The exercise called ‘Catch Me If You Can’ is demonstrated at YouTube.
It has a lot of benefits but it is much harder to execute properly than it looks.
Both parties call out that they are ready. It is a case of speed, range and a lack of pre-movement.
Done correctly, the drill teaches the puncher to punch fast, hard, in range and without a wind up.
Without prejudice
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Jab and The Slide In Front Kick
I think it was John Lennon who said, “Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.”
That is accurate enough and in this case but I’ve dealt with the life part. It’s time to get back into the swing of things. To that end, I’m going to be posting a short journal every day from now on until Christmas Day when I’ll break for the holidays.
Today (at YouTube) I posted a very short demonstration of me executing a jab and a slide in front kick. I put a great deal of emphasis on these two techniques, especially when teaching beginners. Both techniques, when properly done, have real power. However, they are mostly used to set up other more powerful strikes. The jab and the slide in front kick have a way of making any opponent react defensively.
Someone once remarked, "A good left jab can be a boy's best friend."
A girl's too...
Without prejudice
That is accurate enough and in this case but I’ve dealt with the life part. It’s time to get back into the swing of things. To that end, I’m going to be posting a short journal every day from now on until Christmas Day when I’ll break for the holidays.
Today (at YouTube) I posted a very short demonstration of me executing a jab and a slide in front kick. I put a great deal of emphasis on these two techniques, especially when teaching beginners. Both techniques, when properly done, have real power. However, they are mostly used to set up other more powerful strikes. The jab and the slide in front kick have a way of making any opponent react defensively.
Someone once remarked, "A good left jab can be a boy's best friend."
A girl's too...
Without prejudice
Friday, June 11, 2010
Unpredictability
The importance of unpredictability cannot be underestimated. Unpredictability is the one thing that will let the practitioner know how good their reflexes are.
I once had a student who was so surprised at his sudden upsurge in his ability to block an unrehearsed series of attacks that he quipped, “I’m possessed!”
Prearranged drills and basics certainly have their place. They build confidence and abilities that I will be covering in detail over the coming months.
However, an active and unrehearsed sparring exercise has the ability to shine a harsh and very clear light on how well one performs under hostile pressure.
Therefore, free sparring has a vital place in a well balanced curriculum. I’d even go so far as to say it is a kind of measuring device that lets the practitioner keep their confidence up but not to an unrealistic level.
Without Prejudice
I once had a student who was so surprised at his sudden upsurge in his ability to block an unrehearsed series of attacks that he quipped, “I’m possessed!”
Prearranged drills and basics certainly have their place. They build confidence and abilities that I will be covering in detail over the coming months.
However, an active and unrehearsed sparring exercise has the ability to shine a harsh and very clear light on how well one performs under hostile pressure.
Therefore, free sparring has a vital place in a well balanced curriculum. I’d even go so far as to say it is a kind of measuring device that lets the practitioner keep their confidence up but not to an unrealistic level.
Without Prejudice
Friday, June 4, 2010
Daily Traing
I was online reading an article by Steve Pavlina where he describes self-discipline as, ‘the ability to get yourself to take action regardless of your emotional state.’
He goes into some depth on the subject and it’s an interesting article but the basis of it is stated here (taking action regardless of your emotional state).
I thought that was both so common sense and so interesting that I decided to repeat it here.
Daily training is as much about self-discipline as it is about inspiration. The simple tasks I complete during the course of my daily training improve my abilities in both the short term and over the long haul.
I have found that being inspired can be a hit or miss thing. Having the self-discipline to train whether I’m inspired or not builds a confidence in me that allows me to take greater advantage of those times when I feel inspired.
I have also found that upon those occasions that I have been forced to call upon my skills, a daily routine keeps them sharp.
Without prejudice
He goes into some depth on the subject and it’s an interesting article but the basis of it is stated here (taking action regardless of your emotional state).
I thought that was both so common sense and so interesting that I decided to repeat it here.
Daily training is as much about self-discipline as it is about inspiration. The simple tasks I complete during the course of my daily training improve my abilities in both the short term and over the long haul.
I have found that being inspired can be a hit or miss thing. Having the self-discipline to train whether I’m inspired or not builds a confidence in me that allows me to take greater advantage of those times when I feel inspired.
I have also found that upon those occasions that I have been forced to call upon my skills, a daily routine keeps them sharp.
Without prejudice
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Prearranged Drills: The Importance of the Attacker
Prearranged Drills: The Importance of the Attacker
When I started training, I wanted to be the ‘Heroic Defender’ when practising prearranged drills. The concept that the attacker was a vital part of the proceedings eluded me for a long time.
What I finally came to understand was that a quick, powerful and intelligent attack in training will promote a similar response. The better the attack is, the better the defence will be.
On the other hand, an attack that has no passion, force or justification behind it promotes an equally lazy defence. As long as one trains to defend against third rate attackers, a sloppy defence may or may not work.
For myself, I prefer a more stringent approach. This means I train an attack as much as I train a defence. It means I need to know the timing and force necessary to make the attack work. I need to move slowly, at first and gradually build speed and power. As my attack improves, so should my defence.
I also need to know why someone would behave in such a reprehensible way. The usual reasons are greed, rage, drug addiction, a criminal mind set, insanity, mistaken identity, etc. However, what is most relevant is that a street attacker is utterly willing to inflict damage. Reasoning with such an individual is not usually possible. This leaves only conflict and/or evasion.
