Post by WARRIOR on Jul 19, 2009 3:03:17 GMT -5
Sawadee Khrup everyone,
This is my first crack at trying to express some of my training experience in an article. I realised some of this while studying Psychology for 4 years before I decided to take a turn and complete my degree in English. The following plan takes into account some basic psychological principles such as classic conditioning and limitations on attention span/memory. I have noticed some Thai trainers incorporating a similar process. I use this in my own training as well as that of my students. It works!
I know this is a heavy read, but hopefully you find it beneficial. I am interested in hearing constructive thoughts/comments/questions.
________________________
MAKING TECHNIQUE WORK
“Clearly, it is one thing to be able to execute a maneuver (i.e. go through the motion) and another thing to apply it effectively in the heat of a real combat scenario.”
By Zubair Khan – July, 2009
Have you ever known an athlete that looked absolutely vicious kicking a heavy bag only to be embarrassed in the ring without landing a single kick? Have you ever asked yourself after a sparring session why you can’t get your body to throw a certain technique no matter how much you do it during shadow boxing, pad work and bag work? Clearly, it is one thing to be able to execute a maneuver (i.e. go through the motion) and another thing to apply it effectively in the heat of a real combat scenario.
Many gyms push students into sparring having only trained them how to execute techniques expecting that they will eventually figure out how to apply them effectively through trial and error. However, for most techniques this is a long, slow process if not impossible. How then, do we bridge the gap between throwing a technique and applying it effectively in a real combat scenario?
Leveraging the Benefits of Drills:
Pad work, bag work and shadow boxing are great for developing power, speed, endurance, form, etc., but can never be a perfect simulation of an actual opponent. Heavy sparring, although the most realistic simulation of an actual fight poses too many factors for an athlete to respond to if trying to focus on a new and unfamiliar technique.
The answer lies in drills. Yes, well planned and carefully executed drills with a partner. This is the best way to practice applying your technique on a real person without having to focus on more factors than you are prepared to respond to.
Here is a quick list of steps to effectively train a technique using drills. As an example for the following steps, consider using a teep (front push kick) to intercept a round kick to your arm.
STAGE 1: Isolating the technique: The first thing you will need to do is get comfortable with the timing, range and feel of the technique, without the distraction of other techniques.
Example:
Have your partner throw slow, controlled round kicks to your arm as you intercept them with slow, controlled teeps. Do nothing else until you are comfortable with the basic mechanics of this maneuver. This may take a number of rounds.
STAGE 2: Determining the default technique: Now that you know how the new technique is supposed to feel, STOP USING IT EVERY TIME. Determine what the “default technique” would be for this situation and use it the rest of the time. In other words, use the safest, most basic and most familiar technique. Learn to consciously decide when you will use the new technique (approximately every 2-3 times is a good rule of thumb). Both you and your partner should avoid following a predictable rhythm.
Example:
Only intercept your partner’s kick every 2-3 times. The rest of the time, use a default technique that is safe, easy and familiar, such as blocking the kick with your arm.
The result should be to this effect: block…..block…..teep!….block….teep! etc. The point is that you want to be able to MAKE THE CONCSIOUS DECISION as to when you will, or will not use your teep to intercept a kick. Be patient and don’t change anything until you reach a high level of comfort and control.
STAGE 3: Add more variables: By this point you should be able to use the technique at will, in an isolated scenario. The next step is to start making the scenario more realistic by adding more variables. If you are trying to master a defensive maneuver, then allow your partner an additional attack that you will defend, so that you now have to focus on two different possible attacks. You might also consider allowing yourself to use a second defensive maneuver and alternate between the two. If you are trying to master an attack maneuver, then give yourself the option of throwing one of 2 different attacks. Once you have reached a level of comfort with 2, add a third and so on. If you find that you are not able to use the new technique effectively go back a step and practice some more.
Example:
Note that our example is a defensive maneuver: Have your partner throw either punches or kicks at you and use your teep to defend both of these attacks. Another idea is to give yourself the option of either stepping back to make the kick miss completely or using your teep to intercept the kicks/punches. Either way, you have added more variables.
STAGE 4: Controlled Sparring: Once you are able to use the use the new technique effectively in a drill as described above, you are ready to start applying it to a sparring situation. Start with light sparring at a slow pace. This will work best if your partner is accommodating and gives you opportunities to practice your new technique. Gradually pick up the pace until the new technique works!
