In part, one of this article we looked into the importance of Stamina, Strength and Speed. In the second and concluding part, we shall explore Science, Strength and Suppleness.

4) Science

Introduction
Scientists explore the universe. Their investigations range from stars that are millions and millions of miles away to particles that are smaller than atoms.
As well as having to find the specifics by observation and experimentation, they also must try to discover the physical laws that summarise (often as mathematical equations) these specifics. Evaluation and conclusions then have to be made of the laws by thinking up and testing new theories (thought models) to explain the laws.
The reward apart from a satisfied curiosity is a better understanding of the physical expression. Engineers use science to solve practical problems without a second thought.

Being a design engineer, I am able to apply the same concepts and attributes I use daily, over into analysing and assessing fighting arts, technicalities, and training methods etc. This is more commonly referred to in fighting arts as 'Scientific Method'. 'Scientific Method' is the practice of investigation in which a problem is first identified and observed, experimentation will then obviously follow, using empirical standards against a performance criteria
(Street Fighting and Self-Defence) and the results then evaluated to form a practical solution.

No Mystique
There is nothing mystical about street fighting or for that matter, traditional martial arts.
There are no hidden secrets to fighting, (don't look for them you are wasting valuable time).

There are no super human or hidden powers.
Old 9 or 10 stone men, (who all seem to have been sickly as youngsters), cannot suddenly become super human beings with secret mystical powers, and throw big heavy weight Judo guys simultaneously all over the place, without any of them being able to lay so much as a finger on them.
I'm sure you have heard all the stories before. Science can explain everything, in practical solutions, much to the dismay of our oriental chums, who seem to rely on an air of mystery and secrecy to fill up their schools. This false mystique has kept oriental martial arts at the forefront since the early1900's when Judo / Jiu-Jitsu first appeared as demonstrations at music halls.

Thankfully, today most of us realistic practitioners have seen the light, and have realised how erroneous we were to be duped for such a long time…
Being scientific fellows, we would love to accept the chance, and experimentation, of pitting our fighting skills against these exaggerated claims of super human mystical skill…. Let me pick 3 or 4 guys to attack the master, we assure them we will not hold back and no quarter will be given, we will punch them hard, gouge, bite, honest! Of course, there will be no takers. Wait until you here the excuses for not engaging in such an encounter. Where are their mystical skills now? Do they only work on their own compliant students? Of course, they do. Look, the bottom line is this, its hard enough fighting one determined opponent, never mind 3 or 4 rough tough trained fighters who are simultaneously bent on your destruction.

Scientific analysis and evaluation provides solutions and answers, however the results are not what everyone wants to here.
Make science your learning tool and you wont go wrong.

5) Strategy

All military units have strategies to employ during conflict, game plans to employ, which will bring out continual successful results. You must appreciate that strategy is the key to combat success.
The same concept can and should be utilised for street fighting and self-defence.
Once strategies are devised and practiced, (under fighting pressure) they should be come instinctive.
The term strategy, as applied to fighting can be defined as: -

     A long-term plan or policy
     A short-term plan or policy
     Science of moving into favourable positions

Before we look at a functional strategy, which you can use, lets deviated somewhat to see how to construct them.
I am going to introduce you to a unique concept of mine. The method we are about to explore is the most efficient way of explaining, expressing and remembering information. The method I am going to specify to you is called 'Concept Mind Mapping' (In a couple of years time when you start reading about these innovative methods in Black Belt etc, remember where you saw it first).

Concept Mind Mapping
Concept Mind Mapping is an especially important method for planning functional fighting strategies, which is a significant improvement on conventional methods of set memory responses to certain actions. Concept Mind Maps abandon the sequence memory structure that conventional traditional martial arts utilise completely, in favour of a two dimensional structure. A well planned Concept Mind Map shows the true 'nature' of the objective and details the relative importance of fighting techniques and strategies, and the way that fighting science relates to the problem.

Concept Mind Maps are more concise and easier to remember than conventional memory methods. This has the benefit of associations to be made easily and quickly under combat conditions. Feed back Information that is acquired during a conflict, when using Concept Mind Maps, can be easily integrated with the ever-changing chaos as the fight changes direction. Concept Mind Maps can also be utilised to summarise the technical aspects, to consolidate strategies and information from different sources, to think through complex problems and as a way of presenting strategies that shows the overall structure of your subject to your students. Concept Mind Maps are also very quick to review - it is easy to refresh strategies in your mind just before it is needed by glancing at one.

Instructions

First Functional Fighting Strategy (Emphasis on Street Boxing)

1. Control the enemy monitoring and keeping distance with your hands.

2. Distract the enemy utilising a positive question.

3. Whack the enemy with your best shot / strike (If he is knocked, out job done, depart).

4. If the enemy drops to the floor and is still in the fight, finish him off with your boot etc.

5. If the opponent staggers, follow up with further shots / strikes, or switch into a grappling strategy.

Now lets switch this fighting strategy into a Concept Mind Map:-

By now, you should be getting the idea of how we can utilise Concept Mind Maps to remember and express fighting strategy. If you like it is a route map to success. How, when, where, and with what.

6) Suppleness

I am not going to go into this subject area in any great depth, as we all know the importance of having a supple body to perform at optimum level.
Suppleness is essential to avoid injury when training or sparring. Important areas to become supple in are the hamstrings, Achilles tendons, back, and neck.
We do not have to be rubber men, but a general degree of suppleness is certainly required, and I am sure you all have your own favourite exercises.

Over these last two articles I have covered a lot of ground, some of the material may seem quite heavy, please do read and think about what I am trying to convey, who knows I may just have sparked off a whole new avenue for you. I do hope so.
Be a mad scientist, be a strategist, and above all be your self.

All for this issue, and as always...