Martial art
Learning how to sink your weight is an important component to every martial art; it increases base, balance, and power. In Muay Thai kickboxing, power comes when you set your weight down to throw punches. You’re more mobile and your footwork is quicker when you’re on your toes, but to really access knockout power you need to ‘sit in’ to punches with your feet set and a solid base. In a ground based martial art such as Jiu Jitsu and grappling, the closer together your knees are and the higher up you’re sitting, the more vulnerable you are to being swept to your back. In Krav Maga, setting your weight is especially important for the bear hug techniques and grabs. It makes you “heavier” and harder to drag or pick up. Anyone who has tried to pick up a toddler in the midst of a tantrum knows how this works…the kid sinks his weight down suddenly and causes you to throw out your back! If we instinctively knew to do it as children, then our bodies can be taught to remember it. So give it a try when you’re training! It’s especially helpful when you feel off balance or unstable, such as when you’re hitting and you start standing too tall and leaning or falling into punches. Bend your knees, crunch your abs a little, and feel yourself get “heavier” and centered over your hips. On the ground, if you’re in guard or side control, for example, try widening your knees and sitting your hips back and closer to the floor to increase your stability and control. If you teach yourself to find and recover your base, it will eventually become automatic and a valuable tool that will assist you in any martial art you pursue.
~Katie Toney
Elite Training Center
1628 South Pacific Coast Highway,
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 543-1600
www.elitetrainingcenter.net
