How do you fight differently due to physical limitations?

[The BB of C]

When I first started training, I was too obese to be very flexible. So instead of worrying about being able to do splits for high kicks, I just threw as much body momentum as possible in to them. Of course it slowed the kicks down a little bit but it was a good substitute until I lost weight and got flexible. I also switched my fight instinct from offensive to defensive because I've always been too slow to successfully attack, I basically taught myself how to counter really well.

[cross]

Unfortunately due to work time constraints and being a little tired of being thrown around at 45, I quit formal training at my JKD school. I now train on my own in Muay Thai and lifting weights, running, hiking, etc. You lose a lot by not training with partners; but Cross, Sohan, you and some others have inspired me to take my training in a different direction by training on my own. I can actually work on technique better and do a lot of visualization in the privacy of my own home gym. Truthfully, it is a positive change. I miss the school some, though. Breaks of life.

Its good to hear you havnt stopped training altogether baronbvp. It can be hard to find the motivation to train on your own to start with, but once you get into the swing of things it can be very rewarding, has you've noted. Im still training at home and am in the process of trying to find a couple of like-minded people to start a training group with.

Be sure to let us know if you come up with any good solo drills, and if your after some self defense specific ideas for training on your own i would highly recommend Richard Dimitri's DVD "The Lone Warrior: Solo Training Drills." Check out https://www.senshido.com for more info.

Let us know how it goes and best wishes,

Cross.

[baronbvp]

Its good to hear you havnt stopped training altogether baronbvp. It can be hard to find the motivation to train on your own to start with, but once you get into the swing of things it can be very rewarding, has you've noted. Im still training at home and am in the process of trying to find a couple of like-minded people to start a training group with.

Be sure to let us know if you come up with any good solo drills, and if your after some self defense specific ideas for training on your own i would highly recommend Richard Dimitri's DVD "The Lone Warrior: Solo Training Drills." Check out https://www.senshido.com for more info.

Let us know how it goes and best wishes,

Cross.

Thanks, Cross. I will check that out. So far I have focused on mirror drills with punches that include my MT-style punches, JKD punches (thumb up, straight lead), and old karate chambered punches. I also do mirror clinch/knee/rotate moves and round kicks. I have a 50 lb heavy bag in my home gym. It is not heavy but is much more solid than the standup floor bag I used in MT. I have had to tighten my fists even more and I pay very close attention to my mechanics to avoid wrist injury.

I do these drills at my regular gym, too, where I took MT. Unfortunately, they won't let anyone use the boxing equipment unless they pay for a class; I have "fed back" that bit of nonsense to the management. I have also gotten back into lifting heavy. And even though I am built slender, the little bit of belly fat I have is ever more stubborn to the point where I just can't eat right/do cardio enough to keep it off. At some point in life, other priorities seem to win out. It's only about an extra ten pounds, but my body seems comfy where it is now.

I have to admit, I don't miss the pain of training MAA. I work out hard, but smart. I'll check into those solo resources.

Thanks, Baron

[bushido_man96]

That is all great to hear, Baron. If you have questions, let us know!

[bushido_man96]

When I first started training, I was too obese to be very flexible. So instead of worrying about being able to do splits for high kicks, I just threw as much body momentum as possible in to them.

Just because someone is obese, does not mean that they can't be flexible. It has more to do with how much you stretch than with how much you weigh. Many Sumo wrestlers are quite flexible. You can be heavier, and make your moves fast, too. It is all in how you train.

Don't get me wrong, though. Identifying a problem like obesity and seeking to fix it is a good idea.

[The BB of C]

When I first started training, I was too obese to be very flexible. So instead of worrying about being able to do splits for high kicks, I just threw as much body momentum as possible in to them.

Just because someone is obese, does not mean that they can't be flexible. It has more to do with how much you stretch than with how much you weigh. Many Sumo wrestlers are quite flexible. You can be heavier, and make your moves fast, too. It is all in how you train.

Don't get me wrong, though. Identifying a problem like obesity and seeking to fix it is a good idea.

Very interesting. I forgot about Sumo wrestlers. That post I wrote there was the Dan in me talking My older brother always told me that I wasn't flexible because I was overweight. And when I lost weight, the first thing I noticed is that I became more flexible. But perhaps I did them both at the same time instead of doing one and the other resulting in it.

[bushido_man96]

That is what I would guess. My younger brother was short and stocky (heavy), but he could do the full splits at one point, and I couldn't. Losing weight won't make muscles any looser. I am heavier now than I would like to be, but I am still fairly flexible, too. Any gains in flexibility that I have lost is directly proportional to the lack of time that I have had to spend on stretching; not my weight.

[xena]

i use be in really good shape until i got sick one illnes after another then get injured one after another.

well i to am over weight but thats do getting injured an sick not beging able to work out

i hate not beging able to workout an do karate it drives me nuts

like right now i got broken ribs an a slip disc in my back

i have been able to nothing

i need to be able to come up with a way to karate

with hurting myself because i am going nuts with out karate

but then again i don't know how to take it easy

i use to working hard

i am a major workholic hee hee

i can't seat in one place to long with wanting to do something

so far my mom has had help with making my meals

because my legs go right out undeneth me

an there are times i can't even left my arms or bend over to pick something up

i can't left heavy things i can't for long time

i also tire easyly .

[baronbvp]

There is a great article in the articles section of this forum by a woman with MS. If she can do it, I'll bet you can find a way.

[badclams]

Being 5'4" ,two knee surgeries, a compressed disk, and with people being more violent in a brawl yes,..I dont pull any punches and get it over with really quick, rather than go toe to toe with someone half my age and twice my height and weight.