The Fast and The Furious

At some point, the practitioner should appropriate a method of training dedicated to developing speed; speed should take precedence over power. Atemi (strikes delivered to vital or specialized targets) were created to down formidable adversaries quickly, so the aspect of power here becomes moot. Being "The Fastest Draw in The West" had nothing to do with the size of the revolver, and provides a good analogy for this particular aspect of the martial arts. Blinding fast techniques can get past your opponents reflexes. A "hit and run" artist is one who can score points with strikes, and quickly move out of fighting range (ma-ai) before being countered. So speed can enhance both offensive and defensive strategies.

Speed is relative. What if you're matched up with someone who is faster? A common lament of trainees is that they can't seem to dodge strikes in time. A good way to circumvent your opponent's quickness is to watch for clues. In boxing, they say your adversary "telegraphs" an intention to hit. Looking for the ol' wind up will give you time to either get out of the way or block and counter. A drop in stance or some other sudden movement, no matter how subtle, can be signs.

Trying too hard to be fast all the time will interfere with your poise, rhythm, and timing; this can cause you to tire and slow down. Never sacrifice proper form for the sake of speed. Speed should come as the natural result of dedicated training over a period of time.

Training For Power

Waza (technique), and its precise execution, is such a vital aspect of the martial arts in that it allows a smaller, physically weaker person to prevail against a larger, stronger antagonist. Still, in spite of this statement, physical strength has its place, and under certain circumstances can go a long way for the practitioner. This is in no way to discredit the effectiveness of using proper form in techniques, nor should this principle ever be dismissed. But I believe that any physical endeavor, including martial arts training, should include a regimen of weight training to develop strength.

At one time, strength training with weights was considered taboo for the athlete. With the exception of football players, competitive weightlifters and bodybuilders, athletes were strictly advised to avoid lifting weights. One myth attributed to weight training is that it compromises speed and flexibility - two sought after qualities in the martial arts. Flexibility is the result of proper stretching, which should be done daily and is especially recommended before and after a martial arts session. Speed is acquired through training for that capacity, and can be developed alongside of a strength training routine without one interfering with the other.

During Okinawan karate's early development, ishi-sashi were used in a fashion similar to using dumbbells. These hand-held stone devices were carried as the practitioner performed kata and various strikes. In the 60s, martial arts historian Donn Draeger was one of the first to suggest a weight training program for judo players. In addition to Draeger, Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee were advocates of weight training for martial artists at about the same time.

Besides making muscles grow, weight training causes bones to become denser, offsetting the possibility of osteoporosis late in life (prevalent in women). Added muscle also creates a more efficient metabolism, capable of burning fat at rest (as opposed to a cardio workout, which only burns fat while training). Today, it is a rare athlete that doesn't employ some kind of progressive resistance training.

Mixing It Up

Bruce Lee predicted that the day would come when practitioners everywhere would have to resign themselves to an irrefutable truth: Knowing only one style is limiting; that cross-training in the martial arts is the best way to develop a formidable repertoire of fighting techniques. Lee himself borrowed from a variety of systems, including Western arts such as fencing and boxing. He felt that the single study of any style, while they all contain deep wells of material, could cause the aspirant to become dogmatic and exclusive. A martial fundamentalist if you will. Interestingly, Lee's thinking mirrored what was happening in the US on a much broader scale at the time; the 60s was a decade of radical change and upheaval - a breaking away from dated ways and ideas. Needless to say, Lee's concept of cross-training did not go over big with the old school strict adherents of martial tradition. Visionaries tend to say the right things at the wrong time.

No single style has an answer for every imaginable encounter. Brazilian jiu-jitsu's ground strategies are highly effective - but against multiple opponents? Would those who train in a predominantly kicking art - such as tae kwon do - be able to execute their familiar techniques standing on a patch of ice? These are just a couple of scenarios to consider. I'm not suggesting that people should run out and start training in a hodgepodge of every style they can get their hands on. I'm still a firm believer in having a foundational art to work from. Being a jack of all trades will never measure up to being a master of one.

