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Secrets of the Martial Arts?

ArticlesMartial Arts
By Mike Patrick
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What are “Players to the Game?”  This is term defined by Professor Rick Moneymaker, co-founder of the Dragon Society International.  One of the goals of the DSI is to keep terminology simple and easy to understand.  As such, this term was coined to refer to principles and methods that make techniques work much better.

These are essentially the “secrets” of the Martial Arts that practically everyone talks about but few people seem to know.  As we travel around the world and meet with Martial Artists of all ranks and from all styles and systems, we routinely ask if their system has secrets.  When we ask if they know what they are, no one seems to know any secrets!  And it is not that they won’t share with us; they admit they do not know any secrets themselves!  And this has happened all the way to 10th Dan!  Surely if anyone knew them, it would be the heads of the systems!

So, how many secrets are there?  Who knows!  No one will share them, but the DSI will!

For over 30 years now, the DSI has collected these secrets from our research and have painstakingly been documenting these so they will no longer have to remain a secret from our brothers and sisters in the Martial Arts.  Many have been lost over the generations but we are extremely active in tracking these down and making sure they are not lost for future generations.

And who gets to decide who is allowed to learn them?  I have even been told by practitioners over the age of 60 with over 40 years in a system that they were told by their instructor that they were not ready to learn them.  Are you kidding me?  If after that long of a commitment, someone cannot be trusted to learn the finer aspects of an art, there is a problem.  Or, perhaps the instructor does not know any themselves, which is the more likely case.

How do we discover and document these secrets?  There are processes by which we are able to extract them and even discover new ones.  In future articles, we will be looking at some of these and the processes by which we discover new methods.

We have already documented over 200 principles.  Many of these are available on video at https://members.dragonsociety.com/shop.  We have an entire Players to the Game series on DVD and streaming.

We are also putting together a series of seminars on teaching these principles and methods, which apply to all sorts of techniques including strikes, joint locks, grappling techniques, etc.  These methods are truly style independent and agnostic.  Find out more information at https://members.dragonsociety.com/mastery.  We are also looking for hosts to host these seminars and would love to know if you have a location and would be interested in being a host!

So, do you believe there are “secrets” in the Martial Arts?  Have you been trusted with the leadership in your style with any of these so-called secrets?  Be sure to let us know in the comments!

