Killer Miller

I guess I don't get it??? I've always heard other organizations/persons publically "talking smack" about us. However, I don't recall us going around returning the same treatment. What's the big deal??? We are a respectful, well organized, polite (for the most part), talented organization - just like many others as well. We don't promote "McDojos," our prices are reasonable, we provide good instruction across the board. What more do you want? - Killer Miller -

It effects physical techniques because with proper breathing you get proper muscle contraction, with proper muscle contraction, the wrist(s), etc., are naturally straight. With proper breathing, relaxation and contraction, in relation to a given body movement (breathing timing), muscles contract and relax properly and in the right timing. This naturally controls stances, center of body when moving, bends knees properly, and controls the speed and control of techniques. The visualization of technique application, applies the above to real life situations so the natural intensity and speed of techniques are applied throughout development - which will be achieved naturally with proper breathing and breathing timing. So yes, this development does seriously affect "all" of your development of the arts. The quicker you develop/understand these concepts/techniques, the quicker you learn and understand martial arts in general. It is the Heart and Life Blood of "All" martial arts... - Killer Miller -

I don't think you get the point Jeff. See if you can understand this example. I always start any beginner off, and I mean the very first thing, on how to properly Kiai... What kiai really is, what is a correct kiai, how breathing relates to kiai, and how breathing relates to body movements. Then I go into body movements with the total focus on proper breathing - typically 10 times slow, and 10 times as fast as they can go, or quantities in that relationship, to write these body actions correctly into their sub-conscious correctly... This would typically be front stances, straddle legs stances, punch, lunge punch, etc. I would also introduce their first heian kata. And although this has more complex body movements, such as knife hand techniques, back stance, etc., I might demonstrate the straight wrist posture, but not to make a big deal about it. Why is this??? Because with the focus of the "inside feeling" of correct breathing applications, and visulations of correct applications, and finally minor drills to apply the breathing/visual applications to the technique, you will find that they will naturally do a correct Knife-hand or back stance in the process. Too many schools focus on talking and not doing/focusing on what's important. Their focus is typically on the outside improvements and not the inside. So the longer you put off the "inside" development, the longer the "outside" develops incorrectly (outside = "telling" them they must keep their hand straight and "telling" them being the primary focus of your training session). Thus, bad habits develop that are hard to break. I have visited a lot of schools in my day, of my art and not of my art, and rarely do I see any of these schools teach the "inside" concepts. They commonly do poorly in tournaments, poorly in testing, center of gravity is very poor in their techniques (their butts typicall stick out), and many times just look totally pathetic overall... Monkey Girl might think we are talking about the same thing, but not really. In martial arts, it not so much as to what you are taught, but how and when you art taught what you are taught...! We are talking about the "art of perfection." In order to be taught the art of perfection, you must learn/train in a maner that is consistent with these concepts. The art of perfection has to be written into the sub-conscious mind to be effective. The only way you can write such concepts into the sub-conscious is to physically do it correctly from the start! This always starts from the "inside!" A final point. Some may not have liked my classes and thought to be too hard to learn, or just too hard physically. I didn't care, and I use to welcome new-combers to try other schools if they wished to. I taught "art of perfection" for the art, not for money! If someone wanted to learn it, I would teach it to them. If not, they were welcome to go elsewhere - no offense would be taken (although many times they would return). I do not waste my time on those whom do not have the desire to do so. You can not force a person to learn the art - if they don't want to, they have no purpose in my classes. Those that do, I give them my all... Note: This doesn't mean that I was rude or disrespectful about it, just firm on my priorities of the classes. - Killer Miller -

