Blog
Clear Head
It has taken so many years in the martial arts to understand that taking it nice and easy achieves better results in sparring, wrestling and self defence. By that I mean keeping a cool head under pressure which ensures the mind and body are working at their optimum. Not many of us have mastered this because we tend to let our emotions get in the way which results in tunnel vision, a reduction in cognitive thinking (distorted mind) and physical ability (running out of steam).
I remember one particular major karate tournament, in the ‘80s, I had come up against one of Australia’s favourite and feared fighters who had a bad temper and would wack you in the face if he thought you were trying to get the better of him (I still have vivid memories of that mean look on his face). I dreaded the idea of being in his weight category but as Murphy’s Law would have it, I also ended up having to fight him.
I didn’t care so much about trying to beat this guy; I was more concerned about not getting hurt. In the ‘80s nobody was around to rescue you if things got out of hand, it was an era of hard training and hard fighters. I showed my opponent that I had no interest in trying to beat him by being and looking relaxed in order to convince him I was no threat. However, this fight was one of my best ones ever, losing by a very controversial measly half point (3 points to 2.5 points). My instructor was absolutely amazed and it was not obvious, at the time, why I did so well.
In law enforcement and security, I did very well, sometimes extremely well, with the same attitude by staying relaxed and not letting emotions taking over situations. If you make it personal then you become emotional and that may spell dismal failure. The professionals who work at the door, cops on the job, bodyguards are usually successful for many reasons but a big part of it is mainly they are able to avoid becoming emotional and treat situations as part of their job. This is what needs to be learned in the martial arts – stay relaxed and detach from emotion. This will ensure a clear head.
GA
‘I Do’
We’ve all seen vows take place at weddings especially the 'I do' bit and then it’s all over and done with but nobody thinks, at the time, how much time and effort has gone leading into this moment.
Tournament is usually a one day event and competing may only be a matter of minutes. The most important part is the preparation and training leading up to the event.
I hear some students say, ‘I am not ready’. Does that mean they are not willing, or does that mean they are not ready to take on the extra training? In martial arts competition there is no such thing as losing as long as you did your very best. But there is an upside to this. Stepping into the arena is an opportunity to test your skills and gain experience that only competition can provide. I notice the incredible improvement in students who put their hands up to compete. Not only does their sparring and kata improve but overall skills and confidence.
I was talking to Billy ‘the Kid’ (World Champion Boxer) today about how many people out there are willing take on everybody as long as they don’t have to step out the front door of their school. It’s best these people, especially those who have never competed, to keep quiet and maintain a low profile because it is a small world.
Whilst competition is not for everybody I do encourage students to at least, just the once, experience that arousal and adrenalin when confronted outside the norm of their surroundings – call it a little preparation for that shocking street encounter should it ever happen. Those who don't compete should look at becoming skilled coaches and motivators to assist those who want to 'take on the world'.
Letting students know they have the potential is all it may take for them to say, ‘I do’ when asked, ‘who wants to compete.’
GA
Congratulations to our fine young outstanding athletes last weekend at the recent AMAC championships:
Etan Foo, Siddarth Warrier, Jake Mountford, Alex Piotrowski, Kyle Welevita.
The Greatest Feeling Ever
In the martial arts, people who are not concerned with belts are usually in it for the long haul. Those who aspire for belts rather than knowledge, it would seem they have a very short martial arts life span unless attitudes change. The importance of a belt is what it stands for and what you do for it. Any other way he or she is either being misled or is misleading themselves.
Those who have received a belt and were not ecstatic about it is because, deep down, they did not deserve it especially those expecting or even asking for it (there are people out there that do that). The value of the belt is the uncertainty of when and if given. Not meeting the requirements in a grading can be a positive thing because it encourages the student to never give up (one of life's greatest philosophies). To change the grading system so everybody can get over the finish line is to weaken the art and deceive the student.
Spare a thought for the humble BJJ student who does not know when and if they ever get their belt; just a little stripe if they're lucky enough but they don't complain. I think we can learn something from this.
People should remember they are in the martial arts for the training, not for belts. Instead, belts are a consequence of training. Those outside this thinking are only kidding themselves. Earning a Black Belt is one of greatest feelings ever. It is well worth waiting for.
GA