Knowledge • Perspective • Capability
Sifu Journal & Field Notes
Articles and reflections by Alan Baker on training, travel, and the experiences that shape his work. Explore self protection, self defense, and the ongoing development of capability through study, practice, and everyday life.
126 articles in Training
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The Gap Between Knowing and Doing: How Capability Is Built
Sifu Journal · Capability & Learning The Gap Between Knowing and Doing: How Capability Is Built Information matters. But how do we turn what we learn into something we can…
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Judgment in Martial Arts: Are You Training It?
Physical skill does not automatically create good judgment. Alan Baker explains why observation, timing, positioning, and decision-making deserve deliberate attention in martial arts training.
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La Mano Negra: Training the Blind Side in Keysi Fighting Method
Capability Academy • Keysi Fighting Method • Intelligent Optics La Mano Negra Training the blind side so primary vision, peripheral recognition, protective movement, and intelligent action remain connected under pressure.…
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The Fundamentals Must Evolve With You
After reconnecting with Master Rickson Gracie for a private session in Vero Beach, Alan Baker reflects on the depth of Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals, invisible mechanics, lineage, and why a living art…
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Predator Alert: Training the Eyes to Stay Online Under Pressure
A field-tested examination of Predator Alert in Keysi Fighting Method: how to maintain visual awareness, articulate the Pensador, and keep the larger environment online under close-range pressure.
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The Nucleus: How Keysi Fighting Method Trains Problems, Not Just Techniques
Technique gives a martial artist the notes, but the Nucleus teaches the student how to play the music. Sifu Alan Baker explores how Keysi develops adaptable problem-solving through drills, laboratories,…
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Build Your Own Intelligent Physical Culture
Physical training should do more than make you tired. Alan Baker presents 13 principles for developing an intelligent physical culture that improves how the human machine moves, performs, adapts, and…
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Stress Is a Programmer: Why Scenario Training Must Be Designed, Not Improvised
Stress does more than test performance. It can reinforce whatever responses have already been trained. Alan Baker explains why effective scenario training must be built through intelligent drilling, structured progression,…
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Keysi Fighting Method Training – 4 Man Box Drill
The Four-Man Box is not an uncontrolled four-on-one fight. It is a Keysi Fighting Method laboratory for developing 360-degree force and investigating how every action changes orientation, awareness, position, and…
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New Course: Living Mechanics Seminar – October 3, 2024
Greetings Living Mechanics Members! New Course: Living Mechanics Seminar – October 3, 2024
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The Perpetual White Belt: What Combatives at the Lake Reinforced About Mastery
After a three-and-a-half-week teaching tour, Combatives at the Lake reinforced two enduring lessons: remain a perpetual student, and keep refining knowledge until what remains is simple, clear, and useful.
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When One Submission Becomes Many
A submission is not the end of the conversation. Discover how intermediate grapplers learn to see connections, reactions, and opportunities instead of isolated techniques.
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If Your Training Starts With Assault Tactics, It Starts Too Late
Most martial arts training begins after the fight has already started. Real conflict often begins much earlier, with emotion, argument, posturing, distance, and boundary violations. A complete self-protection system must…
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The C-Tac Combat Blueprint In Self-Defense Training
The C-Tac Combat Blueprint showing the five primal environments of conflict. C-Tac Combat Blueprint thought tool for civilian self-protection training. Sifu Alan Baker discussing the Combat Blueprint on the Warrior’s…
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Bridging The Gap With Master Pedro Sauer
Master Pedro Sauer teaching Sifu Alan Baker Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Sifu Alan Baker training with Master Pedro Sauer in Savannah Georgia. Master Pedro Sauer demonstrating Gracie Jiu-Jitsu entry and off-balancing. Sifu…
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Master Pedro Sauer On Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Technique, Leverage, And Respect
Master Pedro Sauer teaching Sifu Alan Baker Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Sifu Alan Baker training with Master Pedro Sauer. Master Pedro Sauer demonstrating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu lesson with Master Pedro…
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The Corte De Manga Elbow in Keysi Fighting Method
Sifu Alan Baker teaching the Corte De Manga Elbow from Keysi Fighting Method. Keysi Fighting Method close-quarter elbow training with Sifu Alan Baker. Corte De Manga Elbow training from the…
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Training Pistol Fundamentals With Jim Foreman
Sifu Alan Baker training with retired Navy SEAL Command Master Chief Jim Foreman. Jim Foreman teaching pistol fundamentals and trigger control. Sifu Alan Baker and Jim Foreman during Tactical 21…
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Dirt Medicine Tourniquet Training With Paul Ekoniak
Sifu Alan Baker training trauma medicine with Paul Ekoniak of Tactical 21. Paul Ekoniak teaching Dirt Medicine tourniquet training. Tourniquet training demonstration with simulated blood loss. Sifu Alan Baker learning…
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Sifu Alan Baker trains with Guro Joe Wakey in Tampa, Florida, exploring Pekiti-Tirsia Kali timing, knife jab drills, footwork, and position.
Sifu Alan Baker with Guro Joe Wakey and Tuhon Tim Waid of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali. Guro Joe Wakey teaching Pekiti-Tirsia Kali knife jab timing in Tampa, Florida. Sifu Alan Baker training…
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Shooting From Cover With John Fleischer and Tactical 21
Sifu Alan Baker conducting firearms training on the range. John Fleischer teaching shooting from cover with Tactical 21. Defensive shooting lesson focused on cover, movement, and reloads. Sifu Alan Baker…
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Different Trigger Squeezes for Faster Shooting
Tactical 21 • Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Trigger Control Is Not One Speed: Precision, Reset, and Defensive Shooting A lot of shooters are taught one way to press the trigger. In…
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Training With Coach Erik Paulson at the CSW World Conference
CSW World Conference • Episode One Training With Coach Erik Paulson at the CSW World Conference In this first episode from the CSW World Conference trip, I head out to…
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Day One at the CSW World Conference: Training, History, and Lockdown Half Guard Details
Day one of the CSW World Conference was packed from the start. I had already been in town training throughout the week, but this was the main reason for the…
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Americana and Kimura Details from Side Control: Mechanics, Control, and Training Trust
When we teach submissions from side control, the first two attacks many students learn are the Americana and the Kimura. They are common techniques. Most grapplers have seen them. Many…
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Mechanics of Control: Master Grips, Submission Pathways, and the Gap Art of Jiu-Jitsu
At our annual Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu conference, we spent time working on one of the most important areas of grappling development: the mechanics of control. Submissions are exciting. They are what…
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Never Give Up Flat: Ground Movement, Defensive Posture, and Protecting Your Weapon System
In grappling, one of the first things many people learn is how to bridge, shrimp, and recover position from the ground. Those skills are important. They build movement, timing, pressure…
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