@doublestrike
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Hi 111knightave,
I’ve been in your shoes many times. But please keep in mind, that basic boxing skills / techniques are critical in fighting + self-defense. one of the fundamental philosophies in training Krav is to be placed in situations of high stress. Sure, you can train in a nice air-conditioned room with padded mats and with a willing training partner, but how will that help you if you’re jumped in a dimly lit parking lot in the dead of winter?
Does your school have a beginning fight / boxing class? If so, then I would highly recommend you attend and learn the basics of boxing fundamentals. If not, then ask your instructor to assist. And lastly, if you do feel that you’re getting pummeled, then you can always ask your partner to go easy on you since you are inexperienced. It’s one thing to train under stress, it’s an another thing entirely if you’re getting beat up – LOL.
Remember, it’s all about perspective. You’re there to learn how to fight and to protect yourself. Let me know if you have any other questions. Best of luck!
Regards,
DoubleStrike
Hi ukiltmybrutha,
Believe me, tons of men your age (including myself) have faced the same problem and self-doubt/ questions you’re currently going through.
There are widely available charts and information on the Internet about how much a person of a certain height should weigh (i.e. Body Mass Index – BMI Charts, etc.), but those are just general guidelines and shouldn’t be looked to as a definitive metric.
For your first step, I would advise to see your doctor to see what he says and get a baseline of all of your vitals (i.e. weight, blood pressure, cholestorol, etc.). Looks can be deceiving; whereas a skinny dude can be one day away from a heart attack and vice-versa. Going to a doctor also gives you a scientific and honest baseline of where you are right now.
Secondly, I would re-evaulate your current diet. One may say that they’re on a “diet”, but if you’re not getting any results, then it’s time to change it. There are tons of books and literature out there. I would check out The 4-Hour Body by Tim Ferriss. His low-carb diet has worked for a lot of people, just search the web for result pics and articles. Remember, most people who have successfully lost weight all say that the key is 90% diet and 10% exercise.
Third, I would recommend that you go back to training Krav. Don’t wait until you’re at a certain weight, etc. before you begin again. Just start up new in the beginners class (I’m not sure what level or your experience) and try your best. Eventually, you will build up stamina and endurance. They key thing to remember is no matter how badly you feel or don’t want to go – just show up and do it.
Lastly, keep a daily or weekly weight & Krav class log. Weigh yourself at the same time everyday (i.e. every morning at the same time) and also keep a small journal of what you did at krav after each class. After a month, you can look at your progress to see if you’re on the right track or have to make changes.
Also keep in mind that muscle weighs more than body fat. In addition, you have to decide which is more important: functional strength or physical appearance. I would rather have some meat on my body and be able to readily defend myself vs. looking like a slim beach body and get my ass kicked or killed 🙂
Simply put, life is both short and long. Nodoby else will invest in yourself, so why not do it yourself? Best of luck man!
Regards,
DoulbeStrike
Re: Slow Progress
Hi Ship,
I just read your original post and reply. I hope you and your training are progressing well. If you’re still having your original issue, might I suggest that you speak to your school to see if they offer private lessons / instruction?
I find that personal one-on-one teaching can sometimes better address the specific problems / issues that your instructors see in group class.
In addition, the issue can be immediately identified in a private session vs. in a group class setting. Just a suggestion to consider!
Happy training!
DoubleStrike
Re: Returning to Krav Training After 6+ Months Away
Hi tzrider,
Thanks for the response to my thread. Yeah, I realized that I just need to bite the bullet and just go back to training. I was putting too much needless thought and worry about what other people might think of me – instead of what really matters and what I want. Thanks again.
Re: Having to stay away due to illness
Another thing to consider if you do go into the gym / school to train knowing that you’re sick with the flu+ cold, you’re going to expose your germs to other students + teachers and make them sick as well.
This isn’t fair to the other people around you. As another poster commented, you should be commended on your passion and desire to train. But sometimes, it’s just better to take the necessary time to heal and get back to 100% as opposed to going into the gym and making other people sick. 🙂
Also, never under-estimate the value of visualization and slow-motion movement. Let me know if you want me to expand on this topic!
Best of luck training!
