"Log Jam", the result of too many techniques.

[Joe Smith]

As I get more and more training, or at least think about attacks, I want to know techniques that are effective. To an extent. Shawn.L repeatedly reminds that too many techniques can be as bad as too few because you waste time deciding what to do.

This article was posted on a martial arts website but the idea is the same. Replace "dojo" with "range" and we have the same problems; the training does not translate well into real life.

http://urbansamurai.org.uk/street-se...se-techniques/


Personally, I like to have only a few options but perform them well.



This is good too http://urbansamurai.org.uk/training-...efense-part-2/

[King 5.45]

Now all I can think of is the "Logjammin'" segment from The Big Lebowski.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCZhAPMfZAU

The idea is to fix the cable, and then the Dude can abide. Simple is good if the techniques are effective. Nothing replaces disciplined training, and I think you're right: no need to muddle it up with too many extraneous styles and theories.

Otherwise, you might unexpectedly be quaffing a sarsaparilla at the bar in the celestial bowling alley.

[TonyF]

Originally Posted by Joe Smith

As I get more and more training, or at least think about attacks, I want to know techniques that are effective. To an extent. Shawn.L repeatedly reminds that too many techniques can be as bad as too few because you waste time deciding what to do.

This article was posted on a martial arts website but the idea is the same. Replace "dojo" with "range" and we have the same problems; the training does not translate well into real life.

http://urbansamurai.org.uk/street-se...se-techniques/


Personally, I like to have only a few options but perform them well.



This is good too http://urbansamurai.org.uk/training-...efense-part-2/

Hick's law explains the phenomenon very well. As it applies to SD and tactics, too many options results in too long a "wait time" to flip through your "mental rolodex" and select an appropriate response.

[ReconLdr]

This is why "tactics" don't always work. The military manuals are filled with all kinds of these tactics. When you filter the complexity out, it becomes more simple. It has been said many times before, it's not the quantity of what you know but the quality.

From a SD perspective you need to be able to see things that may or may not be obvious to everyone. I will try to explain without using miltary terms.

Situational Awarenes: Know what is going on around you at all times. Look for things that are out of the ordinary. Know the history of the area you are in. If there has been a lot of BG activity in the area, you will have to be more proactive.

Local Security: Position your self where you can see/observe the area or direction the BG(s) would likely come from. Example: When you go to dinner, position yourself where you can see the door(s). Teach your family to do the same. Teach them to be observant to the world around them. You always want to put your most effective weapon to overwatch these avenues of approach.

Defensible positions: Offer the GG and BG a marked advantage to whomever controls these. As you are eating dinner, look for these types of locations with in the building. These are important, should you have to fight, this will be where you wish to fight from. These postions offer cover of some type, concealment is tough in typical everyday situations.

Egress Routes: Always know a way out. You should know where the exits are at all times. Be prepared to make an alternate way out through a window.

Since we are talking about SD, which we have to react to the changing situation, if you know the information as listed above, it will greatly improve your chances of getting out. Each of the 4 topics I listed are a separate lesson, I only intended to give a quick overview.

You can do all of these things in your head with a little practice. If you have to take notes and draw a sector sketch, you may draw a little un-wanted attention.

[27hand]

Originally Posted by Joe Smith

As I get more and more training, or at least think about attacks, I want to know techniques that are effective. To an extent. Shawn.L repeatedly reminds that too many techniques can be as bad as too few because you waste time deciding what to do.


Personally, I like to have only a few options but perform them well.

I would think that being exposed to many techniques is a good thing.

This is the reason you should get training (even the same training)from different instructors.

From what is presented, figure what works for you, get rid of what doesn't suit you.

This doesn't only apply to SD training, but life in general.

27

[King 5.45]

Originally Posted by 27hand

I would think that being exposed to many techniques is a good thing.

"Beware the man with but one gun, for he shall know how to use it!"

- variously attributed to Skeeter Skelton, Elmer Keith, and Jeff Cooper, among others

[Orive 8]

One should be exposed to as many different techniques as one can, then one must pick and chose the technique(s) that best fits them.

When you are still in the "I don't know which technique to use" mode, it means that you are still in the early stages of training.

Remember, train, practice, practice, and practice some more. Then train, practice, practice and practice some more. Then repeat the above!

It doesn't come over night!

[TonyF]

Originally Posted by ReconLdr

This is why "tactics" don't always work.

I agree with you but I don't think stating that "tactics don't always work" is a good way of describing what you're trying to say.

As it pertains to the CCW holder, tactics is the art of arranging available means to accomplish an end. What this means is responding appropriately as the situation unfolds. So of course "tactics work".

Plans formutaled ahead of time "don't always work".

[synergy]

Originally Posted by TonyF

Plans formutaled ahead of time "don't always work".

I was talking with another guy last week about some training stuff. He shared a similar quote.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." - Mike Tyson

I kinda like the Truman version - "Planning is essential, plans are useless."

[Shawn.L]

as has been noted, what I would like to do is get a variety of training and then sort out what works for me, and what I feel is most pertinant to real life, and then focus practice on those things.

Randy Cain gives a good speech on Hicks law and the mental rolodex

Hicks Law:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hick's_law
(as much as I hate linking wiki, its a good description)

and an oposing view, sort of
http://www.hockscqc.com/articles/hickslaw.htm

* Conceptual Learning - is another speed track. In relation to survival training, this means a person first makes an either/or conceptual decision, like “Shoot/Don't shoot,” or, “Move-In/Move Back.” Rather than selecting from a series of hand strikes, in Conceptual Learning, the boxer does not waste milliseconds selecting specific punches, but rather makes one overall decision, “punch many times!” The trained body then takes over, following paths learned from prior repetition training.

and more
http://tkdtutor.com/06Concepts/Techniques/HicksLaw.htm

where me and JS's conversation started was with 2 differnt techniques I had learned in 2 different classes with 2 different instructors regarding a response to a stab with a knife/punch in the gut.

One works well to create distance, gain a better position in relation to your adversary, and present a firearm.

The other is a hard block followed by a hard and fast strike sequence. Id say this is the prefered option if you have no firearm to present.

Both are easy to employ, and seem effective.

I would train on both.

the other point of our discussion was when doing 2 different techniques (again from different trainers) regarding employing a firearm in close quarters.

I feel (mostly due to training with disarms) that one was superior to the other.

so why would I train both?

Living in a world of limited resources (namely time and energy in this circumstance) means I cant practice everything well enough to be able to do everything.

I would like to have a lot of different choices from which to find what I feel works best for me, and concentrate on those things.

what I dont want is to try to do everything, and become proficient with none.

Im still new to this, and trying to learn all I can and sort through it as I go. I think Im on the right path, I have goals, and am confident I can achive them. But is also amazing how much I have learned, and can now do, having only just begun.