We spend a lot of time practising these touch sensitivity drills. It is time very well spent! They greatly improve reactions, teach a great deal about sensing balance, allow us to get into physical contact and conflict without creating a great risk of injury and train us to sense where an opponent’s strength is and then work around it, following a path of least resistance.
We usually practise three different drills, although there are many more variations:
Fixed step pushing hands: feet are kept firmly rooted to the floor; each partner tries to upset their opponent’s balance so as to dislodge their feet from the floor (uproot them); no striking is employed, only pushing, pulling, levering etc. Touch contact is maintained throughout.
Moving step pushing hands: each partner is free to move about the area but must maintain touch contact with their opponent. The objective is to unbalance the partner, drop them to the floor or send them out of the area. No striking.
Sticky hands: keeping touch contact, each partner tries to strike, unbalance, throw, lock, restrain etc their opponent. Strikes are controlled so as not to cause injury. Mainly upper body techniques are used ( ie hand, forearm, elbow, shoulder, head etc.) but sweeping with the legs is permitted.
Take a look at some of the videos listed below to get a better idea of how this all works! It looks like fun but is even more fun to do. And it really teaches you fast. Come to the MTC and give it a try. To book a course use our booking form. If you would like more information, contact us using the contact form.