Martial Arts Training Tips, How-to Videos and Articles
Reader Question:
I was wondering if you could provide any advice and exercises to help with balance. I find myself having difficulty with my kicking and not only the more advanced kicks, spin kicks, etc, but also the fundamental kicks as well. I am 38 years old and have been training in TKD for 4 years now. This balance problem along with my limited flexibility is making my advancement difficult.
Thank you for any assistance you may be able to provide.
Matt Odishoo, CT
Read Moreby Sang H. Kim
The photos below illustrate the exercises that Sang H. Kim describes in his video on improving your low back flexibility (scroll down for the video).
Hold a table or another waist high surface and gently bend forward from the waist as you relax.
On your hands and knees, begin with a flat back and then arch your back.
Lie on your back and slowly curl up your body as you pull one or both knees to your chest and hold.
On your knees, place your palms and forehead on the floor. Relax your upper body into the floor.
There are two components to martial arts training: the development of attributes and the development of skills. Attributes include physical qualities such as flexibility, strength and endurance. Skills include learned motor movements like kicking and punching. The development of skills will be severely limited if the development of attributes is neglected. However, attributes can easily be developed exclusive of skills. Of course developing attributes without skills falls into the realm of calisthenics, not martial arts.
In the early stages of learning a martial art, the practice of skills alone may serve to develop a wide range of attributes including flexibility, strength, coordination, reflexes and endurance. As you become more adept and your physical condition improves, you may have to develop certain attributes independent of skill practice by devoting time each training period specifically to conditioning exercises.
Read Moreby Sang H. Kim | Ultimate Fitness Through Martial Arts
To develop overall speed, there are several sequential steps in training:
Basic condition, including flexibility, strength and agility training, is a prerequisite for speed training. The completion of basic conditioning is signaled by a level of fitness that allows the athlete to begin the more intensive exercises that develop explosive power. Once the target muscles start to develop, begin working on skill refinement. Each skill should be examined to eliminate unnecessary movements and increase biomechanical efficiency.
With highly refined movements and strong muscles, you can begin adding speed to each movement. Start skill loading gradually and observe your body's reaction. If you can add speed and still maintain semi-refined movements, continue to increase your intensity. Eventually you will reach the final stage of speed training in which you can execute skillful movements at high speed.
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