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Sun
Tzu, a Chinese contemporary of Confucius and
author of The Art of War,
wrote: "Know your enemy,
win some of your battles…know yourself, win
some of your battles…know your enemy and
know yourself, win all of your battles".
The psychological aspects of self-defense can be
even more significant in a confrontation than the
physical aspects. But like the body, the mind
must be trained for optimal performance in a real
fighting situation. The versatility of Kokondo's
arsenal is a tremendous advantage in a
confrontation, but it is imperative that
Kokondo-ka not become complacent in the
effectiveness of their techniques. It is the
proper mindset in training that will enable
Kokondo-ka to utilize their techniques for
maximize effectiveness.
 Kokondo
prohibits cross-training in other arts as a means
of maintaining the integrity of its own karate
and jujitsu systems by preventing the degradation
of the techniques through the introduction of
movements that are not consistent with Kokondo's
strict adherence to Kuzushi, Shorin-ji, and
Jushin. However, it is beneficial to be aware of
other styles that exist. By knowing their
opponents, Kokondo-ka can better move
strategically to an alternate strength, rather
than allowing their adversaries to lure them into
their other fighting methods. For example, a
kumite-oriented stylist could initiate an
altercation by shoving a Kokondo-ka and squaring
off so that a fight is imminent but stagnant. By
recognizing the relative fighting style of the
assailant, the Kokondo-ka can exploit the
versatility of Kokondo and strategize to
emphasize the opponent's weakness. For example,
if the Kokondo-ka identifies the distant bouncing
of a Taekwondo-ka, he should be alert to high
kicks and move in quickly for elbows, knees, and
a throw. This situation is one where complacency
(i.e.-under-estimating the opponent) can lead to
one's downfall. Remember that a kick in the head
from a sport fighter is still a kick in the head,
and can be dangerous. At the other extreme,
boxers or shoot fighters may be looking to close
the distance with a tightly protected attack.
Here, the long, linear Kokondo techniques can be
utilized effectively and preemptively. Because
Kokondo is practiced for close, medium, and long
range situations, Kokondo-ka who can identify
their adversaries are prepared to defend
themselves in a manner that nullifies their
opponent's strengths while enhancing their own.
The old
expression "practice makes perfect" is
technically incorrect. In reality, practice makes
permanent…perfect practice makes perfect. In
other words, people become proficient through
repetitions of training. However, in order to
achieve a higher level of excellence, the
execution of the techniques during practice must
be correct. If one practices a 100% percent
effective technique in the dojo, and loses 20%
due to nerves, surprise, or other factors, the
resulting technique delivered with 80% efficiency
should be enough to ensure success in
self-defense. However, if the same technique is
practiced in the dojo with 80% effort and
accuracy, and loses 20% in reality, the resulting
technique with just over 60% effectiveness may
not be enough. Therefore, one may conclude that
the effort in the dojo has a direct relationship
to success in real situations. Further, one can
see that constantly striving for one's own peak
performance is a necessity rather than a
luxury.
 Regardless of
ability, everyone is susceptible to being hit or
kicked while under attack. With practice of the
proper approach in the dojo, Kokondo-ka can
continue to defend successfully, even after
"taking a shot." This approach is not
dissimilar to the proper mindset when defending
against a knife attack. One's first thought must
be "I am going to get cut!" Then it is
not a surprise when it happens, and a continuous
defense can be completed even after taking a
cut--without being stabbed. One method of
practicing to develop the mental preparation to
be hit is to allow one's partner to put in a
strike without defending. Then one can block or
parry the second attack and complete the defense.
It is imperative to communicate with one's
partner to maximize the training and to prevent
injuries. Tell your partner that you can take a
little more until the impact pushes you to your
limits within a safety margin. Another training
method to develop a tolerance to being hit
requires using Kokondo's guidelines of mutual
agreement. In the practice of all basics and
self-defense with a partner, the partners can
agree to train at a certain level of impact. Once
the designated technique is sufficiently
understood, both partners should determine the
maximum intensity that they can practice safely,
so that a tolerance to a certain degree of
contact is developed. The student will eventually
learn to know their tolerance level. Thus, they
will begin to know themselves.
Understanding
your own emotional reaction to an altercation is
paramount to success. Shihan Arel has said that
you will almost always get nervous in a fight,
caused by a rush of adrenaline. When confronted
verbally with a likely escalation to an
unavoidable physical confrontation, nervousness
may set in immediately. If an attacker surprises
you, you may complete an entire defense, and only
feel the nervous rush after the fight ends.
Either way, it is normal and expected to feel
nervous. It can be advantageous if the adrenaline
can be harnessed for a more powerful defense.
Practice in the dojo with a partner or in kata
should be as realistic as possible, so that one
develops experience without ever having to fight
an attacker in real life.
Kokondo
enables one to be a true student of the martial
arts--to recognize and prepare for the multitude
of fighting styles that are prevalent today. When
the mental power of visualization is honed,
practice becomes real, and experience is
increased exponentially. Knowing the enemy and
ourselves, we can protect ourselves and others in
all of our battles..
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