Crazy Monkey Defense

Crazy Monkey Boxing, now better known as the Crazy Monkey Defense (CMD) is a unique approach to boxing principles meant to be incorporated primarily in Self-Defense applications but has evolved to include Mixed martial arts. It was developed by South African martial arts coach Rodney King (not the same and no relation to Rodney King).
The Crazy Monkey Defense draws its main influence from boxing and the founder’s experience on the streets of Johannesburg but has incorporated elements from other martial arts such as Muay Thai , Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Greco-Roman wrestling and Mixed-Martial Arts.
The Crazy Monkey derived its name from a friend of Rodney’s who observed a troop of monkeys in South Africa that adopted a similar stance while being attacked by another troop. There is no relation or any influence from Monkey Kung Fu.
Key Principles
The CMD places a strong emphasis on self-preservation and practical application. Its techniques seek to use a human being’s natural instincts to augment its application and as such remain technically simple so that it can be used in high stress situations. There is a strong focus on challenge and personal mastery over the more traditional martial arts focus on competition and gradings.

Early training focuses heavily on developing a strong defense for a stand-up game. Training then proceeds to learning how to close the distance, clinch-fighting and finally grappling with an aim to returning to a stand up game. This training initially taps in to the individuals desire for survival, before moving through to success and finally personal mastery.
Stance and Posture
The stance is very squared, with the lead leg only slightly forward. This makes it easy for the practitioner to shoot or sprawl and also provides a solid platform to deliver punches from either hand.
When entering into punching range, the back is hunched, neck tucked in with shoulders shrugged, chin down, and the hands kept close to the body with the aim to reduce the surface area exposed while protecting vital parts of the body such as the chin, neck and body. This is what CMD practitioners call the ‘hunchback stance’.
Punches are delivered from the hunchback stance with the shoulders lifted up to protect the side of the head and chin and due to its similarity to a diver's movement when entering the water, it is called ‘diving-board punching’.
Coaching Methodology
While the stance and posture are the most obvious elements of Crazy Monkey Defense, there is an in-depth coaching methodology behind the delivery of it. This method has allowed the system to be used for sport, self-defence, law enforcement, military training or as a tool for self development.
The CMD program also places a strong emphasis in creating an environment where practitioners view training as playing rather than as a test of strength and ability. There is a downplay on physical dominance over another person as the main objective for training.
Clients are encouraged to co-create their training program and thus be an indispensable part and responsible for their personal growth.

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