Simultaneous techniques: Part 2 - seizing initiative

Continued from Part 1

Introduction

In my article "Why blocks DO work" I set out my arguments as to why traditional "blocks (better termed "parries", "interceptions" or "deflections") are indeed very effective.

In that article I also discussed how the failure to understand and apply blocks correctly has led people to dismiss them as ineffective. This in turn has led some traditional martial artists to reinterpret blocks as strikes, locks or holds in order to justify their continued presence in the traditional curriculum.

One of the more sophisticated revisions in modern karate is the reinterpretation of block/counter combinations. According to this theory, there are no such combinations in karate: rather, every block is itself a direct attack. The theory holds that there if you block, then punch, you cede the initiative to your opponent and give him or her the advantage. It is better to respond to every attack with your own attack - what is sometimes called the "one for one" principle.

When one looks at it, this is another way of arguing all block/counter combinations should be "simultaneous". In Japanese this tactic is called "sen no sen" (simultaneous initiative). It is to be contrasted with "go no sen" (late initiative) which is what a block/counter combination would be.


A video of Motobu Udundi showing "sen no sen" (simultaneous initiative)

That sen no sen is an attractive proposition is obvious. There are myriad examples of it on the net and it looks awfully effective to thwart decisively an attack just as it is beginning.

It is even more impressive to thwart the attack before it has even started - which in Japanese is called "sen sen no sen".

No one does "sen no sen" or "sen sen no sen" better than Motobu Udundi - the art of the Okinawan royal palace guards:


Another video of Motobu Udundi featuring both "sen non sen" (simultaneous initiative) and "sen sen no sen" (pre-emptive initiative)

But just how realistic are sen no sen (simultaneous initiative) and sen sen no sen (pre-emptive initiative)? Do these "simultaneous" options negate completely go no sen (late initiative as manifested in block/counter)?

Go no sen: the ubiquitous traditional block/counter

I have previously argued that the block/counter is a staple of karate. Indeed it is ubiquitous in almost all traditional Far Eastern martial arts, from shaolin gong fu and the internal arts, through to karate and taekwondo. The only real exception in the case of Okinawan arts is Motobu Udundi, which I shall examine shortly.

So ubiquitous is the block/counter that it occurs in practically every kata/form/xing.

Or does it? The revisionists would have us believe that things are not really as they seem: these combinations are not really meant to be applied literally. Rather they are a kind of "code", hiding the true application of each "block" as a simultaneous deflection and strike.

The false assumptions

I can't see why this revision is at all necessary. In my opinion, kata bunkai does not have to be twisted and contorted into strange paradigms just to accommodate the mindset that "block/counter doesn't work". Blocks don't require reinvention as strikes, locks or holds. Nor is the block/counter combination rendered redundant because of "simultaneous" responses.

Rather, the assertion that block/counter combinations don't work (where "simultaneous" techniques do) is, in my view, based on 3 false assumptions, namely that -

1. there is always an undue delay between a block and punch;
   
2. there is no delay between a block and counter in a "simultaneous" technique;
   
3. a "simultaneous" technique is generally capable of being applied in situations where a block/counter could be applied (ie. "simultaneous" techniques render block/counter combinations redundant).

I shall proceed to show how each of these assumptions are flawed.

Connection between block and counter

Any response to an attack must, above all else, either comprise a counter or set you up for a counter. In this light it is essential that block/counter combinations be effected with as little delay as possible between the block and the counter. Any pause between the 2 is going to be exploited by your opponent. In other words, you must must make your block and counter essentially one move.

However this contrasts with a rather persistent practice, particularly in karate dojos, of separating a block from its counter, whether via "koshi" (hip use) or just with a pause. I discuss this issue in my articles: "Flow: why it is an essential component of kata" and "The importance of flow".

Once such a connection is made, the whole issue of "ceding initiative" starts to disappear. In other words, the "delay" (such as it is) between a block and counter needn't be anything other than transient or minimal.

"But," I hear you say, "a delay is a delay. Why not do a "simultaneous" technique and eliminate the delay entirely?" This brings me to the second assumption:




"Simultaneous" techniques

As I discuss in the video below, there are 2 kinds of "simultaneous" block/counter techniques -

1. where you block with one arm/hand while "simultaneously" countering with the other (the "2-handed simultaneous block/counter"); and
   
2. where you use one arm/hand to deflect and counter at the same time (the "one-handed simultaneous block/counter").

