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Jumping rope is an awesome exercise for MMA training. Fantastic for conditioning, co-ordination and footwork it’s definitely a very important part of a fighter’s training routine.

I like to challenge myself when I’m jumping rope by busting out a bunch of different tricks and movements throughout my routines. It also keeps things fun for me.

Here’s one technique I think you should try out in your training…

The One Hand Rope Spin 360

MMA/BJJ/Boxing/Kickboxing Training Tip – Take notes

Writing down what you learn at  BJJ, Boxing, Kick boxing or Wrestling practice is a great way to help your remember attacks, defenses and escapes better than ever before. The writing process will bring the techniques you recently learned back into your mind, which is almost as good as practicing them all over again, as you focus on getting every little technical detail out of your freshly punched or squished head and onto the paper.

Here’s a few tips that I’ve used over the years to help me take better notes:

- Pay attention to the even the tiniest of details and keep a record of every technique, concept and strategy you learn in class, from another student, through observation of sparring sessions or during a private lesson with your instructor. Before you know it you’ll have a ton of stuff to practice outside of your regular training schedule.

- Do not…I repeat do not attempt to remember any detail, no matter how memorable it may seem at the time, in your head. If anything is forgotten, your technique will be much less effective and may potentially not even work at all.

I’ll say it one more time because it is so important. When taking notes be sure to include every single detail!

I’ve run into trouble in the past when my technique description was lacking. For instance, I would often write to use one of my hands for some movement within a technique but forgot to specify if it was my left or right hand. At the time I thought I would easily remember something as small as that and a week later I probably did. A month later that vital information was often lost from my mind. I quickly learned that taking ten minutes or more after class or a seminar to write down everything was worth the effort.

- A pen and paper system has always worked well for me. If you can type pretty fast I also suggest entering into a computer program such as Microsoft Word as it may help you keep more organized. Typing your notes into the computer will give your mind another look at the many techniques that you are hoping to put to use in your training in the near future. The more time you spend thinking about martial arts, the faster you will improve.

- The notes you take won’t be of any value to you unless you go back to them often and practice them with a partner. At first I suggest you work on them several times per week, before class, after class or even at home if you have a good spot to practice. I used to meet up with a different training partner –so I wouldn’t burn them out– every morning for two hours and go over six to eight different techniques.

- Once you’ve mastered the technique’s static application –which they say takes at least a thousand repetitions—the notes are not as important as the movement will have become embedded into your subconscious. You’ll start finding yourself pulling the movements off during training and maybe even competition. That’s when you can begin to move onto to practice the many other techniques in your training notebook.

Keep in mind that carrying your notebook with you to martial arts class, and writing notes in the midst of a seminar might not seem like the coolest things to do but don’t worry it’ll all be worth it. The quick gains you’ll make in skill will soon have you submitting anyone who laughs at your methods.

Anytime I come across kids showing great skill in martial arts/boxing/wrestling or some other combat style I always post it up.

This is one of those times!

Check out Floyd Mayweather Prodigy, Floyd, Cashflow” Diaz smack the pads around with Roger Mayweather.

MMA Training Tip – Patience Will Keep Things Fun!

I really don’t believe that becoming the perfect mixed martial artist is ever possible. Well at least not in the average life span that we as human beings can expect. I’ve been training close to thirty years and sometimes there are some days I still feel like a beginner at some things.

In the beginning mixed martial arts can be a little overwhelming for many students. New students are constantly asking me how long it will take them to become good. I always tell them that there is no easy route or quick shortcut to mastery, that they should focus on attending class as often as possible and always do their best to be a good student. If they are expecting to become a professional fighter overnight, they have no clue how much dedication an accomplishment it actually takes to do so. Mind you they could just jump in and fight pro but they better have some good health insurance.

In terms of your own training, be patient. It will take some time but with some dedication and hard work you’re guaranteed to improve. In a few shorts months you will possess the skills and confidence necessary to defend yourself against the average person in the street. That is a very empowering feeling. I call this time stage one and at this is the point where things really become fun.

Like watching your own child grow, you don’t notice the technical changes and growth you are making daily but before you know it you’ve matured into an experience mixed martial artist. So be patient, have fun and remember that the enjoyment isn’t in achieving the goal, it’s in the journey along the way.

