Killick Off Road Arts | Preserving & Teaching Traditional Martial Arts
I want to wish all my active and retired training partners and the many
supporters of our training group a very Happy Christmas. It has been a tough
year, but we are still here, and training is going very well.
I will be mostly off social media during this period, so I wish you all a
happy new year. Looking forward to 2024, both teaching and training.
We will open training spaces in 2024 for the in-demand KORA and the separate Pencak Silat classes.
Thanks for the training,
Rich
2023 started with some terrible news as Bancroft, one of our long-term students, training partner, and group elder, sadly passed away on New Year’s Day. Bancroft was an elder statesman of the group and one of my personal friends. He was highly skilled in several arts, including our brand of Pencak Silat; he was also the primary instructor for some of my students and me in Ilustrisimo Sword.
Several students also fell away from training this year due to illness or changes to life priorities, and in a close-knit small training group, this can have a significant effect. I struggled so much with Bancroft’s passing that I considered closing the KORA group. The advantage of a small group is that the training is of a much higher quality than the old public classes I taught until 2005. The disadvantage is that each person’s contribution to the training group is missed even more.
That is a bit of a bitter lesson to learn.
I struggled in the first quarter. Xin Leng kindly took over leading the Silat class for most of the year, allowing me to train and he did a great job. I started a 9 am Sword class on Saturday so that James Cathcart and I could teach the sword work left to us by Bancroft. James is heading up the teaching of sword and dagger outside the group for us and found a great training partner in Mike, who has now joined our three amigos sword class.
Later this year, I lost my long-time friend and old-school Judo coach, Roger Kingshott, so I felt lost again.
Curriculum
I resolved to continue teaching because it is personally rewarding, and I also worked on the sword, clinch (Lutte), Pencak Silat and Savate curriculums for most of the year. We have unique arts where the tool kits do not change, but the environment and our understanding of how to teach them safely and efficiently grows each year.
Research Trips
I managed to slot in a research trip to Spain in March, which was great, but sadly, the September trip to the Basque Country had to be postponed due to a family illness. Planning to redo that early in 2024.
I had the honour of teaching at a retreat where I covered an introduction to our Contact Management module. I found the experience instructive as a teacher as I had to adjust my teaching method to new people. The whole experience was gratifying, and one of the main takeaways was I had almost lost the ability to teach new groups of people, so I had to work on that.
Goals
At some point in the year, I was lucky enough to have a one-to-one review with Dawn Whillock of MAGB fame to discuss my goals for our training group. I use MAGB for my student and teacher insurance and support for running a training group.
Dawn has a book out called The Glory of Being Ordinary, and you can find it here on Amazon: The Glory of Being Ordinary – Book 1: Indomitable Spirit: Amazon.co.uk: Willock, Dawn, Morrison, Martin: 9798866379811: Books
It is funny, but in my full-time day job, I am responsible for the asset management of a trillion-dollar wealth fund and people’s pension funds and have weekly goals. Still, in my hobby, I was not using any of those “business” skill sets (misery). After a quick, friendly chat with Dawn, I formed my goals for the rest of the year.
My main goals were to get out more. Hence, I decided to teach at the trauma retreat. I also separately provided some non-profit training to victims of domestic abuse.
I also changed the goals of my KORA group from a bespoke research group to a healthy mix of research and training to pass on the legacy my teachers passed or entrusted to me. I decided to be more open to the public, so I revamped and changed my social media use to help others.
I took part in my first-ever non-work-related podcast, primarily to support my teacher Gillvan and my friend Claudio, and I have invites to three more. I learnt a lot from the podcast, mainly about the importance of good lighting so you don’t look like you are in a witness protection program:
https://youtu.be/OUWbT745HDo?si=6qalaeylXUegNh9L
By the end of the year, I was back teaching Pencak Silat, and I feel my teaching ability has improved a lot. I shared a little of my Savate with a unique Basque flavour with some HEMA researchers and helped them better understand the old black-and-white photos from the Savate Paris set.
Our sword fencing group is growing, and we have a very nice curriculum to continue exploring. So much of what Bancroft taught us is proven in the sparring. Next year, we hope to participate in sword and stick sparring competitions.
I have shared my Savate, the grappling (Lutte), and some knife work for the arts that form Killick Off Road Arts. Mike joined our group and is picking things up very well indeed.
2023 proved that nature’s cycle of birth, life and death remains relevant, and how we deal with that is the crucial challenge.
Change is the only changeless state, so embrace it, even if sometimes it tastes bitter.
Every training program has development phases. Once you have been taught the essential toolkit, including basic cuts and thrusts and their defences, tactics, and strategies, you move into the isolation skill development stage to road-test your skills live.
This second stage is critical to building towards the final integration stage. In the old days, we used to teach some basic skills, then jump directly into the fighting stage with mixed results. These days, we spend a lot of time drilling skills. The drills become less set as we move forward towards our goals.
