If you want to have a good time, you should seriously consider getting involved in some recreational sporting fun. I have just returned from an amazing weekend on the golf course. Before now, I didn't see the point of hitting a very small ball around a big field. However, when you understand the game, it is a lot of fun. The weekend before, I was sailing in a boat and that was exhilarating. Before I was introduced to these activities, my weekends were quite dull. I decided to start this blog to encourage others to get involved and to have some fun!
Here are two common mistakes people make when they first begin taking martial arts classes.
Not Taking the Basic Safety Protocols They’ve Been Shown Seriously
Because martial arts classes involve movements and interactions which might result in injury, most martial arts class teachers will give their students a list of safety protocols to follow. For example, they might tell the students to inform their sparring partners of any physical injuries or limitations they have before they begin doing drills or sparring sessions.
This will ensure their class partner knows to avoid contact with the area of the person's body that is particularly vulnerable to injury. If a person doesn't give their sparring partner this information because, for example, they mistakenly assume practising martial arts is about being tough and powering through their injuries or physical limitations, their class partner could unintentionally injure them. Similarly, if a person is careless about staying at the required distance from their class partner when doing kicking drills, there is a chance that they might accidentally collide with or strike their partner and seriously hurt them. By taking the time to listen to the teacher's description of the safety protocols, and then abiding by them, students in these classes can avoid disrupting the class and possibly having to take a long break from this activity, as a result of inflicting or experiencing an avoidable injury.
Focusing On Speed and Power, Instead of Proper Technique and Form
It's very common for new martial arts students to mistakenly focus on speed and power when practising this activity, instead of proper form and technique. This is often due to them incorrectly assuming that being forceful and quick in their movements will make them better martial artists or might make their movements look more impressive to those around them.
However, if a person does this instead of slowly practising and perfecting their strikes, blocks, kicks or jabs, they will not progress very quickly. Instead, they may find themselves stuck at a beginner-level martial arts class for longer than they might like. Additionally, if a person tries to use speed and power with every move, they could easily overexert themselves, to the point where they burnout and need to take a break from their martial arts classes (which could slow their progress even more). Lastly, if a person uses too much force with improper technique, they'll be more likely to hurt themselves. For example, if a person doesn't focus on their footwork and weight distribution before trying to do a fast and powerful roundhouse kick, they could lose their balance, fall and sustain an injury.
Keep these tips in mind when looking to take martial arts classes from a local program.