First (exhibition) kb match next week

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Jiffs
Date: November 26, 2011 at 09:39 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

I've been training some kickboxing since June and next weekend my gym's having a smoker. Coach wants me to fight a teammate for practice. What do i do this week, and more importantly, how do I eat leading up to it? I'm pretty excited about it, nervous as hell. I know its just an exhibition, but gotta start somewhere, right? The one I'm going up against is the coaches kid. Anyway to make it NOT the only thing I think about for a week??
Thanks

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: cobra_punch
Date: November 26, 2011 at 10:51 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

How about this- only think about it when the sun is out, and you have some free time during the day. Maybe not much sun in Canada during the winter. So you won't have to think about it as much.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Jiffs
Date: November 27, 2011 at 12:13 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

yeah its crazy... you cross that border and its the land of darkness... Gotta get my sled dogs back in shape though, get me to the gym, its a little cramped in my igloo to do much training :lol:
I guess the most important question out of that post is how to eat leading up to it. I wanna make sure I feel good on Sunday

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Cbucu
Date: November 27, 2011 at 07:43 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

What do you usually eat? As long as it doesn't give ya the shits, I would say go with that.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Jiffs
Date: December 04, 2011 at 06:32 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

Well, didn't go well. I started off strong and then she started coming back at me I guess I gave up. Didn't last too long. It didn't even hurt when she hit me, I just got overwhelmed by all the punches and didn't know what to do with myself. Never really been hit before. And she was the coaches daughter and has grown up with fighting and I've only been training 6 months. Guess I got some more work to do.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/v/oZmRylROBlE[/youtube]

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: silent_nick
Date: December 05, 2011 at 09:37 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

You're much better than I was after 6 months.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Bucho
Date: December 06, 2011 at 05:10 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

You did fine for being so new to the sport. You kept your punches straight instead of devolving into panicky haymakers like a lot of first-timers do and you mixed it up nice with a couple of straight body shots and leg kicks.
Can you see what you could have done to handle your opponent's head shots better?
(p.s. The advice that you should eat what you usually eat was spot on. A week before a fight is not the time to start messing with your diet and experimenting. Do that stuff in the normal run of things because in the week before a fight it's the familiar things which help keep the nerves in check.)

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Jiffs
Date: December 06, 2011 at 07:30 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

Thanks guys. Nick, that's really nice of you to say. Are you a badass now??
And yeah, the advice about the food made sense. Gives you one less thing to think about.
Her shots to the head is definitely where I got lost. I don't think I covered up as well, and I kept turning away from her. So any time I tried to turn back to find her so I could throw something, her fist was already in my face. Then I just got frustrated and pretty much wanted that to stop. What do you do instead? I know they kept yelling at me to come forward, but by then I'd already lost it. Better movement, better blocking and better countering?

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: clockwerk
Date: December 06, 2011 at 09:24 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

How long has the coaches daughter been training for?
I ask because she's total garbage. Usually, you would think she's going to be excellent. That said, if she's only recently taken a shine to what her dad does, then no worries, but if she's been training for any length of time go train somewhere else. Seriously.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Bucho
Date: December 06, 2011 at 04:31 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

Jiffs said:
Her shots to the head is definitely where I got lost. I don't think I covered up as well, and I kept turning away from her. So any time I tried to turn back to find her so I could throw something, her fist was already in my face. Then I just got frustrated and pretty much wanted that to stop. What do you do instead? I know they kept yelling at me to come forward, but by then I'd already lost it. Better movement, better blocking and better countering?
Click to expand...
Yeah, you're on the right track for sure. It's normal to instinctively turn your face away from volume punches when you're starting out but with a little more experience and determination and training you can break out of that and get better at using a tight guard to cover up and parry, and use both footwork and head movement to keep your eye on your opponent while taking your head out of the line of her power.
The instinct that is telling you "get my face away from these punches", which makes you turn away, isn't actually a bad or wrong instinct, it's just that you want to "tune" your instinct so that your response, instead of turning your head, is to begin to form a habit of slipping while keeping your head facing her. I'm guessing you've probably already started to learn a little evasive head movement from your coaches and understand that you don't bend at the waist to slip, because that leaves you open to knees and upper cuts, you perform the motion with the legs and hips so your torso remains upright.
If you haven't started learning to slip yet here's one of the better YouTube vids which shows basic slipping by turning the hips. What the video doesn't show but you may already realise, is that in turning your hips to slip you not only remove your head from her punchline, you also load yourself up in a perfect position to counter with a hook to your opponent's body, and from your video one of the things you're already doing absolutely right is mixing in body shots. You're already changing those levels well for a beginner, so working on some slips and counter hooks to the body is a good next step.
(As a bonus this guy even has an English accent, which, to me anyway, makes almost anything more entertaining.)
[youtube]eervWfs7LsM[/youtube]

