In both traditional military strategy and martial arts training, there is one timeless principle: never block yourself. This idea applies not only to formations on the battlefield but also to the way we move our bodies in combat.
Battlefield Lesson: Numbers Don’t Always Win
In classic formations, when a large army is trapped in the center, most of its soldiers cannot act. Only those on the outer edge are fighting, while the rest become useless. In this case, fewer enemies who surround you can easily overwhelm your numbers.
The lesson is simple: don’t let your own formation block itself.
Martial Arts Lesson: Don’t Fight Against Your Own Body
The same principle shows up in martial arts. A basic example is when your right hand blocks your left, or when your right side is controlled, leaving your left punch unable to land because your own body is in the way.
At a deeper level, this becomes more subtle. Your structure may look fine, but inside, there is internal friction—your body parts are not working together smoothly. Movements feel less natural, your rhythm breaks, and once rhythm is lost, fatigue builds quickly while your fighting spirit fades.
Strategic Application: Make the Opponent Block Themselves
In both striking and swordplay, victory often comes not by sheer power, but by forcing the opponent to block themselves:
Disrupt their structure so they interfere with their own movements Create internal friction in their body, making their actions slower and less efficient Stretch the fight—after just two or three minutes, their stamina and morale collapse
When this happens, you gain control without needing to overpower them directly.
Key Takeaway: Eliminate Internal Friction
The principle is clear: avoid blocking yourself. Whether on the battlefield or in martial arts practice, the enemy doesn’t always have to defeat you—you may defeat yourself through internal friction.
To last in combat, both physically and mentally, reducing internal conflict is just as important as striking the opponent.
