This isn’t really a worst case scenario (no kicking, biting, weapons), but it is a good one to look at if you are getting a little of what you might call “Dojo Syndrome,” that is, the only people you “fight” are friends and you are all playing the same game and you are all training pretty mildly.

While I’m no advocate of full-contact training (since I train to feel better, not to get concussions and cuts and abrasions), I think it is always good to do the occasional reality check.

This is how people really fight who have something on the line. Real fights have crazy energy. People move fast. They throw flurries of punches at you.  They grab you and struggle with all their might.  They can soak up a lot of abuse.

You may have to deal with someone wailing on you like that so you need to think about what sort of power and endurance and skill you might need to survive such an encounter.

Just saying.

If nothing else, its helps to visualize such a situation while you are training and mentally prepare for it.

Ideally, understanding the possibilities, you will work to develop real power (ground power) in your attacks (and not bullshit yourself) and train some endurance, because it may take a few minutes to put down an enraged and strong opponent. Or in some cases, just manage to get away!

Thinking about such scenarios helps me with my Geng Ging during training.  Working the banana bag.  Hitting “Bob,” the rubber torso and head guy.  Keeping my hands up because I anticipate I’ll be dealing with a hail of blows and trying not to get knocked out.

On another note, notice how most of these guys duck and curl up.  A lot of dropping the head way down and throwing defensive overhand shots.

Not good!  They are lucky their opponent is not targeting very well.  Of course, here I am, an armchair quarterback!  It takes a lot of nerve to maintain a Wing Chun stance in the face of a dedicated attack — this is why we want it to be the reflex, rather than a thoughtful response.

The reflex has to incorporate the nerve to attack, when the rest of you wants to run!

Note all these guys watching these fight club fights like its TV!