treelizard

When you're running TB and KB drills in class, or on your own, are you just trying to isolate/focus on that specific drill? Or are you constantly protecting your face and keeping good stance between strikes/punches/knees/kicks/etc.? I just always thought it'd be a good idea to get in the habit of keeping a good stance protecting my face etc. building it into my muscle memory (esp. when working with bags) but have noticed that I'm the only person who seems to be doing this. I guess I'm probably getting a few less reps in than others because of that (though I probably start sooner because I'm already in a good stance before the whistle blows)

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Garland

Slow is fast...right?
I mean...if your doing things keeping the proper form while the rest of the people are just slamming the bags with wantonous disregard for what they're instilling in their body's muscle memory...sounds like you're the person getting the most out of the class. Maybe after awhile, however, you can try so much not to focus on those things...and reap the rewards of being so dilligent. (chances are you'll likely be executing proper form without thinking about it.)

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treelizard

LOL, thanks Garland. I wasn't trying to diss other students. I suppose another way to put it would be to say that they are doing the actual drill (i.e. knee the bags as many times as you can 'til the whistle blows), and I, possibly from my old school karate days, am setting up again between reps.

Also I'm a bit paranoid about protecting my face since my friends keep getting beaten and killed from head strikes, to the point where I have to remind myself it's okay to put my arm down for a sec for a Thai kick...

Oh well. At least I won't get hit in the face by any of those devestating punching bags.

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Garland

Okay...sounds like you may be a bit rigid. (especially likening it to karate kata...ew, no...m'kay) The transitions from movement to movement should be fluid...think of it as a percussive form of modern dance. Martha Graeme meets Muay Thai. If the body moves fluidly, transitioning with grace and skill from one technique to another, you SHOULD be able to bang out the same number of strikes on the bags as the other people, but they should be harder, maybe even quicker, so long as the other people aren't just popping out strikes w/out bringing the arm back to cover, or stepping to a 45 on thai kicks.

These things (bringing the arm back and stepping in on kicks) should look quick and subtle...watch a pro muay thai guy hit the pads...look at their feet when they keep (the supporting foot, watch how it moves, and look at the angle of the heel off the ground...subtle) Look at their (boxers) fists when they punch the bag, esp. jabs...pop pop pop, quick, but the hand comes back to guard the jaw elbow down for the ribs...their bicep should even tap the side of their own jaw.

These subtle details should be there when you move quick...go slow until they are ingrained in your system, but go slow and fluid...don't make your motions jerky...keep going slow and then gradually pick up steam.

I dunno...I'm not a trainer...this is just what I notice...but I'm just a 20 year old kid...so don't take my shit too seriously.

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homo homini lupus

treelizard

Actually, a little bird told me you won some amateur MMA fights...

Okay, I'll ask the trainer, but usu. fifty other more important questions come up.

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Garland

I won a Muay Thai fight...that was at an (at the time) unsanctioned gym...when I was 17, so, like 3 years ago. Since then...no fights.
I'm looking to start up again, but I've needed to wait this long anyway, because of Utah bar laws and my bad blood with the old gym. (no venue to fight in.)

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homo homini lupus

treelizard

MARTIAL ARTS POLITICS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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