[Coaching] Why You Don't Notice a Pickpocket: The Principle of Lock-on and Lock-out

Hello! This is Ken.

Today, I will talk about the principle of Lock-on and Lock-out.

Why can a pickpocket steal a wallet without being noticed? Why does even a professional fighter lose consciousness from a punch they knew was coming? Actually, both of these can be explained by the same principle ^_^

When you lock on, everything else is locked out

Previously, I explained the principle of scotoma (psychological blind spot).

The point was that humans cannot perceive all information; we only perceive a small fraction of it and feel that as reality.

This is rephrased in other terms as Lock-on and Lock-out.

The moment you lock on (fix your aim) to something, everything else is locked out (excluded). In other words, it becomes a scotoma.

To put it another way—focusing on something means excluding all other options.

Focus is often thought of as a good thing, but by its very structure, it is always paired with "things that become invisible." This is the key point.

Pickpockets are "pros" at this principle

The ones who skillfully use this principle are pickpockets.

There are various pickpocketing techniques, but the basics are all the same: physically stealing a wallet or valuables while the target's consciousness is focused on something else.

Talking to someone, bumping into them, showing them something—if you can get the target's consciousness to lock on to something, everything else is automatically locked out. Even contact with their pocket disappears into a scotoma.

The reason the victim doesn't notice isn't because they lack attentiveness. It is because due to the mechanism of human perception, a blind spot is inevitably created the moment you lock on.

In other words, pickpocketing is a technique that uses the principles of the mind rather than physical strength.

Martial Arts: You don't lose consciousness from a "visible punch"

Another example is martial arts.

From the moment the gong rings to start the match, you know full well that an attack is coming from your opponent.

Despite that, there are times when you get hit and lose consciousness.

Actually, it is often said that even if you get hit by a punch you see coming, it won't do that much damage. You lose consciousness when you receive an unexpected punch—a blow your brain wasn't prepared for.

That is why fighters mix in feints and build their attacks with unique rhythms and patterns. The moment the opponent locks on, thinking, "The next one is a punch too," they throw a kick. They are using the opponent's lock-on to strike into their lock-out blind spot.

Even if you know an attack is coming, this is what happens. It is no wonder that a pickpocket, who doesn't even give a "ready, set, go" signal, goes unnoticed, right? ^^;

Martial Arts: Techniques honed in a world without a "starting signal"

If we broaden our perspective, the world of martial arts is also built upon this principle.

What makes martial arts different from sports is that it was originally a world of life-or-death combat. There is no "starting now" signal. You never know when or from where an attack will come.

In other words, it is a world where staying locked on to one specific thing can be fatal. Always anticipating and preparing for everything—it is within those constraints that martial arts techniques have been honed.

I have experience in martial arts myself, and I feel that this sense of "not being trapped by a single point" is the very essence of how to use one's mind.

Happening in every aspect of daily life

I have listed pickpocketing, combat sports, and martial arts, but this principle works in everything involving the human mind.

While you are locked on to a work deadline, time with your family might be locked out.

While you are locked on to the problem right in front of you, the solution right next to it might be locked out.

While you are locked on to past failures, the possibilities of the future might be entirely locked out—.

Focus itself is not bad. However, being aware of "what you are currently locked on to". This is what is important.

Actually, this theme can be developed even further—but since it would get long, I will continue talking about it in this series later, haha.

I will write another article!
Thank you for reading this far. ✨

P.S.

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