I've just started practicing JKD. I react slowly whenever someone throws a punch at me. I dont do any drugs or anything that slows my reaction time. What can I do to improve my reflex?
Naz is of course correct sparring is a very good way to improve your reflexes how ever there are little thing you can do on your own time, Now bare with me some of these are going to sound quite silly but for me they work
Teather ball, Yea this works its a little one dimensional but It can in my opinion help.
when you your walking down the street take a tenis ball or yo yo with you.
I dunno there are a bunch more I feel like a retard saying that but they all work for me. and trust me im not a gifted athelete, In the words of mick foley "I have about as much athletism naturally as a three toed sloth."
I think Grahams approach is good. A lot of people don't realise just what we can do in our everyday lives that can improve various aspects of our selves. I read in one book that, wherever we might be that we could practice our reflexes by reacting to other peoples gesticulations. Trouble is they all might sound stupid
I am not certain as to how much it helps our troops, but in the past few years the military has been doing a lot of research on using video games as a tool to develop a soldiers reaction speed.
Granted they ended up spending $$$$$ to have a specialized game developed. But the initial tests were done using standard video game equipment (X-box was one that was listed) and there were good enough results to warrant the development of thier own simulation game. It is suggested that a shooter type game is the best choice.
Just be carefull, I hear it is addicting.
Xline808
www.808fitness.com
*You cannot discard what you have never obtained.*
Funny you say that I have been making a lot of analogies in my mental state when I play soul calibre 2 to sparring. Both me and my sparring partner can see definate simularities. The mental response is the same, it is how you translate it physically that is different.
I also heared of research up at Dundee University in Scotland, whereby children who played computer games a lot were compared to those that did not. It was shown that these kids had greater hand to eye coordination. They were better able to multi task. Basically we training next generation fighter pilots. Of course there is a limit to how much this can help in combat training, but a very interesting thing to know. Next time someone suggests computer games will make you stupid you will know that that is a loud of codswallop.
Really? What a waste of time. They'd get far better results doing things like skirmish, which would improve their fitness AS WELL as reflex, accuracy, and improve the 5 senses.
Naz, just cause someone's way isn't as efficient or doesn't take care of AS MANY things at once as your suggestion, doesn't make it an automatic waste of time. Your way may work better, but it doesn't mean that their way doesn't work AT ALL.
A waste of time is sitting in front of a monitor connected to a CPU and using a keypad to manipulate data ...oh wait is that playing video games, or throwing jibs at people on line for their suggestions and/or information.
If you need to train 100% of the time you are awake then you chould play the video game while in a stationary bike...heck I don't know, it was an added suggestion for those times when you are out of steam. Take a moment to relax naz.
Xline808
www.808fitness.com
*You cannot discard what you have never obtained.*
This message has been edited by Xline808 on May 8, 2004 1:47 AM
I wasn't "throwing jibs at your suggestions" either. I was merely expressing my frustration at how the government is using our tax money to train these army fighters.
And "jkddragon", what I said wasn't "my way". It was common sense. And I never said that games wouldn't work AT ALL, I said that training skirmish would be far superior. Why train a punch in the air when you can train it on a moving resisiting opponent?
You morons really need to learn to not get all offended over tiny things. It's bad for your health.
I suspect that the army uses this type of training to help train the modern soilder or fighter pilot who is going to be using complex technology to fight wars. I also suspect that there will also be soilders that are trained in conventional combat as well. The thing about the armed services is that they have a variety of regiments. There not all going to go hand to hand combat.
War is a waste of tax payers money, but more importantly a tragic way to end someones life. However it shows how little you know about conventional warfare if you assume that such training is irrelevent.
So you think playing video games is a more realistic approach to training an army troop than let's say target practice with real weapons? Or skirmish hunts? You can't be serious right?
And nowhere did I say it was irrelevant. I dare you to quote where I said that. Christs sake, how can you actually make posts like that when you KNOW that I didn't even say it?? It's just ridiculous.
Well we might as well start playing video games, who knows, maybe we can become become world champion at sprinting?
This message has been edited by jiyasa on May 8, 2004 8:02 AM
If you have like you said just started your JKD. And i usume you have no prior training. It will take time to train to improve your reflex skills. I would suggest you work on your tool training. parries strikes kicks advance retreat movement . That way you feel comfortable in your new training method. defence and counter drills. Then onto light spars. slow training type at first. This gives you enough time to think and do. Before you Jump into a faster pace spar. Skill training Improves the motor skills and mind body reaction skills. Then the reflex skill can improve at a more improved reactive action. Best Thing to remember. Sound training. And time improves what we do. So take the time to train well .And the rest will get there.
Practice practice practice... That\'s the best way to get good at something. I have been doing jkd for a while and the best way you can improve your reflexes is to keep doing it. Slowly at first and once you get good at that, speed up the drill. If you have escrima(kali) sticks, then and a good basic technique(one of my favorites)you should do is \"six count\" or \"heaven and earth\". If you don\'t know this technique, ask you sifu. He/she will most likely know...
Naz, you know full well this is what you implied in your posts. Just becuase you did not use the word irrelevant does not mean you did not imply this. For instance your used "waste of time" does this not have simular connatations? Notice here I used quotation marks to illustrate it was a quote and not summising your posts. Most normal people would assume that something that was a waste of time was irrelevent.
"So you think playing video games is a more realistic approach to training an army troop than let's say target practice with real weapons? Or skirmish hunts? You can't be serious right?"
Can you read? You constantly go on about peoples spelling and grammar, but you seem to have some kind of weired selective reading. Not all soilders are involved in skirmishes or have to shoot guns all the time some have to use COMPUTERS. Sophisticated computer systems are being employed in the armed services more and more. Thus practicing on computers is useful, to develop good computer skills funily enough. Next you will be telling me that when pilots train in a simulator they are wasting there time.