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About The Author

Mike Patrick Mike Patrick has a diverse background in both practical reality-based personal defense and Martial Arts. He began his Martial Arts training in a small dojo (karate school) in East Tennessee. It was so small it was even named “Hole-In-The-Wall Dojo.” The training was traditional Isshin-ryu Karate with a heavy focus on basics and kata (forms). Upon becoming only the second student to earn a Black Belt in the dojo, he began to add to his training with a variety of Martial Arts. Though, never leaving his original focus of Isshin-ryu, he was able to incorporate elements of Modern Arnis knife and stick fighting, kobudo (traditional Okinawan weapons), Tai Chi Chuan, and more, to the Isshin-ryu Karate that he was working so hard to master. In time, his instructor, Max Jones, recommended that he continue his training with Allen Wheeler who was very involved with adding Pressure Point knowledge to the Isshin-ryu system. As fate would have it, Grand Master Wheeler invited Grand Master Rick Moneymaker to begin teaching a series of Master Series Seminars at his Knoxville dojo. Mr. Patrick attended one of those and was immediately ‘hooked’ on Torite Jutsu. After the seminar, Mr. Patrick approached Grand Master Moneymaker and inquired about books and materials to help him learn the art. At the time, the only sources available were Acupuncture books and charts. From these, Mr. Patrick acquired quite a library and invested a lot of his own money to travel and learn from the Dragon Society International. Grand Master Moneymaker agreed to take him on as a long-distance student and through many seminars, phone conversations, letters, and such, Mr. Patrick eventually became proficient in the art of Torite Jutsu. After a few years, Grand Master Moneymaker invited Mr. Patrick to Texas to a DSI International Convention as a guest instructor. It was at this Convention that Grand Masters Moneymaker and Muncy awarded Mr. Patrick the coveted title of Master and Certified Instructor in the art of Torite Jutsu. From that time on, Master Patrick has worked tirelessly to enrich as many students as he can reach with the art of Torite Jutsu. He has taught internationally at seminars and conventions, published books, produced videos, and more to get word out to enrich as many people as possible. Because of his early training within the DSI and the lack of published materials, Master Patrick fully understands the challenges of learning an art such as this and the great cost of collecting the necessary books, travel, and not to mention difficulty of digesting the information. It is this awareness that led him to become one of the first DSI Instructors to publish a range of books and videos on the art. In his videos and seminars, Master Patrick is fond of taking a technique and spending hours explaining and demonstrating the intricacies of the technique in what the DSI calls “Players to the Game.” Participants at his seminars often remark at not only his depth of knowledge, but also his ability to translate complex techniques and principles in a warm, friendly, and often humorous manner which sets all at ease and provides a great environment for learning. Since that time, Master Patrick went on eventually earn a 6th Degree Black Belt from his instructor Allen Wheeler in the art of Isshin-ryu Karate, earning the title of “Master” in that art. He has been recognized by both the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame as well as the United Karate Systems of America Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in the Martial Arts and was inducted as “Instructor of the Year.” To continue his passion for protection of others and his desire to give them the ability to defend themselves and their families, he founded a system called Personal Defense Tactics which he has taught to individuals of all ages and abilities. This system eventually evolved into a more robust system through his partnership with Rick Moneymaker. Together, they developed a new system, known as CombatiX™ which is the practical application of their many years of experience in testing what works in real world environments. These techniques have been taught to and studied by individuals from a number of law enforcement agencies and military groups. What makes his research different is his earnestness in testing what he teaches. In CombatiX™, the motto is “If we don’t test it, we don’t teach it!” So many Martial Arts instructors take what they are taught for granted without questioning its origins. By testing these techniques, he was able to determine what worked and what didn’t. Only those techniques that really work are kept and form the core of CombatiX™. Moreover, he added Firearms training to his skills. After studying the methods of various instructors, he came to realize that many were not compatible with the affects of Body Alarm Reaction. This lead to the development of the CombatiX™ shooting platform which is integrated with the universal platform, leading to a consistent and cohesive system. Today CombatiX™ is continuing to spread and being met with enthusiastic reception in both the Martial Arts and tactical communities. His videos and books have gone throughout the world and thousands of students have been enriched by his efforts. Mike Patrick is available for seminar instruction and is willing to travel anywhere in the world to share his expertise. He would love to speak with you and help you and/or your students or officers to continue your training and take it to a new level. Expertise: The application of the laws of Acupuncture / Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as they relate to the Martial Arts sciences. “Players to the Game” as they are applied to techniques including, waveforms, harmonics, TCM, Body Alarm Reaction (BAR), etc. Bunkai (Application) of the Kata, Forms, Poomse, Hyung, etc., regardless of style or system. Ranks & Certifications: Grandmaster of Torite Jutsu Karate. Certified Professor in Torite Jutsu by Dragon Society International. 8th Degree Black Belt and Certified Instructor in Isshin-ryu Karate. 