Saturday, April 30, 2011

MMA Training Routines - The Essential Training Before You Compete in the Ring!

MMA training routines are established when one wants to become a fighter. Mixed martial arts (also known as MMA) is now the world's most popular combat sport. The diversity and the exciting styles created by the fighters are what captures the interest of so many people.

More and more reality shows are now hitting the realms of television such as UFC or the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

MMA is not like any other sport. It has limited rules compared to other fighting disciplines and therefore requires a lot from a fighter.

Training is vital to become a fighter. Unlike any other sport, MMA is best learned with a trainer with whom you can have actual sparring.

MMA training routines include sparring to adequately gauge the capacity of each fighter.

The techniques that need to be focused on in trainings are boxing, kicking and wrestling. These three basic skills are essential in MMA. Boxing and kicking are best coached alongside the styles of martial arts such as Muay Thai and the Brazilian Jujitsu.

The speed and the agility at which a fighter can deliver his blows and kicks are enhanced during trainings. Drills are focused on hand and feet coordination while at the same time improving strength when it comes to groundwork or the wrestling part of the game.

MMA training routines have to be established regularly to create a steady and strong momentum. There are so many skills and techniques that a fighter needs to learn and it is only through regular training that you can become good enough to compete in the ring.

Do you want to become an awesome MMA fighter?

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Pegging Your Stance Is One Of The Secrets Of Classical Karate Forms

In these days of punch a bunch MMA fighting, many people lose out on the secret of Classical Karate Forms. And, not to be discriminatory, on the secrets of Gung Fu patterns, and taekwondo and... so on. Mind you, I find nothing wrong with effective self defense, as offered by a regimen in MMA training, but I think Martial knowledge is of more value in the long run.

Let's consider the notion of how to peg the stance. You won't find much information discussed concerning this practice, but it leads to a coordinated body, harder strikes, and a rather interesting and useful waveform of energy through the body. There are several places in the classical Kata which illustrate this technique.

Rudimentary Pegging of the Stance occurs in Pinan Three, also called Heian Three in the Japanese. This is nothing more than the first move, where one places his feet together, leans forward, and blocks. There is a balance here, and an introduction to running energy down the legs and into the ground.

The discipline of this concept evolves slowly through the kata of classical Karate, and in other arts. In the form called Pinan Five (Heian Five), one jumps and lands in a cross legged stance (Kosa Dachi). In this move one is deliberately dropping weight deep into the ground, and getting a sizable return of energy from the earth.

This movement occurs again, but with a quick step instead of a jump, in Bot sai (Passai). This simple step is forward motion brought to a sudden halt by sending roots down the leg and into the ground. The forward motion, when stopped in such abrupt manner, actually sends a wave of energy (chi or ki) up the body and into the braced block.

The last example of this technique of pegging is found in um be (Empi... the flying swallow). This movement consists of stepping forward and sinking the weight through the cross legged stance. In this form the movement is extremely combat useful.

There are other examples of this pegging concept, but the ones I have given here provide a sequence throughout the various forms of the Martial Disciplines. And, the truth of the matter is that one should learn to drop the weight in all stances. This is quite crucial to obtaining the True Martial Art.

To conclude, let me again say that I have no bone to pick with the MMA fighting methods. However, most people are into the art for more than just being able to beat somebody to a pulp. Indeed, discovering and manipulating the intrinsic energies of the body, and learning other such secrets through classical Karate Kata, gives a peace of mind that is experienced through no other martial way in the world.

If you want to learn the True Secrets of Classical Karate Kata, head to Monster Martial Arts. Pick up a free ebook while you are there.

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MMA Workouts - 3 Vital Aspects For MMA Workouts

Mixed martial arts, or MMA, require dedicated training in order to compete. There are 3 vital aspects for MMA workouts. If you get these 3 training aspects down, you'll be able to compete.

1. Stand Up Training. Stand up consists mainly of boxing and Muay Thai style training. Basically, hitting and kicking. Practicing strikes and kicks is essential and often consists of the bulk of training for many fighters. You can train your strikes and kicks using a heavy bag. Utilize a long bag where you can perform low kicks. From there you can practice sparring with a partner, using proper pads for safety.

2. Ground Work. This consists of on the ground fighting, a position many fighters find themselves in during a fight. Wrestling or Jiu Jitsu should be trained, as well as submissions, take downs and take down defense. This is a very important aspect to the game and the fighters that don't have their ground work down, often times will lose the battle. Another aspect to ground work for MMA workouts, is "ground and pound" training. This consists of delivering strikes from the ground. The guys with good ground and pound can finish fights within seconds. Guys with poor ground and pound can miss vital opportunities to end fights.

3. Conditioning. This is perhaps one of the most important aspects to the game. You can be a highly skilled and technical fighter, but if your conditioning isn't on, then you are simply not going to last, and can very easily be beaten by a fighter of less caliber. Conditioning consists of intense cardio training. You want to be able to not succomb to fatigue during a fight. It cannot be understated enough how vitally important cardio training is. Superior cardio can beat superior skill. Always make conditioning a major component to MMA workouts.

Here is an excellent training program for MMA workouts - http://TimetoRage.com

This will get you in the absolute best conditioning for fighting, teaching you skills from real fighters that have proven incredibly effective. Follow the routine outlined, and you'll be a trained fighter, ready to compete. Check it out at http://TimetoRage.com

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MMA Conditioning Vs Cardio

One of the biggest misnomers when it comes to MMA conditioning is the difference between "conditioning" and "cardio." When MMA fighters new to this subject first decide to add a strength and conditioning program to their training, often times they take what they know already from general fitness and bodybuilding and think that increasing their bench press, doing a bunch of curls and running several miles every day will pretty much get them in shape for a fight.

Obviously there is a lot more to it then this. A WHOLE lot more to it. I can go on and on about the types of strength and conditioning MMA fighters need to optimize their performance in the ring or cage, but I want the focus of this article to clear up the difference between MMA conditioning and cardio.

Cardiovascular fitness, or cardio for short, is basically the capacity of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen to your working muscles. The general types of cardio you can develop are aerobic endurance and anaerobic endurance. Aerobic, which literally means "with oxygen," refers to slower but longer paced exercises, such as jogging; whereas anaerobic, or "without oxygen," refers to high intensity training where your muscle don't rely on oxygen to contract your muscles.

In MMA, both aerobic and anaerobic endurance are equally important. The better your aerobic endurance, the faster your heart will be able to supply your muscles with oxygen, which means the faster you can recover your wind, or "catch your breath." The better your anaerobic endurance, the longer you will be able to perform high intensity exercise without gassing out.

However, this is where most people think MMA conditioning stops. But if you were to get to the point where you can jog 5 miles plus non-stop no problem AND you can do dozens of wind sprints in a short amount of time, and that's ALL the "conditioning" you did, I guarantee you will still gas out in a high intensity MMA fight. Why? Because although your cardio may be in great shape, your conditioning will still be lacking.

"So what the hell is the difference, Derek!?"

I thought you'd never ask. Conditioning for MMA, unlike conditioning for non or low contact sports such as soccer or basketball, requires that you not only have excellent cardio or wind, but that you have muscle/strength/power endurance as well. Let me explain the difference. In basketball, players are constantly running and jogging back and forth, hence aerobic and anaerobic endurance is vital so that they can continue to do this throughout the whole game without slowing down or hindering there performance.

In a mixed martial arts bout, often times fighters will engage in the clinch, shoot in and fight for a take-down (or fight against one) and continue to exert their muscles both explosively and for prolonged times (such as trying to secure a submission). Not only does a fighter require great cardio, but he also needs to condition his muscles (arms, legs, shoulders, etc.) to be able to contract for a relatively long period of time as well. If you've ever got caught struggling for a take-down for several seconds after when you are already tired, you'll know what I mean. This is a type of conditioning that you won't get from just running on a flat surface several times a week.

This type of conditioning requires a certain type of resistance training, whether it's with weights, sleds, sandbags, or what have you. It is important to note that conditioning your muscles is different then just lifting weights like the general fitness or bodybuilding industry suggests. You may be able to bench press 400 lbs, but if you have poor MMA conditioning, the ability to exert maximum strength, power, and endurance for an extended amount of time, then after 30 - 60 seconds of battling in the cage or ring then you probably won't have enough strength left to bench press 100 lbs.

MMA conditioning is a complex subject, primarily because MMA, unlike any other sport, requires virtually EVERY type of physical attribute we have, AND each attribute must be maximized for optimal performance. But at least now you know that running around your neighborhood everyday is great for your cardio, but only one piece of the puzzle in terms of MMA conditioning.

Derek Manuel has been involved in MMA and physical fitness for over 13 years. When he is not training he is learning and experimenting with the most efficient and effective ways to develop optimal levels of strength and conditioning for MMA. To see Derek's review's of the top MMA strength and conditioning workouts on the web, visit www.BestMMATrainingWorkouts.com

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5 Tips to Help You Become a Better MMA Fighter

The popularity of MMA has absolutely exploded within the past 5 years. With this, there has been a large increase in the number of trained MMA fighters. There are so many different ways to train, different styles to train in, etc. How confident are you in knowing what you should do next to become a better MMA fighter? Before you head to the gym for another training session, first take a look at this list of tips.

