Rick Young - Martial Edge

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Rick Young

By Ben Johnson, on 17-05-2008 21:53

Martial Edge meet Martial Arts Illustrated contributer, international author and martial artist Rick Young.

Martial Edge: Rick could you tell us when and how you got started in the martial arts.

Rick Young: It was in November of 1975 when I began training. I was introduced to martial arts through a friend of mine, Shaun Shanley who was only fourteen but had been studying Judo since he was four years old and had also practised western boxing, karate and wrestling. For such a young man he had an amazing amount of experience, I learnt a lot from him. In 1976 I started Karate with Sensei Hamish Adam who was just amazing and a real inspiration for me. I practiced Karate for six years until 1982 when I thought I should concentrate more on other systems.

Martial Edge: When did you meet Dan Inosanto?

Rick Young: That was in 1979 in London. He just blew me away with his knowledge and presence. Even today he just keeps on inspiring me and showing me how martial arts can help you in so many positive ways. He is the most complete martial artist I have ever seen and I am immensely proud to be considered his student.

To apply yourself in a street fight you need a strong enough trigger that will get you in a peak state and then for ten seconds unload everything you have. You have to have the mental stamina and ability to endure stress and pain at a time when probably the last thing you want to do is be there. - Rick Young

Martial Edge: When did you first go to the USA to train and what was the experience like?

Rick Young: It was in 1984. My self and my friend Gordon Henderson went to Los Angeles for 6 weeks. We trained at both the IMB in Torrance and Guro Dan’s school in Marina Del Rey. I trained in every class I could and basically just followed Dan around trying to absorb as much material as possible. It was really a case of osmosis and trying to remember everything that was being taught because at that time video tapes and books on the art were not as available as they are now. It was a great trip which opened my eyes not only to martial arts but also to other cultures. Since then I have made over thirty trips to Guro Inosanto’s academy and every time I go there I feel like a beginner again.

Martial Edge: You have also trained in Japan and Brazil, can you tell us what those experiences were like?

Rick Young: Training in both country’s was unbelievable in every way. In Japan I trained at Tokai University which is hosts one of the best Judo dojo’s in the world. The practices there are around three hours long and very intense. There are no easy practices and because a lot of the national squads from other country’s go there to sharpen up, and the level of the Japanese is extremely high, you are literally on your toes all the time. Unfortunately I got my ribs broken while out there but it was a great experience. Brazil is incredible also. I have made six or seven trips out there so far and the training is first rate. At Gracie Barra’s main school or any of the affiliate schools there are literally hundreds of high quality people you can train with and like Japan there are no easy practices. I am lucky in that my instructor, Professor Mauricio Gomes, introduced me to certain schools and has taken care of me when I go down there.

Martial Edge: What about training in the UK who what have been your main experiences here?

Rick Young: Locally, in Edinburgh of course I trained under Shaun who had and still has a massive influence on the way I train and think, at Leith Victoria boxing club were I trained and fought, and the Edinburgh club were for twelve years I did my Judo training. Sensei Jimmy Delaney also taught me a lot concerning Judo and having the proper mentality when in a contest or in a fight. Outside of Edinburgh Bob Breen has taught me a lot and is one of the most underestimated forces in the Martial art scene in the UK. Terry Barnett has help shape my trapping and kickboxing game a lot, and again is really underestimated. I learnt a lot through Master Toddy at his monthly course in Manchester and through Gordon McAdam whose Thai boxing is superb. There are so many people who have shaped and help develop me that it is hard to list them all, but basically you can learn from anyone. In fact I learn from my students in that they pick up things differently from me and sometimes get a technique or a training method on a different level. I like to train under people even if I know what they are teaching as they can show something that I am doing in a different way and this may make me reassess it. I just love to learn and it is great when you start to see your training develop to the next level.

Rick Young Seminar

Martial Edge: What do think of the MMA/ Vale Tudo way of training and fighting?

Rick Young: I like it. A lot of it is similar to Bruce Lee’s vision of being the complete fighter. When I watch Pride or the UFC I am amazed at the level of the guys who are out there and the fact that they have got that good in such a short space of time. Years ago I thought it would take a very long time to make a well rounded fighter, but some of these guys have proved me totally wrong. The level just seems to be getting better and better. It is one of the most positive things that has happened to martial arts in a long time. It was really Erik Paulson who introduced me to that side of things and who still trains me. Erik, Guro Inosanto and sifu Larry Hartsell were all promoting groundwork and MMA years before the first UFC.

