The Strategy of 'Attack-No-Attack'
A flexible combat strategy emphasizing constant changes in attack direction to confuse the enemy, combined with a warrior's mindset of absolute destruction.
THE IDEA
THE STRATEGY OF “ATTACK-NO-ATTACK”
It does not matter which of the five attitudes you use because in every situation you must be flexible enough to change the entire structure of your attack—the main purpose being that of cutting or striking the enemy dead. You must wield your sword properly. Be prepared in spirit to change the direction of your attack at any moment. In practice, attack to the upper and in mid-attack immediately change direction to a lower attack. Attack from the left side and immediately change your attack to a direct middle thrust. Change direction from the right side to a lower attack to an immediate left-sided attack. Constantly experiment and train yourself to understand the changes of my “Attack-No-Attack” strategy.
It is absolutely essential that you understand what is being said here. You cannot take a certain attitude and depend upon it entirely. There are too many variations in attacks from the enemy. What you may think is effective may in fact be ineffective because of the way in which the enemy is “feeling” at that particular moment. Your attitude must be such that you can shift into any other mode of combat without having to make a conscious decision. You must be flexible and you must have no particular liking for any particular set of techniques. Think this through very carefully. It is the basis of the warrior’s Way.
A warrior has only one objective—to destroy the enemy by whatever means necessary. If you do not understand this teaching then how can you ever hope to do what you are trying to accomplish? You must go into combat with the attitude of absolutely destroying the enemy. If you do not develop this attitude, what are you doing there in the first place? Combat fighting is not done for fun. Even in practice sessions you must have the attitude of going in for the kill.
Remember, the main idea behind becoming a warrior is learning how to destroy the enemy. Without destroying the enemy you are playing a child’s game. Destroy the enemy at any cost even if it means that you yourself may possibly be hurt in the exchange. Think of nothing but of cutting the enemy down. Even when large armies go into battle, their main attitude must be to destroy the enemy, otherwise they will lose and be disgraced. There is no other reason to be a warrior.
When to use it
In martial arts sparring, vary attacks between high and low to keep opponents off balance.
In competitive sports like tennis or basketball, mix up shot placement and timing to confuse the opponent.
In military tactics, use feints and changes in direction to break enemy formations and achieve surprise.
In negotiation, prepare several proposals so that you can change tactics when an approach fails, while keeping the agreed goal clear.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Feinting in Swordsmanship
A swordsman launches an apparent strike to the opponent's head, then quickly drops to a low sweep as the opponent raises their guard. This change in direction embodies the Attack-No-Attack principle.
Deceptive Punch in Boxing
A boxer jabs toward the face, then immediately hooks to the body, disrupting the opponent's defensive rhythm.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Where might changing your approach help, and where would repeatedly changing direction make coordination harder?
Which parts of this combat teaching concern flexibility, and which goals do not transfer well to ordinary disagreements?
What attachments to specific methods or techniques do you hold that might prevent you from being truly flexible and adaptable?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Musashis book of five rings the definitive interpretation of Miyamoto Musashis classic book of strategy (Kaufman, SteveMiyamoto, Musashi)