Generally referring to the methods, techniques and philosophy of fighting instruction, combat training can encompass a variety of toning and simulation scenarios for the purpose of learning combat. Whether you are an experienced martial artist or have never thrown a punch in your life, these methods will offer you an insight into combat training.
Sparring & Combat Simulation
Easily the most visceral and immediate training technique, sparring and combat simulation pits fighters together in situations where they must overcome their opponent. The specific rules of each sparring match or simulation can differ depending on the practitioners and the type of combat art being learned; for training purposes, targets such as the head, groin and other soft targets are generally eschewed for less painful targets. Utilized by martial artists and boxers alike, sparring allows for both fighters to familiarize themselves with the experience of getting hit while executing offensive and defensive techniques. For best results, select a sparring partner of similar rank and skill and wear protective gloves and footwear.
Weapons & Disarming
The weapons learned in combat training can range from kung fu spears and Japanese swords to modern firearms. While most combat training systems will instruct students in how to properly arm and use their weapon to its fullest extent, arguably the most important aspect of weapons training involves the disarming of your opponent. Generally speaking, an individual is much more likely to find themselves unarmed during a knife attack, and knowing how to quickly and efficiently disable your opponent can be vital in protecting yourself and others. Basic disarming methods taught in weapons training involve locking or damaging the wrist of an opponent when they attack, forcing them to drop the weapon. Other techniques may involve kicking an opponent's weapon from their hand or forcibly removing the weapon through a takedown attack.
Forms & Kata
Perhaps one of the most overlooked combat training methods, the forms and striking sequences (called kata) learned in a martial arts class are key elements in teaching fighting students the correct posture and movements of specific strikes, blocks and stances. By repetitively training in a kata, a martial artist becomes familiar with the many steps involved in the fighting sequence, ingraining the proper response to certain attacks and combat situations until they become second nature. Popular combat forms from the art of kung fu include animal sequences wherein the student learns specific offensive and defensive techniques that take on the spirit of each individual animal. Once proficient with the form of the tiger, for instance, the student can begin applying various steps in a real fight as if he was going through the motions of the kata.
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