Expert: Alan Kahn - 2/25/2008

Question
Respected Mr. Alan Kahn
Hi
i am a fitness freak and a die hard fan of martial arts esp. Karate and Muay Thai. can ou please tell me some combinations which i can use for practice i know this is a very vague question but i just want to carry on with my training in the absence of any coach. on Karate ranking i am brown belt. please give me some good combinations accordingly....

Answer
Hello Alok

Congratulations on your brown belt in Karate. That means you are an advanced student and worthy of much respect. I hope you will receive your black belt soon.

I can suggest a few combinations for you, featuring (1) just hand combinations and (2) hands and feet combinations. These will be fairly basic and as a brown belt you should be able to do them.

I assume you train to fight from both basic stances with a left leg or right leg forward. Most martial artists train to fight from both, both you can favor one side or the other if you like.

Punching Combinations.

2 punch combinations.  

Lead fist Jab, Jab.
Lead fist Jab, rear fist Straight Punch
Lead fist Jab, rear fist Hook
Lead fist Jab, rear fist uppercut
Lead fist jab, Lead fist Hook.
Rear Fist Straight Punch, lead fist jab
Rear Fist Straight Punch, lead fist hook

3 punch combinations.

Lead fist Jab, Jab, rear fist Straight Punch
Lead fist Jab, rear fist Straight Punch, lead fist Jab
Lead fist Jab, rear fist Straight Punch, lead fist Hook
Lead fist Jab, rear fist Hook, lead fist Jab
Lead fist Jab, rear fist Hook, lead fist Hook
Lead fist Jab, rear fist uppercut, Lead fist Jab or Hook
Lead fist jab, Lead fist Hook, rear fist Straight Punch
Rear Fist Straight Punch, lead fist jab, lead fist Hook,
Rear Fist Straight Punch, lead fist hook, Rear Fist Straight Punch

*to make these FOUR punch combinations, add either of the punches on to the sequence. such as:

Lead fist Jab, Jab, rear fist Straight Punch , lead fist Jab
Lead fist Jab, Jab, rear fist Straight Punch , lead fist Hook
Lead fist Jab, rear fist Straight Punch, lead fist Hook, rear fist hook

you could create 5 or 6 more of those by mixing more punches at the end or in the middle.  

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Now add your kicking into it. I'm assuming to use just the RoundHouse Kick, or Round Kick.  I will call it "RHK"

Punch-Kick cominations

Lead fist Jab, rear fist Straight Punch, lead leg RHK
Lead fist Jab, rear fist Straight Punch, Back leg RHK
lead leg RHK, Lead fist Jab, rear fist Straight Punch, back leg RHK
lead leg RHK, Lead fist Jab, back leg RHK, lead fist Jab
Lead fist Jab, Back Leg RHK, Lead fist Hook (check balance on this one)
Lead leg RHK, Lead fist Hook, rear fist straight punch
Back Leg RHK, lead fist jab, Rear fist straight punch
Lead fist Jab, Rear leg Front Kick

you could add in some rear leg low or high crescent kicks if you use them, after a jab or hook. I suggest to use this format and write many more that you want. Find the ones that really flow well for you and feel good. Some people feel better leading with a kick, some with a punch. find what YOU like and work several of those well. Start each slowly, perhaps at even tai chi speed, feeling the balance and weight shifts. Focus on form, technique and Balance. Speed will come through practice, and power will come from your increasing speed. Please do not rush to do these very fast or hard at first. As a brown belt, you will probably get comfortable with them very fast.

Remember it is better to do 4 or 5 combinations extremely well than to do 10-15 badly. And be sure to change stances, and do them with a left leg AND right leg forward.

Good Luck and I hope these help you. Thank you by honoring me with the request to advance your training. I wish you well, Alok.

sincerely,

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible