Tactical concepts...

I was watching a promo video the other day sent to me by a friend. The video highlighted a weekend workshop with Russian Systema instructors, centered around firearms and hostile situations.

Although I enjoyed watching the video (and equally LOVE that kind of training myself) I was left wondering why someone would do that type of training. The seminar focused heavily on situations where you are armed and facing attacker's who try to strike and grapple you, or you are faced with an attacker firing on you. In all those situations, you have to first move for cover/positioning, then draw and return fire. They practiced firing from a variety of positions and circumstances, even putting themselves in a kind of pushup position, with right hand raised and firing pistol, while the instructor repeatedly kicks them in the stomach/ribs!

In all those situations, I kept thinking of the average person. The average person does not carry firearms. The average person is not bent on closing and taking out their attacker in those encounters. The average person just wants to escape danger, using whatever tools they have at their disposal. This includes just duck, cover and run.

It's those above the average person who take things to the next level. This includes having the awareness to look out for the welfare of others. It's this base instinct that causes some to pursue occupations like military, law enforcement and security. However, it's also the base instinct for those who would sacrifice themselves to save others, and swallow their fear to actually go after the attackers.

Even with all that, most people do not carry firearms. So, unless you are in occupations or situations where you are armed, it would make more sense to train as you would be on any normal day. Everyday items like cell phones, pens, briefcases, laptops, ID cards, etc all become effective tools to either enable escape, protection or elimination of threat.

With that said, however, the internal aspect plays the primary role, regardless of the role the person plays. Building a fighting spirit in the person will allow them to draw their resilience without the controlling force of fear. No matter the skills and weapons, if fear disables the person (like a deer in headlights), then they are as good as dead. So, no matter the training, it has to start with the internal drive of the person.

I find myself taking that into account when I consider how most people train in martial arts. Most people train once or less per week, avoid seminars or go once in a great while, and limit their training to what they do in the dojo. These people are not warriors, or even martial artists in the greater sense, but are martial enthusiasts or hobbyists. They put training last on their list of agenda items. It takes up their calendar as just another appointment, another thing on their already packed plate.

These people may have skills above the average person. But, I fear they may fall into the general catagory when real danger presents itself. They don't have the warrior spirit inside because their budo training isn't a part of everything they do. Since their budo training plays such a little part of their lives, it plays a little part of who they are.

You can never learn a technique for every situation. Nor can you train all day, every day, in fighting techniques. What you can do, however, is to integrate your training into the everyday life you live. Pay attention to how your body moves, how balance plays it's role, and how situations happen around you. Notice how your breathing works. Be aware of when you let your awareness drop. I'm not speaking of being paranoid, but just aware. Know where your tactical spaces are at all times. Notice the mannerisms of people around you.

At the same time, learn to control stress, emotion and distracting thoughts. You need to return to a "Zero State" at all times.

Just doing this alone isn't enough. But, again, nothing works without a proper inside. So, this is something which affects everything you do, regardless if you are at work, at home, at the movies, or in the dojo. Then, when the poop hits the fan, even in the most dire of circumstances, you will just do what is natural to you.