Page 129 - Pat O'Keeffe Combat Kick Boxing

Chapter Twelve
Train for the Game

Compared to training for the ring, training for the street is difficult. As the
preceding chapters have illustrated, there are few, if any, constants. What follows
cannot be exhaustive, but should at least take you some way towards realistic
training for combat.
If your line of work throws up recurring scenarios such as dealing with people
over a counter or face to face, then give consideration to defending yourself in
these circumstances first. You should also experiment and practise so you can
handle specific situations where you are dealing with money directly with the
public, especially if you are a shopkeeper, taxi driver or petrol station attendant;
people who frequently face harassment or attack.
Analyse and adapt in the light of what you discover about your own strengths
and weaknesses. Do not treat these exercises like a game. In order to have value
they must be worked to the extent that you are under pressure and breathing
hard.
When you have worked these drills to the limit, then extend their duration and
intensity. Push yourself and remember the maxim of the Red Army: ‘Train hard,
fight easy!’

Multi-Directional Pad Work
Drill One
Stand with one assistant to your front with focus pads and one to your rear with
a kick shield. Set the stopwatch for one minute and for the duration respond as
quickly and powerfully as you can to your assistants’ calls asking for a technique
or combination of techniques. (Fig. 218)

Throughout the drill
your assistants should
move around, requiring
you to change direction
and range constantly. As
you become more skilled
your assistants should call
out more demanding
instructions. Finally,
work up to four
assistants.

Do not hold back: hit the
pads and shields as Fig 218
though your life depends
on it.

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