Hello! I've been studying a Chinese martial art for a year now and still don't feel very comfortable when we do "reaction drills"... where an opponent comes after you with an unspecified attack. Since we do not spar (it is a non-sport style), how and when should I feel like what I am learning is really going to be effective when I need to use it? My style is very much like Kempo where there is an emphasis on "techniques." I've progressed 6 belt ranks so far, just to give an indication of the amount of ground I've covered. I am currently 6 belts away from 1st degree black... a long way to go still. Any useful input would be appreciated. Thank you!
2006-11-01 20:59:56 · 20 answers · asked by SoCalAgency 2 in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
Thank you to everyone for all your excellent and helpful answers so far. I should have been more clear when describing the # of belts I have progressed though. I said 6 belts, but what I did not say is that each belt color has a LOW and HIGH level. So my 6 belts in 1 year are actually just 3 full belt ranks. I hope this clarifies things.
Eric
2006-11-03 20:17:59 · update #1
I think sparring in class is important, independent of competition, which I don't emphasize. What is the skill level of your attacker in the reaction drills? The more skilled your attacker, the more uncomfortable you will probably feel. Maybe find a training partner & practice reaction drills more.
2006-11-02 04:12:05 · answer #1 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 15⤊ 0⤋
They only way to feel comfortable with an attack is to have sparring sessions regulary.. No-one feels comfortable getting hit or kicked, it a normal human reaction,.. but with practice sparring you will in time learn to be more relaxed, The more you spar the better you will become at spotting openings & learning to read the opponent as such, so you can block yourself in time.. You have to remember also It is a contact sport -You WILL get hit and more times than not it will hurt..once you get over that fear you should be right, and work on not getting hit as much.. I would personally look into another school, no point learning the techniques (while getting your technique is very important too) and not actually be given a chance to implement them regulary seems to me a waste, Humans are very random creatures and the sooner you spar and learn how to use your moves and react the better.. That is Effectivness!!.
6 belts in a year?? do yourself a favour and leave the belt factory.. They just want your cash, ..find a school or instructor that actually wants to teach you because they love the sport... you will enjoy the experience tenfold if you do...
2006-11-02 15:31:53 · answer #2 · answered by channille 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
go to www.bullshido.net and check the throwdown section.
you can test your skill level against people from other styles and systems in a controlled and friendly environment. You basically show up and set your own ground rules for the sparring with whoever you are sparring with at the time.
It does sound like you have been fed a bunch of baloney though. I'm curious about these "reaction drills" and thier extent. If you are able to attack without a pre-set movement then you might be part way there. However, cma's don't have belts, that is a korean and japanese martial art concept. Also progressing "6 ranks" in a year screams mcdojo (or the cma equivalent).
Most cma teachers suck. they dont' teach you with resistance that is why most cma doesn't work because they dont' train realistically.
2006-11-02 03:50:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if your in a martial art and you don't feel confident with it then your probably in the wrong martial art. but one that has sparring is a better choice so you can learn how to counter others attacks and learn timing of attacks better. it also sounds like you are moving up in rank to fast. Ive been in American karate for two years non stop now taking 2-3 3 hour classes a week and have only moved up 4 belts and i have passed every one of my testings with out trouble. But your rank does not matter it is what knowledge of the art you have. Because i know just as much if not more than some people that is higher rank than me because I'm constantly learning more and more about my art. So hope you take my advice and try another kind before you get to involved in that art. Because you should take an art for you to feel confident in your skill and not just for your rank. Best of luck.
2006-11-02 08:54:55 · answer #4 · answered by gamerx66x 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i have been in Kenpo (or Kempo whichever you prefer) for about 6 years now and just recently got my black belt so first of all 6 belts in a year is extreamly fast and i would be concerned that the instructor is just in it for the money (as are a lot of martial artist these days, sadly) and secondly if you dont feel comfertable with an art then i think it is time to find another one being in a art for a year and still not feeling comfertable about it isnt a good thing so i would say it is time to find a new art
2006-11-02 11:54:27 · answer #5 · answered by hiddendragon6000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WOW! 6 belts in a year is fast. How long does it take to make black belt? Hopefully in the 5 year range. I study Kempo and we spar every friday night. Kempo is non-sport style as alot of other martial arts are. To me Sparring is where you put everything you learn to pratice. Maybe you should look at different schools.
2006-11-01 22:16:09 · answer #6 · answered by Tim 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
doesn't sound like it.look for a good freestyle karate.most good ones incorporpate the best of all styles.bushi kai/zen do kai/kempo to name a few are good styles as they do this.a lot of more traditional styles are also going this way.a lot depends on the person teaching you also.try a few.as for belt gradings i dont beleive that you should be restricted to time limits.it should be based on the amount of training you do and the level you are at.when i was younger i trained 7 days a week ,6 different training regimes on sunday,4 on wednesday and friday and 2 every other day,should i be restricted to grading at the same time as someone who trains 1 or 2 days a week? just my opinion anyway.(contensious issue)
2006-11-04 14:36:21 · answer #7 · answered by BUSHIDO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you try another karate style that incorporates sparring in addition to your regular class? I can't imagine any form of martial arts would be effective unless you personally felt confident using it in case of an emergency or unexpected attack. Try a style that teaches you how to protect yourself from knife attacks, grabs from behind, and other suprise attacks. It will boost your confidence. And keep up the "reaction drills."
2006-11-01 21:07:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should explore other styles. Sparring is not limited to "sport" styles. There are methods of sparring that have nothing to do with points.
I feel that kumite is a required part of training.
Without it all you are doing is studying theories and not practicing application.
2006-11-02 05:00:04 · answer #9 · answered by spidertiger440 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to another class check it out, in some the first couple of lessons are free so you have very little to loose is the way I see it. It will confirm or easy your suspicions and make you a better martial artist what ever you decide to do
2006-11-04 06:44:36 · answer #10 · answered by northcarrlight 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