Thanks Jeff, and you're quite welcome. - Killer -

I'm not saying not to teach the outside feelings/concepts - but do it lightly. Until they learn the inside feelings, they will never comprehend the outside movements/feelings - therefore a little bit of a wasted effort at white belt levels. Example: Outside feelings - loose wrist, knees not bent properly, improper center of gravity, poor technique timing, etc... Inside feelings - Visualization of technique application, breathing and breathing timing, contraction and relaxation via breathing, movement drills via proper breathing, philosophy of the art in regard to the inside feelings, etc... In a nut shell, development of the outside concepts become a piece of cake to learn naturally when fully understanding/developing the inside feelings/concepts. So with this in mind, this is my basis of importance as a white belt and not the outside movements. You still have to teach the outside movements just for them to learn them. But not the focus and they never truly learn them until after the inside feelings are understood. - Killer Miller -

Well written article. Kudos. However, although your article is generally reasonable for the general populas, I don't necessarily feel the importance of all of the things mentioned in your article - this is not to say that they won't learn these things in time however... I feel it is important for the White Belt to properly learn the basic foundation of techniques. However, to "learn how to learn" comes with time far beyond the white belt stage of learning - and probably well into the green belt stage... What I feel is most important for the white belt stage is to learn the "inside feeling" of the art. This is an area that is rarely taught in martial arts, and yet is the most critical part of development in a martial artist. The "outside feeling" of the art is pretty much meaningless to a white belt as this stage of learning and will not retain its understanding for levels to come - this includes the specific hand movements, leg movements, posture, uniforms, traditions, etc... A student won't properly understand, and will not do correctly, the outside movements until they fully develop the inside feelings or movements of the art. Therefore, this is the most criticle and most important development of a white belt. You can't demand one to learn! They have to feel what they are learning is correct - then the learning process and development is far excellerated and enjoyed as well. - Killer Miller -

The concept of breathing/breathing timing is very important to the development of Karate. Breathing loudly, or over-exagerating breathing, is to understand breathing and how it relates to muscle relaxation, contraction in relationship to your body movements. So you should breath loudly and over-exagerate the breathing process until you fully understand why you are doing so and until your breathing is fully insync with your body movements - thus the term of "breathing timing." This is something that you do during the development stages, and should continue to practise occassionally at the advanced stages as well. However, if you truly understand this concept, usually not until black belt level, then it is not necessary to breath loudly unless it's a killing execution of technique needing maximum speed and power... - Killer Miller -

If you truly understood the "spirit of training," then you would most certainly understand the true "spirit of testing..." 'nough said. - Killer Miller -

Shotokan, and other traditional Karate, don't implement high kicks because you're are off balance. If you raise the Knee/leg high-up to the point that it causes you to lean and be not able to properly bend your supporting knee, this throws off your center of gravity and can easily be pushed over with a finger. It also slows down your recovery time back to a ready position for your next technique execution... - Killer Miller -

Realistically, you wouldn't use Mawashi Geri and return back to the exact position unless you were doing "5-way" kicking during training warm-up. Mae Geri would be much more practical for that scenario. With Mawashi Geri you would typically carry your momentum forward and end up with Zenkutsu Dachi with the kicking foot as the front supporting leg. Or, you would end up in a 45 to 90 degree angle, from your opponent after kicking if returning back to the same Zenkutsu Dachi stance - due to the pivoting of the supporting foot. And in response to the other poster, the foot pivots the instant the hip rotates when driving your knee forward - it's a very rapid shift-pivot that ends with a solid plant to the floor prior to reaching your focal point of your kick. - Killer Miller -

I was referring to when starting and returning from Zenkutsu Dachi - no you do not pivot the foot, it's all one action. Yes, that's the JKA way. And although the 24 fighting chickens has some great stuff and I have a great amount of respect for that group, they're not necessarily correct in everything - or perhaps incorrectly explained for the situation, or mis-interpreted by the reader. There are some differences in opinions on some things they practice versus other similar groups - but are usually minor in nature though. Now, however, if learning basic Mawashi Geri, and/or your momentum is going to go forward after the kick, instead of returning back to Zenkutsu Dachi, then yes the foot does pivot when executing Mawashi Geri. And I probably should have clairified that point... Basic Mawashi Geri does teach that the foot pivots forward and back regardless of where you end up, but real time Mawashi Geri is a whole-nother story. But good point for clarification that you brought that up. - Killer Miller - Since WHEN has Shotokan quit turning the supporting foot while kicking mawashi geri? Certainly hasn't been a JKA way elsewhere...just another piece of Nishinformation, maybe? I think that people at https://www.24fightingchickens.com forum might find your idea...well, at least interesting. I do too.

