A Certain Level

As I read, study and research I tend to come across things in the most unlikely places. This one came about from enjoying some not so realistic fiction. I enjoy fiction and don't let reality take away the enjoyment. I do admit when things are stretched beyond normal but still enjoy it. I may speak up and say that can't happen or is unrealistic but in the end if the writer is good I enjoy the book or movie or television show. The following came from a book I was reading during a break at work today.

"At a certain level, when you are fighting (to kill) rather than trying to win a belt or a tournament, all style is stripped away in favor of a selection of techniques that are the most practical and effective at the moment. Professionals who engage in these kinds of fights usually rely on a small percentage of the skills they have learned; skills that they know they can use, and which they can use without thinking about it. At that level a kick is a kick is a kick; a punch is a punch."

How often have we experienced or witnessed self-defense promoted through complex techniques. Not just a few but many techniques to encompass, individually, the many perceived ways of being attacked - some realistic but most just plain outlandish? I can tell you the so called self-defense drills I was originally taught don't work in real life. They were good in my uninitiated and inexperienced mind but later through trial and error, both realistically and through reality based training, I found them totally lacking in real life self-defense. Remember, my reality based experience compared to many out there is very, very limited and yet when I compare things to those who are far and above my level I can still see that what I am saying is true as can be. 

Complexity and quantity are a hinderance to self-defense. They tend to work against a proper mind-state/mind-set and they tend to keep the mind locked in the upper every day levels blocking out instinct, etc. Complexity and quantity if trained properly and realistically may, may, encode it properly for self-defenses yet those who are professionals do still say almost to the person that keeping it simple and to a select few seem more able to defend over the complex and many. 

This is worth thinking about and you can also see how I tend to think even when enjoying a book of fiction.