The way to learn to be spontaneous is to be spontaneous.
We often get so wrapped up in the 'written' techniques, we forget that we can just react. I understand in 'Old School' (where ever that is) the 'Ring of Fire' used to be a pretty popular method of training spontenatity. That is a good idea, that should be revisited in most schools.
Some ideas to make the spontaneous training effective.
From the attacker side:
- The opponent must start three or four steps back.
- The opponent should come in at 1/2 speed to 3/4 speed.
- The opponent should telegraph the attack.
- The opponent should react realistically
- As training becomes more advanced, the opponent should take advantage of exposed openings and secondary weapons.
From the self-defense side:
- Do Something!
- Don't stop!
- Put every attacker on the ground.
I was attempting to train some spontenatity last night with one of the younger students. This young lady is a very accomplished practitioner. But, when I asked her to attack me; she kinda stared at me, and asked 'what attack'? I said, anything. She had to think for several seconds, before she came in with a right hook. I think this demonstrates that we sometimes get too much into 'training mode'.
I also find it is very easy to find spontenatity on the end of a technique; we call it grafting and the equation formulation. But, to recognize an attack, and react to that attack on the fly, is a more difficult thing.
Last thought, be cautious when training this way. The opponent doesn't know what the spontaneous defense is going to be, and is therefore unprepared for it. It becomes very easy to apply a hurt to your colleague.
The last spontaneous attack this young student made last night was a right kick. I went into a Rotating Destruction type of move, and with the pivot, threw her around. She landed on her knee - hard. Boy, do I feel like a ****.