1. Don't focus on just strength training! Many MMA fighters have a training routine which consists of nothing but strength training. Yes it's nice to be able to have enough upper body strength for a major knockout punch, but what if the fight goes to the ground? You need to rely on more than just upper body strength. Train EVERY part of you. Develop your lower body strength, improve your running speed, your hand eye coordination, etc. This may sound like an obvious tip, but you'd be surprised how many people don't follow this tip and spend all of their training time focusing just on developing a better punch.

2. Focus on training in more than just one style. This kind of goes with the first tip. This isn't boxing, this is MMA. There are all different styles and you need to be prepared for them. If you rely mostly on boxing skills and you face someone who is skilled in submissions, you're going to be in big trouble. Try to have an understanding of wrestling, judo, leg kicks, etc.

3. Train for ground fighting. This is so important. Like I've said, you need to train in many different styles and parts of your body. But if there is one area to focus most of the time on, it would be ground fighting. Seriously, watch an MMA event. You'll notice just how many fights go to the ground. You need to be prepared for this. You need to know how to escape if someone has the mount position on you. You also need to know how to force a submission if you have the mount and you are losing energy after throwing multiple punches. DON'T skip ground graining!

4. Don't bother spending too much of your time with punching bags. Use your time to train with a live partner and focus on takedowns. If you can master the art of the takedown, you can easily take your opponent down and finish the fight. Remember, when it comes to ground fighting, the person who ends up in the mount position is usually the one who went for the takedown. Don't wait for them to take you down. Make the move.

5. Recognize your weaknesses and don't fret over them. If you have a weakness for kicks, don't obsess over trying to fix your weakness. Every fighter has a weakness in some part of their fighting style. Sure, it's good to practice and try to improve your skills in your weak area. But, you can also make up that lack of skill with skill in speed and takedowns.

Hopefully you have learned something from these 5 tips. If you didn't notice, these tips generally have the same theme of technique over power. If you don't believe this is true, just take a look at some of Royce Gracie's older fights. Back when there weren't weight limits, Royce Gracie sometimes fought against fighters that were 200+ pounds bigger than him, but Royce Gracie would still get the win. Royce knew how to take them down and he knew how to make them submit. Follow his example :)

Ryan Erikson is a writer and has had an interest in MMA fighting for many years. On Ryan's MMA Training Workouts Blog, he features more tips, articles, and recommendations on how you can learn to become an MMA fighter or improve your skills.

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Judo MMA Training Techniques

nterested in learning basic Judo techniques? Judo techniques are actually taken from the actions of Jujitsu, which was practiced by Sumo wrestlers, long time ago in both China and Japan.

Contrary to the Japanese meaning of the word Judo, which is "gentle way", the main objective of Judo is to throw an opponent to the ground, immobilize, or restrain one's opponent through grappling. Strikes and thrusts are likewise part of this martial art.

So why is it beneficial for you to learn Judo fighting techniques? This sport definitely offers a lot of advantages, particularly for aspiring MMA fighters.

First, knowing the right Judo techniques will help you gain superior positioning and dominance over an opponent during MMA fights. Mastering judo skills is great for mixed martial arts because it focuses on close distance attacks, which is imperative for taking down your opponent on his back.

Another great thing about learning Judo is that it enables a smaller weak man to overpower the bigger and stronger opponent. The principle of fighting using Judo techniques is not to fight with your own strength. Because if you do, then the stronger man will most likely win. Instead, you'll learn how to cause your opponent to fight off balanced to reduce the efficiency of his attacks.

The definitive concept in Judo is that of ippon, a decisive victory over an opponent. At the heart of this concept is the aesthetic notion of what constitutes a good, decisive throw. A good throw is what all judo fighters want to achieve every time they step on the mat. There are also many types of throws in judo which suit different physiques.

However, there are two basic types of throws: the standing strategies and the sacrifice methodologies. Standing techniques are further divided into hand strategies, hip methods, and foot and leg systems. While sacrifice tactics are throws that make the thrower fall immediately backwards.

The ground fighting systems in Judo are divided into attacks against the joints or joint locks, strangleholds also known as chokeholds, and pinning methodologies. Striking methods in this form of martial arts, like kicking and smacking with the use of knife and sword, are kept in the kata training.

You see, Judo skills can be very useful and effective for any type of fighter, whether for wrestling, striking or ground fighting; learning Judo techniques can help you improve in all three areas of your game. As MMA fighters constantly look for new ways to improve their skills, the increasing popularity of Judo in mixed martial arts has been very apparent and inevitable nowadays.

For more information on mixed martial arts training techniques, kindly visit http://www.orangecountymma.com/.

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Saturday, April 23, 2011

What Are the Best Martial Arts For MMA? Take-Downs, Striking, and Submissions

There are many martial arts that you can choose from in almost every community, although, not every art is practical enough to be used in the fight setting. Here we provide you with the most popular fighting styles to utilize and become a complete MMA fighter.

Take-Downs.

Wrestling is proving to be the best take-down martial art for MMA. The top UFC heavyweights mostly consist of former wrestlers. They have the ability to take the fight to the ground at any point and maintain a top position.

Having this ability to dictate the way the match turns is very important. Also Judo fighters have shown to be very powerful at securing the takedown. Still wrestlers manage to maintain that top position with more control, more often.

Striking.

Muay Thai Kick-boxing teaches you to strike with knees, shins, elbows and fists. The combinations that a Muay Thai fighter can bring to the MMA arena can be detrimental to their opponent.

Train pure boxing as well. Your hands are your most important tool in striking. Learn how to cover up properly for defence as it is critically important.

Submissions.

Utilize Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to have the ultimate submission game. BJJ started what today is the UFC and modern MMA with the Gracie family.

Make sure you are training these techniques in a No-Gi setting to make them most practical to a fight situation.

MMA is a dynamic sport that needs the perfect combination of knowledge in certain martial arts. The ones we've discussed should be studied with more focus than the more traditional martial arts. Of course knowing this is only the beginning. A complete MMA strength and conditioning program is vital to have any success in MMA.

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MMA Takedowns - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Sets the Bar For MMA Takedown Techniques

Ever since Royce Gracie captured the first UFC title along with the imaginations of thousands, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has raised the bar for MMA takedown techniques. Up until that that point mixed martial arts was an underground phenomenon with unsanctioned bouts producing unsung champions.

Today things have drastically changed. Names like Gracie, Couture, and Shamrock have become trademarks. Big business and labels of an entire industry fueled by a macho culture and quest for fame and wealth. It is important to keep in mind however that despite all the glitz, glamor, and hype these men are warriors and what they do in the octagon is real. Unlike the staged shenanigans of the "professional wrestler" MMA fighters quite literally put their lives on the line each and every time they compete. It is the undeniable reality of what they do that has created such a rabid fan base over the years. Even those that discourage mixed martial arts must shake their heads in grudging respect for the length with which these modern gladiators dedicate themselves to their calling.

It is by viewing these escapades that we learned of devastating MMA takedown techniques, how they work, and the effects they have on opponents. With training and willpower anyone can learn these skills and compete for glory. These days mixed martial arts are mainstream and local competitions are held in every city. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the number 1 fighting style for mixed martial artists and the explosive MMA takedown techniques we love to watch are some of the best this exciting sport has to offer.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a phenomenon that's sweeping the country. It is the ultimate style for self defense and a great and exciting way to "stay in shape". For more information on MMA takedown techniques check out http://www.squidoo.com/mmatechniques If you're already into BJJ and want to take your skills to the next level; MMA takedown techniques [http://www.takedowntechniques.info] will bring you up a notch and add notches to your victims list!

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Techniques - The Key to Always Keeping the Upper Hand in Every Match

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a kind of martial art that proves how a person of smaller size can defeat an opponent who is bigger and stronger by using Brazilian jiu jitsu techniques properly and utilizing leverage. When these different techniques are mastered, dominating a match no matter what the circumstances will be easy.

What's the significance of mastering Brazilian jiu jitsu techniques?

Most of the Brazilian jiu jitsu fights end on the ground, thus being adequately equipped with the needed skills or skills play a very significant part in defeating your opponent. Learning the various jiu jitsu techniques will enable you to fully understand the sport. It will teach you which techniques should be applied in specific positions to be able to take control of your opponent. Being able to take your opponent to the ground will give you the advantage and enable you to finish the fight.

What Brazilian jiu jitsu techniques should you learn?

Learning and mastering the numerous types of tactics will determine how well your performance will be in your future fights. It will give you the edge of how to quickly respond when you're being taken to the ground by your opponent; applying the right counter, escaping then taking down your opponent, and using powerful finishing techniques to force your opponent into a submission or tapping out.

Here's a List of 7 Various Types of Jiu Jitsu Techniques That Often Contribute to Titles In the World of MMA...

Toehold - This submission technique is done by literally hyperrotating and hyperextending your opponents ankle by clutching the foot close to the toes then pushing or twisting it while controlling the leg at the same time.

Straight Leg Bar - This type of leglock is performed by over stretching the knee of your opponent and placing it between your arms and legs, resembling the posture of armbar technique.

