Chojiro Tani Sensei (founder of the Shukokai Style) once wrote "one punch, one kill"; Gichin Funakoshi (founder of the Shotokan Style) once wrote "there is no first strike in Karate". At first glance we cannot see any relationship between these two phrases, but on closer inspection and with more analyses we shall come to see just how close they are both linked.

Over the years many students have asked me:

"Sensei? What should I do if someone starts a fight with me? Should I hit them first or should I wait until they hit me and then defend myself?"

This is a difficult question to answer, mainly because there are so many different variables to consider, and because each situation you find yourself in, is different, there is no precise answer. What we need is a precise and definitive answer that we can apply to every situation of aggression and conflict.

If we were to analyse what a fight is, it is simply two (or more) people trying to inflict as much damage and pain upon each other as possible. In a real fight you must not allow your attacker to gain the initiative; there is simply too much at stake. If you are convinced that there is no way to avoid the coming fight then your aim should be to 'hit and run'. Which we can relate back to Chojiro Tani's quote "one punch, one kill" (okay, the word 'kill' here is highly emotive and probably too strong in today's society but), you should strike your attacker without warning and, whilst they are stunned and disorientated, take the opportunity to make good your escape, run if you have to. You should always practice your favourite strike, whether it is a kick, a punch, knife hand, heel palm, etc... from a no guard position so that you can unleash that strike without warning to your attacker. It is important to practice strikes from a natural stance with no guard for two reasons; Firstly because it is from here you will need to generate power in a real situation, and secondly because moving yourself into a stance or raising your arms into a guard may warn your attacker that your strike is imminent, and as a result greatly reduce the effect of your strike.

It would seem then, at this point, that we have answered the earlier question about attacking first or waiting for your opponent to attack and then for you to defend. Not so; we need to be able to justify, what on the face of it, seems to be the fact that we have now become the attacker. It doesn't take a mind reader to know when an attack is about to happen. The attacker is likely to do a number of things when their verbal aggression is about to escalate to the physical attack. There will be a change in skin colour, rapid breathing, aggressive facial expression or stare, clenching or shaking of the fists, pointing, pushing, excessive swearing, insults and challenges, there is also that sixth sense we all possess, when we just feel something is going to happen. All of these physical signs are caused by the increase in adrenaline and aggression levels that occur just before an attack starts. That said, there are some very clever and devious assailants out there who may appear to be friendly at first, in order to lull you into a false sense of security. When approached be prepared for the potential switch from friendly to aggressive as a means to frighten you, this is usually the situation where we get that sixth sense. Try to diffuse the situation by appearing to remain calm. If your attacker continues to become more aggressive, despite your attempts to pacify them, continue to keep a sufficient distance to prevent yourself from being easily grabbed or struck. When you are sure your assailant is going to attack, try to continue to act in a passive manner in an attempt to make them drop their mental guard, thus believing you to be in their control. This is the point at which you should strike with as much power and ferocity as possible, to a weak point (usually the solar plexus or jaw).

          There are far too many people far more qualified than I am to discuss the pre-fight ritual and pre-emptive striking; however I want to cover one other way in which a pre-emptive strike can be achieved.

It is very difficult in the heated and charged atmosphere of a verbal assault with an aggressor in your face, not to raise your arms, it's usually an automatic response in such a volatile situation. As the opponent attempts to close the gap between you, position one of your arms between yourself and the opponent. Try not to touch the assailant, as this may inflame the aggressor further. Position your other hand so that it is ready to strike. Disguise this preparation to strike so that it looks passive and does not warn the opponent that a strike is imminent. An open hand is passive, a clenched fist is not. Continue to act and respond in a passive manner trying to diffuse the situation, you never know, this action in itself may work, thus eliminating the need for anyone to be hurt. Should it not work and the opponent continues to be aggressive and tries to move even closer, use the lead hand (guard hand) gently to stop their advance (this also helps to give you your range guide). This will probably be the point at which the aggressor knocks away your hand in order to make themselves felt, that is your cue to strike them instantly with your rear hand. The attacker will be stunned by this action (and may even be hurt) take this opportunity to make your escape (and run).

These are of course, very simplified and condensed statements, we have our 'attack and defence' training in class and try to adopt these stances in order to make those responses automatic. Some people do find this pre-emptive, first strike not to their liking, and in recent years there has certainly been much debate as to the legitimacy of pre-emptive striking. Some support this method (I certainly do) emphasising the importance of seizing the initiative in high risk situations and helping to keep any injuries to a minimum. As martial  artists we can find the answer to most situations in our Katas, but before the fight starts what do we do? 

That brings me to the title of this page 'Karate ni sente nashi'; Gichin Funakoshi's famous quote (and one of his 20 precepts). Translated, this means "There is no first strike in Karate". As an instructor and 'Sensei' I aim to promote self-development and self-defence within the Dojo. It is an attempt to equip you, the students, with an effective method of dealing with a very small minority of violent people in society. The issue of pre-emptive striking is certainly controversial and one thing that every right minded person agrees on, is that violence and fighting should be avoided  whenever possible. It is what to do when fighting cannot be avoided that becomes debatable. There can be very few right minded people, and martial artists, who believe that the individual has no right to fight back and defend themselves; you could actually argue that that is all we train to do. The question is at what point is the use of force justified and legitimate?

I honestly believe that 'Karate ni sente nashi' and the pre-emptive strike (one punch, one kill) are exactly the same thing. To me, once an assailant has decided to attack me, the attack has begun, and I am well within my rights to use whatever methods are available to me in order to ensure my safety, and the best method I have, is my Karate skills. Obviously we must look for the physical indications that out assailant is about to attack. We may even say that the fear they have generated from their verbal aggression is the best indication that an attack is imminent. This verbal assault in itself is an attack, and that waiting for the attack to become physical may be too late and foolish