2011 October | The Better Man

buddy learns a valuable lesson in character

It’s now been a while now since I started training with my affably sadistic Muay Thai coach, Derwin. I’m probably a few decades away from stepping into the Octagon with Georges St. Pierre, but nonetheless I’ve improved: my punches come with a nice little snap; I no longer have to remind myself to rotate my hips when I throw punches; I don’t drop my hand and expose my jaw when I initiate a swing kick; and my combinations don’t unravel into series of painfully awkward bitch slaps (as much). Derwin has used a lot of great methods to achieve this pathetically modest result, but few have proven as effective as when he simply hits me in the head and stomach repeatedly. Seriously – our best workout by far has been when the only thing I’m doing is taking blow after blow.

On its face it sounds a tad perverse, but considering that hits are something of a necessary job hazard for most fighters, knowing how to take one probably isn’t such a bad idea. Which is not to say a fighter needs to like getting punched, only that taking a knock or two can really teach you something, such as…

…You’re Tougher Than You Think You Are. The most illuminating thing about a crack to the melon might be how well you can probably could stand it. Admittedly, Derwin started light pretty light, but pretty soon he was throwing a few bombs. He rung my bell more than a few times, and I did spend several days moving my nose around to see if it still ached, but honestly, I thought it’d be much worse. Actually, it probably would be if I’d just stood there and let him tune on me, but thankfully Derwin to took the time to show me how to…
…Always Be Prepared. If you can’t block a punch, then lean into it (not away) – you increase time of impact, and decrease force. If you’re taking a blow to the gut, tighten your abdominal muscles. If you’re being hit in the face, clench your jaw, or if you can, lean your forehead into the punch (very hard up there). Always keep your eyes on your opponent, protect your most vulnerable areas (jaw), and ALWAYS maintain your balance. But being physically prepared is one thing…
…What You Do After You’re Hit Is Every Bit As Important As What You Do WHEN You’re Hit. Derwin hammers (pardon the pun) on this point a lot – martial arts are as much a mental game as a physical one. Nothing can inspire bad choices quite like getting emotional when you’re hit. Nothing can embolden your opponent like the sight of you getting angry or down on yourself when they hit you. The best thing you can do is take it, shake it off, move on. Keep your cool, and you’re morely likely to avoid costly mistakes, plus your opponent will think his weak ass shit can’t phase you (even if you piss blood afterwards). There’s another word for this: poise.

I think you can see where I’m going with this – there’s something for a Better Man in every hit, both in the ring and life. This isn’t news, even to me, but Derwin hitting me relentlessly is such a vividly poignant reminder that it’s almost like a revelation. That’s probably because I’d gone most of my life without getting in a fist fight. I suppose that’s good, but I also know it made me absurdly afraid of pain.

The thing is, a lot of people are like this: fear of pain is their biggest motivator, and they go out their way to avoid it, putting themselves through all kinds of contortions that are likely worse for them than than the pain they’re trying to avoid. But if you’re prepared and unflappable when the shit does fly (as it inevitably does), chances are it won’t seem so bad. You’ll be more able to heed the advice of guys like Al Swearengen, the saloon keeper in the TV Series Deadwood: “The world ends when you’re dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man, and give some back.”