The Private Party Principal


If I don’t know you, I will not allow you into the party.
If you do not know what it is that your opponent is attempting to do, do not let him do it.
A strong opponent with little knowledge in martial arts who obeys this principal will be tuff to defeat. Grappling is a dynamic process. You have to block your opponent’s steps. This is the most important principal.
Unexpected attacks are dangerous ones.


Executing a technique always requires a variety of elements to come together. Generally speaking these
elements include things such as leverage, base, positioning, timing, momentum, and control points or grips. If
you can deny your opponent crucial elements for his technique, you can stop the technique.
Even if you do not know what your opponent is trying to do, you can discern the steps he is taking to
make it happen and thwart those steps.