Mawashi Geri is not that difficult to learn. However, there are a couple of mental concepts to keep in mind. When you are going to start and end from Zenkutsu Dachi, the body must be straight and supporting knee kept bent. The supporting foot does not pivot when kicking - unlike other styles. When executing a Mawashi Geri, think of this process. 1. Hip drives knee to the target through lower diaphragm contraction - generating good starting speed. 2. When knee is in target alignment, foot goes out to target - with relaxed tension. 3. Foot quickly returns all the way back to Zenkutsu Dachi. The keys to this simple process is not to think as to how fast and powerful you can send the foot itself outward, but how fast you can bring your foot back to Zenkutsu Dachi once the foot has reached the target or focal point. Secondly, although the foot goes out with relaxed tension, the initial contraction from the lower diaphragm, or exhalation, is one continuous contraction from the start of Zenkutsu Dachi, though the kick, and back to Zenkutsu Dachi. Like snapping a towel and bringing the towel back to the exact starting point - or a backhand strike (same principle). So think of how fast you can pull that foot back to Zenkutsu Dachi when you do this. You must end up with some tension (outside tension on the knees) at the end of the kick or you will be very unstable and "wobbly" when you return back to Zenkutsu Dachi. Hope that helps... - Killer Miller -

You have to see into that level of training. It's difficult to explain that level of training and the concepts behind them unless you actually participated in them. I am about half way through another original article of mine that will be titled "An Evening With Hidetaka Nishiyama." This will be an article that will give you an inside look at a high level training session. Perhaps this will clear up the mis-conception of the point system, our concepts, and what the "art of perfection" is all about. Stay tuned... - Killer Miller -

I don't get it...? You keep acting like you are not asking a question in your post, and that my replies have no justification in this thread. Furthermore, you put down Shotokan as if you are an expert in the art in your comparisons. However, the above snipit of your original post indicates that you are clearly asking a simple question and definately stating that Shotokan, and other similar arts, are worthless. LOL You're going around in circles here... You've been told the actual facts of the matter. There are many well known, and not so well know karatekas that are more than capable of doing what you state that we can't do. This clearly indicates to me that you have no clue what so ever that you are talking about in your arogance... We can put people down hard and fast anytime we want for the majority - MA practitioner or street person. The fact of the matter, we typically choose a more appropriate and civil approach to a situation. You don't see our kind in your pound and bash tournaments with an eight foot tall trophy because that has no meaning to us what so ever! The self satisfaction and appreciation from our fellow karatas is plenty of reward for us. So it is clearly evident to me that you are totally lost in your quest for life, hapiness and the persuit effectiveness - or actually know as the "art of perfection." Instead of spewing your general statements that we are not effective MAs, why don't you take the challenge of being specific, in terms of technique and training methods, so we can factually respond back as to why you are so wrong in your mis-postings. Your's truly, - Killer Miller -

Actually, you asked a simple question and I gave you the simple facts - it's not an opinion. Considering that, in my opinion, "Karate" is a traditional art to begin with. It's a term that has been generically and incorectly used over the years. It's not Muy tai, it's not kempo, it's not Kung fu, etc... So to ask me if Karate is effective in a fight? By the traditional since of the term, of course it is. Secondly, many MA practioners have a tendancy to compare the lower and untrained levels of an art as to it's effectiveness. This is rediculous! Anyone less than a black belt in karate is not effective and is still learning the basics of the art - these persons are typically not effective in most sparring/combat situations. Any other experienced traditional black belt would know, without a doubt, that what I say is most certainly true. Please don't make comparisons of different art's effectiveness if you haven't gone the full yard in training - because you just wouldn't know unless you did. You have no clue how effective and dangerous a well trained karate-ka is unless you've been in that arena... It will be an eye opener! If a high level traditional karate black belt was to have a different opinion as to karate's effectiveness, I most certainly would respect that opinion. - Killer Miller -