Re: Level 1 Testing
@Petra – Normally, testing and advancement in Krav is up to the discretion of your instructor(s). I know that for KMWW, they do have minimum # of class requirements one has to fulfill before advancement for Levels I, II, and III. Even after having met the pre-requisite of classes, one must have an instructor actually sign you off saying that you are ready to test.Case in point, I had 10+ years of martial experience before I started training in Krav. I too thought that Level 1 classes were for beginners and didn’t really apply to me since I thought I was an “expert”. But when it came time to take the Level 1 test, until that day, I had never gone through such a grueling, physically exhaustive, and mentally taxing challenge in all my life. To this day, I still attend Level 1 classes for the intensity and to keep me humble.
In your situation, I would casually inquire about you taking the Level 1 test but don’t insist on it. Simply put, a good Krav instructor (and good Krav school for that matter) will not advance someone they feel that they are not ready. If you are turned down from taking the test, approach it constructively and ask what you need to work on to become ready for the exam.
Contrary to popular belief that Krav is not a true classic martial art, teacher and student relationships still play a major role in training.
Best of luck and keep us updated!
Re: Sore arms from 360 defense
Another good practice when performing the 360 Defense is the vigorously rub the striking area in a downward / outward fashion (away from the heart). This will disperse bruising and massage the tissue. Over time, this will increase your forearm conditioning to where you can easily execute 360 defense w/ little discomfort and no bruising afterwards.
In addition to the above practice, it’s also important to note that both timing and body positioning plays a factor. Ensure that you try and meet the incoming attack as fast as possible; before the attacking limb reaches full apex and definitely before it begins its decent (or ascent if the attack is coming from the bottom). The reason for this is because the attack isn’t at its full power and speed yet. If contact is made after that, then you’re making contact w/ his full power + speed (Force = Mass x Acceleration) which will almost always result in pain and discomfort. Body positioning is key as well, making a firm base such that the attacking force isn’t just hitting your forearm, but rather is absorbed by your entire body.
Re: Footwork against multiple opponents
I would think it would be very similar to the motions when circling to your left. However, you would start off with your RIGHT foot but in a slanting / outward motion so when you bring your LEFT foot in the same direction, you will end up in fight stance (L foot forward, R foot back).
Re: Discouraged…
It all boils down to perspective. When you use phrases like “I can tell…” or “I always feel…” or “I’m afraid people will…”, these are all negative projections. Basically you’re already placing yourself in a no-win situation – with yourself.
To add some context, do you remember when you were back in L1 classes right before you were going to test for L2? I bet you were pretty darn good at all L1 techniques and movements. And I assume you were paired up with new students who had less experience than you. How did you feel towards them? Most likely you saw yourself in them and were quite pleased about how much you’ve grown.
Everybody is different and are at different skill set, even amongst people in the same
levels. This is based on athletic ability, age, past experience, etc. Going back to what I said earlier, you are only responsible for yourself. Trust me when I say that you WANT to be paired up with someone who is better than you. It forces you to try harder and step up your game. That’s the only way to progress.Again, it’s all about perspective.
– Oh you gassed out in class tonight? Well at least you got a great workout in, and you’ve identified an area in your game that you need to work on.
– Oh everybody in your class already knows each other? This isn’t high school – does the level of popularity dictate your skill level in Krav? I didn’t think so. If making friends and knowing the people in your class means a lot to you, then start introducing yourself to other people.
– Oh you think sparring is scary and can’t handle people going at you 100%? Let me share a secret w/ you – EVERYBODY gets scared while sparring. The more realistic the training in the safe confines of your school will better prepare you for real life attacks from people on the street who will go 110% at you. Also there’s nothing wrong to tell your partner to ease up and not go 100% at you while sparring.
I’m not here to tell you to suck it up and get tough – but I’m not going to blow smoke up your butt either – LOL. 🙂 I firmly believe that once you change your perspective a bit, you can use these negative feelings that you’re experiencing to your advantage by turning them into positive ones. And just like bad habits, good habits and positive thinking have a snowball effect.
Best of luck in your training!