Heel Hook - This technique is considered to be dangerous as aside from causing pain, the knee of your opponent will be twisted. Your position in this technique will be similar to shin or ankle lock.

Kimura Shoulder Lock - This type of technique is for stopping your opponent by exerting pressure between the wrist and shoulder while squeezing the upper body and shoulder of your opponent.

Rear Naked Choke - This submission technique eliminates the need for gi in performing your hold on your opponent, which is not similar to some strangulation techniques. You are positioned at the back encompassing the neck of your opponent either through your arms or hands.

Triangle Choke - This technique can be applied by encircling the arm and neck of your opponent using your leg. The posture resembles the shape of a triangle.

Guillotine Choke - This technique is either a blood choke or wind depending on how you will apply it on your opponent. In this technique you are in front of your opponent then you encircle the neck of your opponent using your arms.

When you apply these Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques on your opponent properly, you will surely have the upper hand on the match.

It's one thing to know and master every one of the most effective Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Techniques in the book.

However your chances of winning a fight or match increase amazingly when you've got a strategy, taught to you by two of the world's most renowned MMA and Jiu Jitsu fighters and trainers.

If you want to up your game, and start choking even the toughest Jiu Jitsu practitioners, then click here now!

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - 4 Submissions You Must Master for a Well Rounded Game

In the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu there are literally hundreds if not thousands of different types of submissions and for every submission there are infinite amounts of ways to reach that destination. It is easy to understand why some practitioners of this art find it difficult to know where they should focus their attention. Listed below are four submissions that are a great foundation for beginner and experienced practitioners alike.

1)The Rear Naked Choke.

The rear naked choke is the bread and butter of Brazilian jiu jitsu. This powerful choke is probably the first attack that you will learn if you attend and reputable academy. The attack itself is simple enough, you start from your opponents back, wrap one are around their neck and then use your other arm to close off the choke to get the tap.

2)The Arm Bar

When most people think of Brazilian jiu jitsu they think of the arm bar. This is because it is very different than techniques often seen in other types of martial arts. The complex motions required to perform this move correctly will not only allow you to perform this technique better but will assist you in master more difficult skills in the future. If this submission is not a part of your arsenal learn it as soon as possible from a qualified instructor.

3)The Guillotine.

The guillotine is about as straight forward attack as they come, it is also very versatile. This is because the guillotine can be performed from a variety of ground positions and also from the standing position. This submission also has the added benefit of being a movement that provides head control. This means that even if you are unable to stop your opponent here, you will be in a good position to control where the fight goes. This skill should be a part of every grappler's game.

4)The Straight Ankle Lock

Of all of the Brazilian jiu jitsu attacks listed here this is probably the most underutilized and most poorly performed. This is because in B.J.J. most submissions focus on the upper limbs and neck. Learning the straight ankle lock can give a B.J.J competitor a real competitive advantage if they take the time to learn how to apply it properly and with the correct timing.

There are hundreds of moves that can be learned but learning to do just a few very well will prove to be more useful than learning to do many very poorly.

Are you are interested in learning more about Brazilian jiu jitsu techniques or techniques that are used at the highest level of competition? If so you may want to check out http://www.completeleglocks.com.

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Hand Conditioning for Wing Chun Chain Punching

Learning how to condition your hands for your wing chun punching has always been somewhat a controversial subject. This article will discuss 3 key components to hit harder, condition your first and hit harder without injury.

But first...

You need to ask yourself why you want to condition your hands!

If you're conditioning your hands 'just because' and for no particular reason you have to SERIOUSLY ask yourself if the risk of long term damage is worth it?

Repeated impact to a hard, well packed Wing Chun wall bag - to toughen the knuckle, callus the skin and dullen the pain of hitting something very hard - can all have negative effect on the body over the years.

There are two very simple exercises you can use to condition your hand, wrist and forearm all of which can make you a harder, more confident hitter.

Wall Bag Punching

The Wing Chun wall bag is mounted flat against a wall - it doesn't swing, it doesn't move - you pound the surface of the bag and it's contents stop you from hitting the wall with your hand.

Wall bags can be filled with rice, old clothing or sand. Even iron filings have been used or at least 'said' to be used.

The filing and how tightly the bag is packed all change the feel of the bag.

Hitting a wall bag will strengthen your wrist and forearm as you keen good alignment and structure to your punch on impact.

Finger Press Ups

Finger press-ups engage a number of muscles in your forearm and wrist. Muscles important if you want to keep the alignment of your hand correct on impact.

One of the most common injuries to students practising their Wing Chun punch is caused by the wrist buckling on impact. Good technique is the key here - a strong wrist and forearm will help reduce the likelihood of injury.

Correct Wing Chun Punch Structure

This is last because it's the most important point in making sure you hit hard without injury. Without proper alignment and structure the likelihood of hitting incorrectly is HUGE.

The force of your punch must be in the same direction as your knuckles - as soon as the force and knuckle are out of line - the wrist will buckle on impact and cause damage.

Keeping the alignment relies on keep your elbows low (not letting them flair out) and hitting with the lower three knuckles. As soon as you start to hit with the larger two knuckles you tilt your wrist and (from close range) you will hurt it.

Hitting hard is a skill that must be trained - it's Kung Fu in its truest form - a skill attained through hard work.

When you can hit hard you carry with you a valuable life skill - a tool that can finish fights and protect you from harm. It's a confidence builder and the equivalent of walking around with a hammer in your pocket.

If you want to find out more about hitting hard, hitting faster and having confidence in your Wing Chun Punches visit our website.

Wing Chun is a prize martial art - one that should be researched, shared and passed onto future generations. To learn more about Wing Chun training you can visit the Wing Chun Training website

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5 Ways to Develop Explosive Striking Ability

There he is Jason Bourne standing in front of the park bench that he was resting on before being awakened by two policemen as he realizes that the policemen were about to arrest him or cause harm to him for no apparent reason he explodes with a brutal viciousness that leaves both cops laying on the ground stripped of their batons and guns in the blink of an eye. This was a scene from the movie the Bourne Identity based on Robert Ludlum's novel. But is it possible for someone to move that way in real life?

We have all watched professional cage fighting and were amazed at how explosive these fighters are with their movements. What is it exactly that allows these athletes to be able to explode with such veracious intensity? The subject of this article is to explain 5 ways that the reader can develop explosive striking ability in order to help them become better fighters, martial arts practitioners or just to defend their selves.

1. Resistance training - It is a definite no brainer when it comes down to realizing that you need some type of resistance training in order to supply your muscles, (Especially the fast twitch muscles with adequate resistance levels in order to help them develop and enable that explosive power you are looking for.) As a professional Mixed Martial Arts athlete I train frequently with weights using base movements such as the Squat, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Press, Dead Lifts and Bench Presses. All of these movements focus on the large muscles of the body that are responsible for the major gross movements. These are also explosive movements. I train in 3 week cycles focusing the first week on moderate weight that can be lifted for around 12 to 15 repetitions before failure. Week two focuses on heavy lifting that can only be lifted between 6 to 10 repetitions. The final week I go very light and work with a weight that I can handle at as many repetitions as possible for 2 minutes. It is okay to switch the resistance levels cycle by cycle as well.

2. Band training - I also use a series of rubber bands connected to the main supports in the walls of my gym at home in order to resist my kicks and punches against heavy bags in various positions. I have the bands rigged so that I can work on my grappling dummy (an old heavy bag) as I focus on my ground and pound techniques. I also have them attached to harnesses and walls where I can train on a hanging heavy bag using my stand up striking skills. In general I go for 5 minute rounds at various resistance levels and focus on explosiveness and form.

3. Plyometrics - The good old Clapping Pushup, Box Jump, Squat Jump and Squat Thrust all are great in developing explosive power. All of these movements require an explosion at the beginning of the movement.

4. Negative resistance training - This can be done in any number of ways and can be applied in weight training and body weight resistance training. This only requires that you explode on the positive portion of the movement (example the press in the bench press or push up) and then control the movement on the way down (negative). You can do this assisted or un assisted; however the term assisted is a contradiction in terms because the partner never really assists in controlling the weight. They add resistance to the weight by pushing against you. Whenever I have a partner available I use this method as it is invaluable. I usually train each movement for 3 sets to failure. BE Careful!

5. Practice striking - Just like anything thing else the more you do it the better you get at it. I generally throw over a thousand punches a day. The actual practice of striking is required to help your body find the most efficient way for you to move. We are all built differently and move differently, and we all have our own little idiosyncrasies, such as disabilities, injuries etc. You need to practice a lot in order to build that explosiveness that you are looking for in your striking.

There are far too many methods of explosivity training to discuss here. The ones I have given are just a few of the many. Please discuss any change in activity with your healthcare provider before trying these methods and be safe. Good luck and good training till next time!

Andrew Curtiss is a certified Athletic trainer, Sports nutritionist, former Special Forces Weapons Sergeant and an Army veteran of 11 years. He is author of Combat Application Techniques: Principles Of Destruction (book on Knife and Hand to Hand Combat).

