Force Escalation

The study of the martial arts encompasses more than self-defense for a smaller individual against a bigger opponent on the street. Many arts emphasize tournament competition as well as the more noble idea of subduing an opponent without hurting him or her by only taking the fight to the level necessary to ensure safety. The inherent chaos of physical confrontation sometimes makes it difficult to end a fight with a single strike. The martial arts strategist considers how one strike or technique leads to another until the final blow that ends the fight can be launched. We call this type of strategy force escalation. Although a defensive technique such as a block may help you avoid your opponent’s first strike, it does little to end the confrontation. You cannot win a fight in the training hall, ring, or street without offense. Remember that you are not just a defender; you are an elite fighter, and you must know how to dish it out as well as take it. Formidable Fighter: The Complete Series, a compilation of all 14 books in this series, is available in both electronic and print format.