Training mental resilience in self defence.

[Haruhiko]

I think awareness is harder when you are actually in danger of being ambushed.

Or in this case bumping in to people in sparring.

You underestimate the tenacity of Slayer fans.

 

[Tony Dismukes]

In some cases you see fighters get up after being hit pretty badly and they think that the referee or their coach who is assisting them is actually their opponent and they are locked in a mindset which could be offset by some sort of zanshin.

This is generally a result of being seriously concussed. I'm not sure how much cultivating a zanshin mindset helps avoid the momentary confusion and disorientation that can result from a concussion. Not sure of how one could practically or ethically test to find out, either.

 

[Haruhiko]

This is generally a result of being seriously concussed. I'm not sure how much cultivating a zanshin mindset helps avoid the momentary confusion and disorientation that can result from a concussion. Not sure of how one could practically or ethically test to find out, either.

Yeah that's fair. I did have a reservation when posting that as an example, which you've highlighted.

 

[JowGaWolf]

There’s been some loud crazy guys who scared me. But it’s usually the quiet ones who watch from a well chosen seat that gave me the chills.

Always watch out for the quiet ones. In reality it's not that we are quiet, it's more that we are sitting there taking notes, planning, and scheming. It's easier to do things when people are paying attention to the noise. It's easier to think when the mouth isn't running.

If you hae a quiet friend then you probably have someone that has your back more than you realize.

 

[isshinryuronin]

f you hae a quiet friend then you probably have someone that has your back more than you realize.

Knew a quiet Sicilian guy a long time ago (I was shacking up with his sister) to whom I mentioned I was having a problem with a particular individual. He asked, "Where does he live?" As he had served hard time in the notorious San Quentin prison and was no stranger to violence, I knew this was no idle question and quickly assured him that it was no big thing, that I could handle it alone. He was a scarry dude who taught me there was a different world out there than the one I resided in.

 

[Holmejr]

I think that most folks are not ready for real self defense, but I would say that if you train until you’re art is as second nature as walking then you have a pretty good chance of subduing or escaping an assailant. We do attempt to surprise attack our students in class along with counters. After around 4 or 5 years they seem to start getting it.

 

[Prince_Alarming]

Unscripted one-step sparring works great for improvising self defense techniques, we do it a lot
As for mental toughness, we hold our arms out straight from our bodies for long periods. Also works with stances.

 

[Prince_Alarming]

Also, attending a school where violence was the preferred form of recreation helps

 

[Gyakuto]

I think that most folks are not ready for real self defense, but I would say that if you train until you’re art is as second nature as walking then you have a pretty good chance of subduing or escaping an assailant.

Walking whilst listening to music and/or looking at your phone doesn’t improves one chance of going unscathed.

We do attempt to surprise attack our students in class along with counters. After around 4 or 5 years they seem to start getting it.

I have visions of Kato jumping out on Inspector Clouseau.

 

[Gyakuto]

Preparing for the unexpected is an oxymoron. In a self-defence situation a great deal of luck is required.

 

[windwalker099]

We do attempt to surprise attack our students in class along with counters.

We did the same, a little differnet.

While working in the 97th General Hospital in Frankfurt ,GER,
TDY from my unit, part of a training program,

As a young GI stationed in Germany, I would get together with anyone I could find to train with.
Sometimes, with some of the local Germans at the time.

A small group—about five of us—used to meet in a large park in Frankfurt. One person would walk around while the others hid and ambushed them. Very cool to see the mix of styles, Chinese , Korean, kickboxing, and others.


Every year, during VE Day there was a celebration in Luxembourg commemorating the Battle of the Bulge.

My unit 1/39 INF

Had helped liberate the area during World War II, participated in the event. As part of the celebration, we put on a martial arts demonstration. The demo included various scenarios: bayonet techniques, unarmed combat, and even a comedy skit where one of the GIs dressed up as a woman being attacked, it was funny.

My role in the demo was to act as the soldier with the bayoneted rifle, trying to stab an unarmed GI. He would disarm me by grabbing the rifle and throwing me in the process. We used an M1 rifle at the time, which had a longer barrel compared to the
M-16, making it easier to grab and use for a throw.

While we were training for the event, the XO (Executive Officer) of the unit stopped by to observe. Demos like this require real intent for them to look and feel authentic. During one throw, I landed hard on my shoulder and injured it.
After watching, the XO asked us to repeat the demonstration. Made for a very long day.

 

[Badhabits]

Try this sometime ( this probably won't phase the full contact guys ) have a partner put their arms up to shield the sides of their head. Then proceed to pummel the sides of their head with forearm strikes for a good two minutes while they just shield their head. I've seen some very physically fit guys turn red and start sweating like crazy from this ( the guy getting pummeled) . It doesn't hurt, it's all mental pressure.

 

[windwalker099]

It doesn't hurt, it's all mental pressure.

the military at that time, all about mental pressure..
getting hurt a part of the process, understanding how not to, part of the training.

Interesting times during the cold war.

 

[Prince_Alarming]

Hey, it's only pain

 

[Holmejr]

“I have visions of Kato jumping out on Inspector Clouseau.”

Yes, we attack them at Japanese restaurants while dressed as geisha waitresses. Initially it scares the crap out of them. Really enhances their situational awareness.

 

[Prince_Alarming]

Bags I jump out at the white belts dressed as big bird

 

[Prince_Alarming]

We could do a little song