Only the deluded would believe that their karate skills have imbued them with the ability to tackle any violent attacker with bad intent without being hit at all and suffering some harm. And only the seriously deluded would believe they would be able to achieve the same feat if the attacker is armed with perhaps a knife or there are more than one of them. It therefore follows that the ability to weather pain and injury and to soldier on regardless is an essential attribute of anyone who purports to be able to handle themselves in a violent encounter. As such it’s as crucial a component as any other of the essential attributes, be they physical or mental, and accordingly must be developed alongside the key combative techniques and fundamental principles. And so it is that karate training (if it is to have any potential for producing karate-ka who can actually defend themselves) must involve amongst other things a reasonable level of positive physical contact through which this type of toughness can be developed. During this process not only does essential physical conditioning take place but also a stoic attitude is demanded of those going through it. In this way the pain and discomfort of reasonable contact in the dojo is endured without complaint and literally shrugged off.
Professional footballers (most of who are undoubtedly pretty tough) are notorious for their histrionics at the slightest hint of contact, a trait that is at best cunning gamesmanship and at worst simple cheating. Such behaviour has no place in karate training or competition as it defeats the primary objectives most karate-ka are trying to achieve, or indeed believe they already have, namely the ability to defend themselves in the event of attack, and integrity of character. If one views karate as purely a sport and nothing more as some do, then whether or not it has any effectiveness in lawful self defence in the street is of little interest or relevance to the players and coaches. Neither is much weight attached to the development of character. The only thing that really matters in competitive sport is playing the game with a view to winning (albeit there are many other great benefits of playing sport) and toughness levels need only be sufficient to engage in the game as it is played within the agreed rules and conventions. Karate has been practiced as a sport throughout the world for many years now and has recently received Olympic recognition but it is much more than sport in many ways. Its potential field of play extends way beyond the training hall and competition arena and into the High Street where, given the lack of anything approaching rules and conventions, even the highest levels of toughness might not be sufficient. If minor pain and superficial injury causes histrionics in the dojo that is good evidence that you are not yet properly equipped to face another karate exponent in a serious but low stakes competitive sporting bout on the mats; but much more importantly it is overwhelming evidence that you are even less equipped to handle a high stakes violent encounter with a vicious attacker intent on causing you serious bodily harm in the street.
Stoicism, is closely associated with courage and determination, and is a crucial aspect of fighting spirit and toughness. Without putting too fine a point on it, whether you’re fighting in the training hall, the competitive arena or on the Clapham omnibus, if you get knocked down six times, you must get up seven and finish the job!
Oss!
SOUTH NOTTS KARATE 