value of combos

[cfr]

Do you JKD guys see value in practicing prearranged combos on a heavy bag? Couldnt they almost be looked at as Katas against resistance? Not saying I feel that way... I just started thinking about it though. Wouldnt it be better to not have prearranged movements?

[Zell]

Well I don't know about others,
but the way I see it, practicing a combo is totaly okay.
The point is not to allways be unpredictable, but to take what you see as effective, and then incorporate it in your own inividual style...

So, anyway, I practice both pre rendered combos, as well as the possibility to link single attacks together at a whim.
And... I also practice a number of katas from both karate, and Tae Kwon Do.
Simply because it is a good way to polish your techniques, as well as make it a part of your natural reflexes....

[HtTKar]

If you cant make it work on a bag, you'll never be able to make it work on a person. Bags dont hit back, so why not try practicing there first? There are many drills you should work on bags, and combination drills are one of them. A heavy-bag in particular will make you rethink some techniques you thought might work in real life. Ever try a spear-hand or a ridge-hand on a heavy bag? You learn how precise you need to be and really refine your techniques.

[BeingAtOne]

i think combos are great to really help a person understand the flow and transition between punches and kicks and knees and elbos etc... but its very important to be able to also train onself to be able to change it up just to mess the other person up so they dont read you like a book after you attack a few times. I mean personally, I train with combos on the bag and experament a little then i try it out when i sparr if It dont work well or just one bit of the combo seems to have fault then i change it or scrap it and start over.

[Blue Wave Gym]

Originally Posted by HtTKar

If you cant make it work on a bag, you'll never be able to make it work on a person. Bags dont hit back, so why not try practicing there first? There are many drills you should work on bags, and combination drills are one of them. A heavy-bag in particular will make you rethink some techniques you thought might work in real life. Ever try a spear-hand or a ridge-hand on a heavy bag? You learn how precise you need to be and really refine your techniques.

I agree completely
first on a piece of equipment, then on a person in sparring, then in a full contact ring fight and if you have to, then in a street fight.

[Wayfinder]

I don't do prearranged combos on a bag, because that is like a kata. And that just doesn't work for my mind when it comes sparring time. I end up doing prearranged kata while sparring instead of hitting the real openings. So I usually just draw, with chalk, anatomical marks on my bag and visualize hands and focus on hitting the openings when the bag swings back towards me (representing the step up of my opponent)

But combos are still important. Yet, now I think of a combo as continously hitting my opponent where it counts instead of anything prearranged.

[cfr]

I guess the reason for my asking this question is that my instructor is more into:

1; 1 guy holds focus mitts.
2; While doing footwork(moving around, not being static) the guy with the mitts will create "openings". Maybe openings for a jab/ cross, maybe for a cross/ low hook, maybe for this or that... Its up to the hitter to make use of the openings.

Not saying this is any better/ worse that standard heavy bag combos, just looking for thoughts.

[elementaldrive]

i do a lot of solo training. i have a few sparring partners and we do a lot of 3 1/4 strength sparring but on the heavy bag i usually turn on some music with a rapid breaking beat and throw my combos accordingly...keeps it fresh and avoids patterns. does anyone think this is a good idea...a bad one? as a mostly solo practitioner i would really appreciate the input

[Zell]

It depends wether or not you use them in real combat/contests,
or if you only spar with people, and try too look good...

Is as simple as this, to be good at real combat, go combat some ass!

Sorry, got a little carried away, but the essence is, if you want to be a good REAL figther, you need to test your combos, e.t.c at real live advesaris, who, in turn tries to take you down as well...

but, whenever you don't have your arch enemy around, a bag is a good substituten yes...

[robertlee]

I would say yes. To prearanged combo training. FIRST thing though a person on any training has to relize its training not real life. AND in real life resistive parteners or real fights. There is a difference. BUT To have the tools fit together well. Speed balance and power. Not forgeting foot work For delivery. You have to train the body to react with balanced movement. To get it in. And you can start off slow less power on the bag. To feel ghow you are trowing and moving How one strikes sets up the next. Any body can through a hand ful of combos. No skill training needed. BUT can they get them in. I have seen the kata word used in several posts. All kata is is prearranged strikes and movements. Brke down they become seperate moves That can trained And tested. BUT when people look at kata. Some never see the truth. I have heard instructors say in this kata you are fighting 3 people in this 5. THose instructors miss the boat by a mile. Any solo training has a point of need. Now I do not agree with kata training. But each there own. But how can you under pressure of a real fight Without putting a set of tools together. Think as smart if you have not done some prearanged training. Thats the learning prosess. Then you hone those skills in reactive resistive training Spars Take the boxer He views the tapes of the person he will be fighting. He trains set drills to out box that person. On different levels. That way he can put together a fight plan. BUT on the streets no plan just Taking what you have and do what you can get done. The better you train the tools The better your chances. Any body can hit you. No matter how good you are. BUT how often and what you can do about it. THAt makes starting that prearanged training a useful method. Nothing beats real life. But A understanding Of different methods Can flow together I think better then just throwing . If you understand there is no set method of delivery. But have the tools and mind set To put together a follow up movement such as a combo attack or defence.

[Blue Wave Gym]

Originally Posted by cfr

I guess the reason for my asking this question is that my instructor is more into:

1; 1 guy holds focus mitts.
2; While doing footwork(moving around, not being static) the guy with the mitts will create "openings". Maybe openings for a jab/ cross, maybe for a cross/ low hook, maybe for this or that... Its up to the hitter to make use of the openings.

Not saying this is any better/ worse that standard heavy bag combos, just looking for thoughts.

my god this instructor is actually doing ALIVE TRAINING, with his students, call the fucking news papers someone I can't belive it, an instructor other than mike(who's da man) is actually using his brain for something other than let me tell you how great I am 101,wow

[JkD187]

bag work is meant to be a mostly a cardio n musscle reistance workout....however by imagining an opponent and throwing random combos n blocks u can make ur training more realistic.

[shaolin-warrior]

Congrats!
This is one the best threads with real good info.. live trainig for combo's would be my first pick, but I'm fortunate....I have three other black belts in the house who always want to try to best the old man. But i like to mix it up with a heavy bag or focus mitt as well. Repetition is key to developepment of strong skills, but is a costly mistake in point sparring.