Whether it’s Grappling, Muay Thai or Kick Boxing- they are all forms of MMA.

The first time you clash shins is going to be the first time you wished you did not go cheap on mma shin guards. If you wanted to re-create the force behind two people kicking at the same time- smack 2 baseball bats together.

Before you purchase that cheap pair of shin guards, there are a few things you should consider. I have learned the quality of a MMA shin guard though my 25 years of Taekwondo training.

When shopping for MMA shin guards, the main thing to look for is a re-enforced “Spine” that runs down the front of the guard.With my Taekwondo background, this is a feature that is very important. All of the MMA shin guards I have seen do not have this feature.

Perceived value

I have found that people buy the most expensive things because they think they are better in quality. In you years of working with MMA gear, I have found this is not the case. Let’s take an example- Combat Sports and Hayabusa. The padding and overall design are almost exactly the same. The marketing is what supports the higher price of Hayabusa.

Don’t get me wrong- I think they are both very good brands.

The way that the shin guards are attached to the legs is also very important. The Sock type guards are better suited for grappling and also striking like muay thai. The reason for the sock type fit is so they don’t get spun around or even fall off when you’re on the ground. You need to ask yourself: Do I need Muay Thai Shin Guards or Do I need Grappling Shin Guards?

So, before you buy those cheap shin guards- think about how yours shins are going to feel after your first shin-to-shin full contact. Remember to look for a re-enforced spine down the front of the guard. If you are looking for quality, a higher price does not always mean they will protect any better. Consider the use- are you going to be rolling on the ground or are you just doing stand up.

One more thing to consider is the weight of the shin guard. Obviously the cloth type are going to weigh the least. There are some really heavy duty shin guards made of leather. These also have some very uncomfortable straps too. I would avoid these.

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Judo Basics

When Dr. Jigoro Kano developed judo from its original martial art form, he wanted something more than skill in judo technique. He theorized that what was needed was a blend of the finer techniques of jujitsu with a form of mental training or philosophy as its driving force. Do or “the way” therefore came to signify the mental training that the judoist needs in order to make practical use of the judo philosophy in personal contacts, daily experiences, and career relations. In judo the method of falling is an art in itself. Mastery of ukemi, or the art of falling, is essential not only for the execution of free and quick movements but also for the prevention of injury when you are thrown. The key point of ukemi is to make your upper and lower extremities strike the mat simultaneously just before your trunk makes contact. You can then utilize your shoulder, thigh, and knee joints as shock-absorbing. If you succeed in doing so, you can break your fall by dissipating the impulsive force.

In mastering ukemi you first learn how to strike the mat with both your arms and hands to prevent your head from hitting it when you fall backwards. Strike the mat as vigorously as possible with both arms and hands.

For the next step in judo basics you must learn to make one arm and hand strike the mat sideways to the left. The left hand and arm strike the mat toward the left. Repeat the practice alternately right and left in daily workouts.

Next learn to make one arm and one hand, one leg and one foot, and the sole of the other foot strike the mat simultaneously as you fall. After you have learned these judo basics and you have an understanding of the many ways of striking the mat, you advance further to the practice of the forward roll.

Here your arms and feet strike the mat as your body rolls forward in a motion like that of a somersault. In the next step in judo basics you advance your right foot forward a little, then put your right hand on the mat turned in. Push the mat with your left leg, and your body will roll forward, completing a forward somersault. Your right elbow, shoulder, trunk, right side of the waist, outside of the left leg and foot, and sole of the right foot touch the mat in this consecutive order. To be perfectly safe in practicing judo techniques make sure you have a thorough knowledge of ukemi.

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The judo throw is a most important aspect of judo technique. Three of the crucial throws, hiza-guruma (knee wheel) and harai-tsurikomi-ashi (lifting foot sweep) and de-ashi-harai (advanced foot sweep) are outlined in this article. A detailed description of each of the throws is given followed by some key points which you will find most useful.

Hiza-guruma (knee wheel)

When you glide down a slope on skis, you bend both knees and lower your waist because this makes it much easier for you to control your balance. If one knee cannot move freely, it will be difficult to balance yourself. The judo technique of hiza-guruma rests on this principle.

You and your opponent hold each other in right natural posture. You try to make him lean to the left front corner. The moment his weight rests on his left leg, which is bent a little at the knee, you put your left foot, with the toes turned in, to your left front corner near his right foot, and break his posture to his left front corner.

With your right hand, which holds his left sleeve, pull toward your right in a circular motion, at the same time putting the sole of your right foot on the outside of his left knee. Your left hand helps the pull of your right hand by lifting his right arm. His knee will then rotate around your foot, and he will fall to the mat.

Key Judo Technique Points:
a. Pivot to the right with your left toes turned inside in order to make the rotating motion easier.
b. Pull your opponent’s sleeve.

Harai-tsurikomi-ashi (lifting foot sweep)

You can use this judo throw to great effect against any opponent.When both knees are bent, they serve to change and control the balance of the body. Therefore, for instance, when your opponent leans forward toward the left, you attack his left knee with your right foot. But when he stands without bending his knees, it would be useless to attack the left knee. In such a case you should attack his left ankle instead of his knee, since the arm of the moment of force becomes longer. If you understand this rule, you will be able to understand harai-tsurikomi-ashi very well.

You hold your opponent by his right and left sleeves. When he is about to lean to his left front corner, you pull strongly with your right hand in the direction of your right back corner and push him to his left front corner with your left hand while letting your body pivot to the right. At the same time you sweep between his knee and the outer part of his ankle with the sole of your right foot. He will then be swept and thrown forward.