Fight Plan

One of the most exciting features of karate and related arts is that of kumite - free style fighting. Many schools offer sparring only as an option, in part, because one-on-one matches run counter to the essence of kata (forms) which expresses the idea of facing multiple assailants. The other reason is a bit more mundane: Some people just don't like to fight. It's important to understand that it is the idea of fighting that these practitioners may find repugnant. But whether you possess some innate athletic ability, enjoy the competitive challenge, or feel that kumite really is at the heart of karate, here are some guidelines that I've drawn from my own experience that represents a combination of ethics, practical insight, and technique:

1. Play nice. It's a dojo match, not a free-for-all. Even if you're fighting heavy, fight clean and show respect. Remember, what goes around comes around.
   
   
2. If you're a senior and you're matched up with someone less experienced, offer suggestions when appropriate. You can do this even while you're sparring. Approach this in a way that is not belittling or condescending to your charge.
   
   
3. Always keep moving. Never retreat in a straight line; use your angles and side-to-side movement (tai sabaki).
   
   
4. Blocking should be regarded as a last resort. Instead, focus on making your opponent miss - then strike. If you must block, immediately counter with a strike. If you do get hit - hit back!
   
   
5. Fully commit with your attack. Don't wade in with some half-baked move. If your opponent slips back and makes you miss, don't stop; keep going until you connect. Always follow through.
   
   
6. This is the time to experiment. Try out something totally exotic, like a flying axe kick. Do it!
   
   
7. Above all, relax.

Certainly there's more; this is a highly condensed list. Your own experience is vital. Remember that free style fighting is just a part of the martial arts. I find its most valuable aspect is that it forces the student to embrace spontaneity and uncertainty - something that cannot be derived from practicing forms, basics, or even self-defense. While the martial arts is a lifetime pursuit, understand that no one - regardless of skill or ability - can or should spar forever. Hajime!

Taking Charge

For the student who has aspirations of becoming a black belt, I highly recommend taking an interest in teaching. Any act of altruism eventually comes full circle; by teaching, the teacher learns. But more than possessing knowledge, teachers are afforded a certain authority. They mete out the rules, decisions, and their consequences; they are responsible. This is what former US president Harry Truman meant when he said, "The buck stops here." Teachers are held as role models, and their behavior and actions are intended to guide, influence, and impart the right disposition and attitude in students. I believe this is an important part of the maturation process for the aspiring martial artist that should not be missed. If through instructing one learns, then through leading, one becomes self-empowered.


Genuine leadership entails becoming part of the group effort, not just putting one's feet up on a desk. Most of the instructors I've had through the years trained alongside the rest of the class. This dispells the notion that the sensei is on some kind of an ego trip. It also creates a sense of unity and camaraderie in the dojo. Training is still the way, even for long time practitioners. It's important to understand that leaders should not be dependent on the existence of followers, nor vice versa. To lead the way creates new leaders, not the need for more followers.

The Kids Are Alright

Before anyone reads this any further, rest assured that this is not an indictment against the idea of children in the martial arts. As a father of three, I understand and appreciate the role martial arts can play in the development of a child. Children (ages under 14) make up about 85% of the student bodies of most martial arts schools. That's quite a figure; it makes you wonder how many of these schools would even exist if it weren't for kids. A few traditional schools will not accept enrollees younger than teenage. Others actually advertise accepting three-year-olds. Is the concept of teaching the martial ways to youngsters actually tenable? Isn't teaching martial arts to children, especially pre-pubescent children, just some glorified form of babysitting?

Certainly, there are some sincere, competent instructors who are more inclined and capable of bringing out positive attributes and changes in children than others. Furthermore, some schools are involved in community services: police athetic leagues, and other youth programs designed to eliminate drug use, gangs, and other harmful peer-pressure related activities. On the opposite end of this spectrum lies the McDojo, a derogatory term used to describe martial arts schools that, among other things, exploit the tremendous influx of revenue that kids can bring in. Quantity, not quality, has become the credo for these "schools". In the martial arts, kids need to learn discipline, respect, and especially self-worth to prepare them for the growing years.