The practice of martial arts. How, what, where, when, why.
27
votes
17answers
813 views
Is practising techniques on both the left and right sides beneficial or detrimental to martial development?
Is there any evidence to suggest that practising techniques on the left and right side of the body produces more adept martial artists?
By "adept", I mean the learned ability to proficiently and ...
23
votes
17answers
3k views
Which martial arts focus on self defense?
I'm trying to make sure I ask this question in a manner that doesn't make it subjective or argumentative.
While all martial arts have merit, I believe those merits lie in various areas. Which ...
20
votes
6answers
381 views
What martial notation systems exist for describing techniques in writing?
What are some examples of clear ways to describe martial techniques in writing?
I often take notes during and after classes, and occasionally find that I haven't described a particular technique ...
19
votes
6answers
764 views
Drills for reducing your natural “flinch” reaction
When going into a longsword bind, or getting hit as part of a Kata, I tend to flinch visibly and shut my eyes.
What are some exercises I can do, solo or with a partner, to help me keep my eyes open?
16
votes
10answers
1k views
What martial art should I start with?
Young male, not looking for anything specific, but I am a huge fan of MMA in general. (not just the UFC/SF)
What would be a good beginner martial art for both fitness and relevancy to watching ...
14
votes
2answers
233 views
How can one maintain or rekindle discipline and passion in martial arts?
As I understand you have to have passion for path you choose when learning martial art. And it is life long process.
BUT I have met people who's passion dwindled and they no longer had heart in ...
11
votes
3answers
310 views
Training Body Reading Without Sparring
When I did rapier, with some emphasis on sparring as well as structured drills, one of the things you got very good at was reading the other person's tells. Some of which were things that could be ...
10
votes
3answers
164 views
Are students with disabilities tested differently?
I don't use testing when I teach; I observe and promote when students are ready (hopefully avoiding various observer effects). That said, I judge individuals based on their individual capabilities and ...
10
votes
2answers
498 views
Should I train differently to spar guys who are bigger than me?
I am a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I have a few tournaments coming up and I am training in my sparring techniques. I am 12 years old with 2 national sparring championships (and on the ...
9
votes
5answers
2k views
Lowering heart rate at will
I train archery as part of my martial arts training. What is the best way to lower or control heart rate before taking shot? Assuming I have been doing activity that raised it. I know just waiting for ...
9
votes
5answers
156 views
How helpful is it to film yourself during training and analyze videos after training?
While most of the gyms and dojos where I've trained so far had mirrors to help you work on your technique I think videos are underused. In my opinion, taking a video of e.g. a sparring session or ...
9
votes
2answers
353 views
What can I do to improve my squat for judo throws during randori?
I am 6 foot 2 inches and weigh about 90Kg - I find it very difficult during randori to get a full turn in for (for example) O Goshi.
My instructors are always telling me that I need to get lower and ...
9
votes
5answers
129 views
How can I practice shooting for a combat situation?
I realize that it's impossible to simulate a combat situation. But I think that shooting at target practice is wildly different from shooting under duress when lives are on the line.
How can someone ...
8
votes
6answers
460 views
Bad boxing club or wrong idea of the sport?
I have done a boxing-for-starters class in a nearby club and after that joined the club for the regular training. As I really enjoyed the sport and got into sparring the fun faded because my sparring ...
7
votes
6answers
425 views
How does a non-grappler train to be ready to avoid grappling in a real-world situation?
I train in non-grappling arts. I have a reasonable amount of experience with this. However, I'm not sure how I would deal with an untrained opponent coming to grapple with me -- or someone whose ...
7
votes
3answers
219 views
How effective is practicing a martial art strictly outside of a dojo for beginners?
My girlfriend has expressed interest in learning one of the martial arts I practice with me, but when she has come to a class she has been very self-concious about being new and inexperienced (I've ...
