| ring the martial arts relies upon being able to take quick | | | | well under instruction because their ability to fight |
| action in response to an attack. The challenge is that | | | | through the freeze is not being tested. In tournaments, |
| most students who are just beginning classes are | | | | the impact may be greater. An opponent will not act |
| untrained to respond properly. Their minds freeze as | | | | according to a predefined attack pattern. Formulating |
| adrenaline and other hormones wash through them. | | | | an appropriate response to any given attack must |
| Fortunately, the same chemical responses your body | | | | happen within a second or less. |
| produces in the face of a physical confrontation can | | | | Training To Respond |
| spur you to action. The dilation of your pupils improves | | | | Technique is merely one of several factors involved in |
| your sight; the quickening of your heart improves the | | | | mastering the martial arts. A student may be able to |
| flow of blood to your muscles; your perspiration helps | | | | flawlessly perform a series of moves, yet lack the |
| to reduce your body heat. Martial arts classes can help | | | | emotional or psychological fortitude required for true |
| the pupil recognize these changes and use them to | | | | mastery. The reason is often due to not being |
| their advantage against an opponent. | | | | exposed to an authentic "fight or flight" situation during |
| In this article, we'll take a look at the effect that | | | | formal training. |
| freezing can have on your ability to master your | | | | Reacting coolly under pressure does not come |
| technique and perform well in tournaments. I'll explain | | | | naturally to most people. It is a skill that is learned |
| how to train your mind to react even if your tendency | | | | through repetition. Students who enroll into martial arts |
| is to do otherwise. Finally, we'll take your martial arts | | | | classes can learn this skill only by training their minds to |
| training off the mat and explore the warning signs that | | | | control their emotional responses in threatening |
| signal a confrontation. | | | | situations. |
| How Freezing Hurts Your Technique | | | | Watching For Signs |
| Whether learning karate, judo, aikido, or any other style, | | | | There are known warning signs that typically precede |
| students typically grow accustomed to responding in | | | | a physical confrontation. Martial arts students who |
| controlled environments. If an opponent attacks during | | | | want to develop a proficiency in self-defense must |
| a class or tournament, students have a perception of | | | | learn to recognize these signs. The posture of an |
| safety. Aside from minor injuries, little harm will come to | | | | aggressor's body, their tone of voice, a furrowed brow |
| the participants. | | | | all provide information. If that information can be |
| This dynamic can hamper a pupil's ability to master | | | | processed accurately and quickly, the person |
| their chosen style. If they are never fearful of the | | | | defending himself can formulate and deliver an |
| unknown, they will never train themselves to respond | | | | appropriate response. The problem is that many |
| when their mind threatens to freeze. This is the reason | | | | students become skilled in their chosen style, but never |
| many black belts find themselves unable to react | | | | develop an ability to recognize the warning signs and |
| quickly to a confrontation outside their dojo. Their minds | | | | process the information properly. That is how the mind |
| become frozen, and emotions take the place of | | | | freezes. |
| technique and mental preparedness. The complex | | | | Learning martial arts mean more than becoming |
| movements, including blocks, throws, and strikes that | | | | technically proficient in a given style. It requires |
| are learned in the safety of the studio are lost to them. | | | | controlling the emotions under duress that would |
| During martial arts classes, this mental obstacle may | | | | otherwise cause the mind to freeze. |
| not matter. Students will be able to perform reasonably | | | | |