Free Self Defence Training

john kavanagh

Hello everybody

My name is John Kavanagh and I run SBG Ireland

I'd like to offer my services here for free for anybody interested in learning Self Defence training for the Street.

In this completely free private lesson you will learn how to defend yourself against the majority of 'street' attacks, 1-on-1, multiple, knife etc etc. Anybody is welcome to take up this offer.

Where?

Map and address

When?

Call me on 0876876641 or email me sbgireland@gmail.com to make an appointment that suits you.

Why?

This is an opportunity for YOU to compare different training methods first hand.

Cost?

Completely free! All I ask is that you come on here and write a short review of the class, negative/positive – whatever your honest opinions are.


So before committing time/money to a training program or martial art do yourself the justice of seeing what's out there.

John

Kevin_rc_ie

Is this really John Kavanagh and is this for real?

dlofnep

Kevin_rc_ie wrote:

Is this really John Kavanagh and is this for real?

I see no reason why it wouldn't be. If you are unsure, give him a call or e-mail him. Both of the details he left are correct.

-John O'B

Kevin_rc_ie

Ok, Thanks for confirmation.

columok

Is this really John Kavanagh and is this for real?

Dude, you really have to stop watching those Oliver Stone movies. Back and to the left, back and to the left... The global conspiracy doesnt extend to SBG instructor impersonation!

This certainly is the one and only JK! Id recommend that any of you bust a move over to train with him.

So Cheap its free...

Roper

I'll be there on Wednesday (after a long enforced lay off!), can I write a review or is that cheating?

By the by I don't want this class:

In this completely free private lesson you will learn how to defend yourself against the majority of 'street' attacks, 1-on-1, multiple, knife etc etc. Anybody is welcome to take up this offer.

I'll just have the usual one, you know, where I roll with normal people.

john kavanagh

here is a review from a guy who took me up on the offer. he posted on irmac.net looking for classes in self defence/kung fu and came down to try a free private class

"Not trying to sound like an advertisement but, everyone should try Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at least once, and better yet study it under John's clinch.

John taught me the three basic ways to any good spar/real-life fight (as that's how one should train, i.e. your sparring sessions should be as real to actual situations as possible). Those are: Stand-up, clinch and ground fighting. The best thing about it was that he showed me how sparring techniques from other styles don't really give you what you need for when you are met with a real threat.

All the sparring was very safe, for those of you who think that BJJ is too rough and dangerous. There was no danger whatsoever as it was more of a lesson of techniques rather than how to apply maximum force and power (which I know that Jiu-jitsu is the total opposite of). In fact most of the techniques he put to use had me in submission holds, which are the most humane ways of dealing with an attack. Rather than relying on using set strikes in set ways to deal with an un-set attack.

He also showed how BJJ has all the practical applications a martial art needs for it to be functional. That is, as a self-defence art, as a martial sport (which are actually not very separate from the self-defence element) and as a way of life.

The techniques he taught me (and in only one class) are enough for me to be able understand that a lot of martial arts don't really teach you what you need to know (self defence and sparring related). His method allows you to actually see, firstly, why other arts are not as practical as you might think, secondly, why the BJJ method works so well, and thirdly, what you should be training like every time you train.

So, if you ever want to learn from a guy who knows what he's talking about, learn from John."

here is a link to the thread in question

click for thread on irmac

pma-ire

The techniques he taught me (and in only one class) are enough for me to be able understand that a lot of martial arts don't really teach you what you need to know (self defence and sparring related). His method allows you to actually see, firstly, why other arts are not as practical as you might think, secondly, why the BJJ method works so well, and thirdly, what you should be training like every time you train.

I know these are not your words John. But the fact that this person was brain washed in one class into thinking that all other Martial Arts are crap is very disheartening. It would be nicer to think that he was told that MA training methods are not effective. As any MA can be practical depending on the approch of the individual.

So, if you ever want to learn from a guy who knows what he's talking about, learn from John."

and I'm sure you do...