Andrew is the former 1995 American Independent Karate Association Men's black belt champion in Kata, Sparring and Weapons. Andrew holds a 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do and a 2nd degree blackbelt in Shurite Kenpo Karate. He is a former kickboxer and current professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter. Andrew currently supports such charitable causes as Save a Vet and all pet protection charities.

His websites are:
http://www.knife-and-h2h-combat.com
http://www.1984redux.zoomshare.com

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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Three Secrets of Speed

Imagine yourself in an elevator, several stories up. You stand, feet slightly apart, looking straight ahead as the door slowly closes. Your hands are loosely at your sides. The elevator starts to descend and, with each floor, you relax a little more. You do not keep track of the blinking numbers as each floor is achieved; instead, you concentrate on relaxing, letting go of the kinks and tensions in your shoulders, your neck, your thighs. Your hands are almost heavy at the ends of your arms. You clear your brain, as much as possible, and focus on your one task: when you reach the basement, the elevator will stop and, just at the moment of 'touchdown', you will punch.

What could this exercise, a variation of one taught by Bruce Lee, possibly have to do with increasing your speed?

First Floor: It associates speed with relaxation; how many times have you seen someone tense up in preparation for a punch: balling up the fists, tensing the upper arms and neck muscles, even hardening the expression on the face? But speed not only DOES not come from a tightly wound body it CANnot come from one. A quick reaction originates in a relaxed muscle. Also, though the elevator may be dropping, inside of it you are still. The Chinese Kung Fu masters say that movement is born from stillness. It is a different form of relaxation; when you are still you reduce your variables. The fewer the variables, the fewer things to get in the way of your speed.

Second Floor: It gives you time to focus your Intent. Believe it or not, one of the secrets is that you must WANT to go fast. At first, this seems obvious, but in fact many people don't. As you reduce your variables, plant this one instead: the desire to move fast will condition your body to carry this out.

Third Floor: It allows you to become a reptile. The reptilian part of the human brain is the one that just reacts, that pulls away from a hot stove, that runs in the street to save a child from an oncoming car. Real speed is spontaneous: if you don't know you are going to hit the guy, he doesn't know it either. As the elevator descends, you not only concentrate on eliminating your tension, you also shed your thinking.

Basement: Stillness and Relaxation, Focused Intent, and Spontaneous Reaction: three secrets that are guaranteed to speed up your moves. Now go!

Ted Mancuso has been teaching traditional martial arts and self defense for over forty years. His interest in practical, realistic but not dumbed down self protection has brought him in contact with some top notch practitoners. If you are interested in down to earth, effective training methods then try... http://www.plumpub.com/sales/dvd/dvdcoll_grappling.htm#18069

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The Stand Up Position in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Of all the positions in BJJ, the stand up BJJ position is probably the least known position. BJJ is mostly known for the ground fighting techniques and not generally for the take downs. There is a very limited set of strikes in BJJ from the stand up position.

In BJJ, spacing and distance is a very important concept in stand up. In order to avoid strikes, a BJJ practitioner must stay out striking range. This can be accomplished in two ways.

The first way to stay very far away from the opponent. Keep in mind, some strikers can close the distance very fast. Whenever the striker attempts to come close, the jiu jitsu fight backs up and maintains the space. This concept is very important. Whenever the strikes moves backwards, the jiu jitsu practioner moves forward to maintain the space. This is repeated until the jiu jitsu fighter can close the distance. This is accomplished by getting the fighter to commit to a strike or get the strike to move forward, while being anticipated by the jiu jitsu fighter. The jiu jitsu fighter will attempt to take advantage of the off balancing of the striker and shoot in at the point in which the striker is unbalanced.

Another technique for staying out of striking range is to stay very close to the opponent by grabbing onto them and staying out of their power range. The power range is the area in which punches, elbows, knees, and kicks can be thrown with maximum effort. This includes using the hips in the attack. One technique for staying close and out of the power range was used by Royce Gracie in UFC 1-3. Royce would shoot in and move to the side of the striker (e.g. under the armpit) and grab hold of his opponent. From there, he could take the opponent down without withstanding strikes with hip involvement.

For novice jiu jitsu practitioners, one concept to understand is that you should not take any shots to the head. Shots to the body can do damage, but it is important not to take a knock out blow.

As a BJJ position, stand up is usually practiced the least in BJJ. It was believed that no matter what would happen, most of the fights would hit the ground. In modern MMA, many fighters have practiced take down defenses that have stifled the attacks of less skilled take down MMA fighters. This is purely subjective though, depending on the skill level of the fighters.

Many BJJ camps now include judo and wrestling in the stand up curriculum. Judo and BJJ practitioners such as David Camarillo and Rhadi Ferguson have attained black belts on both of the arts and integrated the styles into their fighting systems.

The Gracie Academy in Torrance, CA has developed a system of self defense for stand up for Gracie Jiu Jitsu. This is primarily for reality situations in which people are attacked on the streets. However, recently a fighter has stated that he used Gracie Combatives in an MMA fight (Javier Vasquez). Stand up is a very important BJJ position.

Get FREE Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Techniques! Get a FREE BJJ E-Course! Go NOW to BJJ in DC!!

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Discover Your Potential

Only the person who seeks to train in martial arts can tell you why he has chosen to do so. For many people, they turn to martial arts to learn self-defense. Some choose to get into martial arts for the physical challenge and conditioning of the art, or some may be seeking the spiritual side that comes with all martial arts. No matter what the reason is, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has it all.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has grown in popularity over the years since 1993 when Royce Gracie won the Ultimate Fighting Championship in Colorado. Since then an avalanche of BJJ academies have emerge from the over flow of people wanting to learn this unique martial art in the US and around the world.

The first picture that was etched into my mind about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was when I saw a magazine of Rickson Gracie on a mountain sitting on top of a rock with his eyes closed meditating. For some reason, that picture was burned into my memory and lead me to train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Ask anyone who has ever trained in BJJ and they will tell you that it is fun, exhausting, and challenging. As in most martial arts, there is a belt system in place, with the black belt, or the red and black belt in BJJ , being the goal and a great achievement!

Within each belt level you learn something new about yourself. For beginners, no matter how strong you think you are, the smallest guy in the class is going to hurt your ego. BJJ was designed for the smaller guy to use leverage and chokes to submit heavier opponents. This bruise to your ego will tend to have you rethink your position that the strongest guy always win.

As you progress up the belt ranks, which can take many years, and can take up to ten years to get a black belt, you begin to seek other ways you can improve in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. One of the first things people do to improve is to work on their physical conditioning. Many people don't realize how out of shape they are until they find themselves exhausted on the mat, so they begin working out and building their stamina. Another option is to watch instructional videos and books. There are books that display different techniques from different body control positions and can be very useful when watching videos is not an option.

For a few people, they're merely interested in learning as many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques and submissions as they can. Although, knowing a lot of submissions is one thing, it takes proper technique and years of training to get really proficient.

No matter what reason you have chosen to train in BJJ, you will discover a lot about yourself. I know I have. At one time I could not stand not being able to breathe, however, I learned to slow down and breathe and relax. Just like life. We should slow down more and breathe and relax. I have also learned to lose (tap) and start over again. Learning more about yourself on the mat, that is why we bow down and pay our respects before entering the arena where we dare to learn more about ourselves and discover our potential.

Benicio Cruz is a blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu and also trains in MMA. For all your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gear, visit Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Hub.

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - 3 Ways to Improve Your Performance

Unlike many other types of soft style martial arts, Brazilian jiu jitsu is not an activity that one should take on without a obtaining a certain level of physical aptitude. Practitioners of this art who already consider themselves physically fit can also improve their performance by taking on certain types of specialized training. If you find yourself at a plateau in your training it appropriate to invest time in mastering one of the following skills.

1) Flexibility

Flexibility is something that many Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioners take for granted. Many people believe that they have a flexibility set point and do not even attempt to improve their range of motion. This ability can improve your offensive and defensive ability dramatically. Certain types of submissions are directly affected by your ability to manipulate your body into otherwise unnatural positions. It can be tempting to just clean up and go home after practice but this is the best time to stretch. If you take five minutes to go through a few stretches you will notice an immediate difference.

2) Conditioning

How is your gas tank? Your ability to outlast your opponent I mean. Is it good? Is it great? If not, this where you should start. If you don't have the cardio to make it through an entire training session without feeling like you are going to pass out then it is time to work on your conditioning. Yes, just going to practice will increase your endurance but there are extra things you can do in order to give yourself an edge. Long distance running, spring training or participating in a training program like Crossfit are just a few. If you feel like you can benefit from better conditioning, pick one activity and work on it until you see better results on the mat.

3) Strength Training

Brazilian jiu jitsu is a sport of timing, patience angles and leverage. There is however a certain amount of strength necessary in order to finish off stubborn, athletic or particularly skilled opponents. If you feel like a rag doll out on the mat sometimes it may be time to implement a strength training program. Start with something simple such a body weight exercise or a single lift weight routine three times a day. If you don't know where to start, there are a lot of free routines available on the internet. Try searching keyword like strength training for B.J.J. or free strength training routines.

Are you are interested in learning more about Brazilian jiu jitsu techniques or techniques that are used at the highest level of competition? If so you may want to check out http://www.completeleglocks.com.

