TUESDAY @ KRAV MAGA EDINBURGH

Over to Rannoch Donald for this review of the Combat Sport class "Seconds Out!

A focus on the fundamentals keeps yielding fantastic results for the Tuesday night regulars. The club was already seriously warm so we didn't need to do much to break a sweat. The focus on jab is paying off. We started with a simple catch drill. This involves feeding the jab back and forth. It sharpens technique allowing us to gauge distance, evade and catch and strike as soon as we defend. It is probably the most effective basic drill available to anyone wanting to spar.

Next up we did a first step drill, working in pairs, one person has to turn on a count and chase down their partner. Adding pads to his makes it a very live drill. It's all about closing the distance.

We followed on with the "ear game" angling off and looking to acquire a target either left or right. It's easy to stand toe to toe and trade jabs but it's simply not productive if you want to walk away looking as pretty as when you started! By finding an angle, simply by looking for your opponents ear, you are in a superior position to strike, limiting their tools, maximising your own.

Next up we worked off jab & cross followed by a returning shot from the pad holder and responding by bobbing or pulling back and then firing back with the right cross. Classic combinations that work. Add to this the left hook and you have a devastating combination.

We then drilled cross and hook, using the pads to get in close to snap the left hand. Remember, it's like a door slamming shut. If you can't turn and strike off the hip you aren't close enough.

Finally we did rounds of light sparring focusing on the combinations we'd been feeding all night.

Thanks again guys, I watched a 2 minute clip last night of the class and I can say with confidence, everyone is moving well, moving like fighters. Let's stick with the basics and keep adding to the drills!"