Learning Martial Arts From DVDs and Books - Guidelines For Using Training Resources

We live in great times, particularly if we are "informationaholics". The proliferation of knowledge and its' accessibility has grown exponentially with the increase in disposable income, ease of travel, the development of the internet and the breaking down of the old establishment style of publishing through very conservative corporations. This has resulted in an explosion of creative thought, innovation and sharing of knowledge not only in learning martial arts but in all areas of knowledge.

As a veteran martial artist I have witnessed a change from only having a limited number of systems to learn, almost all based on Japanese karate and Judo, to now where not only do we have access to martial arts fighting systems from all over the world but also the development of completely new approaches, such as Reality Based Self Defense systems and the Mixed Martial Arts phenomenon. And while we may debate as to whether they are completely new or original, they are certainly very new in the way that they have developed and progressed into the highly sophisticated mixed martial arts fighting and self defense systems that they have become.

As mentioned above there has also been an incredible change in our ability to produce and self publish our thoughts and knowledge. In the field of martial arts this has resulted in a huge number of DVDs, books and online video sources available for learning martial arts in all disciplines of martial arts.

In response to this proliferation the diehard martial artists of the old school are still often heard to say that you cannot learn martial artsfrom books and DVDs. In my experience this opinion is far too old school and conformist in attitude and does not take into account the quality of material that is available. It also suggests a protective traditionalist view that has historically stifled innovation and progress in all areas of human knowledge.

I am, however, of the mind that that while learning from DVDs and books does not take the place of a good school and coach it is a great way to compliment and supplement your training, particularly if you are a practitioner of the modern, progressive forms of the martial arts, self defense and competition fighting systems.

As a long term martial artist from the old school and as an academic I am of the opinion that DVDs and books offer fantastic resources for learning all manner of skills. My life as a research scientist in the cutting edge discipline of molecular biology required that I learn and develop new skills and knowledge from various sources, including DVDs, books, seminars and papers that were in many cases open to interpretation and required a large degree of reworking to make them workable.

However, to utilize these resources effectively for martial arts training, or for that matter to learn any skill, we must apply and adhere to a number of guidelines:

1) It is highly recommended that a fundamental education has been undergone to learn the basic principles, techniques and concepts of the particular discipline.
2) When training in a martial arts system that requires work with a partner set up a regular training schedule with a serious training partner who has the same attitude to training - that of learning.
3) When watching the DVD or reading the book, take good notes, carefully observing the details of the technique.
4) Endeavour to get an understanding of the principles and concepts underlying the technique and its' execution.
5) Learn one move or technique at a time.
6) Train and drill the technique slowly working to develop the correct execution.
7) Where possible get an experienced practitioner or coach to observe, improve or correct the technique.
8) After a period of training the technique go back to the DVD or book and re-watch or read the details of the technique again, as we often see more a second time around and after we have been practicing the technique for a while.
9) When learning new techniques try to connect them to knowledge already acquired and train techniques and moves that flow from one to the other.
10) If the technique doesn't work, or your execution feels difficult, go back to the DVD or book and see if you can find out what it is that is wrong.
11) Be aware that some instructional material is either poorly taught or leaves many crucial details out, either intentionally or in some cases unintentionally, as the person teaching the material does not know how they actually do it, they just do.

In summary, it is certainly possible to learn martial arts and self defense techniques from DVDs and books, provided that you follow the guidelines above. However, it is highly recommended that you train in a school that teaches the discipline that you want to learn as you will have access to many more training partners and also the benefit of experienced coaches who can observe and correct your technique so that you learn faster. Indeed if you reflect on the guidelines above they correspond to benefits that a good school or coach will provide when learning martial arts.

In summary, it is certainly possible to learn martial arts and self defense techniques from DVDs and books, provided that you follow the guidelines above. However, it is highly recommended that you train in a school that teaches the discipline that you want to learn as you will have access to many more training partners and also the benefit of experienced coaches who can observe and correct your technique so that you learn faster. Indeed if you reflect on the guidelines above they correspond to benefits that a good school or coach will provide when learning martial arts.

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In addition I often discuss these strategies together with other fight game and self defense tactics in my blog at http://www.UltimateFightingSystems.com/blog that will help you develop your knowledge and experience when learning martial arts and Muay Thai or self defense.