Roper

As any MA can be practical depending on the approch of the individual.

I disagree.

My individual approach to say, Aikido, can be as realistic as I want to make it but that doesn't make the wrist locks and grabs any more "gettable" then when it comes to trying to grab someone. (I'm not picking at Aikido per say, just using an example.)

If I alter a kick from say, Wado Ryu, so that I strike with the shin and change the function of the hips, and target the quad, am I training Wado differently, or am I just training Thai. Albeit a bastardised version?

Different disciplines of the martial arts are what they are. And no amount of historical outlooks (you know the ones, it used to work for such an army) or revisionist theorising is going to alter that.

You may argue that money made these arts more watered down or whatever. That in order to get people in the door, standards slipped and that may well be true. But we live in the now, not in the then.

You'll also probably say "but you're a TKD Instructor" and the answer to that is of course yes. But I feel I'm better off recognising my arts shortcomings and take steps to address it rather than looking to the past to find something that may or may not have been there.

I'm not having a go at the arts I've mentioned above, I just thought I'd take the argument away from TKD which gets a bit of a bashing in discussions like this, most of which is unwarranted.

john kavanagh

"The techniques he taught me (and in only one class) are enough for me to be able understand that a lot of martial arts don't really teach you what you need to know (self defence and sparring related)."

"But the fact that this person was brain washed in one class into thinking that all other Martial Arts are crap is very disheartening"

there is a difference between these bold sections

"It would be nicer to think..."

well if you take me up on my offer you wouldn't have to think about what is covered, you would know

pma-ire

john kavanagh wrote:

"The techniques he taught me (and in only one class) are enough for me to be able understand that a lot of martial arts don't really teach you what you need to know (self defence and sparring related)."

"But the fact that this person was brain washed in one class into thinking that all other Martial Arts are crap is very disheartening"

there is a difference between these bold sections

"It would be nicer to think..."

well if you take me up on my offer you wouldn't have to think about what is covered, you would know

The bold sections are your views? Then that's fine.

I will take up any offer to train with anyone... So the next time I have free time in Dublin I'll try to drop by.

We can learn from anyone at anytime and if I make us better then thats the Biz :cool:

mark.leonard

Paul - You should try and get down to Liam, he is only round the corner from you.

The bold sections are your views? Then that's fine.

They are my views as well, and I have seen a LOT of evidence that leads me to believe that they closely resemble the truth!

pma-ire

mark.leonard wrote:

Paul - You should try and get down to Liam, he is only round the corner from you.


They are my views as well, and I have seen a LOT of evidence that leads me to believe that they closely resemble the truth!

this wednesday night !!

if work don't get int the way :rolleyes:

I must send him a mail....

john kavanagh

"The bold sections are your views? Then that's fine. "

no paul, i was pointing out that you read Kern's review incorrectly

the first sentence was what Kern wrote. the second sentence is what you thought he wrote. i was pointing out that he said 'a lot of' and you thought he wrote 'all other' - there is a big difference.

be sure to drop by and say hello next time you are in Dublin

dlofnep

pma-ire wrote:

I know these are not your words John. But the fact that this person was brain washed in one class into thinking that all other Martial Arts are crap is very disheartening. It would be nicer to think that he was told that MA training methods are not effective. As any MA can be practical depending on the approch of the individual.

I don't think he saw it that way.. I think he just saw how effective jiu-jitsu was. There are many effective arts, BJJ just happens to be on the top of the pile whether you like it or not. What John teaches up there is reality. Effective techniques that work.

I don't think he set out to brainwash anyone, I think the technique spoke for itself. That's all.

petals

Is there any particular date that you have to take this offer up by?

Oooh I'm liking now it's just for me to find time to get there.

Oh and why did someone ask if it was really John Kavanagh?

john kavanagh

Is there any particular date that you have to take this offer up by?

no

I should've said at the start that if anyone wants they can do the private class with their buddy. cost?.......$0.00

vasch_ro

john kavanagh wrote:

no

I should've said at the start that if anyone wants they can do the private class with their buddy. cost?.......$0.00

thats dollars
how many euro ?

