Sun 12 October 2025
By Thinker
In Martial Arts .
This is Part 2 of the Sun Tzu martial arts tactics series. Part 1 covered the foundational principles from chapters 4-6 (Formation, Momentum, and Hollow/Solid). This document explores how these principles integrate into complete tactical systems, plus offensive strategies for breaking opponent's defensive structures.
Prerequisites: Understanding of the three core chapters from Part 1.
Advanced Integration: Layered Tactical Setup (Strategic Forcing 誘敵之術)
The Complete System: Power Hand as Gate
This integrates all three chapters into a sophisticated tactical framework.
Layer 1: The Threat (威懾) - Chapter 4
Power hand forward - Immediate strike capabilityForces opponent to make decision: cannot come straight in
This is your "gate" - controls centerline/direct path
Active defense through threat display
Layer 2: Channeling (引導) - Chapter 5
Opponent must avoid your power hand Forces choice: go around left, around right, or try to control/trap it
You've limited their options - from infinite angles to 2-3 predictable pathsUsing momentum principles to shape their movement
Layer 3: Prepared Response (預謀) - Chapter 6
You already know which paths they'll take based on your formationEach path has a weakness you've identified
Pre-planned counters ready - not reacting, but executing prepared strategy虛實 positioning for most likely path
Layer 4: The Hollow/Solid Trap (虛實陷阱)
Weight distribution positioned for MOST LIKELY path
When they take that path (avoiding your power hand), you shift to exploit it
The path they "chose" was actually the path you wanted them to take
Sun Tzu Principles in Complete Action
"致人而不致於人" (Chapter 6) - Make them come to you on YOUR terms
- Your power hand forward FORCES their movement pattern
- You're not reacting to them; they're reacting to your setup
"攻其無備，出其不意" (Chapter 1) - Attack where unprepared
- They think they're being clever by avoiding your power hand
- But you've prepared for exactly that avoidance - their "safe" path is your trap
"形人而我無形" (Chapter 6) - Shape them while remaining shapeless
- Your formation shapes their approach options
- Your response adapts to whichever path they choose (but you're ready for all)
Practical Examples
1. Orthodox Boxing Stance
Strong rear hand threat controls center
Opponent circles to your left (away from power hand)
Prepared response: lead hook waiting, or pivot right to cut them off
Weight pre-loaded for that specific counter
2. Southpaw vs Orthodox
Power hands on same line - mutual threat
Forces specific footwork patterns (outside foot position battle)
Whoever controls the angle has prepared counter ready
The "solution" to the footwork puzzle is the trap
3. Wing Chun Bil Jee Hand
Centerline occupied by thrusting fingers
Opponent must go around or try to trap
Each response has prepared counter (pak da, lap da, tan da)
Weight distribution ready for most likely response
4. Fencing En Garde
Point threatens direct line continuously
Forces disengage or beat
Riposte prepared for each opponent's blade action
The threat IS the tactical channeling device
The Mental Game: Chess, Not Checkers
The Strategy:
- Opponent feels like they're making choices
- But you've designed the choice architecture
- Every "option" they have leads to a position you've prepared for
- Their "solution" to your power hand threat IS your actual attack plan
The Complete Formula:
Threat Display (Power hand forward) → Restricts optionsPath Prediction (Formation reveals likely approaches) → Anticipate movementPre-positioned Response (Weight distribution ready) → Prepared counterHollow/Solid Execution (Shift when they commit) → Spring the trap
Offensive Principle: Breaking the Frame (打破框架)
Core Concept: Don't Accept Their Terms
The previous sections focused on defensive control - shaping opponent's choices. This section addresses the offensive counterpart: refusing to play within opponent's defensive structure .
