but a big problem

[BladeLee]

Alright, training and fighting are my life. I'm more serious about training than anything else in the world. All of my friends always talk me up when we are at parties and stuff, and when strangers are around this always causes controversy. Such as tonight...

 

Some kids from another school were at this party, to make a long story short one of them tried to start a fight with me. Now im not being egotiscal or anything, but I can pretty much kick anyones * 1v1, and to be honest im pretty confident fighting much more than that. BUT..here is where the problem is..and a big problem at that. When the time comes, and i get my adrenaline pumping...it doesn't work for me, it works against me. I'm not really afraid at all or anything, I know my ability and like pain anyhow, so i dont see what the problem is. I start to shake a bit, and know that i've lost a good bit of my fighting potential because of this. My actions will be a bit slowed and such. Anyhow, I need to find out why this is happening, and how to get rid of it, or even better, have my adrenaline work for me. If i left out anything, just ask. Thanks for any positive comments.

[Darce]

Stay out of fights.

[delta1]

Stay out of fights.

No, no, no!!!

 

The best way to learn to control the adrenalin rush is to get into situations where you have to do it; and the only way to really learn to fight is to fight! I know, he means the kind where you intend to hurt someone. And I agree, avoid these if you can. But sometimes this becomes a stock answer and is taken way too far. If you have to fight, do it, and do it right. You don't have to kill him just because he peed in your beer, but a good spankin' would be in order.

 

Does your school spar with hard contact? This is one good way to learn to control the rush with minimal risk of someone getting hurt. A good way to do this is to have your opponent and other students try to make you mad. Use abusive language, gang up on you just before the 'fight' and harrass you, throw things at you dureing the fight, put the make on your girlfriend- whatever they can do to get you steamed.

 

Cato drills. Ever watch The Pink Panther? Have your instructor designate someone to assault you when you are not expecting it. Then spar for a minute when he does. Can happen any time dureing class when he thinks he can surprise you. A good variation is the House of Horrors, where you go through any structure and designated attackers are there waiting to jump you. This is really good in low light conditions, but make sure everyone is well padded!

 

You can drill yourself to deal with adrenalin every day. Think about it, know it is a physiological fact you are going to have to deal with, and visualize yourself channeling and focusing that responce. Understand that it actually helps you to direct amazing ammounts of energy to your defence. Also, understand that although you feel like you are moving slowly, you are actually moving faster than you ever could without it. Meditate on this, internalize the knowlege. Consciously practice relaxing and focusing when you are startled by anything, but don't allow yourself to get tunnel vision. Practice awareness. One of the things you'll have to overcome with adrenalin is tunnel vision, so be aware and practice dealing with it from the start.

 

Seriously, meditation ,contemplation, and visualization are excellent tools. They help you relax, even with the rush, and that is key. And if your school doesn't, or won't, do some of this, I'd seriousely consider starting an independant study group to suppliment your training. Recruit people from other styles also, get as many perspectives as you can.

 

Hope this helps some.

[Shorinryu Sensei]

Whoa...sorry, but I have to disagree with delta1 on this. Purposely getting into fights to learn to control adrenaline rush? There should be no way that a martial artist should intentionaly get into ANY fight, in my opinion.

 

OK, sure..competition is another thing, but I'm talking about real street fights.

 

Also where you ahve people in yoyur dojo call yo unames, toss stujff at you, hit on yoru girlfriend??? You actually think that's going to get you mad, when you'll know exactly what they are doing? I can see it making you laugh like hell, but get you mad? No, I can't see that happening.

 

I do agree that frequent sparring, especially controlled full contact, will help a lot to get you to learn control. Getting smacked a few times and getting angry certainly will work.

 

"Cato drills"? Again, when you're expecting it in class, there will be no adrenaline rush associated with it, because you are expecting it. It's no surprise when you walk in the door of the dojo and expect to be attacked at any time, and you know it.

 

What causes the "rush" is the fact that it's NOT expected..sudden and potentially explosive.

[BladeLee]

Yes my school does spar with hard contact... well more like intermediate contact. Anytime that I start to get that 'bad' adrenaline feeling, I try to relax myself, but to no avail. Sometimes avoiding fights isn't practical, such as last night was pretty much impossible, but somehow I managed. And to be honest, I WANTED to fight, these guys were assholes, druggies, and just needed dropped. I would have too if it wasn't for that damn adrenaline rush thing.

