To Win or Not to Lose?

[isshinryuronin]

To win, we need be clear of mind to execute sound MA principles, concepts and skills taught.

Many times, the victor is simply the one who made less mistakes. Maybe this was in Matsumura's mind when he said he tried not to lose. Not defeating yourself. Use sound technique and execute it well, don't screw up and things should turn out OK.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

Many times, the victor is simply the one who made less mistakes.

A and B are fighting in a tournament. A has strong offense and B has strong defense. In 3 rounds of fight, A's attack was blocked/deflected by B's strong defense. In all 3 rounds, B didn't throw even 1 punch/kick. After 3 rounds, the score is 0-0, 0-0, 0-0.

If you don't attack, you won't make mistake. B was "not lose". But did B win?

 

[isshinryuronin]

A and B are fighting in a tournament. A has strong offense and B has strong defense. In 3 rounds of fight, A's attack was blocked/deflected by B's strong defense. In all 3 rounds, B didn't throw even 1 punch/kick. After 3 rounds, the score is 0-0, 0-0, 0-0.

A couple of ways to look at this. In one sense, since A's offense was ineffective and B's defense was quite effective, B could be said to have won. Alternatively, in ties/very close calls, the win usually goes to the offense as they showed more initiative. It's not much, but it's better than showing no spirit. I've noticed this happens more frequently in pee wee sparring divisions. Two seven-year-olds jumping around, circling each other with no contact for 2 minutes. Sometimes the best kiai screamer wins, that being the only observable criteria.

In real life, though, given enough offense without having to defend, eventually the aggressor will score a hit.

If you don't attack, you won't make mistake.

This reminds me of myself when I started out - shy, non-confident, worrying about leaving myself open during an attack. But I got hit anyway and eventually learned my lesson. Not attacking or at least countering is the mistake.

 

[marvin8]

What do you mean when you say, "I know kick/punch/lock/throw, but I have no technique"?

"No technique" to me mean a person who has never trained MA.

Even in striking art, you still need training time to develop your punch. Do you call a simple punch "technique"?

You can't apply a hip throw without going through hip throw training. If you have gone through hip throw training, you have developed hip throw technique, you cannot say that you have "no technique".

AI is helpful in these philosophical discussions. So, I will start with that. But, AI is not that helpful in telling one how to technically fight.

ChatGPT:
Bruce Lee’s famous quote — "I have no technique; my highest technique is to have no technique" — captures the essence of his martial philosophy, especially as it evolved into his personal art, Jeet Kune Do.

What it Means:​

This quote reflects the idea of ultimate adaptability. Bruce Lee believed that rigid systems and fixed techniques could limit a fighter. Instead, a martial artist should be fluid, like water — able to adapt instantly to the moment, the opponent, and the environment. Here's a breakdown:

• "No technique" doesn’t mean you’re untrained — it means you're not bound by any one style or method.
• He advocated for formlessness, drawing from Taoist philosophy — like “Be water, my friend.”
• By having "no technique," you are free to use whatever works, regardless of its origin — boxing, fencing, kung fu, jiu-jitsu, etc.

In Practice:​

In combat, having no technique means:

• You are not predictable.
• You can flow from one move or range to another seamlessly.
• You’re not confined to the “rules” or dogmas of one martial art.

Philosophical Core of Jeet Kune Do:​

“Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.”
— Bruce Lee

That statement, along with “having no technique,” was Lee’s way of rejecting tradition for tradition’s sake. He urged martial artists to think critically, test everything, and keep only what’s effective for the individual.

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