Virtual Crazy Monkey Membership site

Benefits of joining virtualcrazymonkey.com. Only $30/month (approx £17) for all the following...

Video Instructionals
100s of video instructionals that you can download directly to your desktop or convert for use on your iPod. Take your training with you anywhere, anytime. New instructionals added every month. Exclusive content that is only available on virtualcrazymonkey.com

Exclusive Discussion Groups
Chat to CM Defence Trainers and athletes all over the world in our exclusive discussion groups. These groups cover enhancing your stand-up and ground games, mental game training, conditioning and lifestyle.

Alongside this are specialist groups covering Law Enforcement, Close Protection, Self Preservation and Tactical training.

Ask questions, upload training videos of any problems you are having and you will get the best advice on how to improve any aspect of your game.

Most of all network with a worldwide group of people who all love training as much as you do.

Training Podcasts
Portable development, PCWA style. Download podcasts on training and coaching philosophy and practice, take your training with you on the move.

Articles and blogs
Masses of articles related to training, performance enhancement, the CM Defence Program, mental game training and more.

Join today and keep your development going outside of the gym.

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Seminar crazy

It's getting pretty busy at the moment.

Classes in the new gym from Tuesday 3rd October
Launch day – Saturday 14th October

Seminar at Phi-factory, Accrington. 23rd September
Seminar at PCWA Isle of Man, The Refinery, Douglas, IOM - 31st Sept/1st Oct
Seminar at PCWA Dublin - 7th/8th October
Seminar at SKD, Darwen - End of October

Mental.

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New centre almost ready

If you haven't helped out there are still things to be done if you want to pitch in. A big thanks to Adam, Doug, John, Gaz, John Kwon Do, Ste, Dave, Rick, Mike J and Paul D for their help and advice so far. Particular nods to Dave and John who have helped out a lot with materials. Couldn't have done it without your help.

First class in the new gym, Tuesday 3/10/06.

Grand opening, Saturday 14/10/06. Beginners and senior sessions, prize draw and party.

I can't wait.

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Why back-to-back grappling is counter-productive.

Many clubs include some form of grappling into their classes, sometimes as an integral part of their system, sometimes just as a game. Many times though these ‘games’ become overly aggressive and needlessly competitive. Almost always at the expense of learning and skill development.

The reason? I believe it has a lot to do with grappling bouts starting seated back-to-back with a frantic scramble for dominance at the outset. Many clubs that include grappling but don’t have a base in BJJ or Submission wrestling use this format and have to absorb the problems, and dangers, that it causes.

Grappling is rife with people going hell-for-leather, using too much strength, too little technique and showing a lot of the things that are worst about martial arts training: Loose cannon attitudes, win at all cost ‘fighting’, undue aggression and bad sportsmanship. Even when used as a game.

This is often due to starting back-to-back with both fighters spinning around and diving in to get control. Ordinarily the stronger opponent wins this initial exchange through bulldozing the weaker and that sets the tone for the rest of the roll. I use the term ‘roll’ loosely as there is rarely any motion in the rest of match despite blood vessel-bursting amounts of effort. All that happens is that tempers fray and the whole exercise becomes negative.

I just don’t see where the fun in this is.

A simple alternative is to use the method commonly seen in BJJ clubs and used by everyone at Revolution – start rolls off facing each other, kneeling or on one knee, shake or slap hands and start your roll by calmly working for grips. You don't start judo randori back to back and I know of no stand up martial art that does this... but for some reason people insist on making grappling look like an 18th Century duel with flintlocks.

By changing the first action of the roll from a psychotic blast to a considered tactical game you change the entire feel of grappling. It is easier to keep the rolls light, fluid and technical when they have started this way. If people choose to roll using power it is a choice, rather than a default position needed for survival.

Try rolling without strength for the most productive rolls. If a move needs to be powered on it shows you don't have the leverage right. Move to a position of greater leverage and the move should work without strength.

Remove the scramble at the start of the roll and you get a safer, less aggressive, more enjoyable and more evenly-matched activity that allows everyone the chance to work their game (regardless of size or experience). Martial arts are predicated on the idea of technique overcoming size and strength. Strength is still strength and brute force is brute force, even when wrapped up in a gi.

If you have any questions on how to introduce a safe grappling game into your training contact Phil Wright or come down and 'play' at Revolution.

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Sponsor a mat campaign

Hey Everyone.

We’re looking at kitting the new gym out with brand-new jigsaw mats so you have the best possible training environment. These are reasonably dear considering the area we have to cover so I’m running a sponsor a mat campaign so you get to help the club out.

For £25/mat you can sponsor part of the gym refurbishment. You will get to sign and put a message on your mat once they’re here and a list of club benefactors will be posted on the wall.

Any help would be very appreciated and will help us set up the smartest looking gym around.

You can sponsor a mat at our online store.

Benefactors so far
Phil Wright
Stephen Holden (SKD)
Gareth Rogers
John Allen
Chris Bishop
Mike Jones
Danielle Foley
Steve Reece
Adam Adshead
Chris Duncan
Phil Coulthurst
Phill Holden
James Nardone
John Sherwood
Adis Kopcic
Paul Daley
Chloe Clarke
Matt Southern

Thanks guys.

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Revolution Performance Centre is coming

I'm pleased to announce that Revolution will be moving into a new venue next month. Work is currently underway to prepare our new gym, the Revolution Performance Centre.

As well as the complement of martial arts classes we currently run we will be introducing the MA Life programme. MA Life focusses on blending physical exercise, mental game and a self development approach to life inside and outside the gym.

Whether you want to train for fitness, fun, stress relief, to learn about the martial arts, gain confidence or just challenge yourself, Revolution will offer a programme to suit you.

Keep an eye out for details of our special launch day classes and offers.

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