The Know the Times – To Tread Down the Sword

Know the Times

Whether you’re sparring or in a negotiation, understanding the strategy that opposes you gives you the edge.

Most martial artists train hard. They condition their bodies and work techniques. Many martial artists still enter combat reactively, not proactively. They respond to attacks without understanding the rhythm, intent, or structure behind them.

They’re fighting the surface. They are fighting punches, kicks, and feints, without seeing the underlying substructure of the strategy. And when you don’t know the strategy, you’re always a step behind.

Form Over Function

Many schools prioritize form over function. Students learn “how” to move, but not “why” or “when.” Few schools teach pattern recognition, psychological profiling, or tactical anticipation. These are the core acts of how we negotiate with the world. “If I do this, I will get this.” And we rarely go beyond the result of the programmed response, so why would we not treat martial arts the same way? And we should not.

In today’s digital age, martial artists consume endless content, drills, styles, and philosophies. They often do this without integrating them into a coherent strategic framework. It is tantamount to waving keys in front of an infant.

The result? Fighters who are technically sound but tactically blind. These fighters may hesitate, overcommit, misread feints, or get drawn into the opponent’s rhythm instead of setting their own.

Arminius

You didn’t want to meet the Roman legions in an open field battle. In the Fall of 9 CE, the Roman forces entered the Teutoburg Forest in search of Arminius. Arminius, as a child, had been taken from his native German land and raised as a Roman. As an adult, Arminius turned his allegiance back to his German people. The dense forest terrain of the Teutoburg Forest favored the German tribes. The forest didn’t allow the Romans to assemble into their traditional fighting alignment. As a result, the Romans were slaughtered. Arminius understood the Roman weakness and exploited it.

Observing your opponent’s habits when possible. This means understanding the psychology of aggression and violence, and what escalates it. In life, it means knowing the structure of resistance.

When you know the strategy, you can intercept it. You can disrupt it. You can strike with confidence.

To Tread Down the Sword

First Strike Philosophy — Win on the First Blow

Too many fighters, especially in modern dojo, train for attrition. They expect long exchanges and drawn-out battles. That mind invites uncertainty. And in real combat, hesitation is a luxury you don’t get to afford. The first blow isn’t a strike; if it’s not decisive, you’ve already ceded control.

When you realize this, you start to see how often you’ve trained to be passive. You notice the small pauses in your movement. The subtle flinches become obvious, the mental machinations self-evident. Here’s the shift: once you internalize the principle of first strike dominance, your entire approach changes. You stop waiting for permission. You start moving with mass, your full presence.

Full Mass

Imagine Musashi standing on a hill in preparation for battle. The grass, the sun, and the clouds have all faded into the background. Musashi squints as he focuses on the battlefield. He has unified his body and his intent. He has created full mass.

Because when you move with full mass, physically and psychologically, you overwhelm.

Your opponent doesn’t just receive a strike; they receive you. The energy becomes a tidal force. Your presence becomes undeniable. It’s physics. Mass times acceleration equals force. But in martial arts, mass includes your intent.

Winning on the first blow is about showing up with your full self. You are collapsing the gap between thought and action.

Enjoy this past posting: https://www.martialjournal.com/the-book-of-fire-crossing-the-ford/

You can reach Kris Wilder here: https://linktr.ee/KrisWilder

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Kris Wilder

Kris Wilder is a martial artist, author, and life coach. He holds multiple black belts in various martial arts disciplines, including Goju-Ryu Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo. Kris is known for his deep understanding of martial arts and his ability to connect with students on a personal level.
He has authored several books on martial arts and self-defense, such as "The Way of Kata" and "The Little Black Book of Violence". Kris also runs the Wilder Karate Academy, where he teaches classes and conducts seminars.

Latest posts by Kris Wilder (see all)

• Know the Times – To Tread Down the Sword - September 29, 2025
• The Book of Fire – Crossing the Ford - September 10, 2025
• The Book of Fire – 3 Ways - August 26, 2025