To Think Or Not To Think

A great deal has been made in the Martial Arts about not thinking about technique, but just to flow with it. I have been told this by some excellent teachers, and some of the worst teachers one could imagine. I have my own thoughts and feelings about the concept. First and foremost, I think the concept and idea is very good, yet it is not the only way to fight. "Don't think about the combinations Daniel! FLOW!" Ok ok. There is a good point to it all. Don't over think everything. However, 90% of the time I do not flow when fighting, or feel everything out. Most of the time my fights are completely thought out affairs. Before nearly every combination, I think about what I am going to throw. Why? Because it works...just as flowing works.

FLOW

To flow, to be in a Zen like moment where you just throw what is required and react at the exact time. Harder to do that most would have you believe. In fact, most of the people who tell you to do that, haven't fought a day in their life. However, it can be done. Moving around, feeling the opponent out, countering at just the right moment, being caught in the flow of combat. It is a great sensation that does not always come. And this is where many Martial Arts teachers want to get you too...but to get there, sorry guys, but you need to fight and be under pressure. I can do amazing things in slow motion too, and with compliant dummies. Regardless, flowing does exist and it does most certainly happen...and is beautiful when it happens. It is a Matrix like moment where you are in tune with your opponent's energy, and you are able to reciprocate and exceed whatever is thrown at you, without an abundance of thought, but rather instinctive reaction.

THINKING

Thinking in a fight, gasp, is a good thing too. There are two categories, for me, of "fight thought".

Category One:

The first form of thought when fighting (other than I'm getting the shit kicked out of me I better run) is that of looking for openings. I will move around, and try to throw punches that take advantage of the holes in my opponent's "game". I will also be thinking of whether or not he is trying to make me go for those particular areas in his body, and constantly in thought while I engage my target. This is an intelligent striking design, where you try to exploit the weaknesses you see in your opponent.

Category Two:

This is my favorite style of "thinking fighting", and probably what I use the most. However, it is also probably the most widely criticized way of doing things, and no self respecting M.A teacher would ever tell you to do this. Sometimes I do not look for openings, and do not even look at the position of my opponent, or their stance or their guard. I will simply think of a 3-5 combination technique and throw it...without any concern of whether or not my opponent would be in the right position to receive it or make the technique effective. In other words, and this is very important, I make my opponent fit the technique...not the technique fit the opponent. I know...you'll have to think about that for a bit.

An example:

My opponent has a high guard. Now, if one were thinking about how to exploit the high guard, you'd strike low. However, sometimes I will simply pick out a random combination without even taking my opponent's guard or stance into consideration. As a result, the techniques usually come out of nowhere and completely random and unexpected. No thought, throw a combination that you've thought of...with reckless abandon. Truth be told, this comprises of much of how I do my stand up. I will think the combination out, and just throw it, not caring if it begins with a jab (and my opponent's guard is already high), and ends with a low kick (and my opponent's legs are out of reach). Stupid eh? Well it works for me hah! I think it shocks the opponent often and makes them very confused, because just moments ago I was either flowing with my techniques, or intellectually picking their guard apart.

So all in all, 3 categories of thought process when I fight.