I have two routines. Call them A and B. They are designed to compliment each other.
A = 5 x 3 minute rounds of striking practice
Weightlifting for the neck/grip
An intensive anaerobic circuit and
Stretching.
B = 5 x 3 minute rounds of striking practice
A full body weight training routine and
Stretching
Week 1, I do routine A, B then A again. Week 2, I do B, A and then B again. This goes on and on. I change it around if I get bored. I used to train lots of goroundwork, but became stale and bored. I think that only a tiny percentage of it was relevant to the way I fight (assuming, and escaping from, dominant positions. I'd prefer to ground and pound if on the floor, rather than fancy submissions).
I try to only train in ways that directly help me become better at defending myself. So, no kata, no running, no semi contact sparring, no competition tactics and strategies, no bull shit.
My style doesn't lend itself easily to sparring. Firstly I think it becomes too stylised anyway, and can become harmful. Secondly the Thai type stuff (which I do rate for self defence, of course) is too rough on my elderly body. Thirdly none of the techniques I practice are legal in competition/sparring anyway. Fourthly, I have extensive sparring experience from the past, but still reckon I'm more able to do the business now than I have ever before been in my life.
Me and a like minded guy from another site are to team up and exchange ideas soon. Maybe that will allow me to broaden my scope a bit.
|