An analytical insight into the Martial Arts greatest jewel �MONITORING�
By John Dawson
F.S.M.A.
In an age were it is fashionable to go to the floor in a no-holds barred combat appliance, careful selective appliance must become our ally. For every way to induce apply or promote an offensive strategy, it is therefore fair to assume there must undoubtedly become a counter offensive strategy, though its worth, as with most Martial Arts science must be tried and tested. With pre-initiated or planning we can become the greatest technicians of combat application, yet fall short unashamedly of the best tool to aid apply that strategy. That is monitoring, the monitoring appliance is the natural bridge in any defence strategised or otherwise, yet surprisingly very few relate to its pure source application or are indeed self realised enough to utilise its potentiality.
Monitory or monitoring is a label given to method, the conscious reactions, movements of let us say an aggressor or adversary. To be aware of another�s movements and with training even emotions of that adversary. To read, to reflexively respond at a distance, to control another�s motions, to be a target that can never be hit, yet strategically could by this and counter attack and control this distance with a well practised ease.
Natural Distance is a single realisation of how best to �monitor� the distance of another�s offensive shapes. For example Natural Distance would implore that if an opponent executed a direct kick, the defender would indeed be in range yet by carefully monitoring the distance and rendering that kick useless by the manipulation or redirection of the defenders body or the utilisation of footwork to the end that the target was there no more.
In the words of Benny �The Jet� Urqnidez �You can�t hit what�s not there�. In that statement the proportions of what I am trying to communicate testifies the endgame. Through �the know� an awareness doubles the course of the sparring or conflict one must maintain at all times to control the distance, usually if an opponent throws a punch they�ll miss or a kick will fall short. Natural distance is a worthy trait if best utilised with the focused mind. Some become far too involved in violent exchange � the arms of anger, retribution are upon us. I like to call this �The Conquer Syndrome�. To fully understand the monitoring application is to realise it is far more integral not to get hit. Though I would say it is also true that you cannot make an omelette with out breaking a few eggs � to be struck in the face and body is truly to be liberated from it, from the fear of it. It is also true to say that no matter how well conditioned you are your body is not beyond physical damage. We surely train not to get hit, however we need to learn combat art to be liberated from it physiologically we must know how it feels to be spoiled, bruised or bloodied in war. So it must be an obvious progression to gauge, to be able to control so that should never happen again � so it is an obvious deduction that sustainability is best applied not with muscle power but brain power.
A good example of this though maybe not a very practical one but nevertheless a one indeed. I relate to the Boxing clash between �Sugar� Ray Leonard and �Hands of Stone� Roberto Duran. Duran endeavoured to pressure Leonard pushing forwards offensively, dramatically trying to push Leonard into a fight. Leonard utilised one of his greatest tool �Natural Distance� carefully evading Durans efforts with upper body evasion tactics and footwork patterns. Duran could not close Leonard, Leonard knew every inch of the ring instinctively. The more Duran tried to lead an attack the more frustrated he became, Leonard would move the angle and counter punch Durans vicious efforts. Until Duran finally turning his back uttered those immortal �No Masa! No Masa! No More�.
The skill of being able to monitor the distance is not special to any one individual person, it takes skill and an over view to practice such things.
Denial, technical denial in order to reach the objective whilst others unload there offensive arsenal upon us. We must starve ourselves from �Conquer Syndrome� and control our opponent�s onslaught by maintaining the distance with a full panoramic view, missing nothing, reading the distance carefully. If we could compare it to the judgement of a Rally Driver as opposed your average every day driver, both see obstacles in front of them and must judge the distance carefully as not to crash or cause an accident. But the rally drivers Natural Distance and monitoring judgement is much sharper, quicker or responsive because of practice and the pressure of his job.
All combat, concentrated combat relates to �feel� a natural progression again to the endgame. To understand your opponent you must first relate to yourself. Judging the distance or length of your own tools or weapons, a realisation of the distance you extend your techniques to, will aid you to relate your distance � natural defence as a counter offensive strategy. Yet you must practice to be in range but not in range. You will judge what your opponent throws, you are in range but just on the edge of his weapons. In short hit and don�t get hit. This will not come easy, the workload is based upon the doctrine of clear-cut focus, distance and an ability to move and a multitude of angles to escape the clutches of contention and control. Its violent onslaught, simplicity is the essence, if your counter offensive kick, punches are reflexive, sharp, then you have the advantage. Your objective must always be clear. Do Not, do not scrap or get involved in violent exchanges, more chance of injury in this scenario than any other. NO learn to not let your opponent dictate the pace, NO make him or indeed her feel inadequate to be there if they hit, they miss the best way to practice is to deny yourself the exchange � the onslaught, better to control than be controlled.