The way I fight is I'm planted on the floor and pick and choose the moments to move. However when fighting a defensive fighter, it often becomes a stalemate. I want to improve my speed and footwork to become more of an offensive fighter.
Any drills or suggestions on improving footwork? I'm sure there are great drills from soccer that could be applicable.
Are there also any things I should be working on in conjunction with footwork, like timing? Some skills don't work well until they are combined with others.
OSU!
Brad
11-13-2007, 12:08 AM
going through the drills are good also shadow sparring. Try skiping
jcbel
11-13-2007, 04:51 AM
In Volume 3 of the Kyokushin video series there is a brief section showing Gary O' Neill demonstrate some footwork, unfortunately there is no explanation or drills.
We used to do basic footwork drills involving side-stepping and switching guard, bit hard to explain in detail without showing you though..
But theres a bunch of other ones for linear speed as well as lateral.
Spirit
11-13-2007, 01:01 PM
YES,
Don't change to a offensive fighter just because of slow fights...
Just because things slow down do to 2 defensive fighters face doesn't mean you have to go an change your fighting frame of mind. What it means is you need to broaden your fighting skills as a defensive fighter.
Are you a drop lock defensive fighter
Are you a scientific defensive fighter
Are you a dodger
All are different types of defensive fighters, expand on them, as well be the one who commits to the Attack no matter what is happening with your opponents
A clue to issues is the statement "The way I fight is I'm planted on the floor" this could be a big issue. Try not planting but floating on the toes and ball of foot only with the rest of foot just off the floor, basically less than papers with)
Develop your fighting skills around your personality, not around what you think you should dictate your fighting do to outside influences that you can easily change by cutting the ring, regrouping, going southie, etc...
Stop looking for a miracle drill or technique(s) and work on the basics, they are what will get the job down, today and 30 years from now!
Bloke
11-13-2007, 03:57 PM
Some good stuff there Chen - we use that for our Junior clicker fighters and their footwork improved immensely
EddieP
11-13-2007, 05:31 PM
Most people don't realize how important SLIDING is in fighting, but I practice sliding forward backwards side to side, and diagonally on a daily basis. it can help with a very very quick strike, and it can get you out of trouble.
OSU!!! EDDIE P.
Tettsui
11-14-2007, 02:53 AM
Osu!
Thanks for all the suggestions. Jumping rope is part of my routine but I wanted to get more coordination with my footwork. I'll try using the ladder drills.
I saw an interview with Norichika Tsukamoto and he says surfing and snowboarding helped him a lot with karate. With surfing, he said the hip movement and balance made him feel extremely stable during kumite. As for snowboarding, that tested his courage by going downhill as fast as he could.
What other sports do you think are good for improving karate skills?
Sensei Mark, I understand what you are saying. However, I like to work on the extremes in order to find out what works for me. I usually end up somewhere in the middle, but I feel I learn a lot more this way. Also it keeps practice interesting.
OSU!!!
seienchin
11-14-2007, 03:10 AM
Other sports that are good for balance - hard to say, because I did karate for many years before I tried most of these. I have no doubt that my karate balance really helped me learn these other things quckly.
OK - rollerskating/rollerbladig, most definitely. Builds very strong legs, and also works balance and stamina. Learing to do tricks is fun too. And going downhill without braking is even more of a test of courage than snowboarding, because the tarmac is much harder than snow!
Surfing - well -any excuse to surf, really. And it is good for balance (But not, in my opinion, as challenging as rollerblading), and nowhere near as scary because falling off is just fun!
Ura - Ura, Ura , Ura -and did I mention Ura.
Practsie Ura in every stance not just the common ones. Ura in neko-ashi-dachi is a great balance exercise.
And then practice Ura eyes closed. Practice standing on one leg eyes open, eyes closed, balance on beam eyes open, eyes closed.
And above all, have fun, and don't get injured!
OSU-EN2
Miguel
11-14-2007, 04:12 AM
Osu!
What other sports do you think are good for improving karate skills?
OSU!!!
Ive been skateboarding for years and it really does help. The constant squatting, holding positions on the balls of your feet and impact helps build more endurance (and strength) in the thighs, knees and calves. The only thing is that, like surfing, you need have some experience in the sport so you can do tricks thus working the muscles. Simply getting on and riding it is not gonna do much. Also to do it right you need a board (and a set) from a skateshop, those wal-mart boards wont get you anywhere and you will probably hurt yourself trying to go faster.
If you really want to try it and you dont have the money for a whole set, buy a wal-mart board but change the bearings and wheels, so you can get a little more speed. Red dragons (bearings) are pretty cheap and good, as for wheels any skateshop ones will do.
