What is Strategy?

Strategy is the map you follow through the combat process. It begins when you first see your opponent and ends when the opponent is subdued. Strategy is like a game plan or a play book from which you select your course of action according to the opponent and situation presented.

Using Deception in Fighting

To deceive the opponent, simply pretend something that is not true. Become an actor on a stage. The better you act, the easier it is to implement your strategy. Deceive your opponent into being busy. The busier he is reacting to your deception, the less time he has to think about attacking you.

Create many feints, fakes and draws that are convincing. Sometimes fake and sometimes attack. Make your opponent wonder whether every movement is a real attack or a fake. Keep his mind busy and insecure. Cause him to make useless movements and disrupt his plans. Take advantage of his mistakes. Cause him to miss. Make him defend against your fake attacks. Make him expend large amounts of energy without getting positive results.

Never let him become confident or comfortable with your style. Defeat him psychologically and you are half way to victory.

The role of Physical Ability in Fighting

Your physical ability is determined by the amount and quality of your practice. Every practice session should have a specific goal and every movement should be practiced with its application in mind. Avoid random or repetitious practice.

The Importance of Adaptation in Fighting

There is one additional necessity‒adaptation, which is the ability to adapt your tools or plans according to how the current situation is changing. Suppose you have your blueprint and the required tools and materials for your house. You begin to dig a hole for the basement and find that the ground is solid rock.

If you stick to your original plan, you will expend a large amount of energy to create very little gain. Here, it is wise to revise your original plan according to your newly gathered facts.

The human element of combat creates many instances of change. What appeared to be possible becomes impossible. What appeared to be unrealistic, becomes realistic. Constantly monitor the current circumstances to see if you can adapt your strategy or tactics to a better course of action. Watch for unexpected openings and be prepared with alternative plans when your original fails.

Defining Combat

Conflict between opposing forces. This is the most universal definition of combat. The concept of combat is that of opposition, resistance, competition, discord. And in many instances of combat, this is the reality. Most conflict is born of animosity, anger, fear, hate, or another negative emotion.

But there is another type of combat, that of warriors, those trained in the art of combat not just the skills. They may begin the fight out of emotion, but once they engage the opponent, emotion disappears. It is replaced by total concentration and dedication to a single ideal—victory.

The 4 Basic Punches

Straight Punch

Key: The straight punch provides the most direct route of attack for the fist to high and middle section targets.
Targets: Face, solar plexus

Hook Punch
Key: The hook moves in an inward arc that utilizes the angle of the elbow to magnify the force of the upper body and the fist.
Targets: Torso, jaw

Uppercut
Key: The uppercut moves in an upward arc using the angle of the elbow to magnify the power of the hips and lower body with the impact force of the fist.
Targets: Chin, diaphragm, groin

Downward Punch
Key: The downward punch moves in the opposite direction of the uppercut and is based on the same principle of magnifying force through unification.
Targets: Face, sternum