| If you've ever been in a self defense situation and | | | | you. Forget about secret techniques and using the |
| your techniques didn't work there are several | | | | guy's strength as an advantage, if your body lacks |
| reasons why. | | | | the raw based strength and proper conditioning you |
| Reason # 1 is awareness. By paying attention to | | | | won't have the extra edge to win. |
| your surroundings you can see "what is wrong" with | | | | Reason # 5 is having a lack of speed. Guns were |
| your environment and be able to detect the attack | | | | invented because of the relatively advantageous use |
| ahead of time and respond accordingly. Inner | | | | of speed against an attacker. I train my students |
| awareness is even more important because if you're | | | | with the same principle in mind; a much faster fighter |
| distracted by thoughts or if you're not able to remain | | | | can have the fight half won. I break the technique |
| calm, the attacker will get the best of you. | | | | down into small parts, more like breaking a film into |
| Reason # 2 the fighting range is poorly measured. If | | | | small frames. When the whole technique is done, the |
| you are not able to fight in your advantageous range | | | | student puts the frames back together into one fluid |
| at the moment of the attack and your opponent | | | | movement. This basic understanding is what creates |
| catches you out of this range, the chances of you | | | | the theory of economy of motion because you can |
| winning are very small. To avoid this situation, | | | | cut unnecessary frames or parts out of the |
| practice all ranges and become super familiar with | | | | technique. |
| them. Still, with all that preparation there is a chance | | | | Reason # 6 your sense of timing is not there. Timing |
| that you won't be able to defend yourself effectively | | | | and speed are twin brothers because if one suffers, |
| if .... | | | | the other does as well. Superb speed won't help you |
| Reason # 3 you are unable to adjust. I discovered | | | | at all, if you don't know when to apply it. Timing drills |
| that traditional blocks don't have the pliability and "real | | | | are important to practice in class if you are to |
| time" applications as other more simple blocks can | | | | become a fierce fighter. The best way to develop |
| have. I remember being in this store and one of my | | | | timing is to spar as much as possible and to practice |
| friends who was training with me at the time, threw | | | | with different fighters to test their timing against |
| a punch at my chest and I executed a middle block in | | | | yours. You are getting real experience instead of just |
| a traditional manner, as we do in Tae Kwan Do and | | | | hitting targets. |
| the punch went through and hit me. Even though, he | | | | Reason # 7 a demeanor of confidence and |
| was playing around, I was bothered by it. That's | | | | fearlessness is non existent. I used to complain that |
| where I learned that these blocks must be adjusted | | | | bullies picked on me all the time. Later on, I learned it |
| to fit a real encounter. A more natural way of | | | | was because of the way I carried myself in school. I |
| blocking is how boxers block, by simply slapping the | | | | used to be very shy, walked around with my head |
| punches with your palms. | | | | down, hiding from the world and I sent signals that |
| Reason # 4 you are not in good shape. Nowadays, | | | | told the bullies, "here comes Rosendo, we can smack |
| with the craze of mixed martial arts, the idea of | | | | him all we want." The next time you're walking in the |
| fitness is easier to swallow in most training halls. Let's | | | | street, walk on it like you own it, but don't call out |
| face it, you can know millions of techniques, but if | | | | for trouble to find you because it will find you. |
| you are out of shape they won't do anything for | | | | |