Control is the measure and quality of applying different degrees of an ever-evolving force in a given situation and at a given time. When we apply too little or too much force, we say there is lack of control. Absence of control results in poor techniques.
Control or the lack thereof, does not begin in a physical state, although it is easy to assume that right away, but its first impulse is within our emotional, and mental states. And the emotional/mental states are the by-products or an indication of our spiritual well-being which in turn is greatly influenced by our upbringings, life-difficulties, cultures, belief systems, and so on.
Control, at the mental and emotional level can greatly be enhanced with the [right kind] of martial arts methodologies------though still, it does not guarantee it; because if one's spiritual and mental psyche is warped due to one's past, the reflexive decisions made under a variety of pressures would still be propagated and derived from an irrational source, and thus, the results would be still quite unproductive. In that case, no amount of martial arts training can help such a person. However, from a wider perspective, it stands to reason that most average people who have had consistent martial arts training, and for the simplicity of our theme, let's say, in JiuJitsu------would have much better mental and emotional control than one who has never had a consistent training.
Take for example a Bjj guy who has had hundreds and hundreds of hours of controlling his partners from the top positions. This individual who has had a lot of experience in training------controlling people on the mats while being on top, would make much wiser decisions with a lot less effort in a street encounter than the person who has had hardly any real training from those exact same positions. The ability to control has a direct correlation with the number of hours spent in training, trying to control, fully resisting partners, while simultaneously, being fully engaged and entangled with one's own emotions and physical factors, such as frustration, uncertainty, insecurity, fear, and exhaustion. This is a fact beyond the shadow of any doubt!
How can anyone expect to have any [control], if one has not had any proper martial arts training i.e., being repeatedly [forced] to come into terms with his or her own weak nature; while simultaneously being observed by the trainer, to make sure the person is keeping the unnecessary, irrational, and destructive emotions in check-------and ONLY allowed and encouraged, when a timely and useful aspect of emotion is expressed and applied. I expect my students to [go after] a chokehold like a lion, but I also expect them to [apply] the chokeholds as patient and as smooth as an anaconda. So the [going after] process takes a different emotional and physical concoction, than during the secondary phase which is the actual application of the choke itself. Inexperienced individuals don't know the difference, and this is why they either end up hurting others (in class or otherwise) OR themselves unnecessarily.
The key to highly successful development of such a control is NOT just the control OR the "emotional content" itself, but when they are coupled and expressed in the highest levels of objective and artistic skills. In this mindset, control becomes, not just a needed skill with maximum efficiency, but part of a highly evolved artistic expression of an objective reality. In other words, expression of control MUST be accompanied by useful acquisition of artistic skills; otherwise, that so called "control" is useless and it would simply be no more than the expression of the spirit of ignorant passivity which is very detrimental to the person himself when faced with crazed maniacs in the streets.
In short, [Control] = [Balance]. It is an essential element that may be developed and advanced by the right kind of martial arts methodology and the right instructors. The highest reward goes to the highest artistic expression of emotional and physical skills. This requires many many hours of training and constantly being forced to face off our inner weaknesses. Lack of control may be attributed to the lack of adequate training and the [will] in maintaining the training itself. There are many other variables associated with the lack of control. We just discussed few of them in this article.
Good luck. Keep up your training!
-SHAHRAM MOOSAVI