sch@ikonas.UUCP (01/10/85)
LINE EATER LINE EATER LINE EATER LINE
The "martial artist's delimma" is, to a certain extent, a falacy.
Well trained martial artists do not usually think about what kind of
response to make to an attack. The reponse is more a conditioned reflex
than anything else. This is not to say that everything is done without
coherent direction, only that specific situations elicit specific
trained responses.
For example, if someone suddenly throws a ball toward you, you will catch
it (or at least try) without making a concious decision. Certain behavior
does not require analytic thought--rather what is usually referred to as
subconcious response. Part of martial arts training is practising blocks
and counter-attacks enough to be able to perform them without having to
think about them. One way to tell a beginner from and advanced student is
to watch how they perform a series of complicated exercises, as during
a kata. The beginner is stiff and awkward, mainly because he (she, it?)
has to think about moving a foot from here to there this certain way and
punching with that hand while pulling this hand back and rotating the hips
for power and oh my gosh they're already moving to the next position I've
got to hurry ....... The advanced student operates in terms of techniques,
not the component parts thereof. He (she, it) moves from technique to
technique, not foot positions, hand positions, body positions, stances to
new fp, hp, bp, and s.
What all this means is that if an attacker trys to stab me, I will
respond with whatever the appropriate counter is. The concious descision
involved is when do I stop? The training is sort of like a fire alarm.
It turns itself on in response to a fire. You decide when to turn it off,
and occasionally, when to turn it on (to save someone else).
As far as guns .vs. martial arts... guns only work if the assailant
is far enough away that you can't get him. Rape, in particular, obviates
this constraint. Aikido teaches that an attack is not an attack until it
is completed. Therefore, neutralize the threat before it reaches its
potential. Bare-hand, knife, and gun attacks are all handled the same way.
The one consideration is that your potential bodily harm increases with
the weapon type. The defense methods are still as effective, only the
risk from failure is greater. So, you have to decide, which is a greater
danger, conceding or fighting.
Finally, earlier I posted an article concerning self-defense classes
and the various types of martial arts classes available in the U.S. I
expected a few flames, but nothing happened. If anyone in netland sees
this (and possibly said previous) posting, please mention it in a reply
or mail me a letter.
Thanks,
Steve Holzworth
Adage, Inc.
...!mcnc!ikonas!sch