Please don't confuse the art of bashing someones face in until you both get so tired you can't move anymore at the end of the match, with the art of traditional Karate (Shotokan for one) where you train for the perfect technique with the ability to apply a "killing" blow to your opponent that will permanantly disable your opponent. The point matches you refer to is for safety and as a test of your abilities that you have trained for - not the trophy... It is an "art" where you have a great mutual respect for your opponent in matches as to what the two of you are and have trained for. In the street it is a totally different situation because you will not hesitate to kill or permanantly disable the attacker - that is what you are trained to do. To go to full contact matches in our art would cause serious damage to your opponent that you appreciate so much. This is unlike the head bashing trophy matches that are so popular with the non-traditional practioners - in it for the sport and not the art of perfection. I do not and would not participate in a sport match because I would have a tendacy to commit serious harm by natural reaction of my training - this would make me feel bad to the person I injured... I also speak from experience. I have seriously hurt three persons in my day of training traditional karate. One person was in one of the sport types of matches. I blasted him in the solar plexus, he didn't even bother to move, and he went down hard and fast. Another person was in a traditional tournament, I reversed punched to his face, he was slow and I was fast and had already committed to my focal point, and I about knocked his jaw of of his face - yes he went to the hospital... Another was in the street, a person tried to attack me, I naturally reacted with a quick punched, he went down and stayed there. Oh, and not to mention a demonstration I was preparing for with one of my students. This was a demo from kneeling position. I told my student where my focal point was going to be, and I also told him that whatever he does to not move forward! I punched, he moved forward, I blasted him in the head accidently do to him moving forward. He said his head hurt and told him to take it easy and no more training for that day. Fifteen minutes later, his head split open with blood, rushed him to the hospital, 17 stitches later he was ok. I felt really bad again for the injuries I caused. Was I a punk. Of coarse not... These techniques are so dangerous, so fast from point A to point B that there's no room for error with a lessor trained person when you are at a higher level - which was the case in each of these incidents. I also felt very bad in each of these case too. Almost all of these incidents I had nothing but praise and respect for these persons - except for the person on the street and I really didn't want to hurt him either, but had no choice. To wrap up my point, you are referring to two different arts with two totally set of rules of life. One does it for sport and satisfaction of the win and trophy. The other does it for perfection of the art in hope they never have to use what they've been trained to do... Which art is for you??? Only you can decide that. - Killer Miller -

Hey Mark, I really like your site. I feel that I should know you, but I don't. Of course, I've been out of it for a few years too... Happy to have ya. Osu. - Killer Miller -

Snap Kicks is what you are probably referring to on the two kicks. The snap kicks are actually very effctive in tournaments to apply shock to the opponent, offsetting their breathing timing, causing them to pre-maturely execute an action and allowing for a quick counter attack for the point during their transition. Kekomi kicks of course is for a different purpose in which you would be executing and commiting a killing blow or winning point . Neither are worthless as you might think, and are very effective when used for their purpose. Also, shock techniques (snap type) can cause internal damage to the body. Some karate-kas have been known to have serious injuries, and in some cases dye, from impacts of snap techniques and the delayed effects of internal damage. Don't underestimate their effectiveness of danger. - Killer Miller -

You will probably learn to break boards when you get good enough to know that you don't need to learn how to break boards... Try working on a nice, crisp sounding makiwara! That's far better than breaking boards. BTW - No, we don't break boards in Shotokan. - Killer Miller -

The inside feeling is what's important with katas. The outside movements may vary based on interpretation, but the inside feeling should be the same. Application of kata is only your vision of the fight (outside movements), spirit, timing, and body functions of kata is always the same regardless of the instructor (inside feeling). Each instructor has their own interpretation of the outside movements when teaching kata in order to learn the inside feeling of kata - which is the true art of kata. - Killer Miller -

