
Ninjutsu Martial Arts Strategy: Key Moments & Phases in a Self-Defense Situation
Author: Jeffrey Miller
A major pivoting point in my ninjutsu martial arts learning process happened when I realized that there was something more going on than just the punching, kicking, and what-not, that makes up conventional martial arts and self-defense training. In fact, once I saw it happening, my mind shifted away from the typical orientation toward this "style" or that, and started looking beyond the techniques themselves to...
...what was being "done" by each move in a technique string. The question I began to ask was, "what's the logic behind the moves?" And, "why are the moves where they are in this particular string?" And THAT is what the book, "Controlling the Fight: The 5 Keys of Effective Self-Defense Strategy," is all about. It's about understanding and recognizing the keys, or bridges, between one phase... ...one strategic moment... ...in a self-defense situation, and another. It's about controlling the "pieces" of a fight-scenario that must be strategically managed in the correct order, and at the correct time, if you are to be successful. What are these critical moments within the flow of the fight? Let me first tell you what they're NOT. They are not... ...when you're fist makes contact with the surface of your assailant's body... ...when you lock his joints to immobilize him and prevent him from continuing to fight... ...when you take up your "way-cool" stance... ...the way with which you've been taught to hold your weapon, or... ...a hundred other "things" that most books, videos, and schools of martial arts and self-defense focus almost exclusively on. But, they are not NOT these things either. If you don't understand what I'm trying to point out here, you won't see it. Confused? Don't be. The point here is that, behind any move or technique itself - the punch, lock, throw, etc. - there is a "reason" that THAT particular technique is being done at THAT way, and at THAT particular time. There is something that the technique is either doing 'for' us or 'to' our attacker that gains, maintains, or accentuates our control of the situation. In short... ...there is something that makes a particular technique RIGHT and APPROPRIATE for any given moment... ...and completely WRONG for another. And, make no mistake here. We are talking about a scientific application of principles that work, and have worked for centuries. And, this science works... ...for whoever is knowledgeable of, and in control of it in the fight! What it means is this; if you know how to use this scientific application and make it the logic behind your strategic use of your skills and techniques, then you will probably win. If you don't and your assailant does, you will lose. So, what are these key moments or critical phases? They are... 1) Your ability to assess your situation and understand what the assailant is doing or attempting to do to you. 2) Your defense against his incoming attacks. This is your ability to neutralize the effect that his attacks were to have on you. 3) How you unbalance him in a way that prevents your assailant from going on with his own strategy and literally puts him in a position of weakness. 4) The actual counter-attack that you use to knock him back or take him to the ground. This is the phase where you actually take the fight to him. 5) Your ability to assess the effect that your technique has had on your assailant and what your next move (escape, restrain him, or prepare for another barrage of attacks) should be. In my attempt to learn how to really be successful at defending myself and others, I was lucky enough to find some teachers who could point the way towards many of these answers. Unfortunately (or fortunately, as this caused me to have to really look), we're not talking about the step-by-step mechanics of the "style" here, as these can be taught by practically anyone to almost anyone else. What we ARE talking about is something that cannot be seen unless you know what you're looking for. It's invisible to the naked eye but there nonetheless. Just know this. Each of these critical moments - these keys - is an important, no crucial, element in any overall defense strategy. But, where the book "The Karate-Myth" focused on the big-picture defense strategy that lead from General Awareness to Actually having to Deal with the Attacker (remember?), what I'm talking about here is the little-picture strategy of phase 6 - "dealing with the attack." Where an overall general self-defense strategy is ultimately designed to "avoid" dangerous situations altogether; this life-saving knowledge is all about effectively and efficiently handling one one you find yourself in it. And, when the "rubber-meets-the-road," so-to-speak... ...it doesn't matter how many way-cool techniques you know, so much as... ...what you can "do" with them. Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and director of Warrior Concepts International in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He is the author of the "Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery" eCourse, which is available free of charge to subscribers of his self defense newsletter. You can subscribe to the newsletter at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter-subscribe-self-defense.html He is also the creator of the EDR: Non-Martial Arts Defensive Training Program, author of the book, "The Karate-Myth" as-well-as the powerful, "Danger Prevention Tactics" video. Additional information is available by visiting http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com
More Martial Arts and Self Defense Articles
The Exciting History of Judo
Judo is based on the movements of Ju-jitsu. The origins of Ju-jitsu can be traced back two thousand years, though it is probable that the forms practised then were more like modern Japanese Sumo wrestling than Judo as we know it. Some historians...read more
Martial Arts - Judo versus BJJ
This is one of the hottest topics up for debate in the martial arts community and quite frankly I don't think either side understands the other's point of view. The bulk of the issue stems from the many misconceptions of the two respective arts...read more
The Shaolin Workout - More Chi!
Sifu often encourages his students with the cheer "More chi! Train harder!" What does this mean? Chi (also spelled qi) is often translated as "life force." It is similar to what we in the West mean by "energy," but it's much more than that. Chi...read more
Kubotan for Self Defense
My first experience with a Kubotan made me a true believer in their effectiveness. It was an autumn day about 5 years ago when I was walking home from a local softball game. I was approached by a rather large man who asked me for a light for his...read more
The Link between Yoga, Mindfulness, and Weight Loss - Part 2
Some of you may still do this, but remember when most people gave thanks, prayed, or said grace at the table? We can still be thankful to our family members or their company, the cook for his or her skill, to those who brought the food home, and...read more
Bruce Lee and Wing Chun
If you consider yourself a gentle person and never would expect to be involved into any
fight or life-threatening confrontation, but still want to learn how to protect yourself and
your family in case you were to be engaged in a life or death...read more
Self-Defense Gadgets And Gizmo's - Should You Carry A Personal Safety Weapon?
It's sad to think that we have to consider arming or equipping ourselves to feel safe. The truth of the matter is however, that violence can happen to anyone. A Personal Safety Device can help you avoid or escape a sudden attack. Should you...read more
Self Defense Education - Three Sure-Fire Ways to Teach Your Child About Safety
Self Defense Education – There are three sure-fire ways to teach your child to be truly 'Kid Safe'. A child needs to know there are two types of self defense. Physical, which gives them the tools needed to keep them safe. And mental self defense,...read more
7 Surefire Self Defense Tips Criminals Want Women To Never Learn.
Self defense tips for women. Are you at risk? What makes a woman a perfect target? Here are 7 ultimate techniques and weaknesses criminals who were interviewed look for to take advantage of you. These tips aren’t just for the busy holidays either....read more
In A Self-Defense Situation Fight Smarter, Not Harder
If you've ever seen or been a part of a conventional martial arts program, one of the things you may have noticed is the level of activity of the students according to rank. It seems like the white belts do little to get results - they have the...read more
|