Martial Arts Q & A's - What Common Mistakes do Beginners Make?
Posted: April 10, 2023
When you start your martial arts journey, it's important to remember that the path is full of mistakes. Mistakes are how you get better. No one ever starts and does a perfect technique. If you pay attention to your practice, mistakes can help you learn the proper techniques. However, there are some common mistakes most beginners make that they don't have to. By paying attention to a few things, you can bypass these mistakes and train properly and advance faster.
Here are some of the most frequent ones and how to avoid them:
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Poor stance: A weak or improper stance can make you vulnerable to attacks and make your movements less effective. Make sure to practice your stance regularly and ask your instructor for feedback on your form.
My kung-fu instructor made sure I understood the importance of stance work. He would not let me move on until I proved to him that I had strong, deep stances and could move from them. I am so thankful that I had an instructor that understood this. Some of the workouts were brutally hard. But, looking back I would not be the martial artist I am today without those workouts. Train your stances. Understand them. And then train them some more. -
Lack of focus: It's important to stay focused during training and avoid distractions. Practice being present and mindful during your practice, and make sure to set clear goals for yourself. Add some breathing exercises to your training. Focus on getting full breaths. Beginners hold their breath too much while they train and this causes all sorts of troubles.
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Rushing through techniques: Beginners often try to rush through techniques without focusing on the details. Take your time and focus on proper technique and form, even if it means going slower than others. Slow enough to have flow and be able to fix the mistakes, fast enough to have flow and not lose your balance.
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Not practicing enough: Consistency is key in martial arts. Practice regularly, even if it's just a few minutes a day, to develop muscle memory and improve your skills. A little practice goes a long way. Most beginners are so afraid of making mistakes that they don't practice at all. I want beginners to practice from day one. Not to just get better, but to develop the habit of practice from day one.
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Not asking questions: Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek feedback from your instructor. They are there to help you improve and answer any questions you have. My instructor encouraged questions, as I do, but I also want you to have thought about your question and have an answer. That way you learn more.
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Being too tense: Tension can make movements less effective and increase the risk of injury. Practice breathing exercises and relaxation techniques to help reduce tension and improve your movements. Stop trying to hit hard or fast, just work on the techniques and if you keep at it they will become very fast and powerful.
Remember, martial arts is a journey, and mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. By recognizing and avoiding these common mistakes, you can progress more quickly and enjoy your training more fully.