Page 20 - Martial Science Magazine Jun/2015 #9

to strike and the defender who had to work out what
angle, which hand etc. and then get the arm/ leg there
to defend. The student was always going to have to play
catch up and to train to be competent and skilled enou-
gh would or could take many years to learn.
As it takes approximately 0.2 of a second to strike and
0.5 of a second to defend you are fighting a losing ba-
ttle.

The Fortress has one shape and two movements. From
that you can defend against Jabs, crosses, hooks and
uppercuts to the head. And this worked pretty much
360 degrees around the head. Even if you forgot the
arm movements you were still fairly safe.

In addition with very little ‘modification’ I found this de-
fence worked well against Ground and Pound and being
kicked in the head whether standing, kneeling or on the
ground. It was very adaptable to various scenarios and
so easy for my students to learn.

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