Zubair Khan
Head Coach
Warrior Muay Thai
This is my first crack at trying to express some of my training experience in an article. I realised some of this while studying Psychology for 4 years before I decided to take a turn and complete my degree in English. The following plan takes into account some basic psychological principles such as classic conditioning and limitations on attention span/memory. I have noticed some Thai trainers incorporating a similar process. I use this in my own training as well as that of my students. It works!
I know this is a heavy read, but hopefully you find it beneficial. I am interested in hearing constructive thoughts/comments/questions.
________________________
MAKING TECHNIQUE WORK
“Clearly, it is one thing to be able to execute a maneuver (i.e. go through the motion) and another thing to apply it effectively in the heat of a real combat scenario.”
By Zubair Khan – July, 2009
Have you ever known an athlete that looked absolutely vicious kicking a heavy bag only to be embarrassed in the ring without landing a single kick? Have you ever asked yourself after a sparring session why you can’t get your body to throw a certain technique no matter how much you do it during shadow boxing, pad work and bag work? Clearly, it is one thing to be able to execute a maneuver (i.e. go through the motion) and another thing to apply it effectively in the heat of a real combat scenario.
Many gyms push students into sparring having only trained them how to execute techniques expecting that they will eventually figure out how to apply them effectively through trial and error. However, for most techniques this is a long, slow process if not impossible. How then, do we bridge the gap between throwing a technique and applying it effectively in a real combat scenario?
Leveraging the Benefits of Drills:
Pad work, bag work and shadow boxing are great for developing power, speed, endurance, form, etc., but can never be a perfect simulation of an actual opponent. Heavy sparring, although the most realistic simulation of an actual fight poses too many factors for an athlete to respond to if trying to focus on a new and unfamiliar technique.
The answer lies in drills. Yes, well planned and carefully executed drills with a partner. This is the best way to practice applying your technique on a real person without having to focus on more factors than you are prepared to respond to.
Here is a quick list of steps to effectively train a technique using drills. As an example for the following steps, consider using a teep (front push kick) to intercept a round kick to your arm.
STAGE 1: Isolating the technique: The first thing you will need to do is get comfortable with the timing, range and feel of the technique, without the distraction of other techniques.
Example:
Have your partner throw slow, controlled round kicks to your arm as you intercept them with slow, controlled teeps. Do nothing else until you are comfortable with the basic mechanics of this maneuver. This may take a number of rounds.
STAGE 2: Determining the default technique: Now that you know how the new technique is supposed to feel, STOP USING IT EVERY TIME. Determine what the “default technique” would be for this situation and use it the rest of the time. In other words, use the safest, most basic and most familiar technique. Learn to consciously decide when you will use the new technique (approximately every 2-3 times is a good rule of thumb). Both you and your partner should avoid following a predictable rhythm.
Example:
Only intercept your partner’s kick every 2-3 times. The rest of the time, use a default technique that is safe, easy and familiar, such as blocking the kick with your arm.
The result should be to this effect: block…..block…..teep!….block….teep! etc. The point is that you want to be able to MAKE THE CONCSIOUS DECISION as to when you will, or will not use your teep to intercept a kick. Be patient and don’t change anything until you reach a high level of comfort and control.
STAGE 3: Add more variables: By this point you should be able to use the technique at will, in an isolated scenario. The next step is to start making the scenario more realistic by adding more variables. If you are trying to master a defensive maneuver, then allow your partner an additional attack that you will defend, so that you now have to focus on two different possible attacks. You might also consider allowing yourself to use a second defensive maneuver and alternate between the two. If you are trying to master an attack maneuver, then give yourself the option of throwing one of 2 different attacks. Once you have reached a level of comfort with 2, add a third and so on. If you find that you are not able to use the new technique effectively go back a step and practice some more.
Example:
Note that our example is a defensive maneuver: Have your partner throw either punches or kicks at you and use your teep to defend both of these attacks. Another idea is to give yourself the option of either stepping back to make the kick miss completely or using your teep to intercept the kicks/punches. Either way, you have added more variables.
STAGE 4: Controlled Sparring: Once you are able to use the use the new technique effectively in a drill as described above, you are ready to start applying it to a sparring situation. Start with light sparring at a slow pace. This will work best if your partner is accommodating and gives you opportunities to practice your new technique. Gradually pick up the pace until the new technique works!
Zubair Khan
Head Coach
Warrior Muay Thai
