Getting It Right
(Recent Lake House Newsletter Article in the Dragon's Breath)
Senior student Robert Matusky and Black Belt Joe Lin on the right are seen in this recent
picture practicing self-defense. Robert's high block and elbow strike defense was applied
in response to the attack made by Mr. Lin. What is noteworthy about this picture is
the dynamic evidence of the work they were doing as partners in the process of perfecting their
skills and abilities as martial artists. They got it right and it looks good.
Let's take a closer look at the picture. Robert has stepped into and crossed a "center line" that
exists only in the minds of the practitioners. Mr. Lin had already committed himself
to the attack
and was attempting to either grab or strike Robert. His foot work is clearly typical of a real
situation where the aggressing individual steps forward to make an assault effective. Robert
on the other hand counters by stepping aside and blocking the strike using a powerful rising
block with a closed fist. This fist position makes the forearm stronger and better protects his
head and face.
Robert's foot work is significant in that he has stepped into his defense in
such a manner as to create the best position for him to deliver the maximum level of counter
strike force, speed and focus which gives him sufficient power to disable the attacker. If his
feet, legs and hips were not aligned properly, his whole defense would be weakened. An elbow
strike
of this type directly to the center of the chest would have devastating results if the technique
were actually executed in a real situation and actual circumstance.
All of this work and application of their
attack and defense techniques happened in the gym under classroom conditions which are always
artificial. The training partners have to 'pull' their techniques and be considerate of the force
they are using so not to inflict unnecessary harm on a partner. However, the result of their
individual and cooperative training efforts over time have allowed them to do this kind of work
in split seconds and with superior precision. There can be no doubt that if they were to need
these skills on the street, they would be well equipped to defend themselves.
How did they get this far? Mr. Lin has been a Black Belt for many years. Mr. Matusky has also been a serious student of the martial arts long before he joined us at the Lake House. Yet it is not the time so much that brought them these skills, but the perseverance, intention, spirit and willingness to get it all right. Practice does not make techniques perfect. Knowledge, Discipline, and Desire does.