We Want To Be Very Close To Our Attacker!!

[sensei8]

Key factors about Shindokan:

1) We never block an attack

2) We want to get behind our attackers

3) We want to be very close to our attacker

4) We don’t back up

Here’s a basic brief of what I’m talking about.

So far, I’ve briefly discussed key factor #1; We never block an attack, and key factor #2; We want to get behind our attacker. Albeit, key factor #2 should be key factor #3 because without getting close first, getting behind my attacker will be quite challenging.

We deflect said attack. Moreover, we receive said attack!! Today, I’d like to briefly discuss Shindokan key factor #3; bold typed above: We want to be very close to our attacker.

Why?? By getting very close to our attacker limits their options. 

Getting very close to my attacker is paramount because without that intimate closeness the stalemate between my attacker and myself might exist.

Does the thought of getting close to your attacker unnerve you?!? That’s understandable because not everyone feels safe at closing the gap and staying there to take care of business.

In Shindokan, we drill the following statement right from the start to our students: Study your opponent, Study yourself, make a plan, carry out that plan.

Reason for this is because you don’t want to just wander in with a lackadaisical manner. 

Until you’ve matured in your techniques, getting very close to your attacker can be quite daunting…and alarming. Don’t get me wrong, being matured in your technique doesn’t creates a force field around you. Being matured in your techniques means that above one’s arsenal of techniques, you’ll study your opponent, study yourself, make a plan, and carry the plan out. 

Now comes the game of chess about getting up close to the attacker.

STUDY YOUR OPPONENT:

Watch their stance and posture. Are they closed or open?!? There’s a reason for why they’re as they are; It’s not by happenstance 

Watch for any tell-tell patterns. Habits exist and you’ll have to decode them. Do they move backwards, side to side, or remains steady?!?

How are they breathing?!? If their breathing becomes labored, that means they’re starting to get tired but if their breathing is controlled, the fights alive in them.

Watch how they distribute their weight. This can reveal quite a lot. Has their weight shifted forward in their stance, they might be planning to punch. Albeit, if their weight has shifted backwards, they might be prepared to counter.

Eyes are the window of your opponent. Watch them closely because they’ll give up their plans unwittingly.

Watch the shoulders because any shoulder movement is an alarm that something is about to happen. 

STUDY YOURSELF:

You’re not Superman. You’re not cloaked in perfection. The very exact same things that you studied in your opponent might be reflected right back to your opponent about yourself. Don’t be complacent whatsoever.

MAKE A PLAN:

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” ~Benjamin Franklin 

“A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.”~George S. Patton

Just don’t stand there. Jab, feint…something…but don’t be a statue. Offensive plans must be implemented especially if your plan is to take charge.

Be on the defense by moving, deflecting and/or receiving in order to neutralize your attacker plans all the while being mindful of your own energy.

Effective counterattacking capitalizing your attackers blunders. Whenever the opportune time makes itself clear to you, attack whenever your opponent least expects it.

Prudent actions demand stellar judgment. Protect yourself always, keep your hands ready, don’t overcommit, keep stamina and focus on fundamentals.

Being flexible and ready to adjust the plan based on the dynamics is crucial.

CARRY THE PLAN OUT:

“Any plan is better than no plan, so plan to carry it out irrespective of your opponent.”~Robert Mitcham (Not sure if someone else more prominent said this before me).

“He who hesitates, hesitates horizontally!”~Ed Parker

There’s a difference between being overconfident and being overly cautious. Being overconfident can result in taking unnecessary risks, one might underestimate challenges or overestimate their skills. Whereas, being overly cautious can lead to missed opportunities and stagnation, as individuals may hesitate to act even when the situation is favorable. What I’m saying is that overconfidence can lead to reckless actions, while being overly cautious can result in inaction. 

Both extremes can hinder effective decision-making in the midst of a fight. 

Going from your gut instincts can be a valuable guide, it's essential to balance them with rational analysis, especially in significant decisions.

Just don’t stand there…do something!! If you want to kick the shin, then do it. If you want to jab, then do it. If you want to bite, then do it. If you don’t carry out your plan, then you’ll never get close to your attacker.

To get face to face with my attacker I must come to my attacker or draw my attacker to me. Not in a hurried way but in a decisive way. I can initiate or I can wait, either way we use our longest weapon; our legs. This is why we don’t kick no higher than the middle.

Shindokan kicks are used for set-ups for our hands. Remember, Shindokan is 85% hands and 15% feet. So, we’ll attack our attackers base; their legs, both on the inside and outside. To disrupt my attackers balance and posture, which allows me to get face to face in both an offensive and defensive position, which gives my primary weapons, my hands to control my opponent.

We’re not talking about a lengthy battle. No! Just as long as is necessary to get behind my attacker which is my ultimate goal. Remember, to get behind you must first GET CLOSE. You’ve got to control the fight/attack. Part of controlling is knowing when to disengage whenever necessary. With every disengage means you’ll have to reengage, which means you’re going to have to get close again.

After said attacker has had the unrelenting experience of having their base attacked repeatedly, many attackers who might be versed on one way or another in ground grappling will decide to take the fight to the ground because they believe whomever they’re attacking, will retreat without haste. With us Sindokanists, that’s the furthest thing from our minds because we’re very comfortable as well as effective on the ground.

In conclusion, the art of getting close to your attacker is extremely essential for the overall success of your attack/counterattack, and while it doesn’t appear to be an effective strategy, it, if even for just a moment, put you and your attacker on the same level. During that brief moment, you have to make things work in order to gain the advantage.

Get close, and stay there!!

[Spartacus Maximus]

Personal physical conflict is a nasty, chaotic affair and it is clear that karate was originally meant for dealing with attackers up close. This is apparent across all styles, but especially obvious in the older Okinawan schools.

The majority of techniques have an optimal effectiveness point within arms reach, well inside what is considered one’s personal space. Personally heard many say that basically Okinawan karate has only short and medium range techniques. Hence the concept of sticking to the attacker and being close enough to feel/sense the next move and exploit openings to counter or escape.