I’m excited to say that the next workshop that I’ll be teaching at Joslin’s MMA (on Sunday, June 27) will be focusing on one of my favourite aspects of striking: Angles, Evasiveness and Movement.

Come out and join us as I share some of my best ways to keep yourself out of harm’s way when when striking on the feet. A small angle change after you’re done punching or some proper footwork at the right time can cause your opponent massive amounts of frustration because they will be unable to hit you. Best part is that you will still be able to hit them!

Whether you are a beginner or advanced student, this workshop will give you the tools of evasion that most fighters lack. Like I always say, it’s all about the right technique.

Date: Sunday, June 27th
Time: 1pm-3pm

Cost: $30 members ($40 non-members)

Place: Joslin’s Mixed Martial Arts (436 Concession Street, Hamilton)

Note: Bring whatever striking gear you have (ie. boxing gloves, shin pads etc.) If you don’t have anything, don’t worry, I’ll get some for you when you arrive.

TO REGISTER ONLINE  ==> Click Here

See you soon!

After watching a few videos of guys getting knocked  out when their cowardly opponents threw cheap shots while they were touching gloves, I decided to make this video.

Remember to protect yourself at all times once the referee starts the fight but if you do want to touch gloves with your opponent, following the 3 simple tips in this video will keep you from getting knocked unconscious in seconds.

With my laptop (which has all my best stuff on it) still down and out of commission, after somebody stepped on it and shattered the screen, I found this technique video on my main computer and decided to throw it up.

The video shows a very simple way to counter a jab and fire back with your own attack. A benefit of doing this type of defense is that it will bring your opponent closer to you since they are trying to hit you. This is helpful at times when you are finding it difficult to reach your opponent with your jab on its own.

==> JAB COUNTER – Pick and Jab Back.

Back to the laptop issue…I ordered a new screen on Ebay but have no idea how long things take to ship since it’s my first order from that site. Anyone know how long it takes?

If you haven’t got a chance to check out my Learn-MMA section…there’s like 75+ free videos showing some of my best mma fundamentals to get you started ==> CLICK TO CHECK IT OUT!

Shadowboxing can be difficult, frustrating and awkward  for new students to perform. It can be very tough for a beginner to fire their  punches in the right places or stay in a strong fighting stance because their lack of experience makes it very difficult for them to properly visualize an opponent in front of them.

Shadowboxing –or shadowfighting which I sometimes call it because of the kicks, take down entries, sprawls that I execute in addition to the punching– is one of the most useful training drills in a fighters –for both beginners and advanced students– workout routine. It promotes technical proficiency, is excellent for conditioning and is an efficient way for a fighter to perfect their attacks before entering the heat of battle that sparring or actual competition is.

One way that I find will help you feel more comfortable shadowboxing is by doing the exercise with a partner. In this article I’ll show you how to do this and I’ll also share a few drill variations for any advanced martial artists that are looking to add more challenge, effectiveness and excitement to their workouts.

Here we go!

1) Stand facing one another in your fighting stances with a decent amount of distance between each of you. Ideally you and your partner should be able to punch, knee and kick with no chance of connecting with any part of the others body. This is very important! A collision of fists or legs could cause serious injury to one or both of you so be sure to  maintain around an eight foot separation between you both at all times.

2) Set the timer –usually for 2,3,4 or 5 minutes depending on your skill and endurance levels- and start the round. At first remain in place and work your techniques from one spot on the floor using your partner’s position to help you visualize your targets. Avoid the urge to move forward as you strike and make sure your partner does the same. Simply run through the variety of techniques you know well or any new ones that you have been working on. Repeat the drill for a minimum of three rounds using the same duration for each and give yourself a 30 seconds to 1 minute rest between each round.

3) Once your comfortable with #2, do the exact same drill except add some footwork this time. Each of you should move from left to right or vice versa as you fire off punches, kicks and knee strikes. Continue to avoid moving forward because that will only put you in danger of colliding with your partner’s fist, foot or knee.  As your partner moves around be sure to maintain a solid fighting stance that’s angled as if you were actually fighting against them.

4) Alright, so now you’ve gotten comfortable with the drill both while standing still and with some footwork added in. Next, incorporate some defensive techniques in reaction to your partner’s attacks. If they jab, pick it. If they low kick, check it and so on. Remember that it’s never a real block because your partner should still be standing more than 8 feet away from you. It’s really just you timing your shadow fighting defensive move with their shadow fighting offensive attack. Be sure to throw a follow up combination after your defensive maneuver so that your chances of doing so in actual sparring will be much greater over time as you continue to practice this drill.

