PURPOSE: As you progress through your training, writing down your forms and lessons is an invaluable way to help you remember them. Indeed, one may learn thousands of techniques in a year, and the body may know them well, but the mind must also be engaged, and having a concise manual of your own making is the most valuable tool in this endeavor.

ORGANIZATION: Clarity and organization are concepts central to learning and solidifying knowledge. I encourage you to organize your notebook into the following basic sections: forms, lessons and techniques, articles, and miscellaneous notes and information. Further delineations can be made as you desire, as the need arises, and as you learn more material.

SAMPLE TECHNIQUE: Here is a detailed approach to writing down your lessons:

Lesson 1 – Wrist Grab

Person grabs L wrist with R hand. (Reverse L and R for other side)

1.) Step in with R foot to RHS (Right Horse Stance).

2.) R down w/m block to radial nerve (in class, hit tendons; on street, hit radius). Pull up with L hand at same time to break grip. Pivot to LHS.

3.) Cross your arms and strike back with R forearm chop palm down to his R side of neck. Pull L hand back to L hip.

4.) Pivot to RHS. L round-house punch to middle of R ribs. Pull R hand to R hip.

5.) Pivot to LHS. R round-house punch to SAME SPOT on R ribs. Pull L hand to L hip.

6.) Cover for a R side kick. R snap kick to groin. Step down into him.

7.) TAKE DOWN: Slide up your L foot close to your R foot. Step between legs with R foot behind him and push on his R hip with your R hand, pull up on his R ankle with your L hand. He falls backward. Hold onto leg at ankle.

8.) FOLLOW UP: Slide up with L foot to your R foot. R heel stomp to groin, R heel stomp to shoulder. Step back to LHS, and throw the leg over his body to your R.

OR, a more general and perhaps easier to read approach:

Lesson 1: Wrist Grab

Person grabs L wrist w/R hand.

1.) Step in w R to a RHS.

2.) Pivot to LHS. R down w/m block to radial nerve.

3.) R forearm chop to R neck.

4.) L round-house punch to R mid-ribs.

5.) R round-house punch to L mid-ribs. SAME SPOT.

6.) R snap kick groin.

7.) TAKE DOWN: Step R foot behind him b/t his feet. R hand on his R hip, L hand on his R ankle. Push with R and pull with L. He falls flat backward. Hold onto leg.

8.) FOLLOW UP: R stomp groin. R stomp shoulder. Throw leg to R, over his body.

Play around with the different styles of writing, and find what works best for you.

I’m available for tips or to just look it over and answer questions throughout the semester.

Just make sure you DO IT!

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Notebook Writing

Lesson 1 – Wrist Grab