Rather than post up the usual list of techniques and applications covered in the last week of training, i thought i'd reflect upon some of the principles that were touched upon instead.
Entry technique and tactical advantage
"A player surprised is half-beaten" (proverb)
The entry technique is crucial to the outcome of the battle, and its power is measured by its effect – not necessarily the strength, speed, or accuracy of the technique itself. Whilst these are certainly important qualities to hone in one's own personal training, the main objective in executing an entry technique is to put oneself at a tactical advantage.
Tactical advantage can come through superior positioning, and creation of a superior time-frame to operate in. It can also come through superior armament or resources. Thus the entry technique should seek to 1. Maximise the above for oneself, 2. Minimise the above for one's opponent, or 3. Do both simultaneously.
Through more freestyle training, one can investigate the ways in which entry techniques can be employed, and how their effectiveness can be augmented. Indeed, the skill of manipulating an adversary's perception is particularly important, whether it be on the battlefield or the negotiating table. This is something that can only be honed through experience and diligent training with others.
At first, we train to execute entry techniques in their most urgent form: To give an immediate advantage that we can capitalise on and exploit. However, the most powerful entries take longer to reach fruition, having several layers of sophistication so that by the time the enemy even begins to realise the true nature of what is going on, they are ultimately doomed regardless of their actions.
To understand this is to understand the importance of pre-emptive maneouvering – to embrace an assertive, predatory mindset rather than a passive, reactionary one. With this in mind though, one must also be cautious when facing one's adversary: For if your adversary knows their game well, it can be difficult to work out whether you are playing them, or whether you are in fact being played. Although a potent opening is crucial then, so too are the counters and contingencies that you can flow into when things don't go according to plan…
Andrew Janson, August 2010
