Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated. - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

Primo Angle in Karate


The primo angle within karate for defense and offense is 22 1/2 degrees. A good way to get a feel for how that works is with a heavy bag, initially. Let the bag hang in a stationary position then use a string under the bottom center to mark a spot on the floor directly underneath it. Then use blue tape to mark a line from that center point outward in a straight line far enough that you can take a kamae anywhere along that line to judge distances from your position and the stationary position of the heavy bag, the bag is your adversary.

Use a compass and mark an arrow at that center point of the tape under the bag that points 22 1/2 degrees off the base line. Use a piece of blue painters tape again to extend from the center point following that arrow outward in another straight line that follows that 22 1/2 degree. Do this again on the other side of the base line. 

There are some things you will notice as you look down at the tape on the floor. The more distance away from the adversary the greater the distance to travel in attaining that new angled position. This in and of itself takes time and distance so you should begin to understand that the closer you are to the adversary the faster you can get to that 22 1/2 degree point. 

As stated in the principles the three angles used by most combatants in a training cycle are this 22 1/2 degree angle then the 45 degree angle and finally the 90 degree angle. Another point should become apparent that in order to reach any other angle you pass through that 22 1/2 degree angle point. In addition the 45 and 90 also take up more time and travel distance and that violates some other principles involved. 

The reason the principle of angling and positioning tend to use this first primo angle in martial arts is because the closer you are to the adversary the faster you get to that position allowing you to apply appropriate techniques that also get you to the end of the loop faster. Since you get there faster you maintain your access to the adversaries center line of targeting while your centerline is moved away from the adversaries position. If the adversary wants to re-orient to your center line he has to move. 

The angle is also apparent in other parts that contribute to success in a combative hand-to-hand situation, i.e. such as the proper alignment of bones for striking, the path for entering into a wrist grab defense, and many more aspects of the principles. 

Our orientation, i.e. position and angle, tend to put is in a superior position if we act in a manner that takes advantage to the principles while an adversary has to re-orient staying in the loop and so on. 

Something to think about .....

Click for larger view.

Bibliography:
Pearlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power." Overlook Press. N.Y. 2006.

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