Change of Tactics

Change of tactics states that if conventional tactics work, use them and if not abandon them for what works. Use every available option until you succeed. There are situations where even the mastery of conventional tactics is not enough to save you.

If you try striking and it fails, change to grabbing or throwing. If that doesn’t work, try locking or immobilization. If that doesn’t work, go back to striking. Often a combination of different attacks and tactics can extricate you where a single type of attack cannot. Consequently, Junsado emphasizes a diverse array of simple, practical skills that can be combined to defeat any style of opponent.

Often, empty hand striking alone will not be strong enough to defeat your opponent. When you find yourself in this situation, search out and use common environmental weapons. The list of possible environmental weapons is limited only by your creativity. Use whatever is necessary and works for you.

Using Circular Movement to Destroy the Opponent's Balance

Circular movement is excellent for destroying the opponent’s balance. Circular movements create two opposing but complementary forces that follow each other on the circumference of the circle. Examples include hip throws,
shoulder throws and rear hook takedowns. The theory of the circle applies to many different movements. The primary circles found in combat are:

1. The circle created by you and your opponent moving together.
2. The circle created by one person moving independently of the other.
3. The circle created by the movement of individual body parts.
4. The circle created by the force of one or a series of movements/blows.
5. The circle created by one person’s manipulation of the other.

Circular motion has the added advantage of centripetal force. When you move your arms and legs in circular kicking or striking motions, you become the center of the circle and the force of your blows is increased by the circular force generated. When you execute a throw, your body becomes the center of the circle and initiates the force of the throw. The weight of the opponent increases the force, which culminates in the impact with the ground.

Timing in the Fighting Arts

Timing is the ability to control the speed of your attack so it reaches its maximum efficiency at the proper moment. Timing is a combination of speed, accuracy and reflexes. To achieve proper timing, you must synchronize the various parts of your body to fit the speed of the movement being executed.

There are two types of timing: action timing and reaction timing. Action timing means selecting the right action at the right time. Simply put, find an opening and take advantage of it. Action timing is used for initiative attacks
against a neutral or defensive opponent.

Reaction timing is assessing your opponent’s offensive movements and selecting a proper response. It is commonly used in counterattacking. Reaction timing is always in response to an attack by the opponent and is more difficult to establish than action timing.

Both types of timing require good perception and judgment, accurate muscular response and correct performance of the intended movement. The body and brain must be synchronized to assess the current situation, select a proper response and execute the response in the time allowed.