METTLE MAKER #510: The Seven Biggest Time Wasters in Martial Arts Training

Howdy Rough ’n’ tumblers! Cut the fluff and focus on the stuff. Pull a time-wasting activity out of the training rotation and put something with a bigger payday in its place.

Jumping Rope. You are never going to be pogo-sticking your way to safety in a self-defense situation. If you think it’s fun, go ahead. Enjoy! But don’t tell yourself that it’s making you a better fighter. Substitute realistic footwork practice.
Running. Again, if you think it’s fun, knock yourself out — and that’s the only person you’ll be getting better at knocking out if you run. It leaves you so taxed that it steals valuable training time, puts unnecessary wear and tear on joints, etc. etc. Substitute walking. Walking is way more beneficial for the hips and psoas muscles, which will improve hip health and longevity for folks who kick a lot. And walking burns just as many calories as running by distance, which will make you leaner and meaner without leaving you too gassed to do more martial arts.
Split Weight Training. Sub 15 mins/day of Old School training. Look, if you’re lifting so hard — a full hour of chest on one day, a full day of legs another, etc. — then you’re going to be sore. And that means missed martial training sessions. Sub lighter weights, pick one exercise per body part, and do 3 sets of effective reps to failure — that is, taking only 12 second breaks between sets. If you can train 5 days a week, pick 5 different chest exercises, 5 different arm, back, leg, and abs exercises too, and cycle through them, one each per session. More variety means less stalling, less pain, better tendon strength, less boredom, and no repetitive use injuries. Aim for 20 - 25 total reps (something in the neighborhood of 13 on the first set, 6 on the second, and 4 on the third).
If/Then Training. Stop trying to memorize “if he does this, then I do that.” It just doesn’t work. Substitute solid flow drills that build good instincts. For example, practice your arm bar with a partner. Once in a while, ask him to lock his hands in and “S” grip to stuff your move. When he does, swap arms and go for a short arm scissors. Do this a hundred times, until you instinctively flip to the short arm scissors as soon as you see him start to clasp his hands. Use your instincts, not your intellect.
Low Percentage Techniques. Stop pursuing that breathtaking Jump 360 Heel kick or that shocking scissor-leg take down. Work on your bread and butter stuff — jabs, crosses, knee strikes, hip throws, and so on. Advanced martial arts techniques are basic techniques done flawlessly..
Exotic and/or deadly weapons. Jettison the tactical folding knives, the escrima sticks, nunchaku, kama, naginata, etc. Substitute practical tools that you can actually carry in the real world — canes, flashlights as force concentrators, or something of that nature — and that you won’t go to jail for carrying and using in a self-defense situation. Practice on your heavy bag and be prepared to actually use the doggone thing. Wake up. This is not medieval China.
Boneheaded vigilance drills. Stop trying to be hypervigilant. Stop trying to memorize dozens of theories and practicing your OODA loop concepts. You don’t need to read another warrior awareness book. Just start building good everyday habits. Foster curiosity about people, places, and things. Talk to other folks in line with you at Costco. Keep your cell phone stowed in public. Learn to identify bird species by sight and sound. Play people watching games. Simple habits like these will make you more observant — as well as smarter, nicer, and more alert.

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