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
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Principles of War: Self Analysis - Objective
I’m analyzing my martial arts skills, capabilities, and personal style through the lens of the Principles of War as defined in U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-0 starting on page 4-11. My commentaries on the definitions are found through the links below.
Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity
My grade for Mass was a “C”. Now it’s time to get a grade on the Principle of War: Objective.
“Direct every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective.”
An objective must be defined, decisive, and attainable.
Defined:
Strategically, my objective in the self defense situation is clear and predetermined; survival with minimum injury for myself and my loved ones.
Tactically, my objective is a decisive disabling counter technique – a clean hard Judo throw, a sidekick to the side of the knee, a knife-hand strike to the throat, or a hammer fist to the clavicle. But, I’ll wait for the opportunity even while trying to create it through feints, jabs, and offensive combinations.
I think my Objective is well defined and so I grade this element of the Principle of War an “A”.
Decisive:
My strategic objective is decisive. Tactically, however, I can’t be certain that a successful attack would be decisive – that it would achieve the strategic objective. Consequently, I’ll give myself a “B” for this element of the Principle of War: Objective.
Attainable:
My strategic and tactical objectives are attainable – that is; perceived by me to be possible. The probability of success depends on the capability of my opponent. The probability, however, is never zero. It is always possible to catch a good counter technique against even a highly training opponent. For the “Attainable” element of the Principle of War: Objective I grade myself a “B”.
Overall Grade:
I’ve graded myself an “A” for “defined”; a “B” for “decisive”; and a “B” for “attainable”. Overall, my grade for the Principle of War: Objective is a “B”.
In my next post I’ll grade myself on the Principle of War Offensive.
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity
My grade for Mass was a “C”. Now it’s time to get a grade on the Principle of War: Objective.
“Direct every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective.”
An objective must be defined, decisive, and attainable.
Defined:
Strategically, my objective in the self defense situation is clear and predetermined; survival with minimum injury for myself and my loved ones.
Tactically, my objective is a decisive disabling counter technique – a clean hard Judo throw, a sidekick to the side of the knee, a knife-hand strike to the throat, or a hammer fist to the clavicle. But, I’ll wait for the opportunity even while trying to create it through feints, jabs, and offensive combinations.
I think my Objective is well defined and so I grade this element of the Principle of War an “A”.
Decisive:
My strategic objective is decisive. Tactically, however, I can’t be certain that a successful attack would be decisive – that it would achieve the strategic objective. Consequently, I’ll give myself a “B” for this element of the Principle of War: Objective.
Attainable:
My strategic and tactical objectives are attainable – that is; perceived by me to be possible. The probability of success depends on the capability of my opponent. The probability, however, is never zero. It is always possible to catch a good counter technique against even a highly training opponent. For the “Attainable” element of the Principle of War: Objective I grade myself a “B”.
Overall Grade:
I’ve graded myself an “A” for “defined”; a “B” for “decisive”; and a “B” for “attainable”. Overall, my grade for the Principle of War: Objective is a “B”.
In my next post I’ll grade myself on the Principle of War Offensive.
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Principles of War: Self Analysis - Mass
I’m analyzing my martial arts skills, capabilities, and personal style through the lens of the Principles of War as defined in U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-0 starting on page 4-11. My commentaries on the definitions are found through the links below.
Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity
The question is; how does my personal martial arts style stack up against the Principle of War - Mass?
“Concentrate the effects of combat power at the decisive place and time.”
Decisive Time:
In a self defense situation the decisive time is NOW. Perhaps the word time in the definition above should be understood as “timing”. The self defense situation will consume seconds, perhaps minutes, but rarely hours.
Timing then refers to the coordination of your technique with the ebb and flow of your opponent’s movements. I’m a natural counter-puncher - using the word loosely – largely because my timing is quite good. I can launch a hand strike, kick, or Judo throw to take advantage of uki’s (the opponent’s) motion with high confidence of success.
My strong tendency to fight as a counter-puncher is a real disadvantage in tournament competition where aggressiveness is rewarded and defensiveness penalized. However, in self defense it can be an advantage, at least in the immediate stage of a confrontation. So, I think I score well on the “decisive time” portion of the definition. I’ll give myself a “B”.
Decisive Place:
The “decisive place” must be interpreted as the target that, if successfully attacked, is most likely to achieve the goal of self defense; survival with minimum injury for yourself and your loved ones.
