Questions tagged [training]

The practice of martial arts. How, what, where, when, why.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
75 votes
16 answers
7k views

How do you prepare for the stress of a real self-defense situation?

How do you prepare for a real stress situation, in which you are forced to defend yourself or others? I'm not talking about avoiding conflict, but a scenario where resolving the situation without ...
user avatar
55 votes
20 answers
12k 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 ...
Ryan Elkins's user avatar
  • 1,100
46 votes
19 answers
4k 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 ...
Nick's user avatar
  • 1,944
33 votes
13 answers
20k 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 MMA/...
Matt's user avatar
  • 448
30 votes
12 answers
31k 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?
Chris's user avatar
  • 571
29 votes
8 answers
2k 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 ...
Nick's user avatar
  • 1,944
24 votes
8 answers
3k views

Are martial arts suitable for a busy, IT professional?

I am a 22-year-old IT professional with 5 days work a week (8 hours daily). My office being far from my place I remain out for nearly 12 hours. I get stressed sometimes because of this schedule, and ...
Ajit S's user avatar
  • 293
24 votes
8 answers
17k views

How do I practice judo throws on my own without a partner?

How do you practice your judo throws at home or any time that you're by yourself? The leg movement is easy to do as long as you have the space, but proper arm movement and strength is hard to ...
Moox's user avatar
  • 343
22 votes
7 answers
49k views

Is hitting hard objects really effective in making bones harder?

In several martial arts (e.g. karate, muay thai), there are methods for toughening body parts (such as the fists or shins) by hitting them against hard objects. I am an amateur martial arts fan and ...
Mehdi Haghgoo's user avatar
22 votes
8 answers
41k views

How can one practice well alone?

I started learning a martial art about 5 years ago, and I did it for 2 years. I very liked it, however I had to stop. I didn't want to lose what I've already learned, so I kept practicing. Alone. ...
otisonoza's user avatar
  • 442
21 votes
7 answers
1k views

How can I become a good training partner

So after an enforced retirement from football (the Australian kind) due to being knocked unconscious in two consecutive games I demanded my parents let me take up martial arts instead. Several ...
Tussles's user avatar
  • 523
20 votes
6 answers
15k views

Getting more comfortable sitting in 正座 (seiza)

We often end up sitting in 正座 (seiza) for some time during class. This is much longer during demonstrations and gradings. In addition, a whole corpus of techniques (suwari waza, ghosin no kata) do ...
Sardathrion - against SE abuse's user avatar
20 votes
2 answers
966 views

How can one maintain or rekindle discipline and passion in martial arts?

As I understand it, you have to have a passion for the path you choose when learning martial arts, and it is a life long process. But I have met people who's passion dwindled and they no longer had ...
user avatar
18 votes
6 answers
2k views

How to improve my skills when I'm highest ranked

Recently I moved to a new city. I have been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for more than 14 years. In my old academy, I used to have partners of all ranks and sizes; this is very important in BJJ. ...
AFetter's user avatar
  • 1,264
17 votes
12 answers
29k views

Wearing a fitness tracker during a martial arts session

I have always wondered how to measure the calories expended during a training session (I practice Aikido, but this is a general question regardless of art or style) and I have found little advice on ...
p.marino's user avatar
  • 555
15 votes
4 answers
2k 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 ...
Elon Elisio's user avatar
15 votes
5 answers
708 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 ...
Robert Petermeier's user avatar
14 votes
11 answers
3k views

Men hitting women too hard in martial arts

I am the only woman cross training between three different schools filled with ten or so men in each. In many of my classes, if I do not fully understand a technique, they will hit me with more and ...
Bethany's user avatar
  • 421
14 votes
5 answers
3k views

Benefits of women only sessions

Some clubs do women-only training sessions for either beginners or open to all levels. Generally those are taught by a senior female instructor. Personally, I dislike the idea. I find it much more ...
Sardathrion - against SE abuse's user avatar
14 votes
9 answers
17k views

What are the main uses of aikido in self-defense?

So what are the main, real life purposes of aikido that work? Anything specific? Short range? Long range? blocking? striking? etc? What are the most likely times one would probably use it?
user3695903's user avatar
14 votes
6 answers
13k 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 ...
AncientSwordRage's user avatar
14 votes
12 answers
10k 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 ...
Anon's user avatar
  • 5,766
14 votes
12 answers
2k 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 ...
Keith Nicholas's user avatar
14 votes
4 answers
328 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 ...
stslavik's user avatar
  • 9,761
13 votes
4 answers
5k views

Should I stay in a Muay Thai gym where the fighters hit without much restraint or consideration?

I have moved cities and have found a new Muay Thai gym. The training in this gym is very different. When they train they use thai pads less often and do drills. When doing the drills they hit quite ...
Vass's user avatar
  • 1,380
13 votes
9 answers
9k views

Is it ok to start taekwondo at the age of 14?

