Why kids should do Martial Arts

In our day and age everything seems to promote violence. Music contains aggressive lyrics, video games allow you to kill, steal or maime, and the news is all negative and almost depressing as we reminisce about the 'good ole days' when we were growing up. 

With all this going on the thought of getting your kids involved in Martial Arts doesn't seem like the best idea at first. You may be surprised to learn that enrolling into a martial arts dojo / gym is REALLY beneficial to kids. The movies, game manufacturers have got it wrong - martial arts is not about going around punching and kicking everything that moves.

In fact, here are a few reasons why kids should be doing Martial Arts…

1. Nurturing Self-Dicipline. All martial arts have a grounding in self discipline. Kids today get rewards for almost everything and while this works very well lessons in self-restraint and personal discipline aren't easily to learn. Kids doing Martial Arts are taught this discipline at every lesson. After all - punching or kicking someone just because you disagree is totally unacceptable.
2. Enhancing social skills - the fact is we as parents keep our kids on tighter leashes than we were given as parents, the press paint a very constant and negative picture of the dangers that may be out there. socialising is left for school or social media. Martial Arts clubs allow kids to make new friends, friends with a common interest. Most Martial Arts training is completed with friends in a partner-driven formal. It also promotes camaraderie and teamwork.
3. Getting the little ones off the computer is a great idea in theory, but there only so much that you can do. Enrolling your kids into an Art that is physically demanding and fun will keep your kids healthy and give them the right foundations to take into adulthood. 
4. Setting and achieving goals - Most Martial Arts systems are based on a syllabus with periodic examinations called gradings. When your kids are selected to take a grading examination and then pass the sense of achievement is very hard to beat. This teaches them a valuable lesson about setting and reaching intermediate goals.
5. Improved Self Esteem - Confidence comes with achievement, every new friend they make, every new technique they learn, every grade they pass, every competition they take part in helps to increase your kids confidence. Kids with a low self esteem often grow in confidence in short periods of time.
6. Respect - Something that is missing in modern life, respect is achieved through Martial Arts training, the arena that you train is steeped in tradition. It will be taught through repetition and will automatically be carried forward into everyday life.
7. Conflict Resolution - By teaching kids self defence through Martial Arts training they will also be taught that conflict is the last option. Frequent training teaches kids that they have no need to prove themselves on the playground and respect for others is more important than caving there skulls in. It also gives them the ability to defend against an aggressor as a last resort.
8. Better Listening Skills – In order to master the skills kids are being taught through the grading syllabus, your child will have to listen. combining verbal instruction with physical moves is a proven way of promoting better listening skills. The instructors can see what children are not processing information correctly because it will be obvious in the techniques performed they can then spend extra time on the kids ensuring that listening objectives are met.
9. Improvement in Other Areas of Life – The benefits of martial arts training don’t end in the gym. The boost in confidence, increased fitness level and new cooperation skills will also help your child navigate school life, behaviour will improve at home and generally they have an all-around good influence on you child as he develops into an adult.
10. Becoming a more considerate person - as they progress thought the grading syllabus children will take on more responsibility in the club, they will be chosen to demonstrate techniques and even given new students to mentor. This again has benefits outside the gym with more consideration being taken at school or at home with siblings.

If you are worried about nurturing the demons within, go and have a look at some of the clubs in your area. Speak with the instructors, other parents and try not to be too dismissive of the arts before you've done some research. You may even find that training is the perfect activity for your entire family to do together!

Guide to being a cornerman

A cornerman's primary responsibility is for the safety of his fighter. The team are also responsible for formulating tactics and contingency plans to be discussed during the break between rounds.

The team usually consisting of three including the coach / instructor will provide any first aid treatment, provide water, wipe sweat from the fighters and apply precautions such as vaseline while the coach or instructor discussed tactics with the fighter.
The corner team will need some equipment - some will be suppplied by the fighter, some will be owned by the club and shared between fighters. 


Materials:


1. A Tote. Basically a vessel for carrying all your equipment, making it easily accessible.


2. Water/Ice. Water for preventing dehydration, and ice for reducing swelling.


3. Icepack.  They are used to treat swelling and preventing strains and pulls. Ice packs can be purchased online or you can improvise using a plastic bag filled with ice and stuffed into a small pillowcase. 



4. Spit bucket. No one wants spit in the ring!
4. Bruise Iron, stored and chilled with the ice the iron is used to compress areas of swelling.




5. Towel. To clean up sweat, blood, etc.


6. Tape. 1 inch tape will serve you just fine. Again, this is for wrapping hands and can also be used to tape your fighters gloves, shin guards or anything else that may move around during the fight.


7. Cotton Swabs for cuts and nose bleeds.


8. Vaseline. Applied to areas that are likely to be cut like the cheeks, and eye ridges, forehead and bridge of the nose.