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How to Have the Strongest Punch Possible in Mixed-Martial Arts MMA - Our Top 3 Tips

For most MMA fighters, their punch is their strongest weapon, especially when first starting. When watching amateur fights, you will notice they can sometimes turn into slugfests, and one clean punch could put the weaker fighter flat on the mat. Here are some areas that you should develop when trying to get the strongest punch possible in mixed-martial arts.

Core.

Your core is your most important area to train for most movements in MMA. Much of your power in every punch, along with other strikes, comes from the rotary power in your core.

Train exercises that give you that extra power in core rotary. Utilize medicine balls and perform side to side crunches to really develop this area, along with other rotary exercises.

Heavy Bag.

The heavy bag is your best friend and enemy when it comes to training. In developing your power you should utilize the heavy bag everyday.

Wear heavier ounce gloves rather than your traditional 4 ounce, to repeatedly develop power without injuring your hands or wrists.

Repeat.

Over and over again hit the bag and train your core to see improvements in your punching power. Training this area one day a week is not enough to see improvements.

Train it everyday till exhaustion, outside of your regular club training. Also make sure right off the start to be using proper technique in every strike.

These are some useful tips to really develop your punching power early. Of course you need a complete MMA strength and conditioning program to really start off strong.

So remember:

Train Your Core.
Utilize The Heavy Bag.
Repeat.

FREE: MMA Training 3 Ebook Package. The titles include: "4 Simple Steps to Becoming a DESTROYER in the Cage", "Iron Guard's Body Basic Fitness", and "Crazy 8's Bodyweight Circuits". They are available for a limited time only at MMAtrainingplan.com. http://www.mmatrainingplan.com

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How to Develop Powerful Knockout Punching Power For MMA - Our Top 3 Tips

If you want to be a successful Mixed-Martial Artist, you need to develop every area of your game. If you want to be a champion you need to master each area of your game. Here are 3 top tips to develop knockout punching power.

Use Your Body Weight!

If you've watched an inexperienced fighter practicing, you'll see they are often only using arm strength for their punching power. A true knockout artist will use their entire body to flatten their opponent on the mat.

This means always throw each punch starting from your legs. This generates a force much more powerful than what often an inexperienced student generates with arm power.

Speed Is Key!

Speed is a major factor in developing knockout power. Your opponent shouldn't be able to react in time to protect his/her self from your devastating blow.

Practice explosiveness whenever hitting the bag. Your knockout blow is going to be lightning quick and unexpected. So get to work on it.

Confidence!

The most important aspect for developing knockout power is to believe you can. You need to know that you can give a knockout blow to actually deliver it.

If you believe you can knock your opponent out you will more likely take a chance and go for it. If a fighter lacks the confidence to do so then why would he/she takes such a chance.

The 3 tips provided will help you achieve powerful knockout power. Obviously a complete MMA training program is vital to master every aspect of the game.

So Remember:

- Use Your Body Weight!
- Speed Is Key!
- Confidence!

FREE: MMA Training 3 Ebook Package. The titles include: "4 Simple Steps to Becoming a DESTROYER in the Cage", "Iron Guard's Body Basic Fitness", and "Crazy 8's Bodyweight Circuits". They are available for a limited time only at MMAtrainingplan.com. http://www.mmatrainingplan.com

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What You Need to Think About to One Punch Knockout Your Opponent in MMA - Our 3 Top Tips

Wouldn't it make your life easier if you got in the ring or cage, and you didn't have to go 3 rounds to a decision. Whether unanimous or split, you should never leave the decision it in the hands of the judges. Here are our 3 top tips to one punch your opponent to victory in MMA.

Support.

Your base needs to be completely stable every time you are firing. You will not produce the power you need to knock your opponent out when your body doesn't have a good base.

This is one of the reasons leg kicks are so powerful in MMA. Leg kick after leg kick ruins your opponent's punching power. To keep your punching power, learn to check leg kicks every time.

Explode.

Start training explosive exercises. Whenever hitting pads you need to really be explosive. If you happen to be weight training, lift every time with explosive movement, simulating the actual one-punch knockout.

With every punch, submission attempt, or take-down, be as explosive as possible to make yourself an all out explosive fighter in every aspect.

Connect.

Practice hitting moving targets constantly. Your partner in training should be moving in every direction, or moving the pads in every direction.

You can and should anticipate that your opponent will be head bobbing and moving side to side as much as possible. You need to be ready for this to ensure you'll connect right on your opponent's jaw in the fight.

These are 3 aspects of a one-punch knockout that you will need to practice and perfect to achieve one. Anytime you plan to knockout an opponent, you better be sure you've been using a complete MMA strength and conditioning program.

So remember in practice:

Support.
Explode.
Connect.

FREE: MMA Training 3 Ebook Package. The titles include: "4 Simple Steps to Becoming a DESTROYER in the Cage", "Iron Guard's Body Basic Fitness", and "Crazy 8's Bodyweight Circuits". They are available for a limited time only at MMAtrainingplan.com. http://www.mmatrainingplan.com

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

How To Fight And Win In MMA And Represent The Sport

Watching a fight go to a unanimous or split decision is more often than not, disappointing for the people watching it, and probably for you. You should want to go out there, destroy your opponent, give them the respect they deserve before and after, and entertain the fans. Here are some tips to get you started in a more exciting MMA career.

Visualization.

You should be devoting more time to actually visualizing how your fight is going to pan out. People don't give enough credit to the power of visualization and many be the most underrated tool in an MMA fighter's arsenal.

Picture the details in complete detail and focus each one of your senses on it. Picture the ref raising your hand after you KO your opponent. How does the crowd sound when you Head kick KO your opponent?

Humble.

The most humble fighter is the most admired. If you listen to the ones who talk out loud all the time about how hard there going to beat their opponent's, it's usually because they're scared.

Knowing that you're a wrecking machine is important, but keep it to yourself. Pay your respect to your opponent before and after the bout. Represent our sport with dignity.

Give It Everything You Got.

When you walk in the cage and not only look like you're going to win, but feel it, then you are unstoppable. Part of giving it your all is having an unstoppable faith that you are going to win.

When the bell rings, leave everything you got in the cage.

These tips will show the people watching that you're serious and build confidence in yourself. A quality MMA training program will outline the importance of the mental game and training outside of the club.

90% of people will never take action towards actually learning skills outside their local martial arts club. This is what sets champions apart from amateurs. If you're part of the 10% that likes to take action, take advantage of a FREE MMA training package at MMAtrainingplan.com to get an edge on your fight game. http://MMAtrainingplan.com Limited Time Offer...Hurry.

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Street Fighting Techniques Are in High Demand

Worldwide interest in martial arts is perhaps stronger than ever.

The rise of MMA has done wonders for general public interest in martial arts.

There have also been many prominent martial arts films over the last few years - Kung Fu Panda, Never Back Down, and Forbidden Kingdom, to name a few.

New martial arts gyms, organizations, and clubs are springing up all over the place. The internet is rich with training programs and forums, and almost any aspect of martial arts that you can think of will have several books and DVDs dedicated to it.

One of the greatest things about this martial arts explosion is the emphasis that is being place on reality based techniques, close combat, and street fighting secrets.

People want to know what REALLY works on the street. They want to know how to ACTUALLY defend themselves in a violent encounter.

The public is beginning to recognize that years and years of practicing traditional forms and postures - even if one achieves the coveted black belt status - does not guarantee the ability to effectively stop a violent aggressor.

People also acknowledge that, while training for combat sports like MMA and boxing is extremely beneficial and develops valuable combat skills, it does not prepare one completely for real-life violence.

In real violent conflicts we have concerns that are not present in organized sports:

- multiple attackers
- attackers that are much larger or stronger than you
- weapons, concealed weapons, and improvised weapons
- the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- the use of "dirty" fighting like strikes to the groin, eyes, and throat

There is a recognized need for training that focuses specifically on street fighting, that encompasses all the variables of violence on the street.

Martial artists around the world are responding to this need with valuable training courses, books, and DVDs on street-practical, reality based self defense.

Do you want to receive the best self defense training available today? Would you like to train under some of the most respected martial artists, combat specialists and street fighters on the planet?

You can start now by visiting http://www.selfdefensesolution.com/

Adi Purusa is a self defense instructor and avid student of the fighting arts. Trained and certified on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, he holds a black belt in the Filipino combat system of Tat Kuntao,

As a monk for 8 years, he traveled and taught self realization throughout Nepal, India, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

His mission is to promote quality self defense education, both physically and via the internet. Visit his web page at http://www.squidoo.com/streetfightingmartialarts/

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5 Ways to Develop Explosive Striking Ability By Andrew Curtiss

There he is Jason Bourne standing in front of the park bench that he was resting on before being awakened by two policemen as he realizes that the policemen were about to arrest him or cause harm to him for no apparent reason he explodes with a brutal viciousness that leaves both cops laying on the ground stripped of their batons and guns in the blink of an eye. This was a scene from the movie the Bourne Identity based on Robert Ludlum's novel. But is it possible for someone to move that way in real life?

