| So you have been studying combat martial arts | | | | 3. Use the correct stretches in the right way. |
| for a while now but you haven't reached the level | | | | Want to achieve the ability to perform high kicks |
| of proficiency you aspire to? | | | | even from cold? In which case you need to |
| Perhaps you have just started and are looking | | | | perform the right stretches at the right time. |
| around for tips on how to get to the top of your | | | | Dynamic stretches involve moving your limbs |
| class. | | | | through the full range of motion and should be |
| Sparring sessions feel like just an opportunity for | | | | done as part of your warm up. Isometric |
| your instructor and fellow students to humiliate | | | | stretches should be done in the cool down phase. |
| you? With these tips you will soon be making | | | | Include Isometric stretches into your weekly |
| them look stupid for ever doubting your ability! | | | | routine with care. An example is to have a light |
| 1. Train at home. Too many students just go to | | | | set on Sunday and Wednesday followed by a |
| training twice a week and leave it at that. If you | | | | heavier set on Tuesday and Friday, do not over |
| start practising at home early on in your training | | | | do it as it will be counter productive and if you |
| you will get into a good habit and enhance your | | | | ever get sore give them a miss. Relaxed |
| technique faster than your peers. You do not | | | | stretches should be done at the very end of a |
| need to have a partner, get yourself a punch-bag, | | | | workout followed by a minute or two of jogging |
| some dumbbells and a skipping rope (if you can | | | | on the spot to bring the heart rate back to |
| afford it a treadmill) and try to work out for 90 | | | | normal. Relaxed stretches can be done throughout |
| minutes a day on the days you do not have a | | | | the day if you want but should never be done as |
| lesson. Have one day a week where you do no | | | | part of a warm up or main part of a workout as |
| exercise or some gentle exercise like walking to | | | | it impairs the coordination of the muscles. |
| avoid over training. | | | | 4. Have the right mindset. Treat your training in |
| 2. Structure your workouts. Training at home will | | | | combat martial arts as a personal journey and be |
| be enhanced greatly if you organise your | | | | firm in your resolve to master your chosen form. |
| workouts in a particular way. Aim to do two full | | | | Learn from every sparring session by trying to |
| body strength workouts, two technique and | | | | identify where you can improve. Getting beaten is |
| speed workouts and if possible once a fortnight | | | | often more enlightening than being victorious. |
| or month, get a couple of friends from the club | | | | When sparring block out all other distractions and |
| to join you for some light contact sparring (make | | | | concentrate on what your opponent is doing. |
| sure there are at least three of you to make | | | | Don't concern yourself with winning or losing. |
| sure someone can referee). Within a 90 minute | | | | 5. Find out what works for you. This is my last |
| workout you should have a 15 minute warm up, | | | | and most important tip. Modern combat martial |
| 60 minute main part and 15 minute cool down | | | | arts are an amalgamation of many techniques |
| section. Here is an example of how I structure | | | | gathered over many years. Everyone is different |
| my workouts at home: | | | | so it stands to reason that not all techniques will |
| Monday - Weights Workout | | | | work for all students. Make a mental note of |
| Tuesday - Speed and technical workout | | | | what works and what doesn't and try to build |
| Wednesday - Martial art class | | | | your own method out of the elements given to |
| Thursday - Weights Workout | | | | you. If you get the opportunity to, later on in |
| Friday - Speed and technical workout | | | | your training, explore other forms and incorporate |
| Saturday - Complete/Active rest (gentle walk) - | | | | them into your own method. |
| Sparring practise | | | | Implement these tips and I promise you will see a |
| Sunday - Martial art class | | | | big improvement in your abilities very quickly. |