You can put your opponent off balance, kuzushi, by forcing his center of mass past the edge of his balance zone or by extending his voluntary movement out of his balance zone. You can also off balance him by causing him to react in a predictable way and extending his reactive movement out of his balance zone.
Causing a predictable reaction from your opponent (uki) is also known as adversarial psychology. It takes advantage of your opponent’s mentally setting himself up as your opponent. As such, he wants to control you and he wants to not be controlled by you. So, when you act in a way that threatens to control him he naturally opposes your threat.
If you want uki to back up, pull him forward. If you want him to rise up, pull him downward; to go left, push right; etc. The objective is to apply enough force to convince uki that your threat is real so he will generate an opposing force. When uki exerts himself to oppose your force he is trying to move in exactly the way you want him to go – so you simply let him. You stop applying your initial force, you allow his force to move him, and you apply your preplanned real attack taking advantage of his movement.
A variation of this principle is the use of feints and combination attacks.
Feints are attempts to cause uki to react in a predictable way without applying force to uki’s body. Instead, you convince his mind that force will be applied in a certain way, expecting uki to defend against the threatened attack and give you an advantage – an opportunity to use his response directly or to quickly attack an opening created when he committed his body to defend the feint.
Similarly, a combination attack is an intentional but real attack with a planned follow up technique, or a drilled contingent technique to be executed if the original is unsuccessful. In either case, the follow up takes advantage of uki’s defense to attack an opening created by his movement.
Causing uki to move in a predictable manner is an effective way to set up your kuzush. When he moves as you predicted, and you are prepared to extend his movement or apply force in a way he does not expect, you can take his center of mass out of his balance zone. And, when his balance is gone, almost any technique will defect him.
Link to other topics in the Special Report: Balance and Kuzushi
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance – Part 4 – Using Uki’s Movement
Kuzushi, putting your opponent off balance, is about moving your opponent’s center of gravity (center of mass) past the edge of his balance zone. You can do it by helping uki do it himself.
Every time uki moves he creates momentum in the direction of his movement; the faster the movement the greater the momentum. The longer his movement in distance or time the easier it will be for you to take advantage of it.
When uki moves, he instinctively coordinates his body with the intended movement. If he punches, he may step forward extending his balance zone in the direction of his movement. Human movement normally follows this pattern. The center of mass moves in an intended direction and the feet move to maintain the balance zone around the center of mass in a coordinated and more or less simultaneous way.
Helping uki move his center of mass past the edge of his balance zone is done by extending his movement farther than he intended and faster than he can adjust his balance zone by repositioning his feet.
Using the simple straight punch as an example; when uki throws a right-hand punch and steps forward with his right foot his movement is coordinated and he adjusts his balance zone forward as his center of mass moves forward. By grasping uki’s wrist while his punching arm extends and pulling uki forward in the direction he is already moving, you can increase the speed of his upper body movement taking it further than uki intended - taking his center of mass beyond the edge of his balance zone. Then, with uki’s balance compromised you can effectively attack him with a throw or a strike.
This example demonstrates the principle. When uki moves his body in any direction you have the opportunity to add force and further accelerate uki’s body in the direction he is already moving - extending uki’s movement farther than he intended and likely beyond his balance zone.
In the next post I’ll explore causing uki to move predictably.
Link to other topics in the Special Report: Balance and Kuzushi
Every time uki moves he creates momentum in the direction of his movement; the faster the movement the greater the momentum. The longer his movement in distance or time the easier it will be for you to take advantage of it.
When uki moves, he instinctively coordinates his body with the intended movement. If he punches, he may step forward extending his balance zone in the direction of his movement. Human movement normally follows this pattern. The center of mass moves in an intended direction and the feet move to maintain the balance zone around the center of mass in a coordinated and more or less simultaneous way.
Helping uki move his center of mass past the edge of his balance zone is done by extending his movement farther than he intended and faster than he can adjust his balance zone by repositioning his feet.
Using the simple straight punch as an example; when uki throws a right-hand punch and steps forward with his right foot his movement is coordinated and he adjusts his balance zone forward as his center of mass moves forward. By grasping uki’s wrist while his punching arm extends and pulling uki forward in the direction he is already moving, you can increase the speed of his upper body movement taking it further than uki intended - taking his center of mass beyond the edge of his balance zone. Then, with uki’s balance compromised you can effectively attack him with a throw or a strike.
This example demonstrates the principle. When uki moves his body in any direction you have the opportunity to add force and further accelerate uki’s body in the direction he is already moving - extending uki’s movement farther than he intended and likely beyond his balance zone.
In the next post I’ll explore causing uki to move predictably.
