KNOWING WITHOUT KNOWING

     It's always interesting to work with fellow martial art practitioners from different styles. There are advantages and disadvantages to practically all styles whether traditional (e.g. Shudokan, Takewondo, KungFu, etc.), Hybrid (e.g UFC, WEC, etc.) and/or ground based (e.g BBJ, Judo, etc.). Those who've had a cursory introduction of a martial art are sold by the demonstration of the instructor or instructor student. A good demonstration equates to a new student and vice-versa. People are "sold" on a good demonstration. Unfortunately a lot of demonstrations are meant to dazzle the observer with gymnastic moves and fantastic choreography. What about effectiveness at the street level? Will those same moves be effective against an attack? At street level (i..e street fighting, combat) those Kata's and/or Forms will most likely be ineffective. This isn't to say that learning Kata's and Forms aren't effective; they are. They teach basic movements and strategy, but in an "ideal" attack presented in an ideal environment. The student develops strikes and blocks at an invisible entity, parlaying the movement to the next invisible attacker until the Kata or Form is completed. Continual practice of the Form or Kata will hopefully develop into a "learned response" to an actual attack as it unfolds. Sadly to say, there are a lot of practitioners out there who, although they practice many hours for days, weeks and months on end never develop the ability to react. Instead, the reaction is more of the "deer in the headlamp" look which can be fatal.

     This is where I digress to the Title: Know Without Knowing. Yeah, it sounds mystical and perhaps something more familiar or associated with  the character Kwai Chang Caine of the television series KUNGFU  (  http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FKwai_Chang_Caine&rct=j&q=kwai%20chang%20caine&ei=z-rJTMLuMovCsAPDnr3RDg&usg=AFQjCNGpbrp_Vo0hJmrczR03S99l5_jDQw&sig2=hSz9hWiOLv8Y97xzbGPIYg&cad=rja ). Knowing without knowing relates to all aspects of training, but (in my opinion) more so with how one reacts to an unfolding situation. Reaction should be immediate and without hesitation. How quickly one reacts can only be developed by practice. Practice should be developed in a safe and controlled environment against attackers committed to unleashing a barrage of weapons (i.e. kicks, punches, elbows, knees) so as to develop the ability to "know without knowing" the next weapon and/or technique to be utilized by the attacker or attackers. The challenge for the defender is knowing how to defend, deflect, absorb and/or re-direct the weapons presented.The skill is more enhanced by one's ability to see and defend against a movement a split second before the movement occurs. Yes, one can develop this ability (knowing without knowing) with practice. What kind of practice? That will be the next topic.