4. Training: Phase one (continued)

Only fools rush in. A classic line with so many applications to martial arts and general CQC. (close quarters combat.) To immediately attempt the most dangerous technique you can think of is the most ridiculous idea in the world and if you do try it, you deserve every ounce of pain coming your way. No dangerous technique should be practised without first being progressively trained up to and after being taught said technique by a qualified expert. When fighting, exploit weaknesses wherever possible. It's not sporting, but it gets the whole thing done and dusted with minimal injury to you.

Some basic shots, kicks and blocks to begin with:

• straight left- self explanatory. Because the majority of the world is either right handed or mainly utilises their right hand in a scrap, very few people expect to be hit from the left. However, also because most people are right handed, a bit of training is required to get the left hand operating on the same level as the right.
• Haymaker- the kind of wild, swinging, wide, hooking punch that looks so cool in films. It is easily noticed and easily blocked but with a bit of distracting, can land a good solid strike on an opponent. Though really, it is best used as the distraction for something a bit more damaging. Don't rely on it to end the fight.
• Hook- either right or left (mainly right as stated above), if landed properly can be devastating. As it comes in from the side, the opponent feels like they have to twist to block it and so they turn towards it slightly exposing the whole of their other side. Take the shot they've left open for you.
• Hammer fists- as explained in phase one part one, these are strikes using the base of a fist. They allow you to, in essence, hit someone standing to the side of you, or you can simply 'drop' it on their skull or across their jaw. All will have a noticeable effect, but again, are not fight enders. They just serve to weaken and damage the opponent until they can't take any more and they either give up or collapse.
• Groin kick- contrary to popular belief, they can be used against both genders. Girls feel it there too. And it has just as much chance of causing damage. A proper kick to the groin should utilise the toes to jab the recipient, not push them with a flat foot. With the full strength of the leg pushing off the ground and thrusting it into the target area, the kick will be extremely painful and, in a lot of cases involving wannabe hardmen, it will end the fight. But, you must always be prepared to keep fighting, just in case they've not had enough.
• Side kicks- depending on the target area, these can either be used to try an take an opponent to the ground or push them away and give yourself a moment to get it together. A good, hard kick to just below the knee cap can break the leg, so make sure you are prepared to deal with the legal consequences.
• Front kicks- should always be made by thrusting the heel forward, never the toes. Trying to drive the toes into an opponent's body will break them. They will either get bent backwards or forwards but both ways, they can snap. Bring the knee up so that the driving leg is raised infront of you, then simply thrust the heel forward toward the target area and the leg should naturally straighten.
• High kicks- they look great in martial arts movies and are a really good demonstration of flexibilty, but, the risks in a real fight far outweigh the benefits. It is the easiest thing to simply catch a high leg, lift it and instantly drop you. After all, there is only so high that your leg can go before your balance takes a dive.
• Jumping kicks- Extremely effective as long as you can land quickly. The kung fu wire kick for example: juming up on one leg, raising the other and kicking hard with the propelling leg. (the first one.) This magnifies the natural force of the kick and makes it extremely good for striking the torso, with a nicely damaging effect.
• Takedowns- nice moves, good for getting someone down to the ground but only if the opponent is weak or unprepared. Anyone expecting it will simply evade it. Depending on which takedown you were intending to use, they could either move out of the way, keep their balance or kick you in the face if you go down to take the legs out. Don't chance it unless it can't fail.
• Evasions- someone goes to get you, you move out of the way. A simple principle and a very natural instinct. But, it is hard to know which way to move and in the time you take making your mind up, the person will have already hit you. Best to follow what feels natural. Don't think about it, just move!
• Deflecting punches- again, it's natural. Just think of Jackie Chan's advice of  "catching the mosquito." Catch the arm. Then it's up to you. If they have a weapon, get rid of it or, if you can use it well, use it against them. If they're unarmed, twist the arm viciously. No point in trying to be nice, they're not going to stop. If you break it, they can't use it so, if you think they'll continue the fight when you let go, snap it.
• Blocking- overhead block: using one or both forearms to block a down coming shot. Preferably one because this exposes their body to immediate attack and it takes less time for you to hit it than it takes them to close their defences.

