ITM August Perseverance - K.indd - Round Rock ATA Martial Arts ...

August / Black Belt Attributes
Attribute #3: Eye Contact / Focus
Accuracy in the martial arts is a crucial skill to develop. Without it, strikes will not
hit their intended targets, but might land elsewhere – possibly with the wrong contact
area. Without accuracy, striking power can be too much or too little. Without accuracy, the
risk of injury while training to both attacker and defender is significantly elevated. And finally,
accuracy is essential for self-defense techniques to be effective. Because this martial arts skill is so
fundamentally important, eye contact and focus to develop accuracy are continually practiced. The
ability to obtain and maintain focus on your targets is just as important as the control and
command of your weapons (hands, feet, knees, elbows, etc.)
The Black Belt Attribute of Eye Contact / Focus has three aspects that receive special attention in
our training. The first is Directional, keeping eye contact on a target, stationary or mobile, and
performing the appropriate technique to strike it. It also refers to maintaining eye contact with a
target when the body is in motion. The second is Target Training, concentrating your aim on a
precise area or point. This element of accuracy training is usually practiced by reducing the target’s
size, i.e. by first striking a large target then moving to a medium-size target, then to a small target.
The third aspect is Penetration, aiming beyond the target to strike with greater force. It also refers
to retracting the strike on the same path as delivery.
Students learn best when they are allowed to focus on one thing at a time. We may wish them to
know everything, but presenting material all at once is generally not an effective teaching strategy!
Therefore, instructors should divide complex subjects into smaller lessons tied together beneath
“the big picture.”
Demonstration of Eye Contact / Focus can be done in many ways, such as techniques being
performed by the Instructor or the student, comparison, in self-defense, or on a board. Practicing
methods also have many options. Below are some examples.
DIRECTIONAL DRILLS:
• Sandwich (D40042) • Direction Two Count (D40044)
• Speed Punches (D40043) • Sound Response (D40045)
• Four Directions Self-Defense (D40046)
• Height Control Target (D40047)
• Directional Target (D40048) • Blocking/Dodge (D40049)
• Blocking Drill (D40050) • Skeet Kicks (D40051)
TARGET TRAINING DRILLS:
• Paper Folding Drill (D40030) • Heavy Bag with “X” (D40031)
• Repeat Round Kicks (D40033) • Basics (D40035)
• All Out Target Work (D40034) • Strike Surface (D40054)
• Name That Target (D40025) • Wall Target (D40060)
• Repeat Kicks (D40058) • Triple Kicks (D40059)
PENETRATION DRILLS:
• Double Target (D40061) • 1”-4” Pull (D40064)
• Balloon Board Break (D40062)
• Trap Door Boards (D40063)
“Power is not revealed
by striking hard or often,
but by striking true.”
- Honore de Balzac
August Instructor Trainee Manual 9