This website is dedicated to the Students of Seifu A.S. Umar Sharif, MA. It is also dedicated to the promotion and propagation of the Traditional Afro-Asian Martial and Healing Arts. Our goal is to inform, educate, inspire, encourage, and motivate others to improve their lives by applying The Wisdom of the Ancients.
As your teacher and host, Seifu Sharif [aka: Xia` Xue' Gong] [aka: Tobi Alakoso] is dedicated to helping each of you to remember and nurture the Spirit of Wu-Te and the powers dormant within you.
Namaste’ Students and Fellow Martial Arts Enthusiasts!
A subject that we have not covered in our previous Post is this very important topic of primary targets to be attacked when applying our discipline to defend ourselves. This Post identifies the Targets attacked in the 7 Circles System and the Stages of Progression in launching your attack. This lesson should be considered vital to the integrity of the System and is discussed here only in modest detail. Your discipline in practicing basic techniques and applying those techniques based upon these principles [combat strategies] will be the basis of your success in combat. Guard your knowledge as you would guard the lives of your brothers or sisters.
Each of the 7 styles and energies of our system (Tiger, Dragon, Crane, Monkey, Mantis, Snake, and Eagle) can attack based upon the same principles. The styles and energies should be used in an integrated fashion so as to keep the opponent mentally and physically off balance. A successful defensive strategy will require speed and power in seeing and seizing opportunities of vulnerability in your opponent’s stances, guard hands, attacks, and defensive maneuvers. No predator can be successful in the hunt without the superior ability to stalk its prey. This also applies to the warrior. Your superior stepping and versatile, fluid guard hands will allow you to create openings by ‘baiting’ your opponent into launching an attack or making a defensive move. Remember that the goal of your movements is ultimately to create an opening to attack the opponent and end the threat. Also bear in mind the 9 Stages of our Theory of Self-Defense.
The 7 Circles Nine (9) Stage Theory of Self-Defense
When confronted with an attack you must choose to:
Avoid
Evade
Redirect
Lock & Hold
Create Pain
Inflict Injury
Maim
Render Unconscious
Terminate a life
There are basically Four (4) Levels of Attack:
Attacking the Joints
Attacking the Muscles
Sealing the Breath and Blood
Attacking the Eyes & Vital Pressure Points
Attacking the Joints
All motion of the human body is dependent upon the proper operation of the joints. Attack the joint so as to cause it to move in an unnatural direction, to hyper-extend in a natural direction, to bruise the bone, or to traumatize the ligaments and tendons that support the joint. When a joint is attacked effectively it can produce two end results:
Decrease in mobility
Pain and a resulting loss of concentration and power by your opponent
Level 1:
In order to decrease the mobility of your opponent attack the joints. Start with the foundation (feet and legs) and then work you way to the upper body limbs (hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders). Attacks or fakes to the head or body may be necessary to distract the opponent from your attacks to the feet and legs.
Lower Body (Take away the foundation, mobility, and kicking power.)
Feet (2) In our system the feet are treated like a joint; they each have 28 linked bones.
Ankles (2)
Knees (2)
Hips (2)
Upper Body (Take away punching, grabbing, and holding power)
Hands (28) There are 14 joints in each hand.
Wrists (2)
Elbows (2)
Shoulders (2)
If we add these up we see that there are a total of 42 targets for Attacking the Joints.
Attacking the Muscles
All speed and power movements of the body are controlled by the strength and coordination of the muscles. We’re setting the influence of Qi aside for the moment. When your opponent’s muscles are effectively attacked, he/she will loose the ability to launch an effective and powerful attack or defense. Attack your opponent’s muscles with focused, sharp, and compelling force so as to traumatize them and shock the nerves that control their movement. Your attack can produce the following effects:
Decreased mobility
Decreased speed
Decreased power
Decreased coordination
Cramps and spasms
Temporary paralysis
Pain
Level 2:
In order to further decrease the mobility and strength of your opponent attack the muscles.
Calves (2)
Thighs (2) Both the top (front) and bottom (back) of the thigh can be attacked but attacking the top (front) and side of the thigh will have the greatest debilitating effect on your opponent’s ability to kick.
Biceps (2) They control the retracting the arms.
Triceps (2) They control the extension the arms.
Deltoids (2) They control the movement of the shoulders.
Trapezius (2) Both sides of the upper back between the shoulders and the neck; controls the movement of the shoulders and neck.
Mastoids (2) Both sides of the neck; controls the movement of the neck.
Latissimus Dorsi (2) Both sides of the lower back; controls movement of the waist.
If we add these up we see that there are a total of 16 targets for Attacking the Muscles.
During your Shadow Boxing, Fighting Dancing, and Shaolin Boxing with partners you should focus on developing your skill at creating openings and opportunities to attack these 58 Targets.
To be continued
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It is not simply practice that makes perfect. It is perfect practice and consistent practice that makes perfect.
