Solo Training
The Martial Artist’s Guide to Training Alone
by
Loren W. Christensen
YMAA Publication Center, Inc.
Wolfeboro, NH USA
YMAA Publication Center, Inc.
PO Box 480
Wolfeboro, NH 03894
800 669-8892 • www.ymaa.com • [email protected]
Paperback ISBN: 9781594394881 (print) • ISBN: 9781594394898 (ebook)
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
Copyright © 2001, 2016 by Loren W. Christensen
Publisher’s Cataloging in Publication
Christensen, Loren W.
Solo training : the martial artist’s guide to training alone / by Loren W. Christensen
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 9781594394881
1. Martial arts training -- Training. I. Title.
GV1102.7 T7 C455 2001
769.8--dc21 2016909513
The author and publisher of the material are NOT RESPONSIBLE in any manner whatsoever for any injury that may occur through reading or following the instructions in this manual.
The activities, physical or otherwise, described in this manual may be too strenuous or dangerous for some people, and the reader(s) should consult a physician before engaging in them.
Warning: While self-defense is legal, fighting is illegal. If you don’t know the difference, you’ll go to jail because you aren’t defending yourself. You are fighting—or worse. Readers are encouraged to be aware of all appropriate local and national laws relating to self-defense, reasonable force, and the use of weaponry, and act in accordance with all applicable laws at all times. Understand that while legal definitions and interpretations are generally uniform, there are small—but very important—differences from state to state and even city to city. To stay out of jail, you need to know these differences. Neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for the use or misuse of information contained in this book.
Nothing in this document constitutes a legal opinion, nor should any of its contents be treated as such. While the author believes everything herein is accurate, any questions regarding specific self-defense situations, legal liability, and/or interpretation of federal, state, or local laws should always be addressed by an attorney at law.
When it comes to martial arts, self-defense, and related topics, no text, no matter how well written, can substitute for professional, hands-on instruction. These materials should be used for academic study only.
Contents
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: WARMING UP
CHAPTER 2: KICKING
SPEED, POWER, ENDURANCE & ACCURACY
CHAPTER 3: FOOTWORK
THE BASIC BOXER STANCE
5 WAYS TO STEP
WORKING THE ASTERISK
SQUAT FOR FASTER FOOTWORK
CHAPTER 4: HANDS, ELBOWS & FOREARMS
PUNCH
PALM-HEEL STRIKES
BACKFIST
ROUNDHOUSE PUNCH
ELBOWS
U PUNCH
HAMMER STRIKE
SLAPPING
KNIFE-HAND THRUST
STRIKING WITH THE ARM
LEAD HAND TECHNIQUES
RAW LIMB PUNCHING
PUNCHING WITH MINIMUM BODY MECHANICS
AIR GRABBING
HAND TECHNIQUES WITH WEIGHTS
SPEED DRILL
CHAPTER 5: SPARRING COMBINATIONS
CHAPTER 6: ODDS & ENDS WORKOUT
DEVELOPING EXPLOSIVENESS
DOUBLE TAPPING
BROKEN RHYTHM
TRAIN YOUR OTHER SIDE
HIT HIM WHEN HE IS DOWN
USE YOUR HEAD
GETTING UP FROM THE GROUND
SLIPPING
NATURAL STANCE
SHOULDER AND HIP RAMMING
THE GOOD OLD PUSH
EYE DRILLS
EYES AS A TARGET
FALLING
ANALYZE YOUR CLOTHING
KATA APPLICATIONS
DOUBLE-END BAG
KNEE-LIFT JAM
SOLO TRAINING WITH A PARTNER
COPING WITH INJURIES
CHAPTER 7: MENTAL TRAINING
EXERCISE IS GOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN
YOUR BEST WEAPON
FIGHTING THE BIG GUYS
IMAGERY
THE WORLD IS YOUR DOJO
YOUR INNER TAPES
CHAPTER 8: CROSS TRAINING