Advice to new mantis practitioner

[blackmantis]

Hey everyone,

I've been doing praying mantis for only about 7/8 months and i'm really getting into it! I'm only 15, but have had previous training in ITF Taekwondo.

I would be very grateful for any advice on the style, and some help on how to train alone and develop my techniques.

Many thanks,

S

[Xdr4g0nx]

only advice is to forget all your taekwondo training.

[woliveri]

Root out the basics of your style and then practice your @ss off.

[TRAVIS WHITMAN]

If I was learning mantis from scratch, with what I know now, I would concentrate on single movements(basics) and simple applications 3 -6 hours a day. Simple moves + thousands of repitions = a badda$s fighter-period.

[Oso]

ask you sifu for his advice.

[blackmantis]

Thanks everyone,

Are there any particular ways that i could develop my mantis claw? Do any praying mantis training aids/aparatus exist?

S

[bung bo]

blackmantis-practice the basics. have you started stance training? if so, drill that. important to develop a good root-or you'll get knocked around very easily. get used to being close to people. mantis fights up close as opposed to taekwondo that fights at a distance. grip strength--it will develop more as you do drills that involve grabbing. you could try an eagle catcher . or just grab a tree or a bean bag or whatever.

[Oso]

or whatever.

okay, BTL, I'll stay on topic...



I'll just go from a relaxed hand position to a 'mantis claw' position as fast as I can as many times as I can till the muscles don't work no mo'.

doesn't train specific grabbing but trains the reflex, imo.

try judo to help with grip strength.

it's fun and your forearms/hands will be tired and sore after practice.

[Tainan Mantis]

Training the mantis claw method uses a bean bag.
Throw it up and catch it.
If you tire after 10-20 throws it is good.
Work up to 100 consecutive throws or more before going for a heavier bag.

There are throws to classmates as well as throws behind back, over shoulder, under legs etc.

This is a part of the oldest tradition of PM.

[isol8d]

What type of bean bag?

The kind you sit on? Or like a hackey-sack that is filled with beans, or truly just a bag that is filled with beans?

Sounds interesting, I'd like to give it a shot, just need a little more info on the bag...

Thanks!

[Tainan Mantis]

Like a bag you practice iron palm with.
Made of canvas.
Heavy enough so that your fingers lose grip ability after 10-20 throws.

A hacky sack would be too little, but if you can throw and grab a bean bag chair with one hand I would say you have a good grip.