Blog
Fantasy Island
Imagine jumping into a ring and giving a boxer a beating without him hitting back. Your effort increases, at least tenfold, once he starts moving, blocking and hitting back. Use the same imagination with a ground fighter and you’ll soon find out that it is not a blow up doll you’re on the mats with. All it takes is a bit of resistance or non-compliance and then you have a different ball game. To be aware of this is to be aware of what lurks out in the real world.
In support of a good martial arts education, a good Instructor needs to know what will work 
under pressure. There are literally dozens of kicks and a vast variety of ways to execute them in a non-contact situation. The number reduces when the contact increases. The ring generally weeds out what can be used and how they can be thrown. The street eliminates, for almost everyone, any fantasy of throwing a kick to the head. A school should not fall in the Fantasy Island syndrome where reality is only in the realms of their dojo. But full contact fighting, whether it is kickboxing, wrestling or mma, is a great tool for Instructors to understand the reality of their own teachings; this does not mean a school or student should do full contact. I am just as happy to see a student using their own imagination and coming up with their own stuff but my obligation as an Instructor is to ensure when and if they can use it. I study full oontact events and look for things that can be used under pressure. Unfortunately, real fights are not something you readily see on television so it is quite difficult for Instructors to eyewitness or study situations, and make determinations unless they have experienced first hand.
It was very nice to hear from John Will yesterday, on his way to the Airport, checking up on my right tyre kicker. I was very pleased to hear his son is also doing very well (there were times things weren’t going according to plan). I believe I will see him on the mats in 6 months time. John is doing his usual tour of duty in Asia, England and Norway. Have a nice trip, John!
GA
‘a job well done’
Words which inspire, encourage, support, compliment, reward, acknowledge, give confidence are all a big part of building a person’s character; this also reflect the person employing these words.
This is the best medicine for a patient, in time of need, despite the odds against recovery. We all know it too well, words of encouragement, have proven a positive outcome for many people. If there is a fighting chance for someone out there then it must start with a positive environment. We have already seen that with John’s son. There is no doubt in my mind, all the positive thoughts and fan mail may have had something to do with that.
In my work environment I beg to differ with managers who feel that it is not necessary for them to acknowledge staff, under my supervision, for a job well done. They adopt the attitude, ‘they are getting paid for it; what else do they want?’ ‘Oh, yes, I can see how this is going to really blow their budget out!’ Perhaps an introduction to martial arts might change that point of view.
A simple compliment to a student can go a long way which is a reward in itself. In the martial arts we have learnt to acknowledge people for who they are, what they have achieved and what they are trying to achieve. Students are often rewarded with trophies, rank/belt promotions and other materialistic objects but without the proper words to go with them, it will not really mean much. Imagine getting a Black Belt from the Teacher who has nothing to say about you.
There’s nothing worse than walking into a room with a negative atmosphere. It’s the job of the Teacher to use words which ensure a positive environment.
GA
All Padded up!
It’s becoming popular to see personal trainers (PTs), in parks, providing some form of fitness to people who lack motivation or don’t seem to have time to attend a gym, etc. The PTs probably do a pretty good job for some or most of these people, but how ordinary it 
looks to qualified and trained Martial Arts Instructors, when the PTs get the focus pads out and make their clients throw a few kangaroo punches; some of them make my grandmother look like a pro.
Equipment which is used in the martial arts is designed by the people in the industry. It looks like a ploy, by the Fitness Industry, to make people feel they are getting something special from their training. It’s the sit-ups, push-ups and short runs that might be doing the job, not the use of the equipment but it certainly looks good when somebody is holding a couple of focus pads; makes people feel it's money worth spent. The other issue is a false sense of security. I have friends who feel good about defending themselves. You ‘oughta’ see their punches!
I remember when TAE BO first came to Australia and how unbelievably popular it was. I walked into a gym, one day, with over 50 in a so called, TAE BO class. The first 20 minutes was no different to an ordinary aerobics class. Then they started on a few knee raises. If you could only see the big smiles on people’s faces, as if they have been signed up for a career in the martial arts movie industry! What crossed my mind was ‘why would anyone not want to give the martial arts a try if this sort of training impresses them’.
Pads, focus pads and the likes are only props in the fitness industry. In the martial arts, they are our tools of trade. It is a shame that our tools are exploited by the untrained who have very little knowledge of what these items are intended for. It takes years to get good at using them. I take my hat off to any PT who has a good martial arts background. There are many martial arts schools which now provide this type of Fitness Training. Others just jump on the band wagon for a quick buck.
GA