Defensive Tactics Training, Classical/Traditional Martial Arts Training, and Combat Sports Training all fall into 3 categories of training modalities and/or training approaches.
1. Reflexive or Unconditioned - Response as/by Reaction.
“Flex-Response” concept.
Largely focused on counter attack reaction training against a single attack.
Example: I walk around and somebody unexpectedly swings a punch at me then I react in a pre-determined way by avoiding, attacking, throwing, etc.
Ideology: Based on the notion that people are constrained by their spontaneous reactions to an oncoming assault. Common human response to a physical assault is that a person either hits back, freezes/flinch, or runs away. Many Military and Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Training programs base their entire training methodology behind the reflex methodology.
2. Conditioned or Trained - Response as/by Acclimation (Traditional martial arts)
Technique Accumulation and Causational Repetition concept.
Largely focuses on non-contact repetition of various far east Asian combat responses.
Example: A guy gets in a wide sideways stance and throws a reverse punch near me and I step out and block and counter or do something else and then if the attacker executes another attack I step out another way and do a parry then kick and/or further respond with some sort of other combination.
Ideology: Based on the concept of repeating Asian combat set patterns for years in order to perfect form, which in theory would grant one the ability to defend oneself in actual combat. The techniques in sparring are singular techniques strung together in combination and counter techniques are used to respond to each particular attack. Each attack would have an appropriate block or counter and one would try to train each and every attack scenario within the system for years in order to gain the theoretical ability to fight spontaneously and in a fluid manner. The techniques are based on what the person coming at me is doing. Training with the purpose to “If Then” relate a particular response to particular attack in repetition.
3. Tempered or Forged - Response as/by Familiarization
Spatial Relationship and Target Acquisition through Resistance, Motion, Energy concept.
Largely focuses on acquiring timing to attack and counter using the concept of Aliveness.
Example: I transition between ground fighting, clinch fighting, and unattached striking in a spontaneous manner and in a broken pattern as well as a broken rhythm.
Ideology: Simple defensive structures and footwork are used to transition into dominant/safety positions in order to attack. Progressive resistance (contact) is always used in training meaning if I don’t move at the right time or use a solid structure to defend myself I will get hit yet not be seriously injured. Through tempered training, I become familiar with the spontaneous and dynamic patterns found in real combat. I may see an attack I’ve never seen before, but I can respond fairly successfully because I am familiar with distance and I have simple structures that I can perform quickly and safely. I always use simple structures that are high percentage meaning they have a high probability to function properly, efficiently, and appropriately. The focus is not on singular techniques or response scenarios, but on developing overall timing and familiarization with the dynamic fluctuations in timing distance and rhythm found in actual combat. Development of balance during resistance movement and acquiring transitional game plans that force the fight into familiar restrictions that 1) help me survive 2) buy me time to respond.
All systems have a little bit of each training modality, but the Koru Gym trains towards the 3rd (Tempered or Forged) method as opposed to rely heavily on:
1) The Flex-Response school where you may have reacted appropriately to an initial attack the first time, but if the attacker knows what he's doing, I'm in a mess now - meaning that I dealt with the first blow but now I'm in a fight and if I don't know how to fight I'm going to get beat up.
2) The Conditioned or Trained school where I train to do “this to this” and “this to that”, but when something new comes along, I won't be familiar with that area. I'm just familiar with the techniques my system has in response to a given situation. In other words, if I’m only familiar with a jab and I can deal with that, but if I’m not familiar with boxing I'm going to get killed when I deal with a boxer.
