Keith Pascal

Interview

[Martial Direct] Do you have any favorite martial arts authors?

[Keith Pascal] Sure. I like anything edited or written by John Little. And I think Loren Christensen is a gem.

[MD] Any favorite martial arts books?

[KP] Wasn't it Benjamin D'Israeli who said, "When I want to read a good book, I write one"?

Actually, right now, my favorites are #3 and #4 in the Bruce Lee series put out by Tuttle, edited by John Little.

[MD] Do you have any plans for video or DVD publications in the future?

[KP] I like the written word.

Maybe someday...

One of my best friends in the martial arts has 21 videos on the market. Bill Shaw's videos are definitely worthwhile.

Hmmm, someday…

[MD] You also have a book entitled, Secrets of Teaching Martial Arts More Effectively. As you know, Martial Direct is a directory of martial arts schools & instructors. How would this book help them?

[KP] Loaded question- Thanks!

If I could only have one goal in the martial arts, I think it would be to improve the way martial arts are taught. The 'old way' is not necessarily the best way. Some of the old methods are great- but some need major improvements.

That's why I wrote the book- also, because in a survey, a majority of my subscribers said they wanted to improve their students' abilities.

They wanted more efficient ways to teach. They wanted to motivate students enough to practice on their own.

[MD] Based on your teaching experience, what advice do you have for all the martial arts instructors out there?

[KP] Uh - well - buy my book. No kidding- Secrets of Teaching... is FILLED with advice.

If you forced me into giving an impromptu piece of advice, I'd have to say ... "Make it practical, while you ask why."

Don't do any move ... don't teach any move ... unless you know why you are doing that technique. Know why your feet should be in a closer stance. Know why the hard block won't work against a style based on centerline theory.

While you are asking why, run everything through a 'practical filter.' Is it practical to always practice in your bare feet, if you will be defending yourself with shoes on? Is it practical to think of sparring range as a fighting range? Is it practical to kick to the head in a real confrontation- or is it practical to expose your groin with high kicks?

Many teachers get really uncomfortable when I challenge their belief system.

Any time you catch yourself saying 'hogwash' to a practicality statement, then that statement definitely warrants a closer look. By the way - I wonder if an of my "Is it practical" questions made some of your readers uncomfortable?

[MD] Is there anything new and upcoming that you are working on that you'd like to let us know about?

[KP] I am trying to find a literary agent for two manuscripts that I'd like to publish off-line. I am also working on a Women's Self Defense Course. I just revised The Punch Papers. It went from 119 pages to 162. I have a few articles accepted for publication in various martial arts magazines.

[MD] Keith, thank you for visiting with us. Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?

[KP] I hope this interview didn't sound too much like a sales pitch. I really am proud of the information I am offering the martial arts community. So much so, that I insisted that Kerwin Benson Publishing offer a one-year, money-back guarantee on all of my titles.

Join Keith Pascal's FREE e-zine Martial Arts Mastery: A Tell-All of Tips, Tactics, and Techniques TODAY! There are also many free eBooklets and articles for you to check out.

Pascal's books:

• Wrist Locks: From Protecting Yourself to Becoming an Expert
• The Punch Papers
• Secrets of Teaching Martial Arts More Effectively