As a “counter-puncher” I take the target of opportunity - not a target I’ve selected as THE decisive objective required to defeat the opponent or defuse the situation. By training, I actively look for an opportunity to kick uki’s knee or throw him with harai goshi (thereby hitting him with the parking lot).
But, I’m really not very good at creating an opening to attack a desired target; another weakness in tournament competition. Oh, I can do it against less skilled opponents. And, if my opponent is virtually untrained, I can do it at will. But, against an opponent of comparable or higher skill – it’s simply a low probability outcome.
So, I have to grade myself poorly on the “decisive place” portion of the definition of Mass; call it a “D”.
Concentrate the Effects of Combat Power:
The third and last element of Mass is “concentrate the effects of combat power”. I interpret this for the self defense situation to mean – execute your attack with full power. In other words, fully commit to your technique.
I’ve found that my willingness to fully commit to a technique is directly related to my confidence in the technique. Consequently, I can and will fully commit to any one of my favorite techniques, sidekick, harai goshi, o-soto gari, or an elbow strike. I’m less willing to commit to other techniques, such as most punches, o-goshi, ippon seoi nage, or koto gaiashi.
But, under attack, I’m unlikely to attempt a technique that isn’t one of my favorites that I have confidence in.
In competition and in the dojo, I try many techniques besides my favorites. And, occasionally, they work for me, but when things get tight I go to my basics. With those I can fully commit.
Since this element of the definition is such a mixed bag, I have to rate myself as mediocre on “concentrate the effects of combat power”. I’ll give myself a “C”.
Overall Grade:
I’ve graded myself a “B” for “decisive time”; a “D” for “decisive place”; and a “C” for “concentrating the effects of combat power”. Overall, then my grade for the Principle of War: Mass is a “C”.
My take-away from this analysis is this: I want to develop a strategy and tactics for creating an opening to attack the “decisive place”. This will significantly improve my self defense capability. It wouldn’t hurt for competition either!
Next I’ll grade myself on the Principle of War: Objective.
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity
The question is; how does my personal martial arts style stack up against the Principle of War - Mass?
“Concentrate the effects of combat power at the decisive place and time.”
Decisive Time:
In a self defense situation the decisive time is NOW. Perhaps the word time in the definition above should be understood as “timing”. The self defense situation will consume seconds, perhaps minutes, but rarely hours.
Timing then refers to the coordination of your technique with the ebb and flow of your opponent’s movements. I’m a natural counter-puncher - using the word loosely – largely because my timing is quite good. I can launch a hand strike, kick, or Judo throw to take advantage of uki’s (the opponent’s) motion with high confidence of success.
My strong tendency to fight as a counter-puncher is a real disadvantage in tournament competition where aggressiveness is rewarded and defensiveness penalized. However, in self defense it can be an advantage, at least in the immediate stage of a confrontation. So, I think I score well on the “decisive time” portion of the definition. I’ll give myself a “B”.
Decisive Place:
The “decisive place” must be interpreted as the target that, if successfully attacked, is most likely to achieve the goal of self defense; survival with minimum injury for yourself and your loved ones.
As a “counter-puncher” I take the target of opportunity - not a target I’ve selected as THE decisive objective required to defeat the opponent or defuse the situation. By training, I actively look for an opportunity to kick uki’s knee or throw him with harai goshi (thereby hitting him with the parking lot).
But, I’m really not very good at creating an opening to attack a desired target; another weakness in tournament competition. Oh, I can do it against less skilled opponents. And, if my opponent is virtually untrained, I can do it at will. But, against an opponent of comparable or higher skill – it’s simply a low probability outcome.
So, I have to grade myself poorly on the “decisive place” portion of the definition of Mass; call it a “D”.
Concentrate the Effects of Combat Power:
The third and last element of Mass is “concentrate the effects of combat power”. I interpret this for the self defense situation to mean – execute your attack with full power. In other words, fully commit to your technique.
I’ve found that my willingness to fully commit to a technique is directly related to my confidence in the technique. Consequently, I can and will fully commit to any one of my favorite techniques, sidekick, harai goshi, o-soto gari, or an elbow strike. I’m less willing to commit to other techniques, such as most punches, o-goshi, ippon seoi nage, or koto gaiashi.
But, under attack, I’m unlikely to attempt a technique that isn’t one of my favorites that I have confidence in.
