The Coin Does Drop

"You win battles by knowing the enemy's timing, and using a timing the enemy does not expect."

-Miramoto Musashi

 

 

Generally speaking people react similarly to things. That's why there are such things as genre as comedy or horror. We are instilled, from birth and culture how to react. But training can also override and empower such reactions.

For example, we are taught in martial arts how not to flinch when something approaches our eyes or groin. We do this so we can ignore an instinctive reactions to close our eyes or shy away- not only because such involuntary movements can cripple us while instinctively protecting those areas, such as by blinding us (closing our eyes) or making us lose a position of defense, but because the lack of control also means we are still programmable. If A happens then B happens, and if B happens C-Z is possible.

We, as martial artists, and in control, do not want to be programmable. When our opponent or enemy can expect us to do a certain thing, they can manipulate and use that thing.

Our goal is to do that. For example, if I punch a straight to their face, I expect them to move either right or left to avoid the blow. Fighting is more than chess, its a kind of physical programming in a certain sense. If they move to the right I throw a roundhouse kick from the right. If they move to the right, after my hand is extended I pump it through a backfist going to the left. If they back up I pursue, and they lose ground and thus position.

If they block I pump the punch hitting over and over until the arm is numb. These are all situational, but if you do the right thing at the right time it works. That's the point of this; a combination works because one strike leads to the opportunity to use another.

If I do a ridge hand and they block is, I will wrap my arm around theirs' to strike them through a back fist. This becomes a knife chop to backfist.

It's not about a specific combination; I can still remember those I've drilled. Front punch- back punch, front kick then back leg front kick. It's about understanding what happens when you do something, and using it to lead to something else.

It's all about how you chain them together.

When you drop a coin you know it falls straight down. When you throw a ball against a wall you know it will bounce and richochete off; but if you can know where the coin will fall and when, you can always catch it. When you can try eventually you can find how the ball will go, and catch it.

Think on it; program your opponent to react as you want, and then win.

"The more complicated and restricted the method, the less the opportunity the expression for one's original sense of freedom."

-Bruce Lee