MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH
PROFESSOR SHARRIEFF NASHID
Founder, Chief Instructor and Professor of
The Nashid-Ryu Tactical Defense System
21st Century Way of Fighting
“Today’s fighters are flashy and friendly
During my time they were hard hitting and mean.”
Interview by Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online Martial arts Magazine
Innovation, The goal of innovation is positive change, to make someone or something better. Innovation leading to increased productivity is the fundamental source of all modern technology. In relation to the Martial Arts, it is an everlasting road. While tradition is thought of as first way or for the most part the structure of all to come. The intensity in which you practice the old tradition, is what dictates your eligibility to present and personify innovations within this tradition. Using this train of thought there are people who step into the forefront of modern ways by analyzing old and in turn developing viable alternatives. The person I will introduce to you in this interview is such a man. He has strengthened all he has learned for many years, to come up with modern conclusions. The man I am speaking of is Professor Sharrieff Nashid whom I have known for approximately twenty five years. Throughout this time I have seen him develop the system he practices to higher levels of combat excellence. He has competed throughout his career with the constant thought of improvement. While he has a traditional background his views on training are innovative and up to date in regards to survival technique. He follows a strict code of honor in adherence to the code of Bushido. We here at Martialforce.com are happy to bring to you this interview and it is our hope that you enjoy it.
Martialforce.com: Where were you born and raised?
Nashid: Norfolk, V.A. and grew up in Brooklyn New York "Do or Die Bed-Stuy."
Martialforce.com: What is your occupation?
Nashid: I am a Senior Government Law Enforcement Executive Official.
Martialforce.com: Can you tell our readers what are your responsibilities as a Senior Government Law Enforcement Executive Official?
Nashid:I have served as The Special Agent in Charge (SAIC) of Secretary of Commerce Protection and Investigation Unit (SPIU) Antiterrorism Division for the Protection of Presidential Cabinet Levels Officials for National and International World Mission on behalf of the President of the United States and White House. I am Presently the Deputy Chief of Police for The Washington D.C. Protective Services Police Department.
Martialforce.com: When did you begin your Martial Arts studies and with whom did you study?
Nashid: My father was the first person to train me in the art of self-defense, July 15, 1967. He also enrolled me in the neighborhood Karate school. His objective was for me to gain its discipline as he worked two jobs and was busy most of the time but never to busy to watch me compete. He would take me to the Dojo on Saturday mornings from 11 am to 5 pm then he would pick me up and we would have dinner. This was our routine and time we shared. This is the same thing that I now do with my children.
Others I want to mention are; Grandmaster Cesar Romero, Grandmaster Alan Lee, and I trained and learned a lot as a student of Grandmaster Leon Wallace and Grand Master Sam Magee of the Harlem Goju. My training at the Harlem Goju molded me and changed my life into a master of understanding the true meaning of Warrior. As a result of training under Leon Wallace and Sam Magee I become wise and aware of the true master within me. I owe a great deal to these two men for all they gave. I love these men with all my heart that and no words can express how I feel.
Martialforce.com: Can you tell our readers who were some of your influences regarding Martial Arts and how did they influence you?
Nashid: Ron Van Clief, Kareim Allah, and Bruce Lee These three masters of the arts all design their own way of fighting and teaching others the arts of mind over body. I also looked up to Ron Jetter, Ron Duncan, Archie Rullan, Frank Ruiz, George Binns, Ron Torashi, and Cater Wong, Aaron Banks, Lamar Thornton, Owen Watson, Ron Taganashi, Thomas La puppet and Moses Powell.
Martialforce.com: Did you train with any of them directly or was the influence as you stated there fighting and teaching method?
Nashid: Yes a little of both, I trained with Kareem Allah who I met through a close friend of mine, Brother Hajji and with Van Clief which I met through another close friend Glen Perry; I did not train directly with Bruce Lee.
Martialforce.com: Do you teach weapons and if so, who influenced you in its practice?
Nashid: My favorite weapons Masters are Haisan Kaleak, Rico Guy and yourself, (Eddie Morales); I thank the three of you, true weapons masters.
Martialforce.com: You were a Tournament Competitor in New York City, my question is, what are the changes if any that you have seen?
Nashid: Yes I competed all the time up and down the east coast. From my observation the only real change is that today’s fighters are flashy and friendly and during my time they were hard hitting and mean.
