# Timing, Speed and Rhythm

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2012/09/23/blog-timing-speed-and-rhythm/
- Published: 2012-09-23T21:11:00-04:00
- Author: Brian Johns

### In the past year, I have pondered how to teach my students speed, timing, and rhythm.

I have noticed the tendency of many to be “clocklike” in their timing and rhythm.
This makes them predictable. In other words, their technique is usually “ONE-TWO,
ONE-TWO, ONE-TWO.” In musical terms, they are thinking of “the whole beat.”  This
makes them predictable. Adherence to the “whole beat” turns the technique into a“
formula,” a “pattern,” or a “habit.” [An opponent who knows how to use “broken rhythm”](https://brianejohns.com/2021/05/31/blog-4-ways-to-set-up-your-opponent/)
will have the advantage over one not knowing how to utilize rhythm.

Watching Professor Presas play, I was always amazed by how he was several steps 
ahead of his training partner.

### His superb timing and rhythm dictated his opponent’s responses and thereby being set up in the process. Speed was not the decisive factor.

Undoubtedly, there is a place for learning the gross motor movement of techniques.
There also is a place for learning how to bait, trap, lock, hit, butt, push, punch,
counter, off-balance, and sweep your opponent.

If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/VBXeM-M4TNQ).

However, one needs to add the element of broken rhythm and timing. One needs to 
feel one’s opponent’s particular rhythm and break it up. In doing so, one will put
him back on his heels.

### The difficulty is in teaching this. Part of it is in the repetition of the various tapi-tapi techniques. A professor used to say, “Repetition is the mother of skill.” While true, I think the road to mastery is accelerated when you train with a master.

Lately, one of my students and I have been developing a set of drills incorporating
the concepts of Modern Arnis. The inspiration for these drills is Master Ken Smith’s“
_Slap Off-Pull Off Flow Drill_.” See below. In addition, the drills incorporate 
concepts that I’ve learned from Master Chuck Gauss.

If you can’t see the video, click [here](https://youtu.be/gBToCeyViT4).

These concepts include the slap off, pull off, clearing, palis palis, abanico corto,
switching hands, locking, etc. The drills cycle between both partners as opposed
to “resetting.” We hope that the drills will teach the correct body mechanics of
the major concepts of Modern Arnis. Once that is done, the next level should teach
the concepts of timing and rhythm into tapi tapi. I hope that the concepts of timing
and rhythm will enable the student to transfer those concepts to joint locking, 
empty hands, takedowns, knife work, and ground control.

If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/wmy9HkzdNh4).

I’ve done some beta testing among various students, and they seem to like them. 
I’ve noticed an improvement in their timing and rhythm. It will take time to tweak
the basic drills and their variations. I admit I still have much more to learn in
this area. However, this area is where I have made the most significant strides 
in the last few years.

## Thoughts?

## Additional Reading

 * [Four Reasons Why Filipino Martial Arts Suck](https://brianejohns.com/2021/01/25/blog-four-reasons-why-filipino-martial-arts-suck-2/)
 * [Randomly Breaking The Rhythm](https://brianejohns.com/2022/10/05/blog-breaking-the-rhythm/)
 * [Go With The Flow!](https://brianejohns.com/2015/04/13/blog-go-with-the-flow/)
 * [How Hard Do You Really Train?](https://brianejohns.com/2016/01/11/blog-how-hard-do-you-really-train/)
 * [4 Ways To Set Up Your Opponent](https://brianejohns.com/2021/05/31/blog-4-ways-to-set-up-your-opponent/)

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