by Rudy Rogers
February 7, 2003

Seminars can be daunting and overwhelming with all of the knowledge that is shared. It can be quite frustrating afterwards only to be able to recall half of what was shown if anything at all. But attending seminars can be one of the best ways to improve and make advances in skill sets and knowledge.

The dilemma is how do you retain all of the knowledge in order to practice later? In answer to this question I have put together some of the techniques that I use to help get the most out of seminars.

• Develop a code or shorthand.
  
• Look to grasp the core concept.
  
• Build on techniques.

Develop a code or shorthand.
Obviously note taking is important. The late Bruce Lee was an avid note taker and draftsman. Guro Inosanto always brings what looks like a ton of notebooks full of history and well-organized notes that he shares with the class.

However, mostly due to time constraints, the instructor goes about his/her curriculum so fast that it is hard to take thorough legible notes. To combat this I use a sort of short hand for some of the techniques. For example:

For techniques that have counters for them I use:

The short hand method is used to jot down quick notes to your self. It is sometimes best to save the in depth note taking for later, perhaps during a break, or after the seminar. Then you can take your time and let your short hand jog your memory to some of the specifics that were made during the instruction; e.g.: diagrams, or illustrations.

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Look to grasp the core concept.
Over the years I have gained some level of understanding of what the instructor is trying to convey to the students. This was only accomplished through "flight time" - putting the time into practicing what I have learned, and to continue to attend all the seminars I could.

Also, understanding the instructors teaching and delivery style helps a lot as well. Most instructors will usually have a progression. Meaning that they will start with the basic skill then move on to the next level of that skill and so on. It can be easy to get lost in the delivery by focusing on the techniques or on a technique that you aren't familiar with. But the key is to understand what it is the instructor is trying to bring out of the students.

Everyone remembers Karate Kid. The movie where a teenager, named Daniel, wants to learn Karate from an Okinawan neighbor so he can defend himself from a bully at school…well reluctantly Mr. Miyagi takes Daniel on as a pupil and immediately sets him off to do all kind of chores around his home; waxing cars, painting, and sanding.

Frustrated, by being seemingly turned into a slave, Daniel confronts Miyagi-san as to when he will teach him the skills necessary to deal with the bully. What Daniel didn't realize, until Mr. Miyagi showed him, was that all the labor that Daniel had been doing was conditioning and training his body to do the techniques of Okinawan Karate.

I am sure we can agree that Daniel would have appreciated knowing that his work was for training before hand…but it made for an interesting movie.

Anyway, look for what the instructor is trying to teach you through movement. Ask yourself or the instructor, are we working footwork, coordination, timing, reaction, or sensitivity? Then try and retain the technique based on it being an exercise for the target skill or attribute.

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Build on techniques
When it is time to return to your partner(s) and practice that new move or technique. Don't just focus on the one move, build. Run through all of the previous techniques up to the current one. That way you will get ample repetition and you will learn the techniques as part of a sequence verses by route like… technique #1, technique #2, technique #3…. technique #10, and so on.

Try to avoid the tendency to try and master each and every technique during the time allotted make the most by categorizing the techniques:

• Stick work
  Single stick Sequence 1 (a sequence may contain any number of moves)
  Single stick Sequence 2
  Double stick Sequence 1
  
• Trapping
  Sensitivity Sequence 1
  Sensitivity Sequence 2
  Sensitivity Sequence 3
  Sensitivity Sequence 4
  Arm bar sequence Sequence 1
  
• Grappling
  Guard Sequence 1
  Leg locks Sequence 1
  Cross-body Sequence 1
  Cross-body Sequence 2
  Cross-body Sequence 3

I find that categorizing helps me retain what was covered in the seminar. It also can be used as a ledger of what you have learned. On your own time record the information more thoroughly.

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Additional Ideas
Here are some other ideas that my work for you.

• Work in with the more experienced partners
  Don't be shy ask and expect your senior gym-mates for help
• Video tape or shoot photos of the seminar, if it is allowed
  Tape or have someone shoot photos of your self for future reference. An effective way of retaining what you have learned if you have the equipment.
• Go at your own pace
  Do not be concerned what others are doing…the person who seemingly has everything down may have short falls in other areas too.

Keep it light. Meaning, it is good to have high standards for yourself, but don't beat yourself up over not being able to grasp all of the material at once - this will only impede the learning process. Like every thing else in life any sort of mastery takes time. To me, the study and practice of the martial arts is a process not a product that can be picked, pickled, and put upon a shelf to be used at a later date. I believe that to grasp the truth in the martial arts is through the process.

"Do not fear the 10,000 kicks practiced once, fear the one kick practiced 10,000 times."
-ShaoLin saying

Rudy has fought many times in the ring as a Thai fighter and professional boxer in Japan, Canada, and the United States and has trained many aspiring fighters to victory. He has worked as a doorman for many of Minneapolis' finest bars and nightclubs for over 10yrs.

Rudy's favorite martial art is all of them. But if he had to pick one it would be Kali and the Filipino Martial Arts.