Principles of Fighting

There was a seminar this weekend involving one of the upper tier fighters teaching a bit on the principles of his fighting that have allowed him to continue to dominate the field for the past several years.  Here are some quick notes from the organizer about the subject matter of this session. 

 Basic Principles

1.Find your Center and Balance
2.Stay Relaxed and Fluid
3.Maintain Good Posture and Form
4.Keep Focused

These principles are connected, they do not act independently -- they support each other.

Center & Balance

Balance has many meanings
•physical balance
•balanced practice
•sword balance
•etc

Learn how to practice & develop better balance

Center: balance point of your body

DRILLS: BALANCE
•standing on one leg (concentrate on lowering your center of gravity down into your abdomen)
•allow your center to drop in a fight by moving with the center of your body (abdomen) instead of leading with shoulders, arms or chest
•pell work on one foot

Considerations
•be aware of your balance in a fight -- helps you refocus and keep the fight together to concentrate on BASIC technique
•every time you try to do something not simple, make sure it is grounded in the basics
•always be aware of the principles but do not focus on the principles; you focus on fight and have a general awareness that the principles are supporting your fighting or not
•move away or flow out of range if you feel like you have lost the principles in a fight and reset
•when he's out of balance, your opponent presents more openings
•when you reach, keep balance and low
•keep weight over the knees, knees over the foot, push off your back foot and use your hips

Balance of Weapon
•a tip heavy sword is ideal
•if you use a hilt heavy sword, pulling sword in tight to center and then extending out is the technique to start movement.
•different balance gives you different things


Stay Relaxed and Fluid

Constant flow of motion -- not jerky

Grip sword with little finger, most stability; rest of fingers just lightly wrap around the sword handle, firm but relaxed grip, no squeezing

Gentle movements using good technique

The center of your body should still be projecting through your opponent when your swords hits its target, and then center starts to bring back the sword before your hand relaxes completely

When relaxed you can redirect a sword with small movements of elbows, hips and shoulders

Relaxed grip w/ pinkie gives you better tip control than gripping with trigger fingers

Do not allow blows to be just wrist movements

Maintaining Good Posture and Correct Form

Good posture is part of balance and part of being allowed to flow
•move with lower body rather than shoulders
•good posture adds strength to movement
•posture allows you to be in your opponent's face with authority and power and presence
•even when squatting, lunging, stay on balls of feet to keep posture and balance
•pivot so toes and knees are in same direction, proper form for bending (safety -- no injuries; power; efficiency)

Keep Focused

•Focus on training
•keep eye on the prize (the prize is to get better and better and become a master)
•no one is born a master-- you practice to become a master
•practice; practice; practice

How do you get more focused?

How do you get better focus?

What do you do when you lose focus?

Where do you focus?

How do you train focus?

•start with the basics and build on those with complexity and detail
•focus problem -- lose focus when you get so much joy from hitting your opponent you lose focus on defense and you get popped
•train focus so that emotion leaves the fight
•maintain, pose, focus form until you are sure/ certain the fight is over (i.e. your opponent is on the ground yelling good)
•no disconnect, maintain form and positioning to maintain focus
•focus on whole of fight, not specifics (do not lose the forest for the trees)
•step out of range if you need to think about a specific thing or call hold
•focus on when your opponent shifts balance -- he will be presenting an opening
•you need to be in the moment
◦don't think about last fight
◦don't think about next fight
•BE AWARE
◦not thinking -- just focused
◦remove thoughts and just be aware
◦no mind