THE 3 GEMS OF COMBAT; PART ONE: DISTANCE

 by Phillip Starr

*Partially excerpted from “Martial Maneuvers” by the author

 

In all forms of combat, whether it involves single or multiple opponents and armed or unarmed situations, there are three elements that must be considered and applied to your advantage if you are to have any hope of defeating the enemy. It doesn't matter what martial discipline uou practice; whether it's karate, judo, kenjutsu, taijiquan, and or anything else...these three elements are critical to the effective application of your art. These are Distance, Timing, and Rhythm. If you fail to correctly apply any one of these concepts, you are looking defeat in the face. None of them is “superior” to the others, they must all work together perfectly. If one is left out of the equation or your skill in applying it is lacking, none of them work properly. It's like a machine; if one part doesn't work, the whole thing breaks down.

The first of these is Distance. I'm not talking about close, medium and long distances, such as is sometimes envisioned by some martial arts aficionados as the differences between punching and kicking distances; this kind of thinking is for beginners only. In the art that I teach (yiliquan), we recognize 3 distances, which are labeled as First Distance, Second Distance, and Mutual Distance. To truly grasp the essence of distance, we need to examine and train with all three...

First Distance is defined as the distance from which you can deliver an effective blow (in no more than one step). It isn't something that needs to be measured in feet and inches; rather, it is FELT and you must practice assiduously to find it and then to LENGTHEN it as much as possible. Exercises for doing this are shown in my book, “Martial Maneuvers.” Lengthening the First Distance can be critical to increasing the efficiency of your techniques.

Second Distance is the distance from which your foe can deliver and effective blow in no more than one step. This can be determined by observing how he holds himself, how he moves, and other factors. Like First Distance, it is something that must be felt rather than measured in feet and inches.

The third distance is known as Mutual Distance and is the distance between you and the opponent. It is very plastic and always changing as you both shift and move about. You must always be aware of this distance, which is also known as “the gap.”

Another factor that must be understood in s far as distance is concerned is that of the “defense perimeter.” If you extend your forward arm (if you have one foot advanced) and swing it around in a half-circle from side to side, that is your defense perimeter. Anything that penetrates that perimeter, even if only a small distance, can probably strike you before you will be able to react appropriately. And vice-versa. So if your enemy's leading hand penetrates your perimeter for only a small distance, he can strike you almost instantly and you are equally capable of striking him before he can react. And whoever lands the first effective blow will probably be victorious. Once your perimeter has been breached, you must make a decision instantly and you have but two choices; you can attack immediately or withdraw and set up a new perimeter. If you spend any time considering what you should do, your assailant may well land a successful attack! It's akin to a military situation. If you have enemy sappers coming over the (barbed) wire and into your perimeter, this is NOT the time to call a staff meeting to determine just what you should do! You must attack them immediately or pull back and establish a new perimeter before you are completely overrun!

I often see that students have no concept of this principle when I visit various martial arts schools. As the combatants move around jockeying for position, their perimeters overlap, then separate (because they know not what they do), then overlap again, and so on... bouncing and bobbing or rocking rhythmically back and forth, they are combative disasters waiting to happen.

Hollywood sometimes dramatically depicts “duels” wherein combatants cross their wrists at the beginning of the contest; this is very incorrect as it places both participants inside each other's perimeters!

One of the major problems to be avoided in both 3-step and 1-step fight is that of the practitioners beginning much too close to each other. I once gave a seminar at a school wherein everyone wore the padded mittens, even in 1-step fight (they'd never done 3-step). Holding their hands too close to their faces (akin to sloppy boxing), they had no concept of proper distance at all and it was very difficult to get them to toss aside this terrible habit. Still, they had no concept of distance at all.... They stood so close that if one them stretched out the leading arm, they could touch their partner. Much too close-

The stance must be “loaded” at all times; that is, it must be set on a hair trigger so that if and when the opportunity presents itself, you can move with explosive speed. That window (of opportunity) won't be open very far or for more than a split second, so your yi (roughly, mind/intention) must be totally focused on bringing the opponent down. Study this concept (distance) with a partner very carefully and thoroughly.

But there's more...! Once you understand the concept and can FEEL it, you must train to INCREASE the distance that you can explosively drive forward and deliver an effective blow. Training drills for this are also shown in my book, “MARTIAL MANEUVERS.” After all, being sensitive to the distance(s) is essential but if you are unable to take advantage of it, then it's of no use to you.

Most black belts that I've met can drive out and deliver an effective lunging thrust to a distance of about 6 ft. A reverse punch doesn't travel quite that far. When driving forward, the rear foot must remain flat, although it's permissible (and even desirable) to allow it to “slide” along the floor. The back and neck must be held straight (but not stiff). You must train assiduously to lengthen your drive. I've had students who were able to drive out more than 10-12 ft.! It's just a question of hard, regular, sweat-drenched practice. And it's best to learn from someone who is familiar with this subject. I often present it at my seminars.