Silent Fighter Training Routines?

R

r.j. squirrel

Joined
Feb 27, 2002
Messages
118
Those of you with a Silent Fighter - I'd like to know how you use it, especially with weapons. Also, any modifications you've found useful? I've had one for about a year and it's a great tool; if anyone is thinking about it - go for it.
 
If you don't have a Silent Fighter you are missing one of the best training aids out there.

I'm still working out on my 1st Generation SF.

We did major story on the SF when it first came out in Full Contact.

Routines? Man, you can work ANYTHING on the SF. Live knife, baton, stick, empty hand, improvised weapons, free form fighting or Forms (Anyo).

The current generation SF is awesome. Kelly builds each himself, by hand. I'm kinda stuck on my 1st Generation. He's like an old friend to me now. We go back aways...

Check Worden's website out for further information.

Routines? Man, I just slam-jam-and roll with the Silent Fighter anymore:)
 
What's the diff between the first generation and the current?
Any advice on how to "tighten up" the leg? It spins too freely when kicked or swept .... I've tried duct tape but that comes off very quickly.
I'm impressed it's lasted all this time - again, I 2nd the recommendation - after a heavy bag it's the best.
 
R.J., I love Rocket J. Squirrel! That is an adult cartoon gig. Some heavy messages via Rocky and Bullwinkle. Kids don't get it.

Okay, to the Silent Fighter.

No. I have yet to figure out how to tighten up the "leg". However, I've also been blessed to train with Mr. Worden - whose footwork (sweeps, stomps, trapping) is sheer magic (and painful!). Work the SF leg with the thought of powerful sweeps, stops, and grabs. It's there because the foot will MOVE when targeted properly. I pin or stop then hammer from above. Sweep then work the in close stuff. It's just a factor in the equation.

The 1st Generation was darned good but rough. Kelly has improved the SF in both construction and workability. And it's prettier, too. However, the trainer is a trainer. It's what we do with the trainer that makes it valuable.

I like working slow, soft, very connected free flow forms on the Fighter these days. Or, sometimes, I put on the gloves and work boxing thought processes. I like it especially for Head, Knees, Elbow and Knee work. I also pull a shirt over it and work grabs and rips, tugs and chokes, and live blade, too.

My deal is keeping the arms tightened up. I've fixed that (okay, you can pipe wrench it, true) by working a set of hardy bungee cords into the set-up so the arms move and "bounce" upon contact. Good play, there.

I've also dropped a set of surplus army goggles over the Fighter to practice and focus eye jabs, cuts, slashes, and so on. Take the opponent's vision / balance and you've got the fight half way finished.

I like working hard slaps to the Fighter, and in real, real close. Move around it. Push, pull, punch, rip, butt, and kick. Go intense. Hard and fast or hard and slow. Talk to it. Stick, stick, stick. I like in-close work. No, I LOVE it. I want to meld, weld, and jell with the opponent. You have to train the comfort zone. Western fighting is distance-distance-distance. Close the distance (gap) and stay in tight. Tighter than tight. Flow through the opponent.

Worden is the best at this. He touches you and you're connected with him. You can't get away because he's with / on / in you from the moment you connect. Pain just explodes with every brush, punch, slap, twist, torque, pull, push, kick, and so on. The SF gives you the ability to develop this kind of contact, this immersion in "the other".

It is SIBAT...connecting the systems...connecting the combatants...blowing out by blowing through...lining up then lining out...

Man, I trust this motivates you:D
 
Sierra, your mail motivates me to stay far away from Mr. Worden :) And very happy to see someone who knows about Rocky - the real one!
I use the dummy - sorry, SF - in a classic sense when I'm tired. I move from position to position and freeze, checking myself against it to see if my feet are getting lazy and I'm leaning around to strike instead of moving my body. I'll also set myself in a blocking position and hold it as powerfully as I can for 15-30 seconds. I have the top mounted at chin level, so palm blows let the fingers curl over and grab it. Or I'll grab the arms and fire repeated low-line kicks.
I find I can do all my open-hand blows and some closed fist ones on it without gloves - that alone is worth the price.
The flow drills are great - I keep working faster and faster, left/right high/low. But yeh - after about 15 minutes out comes the wrench to tighten SF up. Hmmmm, must be all my internal energy.

Anyone use a Spar Pro or BOB "humanoid" dummy?
 
rj squir

I use neither of those, but was inspired by Mr. Worden's SF to construct my own training dummy. It ended up very ugly, but very functional. It's essentially the same as the SF, to include adjustable arms, a torso and head, and a front leg. It's constructed of a 4"x4" post with plywood to give the body a chest shape, with pipes mounted from the back for arms, and pipes near the base for a leg. I wish I had a picture to post. All parts are heavily wrapped with carpet padding, then many layers of duct tape. It is generally suitable for live blades, stick, empty hand. I'd love to shoot it as well, but it's far too unwieldly and heavy to move to the woods. That would be great for integrated empty hand, knife, handgun drills. Rather than being mounted on a backing, it is free standing, with three legs (the front, to be attacked, and two rear for a rocking tripod-type balance). The base is a rubber trash can filled with concrete for weight. A real pain in the ass to move; it doesn't come apart.
 
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