Pre-fight stress training equips students with the ability to react and make rational decisions under stress, the stress in this case being the expectation of great bodily harm or possible death while facing an attacker. This stress training is very important for when the actual confrontation takes time to develop and the physical fight is preceded by verbal confrontation and threats. One of the most common types of confrontation, the “Ritual Fight”, has these characteristics. In our relatively safe society, expecting great bodily harm or possible death at the hands of another is not usually a commonplace concern. Therefore, the psychological and physical impact on the average person when faced with such a situation is substantial. It almost goes without saying that most people would be extremely frightened if faced by a slavering, lunatic aggressor threatening to rip their head off. With appropriate training, however, the tables can be turned on the aggressor as the rush of adrenalin that comes with such encounters is channelled, in a composed manner, into de-escalation techniques that help to avoid physical confrontations. Stress training also empowers students to make the right decision when situations can't be defused. Stress training takes in the following key areas: - Intuition - Intuition is employed to recognise and prepare for potentially violent situations. Intuition is a complex subject that would take an entire article, or more, to explore in detail.
- Rational Thinking - Maintaining the ability to act in a pre-fight situation is crucial when faced with an aggressor. Rational thinking enables the use of de-escalation techniques, which go a long way toward preventing potentially fatal confrontations. Bearing in mind that every fight can have deadly consequences, stress training helps with defusing such situations before they have a chance to arise.
- Situation Control - Stress training teaches when it is time for engagement. It also helps to stop the verbal build up and mind games that can occur when perceived loss is imminent.
- Rational Decision Making - The ability to make rational decisions is vital in deciding if or when it is necessary to employ physical force.
- Stress Reaction - Students gain an understanding of how they would react under extreme pressure and stress. They are taught ways that will help them maintain a relative level of calmness.
Stress training is also useful to police and security personnel, whose objective is to remain calm, in control, and not be provoked into using violence when dealing with verbal assaults. Most security personnel who have worked “on the door” will be able to recount several incidents where they were lured into delivering a quick knock out to individuals intent on verbal provocation. Stress training is a powerful tool when dealing with such incidents.   
Fight-stress training aids in the ability to apply learned WingTsun techniques to real life situations and enables the defender to temporarily neutralise the attacker with physical force. In self-defence, the normally forbidden objective of hurting someone is justified provided no excessive force is used. However, many decent people have a natural hesitation to hurt another person. This applies particularly to women, whose upbringing is generally slanted toward non-violent behaviour and who often see physical confrontation as unacceptable. Fight-stress training, if done the right way, also gives a good indication of what does and doesn't work in real life. The key outcomes of fight-stress training are as follows:
- Students maintain the capacity to act, even under heavy pressure and with the expectation of possible death or great bodily harm. This is an uncommon situation for most people and is, therefore, usually accompanied by intense stress.
- Students are enabled to apply learned WingTsun techniques under the extreme pressure of a fight situation.
- Students are enabled to use reasonable force, if possible, to stop an attacker.
- Inhibitions regarding the possibility of seriously hurting another person are overcome.
- The capacity to act when in pain and impasse is maintained.
Both pre-fight and fight-stress training familiarise students with fighting in a variety of clothing, in constantly changing situations, and with opponents of differing physical structure and appearance. Students are also acquainted with the different surfaces and lighting conditions of various environments, such as street, club, bar or park. WingTsun stress training is conducted at three levels of intensity with each level being suited to the individual student. This type of structured training system is very important as every person has different levels of stress tolerance. For example, a very traumatic event for one student could do more harm than good, whereas another student may handle the situation effortlessly. Experienced and responsible instructors should only conduct this kind of tailored training as a responsible attitude towards serious injuries or to a potential mental breakdown of the student (which under normal circumstances must be avoided at all costs) must be assumed. Regarding the levels, Levels 1 and 2 are offered as non-compulsory aspects of regular WingTsun classes. These levels are tailored to the individual capabilities of the student. Level 3 stress training is compulsory for Instructor students. For regular students, this level is voluntary and is conducted only at special Warrior Day seminars with a limited number of participants. The different levels encompass the following: Level 1: Beginner
- Light stress, pre-fight verbal abuse scenarios (Blitz Defence).
- Light stress role-plays and de-escalation techniques (Blitz Defence).
- Medium speed attacks with limited physical contact.
- Execution of techniques with light contact.
- Clearly defined role-plays.
- Medium to high physical exhaustion training.
- High intensity pad work without third party interference.
- Use of complete set of protective padding.
- Training is conducted in WingTsun uniform and in the kwon.
Level 2: Intermediate
- Medium to high stress pre-fight verbal abuse scenarios (Blitz Defence) with one or two aggressors.
- Medium contact Lat Sao (sparring).
- Medium to high stress role-plays and de-escalation techniques with one or two aggressors (Blitz Defence).
- Loosely defined simulation training with multiple opponents and surprise elements (Blitz Defence).
- Range of defined attacks (single or double) possibly with full speed and medium contact. Fights can go to the ground and be continued there.
- Very high physical pre-exhaustion training.
- Very high intensity, advanced pad workout with surprise elements and involvement of other people.
- Use of complete set of protective padding.
- Training is conducted in a variety of street clothing and footwear and in differing locations.
Level 3: Advanced
- Very high stress, pre-fight verbal abuse scenarios (Blitz Defence) with one or several aggressors and weapons involved.
- Very high stress role-plays and de-escalation techniques with one or several aggressors and weapons involved.
- Full contact Lat Sao.
- No definition of simulations (everything goes) with multiple opponents, weapons and surprise elements. Fights can go to the ground and be continued with full contact.
- All attacks possible at full speed and contact, and successive (if possible).
- Very high, physical pre-exhaustion training.
- Very high intensity, advanced pad workout with surprise elements and harassment from other people.
- Use only limited set of protective padding.
- Training is conducted in a variety of street clothing and footwear (clothing must be dispensable and might not survive), in different locations such as a car, pub (rented for this occasion), and street, and at different times, including day, night and early mornings.
Warrior Days are announced well in advance but registrations are usually only taken around one to two weeks before the actual day. For most people, participating in a Warrior Day means overcoming a lot of fear, hence the late registrations. Indeed, just the action of registering adds another level of stress! A slow adrenalin release will commence at the time of registration, and continue until the actual event. We point out to participants that this gives them another chance to analyse and overcome their fear, and to learn how to deal with the effects of a slow adrenalin release.   
Another part of the overall concept of reality-based training are our Fear Management seminars, which deal with the psychological aspects of stress and fear and which can help to prepare students mentally for real life situations. This, however, will be the subject of future articles. Conclusion Self-defence training without stress training is like sailing in your backyard. You don't know what you can and can't do. You don't know which techniques will work or not. And you haven't a clue as to how you will deal mentally with high stress situations. Stress training should be a firm part of the program for anyone interested in real self-defence. Return to first part |