I would bring a friend and post a review/ thread but i know you already so does this count ? ( although i do not train with u)

vasch_ro

how about who ever goes down does a headlock defence / escape seeing as this has been such a hot topic on this board over the last few weeks ??
maybe a few photo's of this technique if it varies in any way from Colm O Reilly's

just an idea !

patjunfa

I went along to a training session one thursday. Loved it, excelent training, v nice bunch of people. Only reservation with doing a free class, is what if ya like it, and find its not feasible to train there? Ie, commiting to a standing order, a couple of months notice before leaving etc. Fairly binding contract. With the distance from where I am and other commitments I'd really only be there once a week. And would prob have times not there at all. Current financial status makes that type of contract unviable. Great fukin class though, I hope the future offers me the means to make it a regular.

john kavanagh

Only reservation with doing a free class, is what if ya like it, and find its not feasible to train there?

well you get what you pay for

seriously though, most people would find 60euro per month (what some people would spend on a night out!) for unlimited classes in one of the best full time martial arts schools in the country with the highest ranked BJJ instructor reasonable i've heard of people paying 200-250euro for a weekend course in dublin, that would be about 4 months training in my gym :eek:

a couple of months notice before leaving etc

well its 60 days. i make my living out of teaching martial arts so for financial security i ask for 60days notice so i am ready for this. however if someone genuinely can't afford and has to leave for financial reasons i wouldn't enforce this - i'm a pretty nice guy when you get to know me

pma-ire

"The bold sections are your views? Then that's fine. "

no paul, i was pointing out that you read Kern's review incorrectly

the first sentence was what Kern wrote. the second sentence is what you thought he wrote. i was pointing out that he said 'a lot of' and you thought he wrote 'all other' - there is a big difference.

be sure to drop by and say hello next time you are in Dublin

Ok. But it's only restricting yourself and your experience. I'll train with anyone from any art if given the chance and I have the time. I'll be going training with Liam in Cork tomorrow night so I'll be seeing what you lads get up to

I don't think he saw it that way.. I think he just saw how effective jiu-jitsu was. There are many effective arts, BJJ just happens to be on the top of the pile whether you like it or not. What John teaches up there is reality. Effective techniques that work.

I don't think he set out to brainwash anyone, I think the technique spoke for itself. That's all.

BJJ is the prob the best grap and gound art ! Although I like the look of Sambo to.

If someone takes the training styles and thinking from other arts and uses them to make their base art better. Then it changes the training style of the person and if they are and instructor then it changes their art also. The end result will be more open to changes and adaptation. But if the person still wants to call that style by the original name then (once it's not copywrited) thats not a problem, and they should be respected for it.

john kavanagh

Ok. But it's only restricting yourself and your experience.

sorry but i don't understand you there i'm just pointint out that you said Kern said 'all other martial arts' and i was pointing out he said 'a lot of'. 'a lot of' is different to 'all other'.

have fun at liam's class

memphis

A school mate of mine has just moved to Dublin where he is now working in Sales with some firm out near the Red Cow, he was saying he wanted to join a gym/do MA, so knowing Colm, (through boards.ie) I asked about your Classes in Harolds Cross, he has not gone there yet... I can't do any more for him, he has the weblink, and your email and mobile no. now, So hopefully he'll attend.

And if he does, please take care of him! LOL

dudara

Could someone give me info on Liam's classes in Cork? Location and time. I emailed him using the address given somewhere else, but so far, I've had no reply.

thanks

columok

Dudara,

I have a female friend who trains with Liam in Cork. If you could send me an email at [email]colum.okeeffe@[NOSPAM PLEASE:)]gmail.com[/email] I'll drop her an email with your contacts and she could give you all the details!

