Controlling Time and Space.
In Five Animal Kenpo, we control time and space. Every physical movement that interchanges between us and our attacker is a duel for control over the four dimensions of our existence. Each of us occupy any one point in space at any one point in time. The strategic control over timing and space decides the outcome of victory or defeat.
We exist in space along three dimensions: height, width, and depth. In general, height is our ability to raise and lower. Width is our ability to rotate right or left. Depth is our ability to advance or retreat. We must maintain our own proper dimensions of height, width, and depth to maximize our fighting effectiveness. Likewise, we must diminish and control our opponent's spacial dimension to limit his effectiveness.
We can compress or expand our height to meet our strategic needs. In general, the taller we stand the greater our mobility, but the less rooted is our stability. In contrast, the lower we stand the greater our stability, but the less agile is our mobility. In general, you will notice that as range closes between opponents that height is also reduced. The ultimate reduction of height occurs when both opponents eventually grapple to the ground. When height is cancelled or restricted, it generally will have the effect of neutralizing our opponent's ability to kick. A common method of controlling the height of an attacker is to strike to the groin. The pain of a groin injury will result in the opponent bending over, placing weight over and in front of the legs, which will eliminate the immediate threat of his kicking tools.
Width determines how much of our target plane faces our opponent. Facing your attacker squarely will increase your offensive response but also exposes agreater target vulnerability. Turning sideways will reduce your target exposure but also eliminates half of your offense. A diagonal orientation (such as a neutral bow) compromises between offensive effectiveness and defensive vulnerability. The greater your skill the more likely you will want to face your opponent squarely. Width, the ability to rotate, is the dimension utilized for punching. If you can control your attacker's ability to turn, you have cancelled or reduced his ability to punch. By checking or locking your opponent's lead ankle and knee, you can easily control his ability to rotate and thus cancel out his punching threat.
Depth is our ability to advance or retreat. By controlling depth, we control the range of the encounter. Footwork is the key to controlling depth. If we can restrict our opponent's footwork while maintaining our own mobility, then we will win the battle of range. Causing injury to the attacker's knee is an excellent way of quickly establishing depth control because his mobility has been restricted. Like a bicycle with a flat tire, our opponent will not move forward easily if injured.
Timing is the secret ingredient of effective martial arts. With correct timing, you can defeat an otherwise stronger and faster opponent. Timing control is achieved when the opponent is never given "his turn" to hit. The key to controlling timing is to occupy your opponent with pain while also controlling space (height, width, and depth). Do not trade punches with an attacker. While your opponent is still engaged in his initial attack, strike an exposed vital target that will allow you to strike again. Like a pool player who clears the table by using one shot to set up the next one, we must not allow our opponent to attack us more than once. Sparring back and forth is a poor method of self-defense. Here are the common mistakes in controlling timing:
1. Blocking and then hitting. Simultaneous block with hit is critical to establish control.
2. Allowing opponent to recover before following up with next strike.
3. Striking on an angle or to a target that invites an attackers retaliation by sending his weapon into orbit.
4. Knocking your opponent away from you allowing him to recover before the distance can be covered.
5. Striking first with a commited blow to your opponent. If you find the need to strike first, deliver a quick whipping blow to his shin or knee and then follow up to other targets.
By controlling time and space you will control the fight. Every action in combat should increase your position while eroding your opponent's.
Controlling Time and Space. © 1999 Trevor Haines
We exist in space along three dimensions: height, width, and depth. In general, height is our ability to raise and lower. Width is our ability to rotate right or left. Depth is our ability to advance or retreat. We must maintain our own proper dimensions of height, width, and depth to maximize our fighting effectiveness. Likewise, we must diminish and control our opponent's spacial dimension to limit his effectiveness.
We can compress or expand our height to meet our strategic needs. In general, the taller we stand the greater our mobility, but the less rooted is our stability. In contrast, the lower we stand the greater our stability, but the less agile is our mobility. In general, you will notice that as range closes between opponents that height is also reduced. The ultimate reduction of height occurs when both opponents eventually grapple to the ground. When height is cancelled or restricted, it generally will have the effect of neutralizing our opponent's ability to kick. A common method of controlling the height of an attacker is to strike to the groin. The pain of a groin injury will result in the opponent bending over, placing weight over and in front of the legs, which will eliminate the immediate threat of his kicking tools.
Width determines how much of our target plane faces our opponent. Facing your attacker squarely will increase your offensive response but also exposes agreater target vulnerability. Turning sideways will reduce your target exposure but also eliminates half of your offense. A diagonal orientation (such as a neutral bow) compromises between offensive effectiveness and defensive vulnerability. The greater your skill the more likely you will want to face your opponent squarely. Width, the ability to rotate, is the dimension utilized for punching. If you can control your attacker's ability to turn, you have cancelled or reduced his ability to punch. By checking or locking your opponent's lead ankle and knee, you can easily control his ability to rotate and thus cancel out his punching threat.
Depth is our ability to advance or retreat. By controlling depth, we control the range of the encounter. Footwork is the key to controlling depth. If we can restrict our opponent's footwork while maintaining our own mobility, then we will win the battle of range. Causing injury to the attacker's knee is an excellent way of quickly establishing depth control because his mobility has been restricted. Like a bicycle with a flat tire, our opponent will not move forward easily if injured.
Timing is the secret ingredient of effective martial arts. With correct timing, you can defeat an otherwise stronger and faster opponent. Timing control is achieved when the opponent is never given "his turn" to hit. The key to controlling timing is to occupy your opponent with pain while also controlling space (height, width, and depth). Do not trade punches with an attacker. While your opponent is still engaged in his initial attack, strike an exposed vital target that will allow you to strike again. Like a pool player who clears the table by using one shot to set up the next one, we must not allow our opponent to attack us more than once. Sparring back and forth is a poor method of self-defense. Here are the common mistakes in controlling timing:
1. Blocking and then hitting. Simultaneous block with hit is critical to establish control.
2. Allowing opponent to recover before following up with next strike.
3. Striking on an angle or to a target that invites an attackers retaliation by sending his weapon into orbit.
4. Knocking your opponent away from you allowing him to recover before the distance can be covered.
5. Striking first with a commited blow to your opponent. If you find the need to strike first, deliver a quick whipping blow to his shin or knee and then follow up to other targets.
By controlling time and space you will control the fight. Every action in combat should increase your position while eroding your opponent's.
Controlling Time and Space. © 1999 Trevor Haines