ASU's Polytechnic campus : Combat Sports

The Sun Devil Combat Sports Program is a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) training facility, located on the ASU Polytechnic Campus, in Mesa, AZ. Our MMA curriculum consists of the following components: Boxing, Muay Thai, Submission Grappling, Close Quarter Combat Training, Arnis Stick Fighting, and Functional Strength & Conditioning. Students often attend multiple classes to give themselves a well-rounded education and training experience in combat sports and martial arts.

We welcome you to observe classes during our training hours, and ask any questions that you may have. If you are an ASU student, the cost of training is free. If you are not an ASU student, the cost is a non-student recreation fee of $____ per semester. There is no charge for observing. There are no hidden sign-up fees, there is no charge for orientation class, and there are no contracts! Interested students can start and/or stop their training at any time. So join us for a great workout, and for learning some good martial arts skills. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Academic MMA Classes - ASU students can study MMA for college credit! This approach covers an introduction to Boxing, Muay Thai, and Submission Grappling - as well as providing the historical and philosophical backgrounds of these art forms.

Recreation Classes - These classes are open for anyone to enjoy. You don't have to be an ASU student to participate and train in these classes. Classes include Strength Training, Boxing, Muay Thai, Submission Grappling, MMA Performance Training, Stick Fighting, and Self-Defense

Competition Team - These practice sessions are reserved for those students who wish to compete in both amateur and professional level combat sports, such as Muay Thai, Boxing, and MMA events. Permission must be given by Coach Ward before joining the competition team. All Combat Sports activities and classes are held at the Physical Activity Center(PAC), at ASU's Polytechnic campus.

Facility - The PAC's mat room has been designed especially for combat sports training. Top of the line heavy bags, speedbags, crash mat, throwing dummies, strength training equipment - and all the other gear you'd expect to find in a quality combat sports gym are available.

The weight room at the PAC features a complete line of plate-loaded, and selectorized equipment, freeweights, functional strength equipment, as well as a selection of high-quality cardio equipment.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS, or MMA, is a term used to refer to a combat sport that combines elements of many martial arts and fighting styles into one all-inclusive sport. MMA has been gaining increased popularity in the U.S., and around the world, and is often referred to as the "fastest growing sport in the world today." The MMA program I teach consists of the following components: Muay Thai Kickboxing, Western Boxing, Submission Grappling, and Close Quarter Combat. The true origin of MMA can be traced back to the Ancient Greeks, and the early Olympic sport of Pankration. In Pankration, combatants faced each other with almost no rules, and utilized a variety of fighting tactics and methods. Pankration is often credited with being the first truly complete and organized system of martial arts.

MUAY THAI KICKBOXING: Muay Thai is a 2000 year old fighting style developed in Thailand. It is the most popular sport in Thailand, and continues to gain popularity world-wide. Unlike regular boxing, the use of knees, elbows, and the clinch are allowed, making Muay Thai the most ring-proven combat style, as well as one of the most effective self-defense systems. Muay Thai fighters are feared for their devastating kicks, punishing knees, and crushing elbow techniques. Muay Thai uses the boxing techniques of Western Boxing, as well as working from the standing clinch. These elements combine to form an extremely effective, yet easy to learn, practical self-defense system. The close range elbow and knee techniques of Muay Thai have been incorporated into the fighting systems of law enforcement and military special forces units around the world. The training is extremely vigorous, using special pads, hanging bags, and partner drills to develop proper body mechanics, timing, and control of distance. Conditioning rounds build your cardiovascular endurance, as well as your ability to deliver powerful strikes and kicks. Muay Thai fighters are considered to be some of the most highly conditioned athletes in the world.

