If you asked which is more important I would say both however if I had to choose one it would be sensing with feel. Remember when we first heard about Martial Arts we were told it is about turning the other guys strength and energy back using it on him. How many of you really practice that, I usually see puffed up cocky chests out on the floor. I am not sure why but many good arts seem to sink their chest when engaging. My guess would be that flexed muscle would slow down both reaction time and block the ability to feel or sense of his directed energy. I have watched top Masters of other Arts flow back adsorbing your attack energy then coming back like a huge ocean wave. People may say BS just hit him but until you feel this energy try to find someone who can do this and feel for yourself. If anything it is food for thought. Americans seem to favor strength over feel, I prefer both. Sticking hands is a way to teaching this as it is style neutral will not hurt what you now do but it will seriously help it. Jimmy told me he did it in China, I don’t know why he did not teach it. With all the San Soo ego’s on the workout area it would be a real mess. If you think you are going to over power a seasoned player, you are wrong, I want to watch. The highest level is to play with your eyes closed, this forces your senses to grow,to become very instinctive all of a sudden you feel the door open and you strike his chest. This carries over to a real fight as you attempt to grab or hit the opening as it opens. Closed eyes are for training not combat. You start with hand or arms touching near the wrists, don’t pull just stay connected, no muscle stay soft, if you come apart, re-engage. Look up some matches on YouTube, get a partner and play until you learn, it will change your thinking. When I was researching for my history book I found one of Ed Parker’s Masters that was always there when Jimmy would visit, he told me when Ed got a phone call, he and Jimmy would play sticking hands to fill the time. Do it, you will get better. I found a vid, this 94 year old blocks or everything the young man throw, at the end he shows he can return punches if he wants to, the young guy is helpless.
Ron Gatewood
