Fight or Die



REPRINTS FROM THE FUJOW NEWSLETTER

For most beginners, sparring is probably one of the most misunderstood drills done in the kwoon (club). In fact, sparring is usually perceived as a friendly fight or a clash of egos to prove who is tougher. But sparring, for the most part and if used properly, can be a great training aid; or largest detriment if it is done incorrectly.

The first question to answer is what is sparring? For the sake of this article, sparring is a free style drill done with a partner(s). Although it can be done at different speeds, we will be discussing a faster paced, boxing glove workout with kicks. But of course, elbows and kicks to the knees are not used because you are not trying to maim and kill your training partner. Leave this for the blood sport of competitive, full contact fighting.

In a sparring session, either person may attack and defend at any point. The idea is to take advantage of openings as well as setting up your partner so you can land your technique or combination of techniques. You must also work with your partner in such a way that you do not injure him or her, if his skills are not as developed as yours. Remember that sparring is a training tool, and not an excuse to pummel your fellow student into oblivion!

In a controlled environment (under the supervision of a Tiger Claw black sash instructor), this drill is ideal in testing movements, and see if everything you have been working on in your personal training (including partner training) will work against your partner. The main problem with sparring, however, if used as your main source of partner training, is that there are very few to no new skills being developed---except for getting used to fast and random attacks from a variety of partners. Time is being spent attempting to make the things you have been practicing work, while at the same time not getting hit by your opponent. A sparring situation is not the time to try out new things or practice movements that you are not comfortable with. Your defenses are in a survival mode. If you have not practiced your blocking and rolling etc., then that will become quite obvious at this point. Sparring is the closest training drill to that of an actual fight.

No one gets better at their skills by sparring. But, taking note of your mistakes after the session, will give you better insight for improvement in your personal training! This too is the chance to test the skills that you have been working on. Find out what works and what doesn't. If it didn't work, then get back to the drawing board and practice ways to make it work or drop it altogether and practice something more effective. Once you have done this, and ingrained it into your mind via partner training, then it will be time for another sparring session---a another test! To truly test something you've worked on, it is wise to spar with a number of partners.

Most people treat sparring as a game or ego thing rather than a training tool; and unfortunately, they get very little out of it. The old Chinese masters often referred to sparring as playing---and it's easy to see why when you watch two people smack each other about the floor accomplishing nothing for hours at a time. Sparring is an excellent addition to your training when used wisely. Sparring can enhance your skills. But remember to get the skills from your regular training first.

Training Methods
It is assumed that every student wants to reach a high level of skill at the Tiger Claw Gung Fu School, and further, to attain this skill in the minimum time possible. Both are goals and are dependent on your training method. It is obvious, of course, that a student training daily will exceed the person who trains only two or three days per week, if they are training in the same general manner. It should be noted, however, that a student training daily with poor training methods will take a considerable amount longer to attain the same skills as a twice weekly trainer with superior training methods. We are all individuals with different strengths and weaknesses. Find your balance in your training and make the most of it.

Needless to say, your method of training is all important to your success at the Tiger Claw Gung Fu School. This is our purpose & business. Combative skill can generally be divided into three separate phases: Physical, Mental and Psychological.

Let us look at each aspect separately
  1. Physical: the physical aspect of training refers to the various techniques of Kung-Fu, i.e., punching, kicking, shifting, striking, etc. The intention of physical training is to increase one's speed, power, and performance of the basic fundamentals. Included in this category would be all of your supplemental exercises, i.e., running, weight training, calisthenics.
  2. Mental: the mental aspect of training is the development of fighting skill, that is, knowing when to block, kick, punch, and how to apply this skill. This deals not only with conscious tactics, but the creation of instinctive reactions directed by the subconscious. Training of this sort can include forms, defensive drills, partner training etc.
  3. Psychological: although the psychological aspect of combat is difficult to train in, it must be given prime consideration as it is extremely important. This develops not only your own fighting strategy but your protection against an opponent's psychological ploys.

Let's examine the approach of these 3 training aspects for full results

Physical
Kung-fu masters have always said that, the best way to develop a punch is to punch. This may seem obvious, but it is amazing how deeply engrossed many students become in supplementary exercises. Many hard-working, conscientious students train hours daily in jogging, sprinting, weight training and calisthenics, yet their progress in Kung-Fu is slow and unsatisfactory. This is the result of concentrating on supplementary exercises to the detriment of their self-defense techniques. Supplementary exercises are good, even essential to some extent, but it must be remembered that it is only a small part of the training procedure.

Here are several methods to develop a superior palm strike:

  • gnow (light) or full dynamic tension on the strike

  • slow and relaxed, tension only on imaginary contact

  • full speed, with a snap

  • full speed, power thrusting in

  • gow chow - using the open palm and back of the hand

  • heavy bag hitting

  • hand pads, punch ball, reflex ball

  • push-ups against a wall or on a floor

  • bench press, - light weight - high reps (recommended) or high weight - low reps

All the foregoing striking drills provide a different value to the practitioner.

