While one could scale the total number in accords with one's time and objectives, I just thought I'd share how I went about it, because it can be difficult to do a lot of strikes without ways of varying things up and keeping things interesting. Obviously there are many ways one could schedule one's strike training, but this is just a fun way I have been doing it recently.
On a 4000 strike day, I will start by picking a single attacking method I want to train; for example, extending. Of the 4000 strikes, the first 2000 are single action and the second 2000 are combinations derived from the most basic 3 strikes of that attacking method.
For the first 2000, I will break them into ten sets of 100 strikes per side. I will give each of the basic three strikes for that attacking method two of these sets, hence single-action basics for the basic 3 is 1200 strikes. For the last 4 sets, I will select different strikes from that attacking method that I am interested in training.
Throughout the first 2000 strikes, I will also try to vary up stepping methods from set to set in accords with what I think is the most helpful for development and the most interesting; the goal being to have practiced a number of different stepping methods upon completion of the first 2000.
For the second 2000 strikes, I do combinations made of just the basic 3 strikes for that attack method. Each of these combinations is 3 movements long and makes use of each of the basic 3 strikes. The first set of combinations are as follows; strike 1, strike 2, strike 3 (for example, level extending, followed by inside extending, followed by dropping extending); strike 1, strike 3, strike 2; 2,1,3; 2,3,1; 3,1,2; and 3,2,1. This makes a total of six basic combinations where one does all 3 movements on the one arm before switching sides. I do 14 repetitions of each of these combinations per arm; hence, 3 strikes per combination, 14 times per arm with 6 total combinations--504 strikes.
The next six combinations are simply strikes 1 and 2 on the first arm and then strike 3 on the other arm. One still does every variation (i.e.: 1,2,3; 1,3,2; 2,1,3; 2,3,1; 3,1,2; 3,2,1) but just switches to the final strike of each combination on the other arm.
The next six after that all start with one doing the first strike on the lead arm and the other two on the second arm.
The final six combinations switch arms for every strike. At this point, one has completed all 4000 strikes.
The advantage about doing combinations this way is that it makes one train the combinations rather comprehensively, forces one to string the combinations together in an intelligent manner (there is also not necessarily only one way to go about this with each of the combinations...also, curiously, as finishing a combination on one side still requires one to link it fluidly together with the next side, this means that the first 18 combinations all really require some form of stringing 3 consecutive strikes together on just one arm!) and offers some interesting insights; for example, the first set of six combinations is very dominant; the second set is also fairly dominant, but ends with the other hand, which could be done (really in training or usage) with or without a switch of the legs (without meaning the final striking arm would remain the back arm and the foot already forward would make a small step for power; with would mean a full advance step with the other leg, making the once back arm now the leading arm). The 3rd six seem to suggest that the first strike's position is not ideal/sufficient, and a change of footwork is done to better strike with the following two strikes. The 4th six suggests constant advance.
Obviously, one could vary up these 4000 in different ways. For example, in terms of content, one could add a non-basic strike into some of the combinations, or do more repetitions of fewer combinations; or drill a set of the second type of combinations where one does advance step to strike with the final strike, and a set where one does not; one could do 1000 (5 sets) of just one strike at the beginning, thinking about and stressing different things with each set (this is a way of training that Matt showed me once and I found it, and still find it, very very helpful). One could even work combinations from forms in or the forms themselves.
One of the things I like to do is mix strength training in between sets. For example, pushups after every 400 strikes in the first 2000 and then a set of some kettlebell exercise after every 2 or 4 combinations of the 24 combinations at the end. One could even add in strengthening postures instead.
Again, these are all just ideas of ways to organise one's basic strike training to keep it interesting & productive. If you have any suggestions or feedback of your own, do let me know.
- Eric
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