Martial Edge: What about the so called traditional arts, what is your view of them?

Rick Young: I enjoy them also but in a different way from the MMA/Vale Tudo scene. I like to do the softer side of things and things that may not seem or be applicable to actual fighting but I like to practice them because I feel they are good for my body, mental make up and emotions but they also can have a combative element to them but it just may take a bit longer than going straight to the heart of things.

Martial Edge: What about the street fighting/ self defence side of things, do you teach that?

Rick Young: Not directly. By that I mean if you are talking about a street fight ninety per cent of it is understanding the animal in front of you and making your selection process very short about what you are going to do and how you are going to deal with your opponent. In my classes I teach people how to punch, kick, knee, elbow, clinch throw, takedown, work on the ground, work with and without weapons and how to get in shape. To apply yourself in a street fight you need a strong enough trigger that will get you in a peak state and then for ten seconds unload everything you have. You have to have the mental stamina and ability to endure stress and pain at a time when probably the last thing you want to do is be there. In my experience your mentality and attitude more than anything else will help you win a fight. Of course if you have great physical skills then that will obviously help a lot but you need to be quick enough of the mark to use them and push through or past any barriers that get in the way, both internally and externally.

Martial Edge: You have a full time academy in Edinburgh how is that going?

Rick Young: Really well. We have a great bunch of students training and there is a really good atmosphere. We have five Brazilian Jiu-jitsu classes a week and five Muay Thai/kickboxing classes and two Kali classes as well as a JKD class. The guys train Vale Tudo/ NHB as well outside of the main curriculum. We can’t cover everything but I try to get to as much material as possible without it becoming to much for anyone to train. The other guys who teach at the club have been with me between eleven to twenty years. John Kennedy, Billy Shields, Scott McKail and Keith Porter all have a wealth of knowledge and a great way of looking at the art. they greatly enhance the academy and I am really proud of them.

	Geoff Thompson This month we were fortunate to catch up with one of the UK’s leading martial arts figures, Geoff Thompson. What surprised me was behind his public appearance of a 'no nonsense hard man', there was a man searching for honesty and truth in what he does. Mr. Thompson is someone we can all learn from whether it be as a student, an instructor, life in general or on the street.

Martial Edge: Do you push the competition side of things?

Rick Young: I let the students themselves decide if they want to compete or not. I think it is important that they make the decision and are not coerced in to it by me or anyone else. Competition is an individual thing. In the end no matter how many people have trained you or support you victory or defeat is for you to to enjoy or experience and learn from on your own. Of course it sometimes takes a huge team to make one persons victory but you and you alone will be stepping on the mat, in the ring or cage and how you prepare and are able to deal with that experience will determine how much you gain and grow from the fight. Personally I never competed a lot when I was younger and I think that was a mistake. Now I like to go in to BJJ competitions for the experience and the focus it gives me for my training. Competition isn’t for everyone but I think it can help you develop your skills by making you focus and concentrate that bit more than if you were in the gym having a regular session.

Martial Edge: What are your plans for the future?

Rick Young: I still want to continue learning and upgrading my skills particularly with Guro Dan Inosanto, Professor Mauricio Gomes and Erik Paulson. I won’t compete this year as my wife is expecting our second baby but next year when things are more settled I will compete again in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Teaching wise I want to concentrate on my academy and get the students levels up. I also have just finished some DVD’s on cross training and the Filipino martial arts as well as three on BJJ. Summersdale produced these DVD’s and I am really happy with them. I have a very blessed life with a great family and friends, instructors and practitioners I can learn from, as well as great students. If life continues like this then I will be very happy.

Martial Edge: What advice would you give to anyone training in martial arts.

Rick Young: Make sure you know what you want from your training then go out and find a style and instructor that will help you attain your goal. Stay honest both with yourself and with others and don’t get caught up in any negativity or politics that will take your focus away from your main goal. Be respectful to everyone and try to be a good example for others. Along with everything else enjoy your training and enjoy and embrace the benefits martial arts training can give you.

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