I discuss the 2 different types of "simultaneous" block/counter options

The 2-handed simultaneous block/counter

The 2 handed version of the simultaneous technique is not often found in karate but occurs in the Chinese internal arts of xingyiquan (eg. pao quan), baguazhang and taijiquan.

As I discuss in my Part 1 of this article, the 2-handed simultaneous block/counter isn't really "simultaneous" at all. Why not? Because the deflection will always occur before the strike. You will note from the adjacent images that the deflection clearly precedes the counter strike, even if it is by a millisecond.

In this respect the 2-handed simultaneous block/counter is no different at all from the "non-simultaneous" one I demonstrate in the gif above: the only difference between the 2 is that in the former I pull back my blocking arm, while in the latter I leave it in the blocking position. Otherwise there should be no appreciable difference in the time it takes to do either. If there is, then you're "doing it wrong" - it's really that simple. Your opponent isn't going to stand around waiting for your counter. He or she is going to seize the initiative.

The exception to this is to be found in Motobu Udundi where the 2-handed block and counter is sometimes applied in a truly simultaneous manner. However this the case only where the response is pre-emptive (sen sen no sen) - in other words where the defender responds to an attack with his own counter as the attack is beginning or before it has properly started. In this case the "block" simply acts as a protective shield "just in case" and is not a true block/deflection/parry per se.

The one-handed simultaneous block/counter

The other option is the one-handed simultaneous block/counter. This is a strategy used extensively in Motobu Udundi. In its most conservative form it involves using your punch to deflect an oncoming attack.

In its most advanced form it becomes pre-emptive: in other words you don't block at all - you simply strike your opponent as he or she is starting to punch. In this case it ceases to be "sen no sen" (simultaneous initiative) and becomes "sen sen no sen" (pre-emptive initiative).

Putting aside the "pre-emptive" version for a moment, let us consider the "simultaneous" one. You have probably noted that I have usually used the word "simultaneous" in quotes - that is because I don't believe most "simultaneous" techniques are truly "simultaneous". Even with the one-handed simultaneous block/counter, the block is effected a millisecond before the punch lands.

That said, the one-handed simultaneous block/counter is indeed more "simultaneous" than the 2-handed one: in other words, the delay between block and counter is reduced.

And in the case of pre-emptive initiative, there is, of course, no block at all so the delay is zero.

Why would one not use this approach all of the time? Why would one ever delay in countering? Another way of phrasing this question is: "Why not use attack as a defence in every case?" And this brings me to the third false assumption.

How realistic are simultaneous and pre-emptive initiative?

I'll say at the outset that I very much like simultaneous and pre-emptive initiative. Given the choice, I would rather use these than have to deflect an attack, then counter.

My issue lies not with the desirability of these tactics, but rather with one's chances of applying them at all times during a fight.

I can see how Motobu Udundi evolved: palace guards must be trained to defend the king/queen from attackers. Such attackers are likely to storm a royal procession or gathering - they are unlikely to be standing next to a royal at the local bar or arguing over a parking space. Hence in Motobu Udundi demonstrations attacks start well out of range. This gives the defender ample time to deal with the assault in a simultaneous or pre-emptive way.

But it is my contention that most civilian defence attacks do not give you this luxury. Rather they begin (and end) in what I call the melee range (an immediate, close-quarters environment). I think it is self-evident that an attack occuring in such a range gives you far less time to respond simultaneously or pre-emptively, as compared with an attacker who is charging at you from a distance.

The second issue is reaction time:

A healthy, young adult can have a reaction time of about 0.2 second. For older adults the reaction time can be double that (mine is about 0.27). And here's the crunch: in 0.2 seconds a fast, committed punch will have travelled at least half way to its target. So by the time you react to an attack, it will be half way to landing. What does this mean? In such a situation , try as you might, you can't strike your opponent first (ie. launch a pre-emptive attack). Instead you will have to -

1. evade the attack by dodging, ducking, weaving or slipping; or
   
2. block (ie. parry or deflect) the attack; or
   
3. evade and block at the same time (my preference and the proper approach of arts like karate).

