Ninja Training - Footwork Options For Controlling A Fight

It's said that, in an attack situation, a ninja always has the right technique needed to win

. But, with all of the possible attacks that could come at you, how is this possible?

Unlike most martial arts that focus on preset kata, or forms, the art of ninjutsu is based on principles and concepts. Instead of memorizing strings of moves, the ninja student learns strategies and tactics that create specific results.

All new students to the training are introduced to four basic footwork patterns or methods that are designed to deal with very specific types of attacks. Each footwork method used by the ninja is learned, not because "it's part of the art," but because it increases the overall number of options that the Ninja has for use in his or her defense.

The 4 footwork methods of the Ninja's ninpo-taijutsu, unarmed combat method include strategies for:

1) Holding your ground. Instead of relying on conventional strength from mere muscle - something easily beaten by someone bigger than you - we use positioning and up-down sinking movements centered in the hips, thighs, and seat.

2) Defensive angling and back-peddling. When overwhelmed by a bigger, stronger, or more skilled adversary, the ninja can use the concept of strategic angling to create openings in the attacker's defenses while making sure that his own targets are covered and protected. This footwork method pulls the ninja back and away from the attack at a 45 degree angle to take advantage of distance as well as creating the necessary time to deal with the opponent's advances.

3) Direct, committed advancing. Against a hesitant attacker, or a fighter who uses a hauling off type of attack, the ninja can seize the opportunity to charge into his enemy's space. This "intercepting" strategy takes the fight to the assailant who goes on the defensive in order to protect himself from the ninja's own techniques.

4) Slippery, evasive flanking. Here, the ninja uses last-second, tricky timing to avoid the assailant's strikes, or uses pivoting shifts to clear the attacker's power line. This footwork is difficult to explain as the ninja simultaneously avoids the opponent's advances, parries or redirects the attacker's energy, and counter-attacks with trapping strikes the catch the attacker off-guard.

As you can see, the ninja does not think using the typical 2-dimensional perspective of most martial artists. Instead of only relying on front-back, or side-side movement, the ninja relies on a set of options that work well against different types of attack strategies.

In this way, and not through some sense of ESP or mind-reading, the shadow warrior is prepared for whatever might be thrown his or her way. Then, after observing the attacker's movements and reading his body language cues, we match the assailant with the right set of principles that are already designed to control and beat his techniques.

by: Jeffrey Miller

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