Mental
The development of fighting skill, i.e., the ability to defend yourself efficiently and defeat your opponent, for the most part relies on slow movement. An old saying the hand is quicker then the eye can more exactly be interpreted as the mind cannot absorb fast movements The various blocks and counter attacking combinations and forms must be done very slowly and with concentration on each movement, while using an imaginary opponent. In this manner, the techniques of fighting responses are absorbed into the subconscious. Partner training is also essential to the development of Kung-Fu skill, as you learn to apply the various offensive and defensive movements. Skill is never of a high level unless it is an automatic response drawn from the subconscious. This automatic response can only be developed by repetition and more repetition of any given movement. Never fight full speed unless you have protective equipment or are in an actual encounter.

If you practice full speed partner movements without equipment then you will be practicing the repetition of controlling your blows. The repetition of controlling your blows will become an automatic response and your ability to land powerful blows in a real fight will become non-existent. In case you have not noticed for yourself, defensive responses in a fight are seldom full speed. They are timed to meet your opponents attack. If you block faster than they do, the block will be just as ineffective as if it were too slow.

Psychological
It is difficult to suggest how to train yourself to make the maximum use of the psychology of fighting. All things being equal, when two human beings meet in a physical encounter, the psychologically superior person will win with ease. You must be confident of your ability and portray this confidence to your opponent. Conversely, you must see your opponent as he/she is, not as he/she would have you see him/her. The great majority of people in North America fall into one of the following categories.

(a) People who talk and act tough, by using threats, grimaces, shouts, and gestures, but have no fighting skill or training to back up their act.
(b) People who actually believe that they are superior fighters, but in fact, are not and have no fighting skill or training.
(c) People who are physically large and well-muscled and equate this with fighting ability.
(d) People who look tough, i.e., shaggy hair and beards, facial scars, tattoos, cigarettes hanging from the mouth, ugly and sneering faces, clothing styles, etc., but have no fighting skill or training.
(e) People who believe that they are superior fighters due to limited amounts of training in a fighting art.
(f) People who are inept fighters and realize the fact.
(g) People who are well-trained, skilful fighters.

Of the total population, 99.9% fall into categories (a) through (f). When the action starts, they are a joke and will soon see the error of their ways. For the most part, they will (when sober) never become involved in physical combat, but will play the dangerous game of brinkmanship. Most of them will vacate the area when the action starts, in order to survive and brag to their friends the next day. The handful of individuals from category (g) are unlikely to become involved in the futility of a street fight. As you become more skilful, physically and mentally, in the art of Kung-Fu, your confidence will increase along with your awareness to the reality of contact. Great quantities of partner work is recommended to practice staying loose and relaxed at all times. Mental tension is a great hindrance, both psychologically and skill-wise.

Finally, it is up to each individual to decide how to train, what to train in, and what aspect of training to emphasize. This will depend on your physical condition and your present level of ability. Most important, be patient, set realistic goals, attend your classes, and train hard.

Visualization For Better Training
Ever wonder why some people seem more focused, or seem to get more out of a drill then others? In all likelihood they are not smarter then anyone else. The best students are rarely the most fit or strongest people in the club. What makes a student excel in this art is usually what’s going on inside their head. Mental discipline is the most important factor in your training. A mentally disciplined person is always sharp, always focused, always ready; and concentrate harder then most other on what they are working on.

Concentration takes time to develop. Many of us have gone through school with the occasional day dreaming session, dreaming of whatever anywhere else. As time passed by, with our pleasant dreams, we perhaps wondered why we didn’t understand the work we were expected to do.

Visualizing: think of what you are doing in your training. Ask yourself: are you as focused as you could be during class? After completion of the last drill, did you think of anything other then what you were supposed to be doing? Anyone who is honest with themselves would have to say yes to this question, unless you have developed superior concentration skills. It's never the end of the world if your mind wonders. It just gives you something to work on during your training.

As you work at improving your concentration, it will improve with time. Once you are able to concentrate better, or maybe even to help you concentrate, you should begin what is called visualizing. Visualizing is a technique used throughout the martial arts to train the mind. It is fine to throw out a thousand punches a day but if this is only a physical movement then you are missing more then half the benefit. By focusing with your mind on what you are doing your training time will be much more productive.

To visualize is to see the movement and it's effect in your mind. Every time you perform a block, you should be able to see an attack coming towards you. Picture the person in your head. Are they punching, kicking or trying to grab hold of you? How far away are they? Are they moving or just standing there? The better you can see this person the more effective this type of training will be. When you shift, get off of their power line, block their attack and then see your counter land. Where did you hit, what effect did it have, did you get back out of their range after the counter? These are all things you should picture for yourself. If you do this on a regular basis then every drill you do will become a partner drill. When the time comes to actually use these skills to save yourself then you will be more relaxed, more ready. You have already blocked this attack thousands of times, once more won't be that difficult. You will probably find yourself able to adapt with a partner in much easier. Many people can practice a basic drill by themselves, but when they get in front of a partner it seems to be different or totally new to them. This shouldn’t be the case. Your entire class is a partner drill.

