Aim and Focus Karate

10/13/2026

Tang Soo !!! Some fun shooting pics....big call out to Bryan for making a day in a tactical bay at Staccato Ranch so much fun and capturing the pictures.

Note: if you zoom in on the strong hand only pic you can actually see the bullet !!!

10/12/2026

Tang Soo !!! I met with a former student over the weekend and had the best time. We talked about "adulting", work, shooting, other students, parents, family, kids (basically life stuff)...it was a great several hours.

We talked about one aspect of her training that I'd like to mention now. She trained in the same school with a really strong competitor. That competitor has gone on to win numerous Grand Champion trophies...locally, nationally and internationally. The student I visited with really really wanted to beat her just once.

She trained hard...thought about quitting...got frustrated...but always walked onto the mat a better martial artist. For the record, she did beat the other student for Grand Champion Forms once...but never in fighting. She came within a single point several times...but never crossed the finish line.

In today's world of instant gratification (if my kid doesn't start on the team we're switching teams, split up the divisions so everyone gets a medal, just look at the NCAA transfer portal...) young people are missing very important life lessons.

This young woman works in a very demanding job, she has a ton of responsibility, she works in a very dynamic environment that's constantly changing (btw...she has a World Series ring as well) and she is literally defining the "process" her company uses as they expand and grow. She's recently married a great guy and they are figuring all that out (sorry....it's not always perfect and there will always be outside challenges). This young woman has a tool bag full of life skills.

I told my student...you are who you are because you never beat Holly in sparring. You kept improving...kept getting better...and now your defining success on your own terms.

I love the quote...."A competitor either wins or learns"...LLPS did a lot of winning and learning....I couldn't be prouder of Kyo Sa Nim Paige Baker.

She may not always "win" but I promise you she will learn and improve. As an instructor I couldn't ever ask for more (I bet her employer feels exactly the same way).

Paige doesn't wear her Black Belt to work....but she carries that experience with her every single day. She IS a Black Belt / Kyo Sa Nim and everything that implies.

It's ironic in a way...I never won a Grand Champion Trophy (no way I ever could...I trained and competed with some of the finest Master Instructors in the world...I would never beat SBN C. Defour, SBN M. Murtaugh, SBN J. Fitzgerald, SBN J. Goss Jr, SBN M. Gregor. Yet...I was truly honored to just be in the ring with them and they all made me a better martial artist.

Interesting...my students have won more Grand Champion trophies than I could ever count. Those trophies are so much more important to me.....

09/29/2026

Tang Soo !!!! I'm enjoying my semi-retirement. I've found time to rededicate myself to self improvement. I've always considered myself a "life learner".

For years I gave new Black Belts the "Make Your Bed" book as a gift when they promoted. The life lessons taught in the book really resonate with me. I hope my students can reread the book as they get older and find new ways to improve their lives.

I've discovered another similar book that I've really enjoyed....The Flipside. I always taught my students, "If you're going to make a mistake, make it a big one". Don't be afraid to step out and try something hard / challenging / new / outside your comfort zone, etc. The Flipside spoke to me on multiple levels.

One lesson from The Flipside that really spoke to me is there is a time to "cowboy up" and keep going...there is also a time to step back and re-evaluate the course of action. In over 30 years of training in Tang Soo Do I probably made the wrong choice a few times...maybe more than a few times. Another important mantra in the book -- mistakes are a time to learn and improve (something I stressed for 25 years at Aim and Focus Karate).

I strong recommend both books. Yes, they are both written based on military experience (one a former Navy SEAL the other a former Thunderbird pilot) but the authors do a great job applying those principles to every day life.

09/09/2026

The Ironman position. These ladies were part of the Aim and Focus Black Belt Forms Team. They were the Fantastic Four (Maestro, Fuego, Mongoose and Everready). Every single time I see this picture my heart is full of pride…and sadness. They each have a special place in my thoughts. They were each different and yet they were sisters. One was knocked down in a sparring match and the other made sure it didn’t happen again. One showed great tenderness and compassion in the sparring ring and walked out of that ring a better martial artist. One of them drove hours just to have lunch with her Sa Bom Nim. One of them watches over her sisters to this day. It’s about so much more than kicking and punching….

08/31/2026

Tang Soo !!!! It's always fun to spend time with Sa Bom Nim Kopf. He and Sa Bom Nim Nunan joined me today at Shady Oaks Gun Range for some pistol fun. It was great spending time with these two outstanding Master Instructors.

They enjoyed shooting a variety of different pistols (CZ P10C, CZ Shadow 2 Compact, S&W M&P 2.0 Compact, C**t Python .357, G***k 34 and FN 509 MRD. Sa Bom Nim Nunan spent a good amount of time with his CZ P10C (and did rather well). Sa Bom Nim Kopf preferred the S&W M&P 2.0.

They put 300 rounds of 9mm downrange and 50 rounds of .38 (in the Python). Sa Bom Nim Nunan did shoot the Python with .357 rounds and commented it was Kyo Sa Nim Cheek's favorite gun of mine. ;-)

I have to mentioned...whenever Sa Bom Nim Kopf is in town, I have to get out the high capacity magazines (he lives in CT). He happily put rounds downrange using 21 round magazines in the G***k and S&W.

Note to self...maybe it's time for a 50 round drum....just a thought....they do make a 100 round drum....

It was great to spend time together.

08/17/2026

I'm a huge fan of "aim small, miss small"...so I like to focus on small targets when I'm working trigger press (not tactical shooting where down 0 is good enough).

I started with two 1" circles and pushed the target out to 10 yds. First drill was press out and take one shot. Move between the targets with each shot. Then...press out, double tap. Move between targets. Finally, double tap one target and then immediately move to the other, double tap. Removing the target circle was the goal...not a super tight group.

