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What is honey for the fitness enthusiast can be poison for the martial artist. That’s because a well-conditioned, well-built martial artist can be well-prepared for the wrong fight. Not only might you be training to develop the wrong energy, but you also might be developing your muscles in a way that limits the range of motion you need to perform your techniques. In short, you might be making yourself fit for the wrong fight. That can render your moves slow, poorly timed and insufficiently powered for competition or self-defense — even though people who are involved in sports might consider you fit. This article will explain what you need to know to build “tactical fitness” by posing three questions, highlighting some relevant research, and demonstrating two self-defense sequences and exercises that were designed to augment them.  This approach comes from a program I developed to train special-operations personnel and law-enforcement officers, as well as ordinary martial artists who are interested in enhancing their self-defense readiness. Crucial Questions Have you trained the right energy system for the fight you’re expecting? Your metabolic preparation determines whether your training is getting y ou ready for physical exertion that mimics the tempo of a fight. A fight is not a marathon; it’s more like a sprint that may or may not be followed by some jogging and then another sprint — or three. Many videos of street assaults show incidents in which untrained attackers knock out trained martial artists even though the attackers are using poor technique. This is possible because although they’re exerting themselves, the attackers retain enough energy to deliver that “lucky shot” at just the right time. That luck actually comes from having developed good timing and energy conservation through repetitive encounters with victims — for them, it’s like training. – Running out of energy in a fight is one of the dangers you face when you elect not to engage in drills that force impact, leaving your opponent virtually unscathed. Often the reason is the martial artist failed to develop their structural platform through proper exercise. – Being unable to generate power and transfer it to the target while moving — or from a position you momentarily find yourself in between maneuvers — is one of the dangers of focusing only on kata practice. Forms alone won’t foster the development of the awareness and mobility you need for self-defense in a dynamic environment. Have you trained to recover from stress and reacquire your skills during a fight? Your biochemical preparation determines whether you can rapidly regain your wherewithal in order to physically respond in a violent encounter. This can be challenging because of the extreme levels of stress that violence or the threat of violence can bring. How fast you chemically recover determines whether you experience courage or cowardice. To paraphrase Vince Lombardi, excessive stress makes cowards of us all. This is usually what happens when a martial artist who’s experienced only at sparring in the dojo or competing in tournaments gets caught in an ambush and is unable to recover — even when it’s only a training simulation. – Being unable to regroup and counterattack is one of the dangers of practicing only in preplanned conditions. It’s far more beneficial to subject yourself to the unknown — to surprise situations that require you to endure sudden stress, recover quickly and regain your mental composure so you can continue the fight. Proper Drilling You can reduce the chance that you’ll be affected by the aforementioned dangers by running through properly designed self-defense drills on a regular basis, but that will take you only so far. You also should address the issue by engaging in the right kinds of physical conditioning. Exercise science teaches a principle called SAID, which stands for “specific adaptation to imposed demands.” It holds that how well you perform is directly proportional to how well you’ve prepared. (In reality, it’s more accurate to say the worst you’ve prepared is the best you can hope to perform, but that’s a subject for another article.) When creating an exercise routine, it pays to keep in mind the advice of experts. In Specificity of Training: Metabolic and Circulatory Responses , which E. Fox, D. McKenzie and K. Cohen wrote for Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise , the authors claim that performance is specific to the movements you do in training and the tempo and pace with which you do them. Ellen Kreighbaum and Katharine M. Barthels wrote in Biomechanics: A Qualitative Approach for Studying Human Movement  that training specifically for the pattern, joint position, speed and type of contraction produces improvement only for those movements. Specific training yields the greatest improvements. What this means is the transfer of an exercise to a skill — in this case, a martial arts technique — will happen only if the exercise and the skill are very similar. Semyon M. Slobounov noted in Injuries in Athletics: Causes and Consequences  that as the degree of similarity between exercise and the skill decreases, the benefits decrease and eventually even conflict. Put another way, your exercise choices can hurt your performance of a martial arts technique. It’s important that your joint position, speed and type of contraction be trained — without  mimicking the martial arts technique too closely. Mel C. Siff, Ph.D., affirms this in Supertraining  when he writes that if you simulate a skill under resistance, you’ll slow the speed and decrease the power of the skill when you’re calling on it for real. A potentially more damaging fitness practice is the “extreme workout.” Exercise physiologists define this as a routine that leads to a heart rate greater than the maximum you should push your heart to in training. (It’s usually calculated by subtracting your age from 220.) When your heart exceeds its max, two negatives happen: You don’t adapt to the exercise because your body is no longer reacting physiologically; it’s reacting chemically. You lose access to the skills you’ve trained so hard to develop. In case you’re wondering why that’s something to be avoided at all costs — and this will benefit all who engage in cross-training for enhanced martial arts performance — consider the following: At 65 percent  of your heart-rate max, you begin to lose fine-motor skills and hand-eye coordination. At 85 percent , you begin to lose complex-motor skills, which can sabotage the remainder of your martial arts techniques. At 100 percent and higher , you lose gross-motor skills, such as the ability to walk and stand. A host of phenomena are associated with insufficiently prepared people who find themselves in an ambush: tunnel vision, auditory exclusion, short-term memory loss, fumbling, stuttering, shaking, freezing, feinting, spontaneous bowel and bladder elimination, and so on. (These data come from research conducted on law-enforcement personnel who were in life-or-death situations, as described in Sharpening the Warrior’s Edge: The Psychology & Science of Training  by Bruce K. Siddle.) The Solution No matter which martial art you practice, by now you likely agree that you can benefit from enhanced tactical fitness. The next step is creating a program that meshes with your art. Start by analyzing the fighting techniques you use most in the dojo, then find or create drills and exercises that enhance those movements. Make sure your solutions simulate the necessary range of motion and take place in positions that mimic the self-defense scenarios for which you’re training. To get on the right path, refer to the two gun-defense sequences shown here and the exercises designed to enhance the fitness needed to perform the key movements more efficiently. By following this lead, you’ll be able to do the same for your go-to self-defense techniques.