We have all watched professional cage fighting and were amazed at how explosive these fighters are with their movements. What is it exactly that allows these athletes to be able to explode with such veracious intensity? The subject of this article is to explain 5 ways that the reader can develop explosive striking ability in order to help them become better fighters, martial arts practitioners or just to defend their selves.

1. Resistance training - It is a definite no brainer when it comes down to realizing that you need some type of resistance training in order to supply your muscles, (Especially the fast twitch muscles with adequate resistance levels in order to help them develop and enable that explosive power you are looking for.) As a professional Mixed Martial Arts athlete I train frequently with weights using base movements such as the Squat, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Press, Dead Lifts and Bench Presses. All of these movements focus on the large muscles of the body that are responsible for the major gross movements. These are also explosive movements. I train in 3 week cycles focusing the first week on moderate weight that can be lifted for around 12 to 15 repetitions before failure. Week two focuses on heavy lifting that can only be lifted between 6 to 10 repetitions. The final week I go very light and work with a weight that I can handle at as many repetitions as possible for 2 minutes. It is okay to switch the resistance levels cycle by cycle as well.

2. Band training - I also use a series of rubber bands connected to the main supports in the walls of my gym at home in order to resist my kicks and punches against heavy bags in various positions. I have the bands rigged so that I can work on my grappling dummy (an old heavy bag) as I focus on my ground and pound techniques. I also have them attached to harnesses and walls where I can train on a hanging heavy bag using my stand up striking skills. In general I go for 5 minute rounds at various resistance levels and focus on explosiveness and form.

3. Plyometrics - The good old Clapping Pushup, Box Jump, Squat Jump and Squat Thrust all are great in developing explosive power. All of these movements require an explosion at the beginning of the movement.

4. Negative resistance training - This can be done in any number of ways and can be applied in weight training and body weight resistance training. This only requires that you explode on the positive portion of the movement (example the press in the bench press or push up) and then control the movement on the way down (negative). You can do this assisted or un assisted; however the term assisted is a contradiction in terms because the partner never really assists in controlling the weight. They add resistance to the weight by pushing against you. Whenever I have a partner available I use this method as it is invaluable. I usually train each movement for 3 sets to failure. BE Careful!

5. Practice striking - Just like anything thing else the more you do it the better you get at it. I generally throw over a thousand punches a day. The actual practice of striking is required to help your body find the most efficient way for you to move. We are all built differently and move differently, and we all have our own little idiosyncrasies, such as disabilities, injuries etc. You need to practice a lot in order to build that explosiveness that you are looking for in your striking.

There are far too many methods of explosivity training to discuss here. The ones I have given are just a few of the many. Please discuss any change in activity with your healthcare provider before trying these methods and be safe. Good luck and good training till next time!

Andrew Curtiss is a certified Athletic trainer, Sports nutritionist, former Special Forces Weapons Sergeant and an Army veteran of 11 years. He is author of Combat Application Techniques: Principles Of Destruction (book on Knife and Hand to Hand Combat).

Andrew is the former 1995 American Independent Karate Association Men's black belt champion in Kata, Sparring and Weapons. Andrew holds a 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do and a 2nd degree blackbelt in Shurite Kenpo Karate. He is a former kickboxer and current professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter. Andrew currently supports such charitable causes as Save a Vet and all pet protection charities.

His websites are:
http://www.knife-and-h2h-combat.com
http://www.1984redux.zoomshare.com

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Did a Secret Ancient Technique Stop an Attacker Dead in His Tracks?

We've all heard of secret techniques in the martial arts that will enable a much smaller man to defeat a larger one or a group of men. The truth is, the mystique surrounding these martial arts' so called "secret traditions" has long been dispelled.

"Mystical techniques" don't work for real. Solid skills do. That's one thing we can thank MMA for; helping to demonstrate what martial arts skills are the most applicable.

But before we go jumping onto the bandwagon that claims MMA is the ultimate in martial arts, let's define what "ultimate" truly means.

If by "ultimate" you are thinking that MMA can defeat all other martial arts and if it isn't MMA it doesn't work then you've only been misled by clever marketing. The fact is that the fighter is more important than the style. Anyone who has many years of experience in the martial arts will realize this if he's being honest with himself.

What MMA has are two key points among several other things.

1) The fights are for real, developing several critical skills.
2) The athletes train in several ranges which is critical to develop a well rounded game.

So the story of the "secret" techniques that can stop an attacker dead in his tracks has been exposed as the obvious myth that it is.

But does this mean there are no "secrets"?

Well, yes and no, depending what you mean by the word "secrets".

Are there hidden techniques that are magical in their ability to take someone or a group of attackers out?

No.

Are there hidden, not very obvious, sides to technical skill that can only be taught by an experienced instructor?

Absolutely!

The truth is that the word "secrets" can be replaced by years of dedicated, focused and logical training under someone with real knowledge and skill who knows what he's doing in teaching others.

Discover the critical defensive tactics that can save your life. Subscribe to Kosta Megas' Blog, Martial Logic, http://martiallogic.blogspot.com where he demystifies self defense and discusses in depth strategies for building the solid skills necessary to defend yourself.

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The Five Attributes For Grappling Success

There are five main attribute areas that will help form a complete game besides actual skill in techniques.

The first is coordination.

Coordination is vital in a martial art like BJJ. You need to be able to execute several movements at once. So for example, even a simple movement like a basic technique like the bridge and roll requires you to trap your opponent's arm with your arms and their leg with your foot on the side you'll be bridging on to prevent them from basing, while then bridging up with your hips and over your shoulder to roll them over.

This is a very basic move but requires good coordination to execute properly. The good news is that coordination is an attribute that can be developed with consistent practice by drilling the moves.

The majority of techniques in BJJ are complex in that they require several movements performed simultaneously sometimes for a synergistic effect. That is the sum of the movements are what make the technique work.

Next is endurance.

This one is easy to understand and you need to put in the time to condition your endurance.

An instructor of mine used to say the one thing you can't fake is endurance. Think about it, when your gas tank is empty, it's over. This is critical for success in BJJ, not in that the person with the better endurance will beat the other, but in that without a decent level of conditioning you won't do well. Then we have timing.

Again, this can be developed by you'll need to perform isolation drills and a lot of sparring once you have the technical details of the moves down to develop timing in your techniques.

This is being able to execute the techniques at the right time and speed.

To be able to grapple properly you also need a good sense of balance. This is especially important on the feet but on the ground as well. Look at any well-trained Judoka and you'll see how a good sense of balance can make someone extremely difficult to take down.

Again even on the ground this plays an important role. In order to prevent someone from passing your guard you must break their posture and keep them off balance. The same holds true if you're in your opponents guard, the better your balance the harder it will be for him to sweep you or reverse you.

Finally we have explosiveness.

Being explosive will give you the ability to execute certain movements very quickly. This is very valuable when escaping positions. Being explosive while bridging or shrimping is very effective. You can train to become more explosive by doing plyometrics with a weight vest or by simply doing the movements with a weight vest and executing them as fast as possible.

Improving these five attributes and keeping them at their peak will make a huge difference in anyone's game.

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BJJ Takedowns - What Can BJJ Takedown and Submission Techniques Do For Your Fight Game?

Are you interested in improving your stand up fight game? Does lightning fast takedown and submission techniques sound like something you need to learn? If you haven't looked into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu you're setting yourself up to lose fights. BJJ modernized martial arts the way the machine gun modernized warfare. You'll have to train in BJJ if you hope to defend against it and you can bet the opposition will be well versed in BJJ techniques.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a main stay in mixed martial arts and every UFC champion has been a master of it. The benefits of BJJ don't stop in the ring. BJJ builds the confidence to compete at the highest levels. A well trained fighter is always dangerous but if you've learned BJJ takedown and submission techniques you can enter the ring against any opponent, get him off his feet and control the initiative. That kind of boost in confidence allows for panic control, greater oxygen uptake, and the ability to remain focused on the strategy you want to implement. You fight your fight while the opponent can only react.

Confidence in violent situations can have unforeseen benefits as well. If you are not a professional fighter and are interested in self defense their is no better weapon to carry than your own ability to takedown and submit an assailant. Life throws curve balls and you won't always have the authorities readily available to help you out. Bullies sense fear and look for timid victims that are easily over powered. People confident in their own abilities project strength and there by avoid many conflicts.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a phenomenon that's sweeping the country. It is the ultimate style for self defense and a great and exciting way to "stay in shape". For more information about takedown and submission techniques check out http://www.squidoo.com/submissiontechniques If you're already into BJJ and want to take your skills to the next level; takedown and submission techniques [http://www.takedowntechniques.info] are the tools you want to perfect!

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The Best Purple Belt Training Supplement

Many Brazilian Jiujitsu Belt Belt level students have wondered about intermediate and advanced level training DVDs that can help them improve their game.

Now although there are several DVD sets that move past the basics and are excellent supplements to help add more advanced concepts and ideas to a blue belt's game, I would like to suggest Marcello Monteiro's The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue to Purple Curriculum DVD series as the first DVD set to help you in moving past the blue belt level.

This set of four DVDs takes you into a VERY complete overview of the techniques and concepts necessary to move beyond the basics once you have a solid grasp of them.

