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By Bradley J. Steiner, American Combato
In any art, martial art, visual art, performing art, art of clothing design, art of building weapons, houses, or vehicles, etc. or the art of persuasion or argument, doing, once the mechanics have been learned, remains the only path to perfecting, and to truly expert, masterful performance.
Because the techniques of close combat and self-defense are simple, some people believe that serious practice and hard work is not necessary (as, they believe, it is in the classical Asian arts, which tend to be elaborate and complex). Wrong.
Due to what is at stake when combative skills are brought into practical application, one might argue that deadly serious, regular and intensive practice is MORE important for the student of actual, real world combat methodology than it is for the person participating in a strict classical art, or in a competitive sport. We know very well that plenty of hard, serious practice is necessary in any form of martial art one cares to study.
We would say that there is a great deal more at stake in training in self-defense and close combat than there is in either traditional methods or contest skills. You are not training for fun or for recreation—although combat training certainly can be enjoyable. You are training in order to prepare for and stay prepared for the unfortunate situation of being confronted by violent attack.
This violent attack may be against you or against a family member or close friend. In any case, being defeated is not an acceptable option. And in order to avoid losing, in order to prevail, you need to have the skills that you are learning driven into your motor nerves and embedded there!
That means practicing. It means practicing often and regularly. And nothing can take its place.
We stress this with our personal students. We emphasize it for those who train with our DVD Home Study Course. Occasional, sporadic effort does not produce mastery. Intense, regular, serious effort does.
Too many martial arts students constantly seek out “new techniques.” They strive to build extensive repertoires of skills. In so doing they neglect to settle down to the process of mastering those skills that work, and that work especially well for themselves. American Combato teaches the skills that work. But every student must, over time, discover those techniques that work particularly well for himself.
And then perfecting those techniques becomes the order of the day. No one needs a vast array of techniques. One needs those quality techniques that suit him best. When you discover those blows, combinations, counterattacks, weapons, and tactics that fit you like a glove, then set yourself to practicing them endlessly.
That is what will ensure that they will be “there and ready to serve” when and if the worst ever happens. We all hope it never will . . . but if that awful, catastrophic moment comes to you where there is no option but to destroy a dangerous felon before he destroys you, you want to be ready and able to neutralize him speedily and well—and at minimum injury to yourself.
Attitude and mindset also need “practice” of a sort. Repetitious review, reminding, constant referral in thinking about how to apply, and always remembering why training is so important and thereby staying motivated and enthused. Heed these words which come from a lifetime of training, study, research, practice, teaching, and—thank God to a lesser degree—some personal experience in application.