KerwinBenson.com Hidden Gems of Martial Arts

Bruce Lee repeated over and over to his students to "move with a purpose."

This means that if you don't have a purpose to your movement, don't do it. This makes sense, right?

So, I take a look a competitions (in almost any style) on TV, and what do I see?

Martial artists dance around the ring. They bounce forward and back. They bob up and town on the balls of their feet.

Many of them move so fast, around and around, they they cover quite a bit of ground.

I think that they think that they are moving to stay out of reach of the opponent. And that's OK ... if they are being chased. But I often hear Lee Asher critique younger magicians by telling them to avoid running, if they aren't being chased -- metaphorically speaking. He means that there is no reason to prove something that is not suspect. "See everyone. Look. The hand is empty." (Where the audience wasn't suspicious before, now they are.)

No Need to Dance

So, am I suggesting that everyone just stand there and not move, during a fight?

No, not at all.

Bruce Lee said to 'move with a purpose.'

By moving, can you learn the cadence of your opponent?

How does he (or she) react to your darting in and out?

Is his rhythm dependent on yours?

Can you force your opponent to use footwork with your advances, retreats, and circling?

Non-Committed Exploration

Don't just dance for the sake of dancing.

Are you doing some non-committed exploration of your opponent's fighting style?

Think of it this way ... if you aren't attacking, then your exploration is to find out something big ...

You are trying to learn your opponent's preferences.

"Even though I have my doubts, I wish you the best. May you have the time to dance around during a real fight."

       -- Keith Pascal

Read Part 2 on Moving with a Purpose