Practicing Combinations

[TheDevilAside]

Alright, I just got back from class. I'm kind of exhausted and can't really think straight, so sorry if this doesn't make much sense.

 

With the drills, I tried to "just react" and tried not to think about what was coming, and it actually worked. My blocks weren't perfect, but atleast they blocked the hits... I imagine it takes years of practice to "react" with a good block I still feel a little awkward with these drills, but it went much better. Our instructor rotated partners, so you were with a new one between ever combination. I ended up with this white belt and she wouldn't move, so I took the advice and simply adjusted my kicks, which American Kenpo has taught me, but I never really thought of incoorporating it into these drills :[

 

I did take the whole thing a bit too seriously and didn't really see it as what it was, a drill. I figured if this is how I perform in this drill, this is going I'm probably going to perform in a real situation.. which isn't true.

 

The only thing that still annoyed me (not sure if I mentioned this in my previous post) was whenever I would shuffle in or simply move in to go into a close enough distance to reach with a punch, most of my partners almost seemed to run back. It was really difficult to pretend to be "engaged" when my partners would be so "shy". So, I just remember that it was just a drill, and I just punched into the air. Ah well.

 

Overrall, it went much better. Thank you for the advice, everyone.

[Drunken Monkey]

if you're punching short then i would say that you're still missing a little bit.

 

you should try your best to close that gap.

 

also, in that situation, it is your opponent's 'job' to receive the hit.

 

if they run away as you put it then they are kinda cheating themselves.

 

it is your duty then, as a fellow member of the calss, to make sure that the next time, they can't run away from the hit!

 

you don't mention the exact drill but when i do the step-in/hit drills, it is up to me how i step in and how many steps i take.

 

generally, the only 'fixed' thing is the hit/s.

 

the stepping is something i have full control over.

 

if i end up short or unbalanced, i know it is all my fault cos my footwork was off.

[delta1]

Th' Monk gave some good advice (as usual).

I tried to "just react" and tried not to think about what was coming, and it actually worked. My blocks weren't perfect, but atleast they blocked the hits...

 

That's good, but remember that in drills you still want to work on good form, structure, etc.

I imagine it takes years of practice to "react" with a good block

 

Not really, but the longer you train the better you get, true enough. AK gets away from the block then counter method as you go on. Gets really good at about purple and blue. But your foundation is laid at yellow and orange, so keep working it hard. Another thing you'll find is that some of the self defense techniques might not be clear why they were done the way they are. It's ok to question them, and even rework them yourself (I'd say it's a good thing, but not every one in AK agrees with me there). But learn them as taught. Remember, they are giving you a dictionary of motion, as well as laying the foundation for later techniques. Questions are fine, but never throw out things just because they don't make sense right now.

I ended up with this white belt and she wouldn't move, so I took the advice and simply adjusted my kicks, which American Kenpo has taught me, but I never really thought of incoorporating it into these drills

 

Adjust kicks and strikes, adjust your footwork (as DM pointed out), or adjust her reaction (practice craneing or other contact manipulation, don't rough up the womens too much until they get some experience). You can also work with her to get her used to standing in and doing the drills. These can be intimidating for new people, and sometimes downright painful!

 

 

whenever I would shuffle in or simply move in to go into a close enough distance to reach with a punch, most of my partners almost seemed to run back. It was really difficult to pretend to be "engaged" when my partners would be so "shy".

 

That doesn't sound like any of the AK schools I've visited. The instructor should be on them for this, as long as it isn't you getting too rough when they are in a compromised position due to the drill (doesn't sound like this is the case). Are you working with mostly newer students? I don't know, maybe you should have a polite chat with your instructor. But you might get more than you bargain for there if he pairs you with some senior students. I've been paired with some black belts for drills, and when I came away, everything I could still feel hurt like the devil! And, if you back up, they know how to maintain the distance and finish the drill.

 

ANy how, sounds like you are on the right track. Keep at it, it only gets better (at least for me so far).

[Drunken Monkey]

it's good that you try to react without thinking too hard about it.

 

keep in mind though, that at the beginning, your movements will be 'sloppy' but that's just because your body is still getting used to what are really not natural movements.

 

this will improve over time as you get sued to the movements.

 

when you first make contact on the receiving end, don't worry too much about blocking/stopping the hit completely.

 

concerntrate on the actual interception.

 

once your interception timing is improving AND your partner has more confidence in entering harder, you then receive harder, adjusting the gap, your stance, angle of interception, structures etc etc.

 

try everything slightly differently.

 

you will then begin to feel when and how things work better for you.

 

i always say try to get rid of the 'block' mentallity and think about it in terms of 'receiving'.

 

it kinda makes more sense.