Link to other topics in the Special Report: Balance and Kuzushi
Monday, September 7, 2009
Special Report: Balance and Kuzushi
Links to the topics in the Special Report: Balance and Kuzushi:
Neko Ryu General Principles: Kuzushi
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance - Part 1 - What Is Balance?
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance - Part 2 - Retaining Your Balance
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance - Part 3 - Applying Direct Force
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance - Part 4 - Using Uki's Movement
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance - Part 5 - Causing Uki to Move Predictably
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance - Part 6 - Mental Balance
Neko Ryu General Principles: Part 7 - Spiritual Balance
Neko Ryo General Principles: Part 8 - Life Balance
Neko Ryu General Principles: Kuzushi
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance - Part 1 - What Is Balance?
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance - Part 2 - Retaining Your Balance
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance - Part 3 - Applying Direct Force
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance - Part 4 - Using Uki's Movement
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance - Part 5 - Causing Uki to Move Predictably
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance - Part 6 - Mental Balance
Neko Ryu General Principles: Part 7 - Spiritual Balance
Neko Ryo General Principles: Part 8 - Life Balance
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance – Part 3 – Applying Direct Force
Kuzushi, putting your opponent off balance, is largely about moving your opponent’s center of gravity past the edge of his balance zone – but how do you do it?
Physically, there are three general approaches; (1) you can apply direct force to move your opponent; (2) you can take advantage of your opponent’s voluntary movements; or (3) you can apply a force to your opponent that produces a predictable response from him and then take advantage of the response.
All three approaches can be effective in the right circumstances. However, if your opponent is significantly bigger and stronger than you – as in a typical self-defense situation - the direct force approach is questionable.
Still, all three are useful especially when combined with mental and spiritual forms of kuzushi.
So, if you are going to apply direct force to move your opponent out of his balance zone choosing the direction of your force is extremely important. Notice the position of uki’s feet relative to his center of mass and either push or pull uki toward the closest edge of his balance zone.
His balance zone is a four-sided area described by the outside edges of both feet, a line connecting the balls of his two big toes, and a line connecting his two heels. Your primary objective in moving uki’s torso is the edge of his balance zone closest to his center of mass.
Understand that if uki can move his feet faster than you can move his center of mass you will fail to unbalance him in this try. You can make it difficult for him to move his feet by adding a lift component to your applied force taking his weight off his feet while you also move him laterally. You can also block or post the foot he is most likely to move planting your own foot so as to prevent the movement he needs to retain his balance.
Applying direct force to unbalance your opponent is a tactic commonly seen in sport Judo matches where contestants are matched in narrow weight ranges. It is not as useful in self-defense situations where your attacker is significantly bigger and stronger unless combined with other kuzushi techniques.
In the next post I’ll explore taking advantage of uki’s voluntary movement.
Link to other topics in the Special Report: Balance and Kuzushi
Physically, there are three general approaches; (1) you can apply direct force to move your opponent; (2) you can take advantage of your opponent’s voluntary movements; or (3) you can apply a force to your opponent that produces a predictable response from him and then take advantage of the response.
All three approaches can be effective in the right circumstances. However, if your opponent is significantly bigger and stronger than you – as in a typical self-defense situation - the direct force approach is questionable.
Still, all three are useful especially when combined with mental and spiritual forms of kuzushi.
So, if you are going to apply direct force to move your opponent out of his balance zone choosing the direction of your force is extremely important. Notice the position of uki’s feet relative to his center of mass and either push or pull uki toward the closest edge of his balance zone.
His balance zone is a four-sided area described by the outside edges of both feet, a line connecting the balls of his two big toes, and a line connecting his two heels. Your primary objective in moving uki’s torso is the edge of his balance zone closest to his center of mass.
Understand that if uki can move his feet faster than you can move his center of mass you will fail to unbalance him in this try. You can make it difficult for him to move his feet by adding a lift component to your applied force taking his weight off his feet while you also move him laterally. You can also block or post the foot he is most likely to move planting your own foot so as to prevent the movement he needs to retain his balance.
Applying direct force to unbalance your opponent is a tactic commonly seen in sport Judo matches where contestants are matched in narrow weight ranges. It is not as useful in self-defense situations where your attacker is significantly bigger and stronger unless combined with other kuzushi techniques.
In the next post I’ll explore taking advantage of uki’s voluntary movement.
Link to other topics in the Special Report: Balance and Kuzushi
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance – Part 2 – Retaining Your Balance
Kuzushi, putting your opponent off balance, is largely about moving your opponent’s center of gravity past the edge of his balance zone or causing him to change his balance zone.
