Combat Science for the "Thinking Man"

In my continued training as a TUF student I have often heard both Heru and senior students talk about "orchestrating the fight". Well this at first sounded great to me as I was/am a thinking man. However, the reality of attempting to think during combat spells defeat in the most frustrating or deadly manner.

Like many new TUF students, I have/continue to wrestle with the application of "orchestrating". Like playing any good game of strategy (chess, pocker etc.), it requires time to learn and become good at. Every new student that walks through the halls of the Marion Ave. "man church" can relate to what I'm talking about.

Recall the first time you executed "a" technique you were taught while facing an opponent in a scenerio class; and were so surprise, you didn't know what to do next (looking at your work as Heru often says).

Sometimes it's difficult to see that your thinking too much, eventhough everyone in the class can see it. It wasn't until I began training with the new level one guys that I really starting seeing what others were/are seeing in me. A light bulb came on; showing me that to be a good "orchestrator" means constant practice inside the class, outside the class and inside the mind even further. Running scenerios through the mind when your not having perceived threats of any kind. Taking the time to attempt to see things before they happen and apply the appropriate response.

This is one of the reasons TUF is great for the "thinking man". You learn to see the outcome before it even happens. How the hell else can Heru always be 5, 10, 20 or more moves ahead of us. He's done it so many times before that it's "second nature" for him; this is what he's working with us for.

But, don't get too comfortable when you're able to see and apply those 20 moves ahead, cause it's gonna be taken away from you and you'll have to discover 20-30 new moves you didn't even know you had.

TUF, for the "Thinking Man"

We Don't Use The "F-Word" by Brother Wallace

There is much to be said by many regarding the use of the f-word. I am not referring to the four-letter F-Bomb or any extension of the word; the word that I am referring to is failure. In writing this, I have come across variations of quotes on the Internet, establishing a connection between failing to plan and failure. Regardless of the version, the quote emphasizes the importance of adequate preparation when in the process of goal setting. Inadequate preparation is essentially planning to fail. Whether applied to a student who does not study for a major exam, an athlete who does not train for an upcoming game, or a lawyer who is ill prepared for a client’s upcoming litigation, the importance of establishing a plan cannot be overstated.

The pursuit of survival is similar to many of life’s pursuits, in that it is the journey, not the destination. Due to this never ending pursuit of the basic principles of survival, humans will always need a place to live, food to eat, water to drink, clothes to wear, etc. The ability to defend one’s self is no exception. The same way we make plans to obtain the necessities for survival, it is in this same manner we must be prepared to diminish any threat which may challenge our safety and the safety of those we cherish.

It is human nature to avoid what we are not good at, afraid of, or do not want to deal with. We believe that avoidance and/or denying something’s existence will make it disappear into thin air. Reliance on the belief that good people are immune to the daily threats of violence, which befall thousands around the globe, is an unrealistic expectation. The reality is that good and bad things happen to good people as well as bad people. The ability to understand and effectively deal with this reality may mean the difference between living and dying.

In TUF we prepare ourselves to triumph over the obstacles which challenge us mentally, physically, emotionally, etc.; therefore, we train hard so that the fight is easy. It is about becoming better than we were the day before, giving a little bit more when we believe there is nothing more to give. Failure is not an option as the TUF practitioner regards failure as losing and losing means death. We learn to apply this mindset to all perceived threats, as a threat can simply be a metaphor for anything we have to face head on. Regardless, we plan effectively and position ourselves to make wins out of any situation.

By Wallace N.