To move along the line of natural expectation consolidates war as in the opponent s balance and th

“To move along the line of natural expectation consolidates war, as in the opponent’s balance and thus increases his resisting power.”

Liddell Hart, Basil Henry, and Basil Henry Liddell Hart. Strategy. 2nd rev. ed, Meridian, 1991 p. 29.

This highlights the importance of balance, attacking where your enemy is vulnerable, and attacking the center of gravity (attacking the enemy’s balance). Compare this (which is speaking in terms of army against army) with Ernest Emerson’s discussion of attacking balance in a self-defense (individual against few opponents).

‘Balance is the most important consideration in the on-guard position.’

Lee, Bruce. Tao of Jeet Kune Do. Black Belt Communications, 2011, loc. 35.

‘Anytime you are thrown off balance, as in being knocked down or falling, it is an instinctive reaction to “catch your balance”…When your breathing is physically restricted we start to panic and no other thought exists except to free the restriction and get the breath in. It is so overpowering that merely placing a hand over someone’s nose and mouth triggers the response…There is a huge portion of our frontal cortex that is dedicated to vision and when our vision is obstructed there is an overpowering urge to clear the obstruction. Just putting your hand over the opponent’s eyes will cause him to react.’

Emerson, Ernest. The Seven Strategies of Hand to Hand Combat: Surviving in the Arena of Life and Death. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015, pp. 30-34.

“Physical balance must be retained by the attacker and destroyed in the opponent.”

Applegate, Rex. Kill or Get Killed: A Manual of Hand-to-Hand Fighting. Paladin Press, 2007, loc. 29.