DOWN THE THROAT

 by Phillip Starr

In United States military terminology, a torpedo aimed at a directly approaching ship was said to be aimed “down the throat.” This 0-degree bow angle (AOB) was usually used against attacking destroyers or anti-submarine craft. A "down the throat" shot would be any shot in which the target craft, or simply put, it was heading straight toward the submarine. These were extremely difficult setups from which to launch torpedoes, and usually it was only the skilled or desperate boat skippers who attempted such attacks. One such skipper was Cmdr. Dealey, who became known as “Down the throat Dealey”...

A direct, “down the throat” attack in martial arts is equally risky but frankly, it is often the approach the I prefer. The timing must be just right; the attack must be delivered at exactly the right moment, when the distance is just so and the opponent's mind, spirit, or posture leaves a small opening through which the attack can be successfully delivered.

Such an attack must be sudden, without warning. And it must overwhelm the opponent so that he has no chance of escape. You mustn't hesitate for even a microsecond. Bear in mind the words of Japan's “sword saint”, Miyamoto Musashi - “When you confront an enemy, your only thought is to cut him.” Notice that his words stress that our ONLY THOUGHT must be focused on cutting down the opponent; not winning, not even surviving, and certainly no thoughts about what we'll do if he does this or that.

All such thought affect the clarity of our minds, which should be like still pools of water. Still water gives an accurate reflection of what is placed before it, If the surface of the water should become disturbed, the image becomes distorted. Any and all emotions act like pebbles thrown into the pool. Your ONLY focus is on destruction of the enemy; you must have no thoughts about your personal safety or survival. Such thoughts/fears will cause you to hesitate for a micro-moment and that hesitation will result in your failure which is, remember, the destruction of the enemy...NOT your survival).

This is often a difficult concept for Westerners to grasp but I believe that it's essential to the correct practice of the martial ways.