Yeah, both Chris and I have been sick this week. I think it’s just a little cold, but it’s not fun.

In any case, we’ll resume our regularly scheduled butt kicking shortly.

Tip: Hold the bag for your partner first. This gives you an opportunity to think through the strikes or defenses before you have to make your body practice it.

Personally, if I hold the bag for my partner first, I’m much more likely to be successful at the strikes and defenses.

I watch my partner as they strike the bag and focus in on how they move; how their strikes could be improved. Sometimes I feel things just click for me, like a light switch being turned on.

As I offer advice on how they could improve, things fall into place even faster. I think it’s something about explaining the strike or defense. It must activate a different part of my brain that helps me process the new information.

This means when it’s my turn to practice, I’m no longer over-thinking the moves. I’m able to just let my body work. Otherwise, I become sloppy, disorganized, and my body never moves quite right.

In short, I learn from my partner’s mistakes.

I highly recommend grabbing the bag first and holding it for your partner, especially if you’re the kind of person who likes to think everything through. Of course, if you practice with one person regularly, you might want to switch back and forth, so they can have the same opportunities you do!

That tip only took me six months to learn… (You’re welcome)

Clearly, I don’t understand how to throw a proper straight punch. My hand wraps (thank god for hand wraps) saved my lower knuckles from being ripped apart. My middle knuckles, however, felt the wrath of the tombstone.

“Here’s what consistently happens to my knuckles with straight punches…” I told my instructor after class as I showed him my raw knuckles. “What gives?”

Two things, he explained:
1. You aren’t squaring up your knuckles when you punch. When you make a fist, the segments of your fingers between your bottom and middle knuckle should be square or rather flat. My middle knuckles tend to lift up a little.

Notice how my fingers are tilted upwards. They should be flat like...

this.

2. When I punch, I’m also swiping my hand against the pad. Not only do I lose power, but it also beats up my hands. I’ll just have to be more conscious of how I punch…

M suggested I start doing knuckle push-ups. It’ll toughen up my hands and make my fist square up a little more naturally. I’ve heard this before, but I never started. Guess this is as good a time as any…

These are just a few holiday gift ideas for the special Krav Maga fanatic in your life!

Hand wraps make a really good stocking stuffer, because they’re relatively inexpensive (ranging from $5-10) and there are a ton of colors to choose from. Make sure you buy the 180″ wraps so there is enough length to properly cover both their hands and wrists.

Leather or gel hand wraps are an excellent alternative to the cloth hand wraps, because they offer protection and speed of application. Whereas it takes several minutes to put on cotton hand wraps, it takes just a few seconds to put on these. There is more protection and comfort, but with that comes a price. (Between $15-25.)

Sigg water bottles are a good bet too, because we all know Krav-ers need to replenish the gallons of water they sweat out during class. They are environmentally friendly and healthier because they don’t have any of those creepy chemicals like bisphenol A. (Ranging from $20-30.)

Workout clothes are always a welcome idea. I’ve had a few shirts stretch out from being the target of knee drills… so I could personally always use a few extra Krav Maga shirts.

Focus mitts are great to have for practicing punches, hammer fists, and open hand strikes. Plus, you have to get someone else involved to hold them for you! (Ranging from $17 and up.)

Tombstones (otherwise known as punching shields) are the medium hand-held size bags that are perfect for practicing strikes, including elbows and kicks. This is the bag we use most in my class. ($50 and up)

Kick shields are those big bags (about twice the size of a tombstone) that are great for throwing knees and kicks, not to mention all manner of other strikes. ($50 and up)

Punching bags are great if you have the space for it, because you can use it to practice nearly any strike you learn in class and you don’t need a partner to hold it for you. It does take up a bit of space though and these bags tend to be more expensive. ($60 and up, plus a stand if you don’t have a place to hang it from the ceiling.)

Note: These are not endorsements. All links are meant for illustrative purposes only. As always, do your homework before you buy any equipment.

Word to the wise: Don’t go a full week between Krav Maga classes. The first class back after a hiatus is always harder than you expect, even if it’s only a weeklong absence. It doesn’t matter. I felt weak, out of shape, and discombobulated. My head wasn’t really in it.

How do I know?

I accidentally kneed Chris in the groin. Yeah…

When you spend 20 bucks on a protective cup, you should wear it.

I say that like it’s his fault, but really it was my own. I should have been more focused. He was able to recover quickly, but it just reminded me how important it is to concentrate on what’s going on. That’s how people get seriously hurt.

In other news, I did miss the Level 1 test on Saturday. I was pretty disappointed, but it was completely worth seeing my cousin achieve a dream of hers. I don’t mind putting my own aspirations on hold to see her accomplish hers.