Mick Coup

[Tez3]

I'm guessing Mick can always put what he knows into practice in Cardiff lol! We put a fight night on there a couple of years ago, our first big one actually, and we saw more fights in the streets than we had on the card!
I don't suppose you've come across Paul 'Hands of Stone' Jenkins have you Mick?

 

[morph4me]

If I may...

There's a little misunderstanding about the material I teach it seems, and I hope to be able to correct some assumptions.

It's been said that I teach a 'stripped down system' and I do - and don't! It's also been said that I only teach a handful of techniques - and to a point this is also true.

What my approach focuses on is not simply having only a few techniques or tools, but of having only a few identified core skills - because when you take the myriad of techniques back to the base from which they develop, there are only a few 'main headings' in actual fact, despite the endless 'sub headings' that are collected and obsessed about.

These core skills are the foundation, the basics, and no-one progresses without this foundation being firmly in place. Possibly this is why people sometimes think that I only teach a small selection of skills - when actually it's because I've only taught them a small selection, which they don't get to move beyond until they can execute properly, rather than the often seen ever-expanding collection of 'new' material.

I don't want to teach people a selection of punches for instance, instead I want to teach 'how to punch' and the variations are all covered. Hitting someone with a palm heel, fist, elbow, rock, pistol etc, in a forward linear fashion is all the same in terms of body mechanics and impact dynamics - so why seperate these slight variations of 'weapon' into various distinct techniques?

Using such tools effectively in combat is down to 'interface' and this is what I actually seek to simplify - to be honest the methods of applying such a tool are probably more complex in the format I eventually teach more advanced students, due to the application of optimum delivery mechanics I insist upon!

Footwork is certainly in there, in a high-percentage format that is generic and concept driven, rather than a series of specific and formatted methods - after all, footwork is a supporting act, not the star of the show, and everyone has an unconscious ability where footwork is concerned - until you make it complicated - so I enhance what is already working.

Grappling is covered - but in context like everything else. Initially it forms no part of the foundation material, as this is purely designed for worst case 'combat management' and grappling has no part in such situations. Grappling is covered for those that really need it, those that have to restrain individuals as part of a 'subject management' role requirement, and I make no apologies for concentrating on teaching what someone needs, rather than what they simply want instead.

In short what I present is purely operational, and this obviously does not fit with some people's expectations and I'll freely admit that these individuals are better served by learning a martial art. However I do not offer the usual collection of 'favourite techniques' and circus tricks that many choose to pass off as a combative system - it's all there, all integrated and cohesive - I just use fewer headings than most...

Mick

First, Welcome to MT

Thanks very much for that explanation. I think far too many people want to collect techniques, rather than learn the principles that govern those techniques and how to adapt those principles for use across the board.

I hope you didn't just sign up to post on this one thread, and will take advantage of the opportunity to share what you know and learn. Go over to the Meet and Greet and introduce yourself and let everyone welcome you.

 

[Mick Coup]

Actually Paul's been along to a couple of sessions, and works 'on the door' with one of my instructors in town.

I never rated Cardiff as a 'tough' town at all, I've lived here about 4 years (originally from Yorkshire - a long time ago!) and it's definitely a better atmosphere than many other places I've lived.

I'll certainly post more, however I have my own dedicated Q&A forum elsewhere and I try not to spread myself too thin to be honest!

Mick

 

[Tez3]

Actually Paul's been along to a couple of sessions, and works 'on the door' with one of my instructors in town.

I never rated Cardiff as a 'tough' town at all, I've lived here about 4 years (originally from Yorkshire - a long time ago!) and it's definitely a better atmosphere than many other places I've lived.

I'll certainly post more, however I have my own dedicated Q&A forum elsewhere and I try not to spread myself too thin to be honest!

Mick

If you are a friend of Pauls that's definitely good enough for me!! Don't ever, ever let him post on your forum however! he is an awesome fighter though, his MMA record is 39-41-7! I've heard his door record is even better lol!
Do post as often as you can here, it's a good place and your input will be valued.

 

[chinto]

low line strikes are a large part of traditional Okinawan karate systems.. I do not see anything that is not in the system I study and has not been there since it was founded.

 

[chav buster]

thanks for giving a better explanation mick then my attempt lol i will see you in a couple of weeks when you come down to london.

chinto, theres only so many ways the human body can move its how you train that counts. the x block and hiki uki (if thats how you spell it) are both used in thai boxing but differently to karate the x block is used to crash through punches and clinch and hiki uki is used to clinch this is probably how thay were meant to be used in karate .

 

[Mick Coup]

low line strikes are a large part of traditional Okinawan karate systems.. I do not see anything that is not in the system I study and has not been there since it was founded.

Low line strikes are a large part of just about every system...what point have I missed here?

Mick

 

[blindsage]

Wow, awesome. The longer I'm on here the more I appreciate MT. Thanks Mick for coming on here and giving and direct, useful, and....diplomatic summary of your system, and giving us a succinct statement on the additional depth of your more advanced teaching. I don't know that I'd agree with everything you say, but I don't in anyway doubt the quality of what you're doing and teaching.