a lot of the folks here have already given some
great advice!!! Well worth thinking about.
It doesn't sound like you're out looking for a fight, but you want to know that what you are training for has taken root. Very understandable, and something that many a martial artist frets about as they come up in their art! Good character is wonderful and MUST be a central element of ones martial arts 'upbringing'....but these ARE still fighting arts and the core reasons for joining a martial arts school are MANY. Character development tends to be a happy side-effect. Effectiveness in fighting is good. Seeking fights....that's bad.
But I think you already know this, from what you've said.
Here's just some of my general thoughts on gaining the confidence that, when the going gets rough....you'll be ABLE to deal:
1. Train for realism. Learn to discern between techniques/movements that look good, ones that work well in the ring and ones that actually give you the upper-hand in a high stress fast paced encounter.... these three things are Not the same; they are different.
QUESTION what it is you do and why it is you do it. What's the tactic? Is it realistic? Would it give you the upper hand in most situations? Could you easily reproduce that kind of technique while under sudden and intense stress? Is there some way that you could achieve the same objective quicker or easier?
There's LOTS of lessons w/in the arts we train in, many of the best are just below the surface and must be Earned...but they make a big difference down the road!!!
((Bear in mind: not all elements of an art have to do with "combat reality", many things, like forms, have to do with the refinement of your motion and more subtle lessons and conditioning, and the ongoing perfection of the absolute basics is a must as they are THE building blocks of Everything else we do.... don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. Somethings produce exact skill sets, other refine and sophisticate HOW you do what you do and still others engender certain qualities...etc. Don't assume that just because you don't yet see what the 'usefulness' of a thing is that it doesn't have any. It might be the very thing to unlock lots of your ability later. you never know.))
2. Train hard. Never let up. If you are training with at least ONE of your reasons for training to be able to survive a violent attack, then learning perseverance is concern 1. Push yourself. I've heard that the words "Kung Fu" can be translated as "Hard work".... see.....the ancients knew that good results only come from Hard work!! So do some. (ok... do a lot)
3. Train frequently. You will respond the way you train, period. The MORE you train, the more your reactions will occur w/out the need for conscious decision making...it will become a matter of sensitivity and spontinaity.
4. Don't be afraid to get hit. It's a common ailment!! ...and for good reason, we SHOULD have an aversion to pain and discomfort; it's a safety mechanism. But on the same token, we need to be in control of our 'need' for safety. You can train safely and still receive some good contact. Sparring is good...........to a point. But dont' make the most common mistake of training to improve your sparring, spar to improve your training. When the "ring" becomes the focus of your training it looses it's positive effect on your ability to survive a REAL encounter. Take your core tactics in your art (not sure what yours is) and express it while padded up. Also: While drilling on self defense encounters and two person drills (anything where you are exchanging contact with another person........or two) agree before hand that you'll both take 'some' contact. Don't punch infront of your targets!! If you train to stop your fist before a target, ever, then you are TRAINING AND PRACTICING MISSING!!!!!! You don't want to get good at missing and make THAT your ingrained response. Can't emphasize that enough. I'm NOT saying to waylay each other. NO NO! Don't break your toys or you'll have nothing to play with.
But I am saying that 'some' contact is very good. Keeps you from getting that "STUN" effect that many streetfighters expect their hits to produce. If contact makes your cringe and cover or even just causes you to hesitate or blink...
they have you. Period. Learn to face the contact and give some too. It's difficult to learn about the proper projection of force "at, on, in and through" a target if you always stop at the "at" part.
5. Make good use of focus mits and a heavy bag. NOT one of those free standing bags....but one you can really make GOOD contact with. Focus mits (on the hands of a good partner who will challenge you but not out-pace you) will work to highten your ability to guage distance and strike while in motion. Also....if your partner really knows what they are doing and how to move the mits, then they can challenge you defensively as well by lashing toward you with them intermitantly.....making you weave/dodge...etc. as you strike. These are a Great training tool, good for conditioning as well. Then the HEAVY bag.... one of my favorite tools! There's nothing that helps you become confident of the power you can deal out like actually DEALING it on something that can take it. But don't just train your normal punch, get those crosses, uppercuts, hooks, jabs, backhands, palms, hammerfists....etc. Work ALL of your tools. Don't neglect your feet on the bag either. Punches and kicks to the air are fine and we should all do them to make sure that our form is just right and whatnot. BUT: We must fine tune our tools/weapons to be able to strike while moving and move while striking....and to be able to deliver the fofce at, on, in and through a target!!! These two training tools are GREAT!!
6. Study the human anatomy and find it's liabilities. You may have good strong/swift basics, you may train with contact and work your skills a great deal.... but if you don't chose the BEST targets for your weapons, then you'r only doing half as well as you could. Study the techniques of your art, scrutinize what their effects would be on the attackers body... chances are you'll learn a lot about the weaknesses of the human body. There's a whole study of the structural liabilities of the human body and how to make the best use of these in combat..... learn this and train with this in mind. PICK your targets, don't just make an "Upper body shot".... say what you're hitting "Floating ribs", sternum, clavicle...etc. Having strong weapons (punches, kicks...etc.) is great, but having 'weak' targets to exploit can make even a weak strike POWERFUL. Definitely something to think about. ((
Side note: if you like, there's also the study of how to affect the body through the use of pressure points. This is contraversial as not everyone thinks this works or is efficacious. Find out for yourself. Personally, I find it a Very interesting study. Do a search on the word "Kyusho" and you'll probably find things out. Discern your sources though, some are good, many mediocre....lots O' Bad. Like I said: Find out for yourself First hand, it's the only way.))
7. Diversify your skills. If you are a grappler, learn to fight with your hands and feet as a striker. If you are a 'striker'...learn to grapple. If your art emphasizes kicks, learn to punch....if your art emphasizes hands, learn to kick. If your school emphasizes the "hands on" aspect (great) then study and learn and appreciate the good that's to be had from forms and the like.
PLEASE NOTE: I'm Not saying "leave your art".
Not at all!!!!! What I am saying is that you should Keep your art and love it for all your worth.... but fill the gaps. NO art is "complete". I know I'll probably catch some guff from that statement, but I believe it.
8. Study weapons. The study of weapons can VERY often have a good effect on your empty hand work and can really lend some insights and depth............besides, training with weapons is a good idea anyway.
Well....I really didn't mean to get THIS long winded.....but you know me....
take it easy, give it hard...
Your Brother
John
PS: IF you like this post.....throw a brothter some positive points.
Didn't know I'd written ALL this....should result in SOMETHIN....
ha!!
