04/15/2026
I have found there are four parts to my style, probably not just mine as I have been influenced by many styles.
1.) Striking. Not just striking, but striking specific areas such as ribs, jaw, chin, shoulders, nose, eyes, knees, hips and abdomen. That was not a complete list, just some of the targets. Striking and kicking other parts of the body are distractions designed to open the opponent up for the real targets.
2.) Seizing and controlling. Not just grappling, attacking specific muscles groups and joints with the intent of controlling and incapacitating the opponent. Targets such as the trapizious muscles, biceps, triceps, inner thigh muscles, glutamus maximus and minimus, solar plexus, and soft areas such as the arm pit, trachea or groin.
3.) Breaking the Structure. This is not off balancing, this is a hyper extension of the head and neck area so that the opponent has no choice but to fall. This includes several of the techniques taught by Master Shepherd as well as techniques taught in both Aikido and Kempo.
4.) Off balancing (Kazushi). This is the goal and can lead to the breaking of the opponent's structure. To bring the opponent into an area where they are fighting to remain upright instead of fighting us. This is achieved through redirection, displacement, triangulation and manipulation of the centerline.
I have found that these are taught, in some form or another, in almost all martial arts. Some usually focus on one or two more than the others.