I’m analyzing my martial arts skills, capabilities, and style through the lens of the Principles of War as defined in U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-0. My commentaries on each principle are available through the links below.
Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity
So far I’ve graded my personal martial arts style as follows:
Mass - a "C"
Objective - a "B"
Offensive - a "B"
Surprise - an "A"
Now it’s time to analyze my martial art style against the Principle of War: Economy of Force.
“Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts.”
Some martial arts instructors teach students to use strong active blocks. My first instructor (in Tae Kwon Do) taught this way. But a strong block requires as much focus as a strong punch or kick; And as much time. It’s an example of allocating essential combat power to a secondary effort.
The objective of any defensive technique is to avoid injury from the opponent’s attack. If this objective can be achieved without spending precious time and energy in the effort then, necessarily, more time and energy are available for the primary effort – your counter-attack.
Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu is one of several martial arts that emphasize the use of:
(1) Movement to avoid the attack (remember “float like a butterfly”?),
(2) Brush blocking to deflect an incoming blow, and
(3) Converting the opponents attack into an instant counter-attack.
Judo focuses on the third choice - converting the opponents attack into an instant counter-attack.
My personal style retains elements of my early days in Tai Kwan Do (my very first martial art) and Tong Soo Do (the art that awarded me my first black belt). I especially like the way Koreans kick and I love the Korean sidekick. However, in accordance with the principles of Neko Ryu, I’ve retrained myself to use body movement (Tai Sabaki) and brush blocks for defensive techniques.
My Neko Ryu is heavily influenced by Judo and my inclination to “counter-punch” leads me to prefer the Judo/Neko Ryu defense – that is; converting the opponent’s attack into a decisive counter stroke – “hitting him with the parking lot” as the conclusion of Harai Goshi.
This is the epitome of allocating minimum essential combat power to a secondary effort. Consequently, I find my martial arts style deserves an “A” when measured against the Principle of War: Economy of Force
In the next post I’ll grade myself on the Principle of War: Maneuver.
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Camp Budo Starts Next Week - $100 per Person
Camp Budo is a Martial Arts long weekend filled with learning, fellowship and fun. Between 7 and 11 Masters of different styles take turns teaching principles and techniques from their various arts.
Attendees range from brand new beginners to multiple degree black belts with black belts are so old they're fraying & turning white! (kind of like me)
If you've never been involved in the martial arts but you're curious - Come on down! This is the perfect introduction to a broad range of styles in a relaxed & safety conscious setting.
If you're an old experienced codger of a martial artist - Come on down! You'll learn some neat stuff - I promise.
Admission is $100 cash at the door.
This year, Camp Budo starts July 30th & runs thru August 1st. I'll be there & I hope you are too!
Location:
Crescent Moon Dojo at 909 Washington St, Graham NC (just East of Burlington, NC)
Price:
$100.00 At the Door - No checks/No credit cards
Times:
Friday, July 30th - 5:00pm until 7:30pm
Saturday, July 31st - 9:00am until 12:00 "break for Lunch" Back on the mats at 1:30 until 4:30 or 5:00pm depending on the heat.
Sunday, August 1st - 9:00am until 12:00 noon.
Hotel Accomodations Available:
Ramada Inn in Burlington on I-40 is only 60.91 per night this includes taxes.
Motel 6 is ust one exit down I-40 for 29.95 per night.
Please forward this to all your Martial Arts friends - they'll be glad you did.
Attendees range from brand new beginners to multiple degree black belts with black belts are so old they're fraying & turning white! (kind of like me)
If you've never been involved in the martial arts but you're curious - Come on down! This is the perfect introduction to a broad range of styles in a relaxed & safety conscious setting.
If you're an old experienced codger of a martial artist - Come on down! You'll learn some neat stuff - I promise.
Admission is $100 cash at the door.
This year, Camp Budo starts July 30th & runs thru August 1st. I'll be there & I hope you are too!
Location:
Crescent Moon Dojo at 909 Washington St, Graham NC (just East of Burlington, NC)
Price:
$100.00 At the Door - No checks/No credit cards
Times:
Friday, July 30th - 5:00pm until 7:30pm
Saturday, July 31st - 9:00am until 12:00 "break for Lunch" Back on the mats at 1:30 until 4:30 or 5:00pm depending on the heat.
Sunday, August 1st - 9:00am until 12:00 noon.
Hotel Accomodations Available:
Ramada Inn in Burlington on I-40 is only 60.91 per night this includes taxes.
Motel 6 is ust one exit down I-40 for 29.95 per night.
Please forward this to all your Martial Arts friends - they'll be glad you did.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Camp Budo 2010 - It's Almost Here!