I would say it is THE most complete overview of the Blue to Purple level techniques available today.

Like it's predecessor, this series breaks down all the techniques by top, bottom, submissions, escapes and takedowns, and each DVD progresses into more complex techniques.

Just some of what is covered includes, control positions from the bottom, transitions, sweeps and reversals, counters and set ups.

The De La Riva guard is looked at in great detail as well as many concepts and strategies from the open and half guard to the spider, butterfly and X-guard.

The triple attack from the mount and side control, as well as the advanced counters and set ups are sure to make your game more dangerous.

Mr. Monteiro's attention to detail on the series stands out, making this a great series for going over precise details to solidify your competency with the moves.

The DVDs are also easy to navigate through and find specific moves for viewing over and over again as well as helping you focus on the specific move you are viewing.

Here's a little background information on Mr. Monteiro.

Three of his most influential Brazilian Jiu jitsu instructors were, Sergio Souza who Marcello credits for helping his game in the butterfly guard. One of Mr. Souza's best known positions.

Another famous instrucot of his is Mr. Ricardo De La Riva who is best known for his "De La Riva Guard" and Mr. Ricardo Juca, best known in Brazil for his strategies on back and mount attacks. Mr. Juca is also the author of the first Brazilian jiu jitsu book in Brazil.

Marcello was an assitant instructor at Mr.De La Riva's academyand helped give lessons there for years, until he acheived his Black Belt.

In 1998 Marcello opened his first acedemy in Nova Friburgo, Rio De Janeiro where he has trained his students and developed them into Champions.

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Shaolin Kung Fu Secret Fighting Exercises: Golden Dragon Hand!

The Shaolin Temple's 72 Secret And Consummate Arts, also known as 'Kungs' or Fighting Exercises', involve extreme training but can produce astonishing results. Golden Dragon Hand, an external power-training and palm-conditioning fighting exercise, is described. Practical details of training intensity and duration and of the simple basic, but very effective, traditional training-aids used are also given.

Golden Dragon Hand, one of the '72 Secret Arts,' has blocking and counter-attacking applications, augmenting defence, rather than being for outright attacking purposes.The Shaolin Temple's Secret Arts, also known as 'Kungs' or 'Fighting Exercises', involve tremendous extremes of training but can produce astonishing results.

Actually, there are more than 72 Shaolin Temple Secret Arts-various authorities have produced different, equally authentic lists, although with much in common. Yang/Yin, Gang/Rou and Internal/External are descriptors used to Classify these Fighting Exercises or 'Kungs'

'Kungs' involve mostly either Soft 'Yin Rou Energy' Training, (mainly Internal) or Hard 'Yang Gang Power' Training (mainly External) although a few involve both.

Golden Dragon Hand (sometimes referred to as Closed Plate Arts)

Technical Analysis

This is a Yang Gang External Power Training Exercise of the Palm.

A Shaolin maxim insists: 'Palms are stronger than Fists!': some woodcutters, it was noted of old in China, entered the forest without tools yet emerged with huge bunches of kindling all neatly arranged with sticks of a similar uniform length. Some could even produce a broom bare-handed from a single piece of bamboo, through mastery of this art. Its applications include Qin Na ('seize and control') and bare-hand vs weapon techniques, including disarms.

Methods

A bundle of 36 bamboo chopsticks should be bound together firmly at both ends by strong cord (black insulating tape does equally well I have found). Ensure these all point the same way (Chopsticks are always tapered). These can be easily and inexpensively acquired from your local Chinese Supermarket or shop--plastic ones are ideal!

The first stage of practice involves grasping both ends of the bundle, one in each hand, twisting these in opposite directions, reversing directions and twisting again until the arms tire. After a brief rest the exercise is repeated. The drill should be practised several times daily on a regular basis. Progress is indicated by ability to twist the bundle out of shape.

In the next stage the bundle is held in the middle between the two palms which rub it vigorously to-and-fro one clockwise and the other in anticlockwise fashion before the exercise is repeated in reverse. Signs of progress include: moving the bundle forwards and backwards through your hands whilst rubbing; cracking/clicking sounds and individual chopsticks sliding in and out of position, caused similarly. These stages take about two years.

The final stage requires a new bundle of Chopsticks: this time iron ones! China has moved onto stainless steel, Japan uses tin ones occasionally but in Korea these are very popular and can be obtained by mail order or from Korean shops. Stage two exercises are then repeated until the iron chopsticks are first, reduced in diameter and second, noticeably elongated due to the friction generated by protracted rubbing. This final stage may take two years or more.

Overall

In China, of old, some individuals could produce door frames and decorative iron-work in this fashion! However, great progress can me made by simply mastering the first two stages of Golden Dragon hand.

Sifu Peter Allsop M.Ed. teaches Shaolin Kung Fu and Qigong in Yorkshire and Derbyshire U.K. With almost 40 years experience he is Shaolin Fists International Area Instructor for this region and Senior Student of Grandmaster Yap Leong.

Trained in the U.K. and China, Peter teaches Changquan ('Longfist') Wu Xing (5 Animals), Wu Tzu (5 Ancestors) Kung Fu and 5 Elements Qigong.

Sheffield Chinese Lion Dance Team Member, he also publishes 'Red Dragon Martial Arts Ezine'. Explore the free resources at: http://www.sheffieldkungfu.com



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Ninjutsu Training - The 5 Classifications of Ninja Weapons

When you think of ninjutsu training and everything that's involved, the question might arise as to how do you keep track of all of those ninja weapons? On top of that, when we consider the fact that the ninja is taught to be able to press just about anything into service as a weapon in his or her own defense -- how do you manage that kind of training? Read on, because I'm going to share a system that the ninja uses to classify every weapon - modern, traditional, or otherwise - in a way that makes learning them quick, fairly easy, and more effective than trying to see each one as a separate "thing."

Contrary to many of the more conventional martial arts systems which boast having lists of techniques, weapons, and skills, this way of cataloging and organizing ninjutsu techniques and ninja weapons runs opposite from the very base philosophy of ninja training and operating in the world. So, rather than have a finite list of 8 fists, 12 throws, or 5 weapons, etc., the art of ninjutsu looks at ninja weapons in a way which focuses not on form, but on principles and concepts.

So, rather than try to list out, let's say for instance: sword, knife, broken bottle, etc. The ninja classifies these all under the heading of "edged" or "bladed" weapons.

That way, the ninja practitioner is free to focus on the common aspects - stabbing, cutting, etc., of the weapon, rather than what it looks like. This makes learning a long list of ninja weapons much quicker and easier than it might first appear.

There are 5 classes of ninja weapons in the ninjutsu practitioner's arsenal. They are:

Bladed - Swords, knives, thin plastic cards (credit card, etc.), broken bottles or pieces of glass, etc.
Stick - Staffs, canes, poles, pool cues, rolled up magazines, closed umbrellas, etc.
Flexible - Chains, cords, belts, wire, pieces of clothing, open magazines and newspapers, etc.
Projectile - Throwing stars, darts, pens, pencils, arrows, bullets, coins, dirt, etc.
Combination - Nunchaku, kyoketsu-shoge, keys on a chain, mechanic's drop light tied to a knife or screw-driver, etc.
So, it doesn't matter what a ninja finds at hand as an aid to his self-defense. Because, regardless of what it is, he or she knows what it's dynamics and primary characteristics are, and therefor how to best apply it against their opponent's body, and in the situation where they find themselves.

Are you serious about mastering the art of ninjutsu - about what gives this system its power? Do you want to know what it takes to progress through the levels of self-defense mastery in this powerful martial art?

How? By insuring that your training is about strategic application of skill and skill proficiency - not just learning a bunch of "moves"! Get started by reading this valuable ninja training book, "Becoming The Master." Get your free copy at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/becoming-the-master-subsc.html

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How to Have the Strongest Punch Possible in Mixed-Martial Arts MMA - Our Top 3 Tips

For most MMA fighters, their punch is their strongest weapon, especially when first starting. When watching amateur fights, you will notice they can sometimes turn into slugfests, and one clean punch could put the weaker fighter flat on the mat. Here are some areas that you should develop when trying to get the strongest punch possible in mixed-martial arts.

Core.

Your core is your most important area to train for most movements in MMA. Much of your power in every punch, along with other strikes, comes from the rotary power in your core.

Train exercises that give you that extra power in core rotary. Utilize medicine balls and perform side to side crunches to really develop this area, along with other rotary exercises.

Heavy Bag.

The heavy bag is your best friend and enemy when it comes to training. In developing your power you should utilize the heavy bag everyday.

Wear heavier ounce gloves rather than your traditional 4 ounce, to repeatedly develop power without injuring your hands or wrists.

Repeat.

Over and over again hit the bag and train your core to see improvements in your punching power. Training this area one day a week is not enough to see improvements.

Train it everyday till exhaustion, outside of your regular club training. Also make sure right off the start to be using proper technique in every strike.

These are some useful tips to really develop your punching power early. Of course you need a complete MMA strength and conditioning program to really start off strong.

So remember:

Train Your Core.
Utilize The Heavy Bag.
Repeat.

