Correct drilling is the key to advancing your skills quickly. Plenty of people drill a lot and improve slowly, because the way they drill is wrong. In this video lesson I give training tips to help you drill properly, and the idea is to take the information and apply it to every scenario you train.

It is for martial artists, boxers and self-defence students of any level, and for instructors who want their classes to make faster progress.

Why Most Drilling Is Wasted

The usual problem is that drills become a routine. Partners know exactly what is coming, nobody is under any pressure, and both people go through the motions. That builds familiarity with the drill, not skill in a fight.

The other problem is speed. People rush to go fast before the movement is right, so they groove in mistakes. A mistake repeated a thousand times is a habit.

How To Drill Correctly

I break good drilling down into a few simple stages:

  • Get it right slowly. Correct position, correct angle, correct target
  • Add speed. Only when the movement is clean at low speed
  • Add movement. Your partner moves, so you have to find the angle again
  • Add resistance. Your partner tries to stop you, at a sensible level
  • Add uncertainty. You do not know exactly what is coming

Each stage should feel a little harder than the last. If it feels easy, you are not learning much.

Apply It to Every Scenario

The principle works for everything: a jab, a release from a grab, a lock, a strike to a target. Start correct, then make it realistic step by step. Do not stay at the cooperative stage forever, and do not jump straight to full resistance with sloppy technique.

Good partners matter too. Your partner's job is to help you learn, giving honest feedback and the right level of resistance, not to win every drill.

Keep It Focused

Short, focused drilling beats long, aimless sessions. Pick one or two things, work them properly, and finish while the quality is still high.

Take It Further

My Pressure Point Fighting Course is built around progressive drills like these. If you want me to look at your training directly, see Private Mentoring.