I have this one student who first came to me with an already extensive skill base. In fact when he first decided to take up training with me, he said "I need another art like I need another hole in the head", but that he felt there was something calling him to the art.
As time and mentoring went on, not only was he able to better understand Rinkiohen-Do but he was able to better understand all of the things he had learned in his experience with other arts. He told me that one of the things he was surprised about was that in the system there were two systemic features that revolutionized his understanding of martial arts and catapulted his skills far beyond his expectations.
These two systemic features are what this article is about. Regardless of what style you practice, understanding these two things can make a HUGE difference in your development.
As time and mentoring went on, not only was he able to better understand Rinkiohen-Do but he was able to better understand all of the things he had learned in his experience with other arts. He told me that one of the things he was surprised about was that in the system there were two systemic features that revolutionized his understanding of martial arts and catapulted his skills far beyond his expectations.
These two systemic features are what this article is about. Regardless of what style you practice, understanding these two things can make a HUGE difference in your development.
#1 Context Over Content
One feature is that we focus on context over content. Sure we teach basics like any other art. There are strikes and defenses, techniques and drills which are all important to practice. However we see this as content; It is what you do and how. That's just part of the picture, the context is the why and when.
Let me break down how we would see the relationship in a hand to hand scenario:
Context: When the opponent and you first engage, there are only 5 general positions you will find yourself in. These make up our 5 entry positions from which all techniques and drills are based on. It is where we are and why certain techniques are done. From here the drills help us develop the ability to seamlessly move from one of these 5 positions to any other. The 5 entry positions are:
The way we train this is by working on drills that help develop the ability to get to one of these 5 positions effectively, and how to transition from one position to another. Then all later techniques are based on working from one of these positions.
I find that those who understand "why" a technique works and its effects on the body's overall structure and function are able to adjust to any spontaneous or unexpected changes much better. So in this way, a technique would be the content, how it works is the context.
Let me break down how we would see the relationship in a hand to hand scenario:
Context: When the opponent and you first engage, there are only 5 general positions you will find yourself in. These make up our 5 entry positions from which all techniques and drills are based on. It is where we are and why certain techniques are done. From here the drills help us develop the ability to seamlessly move from one of these 5 positions to any other. The 5 entry positions are:
- Outside of lead hand and lead foot.
- Inside of lead hand, outside of lead foot.
- Outside of lead hand, inside of lead foot.
- Inside both hands and feet (center).
- Outside rear hand.
The way we train this is by working on drills that help develop the ability to get to one of these 5 positions effectively, and how to transition from one position to another. Then all later techniques are based on working from one of these positions.
I find that those who understand "why" a technique works and its effects on the body's overall structure and function are able to adjust to any spontaneous or unexpected changes much better. So in this way, a technique would be the content, how it works is the context.
#2 Anchored in Instinct
In a previous article "No 2nd Nature, No 2nd Chance" I talked about how important it is to base your responses on your natural instincts. Training to go from the flinch response is far more effective than trying to replace it.
This is a crucial tip for developing real practical skills. Far too often I see students fall into rote repetitions. At times you can even see that the person striking is not even really aiming at a target, let alone using realistic body language. The problem with this is that the person performing the technique develops a muscle memory that is very unlikely to be encountered in a real attack, and worse, they do not develop the link between the instinctive reflex and the trained response.
Without this bridge, technique fails under pressure. With this bridge well developed, it becomes clear why certain movements are taught. Certain stances and postures that may have seemed unnatural at first all the sudden make perfect sense.
This is a crucial tip for developing real practical skills. Far too often I see students fall into rote repetitions. At times you can even see that the person striking is not even really aiming at a target, let alone using realistic body language. The problem with this is that the person performing the technique develops a muscle memory that is very unlikely to be encountered in a real attack, and worse, they do not develop the link between the instinctive reflex and the trained response.
Without this bridge, technique fails under pressure. With this bridge well developed, it becomes clear why certain movements are taught. Certain stances and postures that may have seemed unnatural at first all the sudden make perfect sense.
Putting the pieces together
When we are learning, things appear to be separate. Strikes seem different than throws, and throws different than joint manipulation. Once we realize that these are all parts of a whole, and that they are the content that fills the space within context (much like the relationship between form and function), then we can see them as what they really are...
Puzzle pieces!
Don't get caught up in the pieces... look for the big picture, then the pieces make more sense.
Be a part of the movement! Join us! Long distance mentoring available. Limited to only 10 more participants. Click below
Puzzle pieces!
Don't get caught up in the pieces... look for the big picture, then the pieces make more sense.
Be a part of the movement! Join us! Long distance mentoring available. Limited to only 10 more participants. Click below
Join our emailing list for exclusive content!