| In order to develop our skill in mixed martial arts | | | | train as a pastime and for reasons that enhance |
| training it is imperative that we develop a | | | | their life-style, aside from their everyday affairs. |
| disciplined training regime that provides adequate | | | | Therefore, finding the time energy to drill the new |
| repetition of the skill so that it becomes | | | | skills adequately can be tough unless you're young |
| programmed into our brain. | | | | with no career concerns or wealthy and can |
| The complexity of martial arts techniques, or for | | | | afford to take time out. |
| that matter any fighting technique, is particularly | | | | There is, however, another methodology that we |
| demanding in the need for continual reinforcement | | | | can utilize that has been shown to produce very |
| to raise them from the clumsy and slow | | | | impressive improvements in motor skill acquisition |
| conscious incompetence level on to the | | | | and performance. Several very robust studies |
| unconscious competence level experienced by | | | | have revealed that the correct use of visualization |
| athletes who are "in the zone". | | | | or visuo motor behavioral rehearsal (VMBR) |
| When learning a new skilled movement research | | | | training will enhance both the and retention and |
| has shown that the first 6 hours are the most | | | | performance of learning skilled motor movements. |
| important for retention. During this period the skill | | | | These techniques are now used routinely by elite |
| must be trained in a very precise and deliberate | | | | athletes throughout the world. |
| manner, under controlled conditions focused on | | | | The technique appears to work from the way |
| quality of execution (that is optimal technique | | | | that our brain brings back a memory of |
| execution) because this is when the new neural | | | | something or imagines something. During these |
| pathways are being formed and reinforced. | | | | processes the brain uses the same regions and |
| Consequently, if the execution is performed as | | | | so, by a programmed regime of visualization, we |
| required, then the correct pathways will be set up | | | | can reinforce a skilled movement or memory. |
| for the technique. However, if the training and | | | | However, it does require that you have actually |
| repetition does not pay attention to correct | | | | executed the skill to begin with and so can totally |
| execution such that the skill is practiced with | | | | immerse yourself in the feel of the movement. |
| incorrect form then the pathways formed, and | | | | For a more detailed discussion on the research |
| reinforced, will result in poor martial arts technique | | | | backing this phenomenom and a methodology |
| and subsequent low fighting performance. | | | | check out my blog articles on the subject at my |
| The very nature of martial arts and learning how | | | | blog site given below. |
| to fight makes skill repetition absolutely essential | | | | By incorporating this technique into your martial |
| and while there is no replacement for the | | | | arts training program you will provide yourself |
| hands-on mechanical drilling of a martial arts | | | | with an additional means to acquire the repetitions |
| movement on pads or with a partner, the time | | | | necessary for skill retention and performance |
| and energy demands can be very high and thus | | | | improvement outside of the gym or dojo. Just a |
| limiting for the average students development. | | | | 30 minute period at some quiet time, without |
| The majority of people who train in martial arts, | | | | interruptions, during the day is all that is required |
| whether it be Muay Thai kickboxing, Mixed Martial | | | | for significant increases in your mixed martial arts |
| Arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, karate, judo or wrestling, | | | | training performance. |