More than half a century after his passing, Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969) —revered worldwide as O-Sensei —continues to shape the lives of millions of martial artists across the globe . As the visionary founder of Aikido , Ueshiba forged a martial discipline unlike any other: one built not on domination, but on harmony, balance, redirection, and spiritual development . At a time when modern society grapples daily with conflict—both physical and psychological—Ueshiba’s teachings have only grown more relevant , not less. His philosophy offers practitioners a way to resolve confrontation without aggression , to cultivate strength without brutality, and to find power through calm presence. A Martial Art Built for a Modern World Aikido does not rely on brute force. Instead, it teaches practitioners to: Blend with an opponent’s energy Redirect aggression without meeting it head-on Maintain balance—physically, mentally, and emotionally Resolve conflict rather than escalate it In an era defined by stress, violence, and division, these principles resonate deeply. Today, Aikido is practiced in: Military and law enforcement training Corporate leadership and stress management programs Youth development and character-building systems Traditional dojos across more than 140 countries What Ueshiba created was not just a fighting method—it was a blueprint for conflict resolution through awareness and control . From the Dojo to Hollywood Aikido’s influence extends far beyond the mat and into popular culture. Among the many high-profile figures inspired by Ueshiba’s art is Steven Seagal , whose early films brought Aikido’s flowing throws, joint locks, and circular movement to global audiences. Through cinema, millions were introduced to the effectiveness—and elegance—of Ueshiba’s system. Legendary fighters from other disciplines, including Mike Stone , have also acknowledged the initial Aikido principles in his early career. Black Belt Magazine 1988 The Black Belt Connection From its earliest days, Black Belt  Magazine has been a global ambassador of martial arts education. Its founder, Mitoshi Uyehara , trained extensively in Japan and was deeply influenced by the postwar Japanese martial arts movement that Ueshiba helped define. Through Black Belt’s pages, films, and instructional materials, Aikido and Ueshiba’s philosophy reached generations of Western practitioners. Through coverage, historical documentation, and technical instruction, Black Belt helped ensure that Ueshiba’s teachings were not confined to Japan—but became a living, evolving global tradition . Why Ueshiba’s Teachings Matter More Today In a world saturated with competition, confrontation, and online conflict, Aikido offers something rare: Strength without cruelty Victory without domination Defense without hatred Ueshiba believed the true purpose of martial arts was not destruction—but the reconciliation of the world . Today, his art is practiced by: Children learning confidence Adults seeking balance and wellness Professionals managing stress and leadership Martial artists searching for deeper meaning beyond competition Each generation that steps onto the mat keeps that vision alive. An Eternal Legacy in Motion Morihei Ueshiba did not just leave behind a martial art—he left behind a living philosophy , carried forward by millions of practitioners in dojos, film, education, and personal transformation worldwide. More than ever, his message speaks clearly across time: True victory is victory over oneself. And that is why, in today’s uncertain world, Morihei Ueshiba is not just remembered—he is needed.

The sickening sound of a bone breaking was the first indication her elbow had snapped. “It was just an armbar,” she said. “I thought I could get out of it.” Didn’t it hurt? “Not really,” she said, flashing a big Hilary Swank smile. “I’m double-jointed, so I don’t have the same pain-receptor feedback as most people. But then it popped, and I said, ‘Oops!’” It was just another day at the office, it would seem. In this case, however, the office was a sweat-soaked gym, and the laborer was the first Air Force female to become certified as a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor. Meet Staff Sgt. Jessica Field. Out of the Box “I had dabbled in martial arts for years,” Field said. “In college, I practiced aikido and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but I was looking for something practical.” Note Field’s use of the word practical.  Because she was an Air Force intelligence analyst facing imminent deployment on a top-secret mission in the Third World, she had big-time safety concerns. “I wanted to learn a martial art that could get me out of a jam, if needed, and my friends recommended the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program,” she said. Unlike the Marines, which dumped its LINE system in 2002 and replaced it with MCMAP, and the Army, which launched its Modern Army Combatives Program in 2007, the Air Force didn’t have a widely available self-defense program in 2010, when Field was searching for instruction. That forced her to look elsewhere, but she concluded that the other fighting systems to which she had access lacked the practicality she needed. “I explored other options but liked MCMAP the best,” she said. “It has more of a range tailored to outside-the-box situations.” MCMAP specializes in outside-the-box thinking — which is evidenced, in part, by its emphasis on using weapons of opportunity. “It’s driven by the philosophy of ‘one mind, any weapon,’” said Black Belt Hall of Famer Leon D. Wright, a certified MCMAP subject-matter expert and the former head instructor at the MCMAP (Far East) School. That philosophy appealed to Field’s practical side. Gunnery Sgt. Wilson Dunn, a MCMAP black belt, described it in a similarly practical way: “You search your surroundings for anything you can use as a weapon against the enemy. [For example], I could use this computer monitor to bludgeon you.” His statement was blunt, but it revealed an essential component of MCMAP — it teaches students how to apply violence to achieve an objective in a clinical way, “detaching emotions like fear, hesitation — things that get Marines killed,” Dunn added. Field summed it up: “I liked the realism.” And Into the Fire In MCMAP, instructors have Marines sparring from day one, referring to this approach as “indoctrination to violence.” The goal is to enable fighting men and women to come out on top in a one-on-one — or one-on-two — battle for life, Dunn said. Field admitted that MCMAP training pushed her out of her comfort zone again and again. As intimidating as that might sound, she insisted the program is safe and the instructors are encouraging and patient with new practitioners. They welcome students from all military branches who are brave enough to hit the mats, she said. As for her broken elbow — “That’s not uncommon,” Dunn said, “because these are combatives, and