Here is what I wrote on another thread where I was trying to convince someone it was a REALLY bad idea for a woman to think she could slug a man.
I also had it happen on my yondan test. I was in a particularly "vigorous" match with a Canadian, who let it be known in the first few seconds that he liked to hit hard. Fine by me...I will however remind folks of a few "innocent" things that happened in my life. Once a fraternity brother turned the corner in my house, and dumped a bucket of ice water on me. To both our surprises, I decked him. I only realized what I did AFTER I did it. Fortunately we were friends, and I did no permanent harm. In another situation someone threw a pillow in our living room at the frat house, and a mug of hot scalding water ended up in my crotch. The next thing I remember is the guy begging for me not to hit him as I had him collared with the left hand and right fist in ready-fire position.
These were simple horseplay situations, Ian, and I found myself instictively attacking. It scares the crap out of me.
{snip}
My frat brothers knew not to throw buckets of ice water on me if I was minding my own business (unless I was their football coach...), or dump mugs of scalding water on Little Willie.
After I sucked a little wind, I was up to the task. But at some point in the match, the guy charged at me in some way that I can't remember. All I remember is seeing the guy back up with his hands to his face, and me realizing I had popped him in the nose. Unfortunately my sparring buddy went home with two black eyes... 
As I often say to describe situations like this, "My fist acted without my permission."My guess is that years of training in Sanchin and kumite exercises (prearranged and freestyle) have helped blend low and high road in a way that my fist does what it does when the low road perceives a threat. For those who've never experienced this, the whole process happens totally independently of thought. It is a most strange experience.
Last week, one of my students sent me this video. The title is kind of funny in a racial stereotype way. Beyond that, what you see here is EXACTLY what I experience. When you watch the path that this fellow's elbow travels, you can tell that his "home activity" likely is football. That arm basically is bench-pressing the punch.
More importantly, watch very carefully how he jumps a fraction of a second before "the event" happens. There's nothing rehearsed about this; it's the real deal captured on film. Then watch his "conscious" response afterwards.
Thanks, Jim, for the clip. And thanks to Scotty for formatting and posting.
Enjoy!
Never Scare a Brother
- Bill
