Are You Afraid??

[sensei8]

"Are you afraid?"...over and over and over, are the words of our Sensei/Dai-Soke. From him, this isn't an accusation, just only a simple question. A question that only the individual can answer, but only if one is honest with oneself.

In Shindokan, there's two things that are drilled into us from day one. One is that we refuse to back up; retreating while being attacked. The other is that we never block; we only receive; the attack is deflected.

They're both difficult conceptions to understand, and an even more to grasp because it's mans nature to back away while an attack is advancing. Even more so, it is alien to mans nature to always be advancing while being attacked; one or another, well, yes, but at the same time, an oxymoron for the mind to accept as it being natural.

If you're "blocking' you're not receiving the attack. Why? That causes some hint of a retreat being initiated in receiving the attack, thusly, fear is already set in, and now you're not advancing while being attacked.

At the point of the attack, I'm already advancing while being attacked each and every time. Why? A retreating attack is an un-stabled vessel that has already accepted that it will be overwhelmed quickly. It's akin to walking backwards on the cliffs edge; unsure of where the next step will end, if at all.

Most of the time, one will attack, then one will "block"; in that order!! Not simultaneously; that's not how the mind accepts the commonality of the act. Oftentimes, one will step back to "block" the attack, but only after the attack has been launched. It must be one act; not two separate acts!!

Transitional shifts one way or another are difficult to conceive, but to add it into the formula of a simultaneously attack and receiving...over and over and over...is an uncertain act to accept.

As I advance, I'm receiving the attack, at all times, but at the same time!! But, if you're afraid, then you can only do one at a time, and not simultaneously. Albeit, your own attack will not be forthwith, if at all.

Your thoughts, please!

[cathal]

If you refer to retreating as running away I agree not much can happen simultaneously with the fight-or-flight switched over to "flight."

If you mean it as anytime you step backward then I believe this is merely one of the things that sets your system apart from the ones I know. I have observed and personally used powerful effective techniques while moving backward.

I enjoyed hearing about the mentality of fear. Fear can indeed cause one to freeze up during a crisis. To me it sounds like your system's training with respect to controlling the fear. Constantly moving toward the opponent establishes a straight forward confident mentality. It would likely seem to encourage the same in novice students.

[sensei8]

If you refer to retreating as running away I agree not much can happen simultaneously with the fight-or-flight switched over to "flight."

If you mean it as anytime you step backward then I believe this is merely one of the things that sets your system apart from the ones I know. I have observed and personally used powerful effective techniques while moving backward.

I enjoyed hearing about the mentality of fear. Fear can indeed cause one to freeze up during a crisis. To me it sounds like your system's training with respect to controlling the fear. Constantly moving toward the opponent establishes a straight forward confident mentality. It would likely seem to encourage the same in novice students.

The bold type above is Shindokan!!

Soke created Shindokan with this in mind. Both Soke and Dai-Soke considered the student that backed up at all, especially all of the time, quite immature in their karate-do, and this is also found in the Dan rankings, no matter the level. WE JUST DON'T BACK UP; we stay to our grounding while we pursue with intent!!

The only time we accept one to back up, is if the attacking force was so overwhelming that that was the preferred, but re-grounding and pursuit continued BUT on different transitional lines. However, even to do that still meant that ones karate-do was STILL immature because you were so easily overwhelmed; no excuse exists, just reality!!

[cathal]

Soke created Shindokan with this in mind. Both Soke and Dai-Soke considered the student that backed up at all, especially all of the time, quite immature in their karate-do, and this is also found in the Dan rankings, no matter the level. WE JUST DON'T BACK UP; we stay to our grounding while we pursue with intent!!

The only time we accept one to back up, is if the attacking force was so overwhelming that that was the preferred, but re-grounding and pursuit continued BUT on different transitional lines. However, even to do that still meant that ones karate-do was STILL immature because you were so easily overwhelmed; no excuse exists, just reality!!

With due respect, how much over-confidence do you deal with in respect to students?

[sensei8]

Soke created Shindokan with this in mind. Both Soke and Dai-Soke considered the student that backed up at all, especially all of the time, quite immature in their karate-do, and this is also found in the Dan rankings, no matter the level. WE JUST DON'T BACK UP; we stay to our grounding while we pursue with intent!!

The only time we accept one to back up, is if the attacking force was so overwhelming that that was the preferred, but re-grounding and pursuit continued BUT on different transitional lines. However, even to do that still meant that ones karate-do was STILL immature because you were so easily overwhelmed; no excuse exists, just reality!!

With due respect, how much over-confidence do you deal with in respect to students?

None!

Why??

