Self-Defense Tip 56 Physical Conditioning for Mental Toughness in Self-Defense, Part II

Mental toughness through physical conditioning drills and fighting drills

This tip continues a subject began in Self-Defense Tip #53 – Physical Conditioning for Mental Toughness in Self-Defense, Part I. In that tip a video shows physical conditioning drills for self-defense. In this tip I present a video of a fighting drill.

Those physical conditioning drills (those in self-defense tip number 53 and the one above) are OK, but they could be made more effective for developing mental toughness for fighting, without taking much more energy or time.

All that needs to be added to them is a little pain, not a big pain — distracting but not damaging. So, a stinging belt slap is good, but a bruising, heavy hand slap is not. Such pain can be added to simple conditioning exercises, not just to the fighting-specific drills as seen in the movie. Remember: Injuries impair, not improve. The desired reaction to such pain is no reaction — no startle reflex, no change in movement, no grimace. On a deeper level this tool develops what in Japanese martial arts is called fudoshin — the immovable or imperturbable mind. Observe the fighters if you are an instructor, or observe your training partner if you are a fighter. If you see a wrong reaction, it means that this training tool is too strong for them at this time. Frequency of application also matters.

I have said enough. I have given enough of a hint for intelligent people to figure out how to apply the right kind of pain in combat conditioning.

Now, view Self-Defense Tip #54 – The Unbreakable Umbrella in Self-Defense, Part I, and imagine adding the tool described above to the stick-fighting practice shown during the first minute of a video included in that tip.

Self-defense tip from Thomas Kurz, co-author of Basic Instincts of Self-Defense and author of Science of Sports Training, Stretching Scientifically, and Flexibility Express.

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