Training Drills and Conditioning

To start off with, I feel that three things go into making a complete fighter. Technique, Physical Fitness, and Heart. Your instructor/coach can only help you with the first two. We have already discussed a lot of technique, so moving right along...

Physical Fitness and Stamina:
Anyone who fights competitively, or competes at sports in general can tell you that being physically fit can make or break you. Besides learning and practicing the techniques of your MA, you have to train to be able to do them, and keep doing them, even if you are tired, exhausted, hurt, etc.
?1-RUN. To tell the truth, there is no exercise I hate more than running. But, I can also honestly say that there is no exercise that takes its place (and believe me, I've tried MANY). If you want to be able to fight, you have to run, run, run. You should have a mix between jogging for distance and wind sprints.
?2-SEE ?1! Yes! Running is THAT important!
Besides running, there are a number of drills that we incorporate into our training to help build strength and stamina.
DUCKWALKING or SQUATS: How do you think that Thai boxers are able to withstand those leg kicks?
FOOTWORK DRILLS: A circle drill that I incorporate from the boxing gym. The students get in a circle as though they are in the ring (we don't have a ring at either of our gyms) and they skip sideways as though they are dancing around their opponent. The students are to stay on their toes! When the coach (me!) says "SWITCH" they change directions and go the other way. This should get them used to always circling around their opponents, and how to change directions quickly. (there's more to the drill than just that, but I don't feel like getting into it right now, sorry)
JUMP ROPE: helps with stamina, and teaches boxers to be light on their feet. (if they do it right)
PUSHUPS and SIT-UPS: This is a no brainer...
MEDICINE BALL: has a myriad of uses. Strength, coordination, and impact drills.
NECK ROLLS: This is very similar to the wrestling exercise. Do a three point stance with your feet on the ground and your head too. Arms behind your back. Slowly roll your neck around to work the neck muscles. For god's sake though, be careful on this one until you are used to it...
WEIGHTS: There are a number of very specific weight drills for punching power. Most of them concentrate on the shoulders and triceps. One drill is to take a non-weighted bar with both hands and pump it in and out from your chest (straight out while standing) as fast as you can for one round.

Continue with improve punching power›