Learning a manipulative skill, such as Martial Arts

Practice regularly: Consistent practice is key to improving any skill. Set aside dedicated time each day or week to focus on your skill.
Start with the basics: Learning the foundational techniques and principles is essential before moving on to more advanced techniques. This will help you develop a strong foundation and make it easier to learn more advanced skills in the future.
Get feedback: Receiving feedback from a coach, instructor, or more experienced practitioner can help you identify and correct any mistakes you may be making.
Break the skill into smaller parts: Complex skills can be overwhelming, so try breaking them down into smaller, more manageable chunks. This can help you focus on one aspect at a time and make progress more gradually.
Use visualization and mental rehearsal: Visualizing yourself performing the skill correctly can help you develop muscle memory and improve your performance.
Set goals and track your progress: Setting specific, achievable goals can help you stay motivated and measure your progress. Keep track of your progress over time to see how far you've come and identify areas that need more focus.
Be patient and persistent: Learning a new skill takes time and effort, so don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate improvement. Instead, keep practicing and stay positive; you will eventually see progress.

A Glimpse of Level 1 Training

Posture and Stance Tip

When practicing your neutral and tactical stance, keeping your hand up is just as crucial as your stance. When confronting adjugated individuals focused on you, get your hands up non-confrontational to de-escalate while preparing for a potential attack. The posture allows responding with smaller movements. Smaller movements automatically make you faster.

Additionally, shifting your weight onto the ball of your foot can make you more fluid in various activities. This simple change in posture can improve balance, stability, and mobility, allowing you to move more smoothly and efficiently.

One of the main benefits of standing on the balls of your feet is that it allows for a greater range of motion. When you stand with your weight distributed evenly across both feet, your body is less able to adjust and respond to changes in your environment. By shifting your weight onto the balls of your feet, you can move your body weight more easily from side to side, pivot, or change direction. This can be especially useful in sports or other activities requiring quick direction or movement changes.

In addition to increasing mobility, standing on the balls of your feet can also improve balance and stability. When you stand with your weight evenly distributed, your center of gravity is directly over your feet. This can make you feel more grounded and stable, but it can also limit your ability to move quickly or easily adjust your balance. By shifting your weight onto the balls of your feet, you can move your center of gravity forward, making it easier to maintain balance and stability in various situations.

Shifting your weight onto the balls of your feet can also help you move more fluidly and efficiently. When you stand with your weight evenly distributed, you may find that you tend to take larger, more deliberate steps. This can be fine for walking or jogging, but it can be a hindrance if you need to move quickly or smoothly. By shifting your weight onto the balls of your feet, you can take smaller, quicker steps that allow you to move more naturally and fluidly.

Overall, shifting your weight onto the balls of your feet can be a simple but effective way to improve balance, stability, and mobility. Whether you are playing sports, dancing, or simply trying to move more efficiently, standing on the balls of your feet can help you become more fluid and agile in your movements.

Level-1 360-Blocking - Angles 1, 2, & 3

360-blocks are stopping defenses. This introductory segment addresses Level 1 blocking for sucker punches to the head. When performing the stopping defense, the angle of your arm is about 90 degrees, with your weight moving into the block.

Level-1 Elbow Strikes

Level-1 basic elbow strikes are for close-quarter combat - the area at the edge or inside of your personal space. Your elbow strikes for this set moves along the horizontal plane of your shoulders - Elbows 1, 2, & 3. Your weight moves in the direction of the elbows.

Knee Strike and A-Frame Kick Review

Both Knee strikes and A-Frame kicks attack the groin in level 1. When practicing the knee strike, step off the center line as you roll off the balls of your feet to drive through the target, using your momentum to add energy to the strike as demonstrated. When possible, connect and pull your opponent into the strike.

The A-Frame kick is simply rolling the kicking leg off the ball of the foot as the knee points past the intended target allowing the rest of the leg to whip upward with the toes pointed forward.

Contact Drill

Protecting your personal space with an inviting posture. The drill is a bit more detailed than this demo, but hopefully, you get the concept. Practicing this exercise allows you to incorporate a variety of close-quarters combat tools, including the 360-block, elbow, and knee strike in response to an attack.