"兵之形，避實而擊虛" (Chapter 6) - Military form: avoid the solid, strike the hollow
The Problem with "Allowed" Paths
When attacking a skilled opponent:
- Their defensive formation appears to offer certain paths
- These "allowed" paths are actually their prepared traps
- Following the "obvious" opening leads to their pre-planned counter
- You're playing their game, on their terms
This mirrors the defensive principle in reverse:
- Just as YOU create defensive structures that channel opponents into traps
- THEY are doing the same to you when you attack
- The path that looks open IS the path they want you to take
Breaking Down Defense: Creating Unexpected Paths
Strategic Approach:
Recognize the Frame Identify their defensive structure
Understand what paths they're "offering"
See the trap they've prepared
Recognize the inherent weaknesses of their frame
Analyze Frame Weaknesses
Every defensive structure has weaknesses by design
High guard leaves body exposed (even if it's bait)
Centerline control sacrifices outside angles
Strong root limits mobility
Heavy pressure forward creates vulnerability to redirects/pulls
The weakness exists whether or not it's intentional bait
Refuse the Frame
Don't take the "allowed" paths (obvious weaknesses = their traps)
Don't attack where they expect
Break their defensive structure itself
Attack the weakness they DON'T want you to see
Create New Geometry
Force them into positions their structure can't handle
Attack the structure, not through it
Generate angles/timing that weren't in their plan
Exploit structural weaknesses, not presented openings
Methods of Breaking Defense
1. Timing Disruption (破壞時機)
Attack during their transition between defensive configurations
Strike when they're shifting weight, changing guard, adjusting distance
The structure is weakest during transformation
Example:
- Opponent maintains high guard (defending head)
- Instead of attacking the "open" body (their trap), wait
- Attack the head when they're switching to different guard position
- Their structure is broken during the switch
2. Structural Collapse (破壞結構)
Attack the foundation of their defense, not the defense itself
Destroy their balance, root, or structural integrity
Once structure collapses, all prepared counters become impossible
Examples:
- Sweeps/throws - Remove the foundation (legs)
- Heavy pressure - Collapse their frame through overwhelming force
- Off-balancing - Destroy their root before striking
- Trapping both hands - Structural control that prevents defensive tools from functioning
3. Multi-Vector Attack (多路攻擊)
Attack multiple targets/angles simultaneously
Their defense can only protect against one threat at a time
Forces them to make choices, creating true openings (not bait)
Examples:
- High-low combination - Guard protects head, body strike lands
- Simultaneous hand and foot - Cannot defend both
- Feint + real - Defense commits to false threat, real attack succeeds
4. Overwhelming Initiative (奪取主動)
Continuous, rapid attack that prevents defensive setup
They can't establish their prepared structure
No time to create their frame, so no frame to accept
Examples:
- Boxing's combination punching - No space for counter-setup between punches
- Muay Thai's clinch pressure - Constant control prevents defensive reset
- Wrestling's chain wrestling - One technique flows to next, no defensive breathing room
5. Range Breaking (破距離)
Enter range they didn't account for
Most defensive structures assume certain distance
Attacking from unexpected range collapses their geometry
Examples:
- Surprise closing - Enter close-range when they expected long-range fight
- Maintaining distance - Stay outside their prepared trap distance
- In-fighting - Too close for their structure to work
Sun Tzu Principles Applied to Attack
"攻其無備，出其不意" (Chapter 1) - Attack where unprepared, appear where unexpected
- Don't attack where they're prepared (the "allowed" paths)
- Attack the preparation itself (break the structure)
- Appear at times/angles they didn't prepare for (transitions, unexpected ranges)
"致人而不致於人" (Chapter 6) - Make them come to you (offensively applied)
- Even when attacking, force THEM to react to YOUR initiative
- Your attack creates problems they must solve
- Don't solve the problems their defense creates
"兵無常勢，水無常形" (Chapter 6) - No fixed momentum, no fixed form
- Don't commit to one attack path
