|
Navigation
|
 |
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Article Navigation:
Want to write?
We're always looking for new writers and people willing to help out with the magazine and site. If you're interested, [Click here for more info]. |
|
Stay Updated!
If you'd like to stay updated and recieve a notice when the next issue of is released, just sign up at our forums by [Clicking here]. We will send out a mass e-mail to all our members when the next issue is released. |
|
Your Comments
Let us know how you feel about this issue. We will read e-mail sent and would appreciate any comments and/or suggestions that you may have. [Click here]. |
|
|
|
 |
Tactic III
by Woody Long, Author of Martial Mind For Martial Artists
(For more information on Woody Long and where to find Martial Mind for All, please click on the above banner.)
(Please see IronLife Magazine Issues 9-11 for Woody Long's previous articles on combat sports tactics.)
Last time we focused on shaping and closing, the two tools of tactics. We saw how techniques are used to either shape the opponent, or close for major disruption. In tactical science any contact made on the opponent is called a strike. So martial art techniques are first sorted into arm strikes (hand/elbow), leg strikes (foot/knee), throw/takedown strikes, and ground fighting strikes. These techniques are employed to either shape the opponent up, or close him down.
Tactical fighters who shape and close intentionally based on the situation feel "spring loaded," ready to pounce on the arising condition. There are only three basic conditions to remember:
(1) IF opponent is backed off THEN initiate offense with tools.
(
2) IF opponent is incoming THEN defend with tools.
(3) IF you need to avoid/regroup THEN retrograde (no tools).
Can you feel the laser-like focus, the spring-loaded tension, ready to be instantly released given a new arising situation, say a sudden need to thwart an incoming opponent, or a sudden chance to advance? Do you feel like you are surveying the opponent, as cold as a mad bull would, ready to react in an instant to the arising situation? Ahh, the great science of tactics!
So offense (advancing), defense (thwarting), and retrograding are the three building blocks of the combat fight. The opponent is incoming? Defend with the two tools. The opponent is backed off? Advance with the two tools. And retrograde as needed to avoid or regroup. These are the elementary principles of tactics. Thwart incoming with the two tools. Advance with the two tools. Remember this, and you know basic tactics.
The next level of tactics, skill level 2 tactics, describes the general tactics that are available for each of the three types of combat operations. There are two general tactics available for retrograding, three for defense, and six for offense. These eleven tactics for martial arts are naturally occuring possibilities that were gathered from US military tactical science. You have probably used most of them, but perhaps don't know the tactical terms for them.
How universal are these tactics? I once posted a tactics quiz in a forum giving these three obscure clues and asking the reader to name that tactic. It was a captain in the US Army who was able to guess two out of three, just from these small clues:
(1) If he's runnin stun him.
(2) If he's cracked put him on his back.
(3) If he's glazed ruin his days.
Glazed is not a very clear way to say the opponent is confused and uncertain what to do, he is frozen in indecision. If I had explained it to him this way, he would have guessed the spoiler tactic immediately. The weakness is a glazed opponent. The spring loaded response is to immediately initiate a spoiler tactic, shaping and closing hard for major disruption
Cracked is a term for when the opponent is made physically damaged or mentally groggy. This weakness is called a cracked opponent. The spring loaded response is to immediately initiate an exploit tactic, shaping and closing hard for major disruption.
Running is a term for when the opponent is retrograding or moving away from you hastily. This weakness is called a running opponent. The spring loaded response is to immediately initiate a pursuit tactic, shaping and closing hard for major disruption.
These are three commonly arising chances to advance and the tactical fighter knows them well, and is always on the look out for them. So assess the situation first and foremostly for an incoming opponent versus a backed off opponent. But keep an eye out for a glazed, cracked, or running opponent, as these are ideal times to advance.
Well that's three of the offensive tactics. Memorize them and program them into your mind, the way you program your techniques into your muscles, and you will be well on your way to knowing skill level 2 tactics. Look for more next month, in Tactics IV, found only here, in IronLife Magazine Issue 13.
Note about the author: Woody Long has studied combat tai chi and US combat tactics since 1987. This article was adapted from his book, Martial Mind For Martial Artists.
* Article by Woody Long, Author of Martial Mind For Martial Artists .
* Back to This Issue's Frontpage
|
|
|
