Martial Place

Einstein's theory of relativity may have Mathematicians and Scientists in heated debate; but a theory that all things are relative can not be disputed when it comes to combat training. All things being relative is the view point expressed in the book Combat Application techniques: Principles Of Destruction written by Andrew Curtiss. This is a practice that has long been taught since the days of the Samurai of feudal Japan. People in general do not have enough faith in their unarmed combat abilities. In general , most people feel much more comfortable with a weapon like guns, knives and sticks. It is the thought that,"I have something that will keep the didtance between me and my adversary." It is this "Distance" that gives a false sense of security.

The ancient samurai would often master the sword before learning unarmed techniques. After becoming masters with their trade weapon they would apply many of the same movements and techniques to the unarmed arena. There are many reasons behind this. Psychologically once we become profficient with something it becomes easier to learn new tasks. We become confident in our ability to learn and execute. We gain Muscle memory. With muscle memory and confidence we begin to find commonalities between that which we have mastered and that which we are learning a new. These commonalities are based on constants. There are always the constants of physics present in all we endeavor. We often call these constants principles. Gravity will always be a constant. Leverage will always be constant. Using the constants or basic principles of physics and motion it is easy to see that training with or without weapons in hand it is all relative.

In the newly released book Combat Application Techniques: Principles Of Destruction Andrew Curtiss demonstrates relativity in combat training in that he begins the book by teaching basic entry,attack and counter techniques with a knife. The instruction begins with knife versus knife. Then it moves to Knife versus unarmed and culminates with unarmed versus unarmed combat techniques. The relativity of it all becomes apparent when the reader realizes that the same techniques taught in the begining of the book are also the same ones used at the end of the book. The only difference is that the knife used in the begining is only an extension of the hand used in the end. It is this principle that allows the trainee to pick up, learn and apply the techniques efficiently and quickly. This same training method is what made the Samurai the class of well rounded warrior that they were. All things truly are relative in the end.