In my class, we have three levels of intensity for any drilling.
Light touch, Contact, Full Contact.
In either case, we intend to contact the target with our cut. We never do air cuts unless we miss.
In each case, we strive to be as accurate and use as much speed as possible. We also want the feeder to react correctly to any counter; eventually, the drill morphs into free sparring.
The feeder can feed the vertical and horizontal lines in the video above. The receiver can counter as they wish, and the feeder may counter the counters. The receiver can also attack first if they see an open line; for instance, hesitation may trigger a cut to a still hand.
The feeder does not exaggerate the technique to make it easy to counter; if the receiver fails, they slow down enough to push the receiver to improve. We do not train the feeder to lose.
The coaching concept can be used in our standup, clinch, and ground games. You can learn a lot from this kind of drilling; in my case, I picked up the following points to work on before I drill again.
Do not swear on video, coach.
Time the rounds.
Do not grab the sword blade.
My footwork is too slow.
The cuts are too slow.
I need to make cuts strong and use the correct body mechanics.
Cardio needs some, well, a lot of work.
We need to get outside or find a larger venue.
Continue to have fun and try things.
Some may wonder why we would publicly show our mistakes and progress, but we know the process has to be honest and authentic to our goals to work. We also enjoy the journey.
Please follow the link for a nice podcast on Pencak Silat with our teacher, Gillvan Van Ham, covering Pencak Silat but valuable for all martial artists and coaches.
The podcast is now live, so please go and enjoy it. Thanks to Claudio Alfarano and Fabio Alfano for inviting us.
One crucial aspect of my role as a teacher is to ensure that my classes are enjoyable. Whether we are focusing on various martial arts like Sword and stick fighting, our unique hybrid of Savate and Muay Thai called Shootboxing, or separate classes in Pencak Silat, it is essential to infuse an element of fun and curiosity into each category.
In our training, there are challenging components beyond live sparring or fighting. Sometimes, activities like technical learning or conditioning training can become tedious due to the need for repetition and the associated challenges. In my group, we counter this by approaching each class as if it were the last one, we will ever teach or participate in.
The goal of making classes enjoyable does not mean we lower our standards or do not take our training seriously. On the contrary, we recognize that we may need to apply our skills in real-life situations, so we strive to be the best we can be in terms of skill. Our training program reflects this commitment, pushing students to become the best version of themselves.
Despite sometimes delving into dark subjects, such as teaching sword techniques for cutting or clinch grappling moves for takedowns, or dagger techniques for self-defense, my coaching in KORA classes is guided by a few key concepts.
Firstly, I implement the three I’s coaching method:
1. Introduction: This phase involves a brief explanation of the technique or concept.
2. Isolation: During this phase, we drill the technique against progressive resistance.
3. Integration: In the integration stage, we incorporate our newly acquired skills into sparring or fighting situations.
I adopted this coaching concept from Matt Thornton, the head of the Straight Blast Gym, who has extensively covered it in articles, videos, and workshops. I highly recommend exploring his work to gain further insights.
I have found that using the three I’s coaching method for every art we teach significantly enhances the quality of coaching and improves student skill levels.
Secondly, both the coach and the student need to understand the why behind their respective roles. When this alignment exists, we can work together to achieve goals through consistent progress in each class. I do not rely on motivational speeches; instead, I emphasize a disciplined approach. You have your training plans and goals, and I ensure that you are prepared at the starting line for every training opportunity, creating an excellent coaching environment.
The most critical element is cultivating a safe and enjoyable training environment where students can train effectively while having fun. Similar to a ship’s crew, we eliminate any obstacles to achieving this, such as toxic elements. Thankfully, when we implement the three I’s method, people respond positively and contribute to a harmonious training group.
In summary, train hard and embark on your journey with determination, but remember not to take yourself too seriously along the way.
Following the August break, this was the first formal class back, and as usual, we will spend the first six weeks revisiting the basics of Sword, the arts that I include within the KORA syllabus, like Savate, which I call Basque boot to honour my teachers and our brand of Pencak Silat.
Sword Class
I taught the basic stance, sword alignment and the four modes of combat, two of which the great Ilustrisimo mostly used. Once you understand the control of measure, you can use timing to investigate each motion. We have fun drills to dial the correct measure into the students’ subconscious.
Savate
I taught the first three modes of our Savate footwork as per the student’s homework video below. I must remember to stop filming after post-training sessions as it fogs up the camera.
Pencak Silat
I gave a brief overview of our style of Pencak Silat for a new student, which was very well received. The system should probably get much more recognition than it does, but since it’s been low profile until now, it often does not. The good news is that there are now classes in Holland, Italy, and the USA.
Next week, we start from the absolute beginning again.
Coaching
By revisiting the basics every half year in January and September, I find that the student’s skill level spirals up, and new students can pick up the must-have concepts and feel more at home in our training community.
