Interestingly, some of my students asks me this question, “How do I become a better martial artist”? When I teach classes, I often tell students to keep practicing.
First, to become a better martial artist and improve your fitness, I want you to realise that it is always the student’s responsibility for how much you progress and how much you train and learn.
In contrast, many times students will put the responsibility on the teacher for whether they are learning or not.
This is the exact opposite of the mindset I want to cultivate.
To begin with, the fastest way to become a better martial artist or achieve your goals, is to take full and complete responsibility for your own progress.
So here are few tips to help you get started the right way:
Come To Class
It is impossible to progress in your martial arts journey without regular attendance.
Simply put, there is just too much to learn and not enough time to to learn it. In the beginning, your rate of progress is mostly dictated by how often you attend class.
Next, let’s say that you are an intermediate student. Now, your progress is determined by how often your instructor can refine and correct the small inconsistencies and mistakes in your form.
Finally, there are two things that you need to improve faster in the martial arts.
First, you need the guidance of your instructor, Second, you need to drill with a multitude of different types of people. Both of these valuable assets can be found in class.
Take meticulous written notes
So, how exactly does you take full and complete responsibility for your own progress?
Take meticulous notes.
In particular, I am not talking about written notes, rather mental notes.
When I first stated training in Kung Fu which was back at White Dragon Martial Arts Society based at Greenham Common Newbury, I was 22 years old and I was not very interested in taking notes, but I filmed my own training quite abit.
Today, my teacher is no longer with us. He gave out gems of knowledge in almost every class. In all probability, I may have retained 50% of the nuggets of information.
Take meticulous mental notes
There is a mental checklist that I recommend you go through whenever one of my own instructors shows a move.
In the beginning, students will only be able to focus on either what the instructor is doing with his hands or they will focus on what the instructor is doing with his feet.
However, it is only when you can comprehend a large number of the fine details that you will be able to truly advance in the martial arts.
Of course, once you realise that you are in charge of how fast or slow your progress in the martial arts you can then start to speed up your own progress using the checklist.
The mental checklist is as follows:
Self practice
Next, the second tip is to train on your own, with your partner or your friends.
Self-practice is the core of becoming a better martial artist. In fact, I would go on to say that you CANNOT get to any type of high level in the martial arts and fitness without self-practice.
The best way to practice at home?
It is not just heavy bag. It is also shadowboxing and forms.
Take the time to go through your drills once per day.
If you do this over the course of just 3 months I guarantee you will improve by at least 100% from where you were.
Visualise
I read and study about how effective visualisation can be when performing at high levels. As for me, I can’t always remember all of the details. However, I try to remember the key points.
Sometimes, you don’t have to practice with a partner. Instead, visualise an opponent in front of you and go through various scenarios.
First, see them throw the punch at you and think about how you would react. Practice counter attacking them and see yourself winning the fight.
Do this a few times a week and you will see massive improvement.
Practice techniques you are weak at
As human beings, we want to be successful with anything we attempt.
Consequently, it is in our nature to only practice things that we are already pretty good at. However, a great martial artist is well rounded. They can perform well whether they are on offense or defense. They force themselves into uncomfortable situations to challenge themselves.
For example, if the sidekick is your worst kick, then you know what your homework is. (the sidekick).
Work on it until it becomes your best move. Eventually, it will improve and it might become one of your best moves. Once it becomes your best move, move on and choose another kick.
In conclusion, go through your entire system until you have mastered every single kick.
This is your path to black belt and beyond.
Challenge yourself
Sooner or later, you will have to make a conscious decision regarding your progress.
Once you decide to challenge yourself in every aspect of your training, your progress will take off.
When you first start, you feel like you are always playing a game of catch up. You can feel like you are drowning when you training against some of your more experienced classmates.
Obviously, you are still developing your basic skills. Ultimately, keep training and your progression will soon rise.
Sign up for a few private lessons
Generally speaking, Private lessons are a great way to get custom instruction on the parts of martial arts that YOU want to work on.
In addition, a one on one session with your instructor will give you both, teaching that is at your pace and correction on proper execution of techniques and help improve your fitness goals too,
Furthermore, a private lesson will allow your instructor to communicate a new plan for your next step in the martial arts and fitness.
Your instructor can give you a plan and method of practice to get you at the level you want to be.
Finally, private Instruction can give you the path to a very fast progression in the martial arts and towards your goals.
Work on fundamentals
To be sure, there is no coach that will not tell you to work on the fundamentals.
Your core skills require maintenance to keep them up. Without regular work, your skills in the fundamentals can actual decrease!
Yes, you can reverse in progress in the martial arts and fitness.
Additionally, if you ever have to apply your skills in a self defence situation, you need to drill the fundamentals to the point when you cannot get it wrong.
Remember, in a real life confrontation you will be under extreme pressure. If you haven’t put in the work you will not be successful.
“You only get out what you put in”
You got this far because you love the style and the training.
In conclusion, these martial arts tips should help you become the best you can be
As you can imagine, over the 26 years that I have been training and teaching I have heard all of the excuses.
Most people don’t know this, but I am tired of hearing them.
There is only one path to progress in the martial arts.
This path is consistency and discipline.
Did you know that, over the years we have lost more people to life changes than to any other reason?
I know that some thing can’t be helped. For instance, a divorce or loss of a job.
However, To really reach the higher levels of the martial arts you need to set up your life in such a way that will allow for years of constancy.
This is the only way you will ever get there and achieve your goals.
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