28/7/18 - visit to Richmond fitness martial arts training centre

Went with a mate to a specially designated martial arts training gym. classes range from gi and no gi BJJ, MMA, Boxing and Kickboxing.

www.richmondfitnessclub.co.uk

The club is run by pro and semi pro fighters and has a mixture of Pro/semi pro and amateur/hobbiests training at the centre.

I took part in the Boxing session.

Warm up:

3x rounds of: 2 min skimming follow by 10x press up, sit up, squats, burpees

movement drill - follow partner back forward left right trying to maintain the distance (like we do at the club)

Slipping drill:

Slip jab/cross then bob and weave lead and rear hook

Then do this drill while constantly moving forward and while constantly moving backwards (I liked this, was quite tricky but with a bit more drilling could be really useful!)

Focus mitts:

Body mechanics for jab, cross hook and uppercut - singles, doubles and following commands of the pad holder

Pad combos:

Jab
Cross, pad holder replies with a jab, slip, right reply with cross hook cross
Hook. pad holder replies with a cross. slip left and reply with hook cross hook
Uppercut, pad holder replies with jab, either lean back/rock back or slip right and reply with cross hook cross.

Pad holder would then call out any combo and they will feed a return off your last hit.. e.g jab cross hook so you would then do the evasion off of their reply to the hook (see above).

As always keep guard up, good technique and movement.

Body only light sparring:

focus on light conditioning and movement to create angles for body shots

Sparring: (light as I didn't have a gum shield)

using big gloves

did about 6x 3 min rounds with various partners. Some very experienced people there, lots of excellent movement and manipulation of range, and some really large guys (thank god they were going light!). I actually did ok, hit them as often as they hit me (at least) and surprised a few of them I think.

My general observations were that my range and distance was off, probably a little too far out (over cautious?) also I was finding it difficult to cut angles. This could be because of the range, starting the movement too far out, that I hadn't "sold them" on hits before the attempt to move off line, or that they were just very quick to react.

Timing was really important the "trickier" the partner was, and also spotting or making patterns... seeing how they block and move, forcing them to guard in a way which leave openings and being mindful of possible returns.

Sparring against people I don't know and have no idea what they will do or are capable of was really interesting, and certainly has allowed me to see how far I've come in being able to post patterns and implement strategy, as well as how far I still have to go (range/distancing is a must, plus angles so that when I land, even if light, I feel like a could land with power instead of just a tap)

All in all a fun time, good quality coaching and something I may sporadically attend (life schedule permitting) to "test out" things from the club.