Three Steps To The Martial Arts

THREE STEPS TO THE MARTIAL ARTS

 

Sadly these days there are those who think that the best way forward to achieve being a black belt or becoming a so-called combat expert is to bypass all the difficult and boring parts of the martial arts and just learn a few simple arm and wrist locks in their back garden. This type of self taught mentality has resulted in some people picking and choosing what they do, rather than being trained in all aspects of the fighting arts.

 

 

Although the three steps to the martial arts are more aimed at the striking arts, such as karate, kung fu, taekwondo and the such like the principle of these three steps, or three stages if you prefer, to learning any of the combat arts are the same.

To become an all round exponent of the arts you need to look at things in three specific stages regardless of the martial art in question, which are, formal training, adaptable training and selective training with formal training being the most important when it comes to learning your trade so to speak.

 

Formal training is the very first vital step in developing both a good rooted base for all the various techniques and also the much needed required conditioning for both the mental and physical aspects of the disciplines within the martial arts.

 

Training at this first stage level is all about being pushed into mastering all the various disciplines such as stance training, set form, (kata), practice, various levels of self defence from basic to advanced and all the striking and kicking methods that should also include face high kicks even if they may not be used that much when in combat.

 

In addition to regular sparring practice with other students to help develop vital hands on experience students should also go through a rigorous level of keep fit and conditioning that should include fist press-ups, running and all the other things that will make the student both strong in body and mind in addition to being fast and hard in combat.

 

At this level the student is forced to become an expert, or at the very least effective, in all things street combat and made to realise that picking and choosing what they like and what they don't like to do is never an option. It will also give them the experience, training and understanding needed to teach others without missing anything out which is a common problem these days when students are being trained by people with limited understanding and experience of such things.

 

By the time a student has become formally graded to a noticeable senior student level they then should be by now more able to move on to the second level and be in a good position to study the more adaptable aspects of combat techniques and methods after having gone through such a period of training that should of specifically covered all these things and that they now can refine their own way of fighting, to a degree, that is more suitable to them.

 

The final step after becoming proficient in all aspects of combat training and having refined their own fighting methods that suites their requirements is then to start the selection procedure which involves being more focused on specific fighting methods, and perfecting those methods, to the best level that they can get.

 

In conclusion therefore learning the fighting arts is all about being fully proficient and learning your trade without cutting corners over a period of time and not simply picking and choosing what you like, or dislike, doing and having weak areas as a result through negligence, and of course, the knowledge and skill to teach all there is to teach to new beginners who will be reliant on their teachers skills and experience.