Ice Fighting

When the weather gets bad, it is easy for a Chongdo instructor to move the students outdoors to experience what hand-to-hand combat is like on slick ice. The students understand this, and realize that icy conditions can change the way you handle footwork, what you can expect when trying to move a heavy opponent, and especially how delivering a strike or kick can push you backward. As a result, techniques change on ice.

These techniques are not limited to a January in Chicago. Ice techniques exist because the coefficient of friction is very low on ice. But this low friction coefficient can be created nearly any time, anywhere. On a Spring day in Northern California, an evening fog can slicken the lawn in a very similar way. In Fall in New York State, a short rain can mix with Autumn leaves and create a slippery condition on pavement nearly identical to sheer ice. If you are wearing rubber shoes, stepping onto terrazzo flooring in a building lobby when the parking lot was wet can create momentarily slick conditions. Even dust on a warehouse floor can feel slippery enough to qualify.

Is there an easy way to tell that you may be in a location of diminished traction? Generally, if you are modifying the way you walk in order to compensate for the ground conditions, you are very likely in a situation where you cannot count on your regular self-defense training. In addition to shortening your response time, the weather may be tampering with your balance and footwork.

Plan accordingly!