Controlling a fight is a critical aspect of self-defense. If you have to defend yourself with physical techniques, controlling the fight is key to the outcome. Many things we physically practice in class will help such as timing, speed, reaction time, but there are aspects beyond the physical that are needed to control a fight or altercation.
1. Mindset
Having the right mindset is critical during an altercation. In self-defense it is not about winning or losing but staying focused and confident with only one goal – walk away with no to minimal injury to self or family/ friends if you are with them. For more information on mindset and training the mind, I refer you to older blogs: May 2011, Your State of Mind Matters Most (and Matters Most); September 2017, Training The Mind by Staying Focused; October 2017, Training The Mind Through Attitude/Intent; and July 2024, Benefits of Positive Mindset.
2. Controlling Your Emotions
In my most previous
blog, I discussed managing fear is an important aspect of training. Fear is just one emotion that one needs to manage/control
during an altercation. Anger is another
emotion that can cause you to lose control of a fight versus control a
fight. As stated by Chojun Miyagi,
founder of a Gōjū-ryū Okinawan Karate, “If your temper rises, withdraw your
hand. If your hand rises, withdraw your temper.” Both anger and fear elevate your heart rate
and your blood pressure which could also result in short, shallow breathing. As
stated in class as well as in the blogs, managing your emotions and your
breathing will result in more clarity of mind and calmness which will help you
control a fight.
Controlling the
fight is also being more strategic. I
see in sparring many times, it looks like two people just crashing into each
other and trying to get to a target first.
This may work in a sport like boxing or sport-style Tae Kwon Do, but
this is not the right approach for self-defense. Controlling the fight means not just throwing
punches and kicks and hoping one lands but seeing openings and taking
advantages of mistakes or vulnerabilities of your opponent. Controlling the fight means not following the
pace and cadence and reacting to your opponent but being the one who controls
the cadence. Controlling the fight means
adapting when some technique is not working and finding another way. It is about knowing what, when and how to
attack effectively.
Becoming more strategic takes time. If you are not already, I encourage you to be more conscious in what techniques you are using and reflect how effective it was. This is the start of being more strategic.
Regards,
Kelly
“Both in fighting and in everyday
life you should be determined though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness
yet not recklessly, your spirit settled yet unbiased. Even when your spirit is
calm do not let your body relax, and when your body is relaxed do not let your
spirit slacken. Do not let your spirit be influenced by your body, or your body
be influenced by your spirit.” ~ Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), legendary
Japanese samurai and author of The Book of Five Rings
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