Want more sparring partners? Bake cookies!

by Mike

You'd be surprised how well this works. Chocolate chip works best.

CC-licensed Flickr photo by appaloosa. Includes recipe.

Getting motivated when you're not.

MMA fighter Rosi Sexton has some interesting thoughts on, I'd want to say structuring a training program, but it's really about finding your groove when your mind/heart isn't in your training. One of my instructors likes to call these "low energy days." Days when you can't seem to get anything to work and you start to question your skills and your motivation. Emphasis hers:

I hit my low point one padwork session. I’d done three hard sessions the day before, including an hour of solid wrestling. I felt sore, and just completely drained, nothing left. When I’m feeling like that, the doubts start creeping in. I can’t do this, what’s wrong with me? Maybe I’m getting sick? Or perhaps I’m just too old for all this… I’m sure it wasn’t this bad last time… But then, like a plane taking off, you get to a certain speed and all of a sudden you’re airborne. Hey, this isn’t so bad now. The pace feels easier and I’m not tired all the time.

Getting that feeling is all part of the art of writing training programs. I say “art” because it relies so much on intuitive judgement. It’s different for every fighter.

At first glance, it might seem like you're looking to break through a barrier. But read it again:  you're not looking to break through anything, what you're looking for is your own speed.

Banging your head against a wall is only going to hurt your head - getting someone to guide you past your own (most likely mental) blocks will pay dividends as you end up sidestepping the problem.

Granted, this won't work in all situations (such as when you might have overuse injuries or if you've been training too hard for too long) - but it's a wonderful way to get past your day-to-day slumps. One of my favorite things about martial arts is that it gets more interesting (and fun) as it gets harder.

Of course, you're often not the best judge of where you are in your training or what motivation you need to continue (that is, how hard things need to be before they become "fun" again). So, going another round on the bags might not be what you need. This is where you'll have to rely on your instructor or training partner for that extra push. This of course assume that your partner knows you, your motivation and your abilities - that is, you've got a good partner. If you don't have a good partner, well, getting someone else to help you bang your head against a wall is not only going to give you a bigger headache. Hopefully you have enough discipline to realize that you're not likely to get much out of that training session and head home early.*

Essentially what you're doing when you start to speed things up is you shut down your conscious mind, that little bit that tells you that you can't do this, or that you're not good at that. Turning down that little critic is going to make you ten times better if only because you're running on your instinct and ingrained skills. When you take a break and your conscious mind pops back for a second, you have the opportunity to think, "holy crap, not only can I do this, but I just did." Silencing those negative thoughts gives you that opportunity to remember how good you are.

Next time you find yourself with negative thoughts that are affecting your performance, try finding a trusted partner to push you. I think you'll be surprised at how quickly your attitude turns around.

* If you don't have trusted partners, definitely stay away from the sparring. Remember, "if you're not all there, don't be there at all."

Be kind to your uke.

by Mike

You uke is very valuable to you as a training partner and demonstration tool for the rest of the class. A good uke is like a good partner - they'll make you both look good and make sure you get your point across.

Given that the uke is typically one of the more advanced students in class, there's a definite trickle-down/setting examples of how you expect your class to run. Toss the uke mercilessly and you'll see the less-experienced in your class hurting each other while they try to imitate your example. Take care of your uke and you'll see your students being respectful to each other while making sure they understand the technical aspects of the techniques.

A couple things to keep in mind when working with an uke:

• The uke should have an idea of what you're doing so they can prepare. If you're going to do three knee strikes from the clinch, make sure that you only throw three knees, elsewise, your uke might be getting ready to move the pads for the next technique while you're teeing off on him like Wanderlei vs. Rampage. Discussing "a throw" and not giving the uke enough advance notice means they'll potentially injure themselves if they can't guess correctly which way they're going to land.
  
  
• A good uke should be skilled. Generally instructors pick an advanced student to be the uke because the uke will be able to execute any desired techniques (or defenses) properly. Picking a nerd is a recipe for disaster.
  
  
• Ukes are people too. They need to do things like breathe. Please remember that while you're explaining how to finish a choke and taking questions, all without letting go of the hold.
  
  
• Use only enough force and intensity to get the point across. Presumably because you're demonstrating the technique, you're the instructor. And you're the instructor presumably because you've got a mastery of the technique. That of course means you should be executing the techniques with intensity, but lightly. No need to crunk up your uke's leg while showing low kicks. 

CC-licensed flickr photo from Sklathill