Cheers,

Colum

pma-ire

dudara wrote:

Could someone give me info on Liam's classes in Cork? Location and time. I emailed him using the address given somewhere else, but so far, I've had no reply.

thanks

Well I know he trains on Wednesday night...cause I'm going tomorrow.

Let me have look at his first mails to me.............

liamb1 wrote:

Hey Paulol
Sorry for the huge delay on this
the answer YES ! We're base in Donnybrook Gym Douglas Mon Wednesday 8-10 and I also the training outside those hours.

Once again , sorry for the delay ,havent been here a while. but will be in future. pm me

He has a little thread posted on www.peoplesrepublicofcork.com in the Sports section. He is training in the gym in the business park.

Just found his email basebjj@yahoo.com

pma-ire

john kavanagh wrote:

have fun at liam's class

I plan to

Thanks John

dudara

Monday and Wednesday are both out unfortunately, as is getting out to Douglas. I have TKD training Mon and Thurs and I lecture part time in the CIT on wednesday evenings. Pity, I'd really like to see this in action.

Does anyone know of any other cork clubs or times?

pma-ire

dudara wrote:

Monday and Wednesday are both out unfortunately, as is getting out to Douglas. I have TKD training Mon and Thurs and I lecture part time in the CIT on wednesday evenings. Pity, I'd really like to see this in action.

Does anyone know of any other cork clubs or times?

Theres not anyone else in Cork from what I have heard or seen.

If you ever want a lift to it let me know

I plan to make it every week or every second wednesday.

Where do you do TKD?

Im2Lazy

Hi John,

The offer seems great, how long is the lesson ?

I'd be very interested in giving it a go, I have been meaning to check your gym out any way but now there's an even better excuse now you're doing your training with self defence in mind rather than from a sport aspect.

Is this a new idea of your's to approach it from the Self Defence angle as I said in a previous post

Im2Lazy wrote:

"I saw an interview with John Kavanagh where he said what he taught WASN'T Self Defence IT WAS a SPORT" .

Why the change of heart ? Is it simply to increase membership and make money if so you'd better be careful advertising on Boards it seem to be frowned upon here the idea of an insructor making a living out of what he teaches. :rolleyes:

Just wanted to know what rank are you ? as you said you're

the highest ranked BJJ instructor in the country

and how many years have you been training ?

Also have you done any specialised training for that covers real life scenario training with anyone (if so who?) where you learned

John Kavanagh wrote:

to defend yourself against the majority of 'street' attacks, 1-on-1, multiple, knife etc etc

or are you just adapdting what you know to meet these needs yourself ?

I'll give you a call soon, to sort out the Lesson

dabhal

John,

Can you clear up the "contract" mentioned in an earlier post?
Is this really a free class or are there strings attached?
I have a guy who is really interested, a long time boards lurker but he never posts although he said he'd have no problems posting a review for you.

Dabhal

logic1

dabhal wrote:

John,

Can you clear up the "contract" mentioned in an earlier post?
Is this really a free class or are there strings attached?
I have a guy who is really interested, a long time boards lurker but he never posts although he said he'd have no problems posting a review for you.

Dabhal

I believe the class is a no strings attached once off for free. If you want to take up the offer of continuous training however there's certain contractual obligations.

.logic.

john kavanagh

hi guys, hope you are all well

just a flying visit here so can't answer all the questions but let me just say again

this is a completely free lesson, no strings attached open to anyone! you are more than welcome to do it on your own or if you wish bring one of your friends!

all i ask in return is you write a small piece here and let the guys know how you got on, positive/negative that's up to you - just be honest

here's what i guaruntee, at the end of the lesson (which can be as long as you like) you will understand the difference between

functional and non-functional training
self defence and sport training

and you will understand what we mean by Aliveness and how its not 'just sparring'.

a bold claim but i'm very confident in the SBG training method so i'll put my money where my mouth is!

if at the end of the lesson you wish to join then great but if at the end you dont then thats great too

i'm not sure when i'll be able to get back on here so i'll leave my details again 0876876641 or sbgireland@gmail.com and i hope more of you guys take me up on the offer

have a great weekend

john

paul moran

"You should never look a gift horse in the mouth"

Just take up the mans kind offer you WILL NOT regret it!

