Applied section of Koi no takinobori ryu

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Koi no takinobori ryu self-control techniques.

There is a special way to tune one's mind to the bout which is called "phantom substitution" and is well-known among all east-lovers who have experienced any of so-called "animal" u-shu styles. A fighter identifies himself with a totem animal and "allows" this animal to lead the bout retiring as a personality and handing his body over to the animal's spirit. This is a very interesting psychological technique, because it realizes completely the principle of mind devastation. Moreover, it intensifies the whole reflex experience of a person. Considering the dominating characteristics of a particular animal, (rage, slyness, strength, ruthlessness, or fearlessness), the sportsman gains wonderful fighting qualities, not participating mentally in the process of a bout. A person can associate himself not only with an animal, but also with any object which has the following characteristics:

  • The sportsman considers it as a positive object;
  • The object has a distinct tactical direction;
  • Reasonable, objective or subjective, believe in his invincibility;
  • It has some common traits with the "user".

While getting individual psycho-training a sportsman should choose a phantom substitution which consists of bright impressions from personal background, or make up a creature which has some clear qualities, outstanding abilities and which is friendly to the user.

The following objects suit as phantoms: your coach, a tank, a bear, an imagined samurai, Mohammed Ali, a steam locomotive, etc. The choice of a substitution is always very subjective, because it should correspond to the fighter's style and psychological type in order to compensate his faults with its obvious advantages. For example, a tank is good for a hesitant but massive sportsman who is afraid of injuries. Tank is straightforward, powerful and invincible. Besides that, it is made of steel and is ready to crush everything which gets under its tracks. Identifying himself with the chosen phantom, the sportsman acquires its typical traits and conducts bouts on behalf of his "ideal warrior".

To simplisize the transition to the condition of the "phantom substitution", one should follow these psychological steps:

  1. Concretisize the "ideal warrior", emphasize his fighting qualities;
  2. Imagine oneself in the "ideal warrior's" body and try to see the world with his eyes;
  3. Insert the "transition keys":
    • a mental key, which is the image;
    • a verbal key, which is a key word;
    • a kinestetic key, which is a particular muscle tension.
    For example, samurais before an unavoidable bout used to bow to hide paleness of face, - this was a kinestetic key; and then made an abrupt exhalation through the nose - a final key. This helped them to clear their mind and conduct the bout.
  4. One should use the "phantom substitution" in any extreme exercises in pairs or using some gymnastic apparatus, especially if the load is peak, and always before an exercise, not during it.

The system of phantom substitution is just one side of psychological training, and in spite of its obvious advantages, this system can be practiced only if a particular sportsman fits this technique, because under some circumstances it may cause uncontrollable display of aggression or a dim state of mind.

The simplest way of psychological training is the "border state" training. While exercising, a student should "visit" the subjective border between life and death, and these are not just lofty words. Life is bright, full of struggle, action, and reckless will to win. Death is a broken will and the retirement from any kind of struggle. We recommend the following exercise which imitates the both conditions. This exercise should involve a student and the instructor. It is mutual knee work. Why do we consider this exercise the most appropriate?

  • Knee kicks have the obvious forceful character;
  • They are technically simple;
  • They are conducted at the critical distance with hard contact with the opponent;
  • Due to the short trajectory of knee kicks, dynamic blow series are possible.

This exercise is conducted in fighting postures with mutual hold of kimonos.

And here is the main thing: the instructor does not reply to the student's blows as long as he "likes" what the student is doing. The fury, screams, the strength and the speed should be crushing. It is quite easy to parry a knee blow, - the instructor needs just to put the crossed arms down and turn to each blow with his torso muscles tensed. The task is held without timing. In some moment the student starts to "break" psychologically, - then the instructor gives him a couple of sobering blows. If they do not make him continue a furious attack, the instructor has to knock him down or out with knee kicks.

This exercise should be done once a week only, and each time the instructor works only with one student. This exercise allows:

  • to fight even if the end is unavoidable;
  • to understand precisely that as long as you are fighting you are alive;
  • it also allows the student to meet the condition of real knockdown and evaluate objectively his own psycho-physical shape and determination;
  • and it lets the coach reinforce his passive defence.

The psychological training is the basic part of preparing advanced sportsmen and sub-units soldiers. Therefore, there are special demands to instructors' skills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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