Call Sign December 2010 - Page 23 - RICKY’S SELF DEFENCE APP

   In May 2009, Call Sign published an article that was to change the lives of many drivers both on Dial-a-Cab and the trade in general. That was the month we published an article about Ricky Manetta (N16). At the time, many just knew him as the friendly marshal on Bank Street E14 or for the more observant among you, the good looking one sitting on the back of the police motorbike to protect the front runners at the London Marathon! But the biggest clue to what this article is about is if you are a fan of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), because you may well have seen him with another DaC marshal, Stefan Fitt (P88), walking fighters into the Octagon and co-coordinating the event!
   Ricky also had two classes in Essex teaching Karv Maga, the defence system that Israel’s special forces use. Delving deeper, we found his history in martial arts went back some 20 years, including boxing, jujitsu, wrestling, mixed martial arts and Thai boxing. Ricky went on to run his own self-defence classes and soon after the Call Sign article telling drivers about the classes, the LTDA read it and offered to supply premises and allow members to attend the course free of charge! There was a large uptake for the offer with many of those still attending Ricky’s classes today.
   The classes are not just martial arts; they are about defending yourself against anyone carrying a weapon as quickly and efficiently as possible. Ricky explained that age, weight and fitness did not matter because the classes were designed to get drivers fitter, stronger and more flexible - the emphasis being on techniques and once learned, you’d be confident of being able to deal with any situation - even if you still had trouble running for the bus!

RICKY’S SELF DEFENCE APP

All you will ever need to know to defend yourself...

One of the screenshots from Ricky’s new app

   But now Ricky has also revealed some astonishing news. Together with Apple, he has released the ultimate interactive MMA Krav Maga training video App – State of the Art Self Defence. In it, Ricky will teach you all you will ever need to know about how to protect yourself and you won’t even have to leave your home – although when learning a new martial art, you should really train with a qualified instructor first.
   This App teaches state-of-the-art self defence techniques for both the beginner and the seasoned martial artist who wish to add to their arsenal. The technique is already used by special forces from around the world and also used in movies such as The Matrix and the James Bond films.
The essence is Krav Maga with it's no nonsense, forward attacking style of defence, but there are also techniques and adaptions from other arts. Ricky will always be the first to tell you that you should always do your best to avoid any type of aggressive or violent confrontation and that physical self defence should always be your last resort.
Speaking to Call Sign, Ricky said: "The App has 21 different self defence moves against different weapons including guns and baseball bats down to fists and elbows. In fact this App can teach you what would take you six months to learn if you came to my classes. The more you replay the App, the better you will become and for just Ł2.99 you can become proficient at defending yourself against any eventuality of being attacked. In fact, many of the guys who come to my classes also have downloaded the App so that they can also practise at home.
   I could probably put the lessons onto a set of DVDs, but that would probably set you back around Ł45. With the App and for Ł2.99, you can take it around with your iphone so that it’s always with you to look at when you get some spare time."
   To download Ricky’s App, go to iTunes and type in Pocket MMA Krav Maga or for more info you can contact Ricky on 07950 267 574.

London taxi fares consultation

   TfL has put forward proposals regarding changes to taxi fares and other regulations. Subject to approval by the TfL Board in mid-February, changes to the tariffs and other regulations will be implemented in early April 2011.
   Luke Howard, Senior Strategy & Integration Manager at TfL Taxi & Private Hire, has sent out a consultation document covering the 2011 tariff revision and other matters connected with taxi fares and regulations. They are seeking views on any of the matters covered in the document or other related matters. In particular, TfL seeks views on the following proposals:
· The proposed tariff revision based on the cost index;
· The proposed renewal of the provision for abnormal fuel price increases;
· The proposed revision to some of the fixed fares for shared journeys from Buck Palace;
· The proposed revision to allow agreed fares for longer journeys in association with the fixed fare scheme for journeys from Leicester Square late on Friday and Saturday nights;
· The proposed promotion of the possibility of agreeing fares in general, to be capped by the metered fare;
· The proposed freedom for certain organisations to agree fixed fares for booked taxi journeys, independent of the metered fare.
   The document in its entirety forms the consultation document and any part of it may be referred to in a response. Comments or information are invited by 20 December. The document can be viewed on the Call Sign website at www.dac-callsign.co.uk and found at the bottom left of the home page. Questions to Luke Howard on luke.howard@tfl.gov.uk.

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