SUBMISSION GRAPPLING: Submission Grappling is a combination of standing and ground-based martial art forms designed both as a sport, and as a self-defense system. Submission Grappling allows students from various art forms such as Jiu-Jitsu, Pankration, Greco-Roman Wrestling, etc. to all practice and compete in a unified forum. The training program that we offer utilizes elements drawn from the strong grappling background of Tai’kor to produce a well-rounded submission fighter. Students learn takedowns, throws, locks, and submissions against all parts of an opponent’s body. The skills learned in this class will help you survive and thrive in a ground encounter, whether it is for sport competition or street survival. The training program starts by teaching the basic standing and ground positions, both offensively and defensively. The student learns to move comfortably on the ground, and develops better control of his/her body and weight distribution. Progressive drills teach the student to move from one position to another without losing control of the opponent. The student learns to escape from vulnerable positions and how to counter the locks applied by his/her opponent. Submission grappling develops great aerobic conditioning, physical strength, flexibility, and the ability to stay relaxed during combat. Each class begins with a warm-up period using exercises and ground drills to loosen up and condition the body. We then move on to specific techniques of movement and submission. Each class ends with a chance to free-grapple and learn how to apply the techniques learned against resistant partners.

TAI'KOR CQC: Tai’kor (a system of Close Quarter Combat) is an educational and complete martial art style. It is complete in that Tai’kor covers all the fighting distances: Stand-Up Fighting, Grappling and Ground-Fighting, and Weapons Training. Techniques such as punching, kicking, blocking, throwing, pressure points, joint locks, submission tactics, weapon disarming, etc. are all studied by a practitioner of Tai’kor. It is also complete in that Tai’kor can be taught to anyone, despite age, sex, disabilities, etc. The very backbone of Tai’kor is the principle of adaptability. Hence, the system of Tai’kor itself can be adapted to anyone. With its wide variety of techniques and tactics, it is a combat art form that can easily be customized to suit any person of any size and strength. Thus, the student receives a totally adaptable martial arts education that prepares him/her for real-life combat in the best possible way. This martial art; based on methods of angles, distance, timing, and rhythm, is like inserting a key into a lock. Every attack or counter defense of this art flows with absolute authority into the next. The transition time between any change in technique should be continuously minimized in order to have economy of motion. The art of Tai’kor, like other effective combat martial arts, all have this type of efficiency and fluidity. Furthermore, what makes Tai’kor so effective in combat is its ability to fight with or without a weapon, without a change in cadence or rhythm. If you should lose your weapon or become disarmed; your hands, feet, elbows, knees, forehead, etc. will automatically take their place without a pause. This dynamic flow allows one to attack an opponent from limb to limb if necessary, offering severe destruction of the opponent and ensuring your survival. Fancy and flashy techniques are not used or practiced. Straight-forward, practical techniques are mastered; techniques that anyone can use in real-life situations where they must work. Tai’kor is a devastatingly effective martial art, meant for No Holds Barred combat. The word “Tai’kor” means “The Complete Way.”

WEAPONS TRAINING: The Stick and Knife Fighting Arts that we teach are weapons-based arts from the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries and cultures. Known under the various names of Kali, Escrimia, and Arnis, these arts have been battle-tested for centuries, and are considered the best stick and knife fighting techniques in the world. This training teaches the student how to effectively deal with attacks from impact and edged weapons, as well as single or multiple attackers. This system will teach the student how to defend and attack against a variety of weapons, both impact-based and edged. Regardless of whether or not you carry a weapon, you should understand the physical and psychological aspects of weapons combat. This is one of the best classes you can ever take for practical self-defense training. Students begin with basic double stick coordination drills and basic footwork. Students then progress to single stick, single knife, stick and knife, and any combination of weapons - including empty hand - and learn to apply these weapons against any other weapon. Advanced students move into traditional training drills like kicking, striking, and grappling with weapons use, as well as sparring with armor to develop the proper timing, distance, and control.

FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH TRAINING: Also known as Sport Performance Training, Functional Strength Training involves various methods of strength and conditioning which maximize an athlete's performance. Traditional weight lifting, "Old School" exercises such as kettlebell lifting, bodyweight exercises, Olympic and Strongman lifting, Outer, Inner, and Neuro-Muscular training methods, balance and off-center exercises, reflex re-conditioning drills, and so on are all included in good functional training. Functional training goes way beyond the one-dimensional exercises familiar to most people. True athletic performance requires multiple planes of movement, while simultaneously engaging compound muscle groups. These multi-planar, compound movements are at the core of solid functional training. Our Functional Strength and Performance Training is integrated into every class and practice session. This is an integral component in building a well-rounded combat athlete that is often overlooked by most schools and trainers.

Primary instruction of our program is provided by Head Coach, Charlie Ward. Ward is a professional Close Quarter Combat and Muay Thai specialist who now devotes his time to giving quality instruction to his students, and sharing his knowledge with others. Coach Ward is a certified and licensed Muay Thai, Boxing, CQC, and Strength and Conditioning Coach/Instructor. His objective is to provide the finest quality martial arts and fitness education and instruction possible to our students and clients, and to give them a complete understanding of their course materials and the martial spirit.

Chief Master Instructor, Charlie Ward achieved accreditation for the Living Weapon Academy as a post-secondary educational facility in 1994, and 1998 from the North Dakota State Board of Education, and the National P.O.S.T. (Police Officer Secondary Training) Law Enforcement Agency. Coach Ward's martial arts school is one of the only martial arts schools in the country that has ever been accredited as a continuing educational facility. In addition, his program at ASU (Sun Devil Combat Sports) is an accredited program through the university.

Charlie is a highly respected martial artist, fighter and coach. He has studied martial arts for 34 years, and is ranked, with teaching certifications, in multiple art forms. Charlie specializes in Muay Thai, Boxing, and Tai'kor CQC (Close Quarter Combat). He also has a strong background in Pankration, Tactical Grappling and Arnis/Escrima Stick Fighting.

Known as the MMA Professor, Charlie teaches accredited MMA and Muay Thai classes at Arizona State University. Currently, his is the only program in the country where students can receive college credits for studying Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai. The friends and colleagues that Charlie has trained and fought with over the years were practicing MMA before MMA was ever a technical term. He has witnessed, and been a part of, the evolution of this sport and training style since its inception.

Charlie is known as a tough, but fair, instructor - who provides challenging and exciting training methods for serious martial artists, combat athletes, and Muay Thai or MMA fighters. He is a skillful teacher and coach, and he goes well beyond the normal methods of training and fighter preparation. Charlie believes in providing the most complete and comprehensive martial arts and fitness education possible to his students. His instructional courses and seminars in Close Quarter Combat and Functional Strength Training have been attended, and recommended, by State, Government, and Private Agencies.

Having been a professional NHB fighter for many years in the U.S. and overseas, Charlie has a wealth of actual experience and practical knowledge to pass on to students and fighters. At 6'1", and 250 lbs., he was recognized as a ferocious and versatile heavyweight in the cage, ring or on the mat. Charlie retired from competition as an NHB champion, with over 150 fights, and more than 70 knockouts. He now fully devotes his time to teaching his craft to his students, and coaching fighters and combat athletes.

Professional Profile:

Ward's Living Weapon Mixed Martial Arts: Owner, Chief Master Instructor/Trainer, Kru
Sun Devil Combat Sports Program: Head Coach, Chief Master Instructor/Trainer, Kru
United States Muay Thai Association: Arizona State Director, Kru
Team Apocolypse: Official Coach and Trainer
Fight News Unlimited: MMA Staff Writer

Professional Memberships / Affiliations:

United States Muay Thai Association
International Federation of Close Quarter Combat
National Martial Arts Foundation
National Strength and Conditioning Association
National Athletic Trainers Association
American College of Sports Medicine
American Red Cross

Publications:

Charlie has written and published books and articles about martial arts, combat training, and various areas of athletic and strength training - and has plans to write and publish several more books. He writes monthly articles for Fight News Unlimited that address various areas of training for fighters and fans alike.