Martialforce.com: Can you name some of the toughest competitors when you were active on the circuit?
Nashid: The late great William Oliver, Derrick Williams, Freddy Lopez, Steve Nasty Anderson, Speedy Wilson, Little K.A. Kevin Thompson, Abdul Mutakabbir, Jesse Harris, Jerry Fontanez, Tony Morrison, Billy Blanks, Mike Warren, Sifu Crayton, Sheldon Wilkins, Haisan Kaleak, Jose Jordan, Felix Vasquez, Lou Ferrer, Billy Beason to name a few. I know I am leaving so many folks out.
Some of the people I trained with on a consistent basis were Freddy Lopez. Glen Perry, Jay and Keith Collins, Tony Morrison, Gamble West, Roger Clark, Doc Williams and yourself, Eddie Morales.
Martialforce.com: You were a successful competitor in Fighting, Weapons and Empty hand Kata. Everyone in the circuit knew you as Eddie Banks; my question is why did you change your name?
Nashid: Yes I have a home full of Trophies as a result of competing in these three areas in the art.
As for your question regarding my name, I changed it for cultural reasons.
Martialforce.com: Our research shows that you teach Law Enforcements; can you tell us about that and is it different than your average students?
Nashid: The only difference is the reason behind learning in regards to the job the law enforcement officers have to do. Placing that aside, there are no true differences, people are the same. I teach both law enforcement personnel and the general public “Tactical Defense and Life Saving Skills. It is about staying alive, that’s the business I am in. It is Not How High you can kick or jump in the air, but how fast you can take out an attacker and put his Ass on the ground. Hey, it’s lights out for the bad guy with good guy or gal standing up and going home to their loves.
Martialforce.com: What is your opinion if any on the recent interest in Mixed Martial Arts training and events?
Nashid: I love it!! Its not new it’s been around since the beginning of time. all fighting arts are at some point mixed martial arts of some form or another.
Martialforce.com: Do you think that Kata (Pre-arranged movement) is a thing of the past or is there any value to its practice and if yes explain?
Nashid: Kata is the one element that allows the artist to be an exceptional technician with the addition of conditioned response that is the result of its practice. Its sets the inner being for possible combat and a check and balance system of one’s needs to improve one’s technique without anyone getting hurt. Today I teach 21century kata for today’s warrior since the business I am in is Anti-terrorism and Protective Operations. I teach things like “Gun Kata, and Diplomatic Protection, and Anti-terrorism Operations for Government Officials whom operate all over the world and their role are to be carry out Political Governmental Agendas for World Leaders.
Martialforce.com: I am sure you just sparked some curiosity with the phrase “Gun Kata.” Can you elaborate on what you mean?
Nashid: Yes, while it is understood that Karate is an empty hand art, there may be a moment in anyone’s lifetime where you may have to pick up a weapon. With this in mind, you must know how to use and maneuver with the weapon or it will do more harm then good. Kata in itself is pre-arranged movement; you cannot practice or teach anything unless it is pre arranged and of course with a solid theory behind it. Gun Kata teaches you exactly that, it is a series of pre-arranged moves done with handguns, shotguns, and submachine guns designed for the 21st century warrior. I designed the overall concept as a result of an in-depth study of the Isosceles, weaver and modified weaver pistol shooting stances. I have incorporated my understanding of Kata and many years of defensive tactics analysis, to teach a realistic method of movement while engaging an adversary with a weapon of any caliber.
While law enforcement officer have a Use of Force Continuum that they follow which means they immediately recognize the threat and use only the force necessary to control the situation. This can and does entail the force options that extend from verbalization to hand to hand and ending in deadly force if need be. That understanding alone can teach the average person how to react accordingly because they don’t have to follow rules and are led by only one thought, which is “Survival.” The result is an understanding of shooting, distance and proper stance while in motion with focused thought of the scenario at hand. With the additional knowledge of how to take the threat down. This course development did not come overnight but instead through relentless years of practice and modification after compound research of thousands of fight tactics and Use of force situations.
Martialforce.com: Regarding training partners whom did you train with in Kata and fighting when you were developing your Karate?
Nashid: Yourself, Grandmaster Eddie Morales, you were the biggest help in my development of kata, I recall together you and I would spend hours and days working on kata. We would break down the physical mechanics of the movements paying close attention to its meaning while placing emphasis on that meaning and in essence, developing the techniques further. The end result would be a highly effective set of movements demonstrated in the most focused, explosive and coordinated manner. Our hard work paid off every time I would win at a tournament.
