Improving Martial Arts Technique.

It is true that practicing your Martial Arts basics over and over will help develop strong technique and good skill. But rehearsing isolated self defense techniques only takes you so far.

The reality is… your ability to combine them into functional combinations increases success in real-time applications.

It’s like working towards being able to spar in Boxing, and constantly practicing jabs on a heavy bag. Yes, it’s a solid technique to build on… but without practicing good footwork, combinations, or even timing and distancing drills you’ll gain very little towards being able to spar better.

martial arts techniqueThe same applies in Hapkido. You start with the fundamental skills to develop good basics. But these skills by themselves are not the end-all of your training.

For the intermediate and advanced student in our Toronto Martial Arts classes for example, we emphasize combinations and set up drills for joint locks and throws.

Think of it this way: for every throw, joint lock, or take down you learn from any given position, practice 2 to 3 back-up moves and combos to go with it.

With that, you’ll improve your chances of securing a submission against a live resisting opponent.

Rigid practice of static martial arts technique do not guarantee functional skill sets.

martial arts techniqueAgain, your basics is the foundation. But do not limit yourself to seeing Martial arts from the lens of a basic technique. There’s a lot more to that puzzle.

To improve, the martial arts student needs to learn how to work every move in conjunction with others. Repeatition builds muscle memory as you work on variations and multiple applications.

 

Check out this simple throw combination with a set up from an outer leg reap from a recent class at T.H.A martial arts in Toronto.