FREE: MMA Training 3 Ebook Package. The titles include: "4 Simple Steps to Becoming a DESTROYER in the Cage", "Iron Guard's Body Basic Fitness", and "Crazy 8's Bodyweight Circuits". They are available for a limited time only at MMAtrainingplan.com. http://www.mmatrainingplan.com

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Why You Should Learn to Defend the Take-Down in MMA - Our 3 Top Tips

More and more wrestlers are emerging as the most successful martial artists in the MMA game. You can know all the fancy submissions and strikes possible but when Brock Lesnar or Shane Carwin take you down against the cage and pound you out, you'll be begging for mercy. Here are the top reasons to learn takedown defense.

To Avoid Being Taken Down.

Sounds obvious? Well it is. Generally if you're opponent is trying to take you down either they're in desperation or their ground game is superior to yours.

Chuck Liddell had some of the best take-down defence early in his career where every time the wrestler would shoot on him, he'd defend it and then out strike them to victory.

To Throw a Massive Knee.

Every time that fighter shoots for a double or single leg they are leaving something vulnerable.

The less experience wrestler turned MMA fighter will always leave their face wide open for you to plough your knee right into it.

Apply A Guillotine.

Often a fighter will shoot in and if they don't leave their face wide open for knees, then they have their neck wide open. Throw the best guillotine head choke on them until they tap or go to sleep.

Watch old Joe Stevenson UFC fights as he has perfected this many times.

These are three perfect reasons that you should be perfect at defending the take-down. A good MMA strength and conditioning program can give you the proper technique and power to perfectly defend the take-down.

Again, why you should perfect your take-down defence:

To Avoid Being Taken Down.
To Throw a Massive Knee.
Apply A Guillotine.

FREE: MMA Training 3 Ebook Package. The titles include: "4 Simple Steps to Becoming a DESTROYER in the Cage", "Iron Guard's Body Basic Fitness", and "Crazy 8's Bodyweight Circuits". They are available for a limited time only at MMAtrainingplan.com. http://www.mmatrainingplan.com

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3 Ways to Be Dangerous When in the Clinch in MMA

A very common place to end up in during a mixed-martial arts fight is the clinch. As well as a place that is very much untrained compared to being on the ground and striking. Here are 3 areas you should be thinking about when in the clinch in your MMA fight.

Knees.

Your hands are often times tied up, but you still have some great ways to damage opponents from in the clinch. Throw a few powerful knees to the abdomen or chest, take away your opponent's breath, and put them away. If you can knee them in the head, even better.

Throw knee after knee into your opponent's thigh area. This will take their punching power away throughout the match and sometimes leave them even in a standstill.

Elbows.

If you can unexpectedly release your arms you have another opportunity to raise havoc on your opponent. Utilize an elbow in this situation to dice up or contuse your opponent's face.

You are usually in close enough range to throw a solid elbow. Although you must have practiced this because the speed in which this needs to occur is very important.

Dirty Boxing.

Release one arm and start ploughing everything you got in close proximity to your opponent. Dirty boxing is exactly what its name implies, but can be incredibly effective.

Watch Shane Carwin and Frank Mir's battle for a good taste of dirty boxing. Also some old Dan Henderson or Randy Couture footage would display some good dirty boxing.

The clinch is a very important area to practice in mixed-martial arts. A good MMA strength and conditioning program will help you become stronger in many areas including the clinch.

FREE: MMA Training 3 Ebook Package. The titles include: "4 Simple Steps to Becoming a DESTROYER in the Cage", "Iron Guard's Body Basic Fitness", and "Crazy 8's Bodyweight Circuits". They are available for a limited time only at MMAtrainingplan.com. http://www.mmatrainingplan.com

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Why Meditation is Powerful For Mixed Martial Arts MMA Fighters - Our 3 Top Tips

You see some great fighters come to the ring with a calmness that gives them a sort of elusiveness to their character. A great way to tap into that inner calmness and take it into the cage with you is to meditate. Here are some great reasons you should be adding meditation to your pre-fight training camp.

Decreased Heart Rate.

If you were to enter a deep meditation and have your heart rate monitored, you will likely notice that its rate has gone down. The decreased heart rate implies that you aren't using as much oxygen.

Often fighters step into the cage and have the jitters. Their adrenalin levels rise, leading to an increased heart rate and thus increasing oxygen consumption. This can often play a big role in fatiguing yourself out faster than normal.

Visualization.

During meditation, putting your picture of exactly how you see a fight going can be very beneficial. Also when you see what happens from many different angles, you train the brain to feel like it already has experience with the event.

Already knowing in your head what will happen during a match will lower your anxiety levels, and lower the adrenalin levels preventing you from fatiguing early.

Intimidation.

If you walk down the isle and step into the cage with nothing but pure calmness, your opponent has every reason to worry. You look as though this is just another day at work, showing no feeling of worry, having your opponent feeling as though they maybe haven't trained enough for this fight.

The best example is still "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko. Watch him come to the cage or ring with utmost calm and humbleness. He shows almost no expression when he's throwing his most powerful punch.

These are some particular reasons meditation can benefit you in Mixed-Martial Arts. A complete MMA strength and conditioning program will outline some of these aspects of meditation. Utilize these benefits of meditation to win your fight.

FREE: MMA Training 3 Ebook Package. The titles include: "4 Simple Steps to Becoming a DESTROYER in the Cage", "Iron Guard's Body Basic Fitness", and "Crazy 8's Bodyweight Circuits". They are available for a limited time only at MMAtrainingplan.com. http://www.mmatrainingplan.com

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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

What 3 Striking Martial Arts Should You Be Working on For Your Mixed-Martial Arts MMA Training?

Striking is usually 99% of the way any Mixed-martial arts fights begins. This is an element of everyone's game that should be perfected and will be utilized to some degree in your MMA career. If you come from a BJJ background, you're not going to get away without striking. So here are the styles that you should be practicing to perfect.

Boxing.

Traditional boxing is a great start to getting striking skills. This will give you a good start to MMA striking because you're only using your hands, basic defence, and head movement. Yes, you're only using your fists, but you can develop hands of fury before adding kicks in.

Some of the defence moves and head movement will allow you get a start to defending strike is MMA. Also remember that most striking depends on your hands before your feet in MMA so develop them.

American Style Kick-Boxing.

American Kick-Boxing has a few more rules than other styles around the world. It is a good start for adding kicks in to your game with ease as you aren't allowed to kick below the waist other than the low-kick style.

Many fighters in MMA come from North American style kickboxing backgrounds. Once again adding kicks to your game is a whole new ball game, so ease into it with American style kick-boxing.

Muay Thai Kick-Boxing

One of, if not the best form of striking martial arts today is Muay Thai Kick-Boxing. Muay Thai boxing is the national sport of Thailand and if you happen to go there, you will obviously get the best training for it in the world there.

Its emphasis is on utilizing the knees and elbows along with other strikes in traditional forms. Thai Boxing can be challenging for those that haven't used any other form of boxing before.

The above are the best forms of kick-boxing in the world today to be utilizing in MMA. Of course these are only the beginning to your MMA training. A complete MMA strength and conditioning program is important to develop the power and agility to hang with the best in the cage.

FREE: MMA Training 3 Ebook Package. The titles include: "4 Simple Steps to Becoming a DESTROYER in the Cage", "Iron Guard's Body Basic Fitness", and "Crazy 8's Bodyweight Circuits". They are available for a limited time only at MMAtrainingplan.com. http://www.mmatrainingplan.com

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Why You Should Be Training Muay Thai Kick-Boxing For Mixed Martial Arts MMA - Our Top 3 Reasons

Muay Thai Kick-Boxing is an art form that dates way far back in Thailand. Today it is still the national sport of Thailand, and a widely respected martial art to utilize in mixed-martial arts. Here are 3 reasons you should be adding Muay Thai Kick-Boxing to your MMA arsenal.

Elbows.

Learning to throw elbows in Thai Boxing is an incredible tool to do some major damage to your opponent. If you're connecting with elbows and your opponent isn't knocked out, then they are likely cut up enough to stop the match.

Throwing elbows when standing up also prepares you to throw them when on the ground. This adds immensely to your ground and pound attack.

Knees.

Thai boxing utilizes knees like no other striking art. There are some fighters that lock on a Thai clinch, and throw knee after knee destroying their opponent.

Watch Anderson Silva or Shogun Rua to see to beautiful Muay Thai knees thrown from the clinch.

Combinations.

Muay Thai kick-boxing teaches you to strike from many points. Shins, knees, elbows, and fists combined together into an ultimate combination that fighters can't keep track of where all these strikes are coming from.

Again training the combinations standing up will often work for the ground too. Throwing knees to the body and elbowing to the body and head gives you a huge advantage on the ground.

These are just a few reasons to be training Muay Thai Kick-Boxing for Mixed-martial arts. Add a complete MMA strength and conditioning program to get the power and stamina behind every strike you throw.

FREE: MMA Training 3 Ebook Package. The titles include: "4 Simple Steps to Becoming a DESTROYER in the Cage", "Iron Guard's Body Basic Fitness", and "Crazy 8's Bodyweight Circuits". They are available for a limited time only at MMAtrainingplan.com. http://www.mmatrainingplan.com

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