While training with a partner is the ideal way to train combatives, very often we won’t have access to training partners. So instead of not training at all, we can train alone and still get a good session.
Some tips to keep in mind when training solo:
- Don’t try to do too much in one session. Pick just a few techniques or exercises to work on during the session and stick with them. If you try to cover too much, you’ll scatter your focus and end up learning nothing. Remember that a good Combatives workout is based on repetition. To be good, you have to train a few select techniques over and over again until you master them. If you try to master too many techniques at once, you’ll end up mastering none.
- Train thinking about the street. This means that you do not train in a sporting manner. So no shadow boxing or long duration workouts. Everything you do should be combative, not sporty. Warm up first, then practice your exercises and techniques in short bursts. A true street fight is an explosive burst of energy that doesn’t last long. There are no rounds. Just from intense bouts of combat that last only a few seconds. Your training should reflect that. So basically go like fk for no more than ten seconds, then stop and repeat.
- Add emotional content to your training. Whatever you do, you need to back it up with the right mindset. If you hit the bag, do it with full intent and aggression. Really imagine you’re in a situation and you have to put this guy down. Anything less will not do. You are practicing the access state as much as the physical techniques. Hit the switch, go like crap, and then turn the switch back off, making sure to check the status each time. By training in this way, you ensure that the techniques will come out when you need them. This is the only way to train.
- Resist the temptation to do long sessions. Long training sessions are for endurance athletes and sports fighters. You will benefit more from shorter sessions of around fifteen to twenty minutes, but train at maximum intensity for that length of time. If you feel that one session is not enough, train twice a day.
1. CLOSE AND STRIKE DRILL
The good thing about this exercise is that you don’t need any equipment and it can be done anywhere.
Start from a square in the stance, then move into a close stance with your arms forward as if in control of your space, then from there deliver a preemptive strike.
Repeat several times.
To make the drill more useful, bring your imagination into play. Pretend that there is someone in front of you, giving you a complaint. Control your space as they try to get in, and then when you think the time is right, punch with full intent and watch yourself knock the guy out. Remember, the emotional content is what makes these techniques stick.
2. CLOSE, STRIKE, EXPLOSION AND FINISH
As stated above, only after you strike preemptively do you continue to pummel your opponent with multiple strikes, moving forward as you do so (forward drive) before finally finishing your opponent off with knees and elbows or some other technique of your choice. .
3. IMAGINARY FIGHTING EXERCISES
For this exercise, you will play a complete attack scenario from start to finish. First think of a scenario. You could be walking to your car in a dimly lit parking lot after a particularly tiring day at work, or you could be standing outside the chippy after having a few drinks with friends. Whatever. Your imagination is the limit here.
Once you have a scenario in mind, really put yourself into it, mentally and emotionally. Start acting it out like a real actor would.
Let’s take the example of parking. You are walking to your car when you see two dodgy looking guys loitering near your car. Your spider-sense starts to tingle and you can feel the adrenaline start to bubble up inside of you. Something is not right (really feel this!). As you continue walking to your car, one of the guys (dressed in jeans, a black jacket, and a baseball cap) asks you for a light. You tell him you don’t have one. As soon as you’ve answered him, the other guy (dressed in sweatpants and a dark-colored hoodie) suddenly rushes at you, pulling his fist back in preparation to punch you. The fight is on.
That is the configuration. Which way this scenario goes is up to you. The important thing is that you mimic each movement as it happens. If you hit one of the guys, do it for real and feel the impact. If you get hit or grabbed, he really reacts.
Drop to the ground and grab. Enact the entire fight. Then when I’m done, walk away.
Done right, with your imagination in full swing, this can end up feeling like a real fight. It’s almost like visualization practice, but you’re physically acting out each movement instead of just imagining it in your head.
Try to be alone when you do this exercise. If anyone sees you, they’ll think you’ve gone crazy as you dash and fight imaginary attackers!