Have fun.:)
Osu
Spirit
11-14-2007, 12:45 PM
Yes other sports help cross training but again don't do something just because someone does it that you admire as a fighter.
If you don't have a personal relationship with said fighter, then you don't know how well the statements made lead to any true assistance in their training.
Finding out who you are as a fighter, seems (by your statements) like you already know but are trying to change do to outside forces?!?
Extremes, what are extremes? this I can't understand. I've never hear of extreme karate techniques, is this something new?
Look, the basic skills are your foundation, without them you have nothing.
Make sure you have them down and then work on 1-2 other techniques, don't be in such a rush to learn new, before you understand what you already have learned.
I can remember people telling me "if we can get past your kicks we can beat you" but it was always my punch that beat them... People often focus on what they can't do (or do it well) to improve and miss the obvious of what works.
Take your time, keep it basic and stay calm and focused.
Tettsui
11-14-2007, 09:59 PM
Finding out who you are as a fighter, seems (by your statements) like you already know but are trying to change do to outside forces?!?
Extremes, what are extremes? this I can't understand. I've never hear of extreme karate techniques, is this something new?
What I meant by extremes is extreme ends of the behavioral spectrum.
For example, I'll only concentrating on defensive fighting for a month or so. During this time, I'll make myself focus on counters and dodging(things I normally don't do...well :) The next month, I'll try out an aggressive offensive style.
My theory is that you learn a lot more at the extremes then you ever would in the middle. It makes me step out of my comfort zone and increases my skill set.
Sensei Mark, I think we see things differently because I am still fairly new to Kyokushin and I'm still trying to find my style. Whereas you're a veteran and you know what works for you during kumite. We are at separate stages of learning and need and want different things. I appreciate your input and will take them into consideration. OSU!
BTW - What are drop lock and scientific defensive fighters?
BigAl
11-15-2007, 12:02 AM
Jumping rope and using the asterix/asterick/whatever drill. You put down four long stripes of tape like this: *. Then you move on those angles and practice combinations while moving. I like those two the most.
Spirit
11-15-2007, 01:36 PM
As a Jukyu (per your bio) you should not be doing anything except what you are told in the dojo. At this stag of your training you need to learn From someone, not from yourself. This is where bad habits form and take a life time to correct.
A quick statement on (what I call drop lock and S/D/F)
drop lock fighters can be a few things.
flat footed fighter (hence drop lock) or big guys who use size and power over technique or impulsive fighters who learn everything to quickly and think they have mastered it to name a few that would fall into this category (which is sole my own thinking)
S/D/F is someone that would fall under... hits you first yet the attach is defensive not offensive since they read your body and beat you to your attack with an attack or can beat you by understanding you mentally etc...
Usually this type of fighter uses very little energy and is precise in their techniques, waist no time with anything (block, punch or kick) and usually is a hard nosed black and white type teacher, shows little to no emotions.
cutting the ring, is where you step into your opponents step in lieu of circling with them
What you would do is if they set L to your you step into that set (with your L, into their L) not away from it, thus cutting the ring also setting them up for a K/O or to make the ring smaller for a runner or force the fight do to them possible stepping out etc...
Tettsui
11-16-2007, 10:29 PM
As a Jukyu (per your bio) you should not be doing anything except what you are told in the dojo.
I haven't updated my bio since I've joined. I'm 8 kyu now plus I've taken a couple of different martial arts. My skills aren't balanced and at all different levels, so I have big holes I need to fill in my skill set. My main sport was wrestling and you don't need much footwork for it. That's why I really need to work on that part of the game.
Speaking of bad habits, it took me a while to recognize and correct some weird ones. One of them was moving in zenkutsu-dachi. I kept using the front leg to initiate the movement like going for a takedown. Anyhow my weight distribution is messed up too but that's for a different thread!
OSU!
seienchin
11-16-2007, 10:42 PM
OSU-EN2
Tettsui - it's great that you are thinking about this now - it is actually, for 8th kyu, a good place to be. You are supposed to be improving your flow, and getting over the 10th/9th kyu tendency to be flat-footed.
I think there are a couple of steps to improving your footwork.
Firstly - work out what you mean by this. There are a few dimensions - evasive footwook, "baffling" footwork, attack/counterattack footwork. Obviously, we all want all of them, but I think if you break this up, and start working on them one at a time, it is a little less overwhelming.
My recommendation is working initially on evasive footwork. Avoiding getting hit is a great way to start.
