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Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture
Top 5 fighting mistakes (video)

An interesting video on the Top 5 Boxing Mistakes; which probably apply to most martial arts (fighting aspect) too!

1) Use your whole body

2) Use your eyes

3) Training too fast

4) Don’t force the fight: feel the fight

5) Focus on the jab

While the last one is boxing specific, it could easily be amended to “focus on the core techniques”. I feel we'd all agree on that.

Number 3 was one that resonated with me. Those who have been to the seminars will know that I often say, “One of karate’s great strengths is that is has one speed; which is 100mph. One of karate’s great weaknesses is that is has one speed; which is 100mph.” I’m forever encouraging people to slow down in order to get the right mechanics and flow. Another “catchphrase” I use – taken from one of my teachers – is “Sometimes all speed gives you is the ability to make more mistakes in a shorter period of time”. I like the way this video pretty much says the same thing.

Failing to use the entire body in a coordinated way is also a common error, as it trying to force techniques when there is no opportunity for them as opposed to seeking the path of least resistance.

Anyone got any thoughts or other fighting errors they like to share?

(I’d like this thread to follow the video and specifically focus on fighting skills / common errors as opposed to self-protection skills / common errors).

All the best,

Iain

Dillon
Dillon's picture

Regarding #3, one of the things my teacher repeated to me endlessly (because I'm a slow learner) is "a fast sword cuts nothing." In addition to slowing things down for training and developing mechanics, movements and combinations have their own syncopation. It took me a long time to internalize that speed is important, but appropriate timing is key. 

The other mistake on the list that I see all the time is number four; it's really easy to get caught up in your plans and your expectations of what should be happening, instead of having a whole-minded focus on what actually is happening (especially true for people who don't have "live" experience, competative or otherwise). This applies on a technical, tactical and strategic level. You can only really move appropriately when your perception of what is going on is clear. 

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Dillon wrote:
Regarding #3, one of the things my teacher repeated to me endlessly (because I'm a slow learner) is "a fast sword cuts nothing."

What a great turn of phrase! I like that a lot.

Dillon wrote:
The other mistake on the list that I see all the time is number four; it's really easy to get caught up in your plans and your expectations of what should be happening, instead of having a whole-minded focus on what actually is happening (especially true for people who don't have "live" experience, competitive or otherwise). This applies on a technical, tactical and strategic level. You can only really move appropriately when your perception of what is going on is clear.

That’s a great paragraph! I totally agree and I love you way you’ve clearly expressed that point.

All the best,

Iain

Rode Heath Trad...
Rode Heath Traditional Karate's picture

A big fighting error to me is the lack of consideration given to the Adrenaline 'dump'

Our training is usually done in a structured and controlled way. Even if you don't really feel comfortable doing sparring or full on drills, you retain an element of control over your body's 'wobbly switch.'

An unpremeditated fight will zap your skills away in a heartbeat as soon as that Adrenaline Dump kicks in. You'll suffer in the fight and you'll then beat yourself up over it. For a long time.

Someone who kicks off does it (usually) beacause they did it before and they liked it. They liked the feeling. They had the opposite of the adrenaline dump which was Euphoria. They were flying.

As a fighting error...? Don't go toe to toe. You want to be 20ft away saying "leave it mate, it's not happening" or Boom! Straight in! (#1, use your whole body.) The first thing this will enable you to do, as you hang on for dear life, is balance that adrenaline dump. Maybe even get your breath for a split second.

Then #2 look and #4 feel, for Bunkai that is familiar to you, to present itself and then, do your stuff.

#3 too fast? Each ineffective technique is like firing a bullet from a revolver and missing. You are draining your resources. Make each one count - don't flap.

#5 The Jab / Kizame tsuki. Under used, I feel, due to it's lack of flashy appeal as a technique. This can buy you time, shame to not use it. A topic for another day though.

I don't really like competetive fighting (MMA, Boxing etc) but have the utmost respect for its fighters. They go in with the [good] adrenaline pumping and just build on it. That scumbag 'having a go' can do the same. Don't underestimate him and his ability to flick your 'wobbly switch!'

 

mbodie
mbodie's picture

My favorite expression of #3: Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

JosephFontaine
JosephFontaine's picture

I believe one of the biggest mistakes a fighter can make is not capitalizing on an opening or a reaction to an impact. I see so often that a fighter lets a great opportunity slip away because their mentality is reserved when it shouldn't be.

Marc
Marc's picture

In a (rather long) clip by Ryron and Rener Gracie (of the famous brazilian ju-jutsu family) they mention that their granddad gave them the advice not to seek a win but to honestly be happy with not losing. Thus, they say, opportunities for winning will present themselves.

Of course, as karateka we know this concept from Funakoshi's 20 precepts.

What I find interesting here, is that according to them the same concept applies to both self defense and competition fighting.

The video is interesting throughout, but if you're only interested in the part I mentioned, you'll find it from about 41 minutes onward.

Dave M
Dave M's picture

there are diffrent speeds to the parts of the body, hands are fast, arms are next, foot is next, then foot and arm, then feet and arm, this is where smooth, as mentioned above, is important. if you are using both feet then the arm in a technique the arm must move as slow as the feet or it will arive too soon and not have the power of the body behind it. with a sword, "a fast sword cut nothing" ( thanks for that) when closing the distance if the sword is faster than the feet it will cut lots of air. with a throw or lock if the arms are moving before the feet are set no body or leg energy will be put into the movement. it will pay to slow it down and feel where your parts need to be all the way through the technique.

JWT
JWT's picture

I wrote a short tongue in cheek article on 'ten reasons your moves won't work' on my blog earlier this year which I think was featured by Iain's paper. Here it is again to raise a smile.   

How many times have you heard someone remark

“That won’t work!”

about a particular tactic or training method?

Here are my top ten reasons why your tactics or training methods won’t work:

  1. You’re too close!
  2. You’re too far away!
  3. The angle of entry/application is wrong.
  4. This technique relies on a particular attack.
  5. You’re not unbalancing them enough.
  6. You’re unbalancing them too much.
  7. You’re training it too fast (for your skill level).
  8. You’re training too slow (to be effective).
  9. There’s no resistance.
  10. There’s too much resistance!

(11. Because (insert name here) said that (insert advice taken out of context here).)

When it comes to looking at training and tactics, everyone’s got an opinion. Criticism can be a great tool when applied correctly, but before we indulge in its use, we should look at whether we understand what is being done and why. Different training methods and tactics exist because different problems create different solutions. There is no single perfect solution for every problem. (with the possible exception of Chuck Norris)

So before we armchair criticise something from a different system, we should perhaps ask ourselves whether we’ve really understood what it is they’re trying to achieve. I’ll hold my hands up and admit that in the past I’ve criticised something because it didn’t fit the context of my approach, without acknowledging that it was designed for something else. It’s not something of which I’m proud. Blowing out someone else’s candle doesn’t make ours any brighter.

Criticising my own training is a different matter. When it comes to examining why your own training or tactics aren’t working, the list of ten above is a good check-list for why we might not be getting the results we want. All the best John Titchen