In this video, I’ll give you some tips on when and how to use jerky breathing and continuous breathing.
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Jerky or continuous breathing?
Jerky breathing is generally used in self defense. This consists of exhaling every time you strike. Strike = breath out, or rather exhale. You will understand the difference.
The jerky breathing is interesting when used a short period of time. If there are more jerky exhalations than inhalations, it is very likely that at some point you will find yourself “in oxygen debt”.
Jerky breathing = explosiveness
If during a training session I ask you to hit a shield non-stop for 1 minute, or if you do a fast version of free shadow and you only use the jerky breathing, thinking “faster and stronger”, you will be able to do it, but it will take some time to adapt and it will take some practice to get used to it. On long exercises that last 45 seconds, 1 minute or even more, I would not recommend using only jerky breathing.
However, if you are doing a counterattack, you will need to be explosive for a short period of time. Hence, jerky breathing should be favored.
Also, on long exercises, or when you don’t know the time limit – or worse, in an aggression situation, you’d better use continuous breathing.
Continuous breathing
I also call it the “doctor’s breathing” since consists in breathing in the same way as when your doctor places the stethoscope on your back and asks you to take a deep breath.
Jerky breathing consists in blowing out with each strike. However, as soon as you breathe out more than you breathe in, you find yourself “in oxygen debt” so it’s hard to get your rhythm back, especially if you’re being attacked.
However, it works when everything is going well and your training partner is not moving. On the other hand, if he hits you while you are in a “jerky” mode, you may find yourself a little confused.
Learn how to master both
To put it in a nutshell, what you should try to do when it’s getting long is to open your mouth wide and exhale for a long time, just as you do at the doctor’s. This technique will allow you to hold on much longer, both in training and in the street.
When it comes to longer exercises, I advise you to use continuous breathing to keep the rhythm, and not to do only jerky breathing which could destabilize you in case of an unforeseen blow.
It is quite possible to use only the jerky breathing if you are used to it. It’s up to you, but I advise you to vary.
