There are many ways to progress your skills as a martial artist. First and foremost, finding a great coach, accessible school and dedicated training partners are the most important tools for your progression. Making sure that you train consistently multiple days a week is also key for success. But what can we do when we’re outside of the gym?
Although a willing and dedicated training partner is the most important training tool , there is a lot that we can do when we’re outside of the gym. If you have a friend and a small mat space (even some carpet should do), you’ll have no problems drilling some of your techniques from class. However, many of us are not that lucky. For those who practice striking arts such as boxing or muay thai, shadow boxing and footwork drills are easy to figure out for any solo training sessions. However, grappling does depend more on a partner. If you have some mats, shadow wrestling can be very helpful; practicing shots, sprawls and spins, downblocks, etc. However, with the wrong floor material this can prove to be difficult.
Check out the video above to see one of Coach Brian McLaughlins’ favorite at-home drills for knee on belly transitions. As you’ll see, Coach Brian is practicing switching sides from the knee on belly position. This can help to facilitate attacks or maintain your pin as someone tries to shrimp out and escape. This drill can help you learn to keep yourself centered while transitioning sides can help you turn this from a pinning position to a “dynamic, flowing submission machine” as Coach Brian puts it. The best part about this drill is that its great to work on with a partner, or you can throw a pillow on the floor and get to work!
As Coach Brian always does in his Poughkeepsie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes, he breaks down the technique in a few digestible steps. First he takes his far foot (the one stepped near his partners head) and steps it around the partners head next to his hip, resulting in Coach Brian facing his partners knees. From here, he mimics a “capoeira kick” motion by swinging his other leg around his partners head as he drops his opposite knee that had already stepped near the hip. Take the steps one at a time, eventually diminishing the amount of time between the motions.
Although we have plenty of great at-home drills, there is truly no substitute for coming to class and training with real people. Having a black belt next to you who can provide tips and make sure everything is done safely is crucial, and having good training partners to drill with will increase your skills much faster than solo drills will by themselves. Come check out the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the Hudson Valley at Precision Boxing and MMA. Give us a call today at (845)392-8495 or click HERE!
About the Author
Oliver Swanson is a lifelong Hudson Valley resident and a dedicated martial arts practitioner. In addition to coaching boxing classes throughout the week, Oliver is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and loves to write about mixed martial arts and fitness.
