Hi, I've been learning self defence now for about 10 months. I'm 62, fairly fit but with no background in self defence. I train 1-2-1 with a senseri every week and practive every day. To start with I progressed quite well, and now know the basic kicks and punches fairly well. But I just don't seem to be able to join them together in a smooth way - I'm not much good at combinations and when my Sensei throws a punch or kick without telling me first what it will be, I don't seem able to respond properly. Any advice welcome!
Progress stalling!
- Thread starter Mike1962
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A couple of things- first, it takes time to get the experience needed to respond "properly". Time and repetition. Learning the techniques is the easy part. Being able to apply them to another human is a whole different thing. It takes a ton of repetition to "program" your body to react the way you want it to- you're conditioning your body to those reactions. The only way to do that is repetition. This is one of those things where thinking is the enemy. You just have to let your body do it. It's the same with putting combos together. Repeat a combo slowly and smoothly until your body can do it without thought. Then slowly start speeding it up.
Second, if what you're being taught is actual self defense then after 10 months you ought to be able to apply a fair amount of it. If not, that's probably more on the teacher than you- the drills and methods he's using to teach you etc. That being said, it's possible you're being taught in a more "traditional" manner, which is slower paced long term training. It's pretty common people will teach this way while billing it as self defense, but there's a difference.
There are people here with decades of teaching experience who'll chime in, they'll have good advice for you
Second, if what you're being taught is actual self defense then after 10 months you ought to be able to apply a fair amount of it. If not, that's probably more on the teacher than you- the drills and methods he's using to teach you etc. That being said, it's possible you're being taught in a more "traditional" manner, which is slower paced long term training. It's pretty common people will teach this way while billing it as self defense, but there's a difference.
There are people here with decades of teaching experience who'll chime in, they'll have good advice for you
Xue Sheng
All weight is underside
10 months is not ll that long a time, don't worry about it, you will get it if you keep at it. Also, don't compare yourself to anyone else, everyone is different, and when you are older, like we are (i'm a tad bit older than you) things can take longer. I have been at martial arts since 1972 and I am currently having an issue of understanding Wing Chun Shadow boxing.... that my shifu and other students do so easily
- Thread Starter
- #5
Thanks for your reply - that's very helpful, I think your tip about starting slow until it's automatic is a really good one. my Sensei is keen that I get each thing right before moving on, and I do like this idea.
- Thread Starter
- #6
Thanks, that's very helpful advice. I think it probably is seeing others progress faster that I'm finding discouraging. So far I have managed to learn everything eventually, I just feel very slow!
- Thread Starter
- #7
Thanks - it's definitely helping keeping me fit and active, maybe I'm just impatient
