Timing and rythm are two very big factors in effect Martial application. There is quite an interesting aspect to these two points of combat I would like to discuss in this post and that is the focus of work within your opponents mental and physical recovery phase.
What is the Recovery phase?
The recovery phase refers to the points within an encounter where the body and mind are ‘re-centring’ themselves after expression of force, power or intent or after a period of defensive action.
Physically this could mean:
- Moving back or re centring from a failed body movement.
- When retreating back from a strike (either with the striking weapon returning or with the whole body)
- Removing a point of density or tension when in the clinch or grappling (usually to change into another movement or technique)
Mentally this could mean
- After defending a flurry from your opponent where you ‘reset’ and settle down to re attack
- After your failed attack where the mind establishes the next course of action
- After anything unexpected happens that causes the mind to freeze (there are many ways to insight this reaction in an attacking opponent that i will go into at a later time)
Recovery phase is linked quite clearly with visual comfort or acuity. (this is clear from drill 1 below.
Why work within this part of fight rythm and timing?
There are several advantages to working within this aspect of the fight process, most notable that the opponent will not be in a defensive or offensive phase when recovering their mind or centre. You are able to take advantage of their physical and mental lack of expression and take their centre or mind as you begin to apply your work.
This is a very big topic and applying your force or attack at the perfect time is related to awareness of the moment and not necessarily ‘reactions’ as these are too slow. This moment only lasts for a miniscule period of time so you have to already ‘be there’ or it will be too late. However training this idea will eventually bring you to the point where your naturally exploiting this moment of recovery.
Some Drills:
1) Turning from a wall. (visual acuity training, and moment of relaxation when the site is familiar with the scene) Recognising the point of mental physical relaxation.
a. Stand with your facevery close to a wall, eyes open
b. Your partner stands at varying distances from you each repetition
c. Partners says ‘GO!’
d. You turn to face the partner ready to receive a tap to the top of the head
e. Your partner waits for the moment they perceive you relax and tap the head at that point (this moment of ‘settling’ or relaxing should be fairly apparent to begin with)
f. Repeat.
Note : it important that this drill has the partner at varying distances and has a random tempo/timing to their touch.
2) Slapping palms. (recognising relaxation after a flurry)
a. Hold both palms out close to your head
b. Partner slaps the palms any way they like with a flurry of slaps and backhands.
c. As soon as they stop and go back to guard you try to catch the point where they are re-setting, neither in attack or defence mode, by taping the head.
Note: when done correctly they should be unable to check your tap, even at a lower speed.
3) Striking pads.
a. Have your partner put some focus mits on.
b. They slap your sides and side of head with focus mits while you cover, check and defend.
c. Then suddenly stop and hold the pads up to be hit.
d. Not the time it takes to go from defence to offense. This is the recovery phase where you are re-centring and regrouping.
The next stage on from this training is to work inside their rythm. You may be going exactly the same speed as them but quarter of a beat inside their beat. I will talk about this next time.
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