4 Savvy Tips For Improving Your Martial Arts Prowess

Your martial arts training is a lifelong pursuit. There will always be an opportunity to improve your technique and become more effective. The problem is, many experienced instructors are so accustomed to performing specific moves that they do so practically without thinking them through. While they can perform them fluidly, it's often difficult for them to explain the details to the students in their martial arts classes.

This article will focus less on studying moves and more on the factors that will increase the speed with which you learn them, and the potency with which you apply them. Underneath the techniques of any style you're learning are a set of foundational principles that will heavily influence your effectiveness. Here are four of them:

#1 - Refine Your Angling

Have you ever wondered how an experienced master can so easily throw a younger opponent who is much larger or taller? One of the reasons is precise angling. The same movement can be delivered with twice the potency depending upon the angle at which it is delivered. In effect, you can use less strength and force to bring about the same result by focusing on the precision of your angles. This concept deserves much deeper exploration; we'll revisit it in a future column.

#2 - Maintain The Proper Distance

In the same way angles can provide leverage, so too, can the distance at which you perform a move. This is one of the most confusing levers for beginning martial arts students. They might learn to execute a movement flawlessly, yet be unable to produce the desired effect. The problem is often the distance at which they're executing it. Distance will influence your range. Your range will influence the power of your delivery.

#3 - Hone Your Moves

Martial arts strikes, blocks, kicks, and throws do not exist in a vacuum. Yet, many pupils and instructors treat them as such. These movements are often taught in a way that encourages perfect tactical execution, but neglects a well-rounded strategic approach. For example, many students learn to kick with speed and precision. However, they leave themselves vulnerable to attack while doing so.

Every movement should address three areas. First, it should ensure your perimeter is covered from attack. Second, it should weaken your opponent's ability to strike or block. Third, it should lead seamlessly into your next movement (similar to the way a professional pool player sets his shots).

#4 - Don't Rely On Muscle

This is a common trap that ensnares a lot of beginning martial arts students. They'll rely on their muscle to make certain techniques more effective. This is a poor strategy for a few reasons. First, it is often done to compensate for problems related to distance, angling, and execution. If you rely on your muscle to "power through" your movements, you'll never learn to master levers that are far more potent. Second, the strategy is only effective if your opponent is less powerful than you. If he's bigger or stronger, you'll instantly lose your advantage.

If you're enrolled into martial arts classes to learn and perfect your technique, you're on a perpetual path toward improvement. That said, it is critical that you focus on the right levers. Being able to execute moves with a high level of precision is important. However, it is vital that you learn to do so with the proper angling and at the right distance. Both factors will dramatically improve your results. Also, focus on developing a strategic approach to your moves - one that guards your perimeter, undermines your opponent's efforts, and sets up your next move. Finally, avoid relying on your muscle to produce results.

You'll find that if you concentrate on those four areas, you'll become far more effective - in practice and tournaments.