64 INSIDE KUNG-FU i n s i d e k u n g - f u . c o m

Ancient Chinese militarystrategy evolved overthousands of years ofconflict. As commandersrose and fell, the heart of

their philosophies were saved forfuture generations. These earlylessons took written form and werepassed on to the ruling class. Eventu-ally, this became the basis for strate-gic thinking in ancient China. Since the11th century, these combined workshave been referred to as the Seven

Military Classics. Included in thisseries is The Art of War, penned bySun Tzu. The Art of War is arguablythe best-known book on military strat-egy and tactics in the world.It can be said that the strategy

from The Art of War became thebasis for most Asian martial arts.Martial arts in this context refer tomilitary arts and not modern-daymartial sport. Ancient martial artswere combat related. It involved thestudy of armed and unarmed combat

where the effectiveness was oftenmeasured in life and death.Under the right guidance, today’s

martial arts training can be used effec-tively in self-defense situations. Unfor-tunately however, some conventionaltraining has a propensity to fail in thereal world. It fails because the focus ison learning set techniques instead oflearning how to apply them in concertwith an overall strategy. Veterans ofaggression and conflict have learnedquickly that what looks good in the

NOVEMBER 2010 65i n s i d e k u n g - f u . c o m

THE LESSONS SUN TZU WROTE ABOUT 10 CENTURIESAGAIN ARE JUST AS VALID TODAY By Amaury Murgado

SUNTZU:A 21ST-CENTURY WARRIOR

training hall might not work in a darkparking lot or in an enclosed space.Sun Tzu’s principles are as valid

today as they were when first written.Sun Tzu wrote, “Strategy without tac-tics is the slowest route to victory.Tactics without strategy is the noisebefore defeat.” It is through strategythat we will discuss how Sun Tzu’sancient classic The Art of War appliesto modern-day martial arts and self-defense applications.

SUN TZU ON WARRIORSSun Tzu stressed that the highest

skill for a warrior is to win withoutfighting. “For to win one hundred vic-tories in one hundred battles is not theacme of skill. To subdue the enemywithout fighting is the acme of skill.” Atrue warrior uses his skills only whenabsolutely necessary. This falls in linewith traditional Asian martial arts thatstress mind and body connection.Defending yourself almost becomes asecondary concern as you learn tomaster yourself first.Another consideration for the

modern-day warrior is the rule oflaw. Many times, the possible legalramifications of using force is eithergiven a cursory treatment or left outaltogether. Students are handed agrave injustice when instructorsdon’t include a training session on

the law and how it applies to self-defense. In the real world, the law isan ally or a nightmare.The law only recognizes a use of

force that is objectively reasonable inlight of the totality of the situation. Thismeans only the minimum force neces-sary to stop the threat may beemployed. The general rule of “less ismore” applies here. For example, ifsomeone pushes you and yourespond with a kick to his head whichresults in serious injury (or death), youwould probably find yourself makingsome new friends in your nearestGraybar Hotel.

SUN TZU ON FIGHTINGIf you spend time studying The Art

of War, you will come to realize it ismore about avoiding a fight than any-thing else. Sun Tzu, however, made itclear that if you do have to fight, makeit swift and decisive. To do this, a well-developed strategy must be used orrun the risk of succumbing to chancechoosing the outcome. Sun Tzu

stated, “The opportunity to secureourselves against defeat lies in ourown hands, but the opportunity ofdefeating the enemy is provided by theenemy himself.” By acting swiftly anddecisively, you create and seize yourown opportunities. This can only bedone in an offensive posture and notfrom the defense. The reason isbacked by science—action beatsreaction every time.Kevin Dillon, a long-time martial

artist and internationally recognizedcombatives instructor, stresses thisvery point when conducting training.“A fundamental principal is to iden-

tify pre-attack indicators, act uponthem, and end the fight before itstarts.” Dillon’s point takes a directcue from Sun Tzu on acting decisively.Though it may sound backward, byusing a strong offense, you stop thesituation from escalating and thereforenegate a much higher use of force.People have been mistakenly led tobelieve that you have to wait to bestruck before you can protect yourself.

SUN TZU ONKNOWING YOURSELFProbably the best known quote from

Sun Tzu: “If you know the enemy andknow yourself you need not fear theresults of a hundred battles.” Knowingyourself in martial arts terms means

Sun Tzu Says:

tactics is the slowestroute to victory.”

