How to Mentally Approach Your Training

Training for defence against multiple attackers can take some getting used to. Personally I found that it was the most fun I had as a student of the arts, however it can affect different people in different ways.

There are some students who initially find it difficult to deal with how random the behaviour is in a group attack, and the chaotic nature of it can freak them out for a few weeks. For some it is the shock of finding out that not everything in the arts fits into the ordered universe that they dreamt it to be. Their image of the arts has to undergo a slight adjustment and it can be hard on them.

Don’t panic! Just remember that one of the reasons why you learnt a martial art was so that you would know what to expect and therefore it would be less of a shock if you found yourself in a self-defence situation. Knowing how to best deal with multiple attackers is one of those boxes to be ticked off in pursuit of becoming a well-rounded martial artist.

If you do experience some initial effects from training group work then don’t be afraid to speak to your teacher or instructor about them – they are there to guide you through issues like these.

My advice is to revel in the unique experience that group attack work can provide. You should give your techniques a rest and focus instead on accelerating your whole system to where you need to go. When playing the part of the individual, you need a total commitment to the idea of Freedom and that can give you an insight into the arts that you would never otherwise get to.

You can learn a lot from being the individual facing the multiple attackers, but there is also a lot to discover from being a member of the attacking group. When you are part of the attacking group, try to stick to the individual like glue and don’t let them have a moments rest or get away from you. Always be there, in their mental space and you will see the effect it has on them. Just doing that will change your perspective of what you can do as part of the group and what a high functioning group could be.

 

As always with group work, train safely and under the supervision of a qualified instructor