Nobody's trying to argue here, and no I haven't missed the point. Please don't try to talk down to me, I've been trained by some of the best instructors in the world in the past. I'm not trying to put down your article and much of what you wrote is true. I just feel that there's a false hope written in your principle and I've seen too many MAs get seriously hurt by believing in this concept. I also feel this merrits civil discussion for clarity to others since you have written your article. Many MAs go into mathes/fights way over their head because they believe this principle. It's true that a man/woman is just a man, and that the're only a physical object in an altercation. This is good if you are fairly equal in build, tone, experience, mind state, and expertise. However, if this is not the case, serious injury is a result in the fight... It is much easier to be able to accurately determine the situation, before it gets serious, and avoid it all together. This is the true test of manhood or womenhood. So if I have a little heartburn with your article, it's because I've seen this principle cause too much harm in the past. It's a concern that I have quite a bit of passion over in MA teachings. To teach one to fight, they must learn how to "kill" in their training principles. That way, they will appreciate the meaning of "life" when they are in an altercation and truely say to themselves "do I really want to kill this person" or "does this situation really call for serious injury to the other person?" Than answer is that no altercation truly warrants injury to the other party, if it can be avoided. However, if the altercation or situation is withouth question life threating to you or others, then you have to be able and prepared to "kill" in an instant and without thought. This is when you are only a man, flesh and blood, etc... and must do what you have to do. But then again, you may be the one that gets killed too. So my reply is not to put down your article or principle - although I think that's the way you might percieve my replies. However, I do want my views to be understood that this principle could also cost a person/MA harm or their life if they see too deeply into this principle. I've seen it happen too many times and people do get seriously hurt when this principle is misunderstood or implemented. Your's truly and in good friendly spirit, - Killer Miller -

I understand what you are saying. But I feel that it is a meaningless point. You speak of the hands, feet, torso, etc. in terms of the outside movement being the same regardless of the style. You are kidding youself if you truly believe this. Learning/perfecting the outside movements of fighting is a small part of the art of fighting. There is far more to fighting that just an arm going out, foot going out, torso rotation, etc. There is breathing timing, drawing your opponent to you or away from you, using their energy to your advanting, or just perfecting timing actions in general. And not to mention perfection of inside body/muscle contraction/relaxation techniques. These are all of the inside feeling concepts that many times out way the outside movements. I don't care how equal we are in terms of build, physical make up, if I understand breathing/body time much better than you, but equally skilled on the extorior than you, I'm still going to kick your tail - no threat intended of course, just for discussion sake. So I respect your oppinion, but yet I totally disagree with your concept - or perhaps I still just don't see your relevancy(?). - Killer Miller -

Well written. However, the article is only true if the two opponents are equal. A lessor trained opponent against a well trained opponent, this concept does not apply. It makes it sound like two MAs can only reach a certain level because they are only human. I have seen some extraordanary MAs that I would never make such a statement for because they are trained/taught at a level and comprehension my American social life does not allow me to train for... This is a factor you have to respect and accept. To accept or believe anything less is not being truthful or real to yourself. It's one thing to have a positive image or outlook towards yourself, but it's another thing to be fictitious or unrealistic. Perfect practice makes perfect - Practice just makes practice... - Killer Miller -

Thanks... It's a subject that seems to be lightly touched, and not specifically explained. However, it's a very important part of MA. - Killer -

