There is no such thing as a “strong” stance in all directions based on the fundamental of triangulation. If a stance is “strong” in one direction it is proportionally weak 90 degrees from that direction.

Front and Rear Triangulation Points (FTP/RTP)

Take the length of your tibia bone (the bone between your ankle and knee) and lay it down and back at an angle that would form an isosceles triangle.

The starting point is the bottom of your foot directly beneath the tibia bone. This is the Rear Triangulation Point (RTP). Another easy way to get a reference is simply to imagine where that person would sit to place their backside on a bucket

Forward: Take the same tibia bone and add the length of the foot from the ankle to the toes. This is the Front Triangulation Point (FTP). It is where the body naturally wants to step forward if lightly pushed from the rear or where you unconsciously place your foot during a walk forward.

Triangulation points shift based on stance and you must be constantly aware of this.

Note when the opponent has taken a more aggressive frontal stance, the triangulation points front and rear shift proportionally.

There is no such thing as a ‘Strong” stance. No carpenter would build a chair with two small legs and expect to stand. A strong as this particular relationship is from front to back it is equally weak down the lateral vectors.

Rather than develop the bad habit of wide stances and wide steps, learn to constantly move your feet with smaller steps. This gives you precious mobility and constant adjustment potential.

Front and Rear Triangulation Points

Front Triangulation Additional ConsiderationsKeep in mind the structure of the feet forward of the ankles, provides additional stability to the body when attempting to triangulate somebody to the Front. Not so with the back of the foot, the heels. So when you begin to successfully destabilize somebody, the Front Triangulation point moves proportionally. This point “slides” along the floor. Just make constant adjustments and do not try to simply yank them to the original point.

Laser RuleBeyond triangulation, specific skeletal structures point (think Laser Lines) to a circular ellipse with an approximate 12” radius that has it’s center point directly between the middle of the feet. Those lines not pointing to the ground end up aligning themselves parallel to the ground.

You will see from the next few illustrations how these “Laser Lines” radically and rapidly change and can be used to tremendous advantage, especially when the opponent is on the move. Understanding and perceiving this allows you to see the constant instability and opportunities that can never be “switched off” by any opponent.

Top of Head

Shoulders

Hips

Spine

Femur

Radius

Humerus

Laser Rule AppliedYou should note that ANYTIME somebody reaches, strikes, kicks, crouches, steps or grabs, that individual will be expressing fall lines. That is weak lines as traced down the vectors of the virtual laser beam. There is no escape from this phenomenon. It can always be exploited once recognized. Of course learning to quickly identify the opportunity is the key. Recognition drill must initially be down slowly. Over time the speed, intensity and ferocity is increased until true proficiency is achieved.

Note how far the lines that initially fell generally within the base circle have drifted outward. The angles that were once Parallel and Perpendicular to the force vector of gravity are now Acute angles are ready to be exploited.

Follow these lines with Minimal Force and without excessive grabbing or sudden disturbances. You will note that much less Force than generally expected will be enough to dramatically disturb balance to induce a fall.

Top of Head

Femur

HumerusFemur Top of Head Femur

Humerus

Radius

Femur

Radius

Humerus

These are moments or snapshots in time. They of course are ever-changing, so be willing and expect to make constant adjustments to find the lines with no friction or no real resistance possible for the opponent.

This illustrates how the shoulder and hips lines are now out of alignment. Induced movement down these vector yield immediate positive results.

Laser Rule AppliedEven if the Hips or Shoulders “appear” to be solid, almost immovable structures, you will discover that is simply not the case. They move quite readily if you conform your inputs to those structures along the proper vector.

Top of Head

Spine

Femur

Spine

Radius

Shoulders

Hips

Humerus

Humerus

Humerus

Here the opponent on the Left is advancing an attack. Right humerus bone is indicating the fall line. But that line is directly drawn through your own body to a point behind you.

“Open the Gate” (get your hips out of the way) to eliminate the opponent using your structure for support. Give the opponent minimal input down the original line to facilitate an unbalancing.

Lasers Cut through Your BodyIf the vectors end up going through you body, do not attempt to move the opponent through that line unless you are willing to vacate that space.

Spine

Shoulders

Hips

Humerus

Humerus

Levels “Floors” of the Body“Taking out”, disrupting, displacing, collapsing, cutting across, rotating, tipping, pulling the support pins on, sending a wave through any of the floors cause the building to collapse under the constant downward force of Gravity.

Gravity is Perfect. It never fails, it never waits, it’s relentless, and ever-reliable. Drop a watermelon from head height and you will immediately appreciate the potentials.

When the body “knows” it is falling, it shifts it’s attention and resources to try and prevent or address that fall potential.

Top of Head

Shoulders

Neck

Hips

Knees

Ankles

Considerations and the Mechanics of MovementsMovement must be intelligent, well-timed, and well-placed - It’s not random recombination

These are ideas should be contemplated and used where they fit in. Every situation is different and may require a different strategy. Examples of each of these concepts will be presented in the Techniques portion of this Curriculum.

Mobility – Constant MotionLook to and seek mobility from any position. Picture a tennis players ready to receive a 140 mph serve. Those players’ feet are in motion in order to have any reasonable chance to get into position for an effective return. In the same man-ner, do not dig yourself into the floor. We call it a “defend the castle” mentality.

Be ready to move and move again.

Natural MovementsUse the human body’s natural alignment and movements to transfer powerful energies generated internally or energies originating from your opponent and then and back to him again.

Strong or contrived stances are not most effective and tend to “glue” you to the floor making you extremely vulnerable to additional attackers.

Economy of MotionMaximum efficiency with minimal effort. This is the hallmark of good JuiJitsu. There is a reason why Pulleys became popular!

Movement vs Power When everybody has “power” or the summation of forces on the other side of the equation is more than you have, good movement more than makes up for the difference. Eventually you trust movement more that self-generated power.

Independence of MovementIt is important to learn to move and articulate individual body parts and muscle groups. This facilitates relaxed movement, powerful striking combinations, and opens the doors for many options to escape.

Maintain ContactTo Slip Away without Breaking Contact is the Goal

Arms Reach – They do not Push Think about reaching for a saltshaker on the table. The muscle sequence of usage is a reach, not a tense push. Pushing with hands and arms creates a solid feedback loop that the opponent can resist, use to bridge, and use to move you.

Do not Grab to Gain Control“Listen” to where the opponent wants to go. Do not use excessive tension to resist his/her movements; make all their movements work in your favor. Attempting to “Grab” for immediate control gives too much valuable information to the opponent.

Legs PullDriving off your back leg when in contact with an opponent also bridges your opponent to your base. Look for ways to “slide under” your opponents’ center of gravity by initiating forward movement with your knee.