Is CombatiX Just Martial Arts?

CombatiX, while it incorporates aspects of various Martial Arts, is not technically a Martial Art itself. The reason for this is that it is an overlay approach that applies to any combative system, even those that are not technically Martial Arts. This is one of the things that make it so appealing to a broad spectrum of people.

Let's say, for example, that you are a practitioner of some particular style of Karate. While various systems perform their blocks and strikes differently, CombatiX will apply to them all. In my base karate system of Isshin-ryu, for example, we punch with a vertical fist rather than the traditional twist punch. Very few systems punch this way. In fact, Wing Chun is one of the few I know of that do. While other Martial Artists argue about which is better, CombatiX helps the practitioner by teaching when each is the preferred method. By helping each to understand the applications of their techniques and how to make them work more efficiently, both grow in their understanding.

Proponents of the traditional twist punch argue that the rotational torque of the technique exerts more power. Those who favor the vertical punch suggest that it is faster. Both are correct. In a system that focuses on a "one punch kill," power is preferred over speed, while a system that prefers multiple strikes quickly will inevitably choose speed. The problem comes in when one does not account for target.

Neither power nor speed is any good if the technique does not fit the target. Suppose the fighter attacks to the Xiphoid Process. Neither technique works as well as what the Okinawans call a Shizen Zuki, or 3/4 punch. As you may have guessed, it is a hybrid between a vertical punch and twist punch that is only rotated 3/4 of the way. This aligns the knuckles to strike the point, also known as CV-14, at the proper degree of fist rotation to allow the prominent knuckle of the fist to strike the target.

As a side note, have you ever heard it called the Solar Plexus? Look it up on an anatomical chart. I was surprised the first time I did! The Solar Plexus is actually quite deep into the body cavity. You have to almost punch to their spine to hit it! Maybe that is why we were taught to punch there, penetration!

Now, imagine a strike to the side of the neck in the Occipital Nerve at the base of the skull, also known as GB-20 in acupuncture. Hitting this with either a vertical punch, or even a 3/4 punch is difficult at best. As you may have guessed, a twist punch would fit the target better if one were choosing to punch there, though I typically prefer other strikes to the region.

If one were choosing to behind the corner of the jaw under the ear, named ST-6 in acupuncture, a vertical punch would fit nicely.

As you can see, no one method fits all needs. This is how all of CombatiX works. It is not dependent on which style or system you study, including those who do not even study Martial Arts at all!

Because the goal of combat is survival, the delivery mechanism, a.k.a. "style," is a moot point. Let's face it. There are only so many ways to punch, kick, grab, etc. In this way, hand-to-hand combat has changed little over the millennia.

What does change, however, is our understanding of the psychological and physiological components of combat.

Think about the goal of most Martial Arts training today. Many schools are commercialized to the point that they become a belt factory where the goal is to earn the next belt. When I was trying to grow my Martial Arts school years ago, I consulted with a friend of mine who owned a large school and I asked about the best way to get students excited about Self Defense training. He was shocked. His response was "You're not really teaching that stuff are you? No one wants to learn that! Drop all self-defense and play games, spar, and do things the customer wants." I don't know who was more shocked - him or me.

Well, I never grew my school very large. Unfortunately, it seems he was right. Most students weren't interested in learning to protect themselves. They wanted to feel good about themselves. What they didn't, and still don't, realize is that learning to protect life (and not just your own) is an extremely rewarding feeling. The peace of mind that it brings is invaluable.

I hope that is what you want as well...to know how to have that peace of mind. My goal during these training reports is to equip you to be a better Martial Artist, better officer, better soldier, or better citizen -- whatever path you take in life.

Get ready to have some preconceptions challenged. I promise during the course of these emails, you will be exposed to some things that at first thought, you will dismiss; but hear me out. I promise there is science to back it all up and I will show you.