S& S based training
I get a lot of questions from the law enforcement and military personel that I teach, regarding my S&S (Structure and Strategy) approach to training.
Well, in my view, having an S&S-based foundation is important if there is a real possibility that you will be called upon to utilize your training before you have reached a high level of technical skill. I strongly believe that if a major part of the reason we train in martial arts/defensive tactics, is so that we can effectively 'handle' ourselves well in confrontation - then we need to develop a foundation based on Structure and Strategy. Ie: we need to develop easily-workable plans in three main areas: pre-fight, fight (striking phase) and post-clinch (grappling phase). We need to have simple, effective structural and strategic approaches to these parts of the fight dynamic.
For the pre-fight phase of the fight - we need to have devloped a good workable 'fence' and 'pre-emptive' action strategy. We need to have worked and trained ourselves in dealing with verbal abuse, distance-close-down and basic adrenal-dump management.
In the 'fight' phase (read: boxing/kickboxing) - we need to have a basic and sound structure-based defence (ie: defending-covering methodology, footwork and solid striking options. This should be based on how we are most likely to 'react' to sudden, aggressive, unpredictable and dynamic assault (ie: 'startle' reflex kicking in - adrenal dump, etc), rather than fine technical skill-based reactions.
In the 'post-clinch' phase, we need to have a basic gameplan if wqe are on top (once we hit the deck) and a basic gameplan if we are underneath. Again, these 'most-basic' plans, should be strategy-based and not skill-based.
Once we have these basic plans down - they will serve as a workable foundation that will get us out of trouble - and allow us to survive, long enough to develop real technical skills - in each of the same areas.
So my S&S approach is designed to give the most 'bang for buck' in terms of 'return on time invested' for the non-professional.
Sorry - gotta go and hit the mat.
Train well and safely,
JBW
Well, in my view, having an S&S-based foundation is important if there is a real possibility that you will be called upon to utilize your training before you have reached a high level of technical skill. I strongly believe that if a major part of the reason we train in martial arts/defensive tactics, is so that we can effectively 'handle' ourselves well in confrontation - then we need to develop a foundation based on Structure and Strategy. Ie: we need to develop easily-workable plans in three main areas: pre-fight, fight (striking phase) and post-clinch (grappling phase). We need to have simple, effective structural and strategic approaches to these parts of the fight dynamic.
For the pre-fight phase of the fight - we need to have devloped a good workable 'fence' and 'pre-emptive' action strategy. We need to have worked and trained ourselves in dealing with verbal abuse, distance-close-down and basic adrenal-dump management.
In the 'fight' phase (read: boxing/kickboxing) - we need to have a basic and sound structure-based defence (ie: defending-covering methodology, footwork and solid striking options. This should be based on how we are most likely to 'react' to sudden, aggressive, unpredictable and dynamic assault (ie: 'startle' reflex kicking in - adrenal dump, etc), rather than fine technical skill-based reactions.
In the 'post-clinch' phase, we need to have a basic gameplan if wqe are on top (once we hit the deck) and a basic gameplan if we are underneath. Again, these 'most-basic' plans, should be strategy-based and not skill-based.
Once we have these basic plans down - they will serve as a workable foundation that will get us out of trouble - and allow us to survive, long enough to develop real technical skills - in each of the same areas.
So my S&S approach is designed to give the most 'bang for buck' in terms of 'return on time invested' for the non-professional.
Sorry - gotta go and hit the mat.
Train well and safely,
JBW
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