Can You Do It Under Pressure?

How do you know if what you are learning will work? It has to be tested. In science class you go to lectures to learn theories and then you get the practical from the lab. The same is the case in martial arts and in most things you learn in life. Theory has to be applied in some form or fashion. Trials can be controlled and uncontrolled. They can be moderate or extreme. For example, you can try a technique on a training partner in light sparring, moderate sparring, or full contact sparring. You can even go to the extreme of competing against an opponent you are completely unfamiliar with. Through trial and error, you learn what works best for you in certain situations. When you learn something new, you practice it in a controlled environment and then you test it. Many times, people get stuck in theory and never get the chance to apply it. So, be sure to get in the lab in and test what you learn. Be able to apply it under pressure.