Any tips on Solo training?

[RapidAssault16]

It's really tough to afford lessons in Kali and Arnis in my area, and I was wondering if anyone could share any tips as to how to train solo effectively. I don't have much equipment. I'm in the process of making a Tire Dummy and a Makiwara strike post. Right now, the only pieces of equipment that I own are a tennis ball tied to a string attatched to the ceiling and an Arnis stick tied to a string attatched to the ceiling. I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips as to how to make my solo training more productive.

[dosmanos1]

You're on the right track in hanging a tire in your backyard. A tire is to an eskrimador what the heavy bag is to a boxer.

If you can, try learning the basic strikes from a particular system and practice them on the tire. This will allow you to focus on accuracy, timing and power. Use an older tire that has some give to it so you can focus on your striking without damaging your wrists in the process.

You'll know when you'll start to develop control in your strikes when the tire does not swing back and forth wildly. Plus the use of your checking hand should assist in that process and using double sticks on the tire will allow you to become fluent with your right and left sides equally---just take it slow and wait for gradual improvements.

I use an old tire and have been using it for target practice for going on 6 years now---these things last forever!

Hope this helps and good luck with your training.

[sherwinc]

You're on the right track in hanging a tire in your backyard. A tire is to an eskrimador what the heavy bag is to a boxer.

If you can, try learning the basic strikes from a particular system and practice them on the tire. This will allow you to focus on accuracy, timing and power. Use an older tire that has some give to it so you can focus on your striking without damaging your wrists in the process.

You'll know when you'll start to develop control in your strikes when the tire does not swing back and forth wildly. Plus the use of your checking hand should assist in that process and using double sticks on the tire will allow you to become fluent with your right and left sides equally---just take it slow and wait for gradual improvements.

I use an old tire and have been using it for target practice for going on 6 years now---these things last forever!

Hope this helps and good luck with your training.

maybe makiwara will do

[old skool dude]

It's really tough to afford lessons in Kali and Arnis in my area, and I was wondering if anyone could share any tips as to how to train solo effectively. I don't have much equipment. I'm in the process of making a Tire Dummy and a Makiwara strike post. Right now, the only pieces of equipment that I own are a tennis ball tied to a string attatched to the ceiling and an Arnis stick tied to a string attatched to the ceiling. I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips as to how to make my solo training more productive.

Here are a couple of training methods

Sinawali

There's no need to know millions of different patterns. If you know the basic "heaven six" pattern practice that pattern alternating broken, and fluid strikes. Concentrate on your rhythm, varying the speed, and strenth of certain strkes. Do the sinawali drill stationary, then utilize footwork moving forward, backward, side to side, circular. Do the same pattern working the forward and reverse triangle footwork.
Go jogging, and take the sticks with you. While jogging do the heavensix pattern. This will not only improve your coordiation but give you a fantastic cardiovascular workout.

Stick and object drill
get the double sticks adn do a simple pattern. (Heaven six is good, or whatever you feel comfortable using) do the patterns for a period of time then pick up another object to substitute for the stick. For example, do sinawali with a stick in one hand and an umbrella in the other. Do sinawali with a stick in one hand, and a newspaper, a book, a hairdrier, a comb a soda bottle, in the other hand.
This drill can get really hilarious but you're working on a principle here. The principle is that we are training ANGLES of ATTACK and DEFENSE. there are times when you may have to use an improvised weapon and wont have your handy rattan stick with you. Practice doing your drills with newspapers of various sizes and weights. Get in the habit of practicing single and double weapons drills with unconventional objects. One of the best workouts I had was when I put a stick in one hand and a dog chain in the othe! Doing this forces your mind and body to adapt and react and it is a sure fire cure for BORING PRACTICE!

Lights out drill.
Wait until night time. take your single stick, or double stick then turn out the lights in your house.
Go into each room and practice in the dark. This doesn not have to be fast, you can take your time, taking into account that you dont want to knock your coffee cup off your kitchen table or smash your dvd player. The object of this drill is to enable you do do environmental training. You may have to defend yourself in the dark or a semi dark room. Your home may be broken into and you have to negotiate around furniture, and other obsticles.If you're really brave, pick up some of your kitchen knives or utencils and use them.

These are just a few things that should keep you busy and make your solo training fun. I've used them for years and i've never been bored.

[chimpgimp]

Take a stick in one hand and place your other hand on a wall or other solid object .

Strike at your hand, obviously move your hand before the stick hits it and then trap the stick. Get quicker and quicker, and try and leave the hand there there for as long as possible.

This is a good drill for speeding up your tapi tapi work. The idea behind it is if you have controlled the opponents arm but need to move your hand to strike then you get control of the arm again as quickly as possible . i.e. open the gate for a short as time as possible.

hope this makes sense.