Contact Us / Feedback

'Heads up!'

It doesn't matter how well run and disciplined a dojo is, it is still down to all those taking part to stay focused and watch out for the wellbeing, not only for that of their immediate training partner, but for all those training around them. By the very nature of the arts that we participate in, certain potential hazards will always abound. Ultimately it is the sensei, sifu, guro or whatever title your instructor holds, that is responsible for the students under his tutelage. He or she will explain and enforce the rules, training procedures and safety aspects of all techniques and skills that you will be required to master. Even so it is inevitable that the odd, hopefully not to serious accident will occur. If it is more the norm than the exception, that people are being damaged beyond accepted bounds even for full contact sports, then find another club quickly before it's your turn in line. The knock here and the dig there are all par for the course, it's our own common sense and vigilance that usually saves the day. After all developing a sense of all round awareness is both a practical attainment as well as an absolute must in terms of survival in a real life confrontation, especially when you don't know who is on whose side. So the cultivation of this sense of peripheral vision is a useful double edged sword. For example, I had to intervene when tempers were about to flare, between a group of new students of mine. What happened was, one student had just thrown his partner somewhat awkwardly, but more importantly safely to the mat. Seconds later, another student training with a different partner, came crashing in on top of the first guy already thrown to the floor. Of course everyone blamed everyone else. The person being thrown on top of the student on the ground, blamed his partner who threw him, for not turning to look to see if the mat was clear behind them, as the particular throw being executed called for the thrower to be facing his partner. The thrower insisted that he looked earlier for a clear space, but it was the other pairs fault as they had moved and consequently wandered into his throwing area. And so on, and so on. You could of cut the atmosphere with a knife when I declared that they were all equally to blame, as it's everyone's responsibility not only to look, but to stay focused and think ahead. I don't suppose they all agreed, but they all thought about it and as a result no further contact was made despite a hard and vigorous training session, so obviously the premise was correct as they were all very aware of each other and not just relying on their partner to protect them. The good news is there was no hard feelings after, but the outcome could of been very different if weapons were involved. On my mat, anybody training with a knife for instance, immediately informs all the others present that they are training with a live blade, and they don't wait for me to have to mention it. Mind you if they forget however, then I will have plenty to say. Be safe!.

© 2005 WOFA