Prepare for the RKC

Hey all you Kalistas, wished I was burning rattan with all you guys up north. Thought since we haven’t had a blog post for a bit, I would drop one in. – Mike Nauman

I am going to start to prepare for the RKC (Russian Kettlebell Certification). I have been a kettlebell person for a while just not to the level of the RKC. I know other certs exist but the RKC is the pinnacle of the kettlebell certs. I have looked into other training methods and again choose RKC since it is one of the ones that doesn’t have some kind of foothold in a close mileage to me.

www.dragondoor.com Pavel Tsatsouline founder of the RKC has this online treasure trove of training books and DVD’s. He has chosen to not be the end all of his program he has integrated the ideas of other smart people to make his system better. He openly acknowledges them in his writings.This amount of humble and openness is another positive for me and my choice with the RKC.

So I started my research path. The RKC has a 30% failure rate roughly. I don’t want to be ill prepared. Below is a list of places and such I have done for my research.

• I purchased the book ‘Enter the kettlebell’. It is supposed to be directed to preparing for the RKC. A companion DVD exist also but at this time I do not have it. Amazon book link. http://www.amazon.com/Enter-Kettlebell-Strength-Supermen-ebook/dp/B004XIZK5K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1322448222&sr=8-3
• I am entertaining the idea of getting HKC(entry level cert) as a pre RKC experience. - http://www.dragondoor.com/workshops/details/hkc175/
  • http://giryastrength.com/girya_kettlebell_hkc.html
• RKC(the higher cert 30% failure rate) - http://www.dragondoor.com/workshops/russian_kettlebell_challenge_certification_requirements/
• Strengthcoach podcast did a dedicated segment on the RKC kettlebell cert. - http://strengthcoachpodcast.typepad.com/the_strength_coach_podcas/2011/10/passing-the-rkc-with-brett-jones-episode-905.html
• Older link but loads of good info. http://www.begin2dig.com/2009/04/how-to-prep-for-rkc-certification.html
• whole9.com had 3 articles around their experience.
  • http://whole9life.com/2011/05/rkc-preparation-plan/
  • http://whole9life.com/2011/05/thats-not-what-ships-are-for/
  • http://whole9life.com/2011/05/rkc-in-review/
• Hand conditioning. This was something I would have tackled completely backwards without my research. Its not about death grip on the bell.
  • http://ronjones.org/Coach&Train/BodyXerciseLibrary/Kettlebells/HandCare.htm
  • http://kbforum.dragondoor.com/kettlebells-strength-conditioning-forum/134506-rkc-debriefing-hand-care.html
  • http://www.dragondoor.com/workshops/rkc_skincare/

I have also started the communications with a RKC near me. None are less than an hour commute so it will take some travel. He plans to hit me with the FMS(functional movement screen) and then coach and program for the training. I am excited. I hope after the new year I can make my first trip up. Till then I will be doing my own groundwork based on my research.

Bridging the Gap

Over the course of the next few weeks I will be focusing primarily on single stick techniques and pushing the footwork in order to brige the gap between long range and close range. Of course the counter offensive motions will be incorporated so the as we are being pursued we can successfully avoid getting out hands smashed and our skulls cratered. Should give everyone a fair share of blisters and callouses.

The time is here.....

The time is here for the camp in the Wind Rivers.  I am looking forward to getting an entire weekend full of training.  Right now I have confirmation from 3 people on their attendance and contact information to make sure that we all end up in the same place at roughly the same time.  For those of you that are coming alone the camp will be on the West side of the Winds.  To get to the ranch turn North on the Big Sandy Entrance road approximately 20 miles East of Farson.  Follow the dirt road in about another 5 miles until you come up on a right hand turn for Sweetwater Gap (there is a metal sign post at the corner).  From there it is just a short distance to the gait.  I will put some signage up and will have my cell phone (871-0907). Don't hesitate to contact me for help or directions.  I plan on being in the camp at 2 o'clock.  If anybody needs and escort in or would like to follow, call me and we will meet in Farson or at the first turn off.  See you all soon.

Jason

 

Camp Agenda

Bundok Mandirigimas Camp Agenda

 Friday August 12^th, 2011

            1200-1400 Arrival

            1400-1700 Meet and Greet

            1700-1800 Dinner (Herbed chicken breast, rice, salad)

            1800- Opening:  Theories and Practice

STAP (STV), COMBAT, geometric structures and their relation to the system, Warriors Mindset, transferable methodology

Saturday August 13^th, 2011

            0600-0800 Morning warm-up

                        -Ranging exercise, 1s and 2s, slash/thrust

                        -Fluid 5 attacks

0800-0900 Breakfast (Eggs, Potatoes and Cereal)

0900-1000 Single stick basics (the X factor)

                        -broken, fluid, circular, reverses, thrusts

                        -Tri-V striking combinations

1000-1200 Footwork basics

            -Broken and Fluid triangles

                        -Diamond and hourglass

                        -Getting off the X and Bridging

1200-1300 Lunch (Make your own sandwich)

1300-1500 Single stick striking variations

            -Double force, Florettes

            -Combining strikes and steps

            1500-1600 Monkey in the middle

            1600-1700 Single stick Core Drills

                        -Segong Labo (hack pass check, pommel strikes)

                        -Contradas (1v.2, footwork variations)

            1700-1800 Dinner (Sausage Lasagna)

            1800-2000 Quol de Mamma, Sabayan

                        -single stick and blade

                        -variable thrusts and footwork

            Sparring session:  Single stick or single knife (hand, head and leg target)

Sunday August 14^st, 2011

            0600-0800 Morning warm-ups

                        -ibuprofen, caffeine and gravity stretching

                        -Footwork review

                        -Double stick basics (fluid strike, broken, circular)

            0800-0900 Breakfast (Eggs, Potatoes, more ibuprofen)

            0900-1200 Double stick exercises

                        -Dirty Dozen

                        -Guntings

            1200-1300 Lunch (Make your own sandwich, again)

            1300-1500 Entries into Dumpag

                        -Snakes, Vines, and Wrist Locks

*Waivers must be signed and $85 fee for participation.  Both can be done on Friday.

*The time frames and weapon categories on the agenda will be followed; depth and content will be based on individual skill levels.  It is likely that some material may be added or deleted depending on the flow of the group.

*Attendees will be credited no fewer than 26 hours contact time for full attendance and awarded certificates of recognition from the Pekiti Tirsia Tactical Association. 

*Taking breaks is strongly encouraged.  Listen to your body!!!  If you need water or nourishment take it sooner rather than later.  Water and Gatorade will be available but I encourage and strongly recommend that you to bring your own as well as any of the various power bars available.  The main objectives are to learn and to have fun, not to survive the death camp.

*Average elevation of the area is 7000 ft. and the activities will be rigorous. Everyone is expected to participate in all aspects of the training to the best of their ability but ultimately your education and experience are your choice.  Do not do more than you are physically able. 

Mandatory supplies:                                             Highly Recommeded Supplies:

2 sticks                                                 Band-Aids

2 training knives                                       Athletic Tape

Eye protection                                     Notebook and Pen

Work out clothes (BDUs) and hat                        Multiple Clothes sets

Sleeping bag or blanket                         Snacks (i.e. Power Bars)

Water container                                              Bathroom Supplies (soap and tp)

Bug Spray                                                        Camera and/or Video Recorder

Sunblock                                                          Gatorade