Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Principles of War: Self Analysis – Throwing Techniques

I’m analyzing my martial arts skills, capabilities, and personal style through the lens of the Principles of War. U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-0 starting on page 4-11 defines the Principles of War. My commentary on these definitions can be found through the links below.

Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity

In my last post I described my temperament under stress and my favorite striking techniques. My focus today is grappling.

My grappling skills come from years of training in Kodokan Judo and additional years of Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu.

I prefer throws then choking techniques and joint locks.

I’m more effective using counters rather than initiating attacks; that is, using the opponent’s attack as the beginning (the kuzushi) and the entry into a throw.

There are a few throws I consider “defensive-offensive”. These throws lend themselves to converting the opponent’s attack smoothly and instantly into a counter-attack.

Defensive-Offensive Throws
Foremost of the “defensive-offensive” throws is harai-goshi (sweeping hip throw). Using harai-goshi I can adapt to almost any hand strike converting the attacker’s strike into my throw – hitting him with the parking lot as Professor Cates is fond of saying.

Tai-o-toshi (body drop) is almost as good as harai-goshi. This throw takes a little more coordination to execute but in some ways it’s just a variation of harai-goshi.

Two other good - for me – “defensive-offensive” throws are uchi-mata (inside thigh reaping throw) and ippon seoi nagi (one arm shoulder throw). I find they work well when dealing with an over-hand hammer-like attack. Against any other hand strike I would automatically flow into harai-goshi.

There is also one Neko Ryu take down that just fits me. It flows so naturally that it’s likely to just happen if I’m attacked with a roundhouse hook punch. I don’t know its real name but I call it “passing”. Basically, I pivot backward away from the roundhouse punch, during the pivot I lightly grasp the inside of the opponent’s wrist or forearm and add some extra velocity to the attacker’s forward motion. As he closes with me my opposite hand hooks the back of his neck and as I complete the pivot, my angular momentum accelerates the opponent faster than his feet can keep up and he falls head first at my feet with his wrist still in my grasp ready for a finishing technique.

I didn’t intend to teach this technique in this essay but I was compelled to describe it since as far as I know it has no common name – and I love it.

Attacking or Counter-Attacking Throws
When the opponent has no forward momentum to use against him you have to generate motion by either tricking him into moving the way to want or by moving yourself. Attacking or counter-attacking throws are those in which you generate the motion. There are four of counter-attacking throws that I like a lot.

First, o-soto-gari (major outer reaping throw); this is the most common throw in Judo probably because it’s so effective. It can be used as a counter-attack in almost any situation but it isn’t “defensive-offensive” because the throw doesn’t naturally defend you from the opponent’s attack. O-soto-gari works well in combination with the simultaneous brush block of a hand strike.

Second, o-ichi-gari (major inner reaping throw); this throw isn’t as powerful as o-soto-gari but it’s a surprise when first used and it’s hard to see coming. It's “up close & personal” – you’re actually in grappling range before you can initiate o-ichi-gari. That’s largely why uki (your opponent) has difficulty seeing your leg sweep between his legs hooking one and taking his balance. Like all of the counter-attacking throws, o-ichi-gari must be used in combination with some defensive technique to avoid the opponent’s assault.

Third, ko-ichi-gari (minor inner reaping throw) is even weaker than o-ichi-gari. I use it in combination with o-soto-gaki (major outer entanglement). I start with ko-ichi-gari snaking my leg between his and posting my heel behind uki’s opposite side foot. I follow with o-soto-gaki wrapping my other leg around uki’s trapped foot from the outside. My momentum away from his free leg then carries uki off his trapped foot. Again, this throw starts “up close & personal”.

Fourth, a variation of o-soto-gaki (major outer entanglement) is an excellent attack in its own right. In this variation, your attacking leg wraps around uki’s same side leg and stomps down high on the back of his calf. A less vicious version will merely brush your calf down on his. Both versions end with uki on the ground but the first version is likely to injure uki’s knee.

These are my best throws. Harai-goshi and o-soto-gari are my “go to” techniques that I use automatically without thought. I’ll continue with my best chokes and joint locks in the next post.

Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Principles of War: Self Analysis - Striking Techniques

It’s my intention to analyze my martial arts skills, capabilities, and personal style through the lens of the Principles of War.

U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-0 starting on page 4-11 defines the Principles of War. These definitions with my commentary can also be found through the links below.

Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity

To summarize my personal martial arts style I’ll mentally put myself in a self defense situation. The mental fiction is necessary because my personal martial arts style is a mixture of Tang Soo Do, Judo, and Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu with the light touch of a few other systems I’ve encountered along the way.

An analysis of my Judo would be a very different thing from an analysis of my Tang Soo Do. But, in a self defense situation, and in my self defense training, I freely mix my best of all I’ve learned. Not THE best mind you, but MY best from all of the styles I’ve encountered – primarily the three in which I’m ranked.

In general, I don’t get too excited in the presence of a threat but I have a tendency to tense up. I’m able, by an act of will, to relax but it must be done repeatedly throughout the encounter.

Although my mind functions under stress, I tend to see only the opportunities and threats that I’ve previously experienced in training or competition. My recognition of golden opportunities that are major variations of situations I’ve experienced is frequently too slow for me to take advantage of them. By the time my mind processes the information the opportunity has passed.

I like to move around. When I’m in striking mode I’ll circle my opponent; switching between circling right or left. I don’t bounce as I move and I generally keep my weight on the balls of my feet.