there are risks involved” — Field admitted it was her fault for not tapping. Although the injury occurred in January 2015, her limb has healed completely and shows no indications of having been damaged. Examining the arm, all anyone can see now is a honed musculature, a visual testament to Field’s conditioning. “I weighed 175 pounds before I joined the Air Force,” Field said. “That’s why I’m so committed to fitness.” MCMAP was the driving force behind her transformation, and it continues to be a pillar of her healthy lifestyle. In addition to her martial arts training, the plucky NCO lifts weights, does calisthenics and runs with her husband, a former Marine who also trained in MCMAP. But — “We don’t spar,” Field said. “For the sake of our marriage.” Present From the Past MCMAP sprouted from roots that date back to the earliest days of the Corps, when Marines in boarding parties had to rely on hand-to-hand fighting techniques. The ensuing decades saw the system evolve considerably with help from numerous martial arts experts. The modern incarnation of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program also incorporates techniques designed to injure or incapacitate, not just to kill. That’s a fairly recent response to calls for the U.S. military to use nonlethal force in certain situations. Case in point: Marines often find themselves involved in police actions, crowd and riot control, and other situations that require them to interact with civilian aggressors. Obviously, such assignments demand versatility with respect to technique, as well as practitioners who can make decisions on the fly. The decision-making ability comes from the training, while the techniques come from a variety of martial arts, including those from the East (aikido, karate and so on) and those from the West (boxing). Field is a fan of that diversity. She believes that everyone who studies self-defense should know how to throw a jab, but she said her favorite part of the combative arts is ground fighting. “I like jiu-jitsu,” she said. “I’m small, and it helps me fight bigger, stronger guys.” Bolstered by her training, the staff sergeant seems much taller than her 5 feet 4 inches. “That’s the confidence you get from MCMAP,” she said. “It carries over into every part of your life. You carry yourself differently when you walk into a room.” Rank and File Like most modern fighting systems, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program uses belts to denote rank. Specifically, it features the Marine-friendly colors tan, gray, green, brown and black, Dunn said. Field holds a green belt with an instructor tab, which she earned during a grueling course held at the Martial Arts Center of Excellence in Quantico, Virginia. For reference, green belt is the level expected of Marine Corps infantry troops. She said she hopes to test for her brown belt by the end of 2015 and has petitioned the Air Force to allow her to wear her rank with her camouflage uniform like the Marines do. One of the goals of Field’s training is to convey to others the notion that combat skills learned from MCMAP can benefit any service member who’s interested in self-development. “I’d like to spread expertise and get other instructors certified — to get it to the Air Force or anyone interested,” she said. Because she earned her instructor tab, she’s certified to teach the art to members of all the armed services, so she’s in a prime position to preach the gospel of MCMAP. Popular Opinion What do Marines think about the first female airman to become certified to teach their art? “It’s impressive,” Dunn said. “It’s good to see airmen appreciate the value of training. I commend anybody who does that. We all take the same oath to preserve and protect the Constitution.” Wright said he admires Field’s accomplishments, which offer tangible proof of the validity of MCMAP. “It works for all who decide to be part of it,” he added. “Going through the training process is the same for everyone — there’s no special treatment. The training has been proven for both men and women in combat, not only physically but also mentally.” Marine 2nd Lt. Aleksandra Sawyer, who owns a MCMAP gray belt, said she thinks Field is awesome. The two recently rolled at Fort Meade, Maryland, where they took turns submitting each other. Field found herself tapping when her elbow clicked painfully during a submission attempt from the Marine, and Sawyer had to fight off several chokes initiated by Field. The Marine fought valiantly against one such choke but finally tapped as her face turned purple. Both Field and Dunn said the pain they experience in the gym — including those occasions when an old injury gets tweaked and the blood supply to the brain gets momentarily halted — is worth it. The reason is simple: That kind of “hard Corps” training ultimately increases the odds that they’ll survive on the battlefield. Photography by Richard D. Lewis

By Richard Bustillo | Photography by Robert Reiff I received my first exposure to the four gates of wing chun kung fu while studying jeet kune do under Bruce Lee and Dan Inosanto in the late 1960s. They taught me that the gates represent a method for defending against circular strikes such as the hook punch. There are four gates because of where such strikes can originate: the high-right quadrant, the high-left quadrant, the low-right quadrant and the low-left quadrant. Wing chun also includes straight punches and defenses against them, but those techniques aren’t part of the four-gates method. After having trained extensively in boxing and devoted much of my life to Lee’s jeet kune do, I opted to add a fifth gate. It applies to defense against a straight rear-hand punch and a straight lead-hand jab. When studied together, these five defensive methods, which I call the five gates of jeet kune do , constitute an essential component of self-defense. Bruce Lee taught us the importance of being simple, direct and practical in our martial arts training and fighting, and that concept also applies to the five gates. Just because they’re defensive in nature, they should not be considered passive. In fact, nothing in the five-gates method should be viewed as passive blocking. A superior defense consists of a block effected with one hand (or foot) executed simultaneously with a strike from the other hand (or foot). In my comments, I’m not trying to teach a comprehensive lesson on the five gates of jeet kune do or to convey a complete picture. Rather, my intention is to show a few examples of what I’ve found to be effective — to indicate what’s possible when you use this fighting method. The combinations I demonstrate should take a fraction of a second to do, with the exact duration depending on the movements themselves. It’s up to you to grasp the full scope of the techniques, to choose what to take and, if appropriate, what to adapt. The one central principle you should always apply is physical efficiency of speed and power .