7th Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Kempo presented by Grandmaster Rick Moneymaker (9th Dan) and Tom Muncy (10th Dan). 7th Degree Black Belt in Torite Jutsu presented by Grandmaster Rick Moneymaker (9th Dan) and Tom Muncy (10th Dan). 7th Degree Black Belt by AKBBA. Recognized as a Master in Isshinryu Karate. Awards & Recognition: Over 30 years of experience in the Martial Arts. Inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame as the Instructor of the Year in 1999. Inducted into the United Karate Systems of America Hall of Fame. International author of a series of instructional DVD’s for Dragon Society International such as Players to the Game Volumes 1 & 2, Waveforms, Enhancement & Retardation, and Torite Joint Locks. International author of a series of instructional books for Dragon Society International including Advanced Martial Science Volumes 1 & 2, Foundations of Martial Science, and the Pressure Point Atlas. Internationally published author of a number of articles in various Martial Arts magazines across the globe. Contributing author of Torite Jutsu Reference Manual published by Dragon Society International. Direct student of Grand Master Allen Wheeler, 10th DAN, Grand Master Rick Moneymaker, 9th DAN, and Grand Master Tom Muncy, 10th DAN. Featured In dozens of internationally distributed Pressure Point videos produced by Dragon Society International. Featured in advertisements for Dragon Society International with Grand Master Moneymaker in Black Belt Magazine. Has provided instruction for local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies including elite members of Police departments, military, and S.W.A.T. Teams. Internationally acclaimed seminar instructor for thousands of students of all ranks and from all styles. Provides Kyusho Jutsu (Pressure Point) and Torite (Joint Locking) Seminars across the United States and throughout the world. Guest instructor for Masters Series Seminars sponsored by Dragon Society International. Guest instructor for the Dragon Society International Convention in the United Kingdom. Guest instructor for the Educational Funding Company’s (EFC) East Coast Training Convention. Former Vice President of the Tennessee Karate Circuit. Former nationally ranked fighter and Grand Champion in numerous tournaments across the United States. Formerly ranked #1 in Tennessee Karate Circuit in Black Belt Fighting, #2 in Kata/Forms, and #4 in the Nation in Kata in Martial Arts tournaments. Testimonials for Grandmaster Michael Patrick: “This is the next generation of Dragon Society International…the next level coming…Master Patrick has done an excellent job incorporating the Torite (Pressure Point) sciences into his understanding of all Martial Arts systems and provides excellent instruction to students of all styles and ranks. From my extensive travels I have found that less than 2% of the Black Belts in the world can instruct at his level…Master Michael Patrick lays to rest any questions as to why pressure points work. His extensive research and analysis will certainly convince even the most adamant naysayers in the martial arts world. His work shows beyond a shadow of doubt that the techniques of old were based upon a proven science and that they were duplicatable if one takes the time to research and expends the effort to practice this ancient art.” Grandmaster Rick Moneymaker “I believe that any martial artist can study [his] information and gain useful insights to make their art more effective.” Grandmaster Tom Muncy “[Master Patrick possesses] super secret fighting knowledge…that would only be imparted to a select few…The techniques and methods described…are things that will make any martial arts practitioner a lethal fighting machine.” Sigung Rich Mooney “The extent of the research that Mike has put into [his] work is evident to any who have been involved in these areas of study for any length of time.” Sean Fitzpatrick “Master Michael Patrick has once again shown that he has an incredible in-depth knowledge of the points, but not only that, he is able to teach this information in such a way that all levels of skill will benefit. A true mark of excellence.” Master Steve Burton “Master Michael Patrick…has raised the bar and set the American martial arts frontier ablaze … [he] does an exceptional job of conveying the complexities of combative science to enhance your martial skills by introducing to the public an ingenious method of technique analysis and application developed by the Dragon Society International called ‘Players to the Game.’ ” Master Alex Ormaza “Your ‘Players to the Game DVD Volume One’ is one of the most comprehensive recorded documents of ‘The Players’ to date.” J. Llanos “[Master Patrick] is the guy when it comes down to being able to teach concisely and accurately…The trouble with other teachers (nice blokes and great martial artists I should add) is that teaching the arts is a skill in its own right and some of these people just don’t have the skills well enough developed to teach and maybe in some cases don’t want to reveal ‘secrets’ fully…Mike is a great instructor – in person I bet he’d be awesome – he understands the necessity for both large picture and small detail and can convey it excellently. All of the questions I’ve asked others were answered by Mike…” Daikomyo

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Comment (2)

  2. It is my strongly held belief that if this knowledge was shared freely the World would become a much safer place to live in and there would have to be more respect shown to one’s fellow human beings. In the USA the rule of gun law applies instead of this. Whilst this might be understood there might be a better way of going about things. I can remember attending a “Masters Seminar” in England Whereby Grand Master Rick Moneymaker pointed out the the martial art we were studying could be enlikened to carrying a loaded gun. “Just because one might have the ability to use such a weapon it does not imply that this would be necessary”. He gave an anecdote to support this mindset! It has always stayed with me! Thank you Sensei Rick! I must be like a bloody elephant! I never forget! OSSSS! 🙂

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