Never Underestimate an Opponent - - Chief Instructor's Blog April 2011

As noted in class and in other blogs, one should try to avoid any and all confrontation and conflict and only as a last resort turn to using the skills you have learned in class to defend yourself. And if you have to use your skills to defend yourself, under no circumstance should you underestimate your opponent.

In Gichin Funakoshi’s, The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate [1], his fifteenth principle is “Think of your opponent’s hands and feet as swords”.

Funakoshi states, “When trouble occurs, we should always remain careful and respectful in words and actions and never look down upon opponents or discount their potential Rather, we should concentrate on defending ourselves with full awareness and commitment.”

There are many reasons to honor the potential destructiveness of an opponent. For one, if you were attacked or confronted on the streets, you do not know what experience or training this person has in martial arts, combat, weapons, etc. In addition, even untrained people could prove to be difficult if taken lightly especially if they are on drugs or amped up on adrenaline itching for a fight. Most of you have heard of situations where untrained people have done extraordinary feats such as lifting a car off a child to save them. It is amazing what people are capable of under certain circumstances and when their life is on the line. These are just a few reasons to never underestimate an opponent.

Years ago, Brian Rainie assisted a police officer trying to control a person on PCP. Brian got him in a joint lock but it took ripping tendons and muscles to subdue him enough to get cuffs on him. Brian noticed he had blood on his hands and realized the blood was from the person he had in a joint lock. This person actually scrapped the skin off his wrists and hands getting out of the cuffs once already. This is an example of what someone on drugs is capable of.

If you take for granted the skill of an opponent, it may prove to be deadly. Always assume an opponent is skilled and “think of your opponent’s hands and feet as swords” regardless of their size or age.

Regards,
Kelly

“In cases of defense tis best to weigh the enemy more mighty than he seems”~ from Henry V by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), English poet and playwright

Reference
1. The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate: The Spiritual Legacy of the Master by Gichin Funakoshi