Celebrating the legacy of Texas Karate legend Glenn McMorris, one of the most electrifying competitors of the full-contact karate era. A former Professional Karate Association (PKA) Full-Contact Middleweight United States Champion and a proud Sport Karate Hall of Famer, McMorris was known for his explosive power, speed, and fearless fighting spirit.  Featured on the cover of Karate Illustrated July 1979 He also made history as the only fighter to ever knock out Martial Arts Hall of Famer Don "The Dragon" Wilson, a legendary moment in combat sports. McMorris began his competitive journey in sport karate, earning nationwide recognition in point fighting and securing his place in the Sport Karate Hall of Fame. Among his notable bouts was a rare point-fighting loss to Harold “Nature Boy” Roth in New Orleans in 1975. He later claimed the title of 1976 International Shotokan Karate Federation Heavyweight Kumite Champion, further solidifying his elite status. Glenn McMorris passed away on November 21, 2019, but his legacy as a fighter, champion, and martial arts icon lives on. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com

Black Belt Magazine  is proud to present Jeet Kune Do for Real-World Combat , an in-depth instructional program led by legendary JKD instructor Paul Vunak , one of the most influential figures in modern Jeet Kune Do and a direct student within Bruce Lee’s lineage. This powerful training series is now available on BlackBeltMag.com  for registered subscribers, alongside over 1,000 hours of elite-level martial arts instruction  from world-class masters across multiple disciplines. Rooted in Bruce Lee’s original vision of Jeet Kune Do, this program focuses on efficient, pressure-tested techniques designed for real-world application —prioritizing timing, economy of motion, and functional combat skill over rigid forms or theory. Why This Training Matters Jeet Kune Do remains one of the most influential combat philosophies in modern martial arts, shaping self-defense training, mixed martial arts, and contemporary fight systems worldwide. Under the instruction of Paul Vunak , a pioneer known for bringing JKD into realistic, pressure-based environments, students gain direct access to authentic methods designed for real confrontations—not choreographed drills . This is JKD as Bruce Lee intended: alive, adaptable, and brutally efficient. Unlimited Access for Black Belt Subscribers This featured program is just one part of the expansive digital training library available to registered Black Belt subscribers , which includes: Over 1,000 hours of instructional video World-class teachers across striking, grappling, weapons, and self-defense Rare archival footage and modern combat-sports instruction From traditional martial arts to cutting-edge combat systems, Black Belt’s video vault represents the largest curated digital training collection in the martial arts world .

The 1997 June Black Belt Magazine cover featured the most unforgettable face in martial arts cinema: Gerald Okamura. You know his face and the weapons he carries! Few martial artists have left a mark on cinema as enduring—and as understated—as Gerald Okamura. Born in 1940 in Hilo, Hawaii, Okamura represents a generation of warriors whose skills were forged long before martial arts became a Hollywood commodity. A 5th-degree black belt. His training included kendo and aikido, and his deep understanding of combat led him to design specialized weaponry of his own. Okamura entered the film industry through stunt work in 1975, earning his first credited role in 1980. Over the decades, he became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable martial presences, appearing in 39 feature films. His work spans cult classics and blockbuster hits alike, including Big Trouble in Little China , Samurai Cop , Ninja Academy , Ring of Fire , Blade , and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra . Beyond film, Okamura became a familiar figure to television audiences as Kai-Ogi in Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers , a sensei in Power Rangers Wild Force , and Chao Chong in VR Troopers . Whether portraying villains, warriors, or mentors, he brought authenticity rooted in real-world skill. Gerald Okamura’s legacy isn’t defined by flashy headlines—it’s defined by decades of disciplined training, hard-earned respect, and a career that helped shape the look and feel of martial arts on screen. A true Black Belt icon, then and now. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com

It’s not often that two big-name artists express a willingness to share the spotlight in an article. It’s even less frequent that we see two masters collaborate to create a self-defense system that borrows from each person’s expertise. Because it is so rare, Black Belt  jumped at the chance to corral Dana Abbott and Mark Shuey Sr. — both bona fide weapons experts and Black Belt  Hall of Famers — so the magazine could provide the public with the lowdown on a new system of practical self-defense. The editors chose me to research and write this story because I’ve known both martial artists for quite some time — in Abbott’s case, about three years, and in Shuey’s, more than 20. The Cane Master In the mid-1990s at a tournament in Hawaii, I got my first glimpse of Shuey and his combat cane. He was competing, and I was judging his ring. He seemed a stoic fellow, standing there with his weapon at his side, patiently waiting. When his turn came, he performed flawlessly, demoing a range of ultra-practical cane techniques. I mused at how refreshing it was to watch a skilled black belt wield a weapon with an emphasis on combat rather than flashy maneuvers. Later, I asked Shuey how he made his cane routine look so real. “I just visualize that I’m being attacked and that I’ve got to use life-or-death moves,” he said. “I’m out there breaking bones.” I recount that story because it’s integral to understanding what makes Mark Shuey tick. You see, Shuey developed an entire system based on practical and effective cane fighting. Called American Cane System, it’s propagated through Cane Masters International Association ( canemasters.com ), an entity he founded in 2000. The inspiration for many of the moves that make up ACS come from tang soo do, taekwondo and hapkido, all of which he holds black belts in, as well as various forms of stick fighting. The result is a content-rich eclectic system of cane fighting that includes both linear and circular movements for effectiveness in virtually