Controlling the Ground

[Taylor]

Controlling the Ground is about choosing the place where the conflict will occur that allows your techniques and strengths to be emphasized and your opponents to be undermined, as well as the art of engineering an opponent onto this ground. Discussion and education on this principle can range from complicated strategic determinations to a simple discussion of where to stand in different environments based on your size, weight and height.

An example of a common area where this discussion can creatively applied is in dealing with multiple opponents. In fighting multiple opponents, some techniques might be taught, but we can also think about the place in a room that negates a number advantage. Furniture, hallways, corridors, a corner or even a stairwell can quickly ensure that only one opponent can approach at a time indoors. Outdoors, between parked cars and behind large structures can also negate a number advantage and ensure only one opponent can approach at a time.

Another consideration can be as simple as monitoring the ground where you stand in a fight in relation to your opponent's ground. If you force your opponent to stand on a curb or the lower side of a curb if he wants to engage you, then immediately your opponent's ground is awkward and unbalanced, you place him into a clear disadvantage. If you get good at moving an opponent around, you may be able to even back him into a curb, causing him to trip, leading to a quick victory!

These are practical examples, and the art of "Controlling the Ground" has it's practical applications, which involves learning to move an opponent around and control the place an engagement happens, and even enticing a particular attack where and when you want it to happen. This is all work that happens in most martial arts studios, however, and this gives some context about why these skills are so important to learn. Once learning these skills, and knowing how to apply them, another aspect of the work is the creative mental exercise in which you think strategically about the advantages and disadvantages of numerous environments, and find the places that emphasize your strengths and negate various opponent’s strengths, or draw out different opponent's weaknesses. Also, one can think about how different environments simply give anyone an advantage, empowering your defense so you don't fall into those traps, as well as your offense so you can use them.

It is an exercise in thinking creatively and habitually about the environment so that eventually any particular space around a martial artist becomes a potential weapon!

[bushido_man96]

Ideas like this are great for taking the students out of the school, and into a parking lot, or the park, or the mall, where you can actually use the environment to make your points and practice the principles.

This is an example of being aware and using the surroundings to your advantage.