Dedicated to the sacred memory of our beautiful friend, Bancroft Anthony Grant, our teacher, training partner, group elder and friend. Always an inspiration.
Teacher of Ilustrisimo Sword and Pencak Silat Sera.
Very much missed by all.
Bancroft Anthony Grant
1964 – 2022
Killick Off Road Arts (KORA) appears to be a martial arts group founded and led by Richard Killick. The group is dedicated to preserving and teaching various martial arts styles, with a focus on closed-door martial arts from Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and European Martial Arts. Here are some key points about Killick Off Road Arts:
1. **Founder and Head Instructor: ** Richard Killick is the founder, head of research, and director of training for Killick Off Road Arts. He has extensive experience and expertise in a wide range of martial arts disciplines, both Eastern and Western.
2. **Martial Arts Experience:** Richard Killick has been involved in martial arts since 1978, starting with training in Combatives, Western boxing, and fencing. He has also studied Eastern and Western martial arts extensively and has coached disciplines like Boxing, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), and full-contact stick fighting.
3. **Training Focus:** Killick Off Road Arts focuses on teaching a variety of martial arts disciplines, including Bare Knuckle Boxing, MMA, Grappling, Sword and Dagger, Stick and Savate with a Basque flavour. Pencak Silat is also taught separately from the other arts.
4. **Training Philosophy:** The training philosophy of Killick Off Road Arts emphasizes threat level assessment, contact management, and training for real-world scenarios in weapons-based hostile environments. The training is designed to be safe and controlled while enhancing students’ awareness, conditioning, reactions, and skill sets.
5. **Modern Training Methods:** The training program incorporates modern training methods that involve pad-hitting, integrated live training, free play, and sparring. These methods aim to provide students with practical skills applicable to their needs and environments.
6. **Diverse Student Base:** Killick Off Road Arts has trained a diverse range of individuals, including military personnel, intelligence officers, A-list actors, celebrities, and regular people. The training is tailored to help individuals safely perform their professional duties and protect themselves and their loved ones.
7. **Focus on Personal Safety:** Richard Killick and his team have provided personal safety training to various individuals, including those in high-profile roles and potentially dangerous environments.
8. **Ongoing Research:** Richard Killick continues to conduct research in the martial arts field, and the pursuit of “Duende” suggests an ongoing exploration of the essence and depth of martial arts.
Overall, Killick Off Road Arts seems to provide comprehensive training in martial arts with a strong emphasis on practicality, personal safety, and a diverse range of techniques. It is evident that Richard Killick’s extensive background and commitment contribute to the group’s focus on preserving and teaching a broad range of martial arts disciplines.
Yesterday in class, I taught my guys the half-hip throw (Uki Goshi), the first thing I now teach, thanks to John Danaher and his brilliant stand-up-to-ground course on BJJ Fanatics.
It’s natural to ask follow-up questions such as whether I stay on the ground, stand up, post throw etc. If you stay, we use what I call the sunbathing lizard, so as not to get rolled. So we now go from clinch lizard to sunbathing lizard in my group.
Please check out the coaching page if you fancy training in an art that goes feet, ground, feet with a Vale Tudo and Lutte attitude.
2023 Training Opportunities Update
We are getting quite a few people asking about training opportunities, and we have some slots available for the first time in a few years, so details will be posted here on this website. In the meantime, here is a brief update.
Current KORA class
I currently teach my KORA group every Saturday in my home training space, and we cover the arts that make up Killick Off Road Arts listed on the coaching page.
Most people start with the Saturday 10am to 11am KORA weekly classes. The cost to train is £40 per month plus approximately £10 per year for must-have student insurance via MAGB. Numbers usually are about six students and restricted to that.
Private Classes
I teach a limited number of bespoke in-person private classes.
KORA Instructor Training
This is an open separate monthly class to train our future teachers; last year, two current KORA students graduated from the course. If you are a student or martial arts teacher who wants to teach the unique arts we cover under KORA, please get in touch with me. We usually start in September.
Workshops
This year I have already taught a private specialised workshop and have been asked to teach workshops in Spain and the Netherlands. Happy to support other martial arts schools and often do guest slots.
The minimum age for all KORA classes is 16 years old.
Pencak Silat Classes
Until this year, we did not teach this art publicly and restricted it to friends and family. We are now allowed to teach on a low to non-profit basis. This class runs every Saturday from 11am to 12am and is free to KORA students. Non-KORA students pay £20 per month to cover costs plus approximately £10 per year for must-have student insurance via MAGB. This group aims to pass on this rare art to future generations.
My group also hosts our Pencak Silat Instructor for workshops.
Please get in touch with me via korahit@gmail.com if any of the above interests you. Happy to pop on to Zoom to chat as well. If my classes are unsuitable for your needs, I am pleased to recommend other teachers of similar arts that we know and trust.
Killick Off Road Arts