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FIRST WE TEACH YOU HOW TO FIGHT! ©
By BIG Sean Madigan
When new students join your school, your
obligation as an instructor is to give them what they came for. Sounds
simple right? It even makes common sense, but I've found that this is
often not the case in many martial arts schools. You join, and they
teach you all the ritual, traditions, Kata, and then, they teach you a
few techniques that they will soon after tell you, "Never try these in a
fight". Huh? Why do this, why teach in this manner? Now, don't get me
wrong, I have nothing against “tradition" and my students learn a kata (Sil
Lim Tau from Wing Chun) from me, so I am clearly not against that
either, so what is the problem?
The problem is that most people join a martial arts school so that they
can learn how to fight better, sure, they may say it has to do with
"self-confidence" but really, what about learning martial arts helps to
build your confidence, fighting better! So, teach them how to fight!
When you join my school, you will be taught rather quickly, some very
basic techniques and concepts. First and foremost, you will know what it
really feels like to hit something. What you ask, who doesn't know what
it feels like to hit? The answer is most people. This is true; most
adults have not punched something or someone with everything that have
since they were kids. So, one of the first things I do is get focus
mitts and have you hit them, and hit them HARD! I only make minor
adjustments as to your 'form' so that you do not hurt yourself, and then
just let you 'let loose' on the pads. It's amazing to see; some people
have a ball just being able to hit something without fear of hurting
themselves. I then teach you some footwork, a kick, and some basic ideas
as to 'when' you should attack an opponent.
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