Beyond the Block: The Language of Fighting

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Beyond the Block:  The Language of Fighting

by Corey Padnos

“Use you’re words, not your fists.”  -Your misinformed elementary school teachers on the playground.

“Make sure it’s an honest punch.”-Martin Wheeler

Months ago, an honest punch seemed like an analogy for “give em’ a good one” so that you can practice for a more real world application for fighting.

That’s only part of the equation.

As humans as a whole, we communicate both verbally and physically.  In our daily jobs we’re oftentimes only stuck with the verbal side of things.  Some even troll on the Internet with ever-devolving and harsh language because there isn’t a physical outlet.  (In my opinion, some physical altercations—as brutal as it can be—are more honest that some anonymous jerk blogging with vulgarity against somebody on a web forum.)  There is a physical communication that needs to take place.  Martial Art or any sort of physical training with intent helps educate how to place yourself physically near somebody and to be comfortable. In a way, when you train your physicality, you train your comfort level on intimacy.  I want to make a distinction:  Not sexual intimacy, but physical intimacy.  Every punch you throw, every time you wrap your forearms around an opponent’s neck, every time you dig your feet into somebody’s knee caps—you are trying to use physical contact to elicit a reaction to better understand who they are and how they understand touch.  The entire premise of a fight is that it is—at its core—a conversation.  I strive to understand this statement every time I train Systema. 

Author’s note:  I think fighting is a less than optimal form of communication.  Please don’t judge me for not yet understanding it.  This lack of knowledge on my part is why I train martial art—the language of fighting—in order to better communicate with others who speak it so well.

What I learned was that I need to understand somebody’s physical motives better.  When I’m attacked, I need to go beyond the block psychology.   A block is a shield that stops momentum.  This is one reason why Systema emphasizes flow and constant movement instead of countering force with more force.  If I were having a conversation with you—verbal or physical—why would I want to put my arms up and stop it?

Having flow and constant movement requires compassion for your opponent. When he or she starts a fight, you have to let them attack you and use your movements to let them speak their piece.  Once you understand the heart of the issue—their tension, structural faults, missteps, etc.—only then can you effectively communicate with your body.  Only finally when your opponent yields onto the ground, he or she understand your point of view.

I write this article as a promise, to you, my training partners or future training partners, that I look forward to starting a dialogue and striving to be honest with you.  My intent now is give my practice partners and opponents fully committed attacks so that we both can learn how to better communicate.  I strive for:  No more stopping half way through a strike, performing speeds that don’t match my partner, or even being afraid during training so that my strikes have anger.

Thank you for reading my words.  I look forward to “having a chat.”