Getting Serious

First, let me ask you this question. I someone were trying to kill you, what you do to stop it? Notice I said “stop it” not “try to stop it” for, for if you do not stop it—you will be dead. Would you try to slip by the attacks as taught in the avoidance arts? Would you “shoot” for the legs and try for a submission hold as taught in the mixed martial arts? Would you try for a wristlock, dance around as a drunken monkey would, or try using pressure point strikes? All this stuff may be fun and work great in class or in tournaments, but when someone is trying to kill you, are you willing to rely upon it to save your life?

What does a small child do when he or she is grabbed or is angry? The child punches and kicks. That is what humans naturally do and we do it well. No matter your martial art, it someone is trying to kill you, you had better punch and kick the crap out of the attacker, or you will not survive.

We all have demands on our time: family, relatives, friends, work, home maintenance, eating, sleeping, and, hopefully, some play time. How much free time do you have to spend on training in your martial art? You probably do not have a lot of time, so how much of that time do you want to use trying to perfect some lock, takedown, pattern, or sparring technique? Your time would be much better spent practicing your punching and kicking, mainly your punching. It may be boring, and it may not look as cool, but it will save your life when you need it.