SW Portland Martial Arts Blog

We’re trying to run through a few of the fighting principles this week for kid’s class. Today we did combinations. Why? Because single punches or kicks just don’t work well against skilled partners. You need more than one strike at a time!

And striking class does it have combinations? Always. The structure of the class is Dug goes over the techniques in the first half, and then puts together combos in the second. How do you get better at combos? Throw them. Now is the time to practice.

What about CrossFit class? Are there combinations in there? I mean… we combine an awesome warmup with awesome skill work and an incredible workout topped with a fantastic stretch at the end and BAM! That’s a combination.

What is broken rhythm? It’s a strategy. You set up a pattern. Your partner buys into that pattern. Then, you break that pattern and catch them. In today’s kid’s class, we worked broken rhythm and realized just how tough a concept it is to convey. We explained the difference between tempo and rhythm, we played a drum for each other, and we danced… obviously. Fun times.

Then for the CrossFit class, it was all side balances, shrimp squats, and bridges. Nothing to do with broken rhythm. So it goes… but it was still awesome.

How do you get yourself ready for kid’s class? You keep your elbows in tight! Also, you spin backfist a tower of air shields.

How do you get ready for CrossFit class? Bring a pair of dumbbells or fill some empty milk jugs with sand! Today I learned that if you stick out your non-weighted arm during a one legged deadlift, it helps with balance. 15 years later, still figuring stuff out.

Bonus setup? How do you setup a spinning backfist? You throw a punch first, obviously. More specifically, you confound your partner with a staggering array of lead hand punches and then… POW! Spinning backfist.

How important is accuracy to martial arts? Vital. Today in kid’s class we worked accuracy by throwing bean bags through hoops, and also elbowing giant piles of stuffies.

And for striking class? Of course accuracy is important. Throw all the strikes you want, but if you can’t aim them, it doesn’t matter!

Wait. Does accuracy matter for CrossFit class? Of course! If you can’t hold that weight in the right place, it comes crashing down!

Need more accuracy? Check out this video I did on how to confound your opponent with a crescent kick.