This message has been edited by kjax on May 14, 2004 1:43 PM
I do not know if this was already said but there is one way to improve reflexes. Two people stand facing eachother a few feet apart. One person has a medicine ball and throws it to the other person's body. The other person then catches the ball and throws the ball back at the person immediately. Try to do this but throw the ball at different parts of the body such as one time at the head and another time at the feet.
I should have read everyone’s posts before I replied, but I didn’t, so...
Here are some of the drills that we used to increase our reflexes.
1) Have a partner hold the striking side of the Focus Mitt against his chest, when he raises the mitt up quickly (to about face height), execute a Straight Lead Punch as fast as you can. Then repeat. The trick is to attack that mitt when the opportunity arises.
2) Another drill is to get into a ready fighting position and “square off” with your partner. When he moves to the right, you mirror him and move to the right. When he shuffles back, you shuffle forward. The footwork should be random, so you don't have a clue where he's going. Also, try to keep just out of range from his “Tools”. If he were to kick, you should be about 5-6 inches out of his reach. This is great training for reaction time and learning correct Distance. Footwork is the foundation in Jeet Kune Do, so you will want to practice footwork as much as possible. At first, do this drill at a medium pace, over time; your footwork will become more coordinated and snappy. Once you’re moving around with out tripping over your own feet, then find a partner that has fast footwork and chase him, and vise versa.
3) This drill adds #1 and #2 together. Have a partner hold the striking side of the focus mitt against his chest. He will be out of range of any of your strikes, but he will burst into your “Zone” and quickly raise the focus mitt for you to quickly Straight Lead punch it. This is a great drill because you’re training Distance control, footwork, reaction time & interception.
These are 3 great drills to increase your skills. Keep in mind, when you switch off and you’re the guy holding the Focus Mitt for your partner; use a PERFECT ready fighting position and footwork. Keep your rear hand up and when you put your focus mitt out for your friend to hit, snap it out. When you move forward for your friend to intercept you, use a Push-Step, or Shuffle Step, or ______ (<Fill in the blank). Also, you don't always have to use the Straight Lead punch, you can use a quick Jab, Lead Hook kick, Side Kick, ect... use whatever you would like to work on, at the time.
JKD is a simple way of fighting. All the drills work the basics; there are just many variations to keep the students from getting bored.
Work on the basics and take it one class at a time.
Dumbass, obviously I was referring to the soldiers that have to FIGHT WITH GUNS NOT USE COMPUTERS. Really, it doesn't take a genius to figure that out.
Now quit bitching. It's all you do. You come in and go "wahhhh but naz you did this and that and this waahhh". No one cares.
Obviously the main point I was making was that you have to train as closely to the goal you are trying to achieve to get best results.
The fact that you were oblivious to this just further shows me your ignorance.
This message has been edited by jiyasa on May 16, 2004 7:55 AM
It was said in an interview regarding the use of video games for training...
"It's not really about shooting at things," Macedonia said. "Learning how to shoot your weapon is easy. The challenging thing is leading."
It is about training the CNS to respond, and to anticipate.
It is just another tool to train the brain... and you get to have fun doing it.
Granted ...the game that the military s using was designed specifically for the military..like a simulator, but initial tests were done using standard games....They even came out with a gamefor the public, to get younger audiences interested in the military..
Does anyone remember those infomercials for the "Slam Man", sponsored by Sugar Ray Leonard? It was the top half of a dummy that stood up, like a Standing heavy bag. The "Slam Man" had 6-7 lights on it that would light up randomly. When one of the lights would light up, you were supposed to punch it. I thought this was a slick idea, I wonder if they still sell this product... I better do a search on the net.
I had a similar Idea to this, a few years ago. You have a partner shine a laser pointer on a spot on the heavy bag where he wants you to attack. So, this reaction speed would be gained thru sight.
You could also train your reactions to sound. Have a partner stand 10 feet behind you and he could smack 2 Kali sticks, certain beats could represent different combos. 1 beat could represent a Straight Lead Punch, 2 Beats = Straight Lead/Rear Cross Combo and 3 beats = Jab/Cross/Hook combo.
No Naz I wont stop, i like you too much. I was talking about the army in general. If you were being specific than you should have made it clear. But since you were arguing against this it is natural to assume that you were also refering to the general group.
And even if we are not talkng about the general group, i believe as xline puts in his post, that computers can help develop your cns response time. Sometimes focused training is as good as general training. We can take the anology of muscle training for a sport. Swimmers will also do weight training to develop specific muscles along side actual swimming. It was the US team that first did this, which led them to be unstopable for a time. So maybe think of it as weight lifting for the brain.
Your such a pretty boy Naz. Hope I have not upset you with any of my posts, I would not want your face to get all creesed up.
I played this video game at "Pladium" (Arcade) where you hold these boxing type gloves (weighs 3 Lbs) and there are sensors that know when you punch. Also, you stand on these sensers on the floor that are in the shape of foot prints. The object of the game is to win the Championship Belt by fighting thru all the opponents, and trust me, after the 4th-5th Fighter, youre sweating like a pig! ha! It's awesome, you can Lead Jab, Cross, Duck, bob and weave. This would help your reaction speed, but it may distort your technique.
Correct me if I'm wrong... but isn't the very basis of Jeet Kune Do 'using what works best for YOU'? If considered, really, arguing over what works and what doesn't is really pointless. Go by what you learned and "Use what works best for you".
Stick fighting, knife fighting, pure defensive techniques in sparring (your opponent attacks, you can only defend), focus pad drills, and ordinary sparring. These are the only things you need to improve reflex's.
