GJ The Zen of Competition

Our pre-workout was:

• 100 yards run
  
• 50 yards alternating kicks
  
• 100 yards run
  
• 50 yards pitterpat
  
• 100 yards run
  
• 50 yards straight knees
  
• 100 yards run
  
• 50 yards of continuous four counts
  
• 100 yards run
  
• Crosses n' hooks
  
• 100 yards run
  
• 3 knees 3 punches
  
• 100 yards run
  
• 20 push-ups
  
• 50 yards run
  
• 20 push-ups
  
• 50 yards run
  
• 20 push-ups

We then started practice with

• Squats
  
• Jumping Jacks
  
• Calf extensions
  
• Partner leg press x30
  
• Frog Jumps (jumper squats with touching the floor)
  
• Partner sit-ups x40
  
• Handstand w/ partner assist
  
• Flat dolphin (on forearms and toes, keep body straight
  
• Lizard (one side hand close to foot, one side extended)
  
• Push-ups x20

We then worked into 3 minute thai pads rounds

1. Basic thai warm-up

2. Finishing with a tiip

   Following each combination (everything more than a single kick, jab, or double) throw a tiip. While I primarily use the lead/front tiip it is often advantageous to use the rear tiip if you just punched with your rear hand and especially if you just threw a rear kick.

3. Knee Disposition

   We worked "standard" disposition that is what to do after throwing a knee and wishing to reopen the range. We also covered going to knees (trace the hand over the head to plum) using the three knee turn sequence and finishing with a throw to punch or kick range. Alternatively disposition can be achieved by switching to wrestling, either pummeling or taking a shot.

4. Conditioning

   The 1-2-3 mat shuttles, 30 seconds of pitterpat, four count combination sprawl drill (details)

We worked several 2 minute rounds of timing before splitting the MT fighters off for a little more fun, 30 second rounds of

• Pitterpat
  
• Hold pitterpat
  
• Ladder push-ups and hold (1-2-4-8-16-8-4-2-1)

The fighters did well, never breaking the mien of combat zen, the beautific expression of being detached whether the fight is going well or poorly, whether tired or fresh, in injury and in health. In all a 13.5 minute round of continuous barrage to the arms and core...throwing punches for a 2 minute round is going to be cake...

And for a final thought we turn to Bruce Lee: Forget about winning and losing; forget about pride and pain. Let your opponent graze your skin and you smash into his flesh; let him smash into your flesh and you fracture his bones; let him fracture your bones and you take his life. Do not be concerned with escaping safely--lay your life before him.

Tomorrow I have the fun idea of transition timing...stay tuned