I always jump at the chance to hold the pads for punching/kicking drills.Firstly, I just like the feeling of absorbing the energy. It feels good to play hard.
Secondly, I can learn a lot about an individual's style, especially if their martial arts background differs from my own.
When sparring, half of one's attention is focused on offense, and half on defense. You are an active participant, which, personally, narrows my scope to freely observe, while holding pads I become a fly on the wall. Breath patterns, eye movement, strengths, weak points, and tells are all on display.
Now, the goal isn't to use this to defeat anyone, rather, to apply the lessons to yourself. I've talked before about picking up tips from boxers and kick boxers. Tips to use and tips just for the sake of awareness.
Recently, I was training with a heavy striker. I let him pound the pads as hard as he wanted--and I moved him around the room to see how his feet moved. The lesson, however, was not about his telegraphing punches or a potential weakness to exploit in his guard. Instead, a painfully obvious conclusion was made by myself:
Don't strike with a striker! Get in close--without getting knocked out--and use what you know best.
Hey, honesty has to count for something!
I enjoy being the "uke" for techniques - it has helped me to understand them better, and to recreate them in my own body. Whether striking or throwing or grappling, the answer seems to lie as much in observing others and feeling the results as it does in practicing oneself.
ReplyDeleteHonesty counts! I recall a quote along the lines of "Beware of internal martial artists, for they are subtle and quick to anger." I think can be said of anyone in their own realm. Don't grapple a grappler!
Goodness I agree about the striker issue. I was watching some boxers last night that horrified me. I am dead if I play there game. I only hope is to make them play my game.
ReplyDelete