05/25/2019
Martial diagnostic skills
When we first start training in the Martial Arts we are taught a series of basic stances, punches, Techniques and forms. We are not taught how to think about these basics so we never learn how to think. Thinking about why are we doing this? What advantages does it give me? What disadvantages does it give me? How does this work outside of the form, IE the mechanics. Why does it work? Again Mechanics. So this is a discussion about basic Mechanics and the Logic of testing our movements, techniques and forms.
All techniques have a starting point, we have to ask how we got here. Not just starting the technique or form from this position, then blindly following the technique or form to the perceived end result. This end result can be a roadblock for many people because if they don’t get the result by performing the technique or form they don’t know how to solve this problem. So as an example I am going to use Oni Kudaki (standing Amerikan). So after the punch we place our hands in the positions of the technique and bring the elbow towards yourself and the wrist of the same arm away from you. But if we step in to close to the Uke we bring the elbow down because we cannot compress the Humerus bone so it drops close to the torso. From this position if we try to execute the Oni Kudaki the uke and is easily resisted by drawing the elbow close to the torso. This makes the ex*****on of Oni Kudaki very hard and requires extreme strength to force your way through the resistance. Also the step you took to lower the elbow also stabilized the uke’s balance.
So if we reverse engineer the technique we eventually discover the core of the technique is to rotate the Humerus bone at the shoulder socket to lock up the tendons and muscles of the shoulder, locking it. So back step one more step so the torso is upright in alignment with gravity, so to rotate the Humerus in the shoulder socket you have to have the humerus extended out to the side parallel to the ground so the Humerus is centered in the shoulder socket. This requires that we do not step in close to the Uke, but to a position further out from the uke. Back stepping one more step once we get the arm extended we need to have a lever to rotate the Humerus in the shoulder socket. So we bend the elbow at a 90 degree angle to the extended arm. This gives use a crank that when we keep the Humerus extended and lower the wrist of uke’s arm behind them. Thus rotating the humerus in the shoulder socket until all tendons and muscles are locked and the Uke falls. So we can determine that if we move to close that we cannot execute the shoulder lock. We adjust the distance to a position where the humerus is lined up perpendicular to the torso. This could violate the form. But did it work? If so why? Don’t wait for your instructor to tell you why, or except the Bullcrap answer “Because it’s how I was taught!” or “Because it’s always been that way!” don’t put your trust in someone else’s answers unless you can verify them. It’s this verification that is very important. But in many cases to verify if the technique or form are working or not, means looking for options on how to achieve the end results. As we start this process don’t hang on to the form because doing so will limit your ability to look for options. As we start to find options some may assist us with the form we are validating and some will not. You need to look at validation sets.
The following example can be practiced while doing two person training and review of the basic Movement and techniques. You can break all the rules so you don’t have any points of exploration that remove options. If the technique is valid you will validate it through scientifically applying the proper diagnostic procedure. It’s ok to start with the form and end up doing a completely different form as a result of your findings. You may not have a deep enough understanding of the form and associated basics to perform it. The form may be flawed, or require armor to make sense why you would leave an opening for the opponent. The form maybe only practiced empty handed rather than with a weapon because weapons may have been outlawed by the Ruling Government. Keep in mind that many martial arts are centuries old and the premier weapons and armor technology of that age are not used today. Making the form not function as well as it would when equipped with that ancient technology. Example: a round house kick to the head cannot be executed by soldiers wearing full combat gear and pack. So they would use something else that works within the limitations of there gear.
Example:
What is safe?
We need to look at what the definition of safe is. This depends on the situation and environment we are in as some of the characteristics will change.
Am I safe?
Am I in a position of advantage? If not then that should be your goal to find a position that disadvantages the opponent.
What is distance?
Do I have control of the distance?
Through the use of proper footwork do you have the ability to move to positions that advantage you and disadvantage the opponent? If not study the footwork to find ways to achieve the control of the distance.
What is balance?
Do I have control of my balance?
Are you off balance? Is this by design from the opponent? If you do not have control of your balance then you need to examine why not.
Do I have control of the opponents balance?Is the opponent off balance? Do I have control or the ability to effect the opponents balance in a way to give me a positional or tactical advantage? If not you must examine why not?
Example:
How does it work?
Why does it work?
Can I recreate the technique or form?
If I cannot recreate the technique or form, why?
Again this is just an example of a diagnostic flow to examine why a technique or form is not working. It is not set in stone but a method to allow for flexible thinking and testing techniques and forms. Forms are only the place to start your training not the end result or destination. Look at what were the premier weapons and armor of that age and geographic location. Let’s look at Muay Tai. Muay Tai is famous for its brutal kicks with the shin bone. If we go back 300 years we see that soldiers of the time in the region that is modern Thailand, High temperatures limited the amount of armor worn. So small central breastplates the size of a dinner plate where used, but the important connection is when we look at their footwear. The jungles of Southeast Asia are full of cutting and slashing plants. So logic dictates that your foot and leg wear need protection. So you find all over this region metal shin guards worn by warriors and soldiers. Protects your legs up to the knee from plant and snake bites. Some of this shin guards had chisel shape so to increase pe*******on through the muscle to the bone. Now combine the use of metal shin guards and Muay Tai you see the connection. Something just got forgotten along the way. Soldiers stop wearing the metal shin guards at some point. Shin guards may have been replaced by a material to protect the legs. It also explains the conditioning of the shin to deliver these attacks. Without the shin guard Physical modification of the body is required to get similar results. Now the type of kicks, targets attacked, are effective without the shin guards. But if we add the shin armor it all of a sudden makes crystal clear logical sense. The high front kick leg block with the shin forward to the incoming attack might not be the best way to receive that attack, unless you happen to have a metal or even bamboo armor covering your shin. So if your shins can’t take the conditioning of Muay Tai you can wear soccer shin guards. No one will want to spar with you when you do. Why? Because it hurts when they get hit more than without the shin guards. This is another method for diagnosing a technique or form. I call it Martial Arts Archeology
You have to be free in your approach as to how you troubleshoot techniques and forms. Otherwise you will have limitations in your search for the truth in Martial Arts. This is your journey not someone else’s so take all advice, critique, comments and examine them but never lose sight of your final goal to survive a violent encounter. You will notice that I said survive not win the encounter. This is very important. There is a huge difference between surviving and winning a fight. In some fights the winner dies, not a desirable result for us. So how do we minimize danger in our life? The answer is Awareness! (Subject of another article).
So in conclusion you need to develop a method to validate techniques and forms that is unbiased and based in Science and Logic. I have mentioned some methods earlier in this article use those as a guide and develop new methods in your search for Martial Truth. To repeat a simple method:
How does it work?
Why does it work?
What is safe?
Am I safe?
Do I have control of my balance?
Do I have control of my opponents balance?
Do I have control of distancing and positioning to minimize vulnerabilities to the opponent?
Do I have control of the distancing and positioning to maximize vulnerabilities of the opponent?
I hope that the reader finds this interesting and useful.
