Triangle Footwork

[krys]

Every system I've been exposed to that does balance disruptions uses the triangle concepts - though some don't explain it with triangles.

That may be our case as I am taught the old way.. To break the balance after a leg catch for example we often regroup both feet for a split of a second in order to gather momentum before striking and throwing simultaneously forward...


My english isn't that good but I will try to answer....
The question mark is a principle that describes the end of your opponents lever (hook of the mark) and the tail the redirection of this movement of that lever....
Actually the question-mark motion is a screwing motion that moves the joint (or entire body) of your opponent in a circle away from his strength.... Then, after his center of gravity is off-line, you can move him downward in a straight line.... You use the way the joint has a tendency to move to take away his ability to resist before collapsing it...


I find russian martial arts concepts very close to fmas (some of their empty hands could be mistaken for filipino silat), they also have triangle principles and make a large use of slapping techniques like some Arnis systems... this is very surprising...

[sikal]

My english isn't that good but I will try to answer....
The question mark is a principle that describes the end of your opponents lever (hook of the mark) and the tail the redirection of this movement of that lever....
Actually the question-mark motion is a screwing motion that moves the joint (or entire body) of your opponent in a circle away from his strength.... Then, after his center of gravity is off-line, you can move him downward in a straight line.... You use the way the joint has a tendency to move to take away his ability to resist before collapsing it...

That's what I figured it was. To me, this is still rooted to a triangle concept, though I like the "question mark" imagery and will probably steal it for explanations. The most common use of triangles in balance disruption that I've seen (aside from the footwork aspect and using the lines of the triangle for your sweeps and such) is this:

Draw a line between your opponent's feet. That's the base of two equilateral triangles - one in front of, and one behind your opponent. Now, if you move his energy toward the third point of either triangle, his balance will be disrupted.

The "question mark" (in my envisionment, anyway) would usually tie into the "blended points", though. The blended points are halfway between my points (I've got the same triangles he does) and his points. Hopefully the attached illustration will help. Blended points A & C are the most commonly used in my experience, though I have seen B used on rare occasions.

So, I think the question mark ties to all these points (and, hence, the triangles) because the question mark motion would, I assume, end up carrying them to one of these points. So you use the straight line part of the question mark to drive them toward the point of balance disruption. Right? Or have I missed the boat?

I find that the marriage of joint locks and balance disruptions is wonderful. If they're resisting/countering the lock, they're usually not working to maintain their balance so they go down. If they're working to maintain their balance, they're usually not working against the lock so you get a really effective lock and can do some damage there.

I find russian martial arts concepts very close to fmas (some of their empty hands could be mistaken for filipino silat), they also have triangle principles and make a large use of slapping techniques like some Arnis systems... this is very surprising...

Yes. I've only seen a very little bit of Russian MA but they reminded me a lot of Kali and Silat, too.

Mike

[krys]

So, I think the question mark ties to all these points (and, hence, the triangles) because the question mark motion would, I assume, end up carrying them to one of these points. So you use the straight line part of the question mark to drive them toward the point of balance disruption. Right? Or have I missed the boat?

Partially, I suppose you could use the question mark this way...
Imagine pulling your opponents lever on the hook, then redirect it on the tail...
Here is an example: to effect a single-leg takedown, you might attempt to hyperextend your opponent’s knee and force him backward, but he might resist by bracing, sprawling or squatting. His body is designed to protect against this linear motion, which tries to cause dysfunction in his knee. However, if you rotate the knee away from his body along a circular path and then toward his triangle point (in the shape of a question mark), the more he resists, the faster his muscles will contract his body to the ground....

I find that the marriage of joint locks and balance disruptions is wonderful. If they're resisting/countering the lock, they're usually not working to maintain their balance so they go down. If they're working to maintain their balance, they're usually not working against the lock so you get a really effective lock and can do some damage there.

Yes, this is very interesting, your opponent will try to resist your balance disruption and you can use his reaction to do some real damage breaking his joints....

[sikal]

Originally posted by krys


Partially, I suppose you could use the question mark this way...
Imagine pulling your opponents lever on the hook, then redirect it on the tail...
Here is an example: to effect a single-leg takedown, you might attempt to hyperextend your opponent’s knee and force him backward, but he might resist by bracing, sprawling or squatting. His body is designed to protect against this linear motion, which tries to cause dysfunction in his knee. However, if you rotate the knee away from his body along a circular path and then toward his triangle point (in the shape of a question mark), the more he resists, the faster his muscles will contract his body to the ground....

Nice. I've used that concept, but never had it explained like that. I'll have to steal that explanation.

Yes, this is very interesting, your opponent will try to resist your balance disruption and you can use his reaction to do some real damage breaking his joints....

Yeah. I find it very useful

Mike