I am a 14 year old female and I've always wanted to try taekwondo, however I am not the most flexible of people, and I am concerned to whether that will affect learning the sport in any way. I've also ...
paige's user avatar
  • 131
13 votes
11 answers
18k views

Can I start training in tae kwon do at age 16?

I'm planning to start Taekwondo classes in a month but I just wanted to know if I have any chance being good at it to compete. Or am I a lost cause because I am 16 and people who go to national ...
luiza's user avatar
  • 131
13 votes
5 answers
871 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 ...
Soutrik's user avatar
  • 131
13 votes
2 answers
1k views

Are there any Wing Chun Kungfu training dummy designs that are fit for use in a condo?

I'm looking to practice some with a training dummy at home. I live in a condo (apartment building), and am concerned with: being able to mount it properly noise absorption - minimal noise production ...
blueberryfields's user avatar
13 votes
3 answers
394 views

Where can I find statistics on attack modalities?

I'm not sure that the terms I'm using are standard, or that I'm explaining them well. Comments and feedback are welcome. Let me try to explain my terms, explain my assumption and then ask a question. ...
MCW's user avatar
  • 3,261
12 votes
18 answers
9k views

Non-sexist equivalent of "Man up" within the dojo

The common interpretation of the phrase according to the New York Times and urban dictionary and dictionary.com is about living up to a stereotypical image of masculinity. There are other meanings ...
Sardathrion - against SE abuse's user avatar
12 votes
8 answers
2k views

Burnout or boredom in martial arts class

I've been training in Karate for a few years and have managed to make my way up to 1st Kyu. I could probably do my Shodan grading in about a years time. The thing is I'm starting to get very bored ...
LeDoc's user avatar
  • 629
12 votes
8 answers
5k views

Martial arts for building self confidence

I am a heavy built 180 pound 6 feet 2 inches guy. The problem however is that I have very little self confidence in my own health and strength. I catch colds easily, and can't eat all types of foods, ...
Quillion's user avatar
  • 223
12 votes
3 answers
4k 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 ...
Nathan's user avatar
  • 606
12 votes
3 answers
1k 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 ...
David H. Clements's user avatar
12 votes
8 answers
6k 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 ...
Dave Liepmann's user avatar
12 votes
7 answers
20k views

Is there value in using weighted clothing in martial arts training?

Is there any research/evidence that would indicate that training (drills, katas, etc rather than sparring) for martial arts more broadly (striking arts like TKD, Karate and Muay Thai more specifically)...
rjstreet's user avatar
  • 1,469
12 votes
6 answers
3k 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?
user783131's user avatar
12 votes
4 answers
1k views

Can there be too much training?

My oldest son (19) teaches and trains BJJ 6 days a week. He teaches and takes morning, afternoon and evening classes, plus trains MMA, does fitness training and is currently learning some boxing. My ...
user avatar
11 votes
14 answers
12k views

What are the benefits of learning weapons?

This is kinda a tangent of my benefits of training to fight multiple attackers question. Although I have some opinions of my own, my experience with weapons training is currently very limited, so I ...
rcheuk's user avatar
  • 555
11 votes
6 answers
2k 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 ...
thpetrus's user avatar
  • 113
11 votes
3 answers
6k views

Training martial arts in china

Has anyone got experience with any martial arts (Kung Fu, Tai Chi, etc.) camps in China? I would like to visit one to fulfil a childhood dream. It is not so easy to find information about which camp (...
im4ever's user avatar
  • 211
11 votes
4 answers
4k views

How to Deal with Unprofessional Sparring Partners

What is the best way to deal with unteams like sparring partners? I'm an intermediate Muay Thai in class. Everytime, beginners and intermediate pair up with a certain 'advanced' fighter in class for ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
11 votes
9 answers
2k views

How a woman can teach martial art for men?

It's an honest question. I'm a black belt woman and I have only women in my class. I'd love to understand what happens with them or why men feel uncomfortable with the idea of taking martial arts ...
Mestra Joanna Suede's user avatar
11 votes
8 answers
1k views

Are there musical instruments which, when practiced, noticeably increase martial arts skills and performance?

Martial arts movies suggest that some musical instruments (drums, for example) are particularly well suited and matched with martial arts practice. Is there any truth to this claim? Which instruments ...
blueberryfields's user avatar
11 votes
4 answers
17k views

How to get fit (again) for Judo

So, I've started doing Judo again after 8 years abstinence (I'm 28 now) and I really suck fitness wise and technical wise. Unfortunatly we only have training once a week which is probably not enough ...
kei1aeh5quahQu4U's user avatar
11 votes
6 answers
15k 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 ...
user avatar
11 votes
7 answers
621 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 ...
user avatar
11 votes
8 answers
22k views

Exercises for strengthening arms, wrists and fingers with the intent of sword use

In a previous question I asked whether it is better to start out with a light weapon, and then move on to a heavier one. I got the answer that yes, it's better to start with a lighter one and ...
EscalatedQuickly's user avatar
11 votes
9 answers
8k 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 don'...
chobok's user avatar
  • 451

1
2 3 4 5 6