Page 84 - Beyond Basics_Neat

BEYOND BASICS

In the early 1970’s, the lead roundhouse/side kick became a
popular technique. My thought was to sweep the supporting leg
to nullify it. Kung Fu stylists perform something called the Dragon’s
Tail Sweep which was like a Hook Kick thrown low at the ankle. I
practiced the Dragon’s Tail sweep as well as the forward Dragon’s
Tail (like a low roundhouse). I’m not sure just how long I practiced
but I hadn’t tried it on anyone, at all. At a local tournament and
I’m matched with one of those guys with a “super” nickname who
was a “Super Foot” wannabe. He was a lead leg kicker and was so
confident in his abilities his stance telegraphed his intention. Well
now wasn't this what I've been practicing for? I feinted, he kicked,
I dropped and swept his supporting leg. I'm not sure just how high
in the air he went, but he landed in a heap. Remember my talking
about "Part Replacement"? The sweep worked but I hadn't
practiced any follow-ups! The crowd roared and even though I
didn’t follow up, the sweep did its job, he was psyched, and I won
easily. The sweep worked just as I imagined it would and both the
forward and backward sweeps became a staple in my arsenal.
Last story, we’ve all had thoughts that needed to be written down
before they’re forgotten. One day in college, lost in thought in
class, I wasn’t the best student, a thought came to me about how
to do a “jump roundhouse kick”. The kick was a jump straight up,
kick and retract with the rear leg landing in the original position.
A couple of strange things about this thought. One, I had never
done this kick before but now I “felt” that I could. At Karate class
I demonstrated the kick effortlessly to my students. Two, while
teaching the kick, I could feel the thought slipping from my mind.
By the end of class, both the knowledge and ability were gone!.
I’ve never been able to replicate that feeling or kick again.

These stories illustrate both the power of the mind and
visualization.

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