3/1/17: pad rounds, conditioned sparring boxing rounds and empty hand v knife

2017 started with a bang; a high intensity session coupled with some fun empty hand v knife training.

WARM UP
Shadow boxing: jab only then both hands.

PAD ROUNDS
The attribute being focussed on was speed - getting the punches out and back quickly whilst delivering string attacks with sound body mechanics.

The pad holder was in range for punches, simulating the end of a punch or moving in on a punch. The left hand was out long and the right hand was the pad to be hit.

As it was first session of the year, the rounds were long forcing discipline when tiredness or tightness crept in.

Catch (rear hand) and jab
Rear pak (to clear the punch) and cross
Catch (rear hand) into jab-cross
Rear pak into cross-lead hook-cross

CONDITIONED SPARRING
Person A feeds jabs, person B also jabs but works the defences from the pad rounds, primarily the catch and jab or the pak and cross. Person A was expected to keep a high tempo, keep the punches alive ensuring person B was moving well and responding honestly. The concept of hit first and last was mentioned during the rounds by Steve.

The conditioned sparring rounds are great fun and hard work, plus there is no danger of getting hit hard so you can work your craft without worrying about what might happen. You still get hit in the face but not to the detriment of learning skills as opposed to development grit and toughness. There were 2 rounds and within each, roles were swapped meaning 4 good quality rounds.

KNIFE
We looked at straight stabs to the heart, firstly singles and later double pumps. The defence we used was using the forearms to cut across the line of the attack on his forearms. The motion was quite aggressive – shoulders turn and the forearm drives/grinds/hits into his forearm. For me, this is motion hard to describe, you had to be there to feel it.

When the feeder was feeding the double stab with the right/rear hand, the front hand was out in front simulating a barrier/ a grab/ a way to hide the knife. It did not matter which forearm you cut his attack with, but you needed to make sure that you use the other forearm for the second stab.

Stripping: After the second stab, he retracts the knife, you pin the knife and hand to his chest. A favourite saying of Steve’s is, “If the knife is on him or me, it is not in me.” Flat palm pins the blade whilst your other hand takes the meat of thumb and rips the hand away, leaving the blade on his chest for you to work with. Knife work is both fun and humbling although a few of us might have tender forearms after all the ‘hunting’ of the attacks.

A great session to kick of 2017 and even a few new faces that will hopefully come back for more.