Mathematics of Combinations

[Johnlogic121]

The mathematics of combinations shows how a simple number of basic things can quickly evolve into a high number of variations very fast. For example, consider the three moves of a solar plexus punch, a hook punch, and a uppercut with the three kicks: a front groin kick, a knee smash to the groin, and a side slicing kick to the inside knee. If you start with the left side and make a move on the right side followed by a move on the left side, there are 6 times 6 times 6 or 216 combinations of patterns. There are 432 combinations when you also count going right to left to right again.

Supposing that you want to practice each "useful" combination at least 300 times, how does the style you study select the "useful" combinations? Most styles offer far more than six techniques on the right and on the left. What happens when you are dealing with 45 techniques, or 90? What logical guidelines limit the variations that you practice?

[BillKephart]

In my experience the combinations favored by different styles are the ones that feel the most natural and are easy to execute (as in you could reasonably expect to do them under pressure with minimal chance of mistake).

In boxing we always practiced the 1-2-3 (jab, cross, short hook with lead hand)

In my Karate experience (and this is true of our kata) an offense move (mostly but not always) consists of a defense move followed by one or two offense moves. For example doing an outside block with one arm and a quick punch to the solar plexus with the other.

[yingampyang]

Well in my martial arts years i have done professionally 16 styles , each consisting of say 200 conbinations per certian movement. The more complex the style the more combinations. To remember all of them or too use what is useful that is a personal thing that the fighter him or her self must choses. And if they pick many then they must be ready for the mental and physical chanllege.

[bushido_man96]

I think that many students will gravitate either toward some of the tendencies of their instructors (in an attempt to emulate them) or find a few moves that they like and work well for them, and then build a bulk of their combinations off of those moves.

I think that at times it can be a good idea to practice random combinations to force the students to think and change up, but sticking with what works, the bread-and-butter, is important for every Martial Artist.

[Jay]

I dont think you should always stay to what comes naturally as there will be certain cicumstances where another combination is better so you must adapt to apply a different combination when it is needed.

[DWx]

I think that many students will gravitate either toward some of the tendencies of their instructors (in an attempt to emulate them) or find a few moves that they like and work well for them, and then build a bulk of their combinations off of those moves.

I agree with this. Unless a student actually goes away and looks at say videos of matches or other clubs/schools, they only get their instructor as an example and although the instructor may try to teach stuff that they themselves can't use, I think there is a tendacy to stick with what you know and pass this on to others.

In my own training I will take combos my instructor suggests but then either adapt them or discard them if they don't work for my body type. I also play around with my own variations. In my experience with myself and the people I train with, most tend to use <10 combos naturally but that those <10 can change over the years as the students discards a combo for something else that does the same thing but better for them.

[ps1]

Johnlogic121,

What you're referring to is called junretsu or permutations. In traditional menkyo training (Japanese instructor training) it is necessary to go through lots and lots of them, keeping a notebook and then cataloging them as they link to kata. However, most styles have already decided which permutations they feel are best. In general, those decisions are guided by the doctrine of the system. TKD may choose the permutations that include more kicking while wing chun chooses those that best protect and stem from the centerline and shotokan usually selected those that are very strong and linear.

It is doctrine (a particular set of beliefs) that guides all the choices you make in a style. For example: Let us suppose you created a style that said every technique set MUST include a crossing elbow strike. Your doctrine has just limited which particular permutations you will chose.

It is my opinion, however, that a particular style of martial art should provide a general guideline rather than stead fast rules. In the end, if you find a technique set that works well for you, you should use it. Regardless of wether it fits in the doctrine of the system.

Hope that's been helpful.

[BillKephart]

Actually on second thought from a practical standpoint I think the good combinations approach is wrongheaded (that is to say in application to self defense). A street fight probably ought to consist of one move that ends it. If a street fight goes on more than a few seconds I think something is wrong.

[bushido_man96]

Ending a street fight in one move is not going to happen very often. I think many people conceive to happen that way, but it is very rare that it does.

[yingampyang]

Yes thats very true, not many people out there can and will finish a street fight in one move.