Arrowhead Martial Arts Studio Blog

Martial Arts Training Tips, Ideas, and Random Thoughts

About the Author: Ryan Wheaton has been teaching American Kenpo since 1991 and is the chief instructor at Arrowhead Martial Arts Studio in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is an internationally certified 6th degree black belt and personal student of 10th degree black belt Paul Mills. Ryan sits on the Board of Directors for the American Kenpo Karate International (AKKI) and is also a regular seminar presenter at AKKI National & International events.

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12/14/2007

Get Out Of Your Own Way

Filed under: Martial Arts Training — Ryan Wheaton

WELCOME TO MY MARTIAL ARTS BLOG! Keep up to date on all the latest news, tips and ideas from Arrowhead Martial Arts Studio by subscribing to my RSS feed or you can receive email updates right to your inbox. Thanks for visiting! -- Ryan Wheaton

I’m a big fan of “controlling the opponent” and making sure I can use every conceivable weapon I have while trying to minimize their ability to retaliate. One thing you can do to better maximize control is to check to if you can use a rear knee strike or thrusting sweep kick to your opponents key targets without getting in your own way. If you CAN do this, you’re one step closer to dominating your opponent. If you CAN’T hit them easily with any low line strikes, you’re out of alignment and subsequently are not positioned for performance.

Try getting out of your own way. It works.

Agree or disagree? Simply click on the “comments” link below and let me know what you think!

1 Comment »

  1. totally makes sense. If I can find my proper stances again, I could do better at maximizing power and staying out of my own way. The instruction/instructors in this dojo have been uniquely impressive. Each has so many strengths. Mr. Leonard last night emphasized moving in ways that would normally feel natural to my body’s normal movements. “If it feels weird, it’s probably wrong…” That really helped. I have to unlearn some Kenpo from years ago, so this will really help.

    Thanks again!

    scott

    Comment by Scott — 12/19/2007 @

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