7
votes
3answers
169 views
Training while exhausted
In martial art circles, we often hear that training while exhausted (or tiered) will improve your technique. The one I heard was that it will force one to stop all extraneous movement and do the ...
7
votes
4answers
145 views
How can I quickly regain focus during class?
Occasionally I will get (inwardly) frustrated during class, usually when I cannot seem to make heads or tails of an advanced technique.
After class I'll work with a senior student to practice the ...
6
votes
4answers
387 views
Aikido Forward Roll
How to do safely a Aikido front roll from standing position and from jumping ? What are the key point to be careful for avoid injury like shoulder dislocation ? What are other injury that can happen ...
6
votes
5answers
252 views
Are martial arts helpful in dealing with pain from a sedentary lifestyle?
I am a research scholar and I have to dedicate a lot of time everyday in front of the computer. This leads to pain in my knees and shoulder. I consulted with doctors and they suggested me some ...
6
votes
6answers
285 views
How do you take Notes on techniques you've learnt in class?
For those of you who takes notes or keep a MA diary.
What kinds of things do you write down? Do you try and document each technique into a "database" of technique notes? or do you document each ...
6
votes
2answers
102 views
What to look for in a training/mock gun?
There are a lot of different options out there in guns to use in martial arts training, including wood, plastic, rubber, and with various degrees of realism.
I know from working with knives that the ...
6
votes
3answers
909 views
How useful is a grappling dummy, when you don't have a live training partner available?
There is no substitute for a live training partner, but sometimes a training partner just isn't available and drilling is an important part of training for groundwork grappling.
For those times I ...
5
votes
5answers
469 views
How does one mentally push past pain in training?
Big part of my training is maintaining control of your body even though I feel physical pain. There are usually two situations, in physical pain while still having energy to fight, and in physical ...
5
votes
4answers
138 views
Transitioning between similar arts
When moving from rapier to Hapkido, there was a lot that transferred and very little that interfered. Range, positioning, and most of the footwork transferred along with the mental aspects, and the ...
5
votes
3answers
77 views
Does it help to use shorter breaks during training than during competition?
I know a boxing trainer who insists that, when training for a fight with one-minute breaks between rounds, it will give you an edge conditionally over your opponent to use only 30-second breaks during ...
5
votes
4answers
390 views
Self defense with one hand tied behind back?
I'm completely new to martial arts. I would like to know if there are techniques that can be used in self-defense if you had one hand tied behind your back or in the case you lose your hand?
5
votes
1answer
124 views
What is a good mat system for home MMA training?
I practice in WCMA and BJJ, which means I can spend a fair amount of time on the ground working on flows, take downs, clinches, locks, etc. I've been looking around for a decent mat system that I can ...
5
votes
1answer
68 views
Légion étrangère close combat system
What is the system of close combat taught in the Légion étrangère? How did it evolve during the history of the Légion?
4
votes
5answers
387 views
How to return to Tae Kwon Do?
Some time ago I regularly took part in Tae Kwon Do, but that was ~4 years ago and I'm out of shape.
What should I do to prepare to return to the martial art, and should I start from the beginning ...
4
votes
3answers
140 views
What methods are effective for increasing co-ordination on dual handed techniques?
I have recently begun practicing escrima, and I find it difficult to simultaneously wield two sticks while keeping co-ordination and rhythm.
Are there some drills I could do on my own to improve my ...
4
votes
2answers
122 views
Tips for faster regeneration after training
Sometimes after a hard Thai Boxing class for example containing long heavy-bag sessions or sparring (usually something consisting of intervals with explosive motions) I still feel tired or exhausted ...
4
votes
2answers
271 views
What is a good training scheme for kendo?
I want to pick up my kendo but I'm afraid I'm a bit out of shape.
Does anyone know a good training scheme to get into shape and be ready by September (5 - 6 months)?
4
votes
4answers
381 views
How to meditate after an adrenaline rush or exertion?
I always find it difficult to concentrate and empty my mind when I have just had argument with someone or have done very tough physical training.
