An idiom referring to the ability to turn on and off the subconscious holding back against an opponent due to modern social conventions.

Comments:

An easy way to understand the Social Switch is that when practicing with a partner one tends to "pull their punches" more that if they were really in a life-or-death situation - even though they believe they aren't.

One needs to be in control of this "switch" and understand how to turn it off and on at will. The inability to do so can negatively affect the overall training results.

Generally speaking, the receiver of one's efforts can tell if the Social Switch is on or off. This can also be a verbal indication to one's partner that they intend to have more spirit in their dealings with them.

Social Switch differs from Spirit of the Attack and Spirit of the Technique in that it provides a mental OK to the practitioner (and to the training partner) to have more realistic dealings. This results in more Spirit of the Attack and Spirit of the Technique.

Derivation:

This term comes from the fact the modern society tends to frown upon violence and this carries through into one's training. By thinking of this personal suppression as a switch that can be turned off and on at will, gives the practitioner rational approval to remove many of these social constraints while training - thus allowing them to train in a more realistic manner.

Related Definition(s):

Combat, Conscious, Control, Contact, Degree, Subconscious, Touch

Related Term(s):

Combat Effectiveness, Mental Harmony, Spirit of the Attack, Spirit of the Technique, States of Motion