17. Simulating Fight Stress

The last example of how to increase pressure is a way to simulate some of the fight stress and adrenaline that happens during conflicts. We can only go so far in simulating fight stress. Whatever we do will be just that: a simulation. But we can add some drills that can help get closer to that experience so we’re not surprised when we have to make decisions and perform techniques under the effects of adrenaline. One way to do this is to increase the physical intensity of the class or drill, getting the body tired, and simulating the loss of small muscle control that might happen under the influence of stress chemicals in the body. Again, it is important to keep speed down, and this drill will tend to ramp speed up by its very nature, so keep monitoring for safety.

Another example of creating this type of stress might be performing techniques in front of others. Depending on personality, performing in front of an audience can be almost as nerve-wracking as a real right. This is one of the reasons we often have students perform demonstrations at graduations, or later on, test in front of the Shihan-Kai and silver belts, as a way to make sure techniques can be performed under various types of pressure.

Lesson 17

4 minutes