Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Summer Camp 2011
Images and video provided by your Web Master

Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Summer Camp 2011 took place 19 - 21 August 2011, at the North Oak Park Rec Center in Santa Clarita, CA. This is the annual intensive 3-day seminar Certification and Master Training of black belts and students approaching black belt level in Budoshin Ju-Jitsu. The camp is organized by Professor George Kirby, 10th Degree (Judan), and draws participants from Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Texas, Washington State... from all across the United States. A majority of participants are from Budoshin Ju-Jitsu, but others come from other Ryu of Jujitsu and Karate - which benefits everyone. Participants: from Purple Belt to 10th Dan.

In Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Summer Camp senior black belt Senseis teach, share, and learn from each other.

 

This photo shows the participants on August 20, 2011. Click here for full-sized version.

Topics Covered

Ever wonder what black belts study during annual retread training? Here's the list of seminars, spread out over three days in Santa Clarita:

FRIDAY:

1. Flashlight Techniques (taught by Sensei Tony Damigo, 4th Dan): Police and prison guards use a flashlight as both a tool and a self-defense weapon. Used correctly, it beats the heck out of a knife as a weapon in a confrontation. Literally. See videos below.

2. Ki for the Western Mind (taught by Sensei Thomas Salander, 5th Dan): What IS The Force, really? Some eye-opening examples of what Ki is and how to use it.

3. Reviewing Big Book Techniques Part III (taught by Sensei George Kirby, 10th Dan): There are some 830 different Jujitsu Kata (discrete techniques) listed in the training notes compiled byGeorge Kirby, the 10th Dan head of Budoshin Jujitsu.  We worked through about 10 of these in two hours, repairing things like "...place left foot under the attacker's throat..." where it should be "right foot" in the written descriptions.

4. The Science of Throwing, Part I (Taught by Sensei Mark Jordan, 6th Dan): Why do some Judo throws magically work while others appear clumsy and ineffectual?  Hint: the key (Ki) is the axis of where the feet are pointing.

SATURDAY:

5. What to Do When Things Head South (taught by Sensei Jeff Wynn, 5th Dan): When does Jujitsu change from a defensive martial art to a survival martial art? Consider an interesting statistic: 75% or more of 4-on-1 fights end up in death or permanent injury... usually from the head-stomping at the end. The Giants fan attacked in Dodger Stadium in LA a few months ago is a sad case in point. Knowing that statistic, how would you adjust your handling of a developing assault? A Budoshin Jujitsu Purple Belt (Cory Wynn, now 2nd Dan) is alive today because in a dicey evening situation in Blacksburg, VA, he happened to be carrying his ASP baton. He survived a 5-on-1 attack - an unprovoked attack by five Rugby players who had been experimenting with massive doses of steroids. Cory took down two of them, and was facing off with three others when the police arrived.

6. Momentum and its Application in Jujitsu (taught by Sensei Marc Tucker, 6th Dan): We are teaching the Art (Jutsu), after all... so dealing with a frontal attack should involve the smallest use of muscle power possible. That's not being lazy, it's being smart, conserving physical resources. Linear attack? Use a circular response - and vice versa.

7. Reviewing Big Book Techniques Part IV (taught by Sensei George Kirby, 10th Dan): Do you know six different ways to take down someone grabbing your lapel (or chest hair)? Here are two more. So you've dropped your attacker on the ground? How do you keep him there (three more methods)?

8. The Science of Throwing Part II (taught by Sensei Mark Jordan, 6th Dan): Your fight-stopping favorite throw still isn't working effectively? The attacker is resisting your efforts to flatten him? Several things you can do to physically (and mentally) unbalance him.

SUNDAY:

9. Black Belt Testing (conducted by the Black Board - see photo below): A young guy (Matthew Gelaude, in left foreground) earns his first black belt during an hour of ferocious testing. Five stars should be awarded to his Uke (Byron Davis, 2nd Dan, barely visible left side) who attacked 14 times - and survived the consequences. Two old guys added a stripe each to their belts. It takes typically 3 - 5 years of continuous study and practice to earn the Shodan (1st Degree blackbelt). It takes a minimum of 4 years to go from Yodan (4th Dan) to Godan (5th Dan). These are really earned.

The National Standards Certification Board questions Matthew Gelaude before his mat test. Sister and Mom watch in the foreground. The NSCB members (background) from left to right: Jared Wynn, Thomas Salander, Tony Damigo, Mark Jordan, George Kirby (chair).

 

Matthew Gelaude is awarded Shodan, Tony Damigo is awarded Yodan, and Jeff Wynn is awarded Godan.

 

10. Reaction Time Drills (taught by Sensei George Kirby, 10th Dan): How do you teach your students to deal with the unexpected? These clever (and increasingly dangerous) drills will give them confidence.

11. Maitte - Staying Safe on the Mat (taught by Sensei George Kirby): For the Senseis taking this training: how do you make sure that no one is injured in what is easily the most dangerous non-weapon martial art?

 

Select Video Clips of Individual Techniques

A. FLASHLIGHT TECHNIQUES:

1. Flashlight augments a block after deflecting a punch.

2. Flashlight blocks strike, leverages a shoulder-lock.

3. Flashlight muscle-rake to a thumb submit.

4. Flashlight to break a generalized grab.

5. Flashlight to break a lapel-grab.

6. Flashlight to Shiho-Nage.

7. Flashlight to break a grip on wrist.

8. Flashlight or Kubotan to trap a kick and subdue the attacker.

B. OTHER TECHNIQUES:

9. SHAKUHACHI - Traditional Japanese Flute vs. Knife.

10. Cross-Arm throw.

11. Yubi Nage - Variation on a Neck Throw used in close quarters .

12. "Ownership By Thumb".