YOU HAVE NO CONTROL!!!
Control. In the martial arts world this word is used to describe your ability to come as close as you can to your target without actually hitting him. In Tae Kwon Do , they take great pride in being able to come as close to the target as possible without making contact. This demonstrates your mastery over your body and your ability to “save a life, rather than take it.” Little do they know, it does more harm than good.
Sparring competitions are point tournaments and you actually get penalized and disqualified for hitting someone too hard in the body. Most times even striking to the face is a penalty.
The reason for this is obvious – no one needs to get a broken nose or a black eye for work the next day. The purpose is to compete and stay safe which is something with which we all happen to agree.
The problem lies in your habit of pulling your technique. Under real stress you NEVER know what’s going to happen. I have worked with a lot of martial artists, in security and bouncing, and on several occasions I would see them strike, pull their punch AND STOP! Why? Because that’s what they’ve been training to do their entire lives. Fight, score, stop – wait for your point to be awarded.
Here’s a typical point sparring match.
These guys are good at what they do, but no one is allowed to make REAL CONTACT.
How you train is how you perform.
The reality is that in order to injure your attacker you MUST practice at 100% power and hold nothing back. This is the only way to be effective, have confidence and actually do damage. You must practice full power, NO HESITATION and NO regard for your target.
That’s why you should never train self defense on a training partner.
Pulling your punches and control is the “silent killer” of martial arts and if you want to be effective in real life, i.e. self defense, you should avoid that practice.
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