Over-confidence, imho, only happens whenever the CI isn't properly teaching; just baby-sitting!! I see more under-confidence from students when they first begin to learn that they're not allowed to back up. It takes much more bravado to get and stay up close at any cost, and that's what we're striving to do by constantly pursuing our attacker; receiving/deflecting their attack whilst pressing closer and closer; thereby crossing the transitional lines and managing space often!!

[cathal]

Soke created Shindokan with this in mind. Both Soke and Dai-Soke considered the student that backed up at all, especially all of the time, quite immature in their karate-do, and this is also found in the Dan rankings, no matter the level. WE JUST DON'T BACK UP; we stay to our grounding while we pursue with intent!!

The only time we accept one to back up, is if the attacking force was so overwhelming that that was the preferred, but re-grounding and pursuit continued BUT on different transitional lines. However, even to do that still meant that ones karate-do was STILL immature because you were so easily overwhelmed; no excuse exists, just reality!!

With due respect, how much over-confidence do you deal with in respect to students?

None!

Why??

Over-confidence, imho, only happens whenever the CI isn't properly teaching; just baby-sitting!! I see more under-confidence from students when they first begin to learn that they're not allowed to back up. It takes much more bravado to get and stay up close at any cost, and that's what we're striving to do by constantly pursuing our attacker; receiving/deflecting their attack whilst pressing closer and closer; thereby crossing the transitional lines and managing space often!!

I'm thinking bravado was perhaps a poor choice in words; I don't get that from you or your system. Rather a highly confident, controlled, initiative-based close fighting style.

That said, if you step back once, execute a technique properly with correct kime & power, is that incorrect?

[sensei8]

Soke created Shindokan with this in mind. Both Soke and Dai-Soke considered the student that backed up at all, especially all of the time, quite immature in their karate-do, and this is also found in the Dan rankings, no matter the level. WE JUST DON'T BACK UP; we stay to our grounding while we pursue with intent!!

The only time we accept one to back up, is if the attacking force was so overwhelming that that was the preferred, but re-grounding and pursuit continued BUT on different transitional lines. However, even to do that still meant that ones karate-do was STILL immature because you were so easily overwhelmed; no excuse exists, just reality!!

With due respect, how much over-confidence do you deal with in respect to students?

None!

Why??

Over-confidence, imho, only happens whenever the CI isn't properly teaching; just baby-sitting!! I see more under-confidence from students when they first begin to learn that they're not allowed to back up. It takes much more bravado to get and stay up close at any cost, and that's what we're striving to do by constantly pursuing our attacker; receiving/deflecting their attack whilst pressing closer and closer; thereby crossing the transitional lines and managing space often!!

I'm thinking bravado was perhaps a poor choice in words; I don't get that from you or your system. Rather a highly confident, controlled, initiative-based close fighting style.

That said, if you step back once, execute a technique properly with correct kime & power, is that incorrect?

Ouch!! You're absolutely correct, the word "bravado" was, and IS a poor choice of words. Please forgive me, Sorry! Whatever word is appropriate, it takes nerves of steel to get close and stay close at any cost; distancing is important, it's space management, however, unnerving things can happen when one wants to always be close and stay close to reach said target.

Our Sensei/Dai-Soke would always add this to "Are you afraid?"...

"Get in there; YOU, no go back!!" Standing right behind you to ensure that you don't back-up.

To the bold above...

No, it's not incorrect; it's a way, but it's just not Shindokan's way!!

[cathal]

No worries

Actually, to be perfectly honest, being up close is my preferred method. Rather than retreat I tend to shift or rotate either toward or around my opponent. I find it most effective.

[sensei8]

No worries

Actually, to be perfectly honest, being up close is my preferred method. Rather than retreat I tend to shift or rotate either toward or around my opponent. I find it most effective.

Isn't being up close such a rush; I LOVE IT!! I love to see the face of my opponent when I press close and stay close, they don't expect it. They expect me to react, and retreat to regroup before making another stab at them.

[cathal]

No worries

Actually, to be perfectly honest, being up close is my preferred method. Rather than retreat I tend to shift or rotate either toward or around my opponent. I find it most effective.

Isn't being up close such a rush; I LOVE IT!! I love to see the face of my opponent when I press close and stay close, they don't expect it. They expect me to react, and retreat to regroup before making another stab at them.

LOL yes. For me you can see them thinking, trying to change strategies and not coming up with any good ones. During that time I've already struck. For those more experienced or better than I, well, that's a different story sometimes But when they circle or back up I simply keep coming. Some people call it chasing and others refer to it as being overly aggressive. Sorry not, not aggressive, but rather over zealous. As for me I don't feel over zealous. Its more like driven. Sparring for me is a simulation of a fight. Fights are close, dirty, up close & personal. NO one is going to attack me at arms length or maintain a measured distance. (Unless I'm in Saskatchewan but that's a totally different story!)