MMA Club At
Harlow on Saturday Mornings - Click for Details
Harlow Jikishin Ju Jitsu & MMA Clubs
have been
established since 1985 and have an excellent reputation for the high
quality of the students who train there. The club has produced a number of Dan
Grades over the years, many of whom continue to train regularly at Harlow.
The club has a
very open attitude toward training, with self defence techniques playing a major
part in the training scheme. Much attention is paid to the correct application
of techniques, and to the various ways that each technique might be applied to
different attacks.
Many of the
techniques are simple, but nevertheless highly effective, and are based upon
utilising the way the human body works. This effectively gives the student an
advantage, even where the attacker is physically bigger and stronger. Kicks and
punches are broken down and analysed to ensure clean, consistent strikes with
maximum effect. Special attention is given to the areas of the body where such
strikes will be most effective.
Throws, locks,
chokes, strangles, pressure and nerve point attacks, as well as ground fighting
are taught and practiced within a safe, controlled training environment.
Although competitions are held on a regular basis, there is no pressure on
students to compete. The Harlow club has a good
competition record with medal
wins in local, national and international competition.
The club has a very sociable side, with many members retiring to the bar for a drink and a chat after training. There are also events held during the year where members get together.
Earl
Walker, 4th Dan and Senior Coach (Level 4), is the club instructor
and is ably assisted by his wife Jackie 3rd Dan and Level 3 Coach, Will Murley
2nd Dan and
Level 3 Coach, and other Dan
Grade assistant coaches. Earl has a positive and well thought out attitude to Ju
Jitsu, and runs
Ladies Self Defence Courses
in Essex and East London.
He says: "To
me Ju Jitsu is more than just another Martial Art, it is a complete self defence
system based on sound principles and a syllabus which builds confidence, skill
and reflexes. I feel that I have a responsibility to make each student the best
he or she can be, and to give them a practical skill that will equip them to
deal with an attack, should this ever occur."
"As with many
people I enjoy Martial Art movies, but I am quite critical. The more spectacular
the move in the film, the more unlikely it is to work in a real life situation.
If these films stimulate interest, then I feel that this is positive, but no one
should be under any illusions if they come along to one of my classes. What they
will learn will be simple, practical and effective - that is what real self
defence is about."
"I would never
rubbish other disciplines within the Martial Arts world, each has a role to
play. Some teach a philosophy, moral code and a lifestyle, which encourages a
deeper understanding of self. This can be very uplifting, but it can take many
years to attain the desired plateau of inner strength. Other systems may
concentrate on striking and kicking, and emphasis may be placed on the 'One
Strike Finish', however the ability to incapacitate an opponent with one blow is
a skill that very few achieve. This is not to say that Ju Jitsu is an easy
option, to reach a high level still takes many years of dedicated training,
however, practical techniques can be imparted in a relatively short time, which
allow a measured and effective response to attack. This is the beauty of Ju
Jitsu the marriage of an art which allows the novice to quickly be in a position
to mount a defence, whilst still holding new and exciting techniques for even
high grades to practice and master. There truly is no end to the Art."
Click to see a larger
version.
Earl
Walker and John Phillip winning a Bronze medal in the Pairs Competition in
Johannesburg South Africa 2001