 

About getting mad, maybe thats another problem because I never get mad. Things just don't get to me..except when it comes to this.

 

The only thing I could think of myself, was to put myself in these situations more often, because i HAVE to overcome this. I'm not saying go and start fights, but just don't let these assholes walk away next time.

 

If I just didn't get any adrenaline rush i would be fine lol, but this really inhibits my skills. It feels as though I can't even walk. And like i said, i KNOW i can win, I don't mind pain..so what is the problem? Why am I nervous(if thats what it is)??? I've been trying to figure out how to overcome this for a long time, and its time to ask you guys for help. Thanks again

[Hybrid]

I'm not sure the idea of you overcoming fear (and that's what it is) is something that comforts me, lol. Getting into fights on purpose is stupid. Do you KNOW you can win against a gun pointing at your head? Didn't think so.

 

Your ego is controlling you but your body isn't as stupid. If you get into a fight you should be able to react. Regardless of how scared you are. Are you really "freezing" to the point you can't move? Is this before any actual "fighting" begins? You need to learn how to control it. (It will probably always be there though, no matter what you do. Maybe just not as powerful.) How? I don't know. Probably different for everyone. Getting into fights on purpose is definitely NOT the answer.

[CsrCrz88]

I'm not sure the idea of you overcoming fear (and that's what it is) is something that comforts me, lol. Getting into fights on purpose is stupid. Do you KNOW you can win against a gun pointing at your head? Didn't think so.

 

Your ego is controlling you but your body isn't as stupid. If you get into a fight you should be able to react. Regardless of how scared you are. Are you really "freezing" to the point you can't move? Is this before any actual "fighting" begins? You need to learn how to control it. How? I don't know. Probably different for everyone. Getting into fights on purpose is definitely NOT the answer.

 

i agree.

[Shorinryu Sensei]

The only thing I could think of myself, was to put myself in these situations more often, because i HAVE to overcome this. I'm not saying go and start fights, but just don't let these assholes walk away next time.

 

Well, just to give you my perspective on this comment. When I get a new student in class, and it is reinforced often during class..my #1 rule I have in my dojo is:

 

If I ever hear of you (one of my students) starting a fight, either physically or verbally, you are out..PERMANENTLY! No "I'm sorry and it won't happen again(s)" accepted. This is a rule I am strict, and inflexable on.

 

Do you know why?

 

The majority of the non-martial art public thinks we are a bunch of tough guys, just looking for an excuse to get into a fight and to use our "deadly" skills. Anytime a person uses martial arts in a fight, whether he starts it or not, the word spreads fast that "This karate guy beat the snot out of this poor other guy", whether that poor other guy started it , or deserved it..or not.

 

This reflects on every person doing any type of martial art in your area, and I am VERY reputation conscious and strive to make the public aware that we are not a bunch of thugs that they have to be afraid of.

 

I also stress in my class that one of your best self-defense techniques is simple..walking away! Do a few words hurt you? If the guy calls you a "cocks***er"..other than get you po'd, does it actually hurt you?

 

If some jerk hits on your girlfriend, is that worth getting in a fight? Does she encourage him, or does she tell him she's got a boyfriend? If she doesn't, then you have a relationship problem, and believe me, she's not worth fighting over.

 

Learn to get a tougher skin. Learn that you best defense is to walk away.

 

I'm 6'6" tall, 240lbs and have nearly 29 years in this art. I will walk away every time. If the guy (and yes, this has happened) calls me a chicken (or worse)..he's welcome to think what he wants. The way I look at it is this..I just saved him a dental and doctor bill!

 

Anyway, that's my opinion on it. Take it or leave it.

[stl_karateka]

Wise words from ShorinRyu Sensei!

 

MA isn't all physical but it is mental too. Its about self-control and being able to walk away.

[BladeLee]

I agree completely with what you guys are saying. I know to walk away, and I do everytime...BUT, i want to know that when i do need it, my adrenaline wont freeze me up. Like I said, im not trying to start any fights, im not arrogant or egotistcal at all, and im a very easy going guy. But nonetheless, fighting is my life and I just need to know that when/if the real thing happens, the adrenaline won't screw me up. Which..is why i come here, to you guys