One more round
Most, if not, all of us have sustained injuries in one form or another through training. It's a given seeing that what we practice is considered a full contact sport.For many, getting knocked about by punches, kicks, chokes or joint locks are enough to make them gun shy. For others, it is one of the reasons that keep them going. How? For many folks attracted to KDT, training in the gym is like a lab where you get to learn about the techniques, apply them against resisting opponents and experiment with your own modifications. Sometimes this involves scrutinizing your own technique or approach and mostly it involves risks (eg. sacrificing your defense in order to throw a combination or giving up some balance to secure a joint lock). Sometimes the risk sends you into dangerous zones where you quickly realise your strategic and/or tactical mistakes and it leaves you injured, temporarily or otherwise.
As with all things, we will never know the sweetness of success without first tasting the bitterness of failure. We will never know whether or not we can take a punch to the head without taking one. We will never know whether our guard is strong enough to withstand your opponent's constant barrage of punches or attacks. Here you are in the lab; on the mats, with your gloves on, tshirt bloodied and hazy minded from taking too many shots to the head.
For these reasons and more, we are constantly pushing ourselves, pursuing that elusive, perfect technique done at the perfect time.
Tonight's stand up training was simple and to the point. Learn to
work your lead hand. Discipline yourself to keep that rear hand up. Move youself around the opponent. The footwork is the key to landing your punches. Conserve your energy and use your rear hand sparingly. Breathe and roll with the punches. Protect your head at all times. Hopefully the lessons taught tonight will last more than just the hour but will be ingrained in your future practice and training, making you better by reminding you the bitterness of failure and the sweetness of success.Best training,
VC
Comments
I was kinda "holding out" when I hit Leon coz I'm not sure how hard he wanna go (being my first time with him), he's a nice fella and it's fun to spar with him.
Anyway, it's a great session. I learned to pace myself in between the rounds with you and him, and I got a chance to spar with a tall fella with long reach. Thanks for the reminder to duck my head between my arm when I throw my punches. One thing for sure, Leon's standup skill is quite apparent, possibly even better than Martin. Shows most MA background can make a difference.