Never Yield
2 years ago
Monday, May 21, 2012
On
9:00 AM
by
Unknown
1 comment
This video is not very long but presents a few topics that are worth discussing.
Here is a quick run down of thoughts I came across:
He didn't go into the theory of plateaus much and how they operate with cognative plasticity. Generally you reach a mental plateau when the skill becomes well set into the autonomous stage, however it also means that you have reached a point where how you are learning the skill has peaked with how well you can process a particular subset of information. This is why, "changing it up" or practicing weaker skill sets causes more constant improvement. Actual linear plateaus don't exists if you are constantly trying to improve, only the slope of the learning curve (which is different of every person).
The brain has a natural tendency to rehearse new information, even more so with things you find interesting, and progressively fix it more and more into your memory. The idea of being "driven" improves the amount of information entered into your memory as your brain will change physically to accommodate it. This is called sensory upgrading if your interested, where there is an increase in pre- and post-synaptic neurons that help establish stronger long/sort-term memories.
Also, and yes instructors you'll get a kick of of this, cognitively humans respond more rapidly to fear/pain and learn faster. These negative responses will over ride pleasure/reward aspects of the brain every time. This is why critical comments that break down failures with our fighting help us learn more quickly rather than complements, which lull us into more of an Autonomous stage and decrease the level of improvement overall. This ties into a previous post, on being coach-able.
(My knights response to this: I was thinking that perhaps it is time for the squires to spend a few months fighting off hand )
With out actually mentioning the term visualization he did talk a bit about it. By geeking out and recording patterns, that he found within more successful writers texts, he was able to improve his memory/writing by working within these noticeable subsets. His over all abilities changed because he was able to adapt by visualizing how they needed to be change.
My Knight's Thoughts:
Consider if there is value in spending 20 minutes a day visualizing (replaying) a difficult or failed engagement. This is not studying video (a different and valuable tool also allowing study of the masters as well as personal failure) but rather closing the eyes and being in the fight again. Visualize and feel the execution of variations on your original actions. Try different weight balance, on guard positions, foot motion, hand and elbow positions and motions.... It should be difficult or impossible not to have the body responding to the replay.
I think the other key point that I missed emphasizing is the "study yourself failing." Failure for the sake of failure means little and failing as an excuse against learning should be anathema to the student. What do I mean by this last bit? When another advises and the response is a rejection of advise because the student is focused on failing, I think the point of the failing is missed. The point is to push the envelope of skill and skill set to the point of failure, analyze (and accept analysis) and adjust.
Here is a quick run down of thoughts I came across:
He didn't go into the theory of plateaus much and how they operate with cognative plasticity. Generally you reach a mental plateau when the skill becomes well set into the autonomous stage, however it also means that you have reached a point where how you are learning the skill has peaked with how well you can process a particular subset of information. This is why, "changing it up" or practicing weaker skill sets causes more constant improvement. Actual linear plateaus don't exists if you are constantly trying to improve, only the slope of the learning curve (which is different of every person).
The brain has a natural tendency to rehearse new information, even more so with things you find interesting, and progressively fix it more and more into your memory. The idea of being "driven" improves the amount of information entered into your memory as your brain will change physically to accommodate it. This is called sensory upgrading if your interested, where there is an increase in pre- and post-synaptic neurons that help establish stronger long/sort-term memories.
Also, and yes instructors you'll get a kick of of this, cognitively humans respond more rapidly to fear/pain and learn faster. These negative responses will over ride pleasure/reward aspects of the brain every time. This is why critical comments that break down failures with our fighting help us learn more quickly rather than complements, which lull us into more of an Autonomous stage and decrease the level of improvement overall. This ties into a previous post, on being coach-able.
(My knights response to this: I was thinking that perhaps it is time for the squires to spend a few months fighting off hand )
With out actually mentioning the term visualization he did talk a bit about it. By geeking out and recording patterns, that he found within more successful writers texts, he was able to improve his memory/writing by working within these noticeable subsets. His over all abilities changed because he was able to adapt by visualizing how they needed to be change.
My Knight's Thoughts:
Consider if there is value in spending 20 minutes a day visualizing (replaying) a difficult or failed engagement. This is not studying video (a different and valuable tool also allowing study of the masters as well as personal failure) but rather closing the eyes and being in the fight again. Visualize and feel the execution of variations on your original actions. Try different weight balance, on guard positions, foot motion, hand and elbow positions and motions.... It should be difficult or impossible not to have the body responding to the replay.