I try to go faster and faster until I start seeing the outliers...then I back it down just a bit.

This was a 250 round drill and it worked out nicely. I was shooting my EDC (Gen 6 G***k 45 -- 9mm). I'm slowing crossing over to the dark side and becoming a "G***k guy". So much so that my Staccato P now has a new home (it will one day be the duty weapon of a local LE officer...where it should be).

Note: my travel truck gun is an AR9 that takes G***k mags....now everything runs the same mags.

For new shooters, this drill works nicely at closer ranges. Maybe start at 3 yds or 5 yds. Increase distance slowly without opening up your group. If the group opens up, move back closer until things tighten up again.

I saw a drill online today that I'll try soon. Three rows of 1 inch squares. Shooting from only 4 yds, put 1 round in each square across the top row (5 squares). Move to the second row, double tap each square. Finally , move to the third row and triple tap each square. Push speed until each shot doesn't hit the square to set your upper limit. The "run" is only good if you hit a square each time. I'll post results soon.....even if they "need work". ;-)

08/16/2026

We must always be respectful to the older folks in our communities. We often owe them the freedoms we enjoy today.

I remember several years ago walking into a promotion class at Master Riley's school. I noticed an elderly couple making their way to the door. I slowed my pace so I reached the door right before them...I stepped to the side and opened the door. The man wore a WWII Veteran hat...my dad was also a WWII combat veteran...I respectfully thanked him for his service. He smiled and said "thank you". Later that evening I learned he was an Iwo Jima veteran. He experienced the true horror of combat.

I often trained at my instructor's school in Pittsburgh. One of the senior Master Instructors is a quiet humble teacher. I once heard another Black Belt complain his classes were "slow paced and he wasn't a very motivating teacher". I always enjoyed training with the quiet Master and later learned he was a Vietnam Tunnel Rat. He truly understands martial arts and brought a level of focus and discipline that I've rarely ever seen before.

Today I was waiting to conduct an LTC qualification at a local gun range. I noticed an older gentleman get out of his Jeep and make his way to the front door. I noticed "Naval Academy" on his licensed plate...DV also on the plate...Vietnam era patch on his gun bag...trident tattoo on his arm. It hit me hard...he was a Vietnam era "frogman" (Navy SEAL). I quietly asked him "sir...you're an original frogman"...he smiled and replied "Yes I am". He mentioned he'd just turned 80 and had a body full of "after market" parts. When the door opened to enter the range, he stepped aside to let me pass, I instead held the door for him. He said "thank you" and I said "no sir, thank you". He smiled and walked into the range. He was one of the very first Navy SEALs...I mentioned that to him....he commented "all my teammates are dead now". He and those teammates set a standard that is still honored today.

In today's world we often focus on the youngest, strongest, fastest, prettiest, etc....and these things are important but we must never diminish the accomplishments of those older folks that made today's world possible.

That 80 year old man has done more "tough things" than the younger loud mouth bullies we often hear about.

Just be respectful....

08/14/2026

We are processing suppressor sales (starting today) using the new 4473 process. I've attached a post from Educated Arms (where I work). The suppressors will sell out very quickly...more are on the way but the demand will be high !!!

After referencing the ruling issued by the Judge and referencing Silencer Shop’s memos and dealer notices we will begin processing suppressors that we can confirm originated from Silencer Shop on 4473 forms beginning Friday 8/14/2026. All SBRs and SBSs will still be processed on Form 4’s as will any and all suppressors that came as transfers from other dealers, distributors, and sources that we can’t confirm originated from Silencer Shop. Our hope is to receive guidance from the ATF and DOJ soon so we know how to properly proceed with other NFA items.

08/07/2026

I've been a cardiac patient for years. I have experienced a heart attack and visited the heart cath lab so many times I've lost count. I currently have seven stents in my heart and recently added a pacemaker. I take my medications faithfully, exercise regularly, regulate my diet and keep my weight where my cardiologists want it. Yet, I still experience angina, fatigue and shortness of breath. I see two cardiologists....a plumber and an electrician. They both recommended EECP or Counterpulsation Therapy. It's a new FDA approved non-invasive treatment for the three symptoms I'm experiencing.

Some might ask...what is the genesis of my heart disease? It's hereditary and I can't change that. So...I accept it and move on.

It's 35 treatments -- 5 days a week for 7 weeks. Each treatment is about 1.5 hours and the therapist told me I'll feel like "you just walked 10+ miles each time". She indicated "expect severe fatigue for the first 2 weeks".

I'm a perfect candidate (based on symptoms) for this therapy.

I trained in martial arts for over 30 years...I know all about hard work and pushing my body to improve.

I'll post periodic updates as I progress down this road. I'd like to share the experience with peers / friends that might be interested in the treatments. I know former students and parents like to keep up on my health.

Send me in coach !!!!!!!!

Non-invasive, FDA-cleared EECP treatment that boosts blood flow and eases chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Book a free consultation today.

08/05/2026

Another great day shooting at Staccato Ranch in a tactical bay. We worked drawing from a holster, moving and shooting, reloading and just had a ton of fun.

She's running a Springfield Echelon (9mm) and a Volquartsen Black Mamba (.22).

She did very well...discovered her limits and areas of improvement.

One area that's always challenging is "shooting on the move"...I told her "It's just like sparring" and she almost immediately crushed it (one pic is her moving and shooting).

Today, I'm significantly better in all categories (I've been doing this for 15+ years and she's new...I'm probably 20,000+ rounds in and she's pushing 500).

The joy of teaching is looking forward to the day when no matter how hard I try, I can't beat her.

This lady is seriously motivated...it's only a matter of time.