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Have you noticed that many martial artists, especially those trained in a “stand-up” system, tend to abandon all techniques & discipline during combat? In NHB competitions, I’ve noticed that boxers don’t even throw punches, let alone combinations. Likewise, karate/kung-fu guys don’t execute one technique. Instead, these “stand-up” fighters resort to wild lunges and flurries. One has to wonder why these people train in martial arts if they don’t intend to use their discipline.
I’ve been guilty of the same thing. I remember the first time I got into a fight at school. I was basically holding onto the guy for dear life as he was attempting to pound me into the ground. I had karate training, but somehow my primordial fears took over. It was a horrible experience that traumatized my psyche. Children, as trained as they are, are not ready for the trauma of real fights.
However, there comes a point in time when the discipline becomes embedded in your thinking, and you begin to trust the techniques and concepts. Since my first fight, I’ve been able to defend myself with my training. In the past, students have said to me, “I wouldn’t use that in a real fight anyway” and my response is that they shouldn’t be learning it if they don’t intend to use it. My approach is simple: You go into a fight with what you know. If you get beat, then perhaps the other fighter is better trained, has better physique — the list is endless. But it’s better than going in without anything. On the other hand, if with all your training, you get beaten by a complete wimp, you need to rethink your strategy.
In contrast, grapplers are more disciplined because of the obvious — the average guy can’t grapple, but he can sure get lucky with a punch or kick. Hence, for a stand-up fighter, trying to control an opponent with distance and techniques is much harder. For that reason, most stand-up guys abandon all faith and put themselves out of their element. Against an expert grappler, that would be a mistake.
I’ve been guilty of the same thing. I remember the first time I got into a fight at school. I was basically holding onto the guy for dear life as he was attempting to pound me into the ground. I had karate training, but somehow my primordial fears took over. It was a horrible experience that traumatized my psyche. Children, as trained as they are, are not ready for the trauma of real fights.
However, there comes a point in time when the discipline becomes embedded in your thinking, and you begin to trust the techniques and concepts. Since my first fight, I’ve been able to defend myself with my training. In the past, students have said to me, “I wouldn’t use that in a real fight anyway” and my response is that they shouldn’t be learning it if they don’t intend to use it. My approach is simple: You go into a fight with what you know. If you get beat, then perhaps the other fighter is better trained, has better physique — the list is endless. But it’s better than going in without anything. On the other hand, if with all your training, you get beaten by a complete wimp, you need to rethink your strategy.
In contrast, grapplers are more disciplined because of the obvious — the average guy can’t grapple, but he can sure get lucky with a punch or kick. Hence, for a stand-up fighter, trying to control an opponent with distance and techniques is much harder. For that reason, most stand-up guys abandon all faith and put themselves out of their element. Against an expert grappler, that would be a mistake.
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