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You Can’t Handle the Truth!!!
Quite often we see the glamour and excitement of self defence routines usually at tournaments and exhibitions. They are usually unrealistic and cloud the student’s 
perspective on the reality of self defence. But that is OK if it is done purely for entertainment value and creativity. However, the opinion of the few Instructors, who are skilled in Reality Based Self Defence, will agree they have a duty of care to their students. What concerns me is the ‘wow’ look on some of the unwary students’ faces. The truth is, it is only the most simple and effective techniques with a good base of street knowledge, will work.
Most Instructors are not aware what they teach will actually work in a hostile environment. Jack Nicholson’s quote from ‘A Few Good Men’ – “you can’t handle the truth” is what I want to say to those who bombard their students with Walt Disney techniques. This can prove dangerous to the student who believes they are ready to do battle. God help anybody who thinks they can defend against a knife. However, the good news is martial arts is not just all about self defence and that is probably why, in this day and age living in a more passive society, most martial arts schools do not have to prove themselves. I don’t believe this blog will offend anyone because I have no doubt evey Instructor believes what they teach will work and that might be the problem. A good Instructor either has the experience or will seek training from an expert and then might reassess the self defence component of their art. I, like some others, have the experience, through many misfortunes of coming into contact with bad elements in the past. Although, this may give me the right to say I am qualified, I still seek training from the experts because there is always more to learn.
This does not negate the fact we have very good Instructors and schools but I believe the importance of this subject is to ensure students are aware. Next time you see a demo, enjoy it for the entertainment, and clap as loud you want. But as far as being practical, ‘if it’s looks too good to be true, then it can’t be true.
GA
‘Elementary My Dear Watson’
What made Sherlock Holmes a famous detetive was his magnifying glass and his 
ability to see things, and clearer, than other people. Martial arts students tend to loathe the basics when shown to them because humans tend to get bored. But that is all a matter of perspective because, to an advanced student, a basic technique looks a whole lot different to that from a beginner. In fact, an advanced student probably finds its more exciting because they discover new detail in a basic technique just as a Forensic Scientist sees things which are usually oblivious to that of an ordinary person unless given a magnifying glass. For a beginner to appreciate the advanced student’s perspective, they should look at a difficult technique and they will soon realize that it has more than one shape.
As I’ve told students before I can almost write a book on the execution of a punch because to me a punch cannot be explained in one word or move. Can you imagine how a punch could be explained by a Medical Practitioner in terms of biomechanics, physics, biology?
I tell students the importance of not missing out class because 'no two classes are the same'. They might appear the same in terms of presentation but the delivery might be different and this is where students have the opportunity to understand more of what has been shown. Martial arts is not just about the execution of movements but also understanding concepts and forensically examining detail.
GA
Teaching can be Painful
Sciatica pain, as a result of my back injury, during the last 4 weeks in particular, 
has been the most excruciating experience of my life, to say the least. This painful experience has virtually immobilized me. Richard Norton calls it the tooth ache of the back. Now I can really appreciate the saying, ‘pain in the back’ (or whatever). However, I have slowly been improving and trying to get to the schools and contribute in some way whilst I’m there.
I have noticed something extraordinary when teaching from an armchair. Students were able to follow my instructions quite well, if not, better. I have never known to teach without physically demonstrating so I put this success down to the verbal communication which is all I have for the time being. The students, in turn, pay extra particular attention to what I say because that is all they have. I asked the higher grades to do a jumping back kick, the other night, which nobody had any real idea what it even looked like. But by breaking it down to a handful of moves and getting the students to practice each move until they got it right, then ‘voila’, the jumping back kick was born! Wow, I thought; I must be good.
After discovering this I now realize instructing doesn’t always need to be hands on. What is more important is to get the students to be more attentive. It would be great to have a balance of both but sometimes when an Instructor tries too hard the student starts to turn their hearing volume down ie ‘why bother when somebody else is going to do the work for you’. This doesn’t mean when I get back on my feet and teaching I am going to put my hands in my pockets.
There is a realization that clear, correct and appropriate communication is the key to success for effective martial arts instruction. The importance being what the Instructor says, how it is said, and if and how well it is being received by the student.
Overall, the Instructor does a great job to develop young persons’ listening skills which is what the parents and schools always strive for.
To finish off this blog, the clichè, NO PAIN, NO GAIN is wearing a bit thin with me.
GA