[quote]StevenF wrote:
Thank you Sentoguy.
10/18/15
12 2min rounds
45s rest
6 on bags
6 sparring
Need a lot of work, conditioning starting to improve though. Gassed out in the last couple rounds.
Tried to keep my head moving but it’s real hard to do when tired, along with trying to throw any type of punches. I have to figure out how to commit to my punches I throw and worry about getting tagged back sometimes closing my eyes involuntarily. Guess it’ll just come with practice. [/quote]
First, everything gets harder the more you fatigue (keeping a good guard, moving your feet/head, reacting to incoming strikes, etc…), that is why you must drill the crap out of things with focus on correct technique. The body will eventually adapt to the endurance demands and will also become more efficient in it’s movements which also leads to greater endurance.
Regarding moving your head constantly, I agree with Donny that this isn’t the goal, but I somewhat disagree that head movement is purely a reactionary movement to a specific incoming attack.
First, there are essentially 3 types of defense:
Intentional (you meant to do it)
Incidental (you happened to do it)
Accidental (you accidentally did it)
Moving your head purposely to avoid an incoming punch (let’s say slipping a jab for example) is an intentional form of defense and the one that gets taught and focused on the most
Making your head a moving target (when in entering, in, or exiting the pocket) and thus making it a moving target will increase the chances that your opponent will miss hitting it squarely (will increase the likelihood of your incidentally making them miss).
If you say slip on the floor and as a result your head moves and makes your opponent’s punch miss this would be accidentally making them miss.
The first method (intentional) is the one you should definitely spend the most time on as it requires the most time and skill to pull off against a fully resisting opponent (and offers the most reward if you do), but you should not overlook or underestimate the effectiveness and benefit of incidental defense. Watch a prime Tyson training or in his fights and you will see him using this type of head movement all the time. The third type, accidental you have (by definition) no control over, so understand that it can happen but don’t put stock into it.
Second, as with your hands, and feet, your head/body should not simply be used for one purpose as this definitely makes your rhythm much easier to predict and makes you a much easier opponent to deal with. Your head should be used to move (either intentionally or incidentally avoiding incoming strikes), to fake (for instance if you suddenly drop your level while taking a small step forward you will likely draw a reaction to a body punch), and in scenarios that allow it (which modern combat sports do not) to strike.
If your head were to stay perfectly still (which I realize is not what Donny meant at all, but wanted to clarify as I felt it could be misconstrued as meaning this) unless you were moving it to avoid an incoming strike your fakes would be far less (if at all) effective, you would be much easier to hit and/or counter, and you would be easy pickings for a faster, taller, stronger, etc… opponent. The key is not to set a predictable rhythm (or purposely set one and then break it) so you can keep your opponent mentally and physically off balance and/or indecisive. So don’t keep it in constant motion, but instead move it strategically.
Hope this helps.