Slow but methodical training

Something I observed the other night when watching some of the students train together,  I should have caught earlier and made mention of.

Slow and methodical should be the way you start something new. In this instance we  were dealing with a grappling drill but this applies to a form or defence application as well.

As a good training  partner, we need to work with each other to achieve and understand a new skill. The first rule is to walk through the steps slowly and try and catch all the detail that was presented.

Once you have the basic moves then you can ramp up the resistance with your partner. If it’s a form, you can speed it up and concentrate on flow,  if it’s a techniques or defence application you can increase the realism, speed and power you put into the application.

The point is, start slow with full intent. To grasp as much as you can with something new you have to slow it down to allow the mind to walk you through unknown territory. If you are going too hard and too fast it becomes just an exercise or random body movement  that may lead to bad habits.

So, for me, I try and  gauge where I am at, if it is something new, don’t be afraid to ask your partner to slow down or allow you to apply something without them resisting.

 You want a sound foundation that you can build your speed and power on while maintaining pure technique.

Going hard is fun and is also an important part of training but make sure the steps or fundamentals are in place first.

A reminder for myself both in teaching and  to apply to my own training whether its grappling, forms, techniques or even dragon dancing.

This should ensure I am still a sound practioner well into my old age when strength and speed are no longer with me.