(Top Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Instructor & original BRUCE LEE student)
His "Reading" drills move out of the static technique arena and onto the area of reacting to more realistic situations. He discusses lines of attack and explains how to use angling to compensate for a stronger and perhaps faster opponent. His pictures and diagrams in this area and in the drills are clear and easy to understand.
In the chapter titled, "Awareness Exercise", Dean talks about defense in the situation of multiple attackers. He wisely does not give you set techniques for this scenario. Instead he explains how awareness can dictate the correct response. This understanding will allow you to react in numerous situations instead only ones used as an example.
I found the chapter, "Outward Extension of Focus", the most interesting. Instead of being concerned about whether the opponent is going to punch, kick, move forward or backward, etc., Dean says, "The body language of the attacker can be characterized entirely in terms of movements rather than in terms of techniques." This is a far reaching concept that I don't have to explain because Dean does a fine job.
I'd recommend this book for anyone who wants to go beyond the practice of technique and is ready to advance to a higher level.
My comments come from a perspective of having been a serving officer in the armed forces and a student of military history. Or another way of saying that I am a student of the martial arts on a national level. Your book is focused on the individual, and my perspective is a more broadly based point of view; however, it is true that the essence of the national military strength is the basic need for the individual to be a successful warrior.
The requirement - to be aware of the circumstances and to vary the response to the situation - is true of any warrior, at any level. The current buzz word to describe this need is to develop and maintain "situational awareness". A great amount of time and energy has been, and is being devoted to developing this skill. The need to be continuously alert, to be able to read the signs, is in many cases the difference that sorts out the survivors from the cannon fodder.
The following is background to suggestions for Volume 2. If I were to offer an area of critique for your excellent work, I would suggest that you place more emphasis on the general subject of knowledge.
Because of this, I would venture to say that even an ineffectual system, which does not actually prepare a student for "mortal combat" but which teaches them other aspects of the craft as it were. Is better than no system at all or not having become involved in martial arts period.
By that I mean the respect it inculcates, the discipline it enforces, the camaraderie it teaches along with team work, self-control, confidence, honor, and its requirement for physical exercise and sacrifice is well worth the negative aspects it may also offer.
In defense of rote learning and repetition of techniques used in many facilities, they have their important function. Even though I do not believe that Mr. Clerc was totally against them in his book, he only meant that they are not the sum total or epitome of martial arts training or even the most important part for that matter. Mental acuity, flexibility, adaptability, fluidness, counter movement and much more are far more critical in self-defense, than merely learning a set of static movements, as he implies.
They (forms) do however allow, for the strengthening and toning of muscles needed to master the other skills and they tend to assist in the underlying development of so many other aspects of the martial artist, such as concentration, endurance, balance, breathing, resistance, stamina, power and others. Try as a beginning student in martial arts to hold a forward lunge punch position for five minutes for instance. The beginner will be lucky to endure 25 seconds of such exertion and muscle strain. So they do have a very important purpose. However Mr. Clerc is correct that they are merely the tip (visible portion) of the massive iceberg that is the serious study and training of marital arts.
Mr. Clerc's drills on awareness, and off line attacks are similar to what I do and teach, so I know they work. I have even included several things from his exercises to my own.
We all know that to change our own ideas and training methods is hard,but these simple steps will fit right into what you are teaching and will maximize your efforts 100%. In my humble opinion I recommend this book to any and all that are interested in "The Mindset of a Martial Artist".
I currently study 6 other arts as well as teach full time I have almost 20 years of experience in martial arts, and I believe any thing you can learn is worth the time and effort.
Author of "Analyze your Fighting" which is available on AMAZON's web site)
I now realize that we see the opponent by "seeing through him." This enables one to become more aware of the surroundings (the opponent) and to maintain my focus outward.
I really like the exercise in which one is standing in a circular room with the doors, each containing an opponent. From this, I was able to realize the importance of thinking positive, removing all negative thoughts. Forgetting about the past and not dwelling on the uncertainties of the future that may never come. Adapting to the environment and handling situations as they happen. This is really important for me to master. What you describe in the book will not only help me in the street but in the operating room. Two places were stress is a major component.
"The Mindset of a Martial Artist" is one of the most comprehensive martial arts books that I have read. It looks beyond typical martial art training manuals to incorporate an essential yet greatly overlooked training aspect, mental awareness or mind-set.
Mental tools such as visualization, focus and awareness are incorporated into training drills and exercises. The drills and concepts within, such as reading, timing, line of attack and adapting to the environment are vividly described. All can be easily blended into any training program as they have in my school.
The plain fact is that no defense situation can be predicted. Dean pushes the reader to go beyond the false boundaries that exist in many styles and schools. He encourages you to gain a wider understanding of defense techniques and to develop one's own concepts and ideas.
This book can benefit anyone, not only martial artists. Visualization and awareness of the environment that surrounds us are skills learned in this book that can be applied to many aspects of life outside the studio. This is an excellent book and it will always be a part of my journey, both in the Martial Arts and in life.
Dean guides you through some practical exercises that won't leave you fossilized in your technique. His advice ranges from applying the philosophy of Yin-Yang to Awareness and Visualization exercises. His two Reading drills alone are worth the price of the book. You definitely get the flavor of Bruce Lee as Dean warns of set drills, transcending styles, mental states, etc... Sound advice.
While Wing Chun practicioners will probably be familiar with techniques for extending focus (if they seriously practice Chi - Sao, Sticking Hands), others will find these exercises new and innovative. This book is filled with insights that should be digested one at a time. Read. Practice. Modify. Enjoy.
The best way I can describe what his guidance has meant to me is to use a quote from the Tao of Jeet Kune Do (page 14) "In the long history of the martial arts, the instinct to follow and imitate seems to be inherent in most martial artists, instructors and students alike. This partly due to human tendency and partly because of the steep traditions behind multiple patterns of styles. Consequently, to find a refeshing, original, master teacher is a rarity. The need for a "pointer of the way" echoes." Sensei Clerc is the one who has helped me to find my own way.
This simple, insightful guide features the importance of awareness and the principles of the yin-yang as they relate to the martial arts. Clerc's examples convince his readers that correctly reading an opponent is the key to successful combat.
His book addresses the needs of the novice, as well as the experienced fighter. He systematically organizes the most important facets of sparring that often are ignored in most systems. I highly recommend "The Mindset of the Martial Artist" as a syllabus for the beginning student, as well as a perfecting guide for the fighter who wishes to mature his/her skills.
