}

Octopus Sparring Strategies



Train with Grandmaster Safakhoo,
the creator of Octopus Combat Strategies.

Fear is projected onto the present by memory.
Control is the way our ego solves the problem of fear.
Your strength is not working on your weak points but embracing them."
-Grandmaster Safakhoo


The U.T.D. (Universal Training Dummy) is one of several training devices created by Grandmaster Safakhoo designed to actualize his conceptual combat strategies.

OCTOPUS TRAINING


The Persian Art of Combat, T.O.A.S. Nabard, transcends typical martial arts sparring concepts. The distinct combat strategy resembles the ability of the octopus to effectively control its immediate surrounding space; hence the title “Octopus Sparring Strategies.”

The identity of T.O.A.S. Nabard is based on the five elements of combat: timing, space, strength, agility and accuracy. Mastery of these elements allows the T.O.A.S. Nabard practitioner to manipulate an opponent by interchanging various blocks, strikes, grabs, and throws. Fluid yet strong, this multifaceted style offers the ability to react and adapt at any angle and to any situation. By constantly flanking and dodging the opponent. The T.O.A.S. practitioner uses a “circumnavigational” strategy to manipulate combat.

"Important not is the warrior's skill relative to the integrity of its use."
-Grandmaster Safakhoo


Grandmaster Safakhoo believes training in self-defense without training to spar is reminiscent of a dance: being merely synchronized movements. By assessing one's own potential in martial arts, the person will be able to recognize their weaknesses and acknowledge their learned survival strategies in real life situations. Sparring teaches individuals to anticipate actions and respond effectively. Sparring is a training tool used to lose all fear of facing conflict. Through T.O.A.S. Nabard sparring we stare our own fear in the eyes. We train to battle against our own limitations and weaknesses.

The belief held in Nabard is that sparring should prepare one for multi-angled attacks from a single or numerous opponents. While under the supervision of Grandmaster Safakhoo, students utilize T.O.A.S. Nabard combat strategies against one or more opponents in “simulated combat” as well as against their own creativity when using the multi-limbed U.T.D.
A glimpse of Octopuss Sparring Technique's applications being taught on the U.T.D. by Grandmaster Safakhoo.

The Universal Training Dummy or U.T.D. was created by Grandmaster Safakhoo to enhance the skill of its user by forcing one to exercise strategic creativity as well as hone one’s physical combat skills. The U.T.D. serves as a three-dimensional visual aid which assists students in conceptualizing the application of the combat strategies devised by Grandmaster Safakhoo. Involving all angles as opposed to unilateral training, Grandmaster Safakhoo’s octopus training concepts allow one to practice all of the movements required in combat including: flanking, turning, and dodging in a continuous and circular manner.

As an original concept belonging to Grandmaster Safakhoo, the U.T.D. is designed to enhance a student’s overall learning experience in the art of T.O.A.S. Nabard.By offering this creative three-dimensional device as opposed to traditional one dimensional wooden-dummy models, Grandmaster Safakhoo has revolutionized sparring training in martial arts.

This revolutionary combat style is taught only in the United States under the instruction of Grandmaster Safakhoo, founder and creator of T.O.A.S. Nabard – The Persian Art of Combat.