Keywords used in training?

Under_Graduate

Golfers often use what are known as "swing keys" whilst playing, to keep them focused on certain aspects of their game.
Basically, words they repeat to themselves consciously which affect the nature of the way they apply themselves; by example, I overheard a bloke at the market the other day describing to my old man how he had got this swing key that was working great for him, "smoothness", or something to that effect.

Something I've found pretty useful in training myself.
I used to find I'd get pretty nervous in competition by example, often when I felt myself getting tired.
I realized that was a product of over exerting myself, so when I would tell myself to "control intensity", I was able to pace myself much more efficiently, use my energy and power more efficiently, and thus would negate the nerves, as it was a means to control my energy application.

My training also improved a lot with that.
Like being able to do more rounds on the bag, longer rounds of kicks, as well as avoiding doing stupid wreckless things that could injure myself or training partners.

Made a remarkable difference for myself.

Just curious as to whether anyone else uses something similar to this also?

I do know some guys meditate as a means to improve their training; I guess the same idea, focusing their mind to train or perform a certain way.
But for me personally, have that conscious focus, in the moment, in a sense, was very important to my progress.

cletus

Under_Graduate wrote: »

Golfers often use what are known as "swing keys" whilst playing, to keep them focused on certain aspects of their game.
Basically, words they repeat to themselves consciously which affect the nature of the way they apply themselves; by example, I overheard a bloke at the market the other day describing to my old man how he had got this swing key that was working great for him, "smoothness", or something to that effect.

Something I've found pretty useful in training myself.
I used to find I'd get pretty nervous in competition by example, often when I felt myself getting tired.
I realized that was a product of over exerting myself, so when I would tell myself to "control intensity", I was able to pace myself much more efficiently, use my energy and power more efficiently, and thus would negate the nerves, as it was a means to control my energy application.

My training also improved a lot with that.
Like being able to do more rounds on the bag, longer rounds of kicks, as well as avoiding doing stupid wreckless things that could injure myself or training partners.

Made a remarkable difference for myself.

Just curious as to whether anyone else uses something similar to this also?

I do know some guys meditate as a means to improve their training; I guess the same idea, focusing their mind to train or perform a certain way.
But for me personally, have that conscious focus, in the moment, in a sense, was very important to my progress.

Bas Rutten used to write a big R on both hands before fighting. This stood for "Rustig", the Dutch for "calm"

Dermighty

cletus wrote: »

Bas Rutten used to write a big R on both hands before fighting. This stood for "Rustig", the Dutch for "calm"

He also used to inject Lidocaine into his elbows when his name was called for the walkout (towards the end of his career).

yomchi

Under_Graduate wrote: »

Golfers often use what are known as "swing keys" whilst playing, to keep them focused on certain aspects of their game.
Basically, words they repeat to themselves consciously which affect the nature of the way they apply themselves; by example, I overheard a bloke at the market the other day describing to my old man how he had got this swing key that was working great for him, "smoothness", or something to that effect.

Something I've found pretty useful in training myself.
I used to find I'd get pretty nervous in competition by example, often when I felt myself getting tired.
I realized that was a product of over exerting myself, so when I would tell myself to "control intensity", I was able to pace myself much more efficiently, use my energy and power more efficiently, and thus would negate the nerves, as it was a means to control my energy application.

My training also improved a lot with that.
Like being able to do more rounds on the bag, longer rounds of kicks, as well as avoiding doing stupid wreckless things that could injure myself or training partners.

Made a remarkable difference for myself.

Just curious as to whether anyone else uses something similar to this also?

I do know some guys meditate as a means to improve their training; I guess the same idea, focusing their mind to train or perform a certain way.
But for me personally, have that conscious focus, in the moment, in a sense, was very important to my progress.

Read Bounce by Matthew Syed mate, a really great book that covers what you are mentioning.

Niall Keane

yes, there is a mantra taught to inside the door students of Tai Chi Chuan used to trigger a calm and alert response "before a difficult undertaking". It is chanted during the last of the Yang set of Nei Gung excercises, excercises that train the expression and receiving of power and educate one to their limits and potential, effectively the mantra pushes one into this state of awareness provided the Nei Gung training has been daily over a long time.

Useful, I found it lifed my game in sanda, etc.

Michael O Leary

yomchi wrote: »

Read Bounce by Matthew Syed mate, a really great book that covers what you are mentioning.

One of my favourite books. :-)

HammerHeadGym

Dont suppose anyone has a copy?

Michael O Leary

HammerHeadGym wrote: »

Dont suppose anyone has a copy?

The next time I am in town I can drop a copy into Wild Geese or if you are out in Blanchardstown you can pick it up. :-)

yomchi

You won't be disappointed

dubdamo

Ordered it on my kindle, only 3 quid.

Michael O Leary

In Wing Tsun we are frequently told to "be soft", "relax" and not use muscular tension. These are based on the arts "words of wisdom" or Kuen Kuit which are maxims of Wing Tsun.
http://www.wcarchive.com/articles/maxims-kuen-kuit.htm

However the problem that I personally find is that the keywords or maxims are too subjective. While this may be due to the fact that Chinese culture is a high context culture (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-_and_low-context_cultures), in order to effectively teach the art to a low context culture we need to be more specific.

In 1998 I qualified as a fitness instructor with the NCEF (National College of Exercise & Fitness) and I found it improved the way that I taught Wing Tsun. Rather than using metaphors when teaching students how to punch for example, I use sports scientific terms and highlight the individual muscles used to move the arm, the non moving muscles used for stability and the type of tension the muscles are under. Eg - Concentric, eccentric, isometric yielding, co-contraction, etc. It is a little confusing for students at first but by constantly repeating myself using sports terms it sinks in and students have a much clearer idea of what they are supposed to do.

However as an introduction and summary, the keywords and maxims are useful as long as the are backed up by more specific details.

Michael

Peetrik

Michael O Leary wrote: »

In Wing Tsun we are frequently told to "be soft", "relax" and not use muscular tension. These are based on the arts "words of wisdom" or Kuen Kuit which are maxims of Wing Tsun.
http://www.wcarchive.com/articles/maxims-kuen-kuit.htm

However the problem that I personally find is that the keywords or maxims are too subjective.

Reading through those it all seems like good advice, most of it has been barked at me by my coach in sparring over the years. "Stay on him", "Use combos" etc.

Maybe have a crack at interpreting them yourself or email a few coaches whose opinion you trust and see if they come to the same conclusion as you.
A collaborative translation that you can share with your students might be of more benefit to them than some of the more cryptic translations.