It’s the night before your belt test. You wake up covered in sweat, terrified you won’t be able to remember your kata. What if I freeze? What if I do the wrong move? Everyone’s staring! AGHHH! I feel like an idiot! WHOA! RELAX! We’ve all been there, my friend… but you don’t have to stay…
Category: MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING
Martial arts training tips for students and teachers of martial arts.
Can You Use Fancy Moves in a Real Fight?
“Where are all the fancy moves?” That’s what I wanted to know. When the internet emerged, I couldn’t wait to peek inside other martial arts schools to see what they were doing. So many styles! So much mystery! But each time I clicked on a video of Choy Lee Fut, Shorin Ryu, Praying Mantis, Hung…
Interview with JD Mierzwa
JD Mierzwa has been a bouncer, professional kickboxer, underground street fighter, prison guard, sheriff, and cage fighter. Currently, he’s a fitness trainer and MMA coach. Oh—he’s also my brother! For as long as I’ve known him, I can tell you that JD pulls no punches—in a fight or in life. A longtime martial artist, JD’s…
How to Hit a Heavy Bag for Beginners
You see him in every gym. That crazy guy who has no idea how to hit a heavy bag. He wails away, screaming and grunting like a hippo that’s been set on fire. I hope that’s not you! If it is, I can help. Here are three quick tips that will immediately turn you from…
How To Punch in a Street Fight
Learning how to punch can be confusing. Especially when the gloves come off. Some people turn the fist, some don’t. Some hit with the big knuckles, some don’t. Some say you should never punch to the head in a street fight, some say that’s crazy talk. So, what exactly is the best fist for self-defense?…
Neck Exercises for Martial Arts
I’ve got a skinny neck, so neck exercises are an important part of my martial arts training… and they should be part of yours, too! In this video, I share some simple neck exercises to bring attention to a muscle group that doesn’t get enough attention from most martial artists. If the video isn’t playing,…
Dealing with Death in Martial Arts
Dealing with death is a fundamental issue in the martial arts. After all, self-defense, in its most extreme form, is a kill or be killed situation. Sounds scary, doesn’t it? Yep! Which is exactly why I find the martial arts to be so challenging and so profound. To truly master martial arts, you must determine…