Things you wished you knew when you started :)

[Sweeet]

Given the huge amount of experience and knowledge concentrated in this forum, I thought this will be a good question to ask.

Is there anything you wish you had have done or knew when you started MA to help you through or help to make you an overall better Martial Artist?

for example: is there any specific excercise or practicing method you would recommend to me to 'keep me ahead of the game' or just generally help make it an easier road for the future?

Or, is there anything you wish you had have done more or at all when you started?

I greatly appreciate any thought and suggestions.

Sweeet.

[KarateKid1975]

Hiya Sweeet.

When I did TSD, I "cheated" LOL. I would learn more one-step sparring techniques than I was supposed to. I also started working on the next form before I was supposed to. I also wanted to do "tricks." But, I was lacking in technique. I know I needed work on technique and sparring, but I wasn't worried about it. I regretted it later. I "woke up" and really started to drill my techniques.

My advice would be: don't rush. Work on stuff that you have trouble on. I had trouble with the back kick (or anything going backwards LOL), so I "drilled" it a lot. Work on stuff you think you need work on till you you "perfect" it, per say (no is perfect, but you can try to be :) ). It's not worth rushing, specially if you are a beginner (I donno if you are, but it'll help even if you're not).

I hope this helped.

[morphus]

I have one very big regret....and thats not taking up martial arts when i was a child (i was 29yrs old when i first walked into a dojang). When i think of how good i could have been with all those years of training - wow; but as they say its never to late.

[darlph]

My biggest regret was quitting karate in 1975 after 2 years of excellent training for ..... what ever reason. I was 17. then. Now
at 45 closer to 46, and doing TKD for the past 6-7 years I finally realized what I've missed. A great time and great people. And a body that wasn't messed up from somwe heavy partying. Thank goodness I never did drugs.

[Saz]

I wish I stayed when I was a kid too, I'd have had 11 years of karate behind me now instead of 18 months.

One tip I can give you is practise constantly in advance, so when the time comes, you'll be ace. I've learnt my kata, renraku's and ippon kumites up to at least 3rd kyu (i'm a 6th kyu) so I have plenty of time to hone them before my gradings. It really does help you to know get to know your stuff well :)

[Freeform]

I wish I could have spoken fluent Japanese.

[Sweeet]

Hehe. And me for Korean, too :D