and analyze a multidimensional event in a multidimensional way. Ask a martial artist, “What’s your favorite attack?” or “What’s your favorite combination?” and they will have an answer. For a few years, mine was a backfist/sidekick combination. Remember that. It will come up in a few paragraphs.
There are many ways to break things up. Consider this as one example. There are four different ways that a fight can arise:
(1) You are completely surprised, hit before you are aware that a conflict has arisen.
(2) You felt something was going on but weren’t sure what.
(3) You knew it was coming and you were ready, a mutual combat.
(4) You ambushed the other guy, initiating action when he was completely surprised.
There are also three different levels of force that you can use. (A) You must not injure the other person, (e.g. getting the car keys from drunken Uncle Bob). (B) It’s okay to injure, but not to kill. (C) Killing is both legally justified and prudent.
This makes a simple 3x4 matrix of twelve options:
Figure 1.1: The Tactical Matrix
| SURPRISED | ALERTED | MUTUAL | ATTACKING | |
| NO INJURY | ||||
| INJURY | ||||
| LETHAL |
In only one of these twelve possible scenarios is the backfist/ sidekick a really good option. It is workable in perhaps two more, but for seventy-five percent of the options, my “favorite” technique is worthless.
You can plug almost any technique, tactic, or even system into the matrix and see where it applies. Karate’s core strategy is to “do damage”— close in and hit hard. Given that it is difficult (not impossible) to kill with a bare hand, where does Karate fit on the matrix? Where does boxing fit? Sword and shield? Where does a handgun fit? Can you use a handgun when you are completely surprised?
| SURPRISED | ALERTED | MUTUAL | ATTACKING | |
| NO INJURY | Inappropriate due to risk of injury/ requires time and distance | Inappropriate due to risk of injury | Inappropriate due to risk of injury | Inappropriate due to risk of injury |
| INJURY | Requires some time and distance. Won’t work | Possible, if attacker gives time | Good | Possible, but feint is inefficient if you have surprise |
| LETHAL | Insufficient force, time, and distance. Unworkable | Insufficient force | Insufficient force | Insufficient force |
Using a backfist/sidekick combination in an example of a simple tactical matrix.
| SURPRISED | ALERTED | MUTUAL | ATTACKING | |
| NO INJURY | Inappropriate due to risk of fatality/no time to draw | Inappropriate due to risk of fatality | Inappropriate due to risk of fatality | Inappropriate due to risk of fatality |
| INJURY | Risk of fatality/ no time to draw | Risk of fatality | Risk of fatality | Risk of fatality |
| LETHAL | Possible, if you can overcome surprise and draw weapon | Effective | Effective | Effective |
Using a firearm as an example.
Looking at it like that, however, is a fundamental flaw in thinking. To work from technique to situation is backwards. The parameters, in this case “level of surprise” and “acceptable damage,” dictate the matrix. Each box in the matrix represents a type of situation. To go through life being very skilled at one or two aspects of the matrix, and hoping the violence you run into will happen to match your boxes, is dangerous and yet very common.
Here’s a rule for life: You don’t get to pick what kinds of bad things will happen to you. You may prepare all your life to take on a cannibalistic knife-wielding sociopath. You may get stuck with a soccer riot. Or a road rage incident with a semi. Or a pickup full of baseball bat swinging drunks. Or nothing at all. You don’t get to choose.
The purpose of the tactical matrix is to introduce regular people to the idea that violence is complex. For martial artists, it is important to understand that preparing for one thing is not preparing for all things. For citizens watching the news, trying to figure out if what an officer did was the right thing, it’s important to understand that not everything can be solved with a wristlock or a few kind words. Violence is complex.
The tactical matrix here is NOT an answer or a guide. It is an example. It’s not even an example of types of fights. It is a first step in demonstrating complexity. The matrix can be extended infinitely. Multiple bad guys? Three ways that can break down—my side outnumbers you, your side outnumbers me or we’re even. The matrix now has 36 boxes. Weapons? I have a weapon, you have a weapon, we both do or neither of us do. Four options and the matrix jumps to 144 boxes.
Got it? Good, ‘cause now we’re going to get complicated.
section 1.2: the strategic matrix: what martial arts tries to be
A New York Times article dated June 7, 2005 describes a video of an officer in a traffic stop taking fire from the driver and his partner running away. The officer who ran away chose the perfect option for self-defense. It was not the best option for his partner. It was not what he was trained and expected to do. He was trained and expected to engage the threat.
Officers