I think the other key point that I missed emphasizing is the "study yourself failing." Failure for the sake of failure means little and failing as an excuse against learning should be anathema to the student. What do I mean by this last bit? When another advises and the response is a rejection of advise because the student is focused on failing, I think the point of the failing is missed. The point is to push the envelope of skill and skill set to the point of failure, analyze (and accept analysis) and adjust.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
On
3:11 PM
by
Unknown
No comments
Life is a hard mistress and I will be missing the Crown Tournament this weekend. Good luck to the top contenders!!! I look forward to greeting our new royalty.
This Saturday I'll be competing in my second 5k mud race. To remedy the mistakes of the first I come into this with better shoes, New Balance MT10, and a new set of compression running gear. The Minimus shoes offer light weight, snug fit, quick drainage for mud and water, as well as good traction. So far they have performed very well. Unlike the first race, as an individual competitor, I will be competing as part of a 4 man team. Our overall score will be an average of the first and last members of the group to cross the finish line. We've all been training and will be able to top our old score of 45 minutes. Even though our fitness strengths vary, staying together and dominating the obstacles will be no problem.
Mind-over-matter. The desire to dominate the course successfully will pull the team through. This race is the month marker for the Spartan Race in June. It will indicate how far all of us have come and how far we need to go before that race. It is crucial to continue the race training uninterrupted. This Race on Saturday will look like a cake walk compared to what we will experience in June; A brutal, hilly run, combined with such obstacles as a 500-800 meter barbwire crawl.....
How you might ask does all this relate to fighting. Perseverance, intensity, fitness and learning personal limitations are just a few of the benefits. Great feats of physical prowess, this is how we offset sword training, because in the gym you can't leave your competition in the mud....
This Saturday I'll be competing in my second 5k mud race. To remedy the mistakes of the first I come into this with better shoes, New Balance MT10, and a new set of compression running gear. The Minimus shoes offer light weight, snug fit, quick drainage for mud and water, as well as good traction. So far they have performed very well. Unlike the first race, as an individual competitor, I will be competing as part of a 4 man team. Our overall score will be an average of the first and last members of the group to cross the finish line. We've all been training and will be able to top our old score of 45 minutes. Even though our fitness strengths vary, staying together and dominating the obstacles will be no problem.
Mind-over-matter. The desire to dominate the course successfully will pull the team through. This race is the month marker for the Spartan Race in June. It will indicate how far all of us have come and how far we need to go before that race. It is crucial to continue the race training uninterrupted. This Race on Saturday will look like a cake walk compared to what we will experience in June; A brutal, hilly run, combined with such obstacles as a 500-800 meter barbwire crawl.....
How you might ask does all this relate to fighting. Perseverance, intensity, fitness and learning personal limitations are just a few of the benefits. Great feats of physical prowess, this is how we offset sword training, because in the gym you can't leave your competition in the mud....
Thursday, May 3, 2012
I've increased the intensity of my workouts and switched to more of a CrossFit style that focuses on both strength and conditioning. The constant varied, high intensity, movements are aimed at improving general physical preparedness across a broad range of times and situations. These workouts are typically short, 20 minutes or less, and demand all-out physical exertion. They combine movements such as sprinting, rowing, weightlifting, and rope climbing as well as plyometrics and other exercises that rely on body weight.
To improve my cardio I run everyday. Not the same distance mind you but consistently to ensure my body adapts and grows the capillaries I need to stay strong throughout a race. I've found a pace that I can keep for over four miles, approximately 9:45 minutes per mile, which is not where I want to be but the stability throughout the run is more important right now as I train my knees to deal with my activity level. Monday was my rest day, so on Tuesday I ran 4.5 miles in 40 minutes. Yesterday I did 20 minutes of HIIT, or high intensity interval training, on the elliptical and managed to shave 40 seconds off of my 2.25 mile run time. Overall I'm please with this result. This means my 5k race time should be much better, and that defeating the obstacles will take less time. I also stretched well after the run to keep my muscles from becoming too stiff with all the back-to-back workouts I've been doing.
