Two Fighting Theories
By Ed Hutchison
Most martial arts schools seem to teach the idea that memorizing canned techniques will make you a competent street fighter. That method presumes you will see an attack coming, analyze the attacker’s movements, identify the method and reach into your computer like memory to pull out the appropriate response just in the nick of time to counter him.
Real life does not work like this.
Techniques are part of the answers, of course. But the way to make them work is for you to practice so much that each component of each technique becomes engrained into your “muscle memory”. When an attack happens you’ll react in a flow, fighting out of what pro athletes call “the zone”. I guarantee you when Michael Jordon puts up a jumper he isn’t mentally talking himself through the shot (OK – now I’m going to extend my right hand upward – lightly supporting the ball with my left hand and then flick my right wrist in the direction of the hoop”, etc, etc.) His Airness is instead using a finely tuned set of instincts he created by practice, practice, and more practice.
You may not use any one technique in its entirety, but rather parts of different ones all based on the situation at hand.
But even well practiced technique is only part of the solution. Successful fighting requires that you have good personal fighting attributes and a personal fighting methodology which is efficient, realistic and aggressive. Only then will you be able to apply appropriate techniques effectively. This is where most martial artists fail. They get caught up in the technique, ranking systems and the hype that pervades the martial arts.
Since I brought up attributes, let me name a few that good fighters often exhibit: Ferocity (extreme aggression), Competent execution of techniques, Explosive mobility and balance, Sensitivity to your opponent’s energies, Focused analytical thinking, Management of fear and stress, Timing, The ability to relax in the midst of combat, Creative visualization skills, Confidence, Confidence and Confidence, Determination, Strength, Flexibility, Reaction Speed, Muscular endurance, Aerobic conditioning, The ability to take bodily damage and keep going, Situational awareness, Quick decisions, Initiative and willingness to take proactive action, Killer instinct and an “I’ll do whatever it takes!” attitude.
The development of these attributes, along with the best fighting methodology available (Dragon Kenpo), is the most effective approach you can take to winning against an aggressor. Time spent training towards these attributes yields enormous long-term dividends of the Mind/Body/Spirit essentials of the martial arts: The liberation of the mind; The fulfillment and growth of one’s personal development and confident knowledge that you can destroy anyone threatening your safety.