Recently I posted about another set of terms, training and practice, that I felt due to a professionals book who explained the differences that really do enlighten how one should view, feel and apply both their training and practice. Because, intent in both training and practice are pretty darn important if you want you stuff to work in a clinch be it sport or an attack.
Marc MacYoung posted on his FB page some interesting views that I understood but pretty much forgot over the years especially as in the past I tended to ignore things that didn’t seem appropriate to what I was doing such as teaching self-protection/defense stuff.
In the military we have manuals that break down in as much detail as possible a subject or applicable physically manifested process, etc., such as shooting a rifle. Also, in the military we had handbooks whose sole purpose, when issued after certain training and practices are completed, was to remind us of the fundamentals and basics of the subject or system or applications, etc.
Note of critical importance, both manuals and handbooks are tools to help professionals with experience convey to the troops, non-professional novices aiming for pro status, what is needed to get off the starting blocks so that training and practices have meaning, intent and objectives so when one gets in the mix, they have something to draw from leaving them only that one psychological step to take, fire it off when needed in lieu of the freeze.
This is why practice and training are so important because with out the appropriate combination along with knowledge and understanding not to forget reality-based and Reality Experiences because without a solid foundation in those many in the military who go into the combat zone will not survive.
Manuals are thick and comprehensive and still have a good solid bibliography of references for further research, study, analysis, practice-n-training, synthesis processes to reach a product of value that only needs to be blooded in combat. Handbooks on the other hand are light weight for ease of carry and reference with a much denser and comprehensive set of references, i.e., handbook to references to comprehensive references to manuals to even more comprehensive supporting references all geared to take a body through natural stages of learning to reach understanding to reach applicable abilities that result in, “Survival!”
First rule of manuals and handbooks, “None of them are the end and only answers, they are guides to help each person gather or accumulate knowledge, understanding and real-experiences that forge a warrior into - a warrior.” These are just tools and one of their purposes are to stimulate the creativity of the owner who then asks questions, discusses with leaders and brothers to synthesis what will work and get the mission accomplished all within the confines, requirements and necessities of combat.
This, in essence, is true of everything in the defense-protection arena of martial and karate disciplines whether to build persons of proper abilities or to help one progress personally. It’s like principles, principles are what carry the day in any style or system to accomplish all objectives - to survive be it in a predatory attack, a socially driven monkey dance fight or through the competitive environment of sports.
Note: It is with pride I can say my “professional experience” in one field was supported by manuals and what is called, “Check Sheets” that literally guided and informed a process that literally meant avoiding three things. First, a broken arrow; second, a bent spear; and finally, a dull sword. The very documentation, manuals and check sheets (equivalent to handbooks but not, more critical) kept some very dangerous and serious things safe, secure and ready.
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