creed #4 / expect to get hit...

For this post, I will be discussing the importance of expecting to get hit. For the most part, nobody likes to be on the receiving end of a punch—especially one to the face. The problem is, getting hit is hard to avoid, even for seasoned experts that have been training for years. There are far too many martial artists that are under the delusion that they can avoid being hit if in a fight. Most of the time their “land of make believe” makes me chuckle, but every once in a while I like to call them out on their claim of super hero status by putting their bravado to the test (in a friendly and non-injurious way, of course). Let’s not mistake martial arts for a red cape and boots and let’s not forget that in a fight, anything can happen.

Here’s the problem: If a person believes that he or she will not get hit if in a fight and the opposite happens (they take a big right hook to the noggin) what will be the outcome? This unexpected twist of events will catch them off guard and shake their confidence, giving the opponent a significant advantage. However, if the same person goes into battle expecting to take a few on the chin, what will be the outcome? They will maintain their composure while their confidence goes unshaken. In short, they will carry on with business as usual until the situation has come to an end. So, even if you are Clark Kent and you can thwart the toughest of opponents totally unscathed, wouldn’t it be better to expect to be hit and come out without a scratch then to expect perfection and get knocked on your butt? After all, even Superman has a bad day now and then.