The essence of martial arts is combat and the
essence of combat consists of speed, accuracy and deadliness.
1. Speed It is not simply executing fast movements
as we understand them. "Speed" refers to the speed used in changing the body's
position, so quickly that the opponent cannot catch up. Therefore, when the
practitioner makes contact or collides with the opponent, the speed is
invincible.
2. Accuracy Accuracy refers to the execution on target with
the least amount of power expended. To be able to use the least amount of power,
skillful practitioners often wait until the last second to react. This last
second reaction preserves power, surprises the opponent, explores and exposes
the opponent's weak spot and makes it possible to finish the confrontation in
one strike.
3. Deadliness Deadliness refers to the amount of power
delivered to the opponent's weak spot. It is so powerful that it can be lethal.
Therefore, skillful practitioners have the responsibility of not starting any
fight unless it is absolutely necessary.
When a practitioner is able to apply these three factors together in one
execution, it is an expression of power, technique, timing, perception and
opportunity. It is the result of one's life experiences of martial art training.
In order to cut down time in training, a beginner must do the following:
- One should begin with a correct method of training. The bare
hand form should be correct so the skill will be true. If the bare
hand form is not correct, all the fundamentals are not good, and are not
able to strengthen the muscle, bone, ligament, tendon, essence, qi and
spirit. The training will not able to do the body any good and will result
in nothing but harm.
- One should search for a knowledgeable instructor. An instructor can show you
how to perform a movement. A knowledgeable instructor can demonstrate and
explain how a movement functions.
- One must practice regularly in order to improve. Knowing the information
does not mean much. When one is able to incorporate the information by
practicing, this means a lot.
Many people spend years training and are not able to attain any martial
skills because they have not incorporated any of the three factors described
above in their training. Simply put, if one has failed to attain any of the
three factors described above, one is not able to solve the problem of relations
between body, power and technique. This is the type of information which
requires oral transmission.
How should one practice to achieve speed, accuracy and deadliness after one
has already obtained the information? Here are some of the concepts one should
keep in mind in practice. They should offer some guidance when one is
formulating a training schedule.
1. Confidence A practitioner should have confidence and
believe in his skill. In other words, one should have courage. If a practitioner
does not have any courage, is afraid and nervous whenever he confronts his foe,
there is no way he can win.
In order to win, he must believe in himself and have confidence in his own
skill. When a practitioner is in confrontation, he will be hit and hurt
regardless of whether he is afraid or not. The truth is, most likely the
opponent is just as afraid as the practitioner. If the practitioner has more
control over his own fear than his opponent does, he will win.
2. Offensive and defensive maneuvers In any strike, one
should be prepared to deliver offensive and defensive maneuvers. In any punch
and kick, one should not drop the head down, but keep it up and alert for a
defensive maneuver. In defense, one should always look for the opportunity to
strike.
3. Nimbleness An experienced practitioner generally has a
very flexible body and is nimble in movements. In practical situations, one
should have mobile footwork to advance or retreat. When one distances from the
opponent, he should expect the opponent to expose his weak spot when moving. A
short distance requires less stepping but requires more flexibility of the body
to neutralize and counter strikes.
4. Relaxation Relaxation refers to having a relaxed body. It
is only through relaxation that one will have enough power and endurance in
vigorous physical confrontation. It is the result of relaxing the body that
makes it possible to be flexible, have mobile footwork, speed and powerful
strikes.
5. Opportunity/Timing This refers to the opponent exposing
his weak spot for a short period of time. If one is not able to seize the
opportunity, one cannot win. Therefore, one must train the body so one can take
advantage of an opportunity at last second without causing any injury to one's
own body.
6. Coordination It is common that many beginners have a hard
time remembering the bare hand form. This is so because they are not used to
physical movement. The body is not coordinated with the movements of the hands
and feet. When we see beginner apply the left hand and not continue with the
right hand in movement this demonstrates the two hands are not coordinated. When
one is not coordinate, it is equivalent to tied up the body in confrontation.
7. Strategy In any confrontation, strategy plays a very
important role. People are different, some are tall, others short, fat, skinny.
Some like to kick and others prefer to use the hands. Therefore, one should
apply different strategies separately depending on the opponent. If one uses the
same strategy for all kinds of opponents, the chance of winning will be reduced.
8. Proper response This refers to the fact that all the
movements and strikes should be proper or appropriate to the situation. For
example when one punches the opponent's stomach, most likely the opponent will
drop his head. The next proper strike should be an upper cut to the head. If the
opponent kicks the knee, it is better to neutralize the kick with the feet. If
one neutralizes the kick with the hands, the head is exposed to potential
strikes.
When one practices based on these concepts, one's strikes will be powerful in
actual confrontation. Every execution will be speedy, accurate and lethal.
|