Since joining the ubbt, I've become a fan of setting challenges for myself. For example, for the month of July I didn't drink any pop, nor did I eat anything from a can. Now, as of Aug 24, I will be beginning the 3 month vegetarian challenge for the ubbt. It should be fun I think, but I'll have to call up some of my vegetarian friends for some good recipes.
In other news, I'm learning a new broadsword form and thus far it is an amazingly fun time. I'm looking forward to tonight when I learn more of it.
Another new thing is some friends are trying to get me to move in with them. It sounds like fun aside from it costing money while my parents' house is free.
Ben Davies
Silent River Kung fu
Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Victory through Control
It has been said (by Tai Kung, I believe), that a victory through battle is no victory at all; a conflict should be won long before violence erupts. This is as true for individuals as it is for armies.
However, one must be ready should they fail to avoid violence; therefore, we spar. This blog entry is about sparring tactics, but I want you to think of it in a more general way.
First, to get your brain pumping, think about board game tactics. Go is the greatest strategy game I've seen, with Shogi in second and Chess third. Since you may not know what the first two are, I'll use Chess as my example.
A good chess player doesn't move his pieces into strong positions; rather, he moves his oponent's pieces into a weak position. You see, there are a finite number of possible moves in chess, and so one can predict what their oponent is going to do several moves ahead, and if one moves properly, can force their oponent to make certain moves.
Sparring is the same way. One has a finite number directions to move, strikes to launch, and targets to hit. The secret to predicting your oponent and projecting a few moves ahead is in having an undrstanding of what you can force your oponent to do. A strike to the head, for example, must be dealt with. Depending on the strike, there are a small number of ways to deal with it. If you know the finite list of moves they can use, you can be prepared for it.
Everyone has a pattern, and it is always logical.
This knowledge allows for executing some impressive techniques which otherwise be relegated to dreams and movies with bad acting. For example, I've been working on a technique to flank my oponent. It relies entirely on forcing them to react to me in such a way that I can put their guards where I want them. So far, it seems to be unstopable if the first technique lands. Of course, things rarely go according to plan and as soon as the technique lands they can counter with the same principles.
An example of these prinicples would be the effect of throwing a strike towards the head. At least one arm always moves to defend and at least one foot remains essentially stationary. Of course, this is based on what most oponents I've faced do, not a solid rule.
I'll leave it here for tonight before I sagway right into writing a manifesto.
Ben Davies
Silent River Kung fu
Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
www.silentriverkungfu.com
However, one must be ready should they fail to avoid violence; therefore, we spar. This blog entry is about sparring tactics, but I want you to think of it in a more general way.
First, to get your brain pumping, think about board game tactics. Go is the greatest strategy game I've seen, with Shogi in second and Chess third. Since you may not know what the first two are, I'll use Chess as my example.
A good chess player doesn't move his pieces into strong positions; rather, he moves his oponent's pieces into a weak position. You see, there are a finite number of possible moves in chess, and so one can predict what their oponent is going to do several moves ahead, and if one moves properly, can force their oponent to make certain moves.
Sparring is the same way. One has a finite number directions to move, strikes to launch, and targets to hit. The secret to predicting your oponent and projecting a few moves ahead is in having an undrstanding of what you can force your oponent to do. A strike to the head, for example, must be dealt with. Depending on the strike, there are a small number of ways to deal with it. If you know the finite list of moves they can use, you can be prepared for it.
Everyone has a pattern, and it is always logical.
This knowledge allows for executing some impressive techniques which otherwise be relegated to dreams and movies with bad acting. For example, I've been working on a technique to flank my oponent. It relies entirely on forcing them to react to me in such a way that I can put their guards where I want them. So far, it seems to be unstopable if the first technique lands. Of course, things rarely go according to plan and as soon as the technique lands they can counter with the same principles.
An example of these prinicples would be the effect of throwing a strike towards the head. At least one arm always moves to defend and at least one foot remains essentially stationary. Of course, this is based on what most oponents I've faced do, not a solid rule.
I'll leave it here for tonight before I sagway right into writing a manifesto.
Ben Davies
Silent River Kung fu
Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
www.silentriverkungfu.com
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