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Jiffs
Date: December 06, 2011 at 04:39 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

Coaches daughter is a wrestler (does really well provincially), I'm not sure how long she's been actually training kickboxing (longer than me though), but even she'll tell you she's not that comfortable with it. And coach is always on her case about it. Where her advantage comes from I'd say is her overall aggressiveness, and lack of fear about it. I'm sure coach has been throwing things at her since she could walk. I on the other hand might just be a better fan than a fighter. But for the positive effects of training, from fitness to confidence and everything mental about it, its worth it.
And my coach may not be the best around, but there's slim pickings where I live. And the other gym is run by a douche. I was thinking though in the new year about maybe heading over to the boxing club for a month or so, work on my hands, foot n head movement. Just for a change of scenery. I wouldn't wanna give up the kicks though.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Bucho
Date: December 06, 2011 at 05:00 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

Looks like I'm a moron when it comes to embedding vids. Try this ...
(You can also drill this at home by hanging a tennis ball on a string and having it swing at you)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/v/eervWfs7LsM[/youtube]

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Jiffs
Date: December 06, 2011 at 06:44 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

Bucho - Thank you! You've been very helpful and very encouraging! I was a little discouraged after Sunday, but its good to have things to work on, and to know I did a few things right!
The tennis ball will be a nice addition to my little training centre I'm putting together in my garage!

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: clockwerk
Date: December 06, 2011 at 11:24 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

Jiffs said:
Coaches daughter is a wrestler (does really well provincially), I'm not sure how long she's been actually training kickboxing (longer than me though), but even she'll tell you she's not that comfortable with it. And coach is always on her case about it. Where her advantage comes from I'd say is her overall aggressiveness, and lack of fear about it. I'm sure coach has been throwing things at her since she could walk. I on the other hand might just be a better fan than a fighter. But for the positive effects of training, from fitness to confidence and everything mental about it, its worth it.
And my coach may not be the best around, but there's slim pickings where I live. And the other gym is run by a douche. I was thinking though in the new year about maybe heading over to the boxing club for a month or so, work on my hands, foot n head movement. Just for a change of scenery. I wouldn't wanna give up the kicks though.
Click to expand...
Well, keep at it then! To be blunt, I really don't think you should be doing a legitimate fight after only 6 months of training. You should still be working drill sparring and focusing on technique rather than wasting your time fighting in a smoker. At least that's my thought on the matter. But don't let that discourage you. Keep training, focus on your technique, and you'll get reap the benefits.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Jiffs
Date: December 07, 2011 at 07:42 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

Clockwerk, I don't disagree at all. Nice to know a little more what to expect and what I should be training for, but yeah, gotta stick to just putting in work for now. Thanks for your input.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Brick
Date: December 07, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

Nice job. She was super-aggressive, which as you've described can be difficult to adjust to in your first time. And first time at six months is pretty quick, most wouldn't have the balls (can I say that?) to try it, so good for you. The danger of trying some type of competition that quick is getting handled and letting it get to your head, when in reality after six months you aren't supposed to be good yet anyway. But it sounds like your head is in the right place about it, it's all a learning experience.
And especially:
Jiffs said:
Never really been hit before.
Click to expand...
Probably the biggest hurdle you've just gotten over, congratulations you now have an experience the vast majority of people don't have, and I'd wager even a majority of martial artists. Even sparring can't measure up to someone really trying to hit you with bad intentions.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: troyo911
Date: December 09, 2011 at 09:04 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