any self-defense situation. “One-hand and two-hand positioning, close quarters, small circle, fencing — we practice it all because you never know how you’ll be attacked,” Shuey says. “The more you know, the better you’ll be able to win a confrontation.” The Swordsman The first time I saw Abbott in action was at the 2005 Black Belt  Festival of Martial Arts in Los Angeles. He and Frank Shamrock were engaged in a sword-fighting challenge match of sorts using padded weapons. Shamrock gave it his best, but Abbott just toyed with the fish-out-of-water MMA champ. The speed, power and finesse the swordsman displayed left an indelible impression on me. The first time I met Abbott in person was in 2012. We’ve conversed on numerous occasions since then, and I got to spend several days learning his samurai ways while writing “Zero to 60: How Kenjutsu Master Dana Abbott Transformed 3 Martial Artists With Limited Blade Skills Into Efficient Swordsmen!” for the December 2014/January 2015 issue of Black Belt . Abbott has trained in the traditional Japanese sword arts for 40 years. He owns Samurai Sports ( samuraisports.com ), an organization he uses to market his products and services. Much of what he teaches are time-honored bushido tactics and principles that have been passed down in Japan for generations. Such is the background that Abbott contributed to ACS. Tools for Battle Before digging into the meat and potatoes of ACS, it’s worth discussing the system’s weapon of choice. Word to the wise: If you’re going to train for combat with a cane, you’d better make certain you’ve got one that will withstand abuse in the dojo and potentially on the street. “Having an inferior cane can get you hurt,” says Shuey, who produces his own line of weapons. “My canes are at least ½ inch bigger around than most canes. If you hit someone with a chintzy drugstore cane, it’s likely to break. If you whack someone with one of mine, it’s likely to break a bone.” Shuey designs his models with a crook that enables the user to encircle various parts of an opponent’s body — like his arms, legs and neck. “That allows you to use it to crank on someone’s limbs,” he says. Because it can be used to strike as well as to crank, the cane offers a versatility that’s seldom seen in martial arts weaponry. For instance, you can hang onto either end while swinging it, and you also can jab with the tip, apply pressure with the shaft and entangle with the crook. “There are 26 ways to hold one of my canes, offering you a variety of locks, leverages and strikes — including pressure-point strikes,” Shuey says. Holding the cane with one hand lets you strike with more power because you can generate greater speed, which can come in handy if you’re ever facing a thug with a knife, Shuey says. “You can hold the cane behind you with one hand, then instantly swing it up to 200 miles an hour. First, you hit the hand holding the knife, then you smash the head.” In contrast, two-hand grips afford you more control, he says. “You can fight up close, do multiple strikes and even use the crook to rip the skin off an attacker’s neck or other body parts.” Such is the versatility that Shuey brought to this martial partnership. Positioning for Action Interestingly, much of that versatility is of little concern to Abbott when he teaches the ACS curriculum. Like all students of the Japanese sword, he tends to be a minimalist when it comes to technique. It’s why he prefers to adapt the cane to the sword movements he’s burned into muscle memory while keeping the number of variations small. When he wields a cane, Abbott imagines himself with a sword — which is why he always points the weapon at his enemy. As he maneuvers, he can stab at his opponent’s face, neck and chest, or raise the cane overhead before smacking him on the noggin or the hand. Abbott isn’t into cane design; he’s content to leave that to Shuey. Instead, he focuses on grip and positioning. Relax, re-grip, ready position, guard — those four commands are often heard when Abbott teaches ACS. Relax  refers to your state when you’re using the cane as a walking aid or maneuvering it for no particular purpose. You’re normally grasping the crook, Abbott says. Re-grip  refers to the first thing you do when confronting a threat. “Bring both arms down to your sides, loosen your grip on top of the crook and allow your right hand to slide down to where the curve begins,” Abbott says. “Re-grip in this new position.” Ready position  refers to the stance you assume when trouble is unfolding. “Bend your elbows to raise your forearms and the cane,” Abbott says. “Complete the two-hand grip by grasping the shaft with your left hand in front of your right hand, which is close to the crook.” The cane should be held fairly low with the tip aimed at your opponent’s chest. “Guard is your initial line of defense, which establishes your physical perimeter,” Abbott says. “There are two guard positions: the full guard and the half-guard, both of which are executed from the ready position. “In the full guard, your forward arm is parallel to the ground and the tip is pointing toward the aggressor’s throat, keeping him at bay. In the half-guard, your forward arm is bent at the elbow. The half-guard protects your head and shoulders from close-quarters attacks.” In the guard position, you’re poised to attack, defend or maneuver out of harm’s way, Abbott says. Note that you can execute techniques from the ready position, but most are more efficient and effective when done from the guard. Techniques for Combat When using a cane as a sword, Abbott teaches that you have access to techniques that fall into four categories. “A strike is a long-distance tool,” Abbott says. “It’s often done from the upward position, where you lift the cane above your shoulders and bring it downward onto your opponent. Direct strikes can target the head, neck, torso, arms, hands or other boney areas. You can use strikes to hit the attacker or just to keep him out of range. “The jab is for thrusting and stabbing. Target areas are the head, neck, solar plexus and groin. “A rap is a short-distance strike. Speed and power are generated from the center of your body. It strikes or pushes your opponent away. Target areas include the head, neck, torso, arms and hands. “A hook is a short-range tool used like an uppercut — for when someone gets too close or has grabbed you.” It uses the crook to make contact, Abbott says. No matter which of these techniques you use, don’t neglect situational awareness, Shuey says. “Pay attention to your surroundings. Most people who are attacked never see it coming.” If a fight erupts, go all-out, Shuey continues. “When you fight soft, you get hurt. Put out [maximum] effort until the attacker is down and the threat is gone.” Decision Time You’re already an accomplished martial artist. Why should you consider learning ACS for personal defense? The following are among the reasons Shuey suggests: You can carry a cane anywhere. It’s the only weapon you can legally possess on a plane, in a theme park or wherever.  