Good Form

Good form is the most efficient manner to accomplish the purpose of a performance with a minimum of lost motion and wasted energy.

To conserve energy by using the least possible amount of energy to achieve a given result, eliminate the unnecessary motions and muscles contractions which fatigue without accomplishing any useful purpose.

The education of neuromuscular skill:

# The first step is to acquire the feeling relaxation.
# The second step is to practice until this feeling can be reproduced at will.
# The third step is to reproduce that feeling voluntarily in potentially tension-creating situations.

The ability to feel contraction and relaxation, to know what a muscle is doing, is called "kinesthetic perception." Kinesthetic perception is developed be consciously placing the body and its parts in a given position and getting the feel of it. This feeling of balance or imbalance, grace or awkwardness, serves as a constant guide to the body as it moves.

Kinesthetic perception should be developed to such a degree that the body is uncomfortable unless it performs each motion with a minimum of effort to produce maximum results.

Relaxation is a physical state, but it is controlled by the mental state. It is required by the conscious effort to control the though as well as the action pattern. It takes perception, practice and willingness to train the mind into new habits of thinking and the body into new habits of action.

Always train in good form. Learn to move muscles easily and smoothly. At first concentrate on proper form; later, work harder.

The mastery of proper fundamentals and their progressive application is the secret of being a great fighter.

Economy of Motion

There is a best way to perform any task. A few of the principles that have been found to be of importance in improving performances are as follows:

Momentum should be employed to overcome resistance.
Momentum should be reduced to a minimum if it must be over come by muscular effort.
When the initiating muscles are unopposed, allowing free and smooth motion, the movements are faster, easier and more accurate than restricted or controlled movements.
Work arranged to permit an easy and natural rhythm is conductive to smooth and automatic performance.
Hesitation or the temporary and often minute cessation of motion should be eliminated from the performance.

Good form may be defined as the particular technique which enables the individual to attain maximum efficiency in the activity.

Balance, too, is vital to good form. Whether it be a kick or a punch that you are throwing, you will not have sustained power unless your balance and perfect timing give you enough leverage.

If you tighten up, you lose the flexibility and timing which are so important to successful fighters. Therefore, consciously practice economical neuromuscular perceptive movements daily and keep relaxed at all times.