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.
267 articles
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Are You Frustrated Enough? Why Mental Struggle Builds Capability
Physical training isn’t the only place where growth happens. Learn why intentionally challenging your mind may be one of the most important investments you ever make.
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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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Dry Fire Target Transitions With Coach Dennis Rousseau
Capability Academy • Firearms Training • Target Transitions Dry Fire Target Transitions: Vision, Shot Confirmation, And The Time Between Shots Target transitions are where many shooters lose time, not on…
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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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What To Do When Someone Grabs You At Close Quarters
Sifu Alan Baker teaching Keysi Fighting Method close-quarter self-protection. Keysi Fighting Method training for close-quarter grab defense. Sifu Alan Baker and Jennifer working through a close-range self-defense question. Keysi shielding…
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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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Keysi Fighting Method Instructor Camp With Sifu Alan Baker
Sifu Alan Baker teaching Keysi Fighting Method at an instructor camp. Keysi Fighting Method instructor camp training in Atlanta Georgia. Students training close-quarter Keysi Fighting Method with Sifu Alan Baker.…
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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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Rorion Gracie at the CSW World Conference: The Garage Years, the Gracie Challenge, and the Birth of the UFC
At the CSW World Conference, Rorion Gracie shared a powerful firsthand account of the early days of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in America, his journey from Brazil to the United States, the…
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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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New Course: Warrior’s Strength – Training Session – October 8, 2024
Greetings Warrior’s Path Members! New Course: Warrior’s Strength – Training Session – October 8, 2024 Three Core Training Principles Hanging Exercise PNF Stretching Enjoy!
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New Course: Warrior’s Strength – Training Session – October 2, 2024
Mind Body Connection Alignment & Posture Core Training
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The Real Reason I Still Train
After 47 years in the martial arts, people often ask me why I still train. The answer has very little to do with fighting. Over time, I came to realize…
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Training With Sensei Erik Paulson: Lessons From a Private Session at the CSW World Conference
During a recent trip to Orange County, California, for the CSW World Conference, I had the opportunity to spend some private training time with Sensei Erik Paulson. In this session,…
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Another Outstanding Week at the Executive Protection Institute
Fresh back from another outstanding week at the Executive Protection Institute, I had the opportunity to teach Protection Response Tactics®, work with an exceptional group of future protection professionals, and…
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Course Updates: Purple To Brown – Throwing Cycle
Just as we recently updated the Blue-to-Purple section of the archive, we have now completed a major update to the Purple-to-Brown curriculum.
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Course Updates: Blue To Purple – Throwing Cycle
We’ve been working on this section of the Living Mechanics Archive for quite some time, and we’re excited to finally release it. Many of the takedown and ground engagement methods…
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The Grappling Backdoor Escape
In this seminar highlight, Sifu Alan Baker breaks down the backdoor escape and explains why some grappling habits can become a liability in more hostile environments. This is not just…
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