Self-defense training in many martial arts schools is too often artificial and static. Black Belt’s combatives expert, Kelly McCann, offers some pointers on how to improve your self-defense training when training with a live partner.
“If I say, ‘Throw a punch at me,’ No. 1 I want him to throw it at me. No. 2, I want him to retract so I have to deal with the reality that his arm’s not going to be there,” as it would be in traditional martial arts training where the partner might launch a technique and then the counterpart practices their technique. This approach to combatives training, as McCann says, “tests me physically. How fast do I get out of the way? And can I do a follow-on movement?”
In other words, self-defense training has to simulate what happens in a real streetfight with a noncompliant attacker who is not going to cut you any slack.
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By the way, did you know that Black Belt is going digital? You can now download your favorite martial arts titles, such as Bruce Lee’s Tao of Jeet Kune Do
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Looking to improve your understanding of Korean culture in preparation for your next martial arts excursion in Korea? Then check out the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project.
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Michael Jordan on Failure
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
In other words, never give up.
Until next time…Train hard, stay safe, live well.
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