That is something only you will have to find out, we all wonder about things from time to time. Even young cops have never fought in their life and they fear the time they have to prove themselves. I had a partner who told me he was afraid of how he would react when action comes. Actually he was 6ft 4in and most people feared him, we worked the high crime areas and he engaged but after each incident we talked it over and I gave him pointers. He improved and gained my total trust, when I was in over my head he would be pealing them off me, we became a real team, I was sorry when he went to The FBI. I hear San Soo students of all belts ask about improving confidence but we can give suggestions but the commitment is up to you. I would suggest you get as good as possible while in your class, then go deeper (if your instructor will let you or take it to your back yard) but see and feel a little violence. Get some boxing gloves and duke it out with a partner a little, not with your Art,) just box. Don’t seriously hurt yourself, feel a little pain, you might bleed a little, evade punches, this is what combat looks and feels like but always keep it under control. When you get better you may even find you enjoy yourself and look forward to your matches. it is a start and change from your sterile workout, if your partner throws sissy punchs tell him to try harder to hit you if he can, that build confidence or black eyes, that is what I used to do.
I am posting a link of one of Bruce Lee’s guys who breaks a some of these down the best was the last thing about not thinking.
Ron Gatewood
