10 Questions with Tim Larkin [Video]

FULL INTERVIEW (BELOW)

BONUS QUESTION

[Remembering our ‘Discussion’ post (here) about Gunmen]

Larkin says… “I look at it from a different standpoint.  We use our vision in two ways: focus vision & peripheral vision.  I look at it from a reaction standpoint.  If something’s happening now.. we’ll look mid-level on somebody.  The reason we are doing that is because… like right now I’m look at you.  You and I are engaged; my peripheral is disengaged and a lot of “social” happens in the fascial features and we get caught up in that.  I show my students this all the time, and they don’t think that’s the case.  I’ll watch them as they train and I notice a lot of time they’re “checking in” with each other before they go to their target area and put a strike in.

What I’ll do is I’ll give them all balaclavas and it takes away the face, so you just have the eyes going.  It’s amazing the change in people.  All of a sudden they’re not head-hunting anymore, they’re not social anymore, and it all just becomes available to them.  They’re seeing the targets and their reaction time increases immediately.

So, I guess my answer to you is – I want my peripheral so I can pick up movement as fast as possible.  So the last thing that I want is to engage the guy… but I don’t want to get into the psychological aspect of it… I don’t want to sit there and worry “oh jeez am I challenging him, am I doing this or any of that shit,” I just want my best ability to react to what we’re going on, so I can affect my injury at that point… if that’s what I think is going down.*

* The above question was transcribed verbatim from our interview.

Questions:

[ 00.10 ]  Who are you and what is it that you do?

[ 00:38 ] How is what you different from what you see others teaching?

[ 03:24 ]  What is the biggest obstacle for you in regards to instructing?

(additional question) –[ 07:42 ] Regarding media video “Use of Force”

(additional question) –[ 11:25 ] Regarding T.M.Artists & Self-Defense

[ 20:52 ]  How do you deal with all the negative criticisms directed at you and TFT?

[ 27:15 ]  Is there a difference between teaching men vs. women?  If so, what should be emphasized for each?

[ 29:54 ]  What are your thoughts on weapon training?  Should everyone that studies martial arts & self-protection (in your opinion) also study weapons?  If so, which ones and for what purpose?

[ 31:28 ]  What is essential in the early stages of learning self-protection?  Is it different if your teaching law enforcement or military?

[ 37:49 ]  How important is physical fitness in self-protection?

[ 40:08 ]  How does Tim Larkin like to spend his free time?

[44:21  ]  Do you make New Year’s goals?  If so, what are your goals for 2011?

♣

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Everyone!

* Tim Larkin’s Website: TFT *  Related Article – Discussion #9 – “Gunmen”