…..A person commented to me the other day that Instinctive Response Training was like MMA but with Weapons. There is of course a lot of similarities. How could there not be as there are only so many ways to move. Plus my background certainly facilitates this kind of thinking. Currently I have some IRT practitioners stepping into the cage and fairing quite well. However, IRT at its core is meant for combative purposes or personal protection skills irregardless of were you are at. (civilian streets, war zone, etc.) That does not mean though that you cannot take those same personal protection skill sets and modifiy a bit to enter a competition. Jose Prieto and Mike Hammer and a few others have already proved that. Yet, the sporting victory in a match mindset is much differnt than when one is fighting for their life or the for their loved ones lives. No they are dramatically different! Anyone who has experienced ring sports and also real substantial violence can attest to that. IRT at it’s core has some unique fundamental skill sets that are heavily influenced by several martial systems. Influenced is the right term as in the end these skill sets are unique! These skill sets are heavily tool/weapon dependent. Tools and weapon usage is an integral part of any combative martial system. In the real world people bent on doing other people harm just do not always play fair or without the usage of weapons. No, a real violent criminal prefers to have a weapon based advantage as it is much easier to get what they desire. So in order to practice efficient and effective Martial Sciences one has to utilize tools/weapons and know not only how to defend against them but more importantly how they are used effectively so that you will understand there properties and have a chance to defend against them if needed. Tool usage should not be wildly different than your empty hand skill set so that things are kept simple. The KISS philosophy (Keep It Simple Stupid) is important in any combative methodology. Having a KISS approach with modifications and variations off it is what allows a practitioner to constantly flow during a moment of extreme violence. So when this person made a connection from MMA to IRT with tools/weapons they were right and also wrong. IRT can be modified which easily allows you to step into the MMA cage but it is in the end a whole lot more. The tool and weapon utilization plus the mind set geared towards practical personal protection skills gives someone a frame work to build off of. Where they take it, well that journey is where the fun begins!

See You On The Mats!

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Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

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