Martialforce.com: The Chinese, Okinawa and Japanese have created systems but when Americans do it there is always controversy. What are your thoughts on this matter?
Nashid: Well, when people think of the arts they are locked on the mind set that the Chinese, Okinawans and the Japanese created all or the only systems of Fighting. The truth of the matter is that all cultures have their own Warriors whom created their countries fighting art. This is as old as the world So The Beat goes on and on man. The bottom line in my book is staying alive in today’s time. This is also the Subject and title of a book I am writing which will release in the near Future.
Martialforce.com: Can you tell our readers a little about your book and the motivation behind it?
Nashid: The goal of my book is to teach the reader to stay alive in a world full of attacks from the street thug to the terrorist. My international protective missions while conducting diplomatic protective OPS caused me to realize that most people; places and things are easy targets of attacks at all levels. I will address issues and concerns for women, children, law enforcement, force protection organizations, the military to include the protection of critical infrastructure and assets.
My current goal is to find a place to open a training institute in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area to train the general public in tactical defense and live saving skills.
Martialforce.com: In your opinion, do you think Martial Arts is a good for children and if so, why?
Nashid: Its great for kids, it increases their focus and discipline while improving their confidence and social skills.
Martialforce.com: Do your children train with you and do you see a difference in there daily lives?
Nashid: Yes they do, since they were 3 years old for all the above Mentioned reasons.
Martialforce.com: Can you name some of your students that are currently successful in teaching, competing and or life as a result of your dedication?
Nashid: Jadi Tention, Kevin Godbee, Joseph World Wind OGorman, Doctor Gregory Parks, kevin lewis, Kareim Wisdom, Richard Brown, Garth Binns, Debra Powell, Ana Levy, Terrancea Jackson, Liz Jackson, Dan Perez, Elise Sams, Kathleen Taylor, Shitnia Smith, Khalif Nashid, Imani Nashid, Mamadu Diablo and Ian Miner, Adilah Abdallah, Fred Shaw, Ruben Roberson, Juan Lopez, Edward Howell, Margaret Barns, Rashaan Dahnir,Carl Lythcott and Junayd Lewis.
Martialforce.com: In regards to your method of teaching, what can a person walking in off the street expect to learn from you?
Nashid: I have put in writing the 90 day program that will make you into a Beginner Level Tactical Defense Specialist Fighting Machine capable of fighting off the average street fight “Bad Guy Thug Down” Resulting in “The average Joe/Jane going home to their love ones. If they stay, The student will train with and become more of a Tactical Defense Specialist trained to handle all levels of encounters from moderate to high risk.
Martialforce.com: Do you think that the original purpose of martial arts got lost in all the hype?
Nashid: No not at all, the world is evolving so the Martial Art is a matter of individual preference; you have to choose what works best for you and what you like the most. In the past there was only one way and people would flock to it with the understanding that there was no other way. This is why I teach 21st Century Martial Art, The Nashid-Ryu System of Tactical Defense.
Martialforce.com: What were some of your most successful techniques when you were competing?
Nashid: Loose wrist Back fist reverse punch round house kick combo
Jump in Loose wrist back fist to the face followed up with a reverse punch to the body
Spinning hooking wheel kick to the head of a rushing attacker
I would just keep it simple speed kills was my phrase
Get in and get out is another phrase
Martialforce.com: Do you have any last thoughts that you would like to share regarding anyone that wants to get involved in martial arts or to effectively progressed in life?
Nashid: Find a good instructor who is concern about his students and enjoys teaching the arts. Create a goal and focus on its objectives to obtain your mission in life. While obstacles can slow you down, don’t let them stop you. Understand that the biggest battle is within you and only you alone can control your destiny. Be in tune to the higher being and believe in yourself at all times. Help others when the time arises and don’t be afraid of success. We are all equal beings on this earth and must individually strengthen our fortitude. My deepest concern is the human element and anything that I can do or say to change a life for the better is my objective. Take care everyone and I hope I have answered your questions. Please, Love yourself and your family.
Martialforce.com: Thank you for allowing us to interview you and we wish you continued success.
Nashid: No Sir, thank you for this opportunity.