Camp Budo is a Martial Arts long weekend filled with learning, fellowship and fun. Between 7 and 11 Masters of different styles take turns teaching principles and techniques from their various arts.
Attendees range from brand new beginners to multiple degree black belts with black belts are so old they're fraying & turning white! (kind of like me)
If you've never been involved in the martial arts but you're curious - Come on down! This is the perfect introduction to a broad range of styles in a relaxed & safety conscious setting.
If you're an old experienced codger of a martial artist - Come on down! You'll learn some neat stuff - I promise.
Pre-registration price was $80. I'm not sure what they're charging at the door - but I'll find out & let you know.
This year, Camp Budo starts July 30th & runs thru August 1st. I'll be there & I hope you are too!
Location:
Crescent Moon Dojo at 909 Washington St, Graham NC (just East of Burlington, NC)
Price:
Pre-registration: $80.00
At the Door: I'll Find Out
Times:
Friday, July 30th - 5:00pm until 7:30pm
Saturday, July 31st - 9:00am until 12:00 "break for Lunch" Back on the mats at 1:30 until 4:30 or 5:00pm depending on the heat.
Sunday, August 1st - 9:00am until 12:00 noon.
Please forward this to all your Martial Arts friends - they'll be glad you did.
Attendees range from brand new beginners to multiple degree black belts with black belts are so old they're fraying & turning white! (kind of like me)
If you've never been involved in the martial arts but you're curious - Come on down! This is the perfect introduction to a broad range of styles in a relaxed & safety conscious setting.
If you're an old experienced codger of a martial artist - Come on down! You'll learn some neat stuff - I promise.
Pre-registration price was $80. I'm not sure what they're charging at the door - but I'll find out & let you know.
This year, Camp Budo starts July 30th & runs thru August 1st. I'll be there & I hope you are too!
Location:
Crescent Moon Dojo at 909 Washington St, Graham NC (just East of Burlington, NC)
Price:
Pre-registration: $80.00
At the Door: I'll Find Out
Times:
Friday, July 30th - 5:00pm until 7:30pm
Saturday, July 31st - 9:00am until 12:00 "break for Lunch" Back on the mats at 1:30 until 4:30 or 5:00pm depending on the heat.
Sunday, August 1st - 9:00am until 12:00 noon.
Please forward this to all your Martial Arts friends - they'll be glad you did.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Principles of War: Self Analysis – Surprise
I’m analyzing my martial arts skills, capabilities, and style through the lens of the Principles of War as defined in U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-0. My commentaries on the definitions are available through the links below.
Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity
For Mass my grade was a "C"; for Objective a "B"; and for Offensive a "B". In this post I’ll grade myself on the Principle of War: Surprise.
“Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which he is unprepared.”
This Principle of War has only one key element. The key element can be restated as; Launch an attack the opponent is unprepared to defend.
The manner of achieving the surprise attack is left wide open.
In a self defense situation creating surprise with an ambush or a sucker punch are not options. The opponent has picked you – there's no opportunity for strategic surprise. There are, however, many ways to create tactical surprise.
The simplest is an all out direct assault. Your opponent plans to attack you, or is in the act of attacking you and will probably be surprised to find himself on defense.
Other means to achieve tactical surprise include feints, combination attacks, and deceptions.
My inclination to use countering techniques almost guarantees tactical surprise. The opponent’s attack is in progress and I (as with with most of my Judo brethren) fit my body to the opponent’s, direct and encourage his motion, and throw him approximately in the direction he was already moving. Surprise is complete. It remains to follow up aggressively and ensure his decisive defeat.
For the Principle of War: Surprise my personal martial arts style gets an “A”.
In the next post I’ll grade myself on the Principle of War: Economy of Force.
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity
For Mass my grade was a "C"; for Objective a "B"; and for Offensive a "B". In this post I’ll grade myself on the Principle of War: Surprise.
“Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which he is unprepared.”
This Principle of War has only one key element. The key element can be restated as; Launch an attack the opponent is unprepared to defend.
The manner of achieving the surprise attack is left wide open.
In a self defense situation creating surprise with an ambush or a sucker punch are not options. The opponent has picked you – there's no opportunity for strategic surprise. There are, however, many ways to create tactical surprise.
The simplest is an all out direct assault. Your opponent plans to attack you, or is in the act of attacking you and will probably be surprised to find himself on defense.
Other means to achieve tactical surprise include feints, combination attacks, and deceptions.
My inclination to use countering techniques almost guarantees tactical surprise. The opponent’s attack is in progress and I (as with with most of my Judo brethren) fit my body to the opponent’s, direct and encourage his motion, and throw him approximately in the direction he was already moving. Surprise is complete. It remains to follow up aggressively and ensure his decisive defeat.
