening placement and position of your cross chokes. Strengthening your grip, wrist and using proper body mechanics is key. You could know a 100 chokes but, you are only as strong as your weakest link. In this case, and in many, it is the grip. Have fun working some simple details.

‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ and it is time to get creative. Ever since I was kid I have always been creative with my training. I have always set time for personal solo training and have a ton of different training methods from a variety of martial arts.

For all of you that are going through BJJ withdrawals, here is a quick fix. I took all of my gis (tops and pants), 4 on the inside, and folded them together so that they are firm. I then put them in a zip up sweat top (I was going to use a hoodie). I then rolled up 2 sets of 2 towels (2 arms) and stuffed them into the sweatshirt arms. I then zipped up the sweatshirt to bundle it all together. Then I stuffed it all in a Gi and tied it with my belt. I then got a foam Roller and put in the neck of the sweatshirt. Lastly, I taped the arms shut and the foam roller in place. BAM! There ya go, 15 minutes later I have a home training dummy.

Dedicated to the Hard Working and Creative Individual.