Really I ended up giving up on trying for combative training and decided to learn to travel in water instead. I worked on running through water in lower water levels and start swimming at higher level. It's good for conditioning and it could help out in a strategic retreat someday. XD
Water training aids power and balance. I love to do it, when I have the opportunity.
Back when I had a bunch of friends taking martial arts, we'd train together in the public pool (luckily the lifeguards were sort of cool with it, even though they probably shouldn't of been). In my experience, it was great exercise. I don't know how well it went toward better my technique.
You can't expect the physical dynamics to be the same in water as it is on land, nor should you make it the same. It takes more body control for even simple movements. You have to let that happen and work with it, not against it.
Also, play with depth. Me and a friend would try different things at 12 feet and notice quite a change than at 5 or 6. There's more atmospheric pressure, so even holding your breath takes more demand.
I have practiced this before and this actually is an old training method that karateka sometimes used for strengthening their kicks in Japan. The resistance of the water as you extend the kick and retract it helps to develop strength through the total motion of the kick and why they would sometimes practice kicking in the water in Japan.
If you do some reading there are a whole slew of ancient or old training methods that the Chinese and Japanese would resort to for developing and enhancing their martial arts skills. Things like working out with clay pots or stepping on or walking on lotus poles, practicing kicks, punches, blocks, and strikes while in the water, practicing under a waterfall with cold, mountain water dropping down on you, and practicing your punching in the ocean surf all were methods that were employed for various reasons for practitioners of the martial arts to develop their skills to a higher level.
Training in water is a GREAT way to strengthen every thing,try using a ball and press down to get more out of your work out, can use weights on ankles and kick out and back for legs.
I use to pool at the YMCA to do my work out and to let my children play.
Enjoying my training but like to vary it from time to time. Was thinking maybe I'd practice my kicks in the water to strengthen them and give them a break from bag work.
Just curious to hear anyone's experience on the benefits of practicing this way, other then just for enjoyment which I consider important to keep motivation steady.