Retaining your own balance is about keeping your center of gravity within your balance zone. You maintain your ability to move fluidly. You stay loose. You keep your knees slightly bent. You keep your feet roughly shoulder-width apart. And you move with your opponent – anticipating him, responding to him, or leading him – but always adjusting your posture and your position to maximize your balance while moving, defending, and attacking.
Things to Avoid:
1. Standing with your knees locked degrades your movement response time and makes it easier for your opponent to take your balance because your center of gravity is locked on the end of the lever of your legs.
2. Standing with your feet close together shrinks your balance zone making your balance much less secure.
3. Standing with your feet too far apart only increases your balance zone on one axis. At the same time it greatly degrades your ability to move.
4. Keeping your muscles tense will turn your arms and legs into levers your opponent can use to move your center of gravity out of your balance zone.
In subsequent posts, I’ll explore methods of taking your opponent’s balance. I’ll also explore mental and spiritual forms of balance.
Link to other topics in the Special Report: Balance and Kuzushi
Retaining your own balance is about keeping your center of gravity within your balance zone. You maintain your ability to move fluidly. You stay loose. You keep your knees slightly bent. You keep your feet roughly shoulder-width apart. And you move with your opponent – anticipating him, responding to him, or leading him – but always adjusting your posture and your position to maximize your balance while moving, defending, and attacking.
Things to Avoid:
1. Standing with your knees locked degrades your movement response time and makes it easier for your opponent to take your balance because your center of gravity is locked on the end of the lever of your legs.
2. Standing with your feet close together shrinks your balance zone making your balance much less secure.
3. Standing with your feet too far apart only increases your balance zone on one axis. At the same time it greatly degrades your ability to move.
4. Keeping your muscles tense will turn your arms and legs into levers your opponent can use to move your center of gravity out of your balance zone.
In subsequent posts, I’ll explore methods of taking your opponent’s balance. I’ll also explore mental and spiritual forms of balance.
Link to other topics in the Special Report: Balance and Kuzushi
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance – Part 1 - What Is Balance?
It is only a slight exaggeration to say that balance is everything.
If your opponent has lost his balance you can easily defeat him using any of a variety of techniques. Conversely, if your opponent retains his balance defeating him with any technique is very difficult.
Balance works both ways. When you lose your balance your defeat is imminent. Retaining your balance you are difficult to defeat. And so, the combat between individuals or between armies and navies is largely a struggle to create an off-balance condition in your opponent while maintaining your own balance.
So what is balance; how do you keep it and how do you lose it?
The most obvious form of balance is the physical act of staying upright by keeping your center of mass (center of gravity) between your feet or other connections to the earth. When you stand on your two feet you have four supporting points; your two heels and the balls of your two feet. In gross terms keeping your physical balance means keeping your center of gravity (roughly the center of your abdomen) inside a four-sided area defined by your feet, a line connecting your heels and a line connecting the balls of your big toes. I’ll call that four-sided area the balance zone.
The shape of the balance zone constantly changes as you move your feet. But generally, the greater the distance your center of gravity is from the edge of your balance zone in any direction the more difficult it is to lose your balance in that direction. Naturally, the closer your center of gravity is to the edge - the easier it is to lose your balance in that direction.
Kuzushi, putting your opponent off balance, is largely about moving your opponent’s center of gravity past the nearest edge of the balance zone and/or causing your opponent to change his balance zone so that the particular edge you are preparing to attack becomes closest to his center of gravity.
In subsequent posts, I’ll explore methods of keeping your own balance and taking your opponent’s balance. I’ll also explore mental and spiritual forms of balance.
In conflict, balance, Kuzushi, is nearly everything. There’s no more important topic in the martial arts, in war, in politics, or in most other forms of competition.
Link to other topics in the Special Report: Balance and Kuzushi
If your opponent has lost his balance you can easily defeat him using any of a variety of techniques. Conversely, if your opponent retains his balance defeating him with any technique is very difficult.
Balance works both ways. When you lose your balance your defeat is imminent. Retaining your balance you are difficult to defeat. And so, the combat between individuals or between armies and navies is largely a struggle to create an off-balance condition in your opponent while maintaining your own balance.
So what is balance; how do you keep it and how do you lose it?
The most obvious form of balance is the physical act of staying upright by keeping your center of mass (center of gravity) between your feet or other connections to the earth. When you stand on your two feet you have four supporting points; your two heels and the balls of your two feet. In gross terms keeping your physical balance means keeping your center of gravity (roughly the center of your abdomen) inside a four-sided area defined by your feet, a line connecting your heels and a line connecting the balls of your big toes. I’ll call that four-sided area the balance zone.
