Once, long ago, say around 85 this black belt started a training regimen at the same location where I happened to have a dojo. He took the space the two hours before my allotted time for same space. He and I began to work for the last fifteen minutes of his space time. He kept talking about how powerful his back-fist was and kept zinging them into my face.
I asked him to go ahead and hit me with all he had in his back-fist to my face. He kept saying he couldn't or he would break my cheek. I said go ahead and we got on the floor and zing, snap, splat on my right cheek. I smiled when he turned back to see if I was still standing. He was absolutely shocked.
Now, yes, his fist hurt but it caused no "damage." None, zilch, nothing. He could not understand why because he had been using this his entire time as a karate-ka. I said to him, body mechanics. Now, understand that was in 85 and no one had broken down in fine details what that actually meant because today I don't care for using body mechanics but none the less this guy had not concept of power and how to apply it. I suspected rightly so that he spent a good deal of time either sparring for points or competing in tournaments for points.
His back fist was lightening fast and got in and out the same, fast. He could score points fast but .... now it is that butt that gets you every time.
The moral of this story: "You are getting screwed by your 'self-defense' training?" by Marc MacYoung. I provide this link because he has the experience and expertise so you may take his stuff to the bank, it is cold hard cash. Really well posted on such things for the moral of my story is to lead you to his and then to "think" about what you perceive as your system and its benefits toward self-defense.
What if? The "what if monkey." What if this guy in 85 had gotten into a situation where he needed his stuff and did this fast back fist to some huge bear of a real bad guy - toilet paper, the guy would wipe his toosh with his face.
Hey, Attention on Deck!
Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!
When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:
I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me
I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me
I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull
I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death
I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed
I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes
I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados
I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers
The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn
Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung
WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE
The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)
“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)
“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne
I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.
3 comments:
I think that one of the biggest misunderstandings in martial arts that comes from non or light contact point sparring is that if you touch your opponent, he's doing to disappear in a cloud of smoke.
The other big misunderstanding is flashy long range technique wins over boring basic short range technique.
I once took a full powered axe kick to the forehead to prove a point. The visiting BB thought that this was a great knockout blow - but she wasn't landing it on any of my lower belt students. And her mind wasn't 'opened' to the issue as you've so correctly put it ... point sparring will get you eaten when you most need it.
I took an axe kick. But I gotta give it to you ... I wouldn't volunteer my face for a backfist.
Good post, Charles.
Colin
http://www.joongdokwan.com
Thanks Colin, much appreciated. Thanks Rick, thanks for the invite via email.
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