That's the best way to answer all of your questions and more you haven't thought of yet

Paul Moran

pma-ire

Im2lazy,

Get in there man, and have a crack with the guy.

It should not matter what stripes were on his belt, or bald buddist monk he has trained with. The concept of the training followed up by the physical manifestation of those concepts is what I look for.

Because when you understand the concept of a style then it becomes a whole lot easier to use it. Instead of repeating sets of un-tested un-realistic bollocks.

Not a knock on you man Just my approach to going to other arts and styles. As I find trying to learn new sets of set (in stone) techs a pain.

I look forward to your review

columok

Anyone here taken John up on his offer.

A chance to train for free with the man who recently won gold at the European BJJ Championships should not be sniffed at!

Coupe

I'm heading down this Friday. I'll let you know how I get on over the weekend... if I make it back in one piece!
Looking forward to it.

mark.leonard

I would be intereste din this free self defence training, where might I sign up for it John?

Ger Healy

What do need SD training for Mark ?
Don't you live in that quite little town called Galway

Colm_OReilly

ttt for Strange Life

patjunfa

Hi John

Could you post up the differant class times please. As far as I remeber you have some class's mid day. And the vale tudo is just on a thursday night?YOu planing on doing this on a 2nd night? Tuesday would be good. Still wouldn't be able to sign up for a while yet.

john kavanagh

Could you post up the differant class times please

click for timetable

john kavanagh

quick update

'Coupe' from Krav Maga took me up on my offer and came down last friday for a free private lesson. we covered what we at SBG would term functional training and Aliveness. we trained mostly clinch and ground plus i introduced him to the weapons programs STAB and SMAC

i'm sure he will add to this when he has time

Coupe

Firstly John thank you very much indeed for taking the time last Friday to introduce me to the basics of SBG's system. My apologies for not getting my impressions up here sooner!

I thoroughly enjoyed my lesson with John and it is clear to see just why he has been so succesful in competition. This guy is good is all I need to say. In the time I spent with him I learnt the fundamentals of:

Ground / clinch fighting
Dealing with straight / roundhouse blows followed quickly by how to control the aggressor.
Dealing with knives
and probably more I just can't remember after the blood supply to the brain was momentarialy interrupted by a forearm.....

The atmosphere in the gym could not have been friendlier and John's ability's to teach and explain are excellent. He will train with you as hard as you are willing to go and not beyond and I have to say I felt at ease at all times even when tied up in knots (its strange being strangled by your own arm!!!)

It was an excellent experience and I will definitly be taking more classes from John in the future. If you have any desire to broaden your knowledge of MA, taking John up on his offer is a must cos no matter what your background might be there are many new lessons to be learnt here.

Once again thanks John and I look forward to rolling with you again in the future.

David

john kavanagh

thanks for the kind words david

john kavanagh

ttt

just one person has come along so far, anyone else interested??

petals

john kavanagh wrote:

ttt

just one person has come along so far, anyone else interested??

I'm interested I just don't have time at the mo.

The_Scary_Man

john kavanagh wrote:

ttt

just one person has come along so far, anyone else interested??

As I'm in Cork would it be better for me to go to the gym in Douglas?

pma-ire

The_Scary_Man wrote:

As I'm in Cork would it be better for me to go to the gym in Douglas?

not in douglas anymore!

there in the ballinlough tennis club. still mondays and wednesdays.

number 10 bus will drop you there. behind the community centre.

The_Scary_Man

pma-ire wrote:

not in douglas anymore!

there in the ballinlough tennis club. still mondays and wednesdays.

number 10 bus will drop you there. behind the community centre.

Hi Paul,

Ken here, I mailed you yesterday. I'll be up tonight so maybe you can fill me in on how you got on there?