How
Our Fighting Styles Change As We Grow Older in Martial Arts
by Rick Kirkham
I hear many young martial artists pose the
question how will my martial arts change as I got older. Having
started martial arts at 14 and being 48 as I write this I believe
I can shed some light on the question....
http://kirkhamsebooks.com/MartialArts/MartialArtsArticles/OldInMartialArts.htm
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How Our Fighting Styles Change
As We Grow Older in Martial Arts
I hear many
young martial artists pose the question how will my martial arts
change as I got older. Having started martial arts at 14 and being
48 as I write this I believe I can shed some light on the
question.
I was probably fairly fast and strong at 18 years
of age. I'm over-weight now which is finally being fixed via some
innovative training ideas and exercises, but at 18 I fought at
about 165 when I boxed and even back then was punching with
weights (caution is advised) doing calisthenics, working the heavy
bag and training with partners. Not knowing any better back then I
was primarily sparring with training partners but still a good
workout.
I can still remember sparring a kung-fu guy as a
guest at a martial arts school in Charleston ILL where I was going
to college at Eastern ILL University studying Physical Education.
The man executed a reverse punch with his right hand and I was
able to jump back and hit him with a front roundhouse kick to his
right ribs before he had a chance to recover.
Speed became
an important factor in my training along with constantly moving on
my opponent. Not bouncing up and down but effective forward,
backward and sideways movement I picked up from boxing. I may
execute double jabs and then move back from my opponent for
example or slide in with a roundhouse kick and backfist then move
back out before my opponent could recover.
I was teaching
in a small town called Mattoon ILL after graduating college.
Making a living teaching self-defense in a backroom of my house
and as an in-home tutor specializing in students with behavior
challenges (Physical Education for Special Education being one of
my teaching certificates). I was still pretty crazy back then. I
used to workout with an Aki Jujitsu buddy of mine and felt it
wasn't a good workout unless I got hurt. I can still remember not
seeing him for about six months, during that time I was developing
my ability to take strikes. We were working on a drill where your
partner was allowed to counter-attack, he struck me in the throat
and looked at me stating he didn't know I knew how to take shots
to my throat (don't try this on your own get my video). I looked
at him and said THEN WHY'D YOU HIT ME THERE! He shrugged I laughed
and we kept training.
I noticed as I got older I was
beginning to slow down. Due to the fact that I had mostly only my
own students to train with I had to develop drills using my
methods of teaching classes to give me a workout and make sure the
students were learning well. I had also stopped dancing around and
was becoming a more effective counter-fighter. Sometimes getting
tired of my opponent cautiously standing there in a stance and so
I would create a tiny opening and get into his range to get the
thing started.
The drills ended up paying off well along
with my experience in martial arts. As other martial arts
instructors and other martial arts practitioners began to hear
about me (small town remember) they'd come in and want to workout.
Invariably we'd spar. The young martial artists in their 20's,
even many of the black belts usually became very frustrated with
not being able to hit someone much older than them. The advantage
I had, thank goodness, was knowing where I was open before they
did and being more prepared to defend that area more so than my
general defense. I also realized I could tell what type of attack
the young martial artist was likely to execute based on his or
occasionally her stance and weight distribution. Sometimes I would
execute a feint to get the martial artist to execute that attack
since I was more prepared to avoid and counter-attack that
particular attack. They often found this frustrating and the
friendly match and taking it easy on the "old guy" would
often end up as full speed full contact on their part. Here's a
clue on this situation - keep smiling. One of you should remain
friendly.
Don't get me wrong please I'm not claiming to be
superman nor claiming to have never been hit a good one, but what
I do want to get across is experience is a great help as you get
older in martial arts. So workout with as many different types of
partners as you can and even as many different styles as you can.
Work on as many drills and as many scenarios as you possibly can
during your martial arts life career. Ass-u-me (what happens when
you assume) NOTHING.
With respect and great aloha,
Rick
Sensei J. Richard Kirkham B.Sc.
About
The Author
J.
Richard Kirkham graduated from Eastern Illinois University as a
dual
certified teacher. He currently resides in Honolulu with his
wife Jan and son Rylan.
Mr. Kirkham is the author of How
to Exercise Throughout Your Day
http://kirkhamsebooks.com/HealthNFitness/ExerciseEbook_pd.html
And Bringing
The Martial Artist Out from Within with many of the drills he
developed utilizing his unique background in alternative teaching
methods, physical education and martial arts
http://kirkhamsebooks.com/MartialArts/BringingTheMartialArtistOutfrombykirkham.htm
Utilizing his ability to break activities down into their components. He develped a safe method for students to learn how to stake strikes and develop a reflex to counter-attack even when injured. http://kirkhamsebooks.com/MartialArts/Martial_Arts_Videos/TakingstrikesVideoClip.html
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