Adapt and Improvise

One of the first lessons I learned in SYSTEMA was the importance of
being able to 'adapt and improvise' -To change course on the fly and
still come out victorious.

This concept is critically important, not only to the combat athlete,
but to anyone who wants to be at the top of any profession.

Some martial artist like to have a plan for every possible scenario,
they find comfort in the plan. In the knowing....but when the plan doesn't work,
you fall to pieces. It's okay to have a plan - but when the plan
doesn't fit - you've got to be able to change gears and do whatever
you need to do to survive.

Some combat sports practice various moves over and over and over again.
And we train in such a way so that "what we know" becomes second nature.
Being "programmed" to react in a certain way to specific situations.

There is some value in this but only to a limited level.

Incorporate adaptive and improvisation training into your workouts will give you
a much deeper understanding into real world applications. This type of stuff is
already part of the training at FightClub. All students learn to be prepared
and able to change gears, to adapt and improvise - and be able to do so right
during the heat of battle.

This is something that may not come easily - but it is possible,
regardless of your endeavor. It's all a matter of training, confidence
and the willingness to flow into something else - on the fly.

Some months ago I witnessed a perfect example of how this
philosophy of "having a plan but being flexible" is NOT simply
a martial arts or combat strategy. It applies to everything.

It even applies to a business and life as well!

I believe the ultimate level of skill is being able to
flow with whatever is happening, whether you prepared for it
or not.

If you study the top people in any profession. Note how relaxed and
calm they are when performing or competing. This is critically
important.

Then think back to the times in your life in which you are able to
adapt with ease. I'm betting you've had the experience and the
first thing you'll recall about it was that you were totally relaxed
and having a good time. You weren't stressed out or worried about
how you were going to do. You simply went with the flow.

Having a plan can help you relax. I know it helps me.

But knowing I can adapt and improvise if the plan isn't working -
that's a level of skill worth fighting for.'

I hope this helps,
emmanuel