9. Scissors.


10. Latex gloves. We don't want to share blood.



11. Stop Watch. The more information you can get on timing of the rounds and how long you have left between rounds the better.


12. Thai Oil / Cream for massaging into areas that have suffered trauma.


13. Spray bottle for cooling down the fighter.


Preparing your fighter..


Once you have wrapped your fighters hands you will need to start the warming up process. Don't leave it too late and don't start off hours before the fight. Start with a little skipping and light shadow boxing.

After several rounds of 3 mins move onto the pads - remember this is a warm up - its easy to get carried away and start showing off to the inevitable audience. do several rounds on the pads methodically working though the different muscle groups. No more than 20 mins.


Once in the ring


Here are some things to keep in mind. K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) Its your job as a cornerman to plan tactics with your fighter. Don't try to explain new techniques to your fighter, this will lead to confusion in the ring.

At this stage your fighter should already be in the zone - meaning he is hyped up and ready to goto work. As a coach its best at this stage to be positive, tell him how confident you are in his abilities.

Follow your strategy and have a contingency ready. Remember. K.I.S.S. when planning - know your fighters limits - tornado kicks look amazing but are hard to land - you are more likely to win the fight by scoring plenty of clean shots.


When the fight has started you and your team will adopt different rolls, the coach will communicate with the fighter, one of your cornermen will watch for any signs of weakness from the other fighter giving the information to the coach so it can be exploited in the next round. 

The other members of the team will watch your own fighter for areas that the other team could exploit - this member will also be timing the round and communicating with the coach.


When back in the corner between rounds :-


1.    The Main Corner Man. (Coach / Instructor) 


Get your fighter to sit on the stool, remove his gum shield and get him to raise his legs to promote good circulation. Make sure he is sat up straight to help breathing. Give him a drink and get him to spit the first couple of gulps to flush out any impurities, you can also see if he is bleeding in his mouth.


Stand in front of the fighter and look him in the eye. Only tell him what he needs to hear (K.I.S.S.) If he's doing well tell him. If he's not doing too well, then tell him that he could do better. Give him simple instructions, Keep your guard up, throw a simple Jab, Cross, Low Kick combination. 

Be confident refresh the strategy, exploit the opponents mistakes and weaknesses.


2.    The Second / Third Cornerman.


Your job is easier, your dealing with the fighter in the physical aspect. Hold the spit bucket close to the fighter, put the icepack on the neck or any other area thats taken a beating.

Get rid of the sweat from the body and apply more vaseline.
1. If he is cut apply pressure for the full time you are there. Use some gauze so that any excess blood is contained.
2. Make sure you are wearing gloves for the long term safety of the fighter and yourself.

Repeat for each round...

Get Fit Team

Our Annual Get Fit Team challenge starts on Sunday 5th January 2014.

The challenge is to complete a series of 8 Sunday morning activities that will take place over the first few months of the year.

Each Activity will be repeated several times allowing participants to monitor an improvement in fitness.

An example would be the town park run, where each time you complete it you can increase your reps on each base showing you an improvement.

The cost of the challenge is a one off payment of £20, this includes transport when we are not in Telford.

We will be covering AMRAP, FARTLEK & TABATA training techniques.

If you would like to take part in the challenge you should also think about making some temporary lifestyle changes like stopping drinking / smoking & changing your diet for the duration of the challenge..

FAQ

Why Sunday Morning?
Sunday morning has been identified as the day of the week that you are most likely to 'cheat' on your new years resolutions.

How hard will it be?
Its about pushing your own limits, it will be as hard as you make it..

What if i can't make every event?
You should try and make each activity so you can monitor progress, however each activity can be completed in your own time. The challenge is about changing your lifestyle and by learning routes in your neighbourhood you will be able to continue your hard work after the challenge has been completed.

How do I pay?
The cost is £20, this can be paid via paypal to mk07817205304@gmail.com or in cash during on the 2nd January.

Can I pay on the day?
NO SORRY, we can't leave cash in the cars / bus and we can't risk carrying around with us during the activity - Paypal is the best option send it to - mk07817205304@gmail.com

Can I join later on in the challenge?
NO SORRY, the challenge is about continuous improvement - beating previous times, reps etc.. If you start half way through you won't have any data to beat..

Can my friends come?
NO SORRY, this is a Telford Thai Boxing club event. Members have already signed a disclaimer for participation in club activities. We can't take the risk. Get them to join the club and they can take part ;-)

NOTE - this challenge is NOT to replace your current training at TTB - its designed to accompany club train

Christmas Opening Times

We will be closing on Thursday 19th December and re-opening on Thursday 2nd January 2014.

We would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and New Year. Eat & Drink loads and come back in January ready to work hard and achieve your goals ;-)