5) Lastly, lets make this drill a little more MMA styled. Anytime you or your partner touches the ground with you back knee –and holds it there– the other person must perform a sprawl motion as if someone had just shot in for a take down on them. If it’s you that dropped the knee, wait until your partners sprawl is complete before standing up again to resume your shadow fighting. Be sure that you have your partner sprawl regularly throughout the rounds, often at times when they are in the midst of an striking combination so that they can hone their reaction skills in a very realistic way.

Okay, so now you have it, the partner shadow boxing drill. It’s up to you to get in the gym and put it into action. I wouldn’t do it all the time because it’s still very important to develop your solo shadow boxing ability but it’s a great way to change things up whenever you feel like it.  Be sure to share to share the drill with others you think might benefit and enjoy it.

Have fun and good luck!

Sparring Tips For Beginners

When I was reading one of the many mixed martial arts forums today I came across a question regarding striking sparring. The person asking was completely new to sparring and like many beginners found his first rounds versus a moving, striking opponent extremely challenging.

Off the top of my head I quickly came up with a few things that I thought might help him in his quest to get hit less while doing more hitting himself inside the ring.

I’ll share them, and a few more, to help you make your sparring experience more enjoyable and…less painful. Here we go!:

1. Throw your punches with speed, relaxation and technique, never try for power.

2. You don’t have to always see the opening for a specific punch. Just throw you combo sharply and quick and often the opening comes in the middle of your combo.

3. After your done punching, move away to either side. Your even better to stand your ground than backing straight up.

4. When you think you’re jabbing a lot, jab twice as much.

5. If you get into trouble, place both gloves on your temples, covering your face and jaw with the forearms and move, move, move.

6. When blocking strikes try not to tense your arms. Simply raise your arms up to protect yourself. This is easier said then done.

7. Keep you chin down at all times.

8. Mix up your attacks, try to be as unpredictable as you can with your combinations.

9. Pace yourself.  Use your defensive and offensive techniques instead of just attacking the entire time.

10. Focus on keeping yourself in a good balanced  stance before attacking, while attacking, and after your attack. This is very important!

11. Never give up. Taking a bit of a beating in the beginning is all part of the learning process. Stick with it and you will slowly become more like a hammer instead of the nail.

Bonus Tip:

Forum poster Zedlepln on mma.tv reminded me of this important one that beginners often forget to do.

Breathe!

Never hold your breath during your sparring round. Some fighters exhale hard with ever punch they throw. Instead I simply breathe regularly –with my mouth closed- making short but not overly strong exhalations through my nose when I throw each punch. The more well conditioned you are, the better you will be able to control your breath.

These should be a good start.

Let me know how it goes…

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Hit Harder than Ever Before with my “Developing the KO punch” FREE REPORT

Visit the Premium Shop for Striking and Groundwork Video Workshops

The body shot is definitely my favourite punch to land in a fight. There’s no better feeling that scoring a fast, crisp punch to the body and seeing your opponent crumble to the ground a second later. Anyone who has boxed with skilled strikers before knows that punches hitting the body hurt more than the ones that smack against the head.

Many fighters shy away from working the body because they often get hit hard while trying to do so. They simple give up because they can’t seem to pull it off. This is often because they are not setting things up properly or sometimes because they are leaving their head on the line of fire while they are punching the body which is extremely dangerous. There is a ton of skill involved when throwing an effective punch to the midsection of your opponent. Mess up the mechanics of the attack and you end up wasting a great opportunity to really punish your opponent.

Last weekend I shared many important details and techniques to a large group of students that came out to my “Body Shot” workshop.

I had them first learn the proper body and arm positioning necessary when throwing a body punch so that their hits would cause maximum damage and yet require very little effort to execute.

We then followed up with a few ways to disguise their entry into body punching position along with very important details on how to keep their face safe from harm on the way in.

Lastly, I taught the students several punches to follow up with after their body shot. It’s these second and third punches that will increase their chances of scoring a knockout in competition.

I’m looking forward to seeing them pull it off in action!

The entire workshop, which includes 25 different videos, is now available online in the premium shop.

==> CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE PREMIUM SHOP.

Here’s one video from the workshop…