It is important to realize that good fighting comes not from the repetitious practice of techniques, but the training in actually using them when you have to. This mostly comes from the drills we spend a lot of time with. We focus on drills like these for a good reason. They work.
The following training methods are specifically for combat development. There are more to help you prepare for combat in other areas, such is wearing Geta on hard surfaces a lot, which helps balance and posture. Even being in good health will be beneficial to combat ability. But the truest power comes from the mind. So let’s focus on that. The training will mostly be physical, but it is the mind that will really be getting the training.
Circle Drill
This helps a person prepare for attacks from all angles. The idea here is to react however feels natural, and not to think about it. A group of people stand around one in the center. They each take turns stepping in with an attack, and the person defends. After a while, you can have a couple attack at a time.
Meditative Drill
Have a partner stand before you. Get into a meditative state of mind while in a natural stance. Don’t worry about what is to come. Clear the mind. When you appear ready, your partner can come in with a spontaneous attack. Defend against it in any way that comes naturally. Do not think about it. After your defense, get back into the meditative state of mind. Do not worry about if your defense was successful or not. It doesn’t matter. Just relax. Then, when you appear ready again, your partner can attack again. Continue as long as you wish. Then switch and let the other person try.
Spontaneous Attacks
It really helps to have people attacking you at random times without you having any idea that they’re about to come at you. I used to always do this with students. It’s one way to see if people are serious, because many get frustrated by it, while others love the challenge. I recommend finding several to train with and make an agreement to attack each other at any random time.
Kumite
Kumite is the practice fighting. There can be more to it than just a couple guys going at it for practice. When I have students do Kumite, I watch them very closely. If one attempts to throw the other, but fails, I may stop them by saying, “Mate!” Then I will ask, “why did your throw attempt fail?” I want to get them to really analyze their own skills. Also, if I see one get tackled, I may wait a moment, and then stop them and ask, “why did you go down?” Then I will show a way to easily counter such an attack and have them practice the technique a lot that day. The next time a tackle attempt is made, I should most likely see that move used. So use Kumite to test yourself, train yourself, and figure out what is wrong or missing.
Blindfold
It would be of great benefit to train in combat while wearing a blindfold. But consider what you are ready for. Have your partner walk normally around you, not sneak around you. And they should go easy on you until you get better at this.
