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We're constantly adding new short training tips that will help in your practice of martial arts. Windows Media Player is required. Make sure you have the latest version. For an update or to install Windows Media Player, click here for a free download.
Punching a heavybag or a partner is easy. Punching through newspaper is difficult. To punch through paper, you must relax and focus on speed and body mechanics. To do this drill, have someone hold up a single two-page sheet of newspaper. They should hold it lightly. Your goal is to punch through the newspaper. It doesn't count if you slash at the paper at an angle -- the punch must be straight. Ken demonstrates with his lovely assistant, Nancy.
Tip #13 - Punching Through Paper -- Dial-Up Modem Users Click Here
Tip #13 - Punching Through Paper -- Cable/DSL Users Click Here
In the internal arts, putting power into a strike requires relaxing and turning of the waist and dan t'ien area, powerful but relaxed openings and closings, and very little use of arm and shoulder muscle. Here is an exercise to develop dan t'ien rotation which can be done with a waxwood staff, pole, or even a long piece of PVC pipe.
Tip #12 - Staff/Pole Exercise -- Dial-Up Modem Users Click Here
Tip #12 - Staff/Pole Exercise -- Cable/DSL Modem Users Click Here
Learning to "connect" to your partner or opponent is crucial. Ideally, you want to know when he is going to attack as soon as he knows. Here is a fun drill to do with a partner which also works on speed and reflexes.
Tip #11 -- Connecting and Speed Drill -- Dial-Up Modem Users Click Here
Tip #11 -- Connecting and Speed Drill -- Cable/DSL Users Click Here
Here is a drill to practice with a partner, but you can also do this in front of a mirror. When you punch, you don't want to "wind up" or pull back at all before you launch the punch. If you give any sign that you're going to punch, your opponent can block, evade, or counter easily. Practice this drill with a partner.
Tip #10 -- Punching Drill -- Dial-up Modem Users Click Here
Tip #10 -- Punching Drill -- Cable/DSL Users Click Here
Here is a fighting tip for knocking down a punch and staying on the outside of your opponent. Anticipation and readiness are crucial when fighting--knowing what your opponent is going to do and then reacting. This technique is useful against an opponent who uses jabs.
Tip #9 -- Jab Defense -- Dial-Up Modem users click here.
Tip #9 -- Jab Defense -- Cable/DSL users click here.
Anytime you learn a new form, it can be disorienting to perform it or practice it in a different location or facing a different direction. Here is one way to really get into a form and learn the pattern of movements without being thrown off by your surroundings. This is especially helpful for those preparing to do forms in tournaments.
Tip #8 -- Form Practice -- Dial-Up Modem users click here.
Tip #8 -- Form Practice -- Cable/DSL users click here.
A clip from our Tournament Sparring Video, this training tip shows how to score against a kicker. It involves timing the rhythm of his leg. A kicker has to let the leg drop at some point. As soon as the leg begins to descend, you spring forward and get inside the opponent's kicking range. This may take some practice to learn to time it right and explode inside at just the right split-second.
Tip #7 -- Kicker Strategy -- Dial-Up Modem users click here.
Tip #7 -- Kicker Strategy -- Cable/DSL users click here.
When you first learn self-defense, there is a natural tendency to flinch or blink when someone attacks you. Here is a training technique that will help you learn to keep your eyes open when someone is throwing techniques at you, and while doing this you should also watch for openings so you can counterattack.
Tip #6 -- Eyes Open -- Dial-Up Modem users click here.
Tip #6 -- Eyes Open -- Cable/DSL users click here.
Control is an important part of partner practice. To train properly without injuring your partners, it's important to practice throwing techniques that have power but barely make contact. This is also crucial for tournament sparring. The better you get as a martial artist, the more you can decide how much contact to make and how much power to deliver. Here is a good way to practice, by having a target and training yourself to come very close without contact.
Tip #5 -- Practicing control -- Dial-Up Modem users click here.
Tip #5 -- Practicing control -- Cable/DSL users click here.
This training tip builds on the concept of turning the waist and arm together. The application is a takedown against an attacker throwing a punch. Very little muscular strength is needed to take down an opponent if you use good body mechanics.
Tip #4 -- Taking Down a Puncher -- Dial-Up Modem users click here.
Tip #4 -- Taking Down a Puncher -- Cable/DSL users click here.