In Kisae Kempo (as in many other arts) the principle of justification plays a huge role. The principle is this (in a nut shell). A person will fight only as long and as hard as they personally feel they have the right and the ability to.
In terms of an attack, while I will not initiate an assault, I must be aware of how others could or would do so. I train my defences with this in mind. This part is more mental than physical. Being alert to danger gives one time to respond. Being confident that one can handle a dangerous situation shows in posture and body language.
Without prejudice
When I started training, I wanted to be the ‘Heroic Defender’ when practising prearranged drills. The concept that the attacker was a vital part of the proceedings eluded me for a long time.
What I finally came to understand was that a quick, powerful and intelligent attack in training will promote a similar response. The better the attack is, the better the defence will be.
On the other hand, an attack that has no passion, force or justification behind it promotes an equally lazy defence. As long as one trains to defend against third rate attackers, a sloppy defence may or may not work.
For myself, I prefer a more stringent approach. This means I train an attack as much as I train a defence. It means I need to know the timing and force necessary to make the attack work. I need to move slowly, at first and gradually build speed and power. As my attack improves, so should my defence.
I also need to know why someone would behave in such a reprehensible way. The usual reasons are greed, rage, drug addiction, a criminal mind set, insanity, mistaken identity, etc. However, what is most relevant is that a street attacker is utterly willing to inflict damage. Reasoning with such an individual is not usually possible. This leaves only conflict and/or evasion.
In Kisae Kempo (as in many other arts) the principle of justification plays a huge role. The principle is this (in a nut shell). A person will fight only as long and as hard as they personally feel they have the right and the ability to.
In terms of an attack, while I will not initiate an assault, I must be aware of how others could or would do so. I train my defences with this in mind. This part is more mental than physical. Being alert to danger gives one time to respond. Being confident that one can handle a dangerous situation shows in posture and body language.
Without prejudice
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Prearranged Drills
Prearranged Drills
This essay is concerned with only one third of the overall training regimen of Kisae Kempo.
Prearrange may be defined as, ‘to plan in advance.’ Drills may be, ‘the constant repetition of a set pattern of movements.’
(For the purposes of this essay, I’m referring to two man stuff even though the principles apply to multi attacker drills, as well.)
In Kisae Kempo (and many other arts too), prearranged drills are those Martial Arts activities that allow the participants to start slowly, gently and gradually increase both power and speed (without damaging their partner). Both sides know what is to be done, when and where these things will occur, etc.
One phrase there bears repeating because it is often the most misunderstood. ‘Without damaging their partner’ means that the partner will be able to try again. It also means that there is neither hero nor villain in these drills. Both sides are of vital importance and both attacker and defender should be roles that can be taken on by either participant.
Prearranged drills eventually allow either participant to exert themselves with full power and speed, repeatedly. Done correctly, this series of drills builds ability and confidence.
At the same time that these drills are a safe method of applying skills there is also a paradox present. Prearranged drills should be challenging. There should be a feeling of danger and the realization that an incorrect movement may result in damage. Without this challenge, the drills are likely to become much less effective.
Without prejudice
This essay is concerned with only one third of the overall training regimen of Kisae Kempo.
Prearrange may be defined as, ‘to plan in advance.’ Drills may be, ‘the constant repetition of a set pattern of movements.’
(For the purposes of this essay, I’m referring to two man stuff even though the principles apply to multi attacker drills, as well.)
In Kisae Kempo (and many other arts too), prearranged drills are those Martial Arts activities that allow the participants to start slowly, gently and gradually increase both power and speed (without damaging their partner). Both sides know what is to be done, when and where these things will occur, etc.
One phrase there bears repeating because it is often the most misunderstood. ‘Without damaging their partner’ means that the partner will be able to try again. It also means that there is neither hero nor villain in these drills. Both sides are of vital importance and both attacker and defender should be roles that can be taken on by either participant.
Prearranged drills eventually allow either participant to exert themselves with full power and speed, repeatedly. Done correctly, this series of drills builds ability and confidence.
At the same time that these drills are a safe method of applying skills there is also a paradox present. Prearranged drills should be challenging. There should be a feeling of danger and the realization that an incorrect movement may result in damage. Without this challenge, the drills are likely to become much less effective.
Without prejudice
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Through Not To
When I was a beginner, all the punches and kicks I learned were to the other guy. Every once in a while someone would get hit but they were few and far between.
All the attacks and defences for beginners were based on that concept. They were to the point of contact not through to the point of finish.
Little by little I learned that a serious strike (or kick) goes through an opponent. The difference between the point of contact and the point of finish is about three inches.
That change in distance made all the difference. My concept of techniques and tactics changed dramatically. Suddenly I could land powerful strikes and my confidence rose proportionately.
p.s. I train in a no contact system these days. I save my full power for the heavy bag and focus mitts. When training two man stuff, I am always aware that a partner is much too precious to risk damaging.
All the attacks and defences for beginners were based on that concept. They were to the point of contact not through to the point of finish.
Little by little I learned that a serious strike (or kick) goes through an opponent. The difference between the point of contact and the point of finish is about three inches.
That change in distance made all the difference. My concept of techniques and tactics changed dramatically. Suddenly I could land powerful strikes and my confidence rose proportionately.
p.s. I train in a no contact system these days. I save my full power for the heavy bag and focus mitts. When training two man stuff, I am always aware that a partner is much too precious to risk damaging.
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