Martial Arts Training Methods

Martial arts systems use a variety of training methods. Some stick to one or two methods while others use a variety. It is important to understand the various training methods and what can be gained by utilizing them. It is also important to consider this information in choosing a martial art to study. Your personal preference and physical limitations may have some bearing on what training methods you would favor.

Forms Training

Forms training is usually the starting point in most traditional martial arts systems. Forms are a series a choreographed movements designed to teach the student the basic principles, concepts, and movements of a particular system.

Technique Training

In learning a technique you are learning a specific response to a specific attack. This method of training is good for beginners and people who have no prior martial arts training. It develops some degree of mind body connection and definitely improves things such as coordination and balance. However it will take a long time before any real martial skill is developed using this method alone.

Sparring

Sparring is an excellent training method but it must be structured and introduced in levels of difficulty and intensity. The student must already have a good basic foundation before any sparring is done otherwise the risk of injuries is very high. Sparring develops stamina and mental toughness, it will also give the student the opportunity to see at what level they are able to make their skills work against an uncooperative adversary.

Training using an apparatus

The Wooden Dummy from Wing Chun Kung Fu, a punching bag, a speed bag, a makiwara, a sao bao, all of these are considered training apparatus. Using an apparatus functions as supplementary training usually to develop one or more martial attributes such as speed, power, coordination etc. The proper use of any apparatus normally requires expert instruction in order to reap the full benefits of this mode of training.

Using Pads and Shields

These could also be considered training apparatus however with boxing, kick boxing, MMA, and JKD as well as several other systems there is very intricate pad and shield work that can only be provided by a skilled trainer. You can simply use pads and shields to get accustomed to hitting something but higher level skill development can only be achieved with an instructor.

Sensitivity Training

What I mean by sensitivity training is the ability to glean significant information from any limb to limb or body to body contact concerning intent, direction, force, and balance. There are many systems that utilize sensitivity training, the depth of the skills acquired and the manner in which they are used vary from system to system. It is not an easy skill to acquire but it is one of those skills that distinguishes someone who is just a good fighter from someone who is a master.

Consider that any decent martial arts system will use at least three of these 6 training methods. Any one method by itself will produce a limited skill set with shallow depth. Ideally if you are training for self-defense you want a solid and broad skill set that is easily adaptable to any situation you are likely to face on the street. Being an expert within a very limited set of skills can be detrimental.