“Strategy without

learning how to mold specific fightingskills around physical and physiologi-cal changes that occur during highstress self-defense situations. Havingthis knowledge will maximize effec-tiveness. Knowing how the mind andbody work under stress creates ahuge advantage. Most experts agreethat your body will dictate the physi-ological response during a violentencounter and training will dictatehow someone responds. There is anever-increasing amount of availableresearch on fighting science, mentaltoughness, and performanceenhancement. To ignore how toimprove responding under stressequates to not being fully preparedfor the next encounter. There are nomagic buttons in a hostile confronta-tion. The response will default to thelowest level of training.

SUN TZU ONKNOWING THE ENEMYKnowing your enemy includes

looking at pre-attack indicators. SunTzu wrote, “Opportunities multiply asthey are seized.” By reading pre-attack indicators, the moment can beseized and an act of aggression canbe stopped from getting out of con-trol. Acting instead of reacting cre-ates an advantage. Pre-attackindicators include an aggressor pac-ing, clenching fists, adjusting hisclothing, visible agitation, or having afocused stare. It is essential to readany would-be attacker so one actsinstead of reacts. The sooner thedanger is recognized, the sooner aresponse can be formulated.Something else that can be done is

to strike strategically. That means strik-ing with a purpose to obtain a desiredresult. Knowing how the body works isa key factor. For example, if someone iscoming straight on, a side step can beperformed along with a hooking palmheel strike to the aggressor’s pelvisarea. Thus, the aggressor’s momentumbends him forward, which in turn setshim up for a second strike or creates anopportunity to tactically retreat.Sun Tzu also wrote, “You can be

sure of succeeding in your attacks if

Sun Tzu Says: “Appear weak when youare strong and strong when you are weak.”

66 INSIDE KUNG-FU i n s i d e k u n g - f u . c o m

1Redirect his arm to the inside tochange his balance.

An aggressor threatens you.

2

A low front kick bends him forward.

3 4A palm strike lifts him up.

56

He is now open to a follow-up strike.in this case a shot at the hipswhich pushes him down.

NOVEMBER 2010 67i n s i d e k u n g - f u . c o m

you only attack places which areundefended.” Another strategy is tolearn the body’s weaknesses. Forexample, there are no naturaldefenses for the eyes. A mere pokewill cause the eye to tear and slamshut. Having a working knowledge ofpressure points will also enhance thechances of a successful resolution.Also highly effective is striking at theCommon Peroneal Nerve on the sideof the leg, located just below the kneewith an angle kick. This strike has thepotential to end the fight quickly as itoverloads the nervous system andcauses a temporary stunning effect.

SUN TZU AND DECEPTIONSun Tzu teaches, “All war is based

on deception.” Posturing can helpwith deceiving your aggressor. Havingthe right posture is a way of showingreadiness, but does not necessarilygive away any true intentions. Think

how often someone takes a stepbackward into his fighting stance.What message is he really sending tohis attacker? Unless he is intentionallycreating some tactical distance, itmight appear he is backing up in fear.To a motivated and experienced

assailant, fear can equate to opportu-nity that can be quickly acted upon. Instepping forward into a ready stance,ducking the shoulders, and tilting thechin down, the message that is sent istotally different. It’s a message ofbeing prepared, not backing down,and being ready to engage. In reality,this may be nothing more than aclever ploy to buy time until helparrives or a stalling technique while anescape route is identified. This alsofalls in line with Sun Tzu’s adage,“Appear weak when you are strongand strong when you are weak.” Byusing deception, true intentions arehidden and one maintains an edge.

CLOSING THOUGHTSSun Tzu’s The Art of War is objec-

tively the primer work on military strat-egy and tactics. It guided the ancientChinese warring states throughoutalmost 5,000 years of internal war.Since the strategy contained thereinwas based on the military arts bornfrom armed and unarmed combat, itwould serve the modern-day martialartist well to visit The Art of War andsee how it applies to him. Let strategybecome the gun and tactics the bul-lets; just remember, one can’t workwithout the other.Amaury Murgado is a freelance

writer who has been involved withAsian martial arts for 37 years. Heis retired from the Army Reserves,an active law enforcement lieu-tenant, and a combatives instruc-tor. He is currently studying tai chiunder sifu Michael Smith in CentralFlorida.

7The strike sends the aggressor to the ground.

Sun Tzu Says:

on deception.”“All war is based

Sun Tzu Says:

enemy without fighting“…To subdue the

is the acme of skill.”