Your cane will always be in your hand and ready to deploy. You never have to pull it out of a pocket or purse.  The cane’s construction enables you to keep an attacker up to 5 feet away — or generate leverage at close range.  With the right training, you can assume a ready position or guard stance with the cane in front of your body, letting the aggressor know he’s facing a martial artist who’s prepared to defend himself. That alone can deter an attack, which, Shuey and Abbott agree, is always preferable to engaging in an actual fight. Photography by Robert Reiff

Here I was, standing in the ring with the greatest karate fighter in history. Not only the greatest karate fighter but also the first heavyweight world-champion kickboxer, I remember thinking. This man had trained with Bruce Lee, performed on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson , even sparred with Muhammad Ali, and here I was about to go three rounds with him. “When the bell rings, should I go out and whack him?” I asked myself. “He’s a legend and he’s over 50 years old — I don’t want to hurt him.” The answer came quickly. The bell sounded, and we both advanced. I noticed that his fighting stance was the same as he’d used in his previous matches. His feet were firmly planted, and he moved with purpose. His right hand was held high, around cheekbone level, and his left hand was positioned near his waist, with his arm at a 90-degree angle. Lewis wasn’t dancing around quite as stealthily as in the YouTube videos I’d watched and the DVDs I’d collected. After all, he was older now, and his sparring strategy had changed slightly. Nevertheless, he was dictating the pace. He was snorting like a bull, but in a rhythmic pattern — as if he were a steam engine, building up energy to finally make that first tug on a long string of railroad cars. Suddenly, my head snapped back. My line of sight, which had been aimed at my opponent’s chest, was racing toward the ceiling. As I refocused on his chest, my mind started working again. I should have blocked with my front hand and countered, I figured. Instead, I’d just gotten nailed with the hardest jab I ever experienced. The punch was lightning fast and possessed the power of a telephone pole being shot out of a cannon, and it had landed squarely on my nose. The switch in my head turned on. This guy may have trained with Bruce Lee and made himself into a legend, I thought, but now I need to hit him hard to keep him from killing me. Such was my introduction to sparring with Joe Lewis. It happened to be my first test while training under him; fortunately, it wasn’t my last. During the many subsequent opportunities I had to work with him before his passing in 2012, I came to realize what a treasure he was. Earning my fifth-, sixth- and seventh-degree black belts from him was an honor and a privilege. MASTER OF ARTS Lewis made fighting sound easy, yet he could take a simple technique like a jab and teach an all-day seminar on its nuances, purposes, variations and history. Often he’d talk and talk, and I’d look at one of my fellow black belts and whisper, “I wish he’d just get to the sparring.” Being a young fighter who regarded sparring as the only way to learn what worked and what didn’t, I sometimes became impatient with what I viewed as overanalysis. Of course, I grew to appreciate the Joe Lewis teaching method. He taught not just lessons for the ring but also lessons for life. Everything he’d learned from his combat tour in Vietnam to the wars he waged in the ring eventually became lessons for those he mentored. When the editor of Black Belt  asked me to winnow all that Lewis had passed to me into an article on the top 10 lessons, I knew it would be challenging. He was such a genius in so many ways that his wisdom could fill a book. However, I vowed to get it done. And as I learned from Lewis, in fighting and in life, there is no “try.” It’s either done or not done. You either win or lose — there’s no gray area. LESSON 1 — FOR LIFE CUM CORDE ET ANIMIS. This Latin verse, which can be found on Lewis’ seal and every black-belt certificate he issued, translates as “with heart and spirit.” Anyone who’s worked with him for more than 60 seconds knows exactly why it’s there. Lewis embodied that notion. He taught all his black belts that we must be intentional about our strategy. We must stand up in the face of adversity, even when the majority wants to head the other way. Lewis preached the importance of executing acts with profound conviction. He believed — and wrote in his training manual — that heart is what you fight to defend and the ego is what you fight to gain. In the many conversations we had, Lewis made it clear that every fighter needs an “attitude technique,” one move that can serve as his or her go-to technique when things aren’t looking good. It should be something that works 99 percent of the time and can change the face of the fight, he’d say, and when you use it, it must be executed with complete conviction and intensity — with heart and spirit. LESSON 2 — FOR THE RING IT ONLY TAKES ONE. Lewis told me more than once that when he competed, he didn’t need an elaborate arsenal. He needed just one technique, and for him, it was the side kick. He agreed with Bruce Lee, who advised us not to fear the man who does 1,000 kicks one time as much as the man who does one kick 1,000 times. This meshes with Lewis’ advice about having an attitude technique. Watching his early fights, you can see that his side kick was unbeatable. In one match, he broke his opponent’s ribs — and then when the guy turned so he could continue fighting, Lewis used the same side kick and reportedly cracked ribs on that side, too. All fighters should develop one technique until it’s unstoppable, Lewis said. Unfortunately, not everyone does because of the time commitment. He made the side kick his attitude technique by following the philosophy of Lee and practicing it up to eight hours a day. LESSON 3 — FOR THE RING RHYTHM IS