To Win Without Fighting? By: Scott Easto

 

"Karate Ni Sentenashi" is a karate maxim teaching there is no first attack in karate. Indeed karate katas start with a block to emphasize this very principle. Karate instructors often preach Sun Tsu's adage, "To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill." Since karateka are not encouraged to use karate to resolve conflict, what alternative strategies are taught or practiced in training?

It is erroneous to believe that all attacks occur without warning. Training in defensive from the point of an incoming blow or when one is grabbed ignores all of the dynamics of a confrontation which occur previous to the physical assault. Most assaults are perpetrated by someone known to the intended victim and escalate from a verbal confrontation to a physical one. It is unrealistic to expect a student of karate to win without fighting if all he or she practices is fighting.

To be truly prepared for all aspects of conflict, the student should be taught and should practice strategies in dealing with antagonistic behaviour under stressful conditions while being prepared to resort to karate if necessary. After all, karateka are not expected to jump into fights, but to resolve conflict in other ways. Therefore they will probably spend more time in the non-physical sparring zone. I am suggesting training time be spent in this area to familiarize the karateka with the inherent stresses of conflict, to gain experience and build confidence in an otherwise neglected area of self defense.

When you are under attack verbally, being challenged or insulted, the feelings associated with the fight or flight response will be felt. The queasy stomach, weak knees, difficulty in talking and rationalizing, loss of fine and complex motor skills, tunnel vision, and shaking are some of the normal reactions of the body to stress. These feelings are uncomfortable and probably most karateka would feel more at ease in their familiar sparring sessions. The more uncomfortable the feelings, the greater the resulting internal stress, causing you to feel more uncomfortable and even more stress, and on and on. Experience coping with these stressful feelings and their resulting physical and mental limitations will give you confidence when faced with them for real. This training-inspired confidence will make you less nervous, and less internal stress will be felt.

Karate stances which allow you to lower your centre of gravity and grip the ground with your feet will eliminate the weak-kneed feeling. Deep, relaxing breathing will also help lower your heart rate allowing the body to relax. Relaxing the body will break the stress-feeding cycle and minimize the effects of the sympathetic nervous system's physiological preparations for the fight or flight response. Shaking off those effects of stress will also allow you to reason better and, if necessary, react faster to aggression.

It is easy to justify karate training in the pre-force relam of conflict. Now to address the part of self defense karate instructors are used to -- Tactics and Strategies. The first and most preferable stategy (taught in most women's self defense classses) is Avoidance which has great survival value. It is not always possible to void conflict, and occasionally there are times when it is not appropriate and action must be taken by the responsible person. Defusing the situation may not be possible by delaying a confrontation or by resolving minor issues, but the conflict may arise again in the future. Confronting the situation is probably the most risky -- testing the patience, control and people skills of the kartateka (negotiating). If negotiating a resolution fails, the karateka's physical skills may be put to the test with failure, risking the karateka's well being.

Successfully negotiating a hostile conflict and preventing a physical alteration is a win/win situation. Realistic, stressful role-playing in confronting conflict and negotiating resolutions using the following tactics will give the karateka confidence and skill in dealing with hostile people and the ability to win without fighting.

Successfully negotiating during a hostile encounter requires patinece, control of your temper, ego, and understanding of what motivates people and the cause of the hostility manifested. When negotiating, always be prepared for the unexpected assault and adopt an appropriate posture.

There are times when people become irrational: It isn't normally possible for them to reason until they've blown off steam, at which point supportive behaviour may help them cool off. Arguing will send them back to the irrational state. It is important to actively listen to their problem and say something supportive of their feelings. You may also paraphrase their position with a short summary to show that you listened and to ensure you understood. Telling a person to "chill out" or "calm down" isn't going to get the same response as the above approach which allows the person to express his anger and reasons for it. Your ego must be put aside (humility) and you may have to tolerate some abuse. Speak with a firm, calm voice and show confidence. Remember the person may be trying to build his esteem in the eyes of others, so allow him an avenue to withdraw without losing face. If the person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it might be helpful if his friends are given an opportunity to intervene and look after him. If you lose control or feel you can't control the situation, then another strategy may be appropriate.

People are most uncomfortable, most stressed in unfamiliar situations. By practicing negotiating conflict, the karateka is training for real world stressful confrontations and is developing the skill to win without fighting. This is a part of self defense training that should not be neglected.