The Secret Behind Real Karate Fighting!

By Al Case

When you learn the truth of Karate kumite, there are certain truths about how to fight. One of the truths is that the mind shuts down during combat, and survival mode kicks in. Adrenalin junkies would have you believe this is good, but it is not, it is the worst thing that could happen.

As a species we don't have claws, or jaws, or quills, or smells, or any particular characteristic that would help us survive, except the mind. It is the mind that creates invention, it is the mind that adapts to survive. It is this thing called a mind that we must enhance if we are to reach our full potential as humans, and as humans on the fighting level.

One must control the distance in a fight, by controlling distance we have choice as to what weapon we choose to use. The way to do this is to tie a string from your belt to his, and practice moving so that the string stays taut without breaking. Now, move in this fashion, and within a short time your body will move with the other persons body because it likes the fact of harmony.

We must control the fact of the leg movements. The best leg positioning is when the legs are in a matching stance, which is to say his right leg is forward and so is yours, the second best position is when you are in an opposing stance, which is to say his right leg is forward, and your left leg is forward. The way to train yourself to always have matching stance is merely to walk with the string, and striving to always stay in a matching stance.

We must control the movement of the arms, again, in a matching or opposing sense. No string needed here, but you do have to be aware of distance, you have to match the movement of your partners arms as he closes distance. The way to do this is merely to control the stances and practice matching your arm motions to his.

Fourth, we must search for the techniques that work best for matching, and for opposing. Yes, you want matching, but whatever happens, you should be able to train yourself to handle it. The trick is to use a basic matrixing concept, and realize that whether matching or opposing, your arm will be either inside of his, or outside of his, and then find that technique that this position results in.

Lastly, we must put it all together. This would appear difficult, except that if you understand what I have said here, and worked on the individual exercises, then the whole thing comes together rather intuitively. The body, you see, even in the middle of combat, likes harmony.

Control distance, control positioning through the stance, control arms through inside or outside, this is simple stuff, but entirely overlooked by todays martial artists. But if you do understand what I have said here, then you will move to the head of the pack, for you are putting the mind, and awareness and the ability to think, into combat. Whether you study kenpo or tae kwon do, Aikido or Arnis, Uechi or Krav Maga, the truths in this article, the hint of matrix martial arts that I have given you, will make you a better fighter...an immensely better fighter! - 31491

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