Regardless of where you receive instruction (in class, internet, casual conversation), it’s your obligation as a martial artist to actively seek this exposure, and retain it. Quality instruction is key, so it’s best to seek out the most reputable, experienced instructors. The very best sifus, senseis and coaches have an answer to any question in their areas of expertise. Click for Boxer Rebellion instructional video on Jeet Kune Do.

 

 

 

 

People learn at different speeds, but everyone must drill a physical movement to gain mastery. Muscle memory comes only with work, so a good part of training time should be spent on repetition of (hopefully the correct!) movement. In partner training, you should practice with varying degrees of resistance, since it's difficult to get the feel for a technique without it (after all, a real opponent will certainly try to resist!).  Click for video of knife defense drill (hubud).

 

 

To truly own a technique, you must have applied it against a resisting opponent. In martial arts, this is sometimes possible only if you truly hurt someone (fingers to the eye, or groin grab-and-pull come to mind!). That said, most techniques can be executed against a training partner with protective gear, proper supervision & stop-rules like tapping for submission. Even more vicious techniques like “The Shredder,” which involves tearing at an attacker’s face with both hands, can be simulated under stress conditions with heavy protection. The point is, an arm bar submission is not part of your arsenal until you’ve tapped a resisting opponent; nor is a one-two punch combination until you’ve socked a sparring partner with it. That said, everyone should practice “partner preservation,” or the next injury could be yours!

 

 

The absolute highest level of understanding is spontaneous application of technique, that is, application without conscious decision. While not everyone achieves this level, it’s always the objective. The wrestler who sprawls against a quick tackle attempt didn’t rely on conscious decision--his body acted on its own; the combatives-trained woman who flicked a finger jab into her street attacker’s eye, and then ran like hell, did so because she’d trained a similar scenario against a Bullet Man.

 

 

 

Martial artists train for different reasons: some for the physical & mental fortitude, others for combative prowess. Regardless, the four-step process of technique mastery remains the same. In committing repeatedly to this process, the martial artist endures an occasional cut lip or bruised shin, but enjoys the long-term benefits of consistent improvement & understanding of their physical and mental capabilities, and a real understanding of martial truth. Knowing how to kick some ass is also a nice benefit ;-).