|
The study of Russian Martial Art - ROSS concerns
universal principles of human physiology and biomechanics. Emphasis is
placed upon natural, gross motor patterns of movement which can be applied
in countless ways depending upon circumstances. The complex nature of human
articulation affords incredible movement potential. Multi-planar ranges of
motion are often our most useful. By capitalizing on the inherent circular,
rotational and angular capabilities of our musculo-skeletal system we can
become more efficient and effective in response to attack. This article will
discuss a core ROSS principle called
yielding and its practical application through the
strategy of creating a plane
by using rotational movements of appendages and the hips/torso in patterns
referred to as Methods 1, 2 and 3.
Yielding is the
ROSS principle of non-resistance to external force. It is energy inefficient
to use muscular strength in opposition to an opponent's application of
force. That is not to say there is never a time and place for such things,
but there are better ways of dealing with external force than direct
counteractive force. This principle is manifest by moving around, collapsing
over and creating planes adjacent to vectors of external force.
Before taking a
look at how to specifically accomplish this, let's first discuss reference
positions called frame.
This term refers to the positioning of the arms relative to the torso and
head. Lower frame is where the arms are down along side the body, palms
facing to the rear, shoulders relaxed and dropped forward, knees slightly
bent with the hips turned just off the body centerline. Middle frame differs
in that the forearms are parallel to the ground and each other with the arms
bent at the elbow, palms facing inward. By continuing to rotate the arms
upward about ninety degrees we arrive at upper frame. Here the upper arms
are nearly perpendicular to the frontal plane with forearms almost parallel
to the body and each other, palms inward. This position is a natural
reaction to unexpected strikes to the head region. These three frames are
ready positions for three levels - low, mid and high.
Frames are not
necessarily positions that will be held, but rather positions through which
the body will move. The obvious defensive value of lower frame will be for
strikes directed at the lower body and hips; middle frame, the mid-torso
region; and upper frame, the upper-torso and head region. However this
should not be considered absolute. It should also be noted that each arm can
be in a different frame position than the other at any given time.
|
Now let us look at some
examples of specific
attacks. Consider a straight
punch thrown at your lower
torso with an opponent's
right hand. The application
of force is along an
essentially linear vector.
Since using force against
force is energy inefficient
our goal will be to yield to
the force by moving around
it as it is applied. To do
this we want to create a
plane with our bodies
adjacent to the incoming
force. One way to accomplish
this goal is to rotate our
left arm inward toward the
body centerline such that
the rotation causes our
forearm to become tangent to
the vector of the attack. In
ROSS, this is called
Method 1.
|
|
Since our torso will also
naturally rotate with the
inward screwing motion of
the arm generated by the
shoulder, we can effectively
roll our bodies off the line
of attack without
interrupting the opponent's
inertia. The tactical
considerations of this are
obvious, but another
significant advantage is
that it denies the opponent
neuromuscular (proprioceptive)
information, since his
intention and expectation
was to impart force upon
your body which you have
removed from the line of his
attack by rotating around
it. His central nervous
system will need to
accommodate this unexpected
turn of events and his
reactionary gap is thereby
increased. This may provide
just enough time to launch a
counterattack or escape.
|
Now consider a left punch coming in towards your upper
torso region. To create a plane for this attack with
Method 2 flex the
right arm while drawing the elbow across and towards the body center line
while rotating the forearm outward. In this case the direction of rotation
of the forearm is counter-clockwise. This will create a compression of the
torso on the right side and a rotation of the torso to the left, as again
our bodies yield to the force being applied and create a plane adjacent to
the attack.
|
The next attack we'll
consider is a right hook
punch to our head. This will
be a curvilinear vector of
force. With
Method 3
we'll begin by raising and
inwardly rotating our left
arm to meet the attacking
forearm. Once contact has
been made, begin an outward
rotation as the elbow is
raised and rolled over top
of the attackers arm so that
your elbow arrives at a
controlling position on top
of the attacker's arm. After
the inward rotation is used
to roll onto the vector of
the attack, the contact
should not be a hard block
but is merely the fulcrum
about which your forearm
will rotate around the
attacker's arm.
|
The descriptions above should not to be considered
techniques. They are simply movement patterns applied to unique
circumstances for the purposes of moving around and creating planes adjacent
to vectors of aggressive application of force. That is, Method 1 is an
inward screwing motion of the arm or leg, Method 2 is an outward screwing
motion, and Method 3 begins as an inward rotation and resolves with an
outward rotation. All three are ways of creating a plane with your body to
nullify the effect of an attack.
|
While lower, middle and
upper frames in general
correspond respectively with
Methods 1, 2 and 3, this is
a necessary
over-simplification of
movement and position for
sake of discussion. What has
been introduced are very
basic and specific examples.
A situation very well may
call for the use of Method 2
against a low strike or
Method 1 for a high attack,
and so on. Nor is their
applicability limited to
strikes. They can be used to
respond to applied pressure,
or as releases from grabs.
Other uses involve ground
engagements and
disengagements. Fancy terms,
yes, but they imply more of
a deliberate nature than
mere falls. So as we can see
by using the rotational
capabilities of our bodies
with Methods 1, 2 and 3 we
have the means to deal with
many different external
forces, whether of human or
other origin.
|
|
