Facing Fears (diary entry)

12.05.14

General Lesson

Different students led different aspects of the lesson. One selected the single leg takedown as the focus of the training, deciding clinch was the current weakest area of training. We explored two types of single leg takedown techniques: the conventional leg trap and the slam. Fundamental errors popped up during this training, which need addressing in the next lesson, proving the importance of regular training.

The lesson finished with some MMA free-sparring and some tremendous effort was shown by all.

Private Lesson

Today’s lesson marked a big mental step-up for this particular client as she faced more pressure than ever before. We looked at training the attributes taken from MMA and applied them to self-defence. We looked at the basic straight and round hand strikes as well as striking whilst grappling and taked

owns.

We then covered striking from compromised positions on the ground. We then pressure tested this area, which brought my client into close contact with her sympathetic nervous system under fire. We then debriefed, discussing the feelings that a combative situation will prompt. Nausea is common, as the digestive system is one of the first areas of the body that will be compromised when an animal is faced with a stressful situation.

Having discussed the psychological and physiological responses to fear, my client opted to cover the area she feared the most in training: edged weapon defence. We covered the unarmed corned response, which can be particularly stressful when performed under pressure. Nevertheless, my client met the challenge and we went through the interception and controlling tactics used during the in-fight stages of this type of assault.