By Amaury Murgado
Ancient Chinese military strategy evolved over
thousands of years of conflict. As commanders
rose and fell, the heart of their philosophies
were saved for future generations. These early
lessons took written form and were passed on to
the ruling class. Eventually, this became the
basis for strategic thinking in ancient China.
Since the 11th Century, these
combined works have been referred to as the
Seven Military Classics. Included in this
series is The Art of War, penned
by Sun Tzu. The Art of War is
arguably the best known book on military
strategy and tactics in the world.
It can be said that the strategy from The
Art of War became the basis for most Asian
martial arts. Martial arts in this context
refer to military arts and not modern day
martial sport. Ancient martial arts were combat
related. It involved the study of armed and
unarmed combat where the effectiveness was
often measured in life and death.
Under the right
guidance, today’s martial arts training can be
used effectively in self-defense situations.
Unfortunately however, some conventional
training has a propensity to fail in the real
world. It fails because the focus is on
learning set techniques instead of learning how
to apply them in concert with an overall
strategy. Veterans of aggression and conflict
have learned quickly that what looks good in
the training hall might not work in a dark
parking lot or in an enclosed space.
Sun Tzu’s principles
are as valid today as they were when first
written.
Sun Tzu wrote, “Strategy
without tactics is the slowest route to
victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise
before defeat.”
It is through strategy that we will discuss how
Sun Tzu’s ancient classic The Art of War
applies to modern day martial arts and
self-defense applications.
Sun Tzu on Warriors
Sun Tzu stressed that
the highest skill for a warrior is to win
without fighting. “For to
win one hundred victories in one hundred
battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the
enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.”
A true warrior uses their skills only when
absolutely necessary. This falls in line with
traditional Asian martial arts that stress mind
and body connection. Being able to defend
yourself almost becomes a secondary concern as
you learn to master yourself first.
Another consideration for the modern day
warrior is the rule of law. Many times, the
possible legal ramifications of using force is
either given a cursory treatment or left out
altogether. Students are handed a grave
injustice when instructors don’t include a
training session on the law and how it applies
to self-defense. In the real world, the law is
an ally or a nightmare.
The
law only recognizes a use of force that is
objectively reasonable in light of the totality
of the situation. This means only the minimum
force necessary to stop the threat may be
employed. The general rule of “less is more”
applies here. For example, if someone pushes
you and you respond with a kick to their head
which results in serious injury (or death), you
would probably find yourself making some new
friends in your local jail or state prison.
Sun Tzu on Fighting
If you spend time
studying The Art of War, you will come
to realize it is more about avoiding a fight
than anything else. Sun Tzu does however make
it clear that if you do have to fight, make it
swift and decisive. In order to do this, a well
developed strategy must be used or run the risk
of succumbing to chance choosing the outcome.
Sun Tzu stated, “The
opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat
lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of
defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy
himself.” By acting swiftly and decisively
you create and seize your own opportunities.
This can only be done in an offense posture and
not from the defense. The reason is backed by
science…action beats reaction every time.
Kevin Dillon, a long
time martial artist and internationally
recognized combatives instructor, stresses this
very point when conducting training. “A
fundamental principal is to identify pre-attack
indicators, act upon them, and end the fight
before it starts.” Dillon’s point takes a
direct cue from Sun Tzu on acting decisively.
Though it may sound backward, by using a
strong
offense, you stop
the situation from escalating and therefore
negate a much higher use of force. People have
been mistakenly led to believe that you have to
wait to be struck before you can protect
yourself.
Sun Tzu on Knowing Yourself
Probably the best known quote from Sun Tzu:
“If
you know the enemy and know yourself you need
not fear the results of a hundred battles.”
Knowing
yourself in martial arts terms means learning
how to mold specific fighting skills
around physical and physiological changes that
occur during high stress self-defense
situations. Having this knowledge will maximize
effectiveness. Knowing how
the mind and body work under stress creates a
huge advantage. Most experts agree that your
body will dictate the physiological response
during a violent encounter and training will
dictate how someone responds. There is an ever
increasing amount of available research on
fighting science, mental toughness, and
performance enhancement. To ignore how to
improve responding under stress equates to not
being fully prepared for the next encounter.
There are no magic buttons in a hostile
confrontation. The response will default to the
lowest level of training.
Sun Tzu on Knowing the Enemy
Knowing your enemy includes looking at
pre-attack indicators.
Sun Tzu wrote “Opportunities
multiply as they are seized.” By
reading pre-attack indicators, the moment can
be seized and an act of aggression can be
stopped from getting out of control. An
advantage is created by acting instead of
reacting. Pre-attack indicators include things
like an aggressor pacing, clenching fists,
adjusting their clothing, visible agitation,
and in having a focused stare. It is essential
to read any would be attacker so one acts
instead of reacts. The sooner the danger is
recognized, the sooner a response can be
formulated.
Something else that can be done is to strike
strategically. That means striking with a
purpose in order to obtain a desired result.
Knowing how the body works is a key factor. For
example, if someone is coming straight on, a
side step can be performed along with a hooking
palm heel strike to the aggressor’s pelvis
area. In doing so, the aggressor’s momentum
would bend them forward which in turn sets them
up for a second strike or create an opportunity
to tactically retreat.
Sun Tzu
also wrote, “You
can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if
you only attack places which are undefended.” Another strategy is to learn
the body’s weaknesses. For example, there are
no natural defenses for the eyes. A mere poke
will cause the eye to tear and slam shut.
Having a working knowledge of pressure points
will also enhance the chances of a successful
resolution. Striking at the Common Peroneal
Nerve on the side of the leg, located just
below the knee with an angle kick, is highly
effective. This strike has the potential to end
the fight quickly as it overloads the nervous
system and causes a temporary stunning effect.
Sun Tzu and Deception
Sun
Tzu teaches “All war is based on deception.”
Posturing can help with deceiving your
aggressor. Having the right posture is a way to
show readiness but does not necessarily give
away any true intentions. Think how often
someone takes a step backwards into their
fighting stance. What message are they really
sending to their attacker? Unless they are
intentionally creating some tactical distance,
it might appear they are backing up in fear.
To a
motivated and experienced assailant fear can
equate to opportunity that can be quickly acted
upon. In stepping forward into a ready stance,
ducking the shoulders, and tilting the chin
down, the message that is sent is totally
different. It’s a message of being prepared,
not backing down, and being ready to engage. In
reality this may be nothing more than a clever
ploy to buy time until help arrives or a
stalling technique while an escape route is
identified. This also falls in line with Sun
Tzu’s adage to “Appear
weak when you are strong and strong when you
are weak.”
By
using deception, true intentions are hidden and
one maintains an edge.
Closing Thoughts
Sun
Tzu’s The Art of War is objectively the
primer work on military strategy and tactics.
It guided the ancient Chinese warring states
throughout almost 5,000 years of internal war.
Since the strategy contained therein was based
on the military arts born from armed and
unarmed combat, it would serve the modern day
martial artist well to visit The Art of War
and see how it applies to them. Let strategy
become the gun and tactics the bullets; just
remember, one can’t work without the other.
About the Author
Amaury Murgado is a long time martial artist,
police combatives instructor, and a columnist
for Police Magazine. He is currently the
Special Operations Lieutenant for the Osceola
County Sheriff’s Office in Kissimmee, Florida.
He can be reached at murgado.a@gmail.com.
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