The best way to do this is to identify the moves that will do what you want. For example - if you fight Left foot forward, and your opponent is hammering away at you with mid-punches. a simple sliding step of your left foot forwards at about 45 degrees to your left will take you to a place where he/she will find it much harder to punch you, because you are just outside his/her leading arm.
This first step will teach you a lot. practice the move initially alone, visualing the punches.
Then use ippon kumite drills - (I don't think we do enough of this for building skill base and reflexes, and I can't stress to you enough - this is how habits are formed).
Get someone to thow punches at you initially just single slow punches as you work the distance and angles. Then get them to crank up the speed. Take turns, so your partner gets to improve too.
It is not necessary, but you can tap the arm across to make it a little easier for you, but as this is all about footwork initially, try it without using your hands Try to position your movement so that you just flow past the punch.
Once you are doing that easily, put a little turn on the end, so that you slide and turn to face your opponent.. Then you will be ready to counter-attack, and they'll still be wondering where you are.
Again, once you can do this easily, start doing it on the opposite side, with a switch-foot split. Exactly the same movement, except you step forward off your back foot, travelling to the right, instead of sliding the front foot, travelling left.
Then practice, build, create habits, and make a deliberate decision to apply this in kumite.
This one small technique becomes the building block of all the footwork you need. This is "footwork basics". Get this sorted, and so much else will be able to be built upon it.
It's really quite difficult to describe this in words, but I hope this is a little bit of help to you
OSU-EN2
Spirit
11-16-2007, 11:26 PM
Well I think this a very good place to state my infamous statement... Ask Your Sensei!!!.
Their is nothing worse than a young student (age not barring) start to take on their own mind set and teach themselves and screwup a teachers plans.
You go to the Dojo to learn, follow what is being taught, take your time at it and practice your Kihons we do them for Many reasons and more reasons than most understand.....
Good Skill
vapor
11-17-2007, 12:45 AM
Spirit--the thread would not be complete without your wise, and very true words of advice, to speak with your sensei.
vapor
Spirit
11-17-2007, 12:51 PM
Spirit--the thread would not be complete without your wise, and very true words of advice, to speak with your sensei.vapor
vapor, OSU, thank you for your kind words (you to seienchin and for the reps too)
But I'm just a vessel of my many wise teachers words and they of their teachers and so on.
Without my teachers, making me focus on basics ALL the time, I would never have been able to move forward with all other knowledge.
This is why I so often preach, basic, time and asking your Sensei
vapor
11-17-2007, 06:53 PM
vapor, OSU, thank you for your kind words (you to seienchin and for the reps too)
But I'm just a vessel of my many wise teachers words and they of their teachers and so on.
Without my teachers, making me focus on basics ALL the time, I would never have been able to move forward with all other knowledge.
This is why I so often preach, basic, time and asking your Sensei
And that is why you are one of the great members here.
You have the experience, and aren't afraid to call black-black, and white-white.
Remembering the basics, and utilizing the experience and guidance that a sensei is there to provide, is golden!
vapor
kakatootoshi
11-17-2007, 07:16 PM
I am not sure if what I am going to type is related to footwork training.
Soccer training has been included in the training of Kyokushin. Before the second world cup, IKO-2 invited Coach Fujikawa from J-League to lead some training sessions. I do not remember what they did, but basically included lots of circuit training. I think in the exercises there were some running and jumping around the "soccer cones". And at the end there was a game, in which there were four players and each of them had a ball. There were also some other balls in front of them and the objective was to grab the balls (sorry I can no longer remember anything more that this) and bring it back to a certain place.
And the ladder in the above pictures was used in the pre-WT training of Matsui-ha at Sugadaira Plateau this year.
http://www.fujitv.co.jp/srs/photo/diary_071101_1.jpg
The ladder is not seen here but you can guess what exercise they were doing on the right.
OSU!
Tettsui
11-19-2007, 09:55 PM
Over the weekend I did the ladder drills. I could feel the different muscles in my legs working and where my balance needed adjusting. This is definitely an exercise I'll continue doing.
Here's a great series of videos I found for different ladder drills. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb_DrMCx73U)
Just look at his posted videos to see the rest of them.
I've also been working on moving without changing levels. I noticed that the top fighters slide in and out without moving up and down. That's exactly what I'm told to do in kata. I never realized kata was so important for kumite till now!
OSU!
Spirit
11-20-2007, 12:41 PM
Stepping Kihons is great foot work as well coordination drill too.
Based on what the combo of techniques are you can really tight yourself up in a knot.
Though doing these drills is based on the sensei of the dojo and their personal experiences.