Try visualizing your forms. Go through, movement by movement, in your mind. At first you will have difficulty, but they are short sets so you don’t need to concentrate for very long. Picture the effect of every movement. When you have to move in the form, move for a reason. Hit, block, roll, counter; and in some forms you may have to visualize multiple attackers. The reason the Tiger Claw forms are short is so that they may be perfected more easily and quickley. Long forms are great if you have eight hours a day to work on them, but in the long run, your training will be shortchanged because you will not develop a full range of theory and movements.

One of the best ideas is to start visualizing the types of people that you have trouble working with. If bigger people make you nervous or taller people are harder for you then that is what you should picture. The next time you get in front of someone like that, you will be used to it.

In the beginning, you will find it is hard to stay focused, your mind will wander. But always keep focussed to get back on track. If you work at it you will find yourself staying focused for a little longer with each class. Working on concentration is one of the best ways to get the most out of your training.

Just for Kicks
As a general rule at Tiger Claw we tend to favor more hand techniques then feet. However a good ability to kick will help you immensely in your fight style. Tiger claw incorporates a number of kicking movements all of which have something in common. They are all designed to be powerful and effective in a fight or self-defense situation.

Most of the kicks are performed low from the knee to lower rib level and everything in between. Although they can all be done much higher, even up to head level, we stress these low kicks for a number of reasons.

Let us look at our reasons
  1. The lower the kick to a point), the more powerful it becomes. As a kick is delivered it will gradually lose power as it rises up to head level.
  2. The higher kicks take longer to throw and give the person more time to see them coming. It only makes sense that a kick to the knee will be faster then one to the head. These faster kicks can’t be seen or reacted to as easily. With power being generated through "explosion," starting with a good root, proper body mechanics, proper breathing, speed is increased. A faster kick is a harder kick.
  3. With a low kick you can get your foot back on the ground faster enabling you to get into a proper and stable stance. Tiger Claw puts an emphasis on rooting and mobility at the same time. We use the best stance possible so that we are very strong and stable while still being able to move easily and get out of the way.

All of this is not to say that a student will not throw out high or head level kicks, if the opportunity presents itself then a high kick will be used. Practicing a good high kick once in awhile will help to increase flexibility making for a more relaxed and powerful low kick.

Parts of a kick
The kicking techniques at Tiger Claw have the basic body movements in common. There are four main parts to a kick and all four are important to make sure your kicks are done correctly.

The following movements are performed in almost all Tiger Claw Kicking techniques regardless of the stance that you start in or the kick that is being performed.

Basic kicking procedures
  1. Lift the knee of the kicking leg: The height you lift the knee up to will determine how high the actual kick will go. (If the kick is meant to be waist level then the knee should lift to at least that height.)
  2. Extend the lower leg out into the kick position. (The first two parts should flow together so that the lower leg extends out almost as a result of the knee being lifted.)
  3. Pull the foot back so that it is under the knee: This is the most commonly missed step of any kick. As people get tired or lazy they will usually let the foot drop straight down without pulling the lower leg back in.
  4. Drop the leg back into a good strong stance.

If any of these steps are missed then you will lose quality in your kicks and your positioning to your opponent will be compromised. It is important to flow all four parts together but a good kicker will not skip any of them.

Leg Conditioning
Being able to throw kicks effectively requires a certain amount of conditioning, strength and flexibility in the legs. The best way to get this conditioning is to kick. The more kicks you do properly the better your kicking muscles will become.

The muscles in the legs are developed on the top and the bottom sides of the legs. As the kick is being delivered, the top leg muscles are being used. When the kick is withdrawn, then the underside of the leg is being conditioned. In fact, it is important to condition them both evenly so that one side is not alot stronger then the other. If one side builds up far more then the other then injury can occur. Your leg will be able to push out faster and harder then the other set of muscles can deal with. To avoid this problem never cheat on your movements and perform every part of a good kick.

Another factor to consider is the when you specialize in say a front thrust kick, you will also somewhat improve your back kick. Of course, to develop a good back kick, you must also practice it; but you don't have to practice it as much (considering your front kick is what you are mainly working on). Some simple stretching is in order as well. Muscles must be both strong and flexible to maximize the effectiveness of the kick. With the proper breathing and coordination explosive kicks can be developed, that is, kicks with both power and speed. Focussing the kick correctly is another factor to consider.

Circle walking is another excellent method used at Tiger Claw to develop the leg strength. The motion of the walk when done properly is the same as throwing a kick. Sink your weight down into the legs and with each step pull your toes back as if you were stomping your heel into the floor.

Tiger Claw students are known for having strong legs and powerful movements. It is this attention to detail that has given us this reputation. So take the time to develop the body so that it is prepared for these basic movements.

Self-Defense Tips
If you think that you are being followed, first try crossing the street or go somewhere. If they continue following find a public place, a business or anywhere with alot of people. Unless you are ready to make a run for it, try not to show your alarm or even awareness of the situation until you feel you are safe, as that may speed up the process. Avoid leading this person to your own residence.

When leaving your car always attempt to park under a light if you will be returning after dark When returning to the car casually look underneath and in the back seat to make sure nobody is hiding there.

Quote of the Month
Failures are divided into two categories: those who thought and never did; and those who did and never thought.

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