What are good pre-meditation techniques to find the ...
4
votes
3answers
178 views
How do I improve my jumping technique for jumping maneuvers?
Many martial arts (taekwondo and karate being the most obvious examples) incorporate powerful jumping maneuvers as part of the standard set of techniques practiced within the art. Many of these ...
4
votes
2answers
205 views
Are any Martial Arts Reality Shows/Documentaries useful to watch?
There are a number of Martial Arts-related documentaries and reality TV shows (Human Weapon, Fight Quest, Fight Science, Kill Arman, Deadliest Warrior...) from the last few years, but I have my doubts ...
3
votes
5answers
527 views
How long should it take to gain fighting proficiency in tai chi?
I hear it commonly said that internal arts such as tai chi require a significant amount of time to become proficient. If undertaking the study of tai chi, without necessarily having prior experience ...
3
votes
4answers
163 views
Adapting karate to stage combat
When doing stage combat, safety is a large part of it. All strikes do not hit or are exaggerated, and many of the more intense moves are controlled by the victim.
What would be a good approach to ...
3
votes
4answers
186 views
How do I keep the bo staff from moving off centre as I train in twirling it?
I'm practicing Yuan-style Tai-Chi, and I'm having difficulty keeping the bo staff from moving off centre as I twirl it - I consistently find my hold slightly to one end or another after a series of ...
3
votes
2answers
120 views
Martial arts with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)?
Recently I was told by my doctor that I have a fully torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and I've been told to stay away from karate (specifically Shorinji-Ryu Karate-Do Renshinkan) for the time ...
2
votes
2answers
94 views
What's the recommended way to deal with an injured hamstring while still practicing?
Periodically, we all experience a hamstring issue, such as a pulled, ripped or torn hamstring. In relation to my current issue (a pulled hamstring in the left leg), I would like to continue practicing ...
2
votes
3answers
89 views
Do martial arts instructors also seek fitness instruction certifications?
I suffered a heart attack right after Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training last year, and as a result I have been paying much more attention to my health.
I've trained in martial arts on and off for years, ...
2
votes
2answers
87 views
How do I determine which pieces of wood I can safely attempt to break with my fist?
I've seen demonstrations with martial artists breaking various objects, including what looked like broom handles.
I assume that the broom handles were either specially modified or otherwise selected ...
2
votes
4answers
139 views
How much can I improve my punching precision? How?
I'm not yet strong enough in the legs to talk about precision, so I'll stick to punches.
Firstly, what is the upper limit of precise punches, how precise can I get them to be? Within millimeters of ...
1
vote
1answer
42 views
Strength training for a mixed martial arts beginner
I am starting MMA. Which excersises would be best to get my physical strength up to the levels of people doing MMA for years or experienced in MMA?
1
vote
3answers
377 views
Established “curriculum” for MMA?
I'm basically asking for an established MMA "curriculum". By that, I mean a way of training students for mixed martial arts that has been applied successfully by a significant number of schools. The ...
0
votes
3answers
178 views
How can I deal with the impressive number of charlatan teachers in Italy?
Since I was young, martial arts have triggered my interest, and lately I attended some "try one for free" lessons in various gyms in my town. I come from a competitive level in a totally different ...
0
votes
2answers
97 views
How can I continue to train with a broken big toe?
I have recently managed to break my left big toe in training. Because there is a competition in 5 weeks, which I need to attend and perform well, I need experienced advice on:
What exercises I can ...
0
votes
2answers
86 views
Livehand Locks for Training Purposes
One set of techniques that my dojang doesn't practice much with, but that I have seen in several other Hapkido sources (mostly "lightning patch" groups), are live hand variations on locks.
...
0
votes
0answers
90 views
how to fight with eyes [closed]
There's a strong mental aspect to fighting and martial arts, and many arts teach methods for using the eyes/gaze to control an opponent.
How could one use their eyes/gaze to attack the confidence or ...
