Alin75 answered Thursday February 1 2007, 9:47 pm: Agree with answer below. Best of all though, get a buddy and spar together. Focus particularly on grappling techniques as they are the most effective. Dont get me wrong, punching and kicking is great, but if you cant groundfight, you cant fight at all.
First thing to learn and master is balance. A sparing partner is invaluable since you can feel what its like to have to deal with someones bodyweight.
Without lessons I think the best thing to do is focus on elementary techiques. Often they are the most effective anyway. Basic takedowns, basic chokes, defending against chokes (e.g. developing the reflex to keep your chin down), simple punches, low kicks, and surviving on your back (search youtube for "the Gracie guard" and you will get some examples).
Otherwise watch videos. Personally I recommend early UFCs (particularly 3 and 5) before they added all the rules. You can learn a lot from those guys. Shadowboxing is great, as is practicing low knee high kicks. When you see a video or learn a new technique, visualise the scenario in your mind. Its amazing how much that can help when you have to do the real thing. [ Alin75's advice column | Ask Alin75 A Question ]
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