The question of what are we training for is one that must take a critical position in the mind of any responsible martial artist. The techniques that we practice, regardless of style, are potentially dangerous. It is necessary to consider the appropriate circumstances for using the skills acquired in the dojo, but that is the subject of another paper. In the real world, though, it is not uncommon for even technically proficient martial artists to find themselves in trouble pretty quickly. Why is this? I propose that it is because center, balance, and relaxation are insufficient alone for the successful performance of technique under duress. The elements of technique that I would like to discuss, in continuing to pursue the question of classification of technique and its' ramifications, are decisiveness, and commitment.
Let's go back to that technically proficient martial artist who gets his butt kicked in the real world. It is generally not for a lack of knowledge of technique, or skill in application of technique under controlled circumstances. Rather, it is the inability to act with decisiveness and commitment once called upon. One of the cliche'd reasons for martial arts practice at all is that it increases self-confidence. While this is possible, it is certainly not automatic. Lack of confidence is one of the great avenues to failure in the dojo, as it leads to indecision in critical moments. Correct performance of technique is one way to increase confidence. Herein lies yet another great contradiction for the aspiring martial artist (like "Try really hard to relax"). Technique cannot be correct without self assurance, self assurance is built through the performance of correct technique. As I reread this I'm scratching my own head and wondering why I didn't take up knitting instead. The answer that I have arrived upon, or recently realized that I arrived upon some time ago is this: Decisiveness and commitment are separate from technique, unlike center, balance, and relaxation, which are integral parts of technique. To draw an analogy, the most skilled violinist in the world gets no sound out of a Stradivarius if he doesn't put the bow on the string. And if he puts the bow on the string in a half-assed way everyone around him will most likely wish he hadn't bothered.
For the most part it has been my experience that decisiveness and commitment can't be taught. It has also been my experience that some people never get it, while some people walk in with it in the first place. No matter, as a martial arts instructor it is not my place to teach people how to be decisive and to be committed to what they do. It is my place to inform them that these things are necessary, and to encourage them to act accordingly. What do I mean precisely by the terms decisiveness and commitment. Decisiveness is just as it sounds. There are many ways to respond to a punch, it's like a question that has more than one answer. Any answer that is effective is right. If the punch lands while it's target is trying to figure out which course to take, there is no right answer available anymore. What is right is defined by the end product. One may respond to the punch with a block and a kick. He is right. The next may respond to the same punch with a throw. He is equally right. The third is trying to decide between the kick and the throw. He is wrong. And in pain. His indecision got him in trouble. He may be able to perform both the kick and the throw better than the other two, but his inability to do so when it matters makes greater theoretical skill useless. What would make our third student have more problems would be if he decided on the kick, then changed his mind halfway, and went for the throw. He is still wrong. He is still in pain. Because having made the decision to act, he lacked the commitment to follow through on his decision without second guessing himself. I am reminded of the scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail where Galahad ends up in the gorge of eternal peril because he says his favorite color is "Blue, no yellow...". Galahad's lack of commitment to himself certainly got him into trouble.
All of this discussion boils down to one thing. Without the decision to act, and the commitment to see that decision through to its' conclusion, all martial technique is functionally useless, regardless of the skill with which it is capable of being performed.