Skill DEvelopment

[Kung Fu Wang]

IMO, the traditional format such as to use:

- non-resistance "partner drill" for skill developing,
- full resistance "sparring/wrestling" for skill testing.

is not that easy to develop any particular skill. How about the following "skill develop/test" method?

- You try to apply XYZ (it can be as simple as a punch on the chest) on your opponent. Your opponent tries as hard as he can not to let that happen.
- If you can get your XYZ to work on your opponent within 5 minutes, you win that round. Otherwise you lose that round.

Test this for 15 rounds daily, get the final score. Test this for 1 year and get your progress chart.

By using this method, you are still dealing with a "full resistance" opponent, since you only concentrate on one move, it will truly test how good that you can use that move.

What's your opinion on this method?

 

[Tony Dismukes]

- non-resistance "partner drill" for skill developing,
- full resistance "sparring/wrestling" for skill testing.

is not that easy to develop any particular skill.

Yeah, if you only use those two extremes it can be pretty limiting. Fortunately there is a whole spectrum of useful training methods in-between those two.

How about the following "skill develop/test" method?

- You try to apply XYZ (it can be as simple as a punch on the chest) on your opponent. Your opponent tries as hard as he can not to let that happen.
- If you can get your XYZ to work on your opponent within 5 minutes, you win that round. Otherwise you lose that round.

There are a zillion variations on this theme, Here are a few of the common ones I use in BJJ...

One partner starts in a dominant position (like mount). The bottom partner tries to escape the position, top partner tries to hold them down. If there is an escape, then reset and try again.

As above, but now the top partner gets to attempt submissions.

As above, but now the top partner can add (light) strikes as well.

One partner starts in the other's guard. Top partner attempts to pass guard, bottom partner attempts to sweep. If either happens, reset the position.

As above, but bottom partner can sweep or submit. Top partner still only works on passing.

As above, but bottom partner can sweep, submit, or stand up. Top partner has to work on keeping the bottom partner down as well as passing.

Stand-up sparring, but one partner can only work strikes and the other partner can only work takedowns.

Free grappling on the ground, but one partner can only work submissions while the other partner can only work strikes.

Reflex development drills - where in class we've covered a selection of "what-if" options for a particular scenario. We start in the designated scenario and the "bad guy" can only attempt the specific behaviors we've covered how to handle, but he can mix up those options at will. The "defender" has to recognize the appropriate response and perform it correctly or the "bad guy" will not allow him to succeed.

Here are some variations I sometimes use for stand-up striking:

Jab sparring, taking turns. One partner has a turn during which he can try to hit the other with 5 jabs, using any timing, no other strikes. The other partner only defends. Once you've used your 5 jabs, it's the other partner's turn to hit and your turn to defend.

Jab sparring, taking turns, with a designated follow up technique and counter. Partner A has his 5 jabs, as above. Those jabs are used to set up a designated follow up attack, for example a right kick, which can be thrown at any time during partner A's turn. Partner B has a specific counter that he/she should attempt against that attack. The "attacker" is practicing using the jabs to disguise his intent so the "defender" isn't ready for the real attack. The "defender" has to recognize when the real attack is coming in time to apply the specific counter being drilled.

Jab sparring, continuous, no turns. Light sparring, using only the jab.

Light sparring. One partner can only use punches with the left hand. The other partner can only use right hand punches.

... and so on, and so on.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

One partner starts in a dominant position (like mount). The bottom partner tries to escape the position, top partner tries to hold them down. If there is an escape, then reset and try again.

As above, but now the top partner gets to attempt submissions.

As above, but now the top partner can add (light) strikes as well.

...

Agree that different levels of your opponent's respond can be added in.

IMO, single skill testing is just the starting point. Multiple skills testing will be the end point. The more finish skills that you have included, the more realistic the test will be.