Expert: Dwight Woods - 4/27/2001

Question
I would be very grateful if you could possibly outline a few training drills to improve timing in fighting, that you have found useful in your field.

Thanking you

Best regards

James

Answer
Mr Galea,
We have a saying in JKD that you will always be working on distance and timing no matter what drill you are performing.
We also almost always break drills into partner or solo, shadowboxing or equipment and any combination of the four!
We look at timing as the ability to recognize the right moment and act upon it.
Timing can be broken down into reaction time and movement time. Timing drills can be broken down into lengthening the opponent's reaction time, shortening your own reaction time, lengthening the opponent's movement time and shortening your own movement time. Obviously, there's a lot of work involved here.
The most popular drills, of course, are the "shortening your own" drills. The focus mitts are great for this as they can be used to develop punching and/or kicking tools. You can also work these in single hits or simple combinations (2-3 hits). The feeder flashes different lines and the fighter tries to hit as quickly as possible. You can try the punch catching drill: hold your hands one foot apart and have your partner try to jab in between without being touched by your clapping hands.
Movement drills are fun also. Try attacking your partner with different strikes as he moves forward (stop-hit), backward (needs explosive footwork), side-to-side. These can be done with equipment or as glove drills.
You know what? Basically any drill where one person does something and the other reacts is a timing drill.
I could go on for ever but I think you get my point. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dwight Woods