[For more on the topic of typical human reaction, see my article "The flinch reflex".]

Lessons from combat sports

That you won't always be able to have simultaneous or pre-emptive initiative in the melee range is evidenced in combat sports: boxers and MMA fighters can't always "beat their opponents to the punch". Frequently they have to evade (they don't use blocks/deflections, but that is another issue). In other words, they can't always "seize initiative". Sometimes they have to respond.

"Ah," I hear you say, "but that is because combat sports and real fighting are 2 different things; I train to read my opponent's body language and react accordingly." My answer to this is:
"And combat sports practitioners don't?!"

I am normally one to argue that combat sports do indeed have very different dynamics from civilian defence encounters. But in this respect I'm of the view that they are no different at all: whatever the nature of a fight, one thing is certain - unless your opponent is vastly inferior, you will frequently find yourself left with "late initiative". The idea that you will always stifle your opponent's attacks with simultaneous and pre-emptive attacks (and that you will never have to evade or deflect or both) is, in my opinion, so overly optimistic as to be fanciful.

If anything, I would have thought that in a civilian defence you might have even less chance of using simultaneous or pre-emptive strategies. Why? One cannot assume that one's attacker is going to be obvious about attacking. He or she might be arguing with you verbally, or they might be merely standing there (seemingly innocently), before launching into a surprise attack.

In my experience as a prosecutor, this kind of "sucker punch" tactic occurs far more often than any attack where an obvious telegraphing of intention occurs. If only attackers would oblige us with the opportunity to get ready by shouting "engarde" and assuming a ready posture!

Even when we are fully primed, ready and waiting, an attack can still surprise us - at least enough to leave us with no option other than "late initiative". Accordingly, failure to prepare for such a situation by learning evasion and deflection (in favour of some kind of simultaneous or pre-emptive strategy) is, I think foolhardy.

"I still think I can block and punch at the same time!"

There are those who would argue that despite the reality of reaction times, surprise attacks and the range in which civilian defence encounters commonly occur, they have sufficient speed and timing to effect a simultaneous (if not pre-emptive) response.

I would love to think that I do too. But in my 30 years of training I can honestly say that under pressure I often default to the safer, more conservative approach of "evade/block/counter". Why? The only way you can thwart a attack with your own attack is if -

1. you have read your opponent's body language very precisely; and
   
2. your timing and positioning are excellent; and
   
3. your handspeed is faster that that of your opponent.

If any of these variables fail, your entire defence will likely fail.

Consider the video below where I discuss an application of the double punch from the kata naifunchin/naihanchi/tekki:


I discuss the double punch from naihanchi kata. Note carefully the angle required to ensure that the lead punch can effect a deflection - and how that angle differs from the optimum angle required for using the lead punch offensively.

In the above video I point out that the lead punch can be used to deflect an oncoming attack while the rear can effect a counter (a kind of 2-handed "simultaneous" block/counter). Clearly, the first punch could be used offensively instead: I could choose to simply punch my opponent rather than deflect his attack. Indeed, I would do this if the opportunity presented itself. But if it didn't (and I were forced to resort to a deflection) I wouldn't necessarily try to use the deflecting arm for attack as well. Why? Because the optimum angle for deflection and the optimum angle for striking are 2 very different things.

Yes, there are instances in which you can time/position your counter so that it both deflects and strikes at the same time. But this requires advanced skill; it is something to which I aspire, but I don't assume that I'll be able to effect it (at least not every time). As I have said earlier, I still find myself defaulting under pressure to the tried and tested "late initiative" of the block/counter combination, just as boxers default under pressure to bobbing or weaving and countering.

Weighing up your options

So under the pressure of a surprising, fast and committed attack, the realities of human reaction times mean that your options are often going to be limited as follows -

1. you can resort to the evade/block/counter (late initiative); or
   
2. you can take your chances with blocking and punching off the same arm (the one-handed simultaneous block/counter).

In the case of the latter, you have to hope that your punching arm will deflect the attack because you can't rely on "beating your attacker to the punch": you simply won't have time. In other words, constraints of surprise, time and space often remove the "pre-emptive initiative" option.