Re: Can’t get pass the white belt level and now I can’t sleep
The worst mistake you could make is to compare yourself w/ others instead of focusing solely on your own capabilities. People are different in so many ways (i.e. physically, mentally, learning comprehension, prior experience, etc.). You don’t have any control over other people, so why lose sleep over something you can’t control?
The only thing you have control / power over is yourself. I understand what you went through is frustrating and can be defeating. And I can type a plethora of cliches that coincide with the rest of the forum members who have already responded to your thread. But we’re all adults here – you know what you have to do – so do it. 🙂
Another perspective to consider is that certified Krav Maga school level advancement is notoriously difficult. They don’t abide by the wide spread practice of most other martial art schools / programs out there to promote a person simply because they’ve been at the school or a level for set time frame. This is obviously dangerous, fool-hearty, and worse yet gives the student a false sense of security of their true capability. People who have successfully passed the KM Level #1 exam know that they join a small fraternity of individuals in the entire world.
Re: Kicked out of class – justified?
Hi djhartm,
I’m familiar with the experiences that you had described which are all from traditional martial arts schools. By you leaving the mat w/o permission from the instructor and you coming in late for a class, most likely in the instructor’s eyes, is a form of disrespect and also a perceived thought of him “losing face” in front of the rest of the students. That coupled that you are a senior student, just amplifies the negative thoughts (albeit falsehoods) in your instructor’s eyes.
In my opinion, if this is these are the only instances of such behavior from your instructor, I would just give him the benefit of the doubt and let it slide – taking in consideration of all the time you’ve invested in the school.
However, if this kind of behavior continues, then you have to ask yourself if it overshadows the benefits you’re currently gaining and/or have already gained at the school training wise. Bottom line, it’s a business. And if you’re not happy with the service, then you shouldn’t be paying for it regardless of any school or instructor loyalty.
Re: Groin protection in L2
Hi Magie,
I currently have the Nutty Buddy cup + jock strap and wear that w/ compression shorts. I’ve been in LVL #2 for almost a year, and it has worked flawlessly. The shape of the Nutty Buddy allows for more natural movement and isn’t binding / awkward like most cups out on the market.
BTW, I’ve also gotten nailed a few times in the groin area both in sparring and technique training (full force), and the Nutty Buddy worked liked a champ.
Re: Level 2: Gloves or no gloves?
In KM LVL 2 classes, hand protection (i.e. hand wraps, MMA-style fingerless gloves, etc.) are optional. You are however required to wear boxing gloves during specific drills / exercises.
People choose to wear hand wraps / gloves for added protection. I know some people who are doctors and surgeons that use their hands for a living, so they protect them as best they can. Other people’s hands tear up easily with the slightest abrasion.
It’s all personal preference really. If you’re not punching a heavy bag and only using the Tombstone shield and focus mitts in class, then using bare hands should be fine. Besides, I think one should condition one’s hands in KM to a certain degree.
Best of luck in your training 🙂
Re: Belt-testing tomorrow!!!
Best of luck man! Remember to bring tons of fluids for hydration and NEVER give up. You got this 🙂
Re: Pushing or snapping punches in Krav?
Hi Magpie –
Your question is an important one and has been brought up many times amongst my KM peers most often in Level 1 and more so from people who have prior boxing / martial arts experience.
My opinion is that the foundation of KM is self defense and to inflict as much damage as possible when striking. With that being said, I adhere to the school of punching through your target w/ full power vs. the flicking / peppering jab-like strikes. The theory behind this is that you may only have *ONE* punch available to strike your opponent. You should make each and every strike a finishing strike.
A fast peppering jab has its use in sparring and boxing, but would you choose to dance around your attacker for a few rounds? Or would you rather throw 1-2 punches w/ full power and end it the situation without any doubt? I bet 10 out of 10 people would choose the latter.
Please note that it is possible to throw a full power punch *AND* have a fast recoil. But one should first try and develop power and aggression first and then factor in the speed. You certainly don’t want to throw a punch and leave your arm hanging out there for your opponent to grab, etc.
As for the pushing punch comment, I don’t agree w/ this technique. To me, if you’re having to push your punch, then you’re already in close range and the situation is better suited for an elbow strike.