3. Training: Phase one

Where to begin. When training alone, it's often hard to find the right starting point. Do you go for fitness first or martial skills first? My advice is, find a happy medium. Combat training naturally increases fitness and strength anyway, but it requires a certain level before beginning. A basic fitness and fundamental skills drill before and after training is usually effective at boosting fitness and strength levels. A basic drill could include:

• running or jogging around a certain area with arms out to the sides no lower than the shoulders. This can be made harder by either balancing tennis balls on both hands, or holding small weights in both. A goal could be set, to complete a certain number of laps within a set time limit. The time limit could be slowly decreased to increase the difficulty of the exercise.
• A plank position held on the knuckles is good for increasing core strength and general endurance. A little pain is a sign that the training is working; a lot of pain is a sign that something is wrong. No pain, no gain. At least up to a certain point. Shifting weight from one fist to the other builds arm strength. Progression can be made to performing press ups on the knuckles.
• wall press ups on the tips of the fingers. This sounds a bit pathetic but can be just as effective as finger press ups on the ground and is far safer. The difficulty of the exercise is increased by moving the feet further from the wall and holding a lowered press up position against the wall for a few seconds before pushing back up. Pushing up and clapping before landing is also a good test of strength and speed.
• Basic striking and kicking skills will obviously have to be included. 'Hammer' fists or, using the underside of a clenched fist, straight fists, open hand strikes, straight, side and snap kicks. All of these are basic and must be practised from many angles to many points of the body. Some will be more effective than others during a fight try to get yourself used to changing quickly between strikes, heights and attacking and defending.
• stretches and flexibility exercises are essential. what use is a fighter that can kick well but can't kick higher than the knee cap? Some very good programmes exist online designed for martial arts stretching but the most important rule, do not attempt any that you know you cannot do. You will only get hurt. Muscular injuries are quite common to amateur martial artists who have strained too far. They are extremely painful which is why it is best to train with a partner. He or she can help you if you do hurt yourself and you may find that having someone on hand gives you more confidence.
• Aerobic fitness is still important so a bit of running and jumping as a warm up is always recommended.

2. What to learn, if anything.

Looking for a good martial arts school? First point, don't fall for all that flashy stuff. Twirling, spinning, 'flying' and jumping about is not going to help you. Sure, it trains coordination, speed and agility but it also gets you into habits. If possible, getting into set states of mind and getting set in your ways is to be avoided at all costs. Once you think, "Oh yeah, that's just how I do it," you're stuffed. What happens when you get an opponent who doesn't want to conform to 'your way of doing it'? A good, all round, solid base is the best way. Be good at everything, not great at one thing but vulnerable elsewhere. The best method is to remain flexible and changeable, open minded and observant. Any combatant must adapt every second of every fight. That's not to say that you shouldn't practise blocks and strikes until you get them perfect, but don't count on them always being in the order you practise, or always being against the point you practise defending. Know what to do if your opponent attacks you from the crown of your head right down to your little toe. I'll get onto how to do that, later on.

Second point, just because they train to be tough doesn't justify sacrificing the odd safety rule here and there. Toughness is not developed purely by being knocked about all the time just because they refuse to give you a decent headguard. The more you get hurt, the less effective your training will be. You will just train yourself to the point where you no longer want to do it; then what good is it to you? Training in a school should be disciplined but enjoyable. If you don't enjoy classes, find somewhere else! You are there to learn, which is hard to do when your mind is focused on hating every second of what you're doing.

Third point, don't base your decision on pressure from the establishment or it's reputation and awards. Just make sure that you cut out the crap, find out if it holds all the necessary safety certificate, that all instructors are fully qualified and how long they have all been teaching for. It sounds fussy but you want to know that they can protect your safety at all times and that they can handle a class of students. Don't judge a book by it's cover, but the training facility and it's location can tell you something about the style of teaching and learning. Most well disciplined schools will be neat, tidy, welcoming and clean, and they will be kept that way.

And remember, try things out! All good schools will offer a free trial lesson. Some will offer more. You are under no obligation to stay in the schools you try out and you do not have to try somewhere you don't want to go. Don't let them try to entice you in. Listen carefully to intro's and take every opportunity to ask questions. The more you know, the happier you will be with your final decision.

1. Not so much Mind, but not a lot of Matter either.

Mind over matter. Everyone knows that's not strictly true. If your body doesn't have the capacity to do something, no amount of trying will make it happen. Progressive training is required to ensure that it is possible to do what you wanted to do, without hurting yourself. Usually this will mean repetition of a particular action, movement or strike, over and over until it is either second nature or doesn't cause any kind of hesitation. Will power is of course required, otherwise you may as well use the brick you were going to try to smash and build a new garden wall with it; that's all it'll be good for if you don't believe you can break it. Once you've got the right skills with the right attitude, you can achieve amost anything related to fighting.

For those who wish to follow the path of zero stressful training and full on meditation belief, go ahead. Stop reading! For those still remaining, I'm going to outline the basics of becoming a strong, tough fighter without spending years learning karate katas or kung fu forms which don't apply to real combat. The Key thing is, having big muscles with cool, flexy biceps will not help you! Strength is supremely important but big mucles only get in the way or slow you down. Any skilled opponent will know that and bash you about a bit more for it. When it comes to a fight, speed is more of an asset than strength but both are essential. It is far better to dodge an incoming blow than to let it bounce off you because you're 'strong enough' not to get hurt by it.