In competition and in the dojo, I try many techniques besides my favorites. And, occasionally, they work for me, but when things get tight I go to my basics. With those I can fully commit.
Since this element of the definition is such a mixed bag, I have to rate myself as mediocre on “concentrate the effects of combat power”. I’ll give myself a “C”.
Overall Grade:
I’ve graded myself a “B” for “decisive time”; a “D” for “decisive place”; and a “C” for “concentrating the effects of combat power”. Overall, then my grade for the Principle of War: Mass is a “C”.
My take-away from this analysis is this: I want to develop a strategy and tactics for creating an opening to attack the “decisive place”. This will significantly improve my self defense capability. It wouldn’t hurt for competition either!
Next I’ll grade myself on the Principle of War: Objective.
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Camp Budo 2010 - The Martial Arts Event I Make A Priority
Every year, Camp Budo is the one Martial Arts event that I make sure I attend. It's a long weekend filled with learning, fellowship and fun. Usually between 7 and 11 Masters of various martial arts take turns teaching principles and techniques each from their own art.
This year, Camp Budo will run from July 30th thru August 1st. I'll see you there!
Location:
Crescent Moon Dojo located at
909 Washington St.
Graham NC (just East of Burlington, NC)
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.
This year, Camp Budo will run from July 30th thru August 1st. I'll see you there!
Location:
Crescent Moon Dojo located at
909 Washington St.
Graham NC (just East of Burlington, NC)
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.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Principles of War: Self Analysis - Weapons
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
Any discussion of self defense that excludes the use of weapons is just silly. First, a serious attacker – and maybe even a drunk – is likely to attack you with a weapon. Second, a weapon is a force multiplier and if you are attacked multiplying the force you bring to bear on the attacker is a good thing,
Clearly, a gun trumps other weapons for self defense. I support the Second Amendment. I support “shall issue” concealed carry laws. And, I support people who carry concealed for self defense.
Carrying a gun is a very personal decision and it’s not for everyone. You need to know how to use it. More importantly, you need to be willing to use it when necessary and you need to clearly understand when it’s necessary.
That being said, my topic is other legal objects that I can, in a pinch, use as a force multiplier and how I train to use them.
There are three generic implements easily found or carried just about anywhere. They’re not legally classified as weapons but they can be effective force multipliers. They are: a cane (any stick-like object 2 to 4 feet long), a kubotan (any stick-like object 6 to 12 inches long), and a knife (any sharp object less than 18 inches long).
I prefer the cane and I’ve developed a sophisticated training regimen around the crooked cane or the umbrella. The problem is I don’t actually carry a cane or an umbrella with me unless it’s raining. Cane-like sticks are sometimes available in the environment, however, and if one is available I’ll certainly use it.
On the other hand, I almost always carry an aluminum barreled ball point pen about 6 inches long. I train to use this and other pens and objects as kubotans. I also carry a legal folding knife with a handle approximately 5 inches long and a 3.5 inch blade. The knife can be used as a kubotan when the blade is folded and, of course, as a knife when the blade is extended.
Either the pen or the folded knife can be brought to bear very quickly. It takes a bit longer to open the blade. Even though I train myself to open the blade with one hand it can only be done when I’m not engaged with an opponent.
So, the most likely self defense scenario would find me drawing either my pen or my folded knife to use as a kubotan. My choice of weapon would depend on which hand was most free. If my right hand is free I would draw the pen; if only my left hand is free I would draw the folded knife. That’s simply the way I carry them.
The kubotan can be used in some joint locking techniques but I don’t care for those techniques and so I use the kubotan only as a striking weapon.
The cane, however, has many effective joint locking and choking techniques that work with my style and I train with them regularly. If I can get my hands on an appropriate stick my defense capability will be multiplied five-fold.
Finally, I think I’m ready to evaluate my self defense style through the lens of the Principles of War. I’ll begin with Mass in my next post.
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity
Any discussion of self defense that excludes the use of weapons is just silly. First, a serious attacker – and maybe even a drunk – is likely to attack you with a weapon. Second, a weapon is a force multiplier and if you are attacked multiplying the force you bring to bear on the attacker is a good thing,
Clearly, a gun trumps other weapons for self defense. I support the Second Amendment. I support “shall issue” concealed carry laws. And, I support people who carry concealed for self defense.
