I expect to spend more than one post on this topic, so be patient (with me) as I unfold my thoughts. But feel free to comment as I post.
I start with a piece from the following Webpage.
THE MEDIA MYTH OF THE FLINCH REFLEX
Hmm... It appears Scott's not the kind of person that sits on a fence. In any case, you do need to give the guy credit for thought. From this WebPage...
The first approach above is used quite a bit by many, many traditional and contemporary martial methods. Schools that teach myriad techniques to specific attacks teach it. Many self defense courses and even military training regiments use it. If I do A, you do B. If I do C, you do D. Now, practice...REACTION BASED APPROACH
A number of reactionary techniques are presumably rehearsed and memorized to be called upon in crisis for application to an attacker's action. Reaction-based approaches are context-specific: if the attacker does “A” the defender reacts with technique “B.”
REFLEX BASED APPROACH
Built upon reinforcing and positively utilizing the autonomic and hormonal arousal as a platform for counter-aggression. Reflex-based approaches are context-free: regardless of the attacker’s specific weapon launched, the defender once determining imminent danger proceeds indiscriminately until the attacker is neutralized; if they use techniques, they restrict the number to one-handful of biochemically-augmented, gross-motor, large target oriented tactics.
RESPONSE BASED APPROACH
Diminishing relative autonomic and hormonal arousal, diminishing response time, increasing efficiency and proportionality, and increasing kinesthetic, position and force/tension sensitivity. Response-based approaches are context-sensitive: awareness, sensitivity and improvisation spontaneously create an appropriate solution to the event as it unfolds without any predesignated ‘skills’ but a deep internalization of natural laws and efficiency.
The second approach has become quite popular these days. One uses scenario training and/or various "venues of terror" to elicit a sympathetic response and teach students to use the gross motor movements that naturally come forth. Things are kept simple. It's power over precision.
The third approach is used in many styles that teach partner flow drills, sticky hand drills and train various forms or "kinetic chain" routines. The idea is to teach the body how to flow and respond specific to what is felt and sensed at the time.
Before I go on, I think it's fair to say that many styles do NOT operate only in one of these modes. These are three different approaches, with varying degrees of popularity and use in the martial community.
- Bill