Perfecting Kumite Alone

[koncept]

Hello,

Please allow me to introduce myself, my name is Sam and I've been training in karate for a few years now. I'm a first kyu.

One of the areas I strongly feel that I need improvement on is jiyu kumite. I was wondering if there's anything I can do outside of the dojo (and alone) to improve on this. At home I practice "air karate" (repetition of techniques against thin air) and impact training on a bag.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.


Osu,

Sam

[fujicolt]

Sam there are many ways that you can practice alone that will improve your Kumite

in the meantime purchase (if you have not got them already)

A Large Mirror
A video camera (borrow one if needed)
a tape recorder
Several tennis balls and some string
go read up on visualisation processes and procedures for sports science.

and then P.m. me and i will try to help you know how to use them

[shotokan101]

Steve - would probably be a good idea for you to post your suggestions here as well for any others looking to improve using solo practice drills etc.

Jim

[fujicolt]

Aargh Jim - Tis free to Sam but you I would have to charge and that could be a lot of Guinness

seriously - no more than yourself here - i am merely trying to help the lad

the fact that i have
a large mirror
an old vid camera
some tennis balls and string
and a load of Sports Science books

clogging up my garage has NOTHING TO DO WITH IT HONEST
.........


Twas A joke Folks Sam and i are corresponding via pm with no garage sale going on!

[shotokan101]

Suit yourself "ping pong boy" - keep your "Trade Secrets" then

Jim

[nathanso]

I spend 4 years mainly training on my own a long time ago. In lieu of sparring, I did reaction drills. I would stance in front of a large window that overlooked a road that had a moderate level of traffic. Whenever a car came into my field of view, I would use that as the trigger to punch, kick, block, etc. I would do same thing in front of the TV, keying on scene changes, actor movements, etc. I don't know if it did any good, but it kept my roommates amused.

[shotokan101]

That's an interesting suggestion Neil - the "cars trigger" - as it uses a visual cue that's quite hard to replicate.

I think Steve's mention of the tape recorder is likely to be to use random interval audible cues in a similar manner but IMO random visual cues are much more representative but don't know if it really makes any difference.

Perhaps there have been some studies that others are aware of about the relative "efficiency" of visual vs audible cues.

Jim

[fujicolt]

Oh Jim - can see yer back of holiday!

they are not trade secrets -

I am merely trying to help the lad and without hijacking a thread I am actually trying to expand it.

look at the post below your jibe - Brilliant and innovative use of 'reaction drills' in a situation of having to train alone.

once you understand how Humans learn you can understand how to teach them - or yourself.

Join in Jim - Don't trash.


what suggestions would you have Jim? for someone training alone and trying to improve reaction and partner work asking for advise on a forum?

I would suggest that as they are likely to be far away - get them thinking - cos i aint gonna be around to show them

My trade secrets - as you call them are merely cos i have been teaching this stuff a long time and i will gladly share them with anyone.

But if you know about teaching adults you will know that they will accept and absorb info better if they feel they have contributed to working out the way forward.

just preach at them and they will shut down. So i don't just throw things at them in a 'this is it - do it' way!

I bet Sam has already been thinking - strange list steve gave me - how would i use those things - and there are clues in the previous posts i have made. So therefore - he is - whilst still alone - developing how he approaches the dilemma.

No TRADE secrets Jim - quite common knowledge if you have been around ADULT Education for a while. Wink WINK.

but i also like to learn - so thank you Nathanso - you just added to my knowledge

[shotokan101]

Steve - you really do seem to have a bit of a hair trigger - my "jibe" wasn'r reall and that's why I added the smillies.

The original poster asked for suggestions - you implied that you had some worth passing on to him - I merely suggested that posting the suggestions on here in response would possibly assist lots of other karateka with similar interests.

I don't see how you posting direct guidelines in keeping with the original reqest to assist the poster could in any way be construed as "hijacking " the topic.

In your response you declined - no biggie - your decision - my latest post about the "trade secrets" was as I've mentioned made in a light hearted manner - attempting to get you to post your suggestions publicly - nothing more.

And BTW veiled hints as a suggested teaching tool IMO only work to a certain extent and only with certain personalities so I see no problem in anyone posting concrete suggestions - such as Neil has done - and in fact I also did with respect to the audio equivalent.

So if you've - as I suspect - got some good solo training suggestions (I'm sure I've seen your - or someone elses - tennis ball on a string idea posted elsewher on here or KU for example - so post up or don't but please don't have a dig at me for trying to get you to share your knowledge in an attempt to help others.

Jim

[nathanso]

I think Steve's mention of the tape recorder is likely to be to use random interval audible cues in a similar manner but IMO random visual cues are much more representative but don't know if it really makes any difference.

Perhaps there have been some studies that others are aware of about the relative "efficiency" of visual vs audible cues.

Not directly. The auditory system is built for speed, while the visual system is built for sensitivity (under low-light conditions, a single photon can be detected). My recollection is that the latencies of cortical responses are faster to a click than a flash, but I think that these differences are minor compared to what we are talking about.

[shotokan101]

Thanks Neil - sounds as if - stating the obvious here of course - that using a tape of audible cues would be pretty useful but a system involving both would be ideal with you being kept guessing as to which would happen next.

Might not be that difficult to produce a relatively basic videotape/DVD with short visual burst - e.g white/coloured flashes or symbols appears for a fraction of a second in part of the screen designating a kick/punch-high/low/left/right incoming attack you need to react to - mixed with random burst of loud/quiet/high/low audio cues.....

DVD would obviously be better as you could have a "random play" mode with different chapters having differnet sequences/workouts/intensities etc.

...wonder how I patent this approach ?

Jim

[fujicolt]

The secret is actually obvious - find ways to reintroduce VARIOUS elements that will help you develop various skills when your circumstances deny you partner work.

if approached correctly: the search for methods will make you really look at the requirements and thus help you focus on what needed when faced with a partner and thus duplicate it as best you can - and yes finances come into it - do it as economically as possible.

great fun to work out how

Oh and whilst i can see other uses the tape recorder was for a very different reason

[shotokan101]

..."motivational phrases perhaps" ?

[fujicolt]

Actually Jim - you are not a million miles away in terms of the Tape Recorder. Please allow me to explain -

We are but human and no matter how disciplined we are - life will very quickly overtake us. So the tape is a very quick way for Koncept to make a training Diary of his 'solo' training experiences. he can record things going well and things that may not be - which may require more advice or a shift in what he is doing. we all have written quick notes (usually in our own shorthand) and a few days later we cannot make head nor tails of them. the tape allows him to quickly 'take note' of what he is doing in the sense of his thinking on it and feelings about it - the video camera cannot record that!

the whole aim - whilst studying alone - in an excercise that really could do with a partner and an instructor watching - is to maximise the benefits.

So video it and tape your thoughts and feelings - later analyse it all and plan the next session.

for examples:

this felt Okay but this needed X or Y etc
or need to find way to stop mirror steaming up when i get hot and sweaty (sounds daft but could happen in a basement or loft training area.
or I feel more balanced 'right side' need to view video and see why left side not so! etc etc etc

you can record it instantly and ponder it later.

if you know your goal you can work out your role in achieving that goal!

hope that makes sense

[shotokan101]

Makes perfect sense (at least to me) Steve - of course it may require a certain level of experience and/or teaching experience to be able to properly analyse the video performacnce aspects.

I've certainly found that it's one thing to "critically analyse" "others" but quite a differnet mindset change is needed (at least in my case) to properly attempt the ame process on one's own performances.

That said at least once you have the record on tape you can always seek the opinion of others as well as even if you can "see" an issue it's a different matter correcting it.

Jim