Mushin coach Eric Forsythe flew to Coventry to train with world re-nowned self protection expert Mick Coup of Core Combatives at the dojo of Tony Pillage. At 6'3, and over 17 stone, you would hardly think that there would be a need for Mick to deploy any self protection skills but this could not be further from the truth. As an ex special forces operative, and currently a self protection consultant, bodyguard, and teacher he has amassed a wealth of combat experience in some of the worlds most dangerous countries in an operational context.
With approximately 20-30 people in attendance, everyone, least of all myself came away with something to add to their toolbox of skills, with as Mick puts it “Your main objective being to switch them off at the mains quickly and efficiently.” The seminar was geared toward hard skills development and deployment. We covered situational awareness and control, strike selection, distancing, transitions, footwork, drills, pre-emptive striking, low line attacks, overcoming obstacles to your strikes – all this in the space of 4 hours. Examples of this being the palm heel strike, elbow strikes, knee strikes, shin kicking – all this whilst hittinga moving target and trying to clear obstructions like limbs and other people. An informative, and enjoyable time was had by alland another date for December has been pencilled in.
Training and chatting to Mick can only benefit the students of Mushin karate who can add to and develop their hard skills set in order to defend themselves in a realistic and combative manner.
It is hoped that Mick will be coming to Ireland some time in the near future, if this does indeed happen as expected it is an opportunity not to be missed for the recent winner of Realistic Self Defence Instructor of the Year at SENI, which is the premier martial arts event in the UK .
If anyone is interested in learning karate with a pragmatic emphasis please contact Eric on 02890604769 or look at our website www.mushinkarate.com for more information about what we do. Alternatively, you can come down to our classes on a Monday night for adults, Wednesday nights for juniors from 7-8 p.m in St Lukes school.