In combat, whether it is street fighting or martial arts for self-defense, both teachers and students often talk about the concepts of attack and defense. The idea is that the “raiders” initiate a violent attack and the defenders respond to neutralize and/or counter this move.
As martial artists and students of self-protection, we tend to focus most of our attention and training on the idea of ”defense.” But, in the realm of personal combat and self-protection, it is often very difficult to determine who is who. This article discusses the concept of attacking from the perspective of “when” to start. After reading this you will see that there are actually 4 opportunities to initiate an attack against an opponent in order to gain the upper hand in a physical altercation.
You know, the idea of ”being the defender” can give us a feeling of moral and/or ethical superiority. After all, we’re the “good guy,” right? And we tend to believe that Budo, be it Ninjutsu or any other martial art, is therefore “defensive” by default.
But, as I said, in a real fight, something that is very explosive and volatile and dynamic, it is often very difficult to identify the so-called “attacker” and “defender” in the raid. In the give and take of the clash, the two combatants become part of a “thing”: each taking turns delivering and responding to what lies ahead.
This fact can certainly make things confusing if you are not fully prepared for when they occur. The reason for this is that most martial arts and self defense students tend to train in a way that creates a very clean and “pretty” image of a fight. When, in reality, things are going to be very chaotic, confusing, and very “messy.”
Contrary to this popular way of conveying what a fight is like and who is attacking and who is not, the truth is that there are actually four options or “moments” to take the initiative and attack from within a fighting situation. And, while all four of these options have been formalized to some degree within the full scope of Japanese martial arts, only a few arts or systems utilize them to their full potential.
In fact, these four moments, called “sen”, or initiatives, can provide, like kamae (postures) and other concepts, a whole area of study within your training.
As you explore these strike initiatives or “sen,” keep in mind that they are the same regardless of whether we are talking about armed or unarmed combat or large-scale battlefield engagements. The 4 Sen are the following:
1) Sen
This is the simple and direct attack that most people think of. You see an opportunity and launch an attack. In martial arts and self defense classes, this is typically seen as uke attacking nage, or the “attacker” attacking the defender. In the larger context of things, “Sen” is done after actual combat has started and is not the same as a street heist or surprise attack.
2) sen no sen
To understand this concept, you must understand the lesson that “Thinking about attacking IS attacking.” The typical attacker tends to lead with his intentions, even before his body moves. This is the technique of attacking directly in front of your attack. But, instead of meeting his attack, your move actually serves to block his while “hitting him hard” so to speak. Sen no Sen requires a high level of intuitive sensitivity and connection to others. Something that is missing in most martial arts for self defense programs.
3) Go sinless
Often referred to as the “hold initiative”, by using Go no Sen, you allow him to attack, allowing his attack to open up his targets while you reposition to evade him. Just as “Sen” above is the “typical” attack, this is what most people are used to seeing as the “block” or “parry” response. You avoid his attack and simultaneously attack his attacking arm to open it up to something else. THIS is Go no Sen. When you attack him after this initial move, you are now acting from the initial concept of “Sen”.
4) sen sen no sen
This falls into the category of “surprise attacks” and can be very difficult to do, let alone explain. Without projection of intent, or the display of telltale clues or signals, you simply attack. The opponent doesn’t even realize there’s an enemy, before he gets a clue to the fact that he’s in danger, you attack! No warning. No threats. This “Sen” is the most perplexing to most martial artists because it goes outside the bounds of “justice”. But, if we are studying martial arts for self-defense, then we must understand that giving some opponents “fair warning” is giving them an advantage that may cost him more than he is willing to pay.
As a final note, some of these “types of attack” or initiatives are more “correct” from a legal standpoint. I am not a lawyer, and this is not legal advice, just a comment that you need to be very clear about where you stand when it comes to the law and self-defense if you want to take proactive steps in your own safety.
These lessons are offered as a means to counter the childhood lessons most of us received that were akin to “don’t hit or…
“Good people don’t hit.”
But, the reality is that the lessons must mature with us so that, as adults, we understand that “good people, don’t hit, other good people, do NOT try to hurt you!”
Remember, today’s attackers know how to work in a way that actually uses the law to their advantage, the same law that is supposed to protect you and me against these threats to society. So you have to decide if you want to stay within the rules of fair play, the rules he ignores by attacking you without your consent, or if you want to be able to use all the tools at your disposal to teach him a lesson. that you should not confuse kindness with “weakness”.