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. What is Mind Dumping? There are 3 mind/body functions that occur when competing in Karate: 1. The "Conscious" mind - Current activity and surrounding details. 2. The "Subconscious" mind - Long term memory, repetitive memory and emotions. 3. Motor skills or reflexes - Subconscious telling the muscles to activate. Mind Dumping is the process of clearing your Conscious mind of all current activity, personalities and emotions, except for your Match activity and surrounding details that "only" pertain to your current match. Properties of Mind and Body: Let’s first examine the details of the 3 properties that are required for competition. The Conscious mind: The conscious mind is the part of your brain that observes current events from your 5 senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell) and writes them to the memory of your subconscious mind (we will discuss the subconscious mind in a moment). Your conscious mind also analyzes current events and makes decisions as to what motor responses to ask your subconscious mind to invoke. How does this relate to karate: • what opponent you are currently competing against. • the type and quality of the floor. • his/her current stance or position. • the type of technique execution being presented to you - Punch, Kick, etc. • Any other current event/factors worth noting. These are all karate activities/events of the conscious state of mind. The Subconscious Mind: The subconscious mind is the part of the brain that stores everything that you have experienced, learned, or done repetitively - how to move, think, etc. The subconscious also activates all of your motor responses and emotions (love, hate, enjoyment, and above all: fear!) Your subconscious mind basically remembers things/events that you have either done in repetition, abnormal events/occurrences and especially traumatic events. How does this relate to karate: • a nervous reaction that occurs when sparring someone with a much higher ranking than yours or the final point to win the tournament. • all your practiced or learned shots, stances and techniques - Zen Kutsu Dachi, Ko Kutsu Dachi, etc., correct or incorrect! • all combinations of techniques (really known as "strategies"), e.g. Kake Waza, Sen No Sen and finally: the kill point! • any other normal reactions or good and bad habits you have retained or developed. Primarily, if your subconscious mind hasn't learned it or experienced it, then you don't know how to do it! Your subconscious mind can also override your conscious mind through motor responses that may occur (or instinctive reactions), such as extreme fear or panic situations, when initially triggered by the conscious mind events. The end result is that all of your muscles tighten up, counteracting any type of body movement, cutting off blood circulation to your brain, then you go to what we know as "Blank" or "Stage Freight!" Motor Skills or Reflexes: Motor skills and reflexes are the physical occurrences of your body - muscle contraction/expansion, reflexive actions and reactions, etc. Your body's motor responses do not think, they react to the signals that your subconscious mind gives you. Such as punching, stepping, kicking, etc. What Does This All Mean? When competing in a karate match: 1. You observe the opponent coming towards you and your conscious mind notes the type of presentation of his stance, the breathing pattern and a punch to the face is executed and requests a reaction or response by your subconscious mind. 2. Your subconscious mind says the best response it has been programmed for this action, and for this competitor, is a block then counter punch. Thus telling your body to perform the technique that it knows how to do. 3. Your body performs the motor responses that it has been asked to perform by the subconscious mind. In general, if you have not learned or programmed a technique to your subconscious prior to the match, through repetitive practice, your conscious mind will ask your subconscious mind to do a technique it currently does not know how to do or do correctly. Therefore, a lot of errors! The Art of Competition! A truly aggressive match is really "focus" with the combination of "readiness" for quick reactions and the "calm" to minimize opposing muscles from restricting blood flow and counteracting reflexive body actions. You don't "think" in a match and you don't get "emotional" in a match. You are trained well enough to naturally and properly "react" to the situation and "dump" your mind of all stresses and personality conflicts prior to the match. Your only focus is the current match at hand! If you cannot do this, then you have not achieved perfection of the "art of competition." Of course, I will be the first to admit that this is much easier said than done. However, this is the attitude you must maintain. There is an "art of competition" that is universal to all sports. And the sooner you learn this art, the better competitor you will become. Let me share and leave you with a bit of the "art of perfection" - an old saying. "Mizu no kokoro" This means, in this context (there are other literal translations), "Mind like water." Now I'll tell you what this really means. Imagine you are at a still and calm pond. You sit there very relaxed. Your senses are heightened. You hear the birds, the leaves blowing, you see in the pond and also to the bottom of the pond. You are aware of "all" of your surroundings, including