Searching for The Truth

Yudansha Fighting System

Program of Instruction Art. 03 November 20, 2006

What are you training for? Are you training to learn how to fight? Are you looking to step into the ring or cage in the near future? Why did you start training in the first place? Were you interested in learning how to defend yourself or did you just want to impress someone with your techniques? I ask all of these questions in a quest for the truth. The truth comes not from what you learn in class but rather the mindset that you are in while learning. Do you think you will be able to apply the techniques that you are taught and consistently practice with your training partner over and over in a real situation? A real situation is found in the street, or in the supermarket parking lot, against the sucker punch coming from a person looking to do maximum damage to you with strikes or a weapon. The truth is found in the ability to perform a technique under the most intense pressure; life or death. Can you put what you just learned in class to the street with maximum pressure in a life or death struggle? In your mind you should think of nothing else, because there is nothing else for the one seeking the truth. The truth comes from the techniques that are the most simple to apply. These are the techniques that you could teach anyone regardless of shape or form. The truth is found in the techniques that take merely an instant to apply or execute and yet cause enough damage to stop your opponent. Ultimately, the truth lurks behind the mindset prior to the engagement taking place. Sudden violence is different from training to fight in the ring. It is without rules and sometimes happens without warning. Mindset is the most important part of your training. No matter where you train or what style you prefer, if you don’t have proper mindset you haven’t discovered the truth.

Comparing my fight to street application. I fought recently and won by rear naked choke at a 1:30 into the first round. I watch the fight quite a few times after the fact from a buddy that recorded it. I came in strong firing a left then a hard right that connected. My opponent turned away and I was able to take the back and we went to the ground. My opponent went to his hands and knees which gave me to opportunity to sink in the hooks. After landing a few more strikes I was able to open up my opponent’s throat and start the choke process. My opponent then stands up and instead of falling straight back as I expected, he rolls forward to try and get me off his back….hard. I was able to hang on and eventually sink the choke for the win. After reviewing my fight I asked myself what if it would have taken place on a sidewalk somewhere. Would it have turned out the same way? Of course, I would hopefully not be in this situation because of good character, but what if...? Could I have held on? I know that concrete would do some damage on my body especially with his body weight adding to the grinding pressure. This sheds a new light on the fight itself. This proves that a confrontation can take a wrong turn at any given time. I had the back and then lights out…for me.

The Program: Training for the Fight. I do not know the very best prescription for your particular training style. I do not know your strengths and weaknesses. I also do not your dojo’s resources and schedule. However, I can give you a good idea of how to prepare for your next fight. Train six days a week for five weeks. For that five weeks train twice a day; once for technique, and the second for conditioning. Hit stand-up three times preferably Mon-Wed-Fri and standing to ground three times, preferably Tue-Thu-Sat. You want to split your training sessions into morning and evening with technique in one and conditioning in the other. Train once on Saturdays and rest the remainder of the day with the following Sunday off. Condition with technique drills ranging from standing to ground and CrossFit. For more information go to www.crossfit.com. On the sixth week limit your training to once a day for Monday through Wednesday and take Thursday and Friday off. If the fight is on Friday then end the training on Tuesday. Do not neglect any part of your training; standing, clinch or ground. Eat properly throughout the six weeks and if you have to cut weight for the fight, make sure you are doing it slowly throughout the six weeks, not the last week of. This will keep your energy levels high for those hard training sessions. Avoid the use of training supplements and only take what is necessary as a food replacement. For example a low calorie protein powder around 250 to 350 calories per serving. Have a proper mindset and remember when it comes time to get it on, this is what you trained for.