Trouble-shooting

Usually, when learning a self-defense tech, we spend a fair amount of time doing the technique on each other. In the process, folks work out the kinks. Almost all the time, the problem is the need to do each basic move better. Usually, with such a diverse group of students of varying skills, sizes, and approaches, lots of errors are made, and I get a chance to advise on how to improve.

If the problem is a common one, I will pause class, review the problem, and review the solution or solutions. On occasion, if the problem also leads to a useful optional way to do the technique (a useful "what if?" moment), I will cover the option. If the problem is unique to that person, I will cover it quietly with them while the rest of the class keeps working out. If I know the person has the ability to solve the problem themselves, then I ask pointed questions to get them started on finding their own solution. Honestly, I do this much of the time anyway.

On Tuesday, we had a somewhat unusual situation. The class did the tech well enough that there weren't many problems to solve. So, I took a different approach, and asked people to find all the places where the tech could go wrong, and why. It was useful. Folks were trying to apply point of view of the bad guy, the defender, and 3rd person observer. They were very good at figuring out when the techs could go wrong, identifying how to keep that from happening, and even identifying principles to follow in order to prevent issues.

I was happy with the results.

-- SGB