- Flow around their defense like water
- Adapt attack based on their defensive response, but don't follow their channeling
The Complete Offensive Strategy
Phase 1: Analysis
- Recognize their defensive frame
- Identify "allowed" paths (their traps)
- Find structural weaknesses, transition moments, range assumptions
Phase 2: Structure Breaking
- Attack timing (transitions)
- Attack structure (balance, foundation)
- Attack geometry (unexpected angles/ranges)
- Attack capacity (multiple threats simultaneously)
Phase 3: Exploitation
- Once structure breaks, genuine openings appear
- These are TRUE 虛 (hollow), not bait
- Attack decisively into real vulnerability
Integration with Defensive Principles
The Complete Tactical Picture:
Defense:
- Create frame that channels opponent
- Prepare traps on "allowed" paths
- Maintain continuous transformation to prevent pattern exploitation
Attack:
- Recognize opponent's frame
- Refuse to take "allowed" paths
- Break their defensive structure
- Attack true openings created by structural collapse
The Paradox:
- You use frames defensively (to control them)
- You break frames offensively (to avoid being controlled)
- Both require understanding the same principle from opposite perspectives
Practical Examples
Boxing: Breaking the Guard
Their Frame:
- High guard protects head
- Offers body as "allowed" path
- Counter prepared for body attacks
Breaking It:
- Feint body (they commit defense)
- Strike head during their commitment
- OR: Heavy body shots that collapse their guard structure through accumulated damage
- OR: Continuous jab that prevents guard from settling into prepared position
Wing Chun: Breaking Centerline Control
Their Frame:
- Hands control centerline
- Forces you to go around
- Prepared counters for outside attacks
Breaking It:
- Simultaneous double attack (one high, one low)
- Heavy downward pressure collapses their structure
- Close range where their hand position can't function (elbow range)
- Attack during their hand transition
Grappling: Breaking Defensive Posture
Their Frame:
- Defensive posture (hunched, protected)
- Limits submission options
- Makes certain attacks "allowed" (their traps)
Breaking It:
- Create motion/pressure that forces posture break
- Attack what they're using to maintain posture (grip breaks, base attacks)
- Chain attacks that prevent posture re-establishment
- Use their defensive tension against them (sweeps when posted, attacks when reactive)
Integrated Principles Summary
Defensive Integration:
Strategic combat - fight the battle before they attackDesign the choice architecture through formation
Pre-position responses for predictable paths
Execute with speed through pre-loaded weight shifts
Offensive Integration:
Breaking the Frame (打破框架) - don't accept opponent's termsRecognize their defensive structure and "allowed" paths
Attack the structure itself, not through it
Create openings through timing disruption, structural collapse, multi-vector attacks, overwhelming initiative, or range breaking
True 虛 (hollow) appears when structure breaks
Philosophical Foundation
"先為不可勝，以待敵之可勝"
First become invincible, then await the enemy's vulnerability
This is not about waiting passively. It's about:
1. Creating a position where you cannot be defeated (proper formation, active defense)
2. Forcing opponent into predictable patterns (channeling through threats)
3. Exploiting their commitment with pre-planned responses (虛實 execution)
The highest level of martial arts is making the opponent defeat themselves by attacking where you've already prepared the trap.
Related Concepts
誘敵之術 (Luring Enemy into Technique) - Strategic forcing四兩撥千斤 (Four Ounces Deflect Thousand Pounds) - Minimal force through timing and positioning形人而我無形 (Shape Enemy While Remaining Formless) - Control without being controlled打破框架 (Breaking the Frame) - Refusing opponent's terms, attacking their structure破壞時機 (Timing Disruption) - Attacking during transitions破壞結構 (Structural Collapse) - Destroying defensive foundation多路攻擊 (Multi-Vector Attack) - Simultaneous threats to multiple targets奪取主動 (Overwhelming Initiative) - Continuous attack that prevents defensive setup破距離 (Range Breaking) - Attacking from unexpected distance
Document created: 2025-10-12
Part 2 of 2: Advanced Integration and Offensive Tactics
See Part 1 for foundational principles from chapters 4-6