KING. The man who controls the rhythm wins the match, Lewis would say. He passed along that message in virtually every seminar, touting the importance of head rhythm, body rhythm and foot rhythm. Use head rhythm to fake or feint, he said. Use foot rhythm to draw an opponent in. Use body rhythm to jive and juke, making your opponent fire out of step, after which you counter quickly. Rhythm control must be gained and maintained immediately after the first bell, Lewis taught. As I mentioned in the intro, he even possessed the ability to dictate rhythm using his breath. LESSON 4 — FOR THE RING WHERE THERE’S WEIGHT, THERE’S POWER. Although Lewis’ defensive repertoire included many tools, he always emphasized that you must block in a way that provides the quickest and easiest option for a powerful counter. He’d speak of the need to shift 10 percent of your weight to the front or the rear during a block in preparation for your next technique. That way, you can absorb an incoming blow while minimizing the damage, then immediately shift your weight for the follow-up. Such body shifting not only provides for absorption of energy but also ensures proper balance. Don’t allow an incoming technique to force your feet to reset, Lewis taught. If you have to reset, you can’t immediately fire back with efficiency and power. LESSON 5 — FOR LIFE BE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY. Lewis was known for not sugarcoating things. Whatever he thought, he usually spoke. This could be embarrassing, but often it was profound. He’d always follow those embarrassing moments with that Joe Lewis smile and say, “What’s so funny — what are you laughing at?” He was true to himself regardless of what people thought or the media portrayed. He considered his black belts to be his family. We knew that if we needed him for anything, he’d be there. I remember him telling folks many times to not mess with his black belts, and we respected that. It made us feel good to know that the greatest fighter of all time had our backs. LESSON 6 — FOR THE RING UNDERSTAND THE OPPONENT YOU’RE FACING AND ADJUST YOUR STRATEGY ACCORDINGLY. Whether the action is in the ring or on the street, Lewis advocated separating your adversaries into three categories: those who are more experienced, those who are more powerful and those who are faster. Then, he said, you should break down each one and design a strategy for victory. Within each category are subsets based on whether the opponent’s style is emotional or physical, Lewis said. Physical fighters are easy to detect because they try to dominate with their body instead of their mind. In contrast, emotional fighters act from the heart. They’re more impulsive and unpredictable, and they’re more often in touch with their inner sense of rhythm. LESSON 7 — FOR THE RING FOOTWORK IS IMPORTANT. Lewis taught that there are only two ways to fire a technique: from a position or from movement. For both, footwork is crucial. A voracious student of fight films, Lewis owned a vast library of videos from around the world, including boxing, kickboxing and MMA bouts. He spoke often of how he and Bruce Lee would study films of Muhammad Ali. At many of his seminars, Lewis lectured on how Ali was a master of footwork and movement and, therefore, was able to keep his opponents off-balance. Footwork is a versatile skill set, Lewis would say, because it enables you to accomplish five tasks in a fight: strengthen your position, entrap your opponent, reset, absorb an incoming blow and recover. LESSON 8 — FOR LIFE BEING A GOOD BLACK BELT MEANS BEING A GOOD COACH. Lewis could assess a fighter’s ability quickly, then fine-tune that person’s good attributes even as he improved the weaknesses. Being a black belt under him meant striving to do the same for others — by helping them achieve the same things you’ve achieved. As a world champion, Lewis taught all his students as if they were fighting for the title next week. He wouldn’t try to push his style on everyone. No one could mimic his style perfectly, he said, but they could benefit from what he knew about the fundamentals and therefore improve their fighting functionality in a short time. That’s why people like me would travel many hours just to spend one hour under his guidance. LESSON 9 — FOR THE RING STABILIZE YOUR TARGET. Of paramount importance to martial artists who wish to control the rhythm of the fight and land effective blows is doing what’s necessary to make your target momentarily stable. Lewis spoke often about how Mike Tyson had lost his title to Buster Douglas because Douglas understood the jab and used it effectively to stabilize Tyson. A boxer’s primary stabilization technique is the jab, Lewis said. If you’re a kickboxer or MMA fighter, you also can use a jab side kick or stop-kick, or post a leg or jab as an obstruction. Stabilization enables a fighter to display ring generalship. He or she can stabilize a target with footwork to manipulate distance, either hemming an opponent into a corner or posting the person against the cage. The truth of this Lewis lesson was driven home for me when, after my mentor passed, I decided to test for black belt under Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. That’s when I witnessed the way Wallace would stabilize his opponents with a jab or a jab side kick. In a conversation, he reiterated what Lewis had taught about stabilization being the key to winning. LESSON 10 — FOR LIFE BE PREPARED AND INTENTIONAL. One of the greatest lessons I learned from the legend was to never let an opponent get an advantage over me with regard to physical conditioning. It was part of Lewis’ mantra: Be prepared. I often share this with my students, explaining that I’ve fought in shape and out of shape, and after comparing the two, in shape is far better. Applying this to the world outside the ring is simple: Life is a battle. On a daily basis, we must evaluate our plans, decide if this particular battle is against a southpaw, a croucher or a slugger, and then execute our plan. Lewis advocated having a strategy, being intentional about it and executing it as planned. That will maximize your chance of staying in the fight and finishing strong. Staying in the fight and finishing strong is precisely what Joe Lewis did until the very end. And although he’s no longer with us, his legacy lives on in every black belt he promoted and every martial artist whose life he touched, whether through a seminar, a training manual, a DVD lesson — or a magazine article like this one.

