We Are Not Clones, So When You Train ...
Have you internalized that different people should use different tactics for fighting? Is this the way you train? Do you practice martial arts, so as to emphasize your personal strengths?
My wife, who weighs under 120 pounds., is excellent at attacking through the center. Big guys have problems touching their elbows together -- this leaves a big opening for Kate.
For me, the opening on that line of defense isn't big enough to get through. I have to resort to other techniques. Trying to blast up the center gives my opponent too many options, considering my wider, opening line.
It's a much better line of attack (offensive response as a defense) for Kate.
On the other hand, I can use my weight to throw people around. Not such a good idea for my 5' 2", eyes-of-blue counterpart. She's too petite.
Finding a Martial Arts Class That's Right for You
When you go looking for a good instructor, look for someone who will help you make use of your size. Play to your strengths.
Make sure to:
* Watch a class or two. How does the teacher deal with other big students?
* Ask the teacher how you will be trained specifically to use your size to your advantage.
* Get a feeling for how you will be treated. Could you fit in here?
* Make sure everyone isn't taught to fight the exact same way, with the exact same techniques. (I am too big too 'fly through the air,' and Kate is too small to grapple with multiple attackers.)
Learn Specific Martial-Arts Strategies
I suppose if all martial artists were all identical siblings, or clones, we could all learn to fight the same way.
Since we aren't all clones, we have to learn to tailor the art. My 70 year old mother, who has never done martial arts should learn a different set of strategies for self defense than my wife, who has trained in a sophisticated martial arts style since she was 15 years old.
I will employ different tactics than my young daughter.
The principles of defense -- timing and distance, for example -- may be general, but how each individual should employ the principles will vary.
Find a teacher who will help you no matter what your size, not someone who will reluctantly work with you in spite of your size.
Until you find a martial arts teacher, read an article on Solo Training here: Martial Arts Solo Training.
Are you training to prepare yourself for practical, realistic self defense? Read this ebooklet, now: Free--Ready for Anyone and Anything.
Here's a site all about martial arts punching -- Free, Killer Punches ebook.
Keith Pascal has been a full-time martial-arts author for eight years and a martial-arts teacher for 25 years.
Source: www.ezinearticles.com