The shape of the balance zone constantly changes as you move your feet. But generally, the greater the distance your center of gravity is from the edge of your balance zone in any direction the more difficult it is to lose your balance in that direction. Naturally, the closer your center of gravity is to the edge - the easier it is to lose your balance in that direction.
Kuzushi, putting your opponent off balance, is largely about moving your opponent’s center of gravity past the nearest edge of the balance zone and/or causing your opponent to change his balance zone so that the particular edge you are preparing to attack becomes closest to his center of gravity.
In subsequent posts, I’ll explore methods of keeping your own balance and taking your opponent’s balance. I’ll also explore mental and spiritual forms of balance.
In conflict, balance, Kuzushi, is nearly everything. There’s no more important topic in the martial arts, in war, in politics, or in most other forms of competition.
Link to other topics in the Special Report: Balance and Kuzushi
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Neko Ryu General Principles: Maximizing Effectiveness – Curve Step
Moving with Curve Steps (or C-Steps) maximizes effectiveness by improving Kuzushi and conserving your attack options.
Curve steps are “L” shaped movements executed with one foot at a time. Usually the initial movement is down the long leg of the “L” to your front or rear with the short leg of the “L” usually extending the step to the outside – away from your center line.
A single c-step is essentially the same as a “Knight’s” movement is Chess. The c-step can be combined with a pivot to change your facing direction.
Every martial arts instructor I’ve studied under (all seven of them) taught me to use the c-step. But I didn’t understand it. I didn’t like it. And it seemed to add no value to my martial art or to my competitive abilities. I resisted using it and so, of course, it was of no value to me.
Grandmaster Moose Cates, the current head or Soke of Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu, taught the curve step in the recent Camp Budo martial arts seminar. When Grandmaster Cates fielded my questions I had an epiphany – an “ah ha!” moment. Suddenly I saw the c-step as part of my Kuzushi.
When you move your feet your opponent notices the motion; its direction, its speed, and its nature. Smooth steps in a straight line or in a smooth curve are easily predictable. Your opponent intuitively calculates the path your smooth step will take and uses it to set up his own technique or to disrupt yours.
The c-step is deceptive. It starts as a smooth linear motion and changes direction at the end. By itself this can alter your opponent’s balance both physically and mentally; setting up your technique or your follow up Kuzushi.
Because it’s a planned and drilled motion it enables you to change the end-movement of the step. It allows a last split second adjustment to uki’s body movement and position (your opponent or sparring partner is called uki).
There are other advantages to the curve step. It increases the “stroke” length when you use your body mass to apply power to uki. And, it puts you in position to rotate your hips into a strike or throw. But these are just nice additions to the core advantage of the c-step – maximizing Kuzushi and conserving attack options.
Now that I’ve had my epiphany, it’s obvious how important the curve step is in martial arts and self-defense. Kuzushi is the most important part of any attack. Once your opponent (uki) is well off-balance almost any technique will work. If uki retains his balance and a solid base - almost no technique will work.
Kuzushi is critical. Kuzushi is hard to learn (at least for me). And, the curve step makes it easier and more effective.
Link to other topics in the Special Report: Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu
Curve steps are “L” shaped movements executed with one foot at a time. Usually the initial movement is down the long leg of the “L” to your front or rear with the short leg of the “L” usually extending the step to the outside – away from your center line.
A single c-step is essentially the same as a “Knight’s” movement is Chess. The c-step can be combined with a pivot to change your facing direction.
Every martial arts instructor I’ve studied under (all seven of them) taught me to use the c-step. But I didn’t understand it. I didn’t like it. And it seemed to add no value to my martial art or to my competitive abilities. I resisted using it and so, of course, it was of no value to me.
Grandmaster Moose Cates, the current head or Soke of Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu, taught the curve step in the recent Camp Budo martial arts seminar. When Grandmaster Cates fielded my questions I had an epiphany – an “ah ha!” moment. Suddenly I saw the c-step as part of my Kuzushi.
When you move your feet your opponent notices the motion; its direction, its speed, and its nature. Smooth steps in a straight line or in a smooth curve are easily predictable. Your opponent intuitively calculates the path your smooth step will take and uses it to set up his own technique or to disrupt yours.
The c-step is deceptive. It starts as a smooth linear motion and changes direction at the end. By itself this can alter your opponent’s balance both physically and mentally; setting up your technique or your follow up Kuzushi.
Because it’s a planned and drilled motion it enables you to change the end-movement of the step. It allows a last split second adjustment to uki’s body movement and position (your opponent or sparring partner is called uki).