I blame David Carradine, may he rest in peace. If he hadn’t done such a fine job portraying Kwai Chang Caine for three seasons on the Kung Fu  TV series, chances are the Western world — or, at least, America — wouldn’t think that China’s Shaolin Temple is the sole source of Buddhist martial arts in Asia. Back in the mid-1980s, I first heard rumors of a little-known Buddhist fighting art in South Korea. But seeing how that was long before the advent of the Internet, searching for clues proved an arduous task — especially because I was not yet a Black Belt  staffer and therefore had no access to the magazine’s network of contacts. My only option was to fly to South Korea and find out for myself. Once there, I found work as an English teacher and started making connections with local martial artists. Months later, a lead from a martial arts researcher pointed me to a temple called Pomosa (also spelled Beomeosa), where I located a monk who taught a style known as bul mu do , meaning “Buddhist martial way.” I wrote about that encounter in the May 1988 issue of Black Belt . In the ensuing years, I managed to locate a few other temples and hermitages where the Buddhist arts are practiced. I even found a facility in Seoul that teaches a Buddhist martial art called seon mu do  to the public. During a few of those encounters, I was allowed to photograph the monks and students in training. Presented here are some of those images, many of which have never been published. I hope you find them as valuable in your quest to comprehend the vast scope of the Asian martial arts as I did in mine. Life as a Temporary Martial Monk South Korea created its Temple Stay program to help visitors better understand Buddhism. It offers various kinds of practice sessions, such as chanting, sitting meditation and the tea ceremony. Participants strive to find their true self while harmonizing with nature. Since 1992, a temple called Golgulsa has hosted seon mu do  training programs for those who wish to experience Buddhism through one of Korea’s Buddhist martial arts. This is how a typical day in the program unfolded: 4:00 a.m.  Wake-up call  4:30 a.m.  Chanting and sutra reading  5:00 a.m.  Meditation  6:00 a.m.  Jogging or walking 6:50 a.m.  Breakfast  8:30 a.m.  Cleaning temple grounds  9:00 a.m.  Martial arts training  11:00 a.m.  Chanting  11:50 a.m.  Lunch  2:00 p.m.  Work  5:00 p.m.  Break  5:30 p.m.  Dinner  6:00 p.m.  Chanting  7:00 p.m.  Martial arts training  9:00 p.m.  End of the day  9:30 p.m.  Bed Many of the activities have a deeper meaning than their names indicate. For example, food is eaten communally. Known as balwoo gongyang , the practice allows adherents to reflect on themselves and how they have the potential to awaken to a pure life. It’s a form of active Seon (Zen in Japanese) meditation that nurtures the understanding of the need for order, harmony and ultimately respect within the temple. That, in turn, fosters a deeper sense of compassion for the people who’ve made the meal possible. Photography by Robert W. Young

Dynamic Kicks — The Ultimate Kicking Bible Now Available as an E-Book For the first time ever, the legendary martial arts classic Dynamic Kicks  is now available in digital format for all registered Black Belt  Magazine subscribers—bringing one of the most influential training manuals in martial arts history to a new generation of fighters. For more than 30 years , Dynamic Kicks  has stood as the ultimate guide to kicking technique , earning its reputation as a best seller and a cornerstone of martial arts instruction worldwide. Often referred to as the “kicking bible,”  this iconic book helped launch a generation of elite kickers—many of whom went on to become today’s top action film stars and combat-sports legends, crediting Dynamic Kicks  as a foundational influence in their careers. About the Book Authored by renowned martial artist Chong Lee , Dynamic Kicks  presents a complete, systematic breakdown of kicking mechanics designed to build power, speed, flexibility, balance, and precision . The book illustrates Lee’s proven method for developing perfect kicking technique , applicable across all striking arts. Inside, readers will find: The fundamental mechanics  behind effective kicking 30 separate kicking variations , from basic to advanced Training principles applicable to Taekwondo, karate, kickboxing, and MMA Detailed instruction suitable for beginners through elite competitors The Champion Behind the Method Chong Lee is a celebrated Taekwondo stylist , a respected Thai kickboxing expert , and the 1974 champion of the Long Beach Grand Nationals (Forms Division) —one of the most prestigious martial arts tournaments in the world. His competitive excellence and technical mastery are the foundation of the system presented in Dynamic Kicks . Dynamic Kicks  is also the first volume in a series  of instructional works by Chong Lee, establishing a legacy of technical excellence that continues to shape strikers across multiple disciplines. Why It Still Matters Today Decades after its original release, Dynamic Kicks  remains: A gold standard  for kicking instruction A career-launching resource  for fighters and performers A timeless training manual  that bridges traditional martial arts and modern combat sports Now, with its digital release, this legendary book is more accessible than ever—ready to inspire the next generation of martial artists. You can read this online in digital fomat free simply by regsitering today for Blackbeltmag.com  , hurry before the paywall returns. Its the best seller that changed the world of kicking read by every major star of martial arts to learn the style of kicking that won the Internationals and launched the legend of Chong Lee.

Black Belt is proud to present an in-depth Filipino Weapons Training program  featuring two of the world’s most respected instructors: Ron Balicki  and Diana Lee Inosanto . This powerful instructional video series is now available on BlackBeltMag.com for all registered subscribers , alongside over 1,000 hours of elite-level martial arts training  from top masters across multiple disciplines. Rooted in the combat-tested traditions of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) , this program delivers practical, efficient, and highly adaptable weapons training designed for real-world application, personal development, and cross-training for all striking and grappling arts. Inside the Training Program Balicki and Inosanto take viewers step-by-step through a comprehensive drill-based learning system , emphasizing timing, coordination, flow, and functional combat skill. The series covers both fundamental and advanced concepts, including: Redondo  – Fluid circular striking for speed and continuity The “X” Pattern  – Dynamic footwork and attack angles The ABC’s (Abecedario)  – The essential striking alphabet of FMA Stick Drills  – Core offensive and defensive movement patterns Hit the Hand / Pass the Hand  – Target control and counter tactics The Cross  – Intercepting and countering incoming attacks Blocking Opponent’s Strikes  – Functional defense under pressure Stripping, Leverage & Manipulation  – Disarms, joint control, and weapon removal Each drill is presented with clarity and purpose, showing not just how  to perform the movements—but why  they work in live combat conditions. The result is a system that builds reflexes, structural integrity, and tactical awareness. Why This Training Matters Filipino weapons training is widely regarded as one of the most complete combat systems in the world , influencing modern self-defense, military training, and mixed martial arts. Under the guidance of Balicki and Inosanto—both lifelong practitioners and educators certified under the legendary Inosanto lineage—this program offers students direct access to authentic methodology taught at the highest level. Unlimited Access for Black Belt Subscribers This featured program is just one part of the expansive digital training library available to registered Black Belt subscribers , which includes: Over 1,000 hours of instructional video World-class teachers across striking, grappling, weapons, and self-defense Rare archival footage and modern combat-sports instruction From traditional martial arts to cutting-edge combat systems, Black Belt’s video vault represents the largest curated digital training collection in the martial arts world .