Learning to swim

If you want to learn to swim, you have to get into the water. On dry land, no frame of mind is ever going to help you!  This was a statement often referred to by Bruce Lee. 

As with anything, if you want to learn something, you will have to start and actually do it! If you want to learn to fight, you need to get fighting! 

It's all great to study theory,  practice on focus gloves , heavy bags and pre-arranged drills, but until you add the 'non co-operative element' in your martial arts training (also known as your oponent who doesn't want to get hit, and worse, will hit back!) you're still more or less 'dry land swimming'.  

But how do you go about it? If you have a good teacher, they'll ensure that you gradually get introduced to it.  At first the water isn't too deep and you can easily reach the bottom, so to speak.  They'll get you sparring at a low intensity, and perhaps introduce some other restrictions so that you can get used to the pressure of the situation.  Perhaps there is a restriction on countering. A lot of beginners are hesitant to step forward and practice an attack, for fear to be running into a counter/hit, so the partner is restricted to evasion/parries etc, and you can take turns. After your attack, you 'reset' and let the other attack and take turns like that. This way you can gradually get used to both attacking as well as defending and reading the opponent, what are the tell tale signals that an attack is imminent? Is it a change in rhythm, a certain posturing, is there a slight hesitation just before, or do they have a habbit of 'chambering' their punches.. 

On the attacking side, what footwork helps you to get there and bridge the gap? What works for you, what didn't? Do you get out of breath, or are you easing into the situation and learn to 'relax', and keep a clear head, let go of all thoughts and tensions, and let nature take it's course. 

 If you can approach your sparring in that way, and not be concerned with winning or losing, you will start to grow in the game, which in turn will boost your confidence, get comfortable in the water, and keep on swimming.  

Walk On!