Nutrition is also in the forefront of my mind. I burn quick and need to remember I'm not doing this to loose weight but to gain muscle and strength. It is difficult for me to increase the amount and type of foods that I need when I see friends slamming protein shakes instead of eating meals. Their calorie intake is not MY calorie intake and I need to remember to focus on what is best for my training not just what everyone else is doing.
Sword training is moving forward. If I can get my body to catch up with my mind I could have a bit more synergy during my fights. Working on the pel is helping greatly. Here I can go through the blows slowly, pick apart footwork, body mechanics and hip shifts all of which are slowly becoming muscle memory. It's definitely a bit of a grind but the results are well worth it. Getting a camera set up so I can post videos of training/practice sparing/etc..as well as learn how to critique them. Comments in the future are encouraged.
To improve my cardio I run everyday. Not the same distance mind you but consistently to ensure my body adapts and grows the capillaries I need to stay strong throughout a race. I've found a pace that I can keep for over four miles, approximately 9:45 minutes per mile, which is not where I want to be but the stability throughout the run is more important right now as I train my knees to deal with my activity level. Monday was my rest day, so on Tuesday I ran 4.5 miles in 40 minutes. Yesterday I did 20 minutes of HIIT, or high intensity interval training, on the elliptical and managed to shave 40 seconds off of my 2.25 mile run time. Overall I'm please with this result. This means my 5k race time should be much better, and that defeating the obstacles will take less time. I also stretched well after the run to keep my muscles from becoming too stiff with all the back-to-back workouts I've been doing.
Nutrition is also in the forefront of my mind. I burn quick and need to remember I'm not doing this to loose weight but to gain muscle and strength. It is difficult for me to increase the amount and type of foods that I need when I see friends slamming protein shakes instead of eating meals. Their calorie intake is not MY calorie intake and I need to remember to focus on what is best for my training not just what everyone else is doing.
Sword training is moving forward. If I can get my body to catch up with my mind I could have a bit more synergy during my fights. Working on the pel is helping greatly. Here I can go through the blows slowly, pick apart footwork, body mechanics and hip shifts all of which are slowly becoming muscle memory. It's definitely a bit of a grind but the results are well worth it. Getting a camera set up so I can post videos of training/practice sparing/etc..as well as learn how to critique them. Comments in the future are encouraged.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
On
2:27 PM
by
Unknown
No comments
I'm almost certain there is nothing worse than attending a large practice and needing to sit aside the fighting due to injury. It was really really difficult to stand there and watch everyone. I could feel my willpower slipping as my mind diverged into two paths.
(1) gear up and fight. Hope no one hits me in the arm.
(2) leave
So voicing my irritation to my knight yielded a frustrating but useful third option.
(3) observe. Watch footwork and body motion, compare to skills I've learned on the pel and in gear. Not the option I wanted to hear but the one that helps build observation and understanding of movement and blow placement within a fight. Oh, and that patience thing.
Some other thoughts:
Keeping a cool head in a fight. I don't mean anger but control, the ability to not become caught up in the fight and forget technique. Some times when I get really excited about fighting I want to rush in head first and pretend like I'm a 6'4" and 250lbs. The end result is usually pretty humorous if you've ever watched me spar. To control this I've been focusing in keeping my elbow tucked into my body, to reduce flailing/blows that are all arm, keeping my footwork active, and being aware of range. There is a lot going on during a fight. By continuing to drill these things into my sub conscience I hope to worry less about what my body is doing and more about what my opponent is up to.
(1) gear up and fight. Hope no one hits me in the arm.
(2) leave
So voicing my irritation to my knight yielded a frustrating but useful third option.
(3) observe. Watch footwork and body motion, compare to skills I've learned on the pel and in gear. Not the option I wanted to hear but the one that helps build observation and understanding of movement and blow placement within a fight. Oh, and that patience thing.
Some other thoughts:
Keeping a cool head in a fight. I don't mean anger but control, the ability to not become caught up in the fight and forget technique. Some times when I get really excited about fighting I want to rush in head first and pretend like I'm a 6'4" and 250lbs. The end result is usually pretty humorous if you've ever watched me spar. To control this I've been focusing in keeping my elbow tucked into my body, to reduce flailing/blows that are all arm, keeping my footwork active, and being aware of range. There is a lot going on during a fight. By continuing to drill these things into my sub conscience I hope to worry less about what my body is doing and more about what my opponent is up to.
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