Carrying a gun is a very personal decision and it’s not for everyone. You need to know how to use it. More importantly, you need to be willing to use it when necessary and you need to clearly understand when it’s necessary.
That being said, my topic is other legal objects that I can, in a pinch, use as a force multiplier and how I train to use them.
There are three generic implements easily found or carried just about anywhere. They’re not legally classified as weapons but they can be effective force multipliers. They are: a cane (any stick-like object 2 to 4 feet long), a kubotan (any stick-like object 6 to 12 inches long), and a knife (any sharp object less than 18 inches long).
I prefer the cane and I’ve developed a sophisticated training regimen around the crooked cane or the umbrella. The problem is I don’t actually carry a cane or an umbrella with me unless it’s raining. Cane-like sticks are sometimes available in the environment, however, and if one is available I’ll certainly use it.
On the other hand, I almost always carry an aluminum barreled ball point pen about 6 inches long. I train to use this and other pens and objects as kubotans. I also carry a legal folding knife with a handle approximately 5 inches long and a 3.5 inch blade. The knife can be used as a kubotan when the blade is folded and, of course, as a knife when the blade is extended.
Either the pen or the folded knife can be brought to bear very quickly. It takes a bit longer to open the blade. Even though I train myself to open the blade with one hand it can only be done when I’m not engaged with an opponent.
So, the most likely self defense scenario would find me drawing either my pen or my folded knife to use as a kubotan. My choice of weapon would depend on which hand was most free. If my right hand is free I would draw the pen; if only my left hand is free I would draw the folded knife. That’s simply the way I carry them.
The kubotan can be used in some joint locking techniques but I don’t care for those techniques and so I use the kubotan only as a striking weapon.
The cane, however, has many effective joint locking and choking techniques that work with my style and I train with them regularly. If I can get my hands on an appropriate stick my defense capability will be multiplied five-fold.
Finally, I think I’m ready to evaluate my self defense style through the lens of the Principles of War. I’ll begin with Mass in my next post.
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Principles of War: Self Analysis – Chokes & Joint Locks
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
I prefer to fight standing up. In a self defense situation you can’t know how many allies your opponent may have nearby. Your opponent may have concealed weapons and certainly has the possibility of picking up expedient weapons from the environment. For these reasons, I think it imprudent to be immobilized on the ground.
Nevertheless, sometimes going to the ground may be unavoidable. This is when choking and joint locking techniques become primary self defense tools.
My favorite chokes are nami juji jimi (a two-hand collar strangle), gaku juji jimi (one-hand on the collar and one on the lapel face to face), okuri uri jimi (one-hand on the collar and one on the lapel applied from behind) and two versions of hadaka jimi (naked choke – that is without using the opponent’s clothing to execute the technique).
By far, my favorite joint lock is juji gatame the classic Judo arm bar. Less effective but generally easier to get is a “chicken wing-like wrist lock or finger locks and knuckle jams.
Chokes and joint locks can be applied standing but rarely are. It’s difficult to immobilize your opponent enough to hold these techniques while standing and moving around on your feet.
Before I dissect my personal style using the Principles of War standard, I must address self defense weapons; those carried with you and the expedient weapons found on the field of the contest. That will be the subject of the next post.
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity
I prefer to fight standing up. In a self defense situation you can’t know how many allies your opponent may have nearby. Your opponent may have concealed weapons and certainly has the possibility of picking up expedient weapons from the environment. For these reasons, I think it imprudent to be immobilized on the ground.
Nevertheless, sometimes going to the ground may be unavoidable. This is when choking and joint locking techniques become primary self defense tools.
My favorite chokes are nami juji jimi (a two-hand collar strangle), gaku juji jimi (one-hand on the collar and one on the lapel face to face), okuri uri jimi (one-hand on the collar and one on the lapel applied from behind) and two versions of hadaka jimi (naked choke – that is without using the opponent’s clothing to execute the technique).
By far, my favorite joint lock is juji gatame the classic Judo arm bar. Less effective but generally easier to get is a “chicken wing-like wrist lock or finger locks and knuckle jams.
Chokes and joint locks can be applied standing but rarely are. It’s difficult to immobilize your opponent enough to hold these techniques while standing and moving around on your feet.
Before I dissect my personal style using the Principles of War standard, I must address self defense weapons; those carried with you and the expedient weapons found on the field of the contest. That will be the subject of the next post.
Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War
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