Loading the "BAD" position

Advantage of the controlled environment ~

Ido Portal and Steve Maxwell have a lot in common not least of which is their influence on me in every aspect of my existence. I have had the extreme honor of training under Steve Maxwell and look forward to training under Ido Portal very soon.

Ido is a Graceful Movement specialist. Steve Maxwell is a Man's Man Grappler. I could write volumes from these men. I use something daily that I gleaned from them!

One thing that I want to share today always amazes certain people who believe in a perfect world. Both of these men say in their own special way that in a perfect world we would never find ourselves in a "BAD" position but it's not a perfect world. Steve will chuckle and say, "I have guys wanting to put me in a bad position all the time. So I beat them to it." These men will walk on the sides of their feet, will put themselves in arm bands and on and on. Why? They load the "BAD" position in a controlled environment. So when it happens (and it will) in the uncontrolled environment there is controlled responses. In our training we need to Pattern, Pattern, and Pattern as Dan John preaches. We need to "Grease the Grove" as Pavel compels us to do. We need technique and grace and tension but there is never a time in our training that we do not practice the "BAD" position then we are going to get hurt(Period no ifs ands or unbruised buts).

Master SFG Karen Smith is who inspires me to practice handstands and handstand walks. Karen is a petite, mobile former gymnast and cheerleader...I...am...not. I am 6' and about 195 lbs. To watch her enter into and exit her handstand is a beautiful process to behold. I, on the other hand had to learn how to fall and roll. One of my students asked me if I could practice my handstands when she wasn't there...It scared her (pause and eyebrow raised). So I had to learn to fall or I would have not learned to stand..HELLO!?! Pattern a perfect form and practice it, then-practice the "BAD" position so you will be ready.

Six days out of seven I am the caregiver for my 98 year old Grandfather in law. He is a double amputee from the knees down. So I transfer him constantly. If I do not ask him to "stand tall" he will decide to swing his butt over because...well...let’s not go there. This puts me in a horrible position but, unlike a kettle bell, I can't let go. This would tweak my lower back and sometimes put me in severe pain. Now it doesn't look real good for business when a Strength and Mobility trainer is moving gingerly because his lumbar spine is messed up. So what did I do? First I hung from my ankles and fixed it. Then I hung from the bar and did L sit twist. Finally when I was sure everything was "in place" and "warmed up" I got my biggest sand bag (about 150lbs. of unruly blob) and began transferring that bag. By the way it never cooperated and always fought me. I did kettle bell twisting deads left to right, right to left. I did heavy mace one side loaded presses...and on and on...

I loaded the "BAD" position why? Because I can dead lift 415lbs in a perfect position but a 98 year old 150lb man can put me in a traction in a "BAD" position. Now I am not saying I no longer ask him to stand tall because I do but when he decides he is on a merry go round and swings over like he is eight instead of 98 I am ready.

If it works for Ido and Steve you can be sure it works for me too.

~G.I. Joe