Two weekends ago, I conducted an Instructor's seminar covering a plethora of subjects pertaining to Tuite.

During the session about "Short Range Techniques" I offered up a question for them to consider. I'll get to the question soon.

Let me preface my question...

It is said that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Geographical that might be true, however, in the MA, especially where Tuite is concerned, that isn't always true.

For example, an opponents defensive posture and/or defensive counter might present an obstruction in an otherwise clear path towards your sight-of-target. Now, where your attack was deflected before, your transitional movements/footwork created in/by/through a more clearer opportunities, i.e. a hook punch/kick/throw around.

Now for the question...

When is the fastest way better than the shortest way and vice versa?

I guess it would depend on the manipulations involved, or what the goal of the situation is. For LEOs like myself and tallgeese, when the simple answer would be to punch someone out, we don't always have that option, due to use-of-force issues. Therefore, we have to facilitate a different route to get to our desired destination, which could be getting a hand behind the back, either standing or on the floor.