in and through the pond to the bottom. Now, someone throws a tiny pebble into the pond. Now, you are no longer aware of "all" your surroundings. Also, you can no longer see though the pond or what is on the bottom. Your only "focus" is the pebble and the ripple in the pond. This pebble and water ripple represents the emotional factor in a match. When you disturb your clam, you no longer have the heightened awareness to naturally react to all of your surroundings of the match. "Focus,” as I refer to, is the heightened awareness of the calm of this concept and through this calm you are able to generate "all" the factors necessary for competition - speed, power, agility, reflexive reaction, etc. You are not only aware of what the fist/foot is doing, but also aware of the opponent’s breathing pattern and the body action of your opponent. I will also add that he/she is only your physical opponent and not a personality or ranking. Emotions: Any emotion, good or bad, clouds the mind and causes excessive tension in the muscles restricting blood flow to the brain (conscious and subconscious minds) and muscles. You actually become more conscious in the state of "Dumping" your conscious mind in a match. This is because the only thing you are focused on is your technique and what the opponent is doing - one action at a time. If you think aggressively (as a conscious mind thought), you have already brought in the emotion of winning or fear of losing. You no longer react naturally and instinctively as you are trained by your subconscious mind. A mind dump does not mean that you are a "Zombie" when competing. A mind dump means to heighten your awareness of the match you are about to compete in to your highest potential and react naturally as you are trained without the interference of your emotions clouding the conscious and subconscious. A lower level practitioner, typically, only performs in a match at 50% to 75% at best of their ability during training because of this battle. This is usually due to the emotion factor. This would be like the RAM in your computer being your conscious mind of current activity, and your 15 gig hard-drive being your training and experience database - or subconscious mind. When your conscious mind (RAM) sees the need to call up techniques from your subconscious mind (15 gig hard-drive), your conscious mind buffers it and reacts to the current situation, then releases it back to your subconscious mind. Now, if you have 10 applications open on your computer (your emotions!), you overload the RAMs ability to buffer your subconscious mind, and what happens? Your computer crashes and goes "blank" (this is why I reserve the word "blank") - blocking off your hard-drive (the subconscious). This is the exact same thing that happens with your mind in competition with the emotion factor. Dump your mind of all emotions and unrelated thoughts of the match in the name of "focus" (heightened awareness of the match), do not fill your mind with aggressions (in the conscious mind context) or personality conflicts. Training and Strategies: Training is the subconscious state of mind - this is your reflexive and natural reactions (like stepping around a rock in the road naturally). When your conscious state of mind is clouded by "emotions," you naturally revert to your subconscious state of mind. This means that you are only able to perform as good as you are technically trained to - and that's as good as it gets. That's the importance of regular training/coaching and that is to build your arsenal of tools of your subconscious mind. Strategies are also part of your subconscious mind or database of individual techniques or combinations of techniques that you have practiced for a given strategy of winning the point. Your conscious mind actually observes what events and circumstances are currently occurring. Your conscious mind says that a heavy front kick is coming and tells the subconscious mind (natural reflexive action) to block. Your subconscious may also tell you to do the combination of block, kick and then punch for the point as a result of the query of your conscious. You don't think about doing it, you just do it because you have practiced this scenario over and over through training. Strategy is the coordination of the conscious mind, subconscious mind and body working together. The conscious is current activity calling upon the subconscious (database) for techniques and combinations, and then the subconscious telling your body to perform the action or actions. Competition: Competition is "your test" of your subconscious abilities - this means how well you have trained or been trained (the need of a coach). The coach acts as your conscious mind telling you what to do to build the subconscious mind through drills and training concepts. This allows you to dump your conscious mind to build your subconscious database of techniques. If you try to learn on your own, you have to use your conscious mind to build your subconscious database - this does not work for competition! An overload of the conscious mind is the result and that will result in the loss of matches. The more you build your subconscious mind with a database of techniques, through regular training, the quicker you will become a winner. This is truly what sets the champions apart from us everyday working people with all the other stresses of life. The champion's entire life is his subconscious mind of karate and almost nothing else.