As discussed, the one-handed simultaneous block/counter is riskier than simply deflecting with that hand; your angle of attack/deflection has to be extremely precise. This tactic does however confer an advantage over the 2-handed block punch; it is undeniably faster and does indeed "seize the initiative" better than any 2-handed block/counter.

Whether or not you default to a one-handed simultaneous block/counter is always going to be a matter of your own experience. I would expect a more senior student to utlise the "simultaneous" option more often than a less senior student. But I wouldn't base my entire martial art on the assumption that the "simultaneous" option is always going to work.

Consider the following video of an assault by a prisoner on a prison guard:


A video of a prisoner attacking a prison guard

The prison guard is clearly aware of the danger. He is given as much warning as anyone could realistically hope for in a civilian defence scenario. However the first punch thrown by the prisoner lands - and the guard is overwhelmed thereafter.

What could the guard have done? From the adjacent photo, you might argue that the guard could have straightened his left arm (ie. as if to punch) while raising it. But without sufficient momentum and against the committed cross this would have done nothing. The guard's hand might have reached the prisoner, but it would have done so without any real force. And the cross would have slipped over neatly and landed - even more emphatically than it did; any potential angle of deflection in the guard's arm would have disappeared completely.

The problem with this prison guard wasn't in his failure to use "sen no sen". Rather it was that he had probably no training in relation to deflections: his body reacted as best it could, and his arm was perfectly placed to effect a deflection. But without any (or sufficient) training, his deflection failed.

Alternatively (or in addition) he should have leaned his head further away to evade the blow: the distancing more than allowed for this. He could either have weaved, ducked or simply leaned. And if he had done the latter with a rising deflection he might have looked like the adjacent photo.

Having avoided the first blow, he might have been set up for a counter which might well have utlised sen no sen; I'm not suggesting that the guard should have kept deflecting/blocking. At some point (preferably earlier) the guard should have gone on the offensive. But the initial failure of the guard's defence weakened him and set him up for a beating. There was no recovering from the first punch (which can determine the fight even if it isn't a knockout blow).

So it is my view that this video is not illustrative of a failure of the block/counter concept. It is however a good example of the need to train for deflections and evasion - and of the relative difficulty in reacting in time to use simultaneous or pre-emptive initiative against a committed attack - even when you are "primed" or forewarned.

Clearly one might argue that an experienced martial artist would have read the body language and positioned better to allow for pre-emptive or simultaneous initiative. But I think this argument underestimates just how much experience and training is required to effect this. Like it or not (and despite all my training) I have faced such punches and not "pre-empted" etc. Sen no sen etc. is great - but it's very difficult to effect. It is an advanced strategy, suitable for advanced students. We should all strive for it, but we shouldn't expect to pull it off every time.

Conclusion

As a fairly "senior" martial arts practitioner (approximately 30 years), I can see the attraction of "pre-emptive" and "simultaneous" initiative and I am more and more inclined towards these tactics. However as a teacher I tend to view things from the perspective of what my students are going to find useful. Most of them have only a couple of years experience at best.

I have previously mentioned my idea of "sequential relativism". This underlies our syllabus which moves from "basic" (but effective) "go no sen" to the more advanced "sen no sen" to the most advanced "sen sen no sen". I have put "basic" in quotes because I don't consider "basic" to mean "ineffective". "Effectiveness" is always going to be relative to a student's skill level and experience.

In civilian defence your primary goal is not to "score a knockout" but not to get hit. You should do whatever it takes to achieve this goal.

Simultaneous and pre-emptive initiative can be summarised as "attack as defence". This tactic works only if -

1. your angle of deflection is both effective for that purpose and effective for a strike - which as I argue above is very difficult, requiring the most advanced timing and placement; or
   
2. you beat your opponent to the punch (ie. your strike lands before his attack does, "cutting his supply line" and removing the need for any deflection) - which I happen to think is very unlikely against most attacks given the logistics of standard reaction times and that you will usually be "second cab off the rank".

Accordingly, while "advanced" simultaneous and pre-emptive strategies confer certain advantages, they also carry significant risks. And while we should all endeavour to use such strategies, I think it is dangerous to dismiss completely the humble block/counter in favour of them. Sometimes the simple things in life really are the best.

Continue to Part 3: a case study.

Copyright © 2010 Dejan Djurdjevic