Ease of Movement

For this week, my instructor is gone, and knowing that I had MT background he told me to supervise the class, go over the basics, and teach stand-up sparring without grappling. [I am his first student, and also the class Sempai]

So off to the sweaty gloves, sandbag and kickpads we were. After an hour of exhausting cardio training, I told them that they were allowed a 5 minute rest and then it would be continous sparring for 1/2 an hour[two people spar, when one can't continue, another just jumps in, repeat until everyone has done].

I started first with another student that was fairly top-form. We started easily then I increased the pace. After 4 minutes, he dropped out. I was able to go one for like 3 people [I didn't punch or kick anyone, it was more like them attacking, I was evading and "tap" them when oppurtinity shows].

Now I see that after a little footwork, some become really exhausted. Some don't. Is this some type of muscle memory that makes the movement easier? I felt tired, but still continuing the footwork, punching and kicking wasn't tiring me out. I asked the student who didn't tire out what type of sport they had done before. One played soccer, another one played wrestling.

Is it me, or is it that after many years of repeated movement, that movement won't take much effort to do? I don't know, seeing the other exhausted and barely able to kick, it was like seeing to people standing with guard up and just starring at each other with the occassional slap with the glove.

So, if this is the case is there some way to promote motional ease? I think that if they are able to move without taking too much energy, it would really benefit their judo.

I'm sorry if this post sounded like a rant, but I feel that if I am able to help the other student, that it must be done. Thanks in advance for any help.

-Taison out

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Now I see that after a little footwork, some become really exhausted. Some don't. Is this some type of muscle memory that makes the movement easier? I felt tired, but still continuing the footwork, punching and kicking wasn't tiring me out. I asked the student who didn't tire out what type of sport they had done before. One played soccer, another one played wrestling.

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Can I suggest that soccer requires a high degree of cardiovascular fitness, since you are on the pitch for 90 mins. I believe some footballers can complete the bleep test- certainly David Beckham could a few years ago.

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Is it me, or is it that after many years of repeated movement, that movement won't take much effort to do? I don't know, seeing the other exhausted and barely able to kick, it was like seeing to people standing with guard up and just starring at each other with the occassional slap with the glove.

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I think you've got it pretty much bang on. As you develop your technique, you are able to do it more efficiently, that is minimizing the energy required and maximizing the speed and/or power of the technique. This is the definition of skill. I think this plays a major role in sparring endurance, however plain old cardiovascular fitness also play a major role.

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So, if this is the case is there some way to promote motional ease? I think that if they are able to move without taking too much energy, it would really benefit their judo.

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Practice, practice, practice I feel is the order of the day. THe other thing that is supposed to be very beneficial for footwork, and I myself use it when I train for basketball, are ladder drills, for example SAQ. These are not only great for co-ordination, but they make your movement easier and more efficient- therefore more endurance in sparring.