There are other advantages to the curve step. It increases the “stroke” length when you use your body mass to apply power to uki. And, it puts you in position to rotate your hips into a strike or throw. But these are just nice additions to the core advantage of the c-step – maximizing Kuzushi and conserving attack options.
Now that I’ve had my epiphany, it’s obvious how important the curve step is in martial arts and self-defense. Kuzushi is the most important part of any attack. Once your opponent (uki) is well off-balance almost any technique will work. If uki retains his balance and a solid base - almost no technique will work.
Kuzushi is critical. Kuzushi is hard to learn (at least for me). And, the curve step makes it easier and more effective.
Link to other topics in the Special Report: Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Special Report: The Neko Ryu Cane
Links to the Special Report Topics - The Neko Ryu Cane
The Cane: Part 1 - Types of Canes
The Cane: Part 2 - Two Hand Strikes - Thrusts
The Cane: Part 3 - Two Hand Strikes - Butt Strokes
The Cane: Part 4 - Two Hand Cuts
The Cane: Part 5 - Two Hand Weapon Retention
The Cane: Part 6 - One Hand Whip Cuts
The Cane: Part 7 - Forehand Vertical Whip Cut
The Cane: Part 8 - Backhand Vertical Whip Cut
The Cane: Part 9 - Forehand Horizontal Whip Cut
The Cane: Part 10 - Backhand Horizontal Whip Cut
The Cane: Part 11 - One Hand Thrust
The Cane: Part 12 - The Lunge
The Cane Video - Introduction
The Cane Video - Two-Hand Thrusts
The Cane Video - Two-Hand Butt Strokes
The Cane Video - Two-Hand Backwards Strikes
The Cane: Part 1 - Types of Canes
The Cane: Part 2 - Two Hand Strikes - Thrusts
The Cane: Part 3 - Two Hand Strikes - Butt Strokes
The Cane: Part 4 - Two Hand Cuts
The Cane: Part 5 - Two Hand Weapon Retention
The Cane: Part 6 - One Hand Whip Cuts
The Cane: Part 7 - Forehand Vertical Whip Cut
The Cane: Part 8 - Backhand Vertical Whip Cut
The Cane: Part 9 - Forehand Horizontal Whip Cut
The Cane: Part 10 - Backhand Horizontal Whip Cut
The Cane: Part 11 - One Hand Thrust
The Cane: Part 12 - The Lunge
The Cane Video - Introduction
The Cane Video - Two-Hand Thrusts
The Cane Video - Two-Hand Butt Strokes
The Cane Video - Two-Hand Backwards Strikes
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Neko Ryu General Principles: Maximizing Effectiveness
Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu finds ways to make the most of what you’ve got. It was developed as a simple self-defense system for sedentary businessmen – not for world-class athletes.
The sedentary businessman assaulted by a thug is probably physically overmatched. The natural attributes of strength, speed, and youth likely favor the thug. So, to succeed in defending himself, the businessman needs unnatural attributes.
The businessman needs attributes such as:
· Economy of motion
· Body alignment
· Body movement (maneuver to a position of advantage)
· Efficient use of body mass
· Efficient application of force (maximizing pressure)
· Vital point targets
· Rotational energy
· Leverage
· Balance
· Connection with the earth
· Surprise
· Misdirection
· Distraction
· Expedient weapons
· Training (skills drilled repetitively and executed without thought)
· Tactics
· Strategy
If you’re a world-class athlete you may believe you can take care of yourself in any situation. But, there’s always someone bigger, faster, stronger, smarter, better armed, or luckier than you. Even if you’re the reigning world champion – you won’t be tomorrow.
Future posts will explore these unnatural attributes.
Link to Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu Special Report Topics
The sedentary businessman assaulted by a thug is probably physically overmatched. The natural attributes of strength, speed, and youth likely favor the thug. So, to succeed in defending himself, the businessman needs unnatural attributes.
The businessman needs attributes such as:
· Economy of motion
· Body alignment
· Body movement (maneuver to a position of advantage)
· Efficient use of body mass
· Efficient application of force (maximizing pressure)
· Vital point targets
· Rotational energy
· Leverage
· Balance
· Connection with the earth
· Surprise
· Misdirection
· Distraction
· Expedient weapons
· Training (skills drilled repetitively and executed without thought)
· Tactics
· Strategy
If you’re a world-class athlete you may believe you can take care of yourself in any situation. But, there’s always someone bigger, faster, stronger, smarter, better armed, or luckier than you. Even if you’re the reigning world champion – you won’t be tomorrow.
Future posts will explore these unnatural attributes.
Link to Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu Special Report Topics
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