We Don’t Back Up!!

[sensei8]

This is the last of my series’s on key factors about Shindokan:

1) We never block an attack

2) We want to get behind our attacker

3) We want to be very close to our attacker

4) We don’t back up

So far, and in no particular order, I’ve briefly discussed key factor #1; We never block an attack, and key factor #2; We want to get behind our attacker, and key factor #3; We want to be very close to our attacker.

Today, I’d like to briefly discuss Shindokan key factor #4; bold typed above: We don’t back up.

Why?!? 

To maintain balance and control. If I had eyes in the back of my head, then we’d have no problem with going backwards.

There’s far more places that one can go other than backwards. Sure, backwards is option, however, it’s only as a last option.

There’s avenues of transition that present themselves that allow me to get behind my attacker, and if not immediate, I can get us close until I can get behind my attacker. Backing up can create unwanted space for your attacker to exploit. 

We all have seen at tournaments during Kumite the endless amount of practitioners that do backup, ending out of bounds. Only reason I can think of why that’s their only option is because they’ve not matured in their techniques. Sure, I’ve also seen practitioners back up just enough to draw their opponent in for a turn around roundhouse kick, for example, or some other devious move. Nonetheless, the former is often chosen as a safe haven. 

Backing up compromises your balance which make it easier to for your attacker to either attack or counter you.Remaining grounded increases your stability and readiness for an effective response.

Backing up can send signals of you being uncomfortable in an uncertain situation which can cause your attacker to press their agenda making you even more uncomfortable. Be proactive and stand your ground or sidestep or pivot.

You’re a MAist, and I’m more than sure that your style teaches you to be effective in your lateral movements, which helps you in your agility, adaptability, and ability to deal with situations.

 

Forced Corner:

One drill that I teach, more than any other training drill, to my students, which is very effectively useful. Initially, I put them in a corner, instructing them to get out of the corner, by any effective means. Inadvertently, the students only reaction is to try to escape by retreating backwards.

At first, the corner is about 10 feet behind them. Then, my attack begins in a blitzing fashion. But of course, the student backs up immediately, of which, I’m already upon her/him. At each retreat, I move them closer to the corner. I repeatedly attack them in a blitzing attack over and over , and as before, I’m upon her/him again. 

Again and again.

By now, the student’s back is at the dreaded corner; there’s no escaping from me but by transitioning away through any effective angle away from me. I’ve closed the back door and the only way out of that corner is through or around me. Backing-up  is no longer an option for them. Before the student even knows it, they’re getting out of the corner and getting behind me without backing up.

I’m not saying that one will never ever back up ever again because things happen where you need to back up. Just minimize your backing up to the best of your ability.

Maintain your ground and control distance.

Remain Aware of your surroundings:

Being astute as to your environment helps prevent unwanted retreats. If you know what’s behind you, you can avoid backing into things. 

Topographic conscious is a constant force that you can’t control because you didn’t have anything to do with whatever Mother Nature created. 

Uneven ground, roots, holes, branches, trees, bushes, rocks, and whatever else Mother Nature threw on the ground to make your fight one main pain in the you know where.

Practice Forward Movement: 

Baking up is a bad habit if that’s all one can do. The more one practices a bad habit, backing up in this case, the harder the bad habit will be to break because the bad habit becomes part of ones muscle memory.

Concentrate on drills that emphasize stepping forward instead of retreating. Sparring can focus  on this concept without the full pressure of a full fight.

Ever played Green Light, Red Light?? Don’t laugh. That simple child’s game teaching forward movement in a very proactive way. This too strengthens muscle memory.

Control The Distance:

Use protective stances to manage the space between you and your attacker. This helps you to stay grounded and ready to counter.

Kiba-dachi, horse stance, is a very protective stance. So much so, that MAists world wide use kiba-dachi far more than any other stance. 

Stay Calm and Confident:

Nerves get everyone from time to time. How one can control them makes the difference between life and death.

Scattered nerves can lead to instinctive back up, like one sees at the dojo and tournaments. When that happens, one can find it difficult to reel calmness and confidence back in.

To stay calm during a fight, BREATHE. Control your breath, confidence returns. When you’re not calm, you tend to choose to fight-or-flight. That’s why I prefer to utilize resistance training because you need to experience the pressure of what a real fight might be. That’s why I love to do blitzing drills where that pressure is right there immediately, and before you know it, the student is angling away.

Drills can help to overcome the tendency of excessive backing up. Always move forward to your opponent’s center, not away from it. It’s best to have your attacker backup. IF you have to back up, don’t back up straight back; work the angles. Should you retreat, throw something, like a knee, as your advancing; never flight away without striking. Control the distance and push your attacker back as you’re advancing.

 

Some Drills That Might Help:

PRESSURING >

>Get in a stance, of your choice 

>Shadow-sparring while advancing FORWARD, DO NOT BACK UP

>Add lateral steps as though you’re circling your attacker 

>5 minutes rounds…keep your hands up while moving FORWARD

ANGLES>

>Have a partner stand opposite you

>You step FORWARD AND TO THE SIDE (at an angle) instead of retreating backwards 

>After 2-3 steps, cut the angles once again 

>Work on punching and kicking or whatever as you move in

In closing, backing up is a natural thing for anyone and because of that it’s a habit. Habits that are counterproductive can be difficult to break, but doable.

Let me freak you out…Not all backing up is bad. Whenever possible, I love to back up a step or two in order to draw my attacker in for my counterattack. If my attacker doesn’t show me that they’d not be willing to come to me, then I will not try to bait them.

Back up, go ahead, I’ll eat you up quicker than you can say…WHOA…so will your attacker!!