Intent in applications

         As we know intent is important in what we do.  Intent changes the way we do our forms, and the techniques in those forms.  It also dictates how we perform applications.

        I've been working on my 5 applications, and like the forms I create, I know what MY intentions are for what I'm doing.  So when I got some classmates to go through the applications I created, it was interesting to see how the results finished.  It wasn't bad at all, just different.  My goal this year is to work with a bunch of different people and body types, as well as get others to do the applications too, to get an outside perspective, and to see how effective they are when in the hands of someone else.

        Back to one particular technique where I saw the difference.  In this technique, a knife defence, MY intent is to control the arm, get my opponent off balance, which puts them in a nice position for me to swing my leg over top the controlled arm, and go into an elbow lock/break, arm bar, etc..  The way the other person did it was take the person to the ground.  Also valid, and shows me the potential of this technique I have created.  Different intent, but still has a desirable outcome.  It was a fun moment for me, because even though my intent wasn't for that to happen, it showed me even more possibilities to what I could do.  Even though my intent is to have my opponent off balance, chances are there will be a time where they get taken to the ground, or the chance that they'll be able to sturdy themselves; and then I'll have to adapt from there.  It was a good lesson to have.

        While I'm on the subject of intent in applications, I've also noticed that when going through my own applications, I've had much more urgency to my response.  I've noticed in myself, and in others that I have worked with or seen in class, that many of us don't when it is apart of a lesson plan.  Sure, when something is new we are going slow to get the sequence down and as to not hurt our partners, but then most of us stay at that "normal" pace.  I guess for me, I really want to maintain control, but I also recognize that I need that speed/urgency in a real world application, otherwise I'd be eating every one of those hits.