In grappling mode, I move more slowly. I still circle my opponent but I also move forward and back, and side to side. My weight is more likely to be evenly distributed on both feet with some weight on my heels as well as the balls of my feet.

I’m in striking mode when I’m not in a clinch; when I have no grip on my opponent’s body and my opponent has no grip on mine. A “grip”, being defined very loosely, doesn’t have to be grasping fingers. It can be a wrapping arm or leg or even a pin against a wall or floor. In a clinch mobility is reduced and I shift into grappling mode.

I favor low kicks, especially sidekicks to the knee, roundhouse kicks to the knee, and front snap kicks to the shin. I’m a right-hander but I train equally on both sides and I always train first on the left. In a contest I occasionally switch between right and left guards and in striking mode I’m as likely to attack from the left as from the right. In grappling mode, despite my left hand training I’ll use a right-handed technique about 2 times out of 3.

I’ll jab often but in the attack I’ll use combinations of straight punches, kicks and elbows. I especially like horizontal and reverse horizontal elbow strikes to the face.

Knife hands to the throat, hammer fists to the clavicle, and palm heels to the chin or nose along with the front kick to the shin are part of my instant response simple self defense training. But after the initial response, I’m unlikely to use them again.

In my next post I’ll finish summarizing my personal martial arts style. I’ll flesh out my favored grappling techniques and discuss the transition from striking to grappling.

Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Analyzing Myself As A Martial Artist Using the Principles of War

I’ve repeatedly asserted in these pages that the Principles of War can be used to analyze martial arts at the individual level; to optimize the skills and capabilities of the martial artist. And, I’ve provided some examples of how the Principles of War apply to the martial arts and to simple self defense.

Principles of War: How They Relate to the Martial Arts

Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity

I propose now to do a little self-analysis. Not the “navel gazing” kind but an analysis – as objective as I can be when talking about myself – of my martial arts skills and capabilities. And, I propose to use the Principles of War as the framework.

I’ve been “ranked” as a black belt in three martial arts.

Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu – Ni Dan (2nd Degree)
Kodokan Judo – Sho Dan (1st Degree)
Tang Soo Do – Sho Dan (1st Degree)

With this background plus some small amount of training in hand-to-hand combat, boxing, wrestling, and fencing at West Point; I’m free from the constraints of any single system. My analysis will be generic - analyzing effectiveness not conformance.

Some will note that I’ve mastered none of the systems and that is absolutely true. I didn’t choose this path – the path chose me.

Still, as a subject for analyzing martial arts skills and capabilities, my background works well. I know I have significant martial arts skills and capabilities. I also know there is much in my martial arts to criticize – much to improve.

So, in the next series of posts I’ll be somewhat self-absorbed. I’ll look at myself as objectively and as critically as I can through the “Principles of War” lens and try to reveal new knowledge of myself and my martial arts – and have some fun in the process.

Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Principles of War: Simplicity

The Principles of War can help us understand the connections between battles in 253 B.C. and 1992 A.D. They can also help analyze martial arts training and optimize the capabilities of a martial artist.

M
O
O
S
E
M
U
S

Simplicity

The ninth letter in the MOOSEMUSS mnemonic stands for “Simplicity”. On page 4-14 of U.S. Army Field Manual FM-3-0, “Simplicity” is defined.

Simplicity
Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and clear, concise orders to
ensure thorough understanding.

“4-48. Plans and orders should be simple and direct. Simple plans and clear, concise orders reduce misunderstanding and confusion. The factors of METTTC determine the degree of simplicity required. Simple plans executed on time are better than detailed plans executed late. Commanders at all levels weigh the apparent benefits of a complex concept of operations against the risk that subordinates will not be able to understand or follow it.


"4-49. Multinational operations put a premium on simplicity. Differences in language, doctrine, and culture complicate multinational operations. Simple plans and orders minimize the confusion inherent in this complex environment. The same applies to operations involving interagency and nongovernmental organizations.”

According to tradition Napoleon selected a different corporal to follow him around every day. When Napoleon prepared orders for his generals he read them first to the corporal. Only when the corporal understood the orders would Napoleon issue them to his generals. He figured that if the orders were simple enough for the corporal to understand then his generals would understand them also. This is the essence of simplicity.

Lee’s plan and orders at Chancellorsville were simple in extreme. He told Jackson to attack Hooker’s flank and he told Stuart to watch Hooker’s movements. Lee ordered his other corps to cover the Union front. That’s just about it. Simplicity, demonstrated by the master of the Principles of War.

Desert Storm was an incredibly complex operation which required incredibly complex plans and orders. It’s difficult to reduce war waged by a modern army to simplicity (army in the broadest sense including ground, air, and naval forces). However, the concept of the operation was simple.

First, destroy everything that can be destroyed from the air and deceive the enemy into believing an amphibious assault from the Gulf was imminent. Second, send the Marines to liberate Kuwait and the Army to drive straight into Iraq.

This simple concept was complex in execution. Its successful execution was a tribute to the doctrine, training, and leadership of the United States military of all branches. But, it wasn’t simple.

Simple self defense is much easier to achieve than simplicity in modern war. It consists of mastering fundamental tactics and techniques and sticking to them. It requires choosing a simple defense strategy and executing it violently.

For the martial artist simplicity is similar. Simple martial arts training will focus on fundamental tactics and techniques. Martial arts competition begins with a simple strategy for defeating each opponent (after scouting their habits and weaknesses).

“Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and clear, concise orders to
ensure thorough understanding.”

Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War