A-Z of attributes of a ‘Good Fighter’ There are vast arrays of attributes that make for a good ‘well rounded’, Fighter; there will be other important attributes for some of the letters however some of my favourites are listed below; A. Aggression, the ability to turn on controlled aggression when and where necessary, used to many advantages such as; disruption of the aggressors will, putting off a possible attack, making an aggressor stop for a split second to think and give you an advantage. B. Basic knowledge, knowing what really works, keeping it ‘simple-stupid’, why have an arsenal of 500 flash techniques… choose your best, fastest, hardest (powerful) techniques that are hitting the important/vital areas, so as to give best chance of a knock out or opportunity to evade the situation. Remember under pressure the gross motor skills work better than fine motor skills. The ones that have been drilled continuously and do not require fine technical ability. C. Closing, the ability to close (Shoot) in very quickly, using the mass of the body as ‘a weapon in its own rite’ to disrupt the aggressors stance and close down/trap any possible attack. D. Distancing, without correct distance (long, medium, close and grappling) the techniques will not work effectively. It is necessary to use the correct distance for specific situations as they arise and be able to change the distance to suit yourself in an instant. E. Expect the unexpected, by training at various clubs (cross training) and by seeking out confronting fears, reading literature on real life situations etc, you will greatly reduce the chances of being ‘surprised’. For example; if you realise that walking down a dark alley, late at night, in a rough neighbourhood wearing lots of exposed gold jewellery may attract the wrong sort of attention then you will take steps to avoid the situation, or at least reduce to consequences. F. Fear, probably and arguably the most important factor in a real life confrontational situation. If you are scared (in any situation where you are uncertain or angry) the body pumps Adrenaline around the body (in various amounts), this has some good effects but can cause the following; The shakes, Dry mouth, Quivery voice, Tunnel vision, Sweaty palms, Nausea, Bowel loosening (as blood flows to the vital organs, away from ‘less’ vital ones, semi digested food or fluids are seen by the body as excess baggage!) Adrenal deafness (auditory exclusion where all other sounds are excluded from the brain), Tachypsychia (Time distortion/loss/memory distortion/loss) Denial response, Amaurosis fugax (the body draws so much blood the brain sees the world in black and white) It is the control and use of this adrenaline that is important, it can be a useful tool or can make you freeze on the spot… G. Grappling/Ground fighting skills, ’they’ say most real fights end up on the floor… We must make every effort not be on the floor through choice in a real fight, there are sharp things there in pubs and clubs (broken glasses etc) plus the attacker may have one or more friends that will be kicking you in the head despite your best choke, strangle or arm bar to the aggressor! HOWEVER equally you must know how to deal with it if you end up there (that in its self can stop it going to the floor!!) H. Head Butts. Not widely used or accepted perhaps in the Shotokan system, but if your arms are both grabbed for real that may be what is coming your way! Used correctly these are a seriously dangerous weapon so be aware and also practice them for use if there is no other option (or if the situation merits) I. Individuality. If fighting within a particular style if you are able to be different to the ‘rest’ you will be a formidable opponent. That will be true of the street, so long as you know all opponents possible attacks you can surprise them with your ease of defence, J. Joints (breaks, locks, pain compliance) a critical area of Karate not practiced enough, more used in Aikido and Jujitsu or by Police agencies for pain compliance. This is an area of fighting skills that takes fine motor skills to use but if practiced enough will be an excellent tool for the right situation. Again it is important to know about these and the breakaway techniques for use if you’re grabbed in one K. Kicking. A highly skilled kicker that can use it to effect in reality will be another formidable opponent. Most will not expect it and if used to joints will be highly effective. See leg attacks. L. Leg attacks, use of various powerful leg attacks starting at the level of sweeps, stamps, attacks to the knee, to very powerful knee strikes are crucial for real defence. Correct application in respect of the situational need, striking the correct, vulnerable areas with correct distance. M. Muscle control. The knowledge of your body and the way relaxation can increase speed is important, weight training raises awareness and strengthens muscle fibres and tendons. See relaxation. N. Never give up! Speaks for itself, there will be a point where most people will give up and curl into the foetal position, don’t let it happen! O. One punch kill. (Ikken hisatsu) Practice of a technique so that it uses every muscle in the body, the full power of the mind, attitude, all the speed and power put together in a technique so fast, devastating, powerful and precisely aimed so as to incapacitate the aggressor. Sounds like the movies but it is possible, the punch used by Geoff Thompson many times on the doors of Coventry’s roughest night clubs is an example (read his books...) P. Power, gained through repetitively practiced ‘good’ technique, in broad terms acceleration (speed) x mass (weight) = power (force). So the faster and heavier the weapon (fist, arm leg etc) the more impact we create, if you are slight build you need your punch to travel a great deal faster to create an equal impact force/power to some one of large build. This is gained also by transition into a stance (forward momentum), the twisting force of the body (X), relaxation prior to impact and many other factors. Q. Queue a tenuous link, queue up at the doors of as many arts as possible, at the gym and be the best you can be…. See told you it was tenuous… R. Relaxation, this is important for many reasons; when the muscles of the body tense they require increased oxygen and blood flow to them, they also raise in temperature, hence if you are at rest then hurry up stairs you start to breath heavier, feel warm or hot, your heart rate increases. Link this to ground fighting, probably the most demanding of the fighting disciplines for the level of fitness required. If the fighter can relax they burn less energy, they actually ‘feel’ heavier to the opponent, a ‘dead’ weight. This increases the opponents work load in trying to move you to gain the advantage. If used correctly relaxation will make you less tired during the rigours of any fight, S. Speed, the ability to move a particular object (fist, foot, knee, head, chair) quickly toward a chosen target. See above P for power. T. Training, lack of continued and specific training will degrade your ability to deal with given situations. Constant pressure testing of techniques in ‘reality based scenarios’ will significantly increase the chances of a favourable outcome in a given situation. U. Update, do not let your skills become stale, keep updating them all the time. V. Victory. If you are training correctly just learn to deal with it! W. Win. Do not be happy with coming second if it’s a real confrontation, or any other situation to be honest. X. The use of X, maintaining the link of hips, spine and shoulder groups. Using them together, to deliver very powerful techniques. The centre of the X is the ‘Tanden’ (below the navel), the bottom the Hips/legs and the top the upper chest and shoulders. Used correctly together greatly increases the developed power and speed of movement. Y. Yes, If asked ‘do you want to try this style or technique?’ say YES! You can use it if it suits your body type. Z. Zanshin, A Japanese word included in martial arts which describes an awareness of ones environment, surroundings, potential hostilities, exits from the potential situation.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 16:11:19 +0000
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