Video of the Week 16: Get Off The Couch!

The Importance of Repetitions

Talk to any martial arts Grandmaster or an all-time great, and you will hear about the importance of repetitions for any technique or concept. Repetition is a critical aspect of training and development for martial artists at any level. I tell folks, “Stop eating your cheeseburgers and fries, get off the couch and let’s get some reps in!”

As you can see in the video above, I demonstrated several repetitions of the Modern Arnis angles of attack—10 repetitions on each side—which took only 8 minutes. My question for students is, “Can you spare 10 minutes outside of class practicing some basics?”

Some are dedicated enough to find time to practice a few minutes a day, but some, unfortunately, don’t.

Here are some reasons why repetitions are so important in martial arts.

Mastery of Techniques

Repetition is the pathway to mastery. Consistently practicing specific movements allows martial artists to develop muscle memory. The more you practice the angles of attack, the more natural the movements become. I can tell you that my angles of attack have become more efficient and streamlined over the years. It used to be a bit exaggerated and telegraphic. Nowadays, not so much.

Precision and Accuracy

In Modern Arnis, precision and accuracy in stick striking are vital. Repeating the angles of attack multiple times helps improve the efficiency and speed of your attacks. Each repetition is an opportunity to streamline the line of attack and develop exquisite control over your stick.

Building Endurance and Strength

Repetition is not just about skill; it also builds physical endurance and strength. In the above video, I demonstrated the angles of attack with a light stick. As your arms become conditioned, you can switch to heavier sticks to enhance your strength and striking power.

A friend of mine once said to me “Man, I notice a difference in your forearms from a couple of years ago. Have you been doing forearm exercises?”

I replied, “Yeah, I’ve been doing angles of attack and lots of solo training.”

Mental Discipline

Martial arts are as much a mental practice as a physical one. This is where my “get off the couch” mentality comes into play. It’s half joking and half serious. You have to get up and put in the reps. If you entertain notions of becoming a black belt or reaching a high skill level, you must practice. That means repetitions! If you can get off the couch and practice, you can reach your goal.

Conclusion

The late Professor Remy Presas used to tell us, “You must flactice!” The man was old school, and repetitions were practically a religion to him.

Repetition is indispensable. It promotes mastery, enhances precision, builds physical strength, and sharpens mental discipline. By committing to repetitive practice, Modern Arnis players ensure efficiency in their movements and techniques.

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