In Search of The Ultimate Martial Art – Part Four

The Four Arts

“I have not invented a ‘new style,’ composite, modified or otherwise that is set within distinct form as apart from ‘this’ method or ‘that’ method. On the contrary, I hope to free my followers from clinging to styles, patterns, or molds.” – Bruce Lee

Martial Artists have long debated the question, “Which style is the best?”  The truth is that each style has something to offer.  They are simply different expressions of the whole Martial Arts pie, which can be pieced together by following The Ultimate Martial Art Formula.

By analyzing Martial Arts in this fashion, it does however become possible to slice the pie into four distinct pieces with each being an “art” in itself.  The reason is that Martial Arts techniques can be differentiated based on the distance involved. That seems to be the key distinguishing factor – the distance required to execute the technique – because although every technique has both its advantages and disadvantages usually their effectiveness is directly related to the distance of the opponent. In applying this underlying principle, it is possible to separate techniques into four distinct categories, each based on the various reaches of the human body, starting with the feet and working inwards towards the torso.

The first category therefore would have the distance of feet to hands.  This distance encompasses all striking or punching, kicking and blocking techniques. It is distinguished by techniques which cause the greatest amount of impact on the opponent.  Many styles of Karate primarily utilize this category of techniques.  The more force that is used the “harder” the style.

So, talk fails and the other guy gets upset past the point of rationality and throws a punch.  The fight has now started.  [Note that most fights begin at this distance.]  If you are skilled at striking techniques, then you may want to keep the fight at this range.  Or, if there are multiple attackers, there is a definite advantage to not getting tied up with one opponent while his friend walks up and clubs you on the head.

However, if the opponent is equally or more skilled at the feet to hands distance, but weaker at others, you may want to close the distance.  This is the point at which the next category begins.  This category has the distance from ankles to wrists, and includes all closing or angulation and parrying techniques. It is distinguished by techniques which avoid the impact of strikes and tend to close distance. This category of techniques is primarily utilized for transitioning to and from other distances. Many styles of Kung Fu use a great deal of these techniques. The less force that is used in its techniques the “softer” the style.

Consider the situation where you are getting pummeled because the other guy is a better striker than you, or maybe your hand is broken and you are unable to throw an effective punch.  At any rate, you have come to the conclusion that in order to have any chance of surviving, you will either have to run away or get inside the distance of his strikes.  If you decide to close this distance, then you will need to move into the ankles to wrists distance without getting knocked out.

Once you have made it through the ankles to wrists distance, you will then arrive at the favored distance of most Aikido practitioners, which is knees to elbows.  This category includes all grappling or locking and throwing techniques. [Note that knee and elbow strikes are also included in this art since, although they involve heavy impact, they are only utilized in close combat and usually while grabbing the opponent.] Techniques which seek to alter the motion of the opponent by circling his body until superior leverage is established are what this category is distinguished by.

The reality of combat is that the human body is very resilient, and it can be very difficult to strike somebody who is trying to avoid being hit in the middle of a frantic confrontation.  Furthermore, the chaos of a real fight usually leads into desperate grappling, or onto the ground.  For this reason a Martial Artist must be proficient at the knees to elbows distance if he plans to survive.

The fourth category exists at the distance of head to torso.  This is the fine art of control and includes all of the techniques for gaining a dominant body position. It is distinguished by techniques which seek to overcome the opponent and render him incapable of continuing to fight. It may look similar to the previous category, but it differs in that it requires little or no distance.  There is no particular traditional style which specializes in these techniques; however, many examples can be found in both Jujutsu and Tai Chi Chuan.

Ultimately, it is only through the art of control that conflict is truly resolved. Although, it could be argued that knocking the other guy out is an effective way to end a fight, such a solution is only temporary. For, what happens when he wakes back up? True resolution is only achieved through controlling the opponent at the head to torso distance. And it is only in this way that a fight can be avoided to begin with.

A key question to consider is: CAN A MARTIAL ARTIST BE EFFECTIVE AT ANY OF THE FOUR DISTANCES?

Interestingly, a Martial Artist will find that the transition between distances, especially if the opponent is not being a stationary target, is quite enlightening.  The point is that a Martial Artist must know skills at all ranges of a fight. This allows one to have a better understanding of how different techniques fit together, and ultimately makes it possible to master all of Martial Arts. For, The Ultimate Martial Art would not be limited to any specific style; it would instead be able to be effective at any distance.

Category One Distance: feet to hands Art: striking Techniques: punching, kicking and blocking	Category Two Distance: ankles to wrists Art: closing Techniques: movement and parrying
Category Three Distance: knees to elbows Art: grappling Techniques: locks and throws	Category Four Distance: head to torso Art: control Techniques: body positioning

Note: These four categories refer to unarmed combat.  Weapons could be considered a separate category unto themselves, each with its own specific range.  For instance, knives and sticks reach beyond hands and feet, whereas guns have an even greater range.  The truth however is that weapons are an extension of the body, and the same principles apply.