| In a self defense/self protection situation, once | | | | braced against the planet, your opponent will be |
| conflict becomes physical, you need to get the | | | | hit by the planet. With proper structure, you will |
| job done very quickly (within 30 to 60 seconds). | | | | absorb the equal and opposite reaction and be |
| The objective of every strike is to incapacitate | | | | immovable. This is, of course, assuming that good |
| the opponent. To produce an injury that | | | | timing and rhythm has not allowed the opponent |
| fundamentally changes the normal functioning of | | | | to also prepare for the collision. |
| the body. To cause such an injury, you need to | | | | Structure is like a chain and it will give at the |
| generate and transfer the largest amount of | | | | weakest link. It begins from the ground up and |
| kinetic energy possible into the target...you need | | | | involves the feet, legs, hips, spine, shoulders, |
| to maximize your striking power. | | | | arms, hands etc. Each component of the body |
| There are four elements required to maximize | | | | represents a link in the chain. A problem with any |
| striking power...to achieve the striking power that | | | | one of the links and our structure is compromised |
| is required to incapacitate an opponent. Those | | | | e.g. a bent spine. |
| elements are: Structure, the Body in Motion | | | | Good structure is a straight spine. Bending or |
| (kinetic energy), an Appropriate Tool, and a | | | | leaning results in a loss of balance and a loss of |
| Specific Target. This article is confined to a | | | | power. Maintaining a straight spine ensures that |
| discussion of the first element - Structure. In | | | | your centre of gravity is above your base. It |
| simple terms, structure is being prepared for the | | | | ensures your balance is not compromised. |
| equal and opposite reaction that occurs when our | | | | A straight spine gives you the ability to strike with |
| body collides with the body of our opponent...it is | | | | your body weight and not just with the weight of |
| being braced for the collision.....being braced against | | | | your limbs. With the correct breathing, stance and |
| the planet. The effect, a strike has on a target is | | | | footwork training, you will be able to stand and |
| determined, in part, by structure. It also has an | | | | move with both balance and power.....you will be |
| effect on the person doing the striking. | | | | able to absorb the equal and opposite reaction |
| If, when a strike lands, structure is poor; the | | | | that forces you backwards and robs you of |
| equal and opposite reaction will detract from the | | | | striking power. Future articles, will explore the |
| power of the strike. It will also most probably | | | | other three elements required to maximize |
| result in: a loss of balance, pain, and injury for the | | | | striking power: the Body in Motion (kinetic energy), |
| person doing the striking. However, if you are | | | | an Appropriate Tool, and a Specific Target. |