For the Principle of War: Surprise my personal martial arts style gets an “A”.
In the next post I’ll grade myself on the Principle of War: Economy of Force.
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Principles of War: Self Analysis – Offensive
I’m analyzing my martial arts skills, capabilities, and style through the lens of the Principles of War as defined in U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-0. My commentaries on the definitions are available through the links below.
Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity
For Mass my grade was a “C”; For Objective a “B”. This time I’ll grade myself on Offensive.
“Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative.”
This Principle of War, like the previous two, has three elements.
(1) Seize the initiative
(2) Retain the initiative
(3) Exploit the initiative.
Seize the Initiative:
My natural inclination is to counter-punch. This is an inherently defensive posture and a poor starting point for seizing the initiative. In truth, this is the opposite of seizing the initiative. It’s voluntarily giving away the initiative to my opponent. There’s an element of “seize” in countering however. When the counter is executed against the opponent’s attack I’m “seizing” the initiative from him – after first letting him have it.
My grade for the “seize the initiative” element is a “D”.
Retain the Initiative:
Retaining the initiative implies a continuous series of offensive attacks or threatening maneuvers that prevent the opponent from regaining his equilibrium. In the self defense scenario I interpret it to mean, having once penetrated his defense, prevent the opponent from reestablishing it. This is best accomplished by pressing the assault through striking combinations or continuous application of an effective joint lock or choke.
When my counter works it must flow into a continuous assault. This is designed into my personal strategy and tactics. This is how I train. For the Offensive element “retain the initiative” I get a “B”.
Exploit the Initiative:
Exploiting the initiative means to reinforce success and pursue the retreating opponent until he’s destroyed. For self defense, I interpret it as pressing my attack until my strategic objective, the safety of my loved ones and me, is secured.
My counters lend themselves to flowing directly into finishing techniques. My strategy & tactics reinforce this transition and I’ve trained this way throughout my martial arts career.
Because exploiting the initiative is inherent to my personal style I give myself an “A” for this element.
Overall Grade:
For the Principle of War: Offensive I’ve graded myself a “D” for “seize the initiative”; I gave myself a “B” for “retain the initiative”; and an “A” for “exploit the initiative”. Overall, my grade for the Principle of War: Offensive is a “B”.
My weakness in the element “seize the initiative” matches the weakness I uncovered in the element “decisive place” during my analysis for the Principle of War: Mass. I want to develop a strategy and tactics for “seizing the initiative” to successfully attack the “decisive place”.
In my next post I’ll grade myself on the Principle of War: Surprise.
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity
For Mass my grade was a “C”; For Objective a “B”. This time I’ll grade myself on Offensive.
“Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative.”
This Principle of War, like the previous two, has three elements.
(1) Seize the initiative
(2) Retain the initiative
(3) Exploit the initiative.
Seize the Initiative:
My natural inclination is to counter-punch. This is an inherently defensive posture and a poor starting point for seizing the initiative. In truth, this is the opposite of seizing the initiative. It’s voluntarily giving away the initiative to my opponent. There’s an element of “seize” in countering however. When the counter is executed against the opponent’s attack I’m “seizing” the initiative from him – after first letting him have it.
My grade for the “seize the initiative” element is a “D”.
Retain the Initiative:
Retaining the initiative implies a continuous series of offensive attacks or threatening maneuvers that prevent the opponent from regaining his equilibrium. In the self defense scenario I interpret it to mean, having once penetrated his defense, prevent the opponent from reestablishing it. This is best accomplished by pressing the assault through striking combinations or continuous application of an effective joint lock or choke.
When my counter works it must flow into a continuous assault. This is designed into my personal strategy and tactics. This is how I train. For the Offensive element “retain the initiative” I get a “B”.
Exploit the Initiative:
Exploiting the initiative means to reinforce success and pursue the retreating opponent until he’s destroyed. For self defense, I interpret it as pressing my attack until my strategic objective, the safety of my loved ones and me, is secured.
My counters lend themselves to flowing directly into finishing techniques. My strategy & tactics reinforce this transition and I’ve trained this way throughout my martial arts career.
Because exploiting the initiative is inherent to my personal style I give myself an “A” for this element.
Overall Grade:
For the Principle of War: Offensive I’ve graded myself a “D” for “seize the initiative”; I gave myself a “B” for “retain the initiative”; and an “A” for “exploit the initiative”. Overall, my grade for the Principle of War: Offensive is a “B”.
My weakness in the element “seize the initiative” matches the weakness I uncovered in the element “decisive place” during my analysis for the Principle of War: Mass. I want to develop a strategy and tactics for “seizing the initiative” to successfully attack the “decisive place”.
In my next post I’ll grade myself on the Principle of War: Surprise.
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
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