Offense and Defense

If we practice a true traditional martial art that truly encompasses all aspect with emphasis on a code or a moral stand then we must look to both offense and defense as to how they are defined by that practice.

If MA's are to live up to the creed or code or moral belief then offense does not exist. We must remain non-aggressive where I mean we must not only never initiate conflict but must do our best to avoid it, to deescalate it if avoidance is not possible, etc.

If MA's are to live up to this moral standard than their defense, if all else fails, must focus on what techniques are necessary to "protect."

MA's must achieve a level of proficiency such that they need not have to take a posture, kamae, of either offense or defense where the goal is to achieve an advantage which requires a form of aggressiveness. Aggressiveness means they have transcended protection from harm and into a fighting posture where aggression means "Illegal!"

MA's must find a balance between staying away from conflict vs. protecting agains aggression in conflict. It does seem to be merely a mix on words and contexts but communications in MA instruction can be the difference in applying such things in real life.

Offense in this sense relates to a mind-set of intent to hurt. In reality a MA must achieve not getting hurt by not having to enter into some offensive technique but rather avoidance-deescalation by awareness, manners, and other moral/legal considerations otherwise it is brutality which is not morally balanced.

It can be said a MA'ist must find equilibrium in "offense-defense" as to lean toward one or the other too much leaves the moral belief of MA's. To achieve what I am saying here the practice and training of spirit-mind-body also must balance and MA's must maintain that balance even in the face of great odds.

It we can leave behind any desire to be aggressive, to hurt, then we can avoid being hurt while living up to our belief of not intentionally hurting another if possible. It occurs when we, the MA, let our balance between offense-defense tilt to far in one direction.

To lean toward attacking drops the opposite ability to create a defense so we avoid being hurt. The offense-defense equilibrium is compromised taking our ability as a MA away leaving us in a place not good.

One important belief in my MA training is knowing that I am a trained and proficient MA. I have the advantage over others not trained in this manner. If I allow offense-defense to slip into something less than my training and level of proficiency then am I truly at that level?

In the chapter Kobo Ichi Stephen J. Pearlman stated, "One life, one fight, one technique." I say, "One life, no fight, no technique - yet be prepared."

Offense-Defense | Yang-Yin | In-Yo ...