Key Judo Technique Points:
a. You should pivot to the right with your left toes turned in to make your rotating motion easy.
b. Your left hand pushes your opponent’s body up and forward so as to help the pull of your right hand.

De-ashi-harai (advanced foot sweep)

Imagine walking on a frozen road in the winter. Stepping carelessly, you sometimes slip and fall on your back on the road. What causes this to happen? The reason is that there is little friction between your feet and the icy road. If you have noticed this, you will easily understand the principle of de-ashi-harai.

You and your opponent hold each other in right natural posture. When he advances inward with a larger step than usual you place your right foot at the back of your left foot. The moment he rests almost half his weight on the advanced foot, you sweep the ball of your left foot against the heel of his advanced foot just below the tendon of Achilles, at the same time pulling him to his right front corner. He will then be thrown.

Key Judo Technique Points:
a. You should apply this technique the moment your opponent has placed almost half his weight on his advanced foot and is just about to put his entire weight down. At this moment he cannot easily shift the direction of his advanced foot.
b. Therefore timing is very important in the execution of this technique.
c. When you sweep his advanced foot, you push his left shoulder with your right hand so as to make his upper body turn up.

Practise each judo throw carefully to improve your judo techniques.

Those that attend boxing classes do so for a range of different reasons. You can derive a great amount of benefits from enrolling for yourself, and you’ll quickly find that you can get into the best shape of your life. If you're still on the fence about whether or not you should start taking boxing classes, take a look at all of these wonderful benefits.

Compared to almost every other sport, getting involved in boxing training will get you fit. Boxing is a sport and an exercise that requires a great deal of physical exertion. Increasing muscle and burning fat starts to make your body leaner. Boxing will help with your core and midsection, your legs, your arms and of course your cardiovascular stamina as well. There are few other exercise programs that can match the all encompassing benefits of boxing.

Not only will this keep you healthy but you’ll also look and feel great. People will easily pick up on the changes on your body, and you’ll be able to impress them how you achieved your results. Looking better and feeling better will translate to other benefits as well.

An example of this is the increase in confidence boxing will provide you with in other aspects of life. Knowing you are able to defend yourself and if necessary push yourself to the edge and beyond makes you a stronger person.

You may already be aware of the benefits of boxing as a fitness tool but still may not be sold on the prospect of boxing classes. Classes and instructional settings can be very helpful because as opposed to working out by yourself, you’ll be able to learn from viewing and get specific guidelines for what to work on and how to improve. Training in a group gives you motivation. You’ll be able to feed off of their energy and desire and ensure that you never give up or take it easy during a workout when you shouldn’t.

Along with all the sporting benefits, boxing also teaches you how to defend yourself. You may be interested specifically in boxing and participating in competitions. Boxing classes also provide an opportunity to learn skills to help defend yourself. Both inside and outside of the ring, the core skills of boxing will serve you.

If you’re looking for a way to get into great shape or you’re really interested in learning how to protect yourself, boxing classes are a great idea. You'll benefit from instructors and other classmates, and the workout itself will torch your excess fat as you build muscle at the same time. Don’t waste anymore time not achieving your goals, get started towards success with boxing classes immediately.

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Boxing Training Tips

When looking at boxing training programs, variations to the standard right jab are key.

Left Jab-Right to the Body-Left Hook to the Jaw

Against a boxer who carries his left elbow high or extends it too far out from the body thereby leaving an opening for a right to the body, the following sequence is effective: a left jab to the jaw; a right to the body under the opponent’s high left, moving in at the same time to be able to follow with the left . The puncher draws back his left high to protect his chin and to be closer to the target. After the right to the body the opponent often drops his hands, thereby leaving an opening for the third punch, the left hook to the chin.

Against a tense or tightened-up opponent, a left feint to the body may be used. The puncher feints to the body to draw the opponent’s hands down. This is often effective at the start of the first round. This may be followed by a lefty to the chin. With the opponent’s hands drawn down, the puncher whips across a left hook to the chin.

Double Left Hook

The puncher throws this move to the body lightly, to draw his opponent’s hand down. The puncher must make sure his own chin is covered with his right glove. This is followed by a left hook to the chin. The puncher, after drawing his opponent’s hands down, whips a hook to the chin. This variation is very effective, but, again, is dangerous because of exposing the chin. A sharp right-hand counter usually does the trick against the careless body puncher.

In keeping with this aspect of boxing training programs, against a nervous, tense opponent, the following variation usually works: The puncher feints with a left jab to draw the opponent’s right glove away from his jaw. This is followed by a left hook. The puncher, after drawing out the right hand of his opponent, has a good shot at his chin with a fast left hook. The right hand is kept back and high, ready to follow up the left hook with a sharp right if the opportunity arises.

The puncher immediately follows the left hook with his right cross. This variation is often used in place of the left-right-hook, making it a left-hook-right sequence.

Many more variations might be suggested but it has been my experience that giving the boys too many punch sequences tends to confuse rather than help them. The previously-mentioned variations and sequences, along with the regular fundamentals, are sufficient for any boxer.

The Right Uppercut

I suggest spending comparatively little time in your boxing training programs on the right uppercut. Only if the opponent has his head bent down and forward, and is coming forward, is the punch effective. We once taught our Wisconsin boxers the right uppercut and worked on the punch for one week before we met a particular team.

This was only because the boxers on that team were coached in a boring-in style against which the uppercut was very effective. Since those particular matches we have not been fortunate enough to meet a team whose boxers were “cousins” for right uppercuts. Consideration of left uppercuts is purposely omitted. I have never seen an effective left uppercut. I occasionally hear about them.

However, practice of these boxing training tips and other variations will be of benefit to the young boxer.