 

'block' sounds too immediate.

 

it suggests that your 'block' is final, where i have always been told that the 'block' positions (from the forms) are moments.

 

in free sparring drills, your blocks will constantly be changing from 'blocks' to 'hits'.

 

hope that last little bit made sense.

 

it's a bit late here and i've just been removing the doors of a little model car and my back is killing me....

[TheDevilAside]

That doesn't sound like any of the AK schools I've visited. The instructor should be on them for this, as long as it isn't you getting too rough when they are in a compromised position due to the drill (doesn't sound like this is the case). Are you working with mostly newer students?

 

The assistant instructors usually do get on their case for it. But, yes, this is only with the newer students. The more experienced students are much better, and it's a lot more fun. I don't believe I'm being too rough since I never make contact unless I'm paired up with a friend that I know doesn't mind being hit.

It's ok to question them, and even rework them yourself (I'd say it's a good thing, but not every one in AK agrees with me there).

 

Yes, I always ask a bunch of questions and I always get an answer to them. The instructors encourage asking questions and I'm glad for that. As for re-working them yourself, I really haven't done this myself, but all of the instructors seem to have their own "style" and a lot of them actually do some techniques a bit differently. We are encouraged, however, to adjust our techniques to the size of our opponent or to ourselves, but I don't know if that's really considereing "re-working them".

i always say try to get rid of the 'block' mentallity and think about it in terms of 'receiving'.

 

it kinda makes more sense.

 

'block' sounds too immediate.

 

it suggests that your 'block' is final, where i have always been told that the 'block' positions (from the forms) are moments.

 

Yeah, that does seem more sensible. I'll try that.

 

Thanks everyone

[Mart]

Personally i think the most important part you said was that you take it too seriously. I would change that round and say that maybe your nervous?

 

Could this be true. Afraid of getting it wrong maybe feel under pressure because you have to it it a certain way AND get it right.

 

From everything you have said this seems the answer to me.

[delta1]

As for re-working them yourself, I really haven't done this myself, but all of the instructors seem to have their own "style" and a lot of them actually do some techniques a bit differently. We are encouraged, however, to adjust our techniques to the size of our opponent or to ourselves, but I don't know if that's really considereing "re-working them".

 

Adjusting to your opponent is one form of reworking techniques. Another is to look at the attack in the ideal phase and alter it a little, see what adjustments might have to be made. Also, what other attacks might this work against? For example, Delayed Sword can be used against the grab, but also against a straight punch, or even his guard if he leaves it out a little. You could replace the kick with a foot maneuver and go straight to the handsword, or if he's a little closer you could delete the kick all together, then possibly put up a left positional check as you strike with the handsword and flow into Five Swords from the handsword to the mastoid. But, with each modification, you have to think about what you've done with relative positioning, his actions and the forces inherent in the attack. For example, the cat prepatory to the front snap kick takes you back a little out of range of his left, which the grab may have been setting you up for. Moving in quick and striking brings you more in his range, but it also jams his attack. The handsword could also be changed to a block (its delivery path is a check any how) and you could still cat back and kick, which brings you back into the base technique. Also, just hammering his guard, you don't have the angular momentum of his roundhouse punch to use against him if you choose to flow into Five Swords, which increases the likelyhood you'll have to deal with his left. Stoping that momentum momentarily disrupts his ballance, and without that disruption his counter can be quicker. Having to deal with that can add a little spontaniety to your practice.

 

Just some examples. I'd talk to your instructor before getting too much into this, though. Since I work out with a small group instead of a regular class, I've had a lot more leeway in doing this kind of thing. There are a lot of Kenpoists that think you should not start doing this too early in your training. And there are some who say you should be able to use the techniques as written, allowing for technique flow when things don't go as planned, with no modifications. Maybe they can do this, but until I can I'll disagree with the second group. Besides, playing around with the techniques is just playtime for me anyhow.

 

By the way, I like the term 'receive' as opposed to blocking also. As you advance, you'll do more of that. But you've already done quite a bit, even at yellow. Whenever you yield or react under force (Alternating Maces), pin a grab (Mace of Agression), use the momentum of his strike to evade (Checking the Storm), or especially use a block to reposition him where you want him (Deflecting Hammer), you've 'received', as opposed to just block and counter.

 

Right about now, the rest of the forum is saying "What the heck is he talking about?" That's ok, though. It's how I am when they start talking Japanese.

[delta1]

Personally i think the most important part you said was that you take it too seriously. I would change that round and say that maybe your nervous?...Afraid of getting it wrong maybe feel under pressure because you have to it it a certain way AND get it right.

 

That's a good observation. I know I get that way at times, now that you mention it.