Forward rolls in the martial arts are taught a lot of different ways… You might see the lead hand cutting across the hip or through the legs, for example. You might also see the back hand cutting across the hip or through the legs. Or maybe both arms are extended. Which is right? For me,…
Category: MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING
Martial arts training tips for students and teachers of martial arts.
Who Is the Perfect Sparring Partner?
If you want to be a great martial artist, you can’t just practice alone. That’s because the martial arts is ultimately about managing relationships. Developing yourself by yourself is a path to confusion and delusion. But what type of person is best for developing yourself? Who is the perfect sparring partner? Consider this… I was…
How to Hook Punch with Power!
Do you know how to hook punch with power… and not injure your shoulder? I didn’t! I admit it… I once tore my shoulder throwing wild hooks—too wide, too hard. During rehab, I swore I’d never throw a hook again. But over time, I realized the problem wasn’t the hook punch, it was my lousy…
One Drill for a Better Straight Punch
Time for a little straight talk about straight punches. Whether you’re throwing a traditional reverse punch, a boxer’s 1-2, or an old fashioned palm heel, there is one big mistake you want to avoid… letting your elbow flare out. Why is flaring your elbow a problem? First, flaring your elbow gives away power because you’re…
Spirit First, Technique Second
Fighting spirit. We all think we have it, right? But could you be losing your spirit little by little even though your skills are getting better and better? Here’s why I ask… We just held a tournament at Dawn Barnes Karate Kids, where I serve as Program Director. The tournament brings out the best in…
Self-Defense Tip: Finish the Fight
In my video, How to Take A Punch, I talked about how calling “time out” every time you get hurt during training can build a bad habit that might get you killed in a real fight. Well, there’s a flip side to that. You might be building the same bad habit even when you’re winning!…
The Truth About Fancy Kung Fu Moves
People love to make fun of Kung Fu. They see a guy with a long beard and silk pants hopping around, practicing fancy Kung Fu moves, and say, “That stuff won’t work in a real fight.” It’s not just Kung Fu, of course. People criticize Karate, Silat, Filipino martial arts… basically, anything that isn’t a…