i dont usually go on this forum (usually stay in the general mma one) but had a look and this thread caught my eye because im in a similar situation as you were Jiffs. I have been training for just over 12 months (mostly just once a week due to other sport commitments) but I have my first in-house fight next weekend. I guess the difference is that I've had a bit more sparring practice (ie. have been punched in the face more) so will probably be a bit more prepared. Anyway, back to your fight - heres my take on it:
After reading your post before watching the video i was expecting to see a one sided fight. But for the first 30 seconds I thought you were actually the other girl - because it looked like the girl in grey was getting the upperhand. it was only towards the end of the fight that things went downhill quickly for you. I think it was when she landed a few good shots to your head and then you pretty much shut down offence.
Don't worry too much about turning your head away from the punches. That is what every fighter does when they first start (Brock Lesnar is still doing it in the UFC!). As people have mentioned before, you just need to learn to roll with the punches. In time you'll learn to keep your guard up, your chin down and your eyes up so you can see where the punches are coming from. In the mean time if you get stuck in a bad spot its a good idea just to keep your guard up and back away/cirlce away without turning your head away.
Another thing is that not many people could keep up that kind of intensity for 3 rounds. Once you learn to defend yourself and move better your opponent will have to slow down a bit and pick their shots, rather then just bum rushing you like that girl did.
Don't get discouraged from that fight, there is a tonne of positives to take out of it and at least now you know what you need to work on
Keep doing some light sparring and soon the contact will become second nature.
Good luck!

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: clockwerk
Date: December 09, 2011 at 11:47 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

troyo911 said:
i dont usually go on this forum (usually stay in the general mma one) but had a look and this thread caught my eye because im in a similar situation as you were Jiffs. I have been training for just over 12 months (mostly just once a week due to other sport commitments) but I have my first in-house fight next weekend. I guess the difference is that I've had a bit more sparring practice (ie. have been punched in the face more) so will probably be a bit more prepared. Anyway, back to your fight - heres my take on it:
After reading your post before watching the video i was expecting to see a one sided fight. But for the first 30 seconds I thought you were actually the other girl - because it looked like the girl in grey was getting the upperhand. it was only towards the end of the fight that things went downhill quickly for you. I think it was when she landed a few good shots to your head and then you pretty much shut down offence.
Don't worry too much about turning your head away from the punches. That is what every fighter does when they first start (Brock Lesnar is still doing it in the UFC!). As people have mentioned before, you just need to learn to roll with the punches. In time you'll learn to keep your guard up, your chin down and your eyes up so you can see where the punches are coming from. In the mean time if you get stuck in a bad spot its a good idea just to keep your guard up and back away/cirlce away without turning your head away.
Another thing is that not many people could keep up that kind of intensity for 3 rounds. Once you learn to defend yourself and move better your opponent will have to slow down a bit and pick their shots, rather then just bum rushing you like that girl did.
Don't get discouraged from that fight, there is a tonne of positives to take out of it and at least now you know what you need to work on
Keep doing some light sparring and soon the contact will become second nature.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Great words man. I second all of this.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Jiffs
Date: December 10, 2011 at 12:05 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

Thanks all, seriously. All of your opinions are very much respected and appreciated. Definitely helps keep that desire to keep on alive.
Troy-- Good luck in your fight! Post it if you can!!

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Bucho
Date: December 10, 2011 at 05:42 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/first-exhibition-kb-match-next-week.43599/

troyo911 said:
After reading your post before watching the video i was expecting to see a one sided fight. But for the first 30 seconds I thought you were actually the other girl - because it looked like the girl in grey was getting the upperhand.
... In the mean time if you get stuck in a bad spot its a good idea just to keep your guard up and back away/cirlce away without turning your head away.
Click to expand...
I thought the same thing because Jiffs' technique was just as good as the other girl's and she was mixing in body shots, which beginners often forget to do in the heat of battle.
Circling out of trouble is good advice too. Again, as with head turning, the initial response to your instinct may not be helpful. It's natural to want to move straight backwards at first but as you work on developing smooth, balanced footwork you'll find ways to take evasive action by moving away to either side instead of backward. Usually the side you want to circle toward is away from your opponent's power shots. If your opponent is orthodox stance their power hand is their right so you want to circle to your right, and vice versa if you're matched against a southpaw.
Good luck for your fight Troy.