Flew into Vegas again from San Fransisco yesterday afternoon. I hit the mat with a few Blue Belt candidates for an evaluation and testing before hitting the pillow for the night. Today I ran a huge class of UFAF Black Belts through six hours of MMA training.
I had the privilege and honour of being engaged to design the new third degree Black Belt requirements for UFAF – and the final touches were put on this work this week. The end result is a condensed, easily transmittable and highly effective MMA-based syllabus. All Black Belts are to be provided with a manual for reference (loads of pics and detailed descriptions of techniques and training drills – along with a logging section for rep-accountability) and accompanying I-POD movie files for those more visually inclined. I am very happy with the way it has turned out.
The day was spent running everyone through the material in good detail. I also placed a fair amount of emphasis on the underlying teaching methodologies to aid in dissemination throughout the organization - a long but fruitful day.
It's just hitting midnight and I am still up - busy converting several dozen video clips that I took earlier this evening to be supplied (tomorrow) to all of the Black Belts as IPOD video files t assist in their ownership of the new material. I need to convert the large vid clips down to smaller files so they can be burn't to a singe Cd - I do not foresee much sleep tonight.
A bit more work tomorrow, followed by the formal UFAF dinner and award ceremonies – unfortunately I don’t even own a suit – but I think I have built up some ‘forgiveness credits’ with everyone there over the years – so it’s jeans and shirt one more time …. uncouth Australian!
I’ll be heading back home on Sunday night … although I have had a great time meeting up with my many good friends here – I do miss my family and students; looking forward to being back home for a bit.
I've included a pic of one of todays lessons - and another of myself and legendary Chip Wright - one of America's best point contact fighters - a truly great martial artist. Back to work ...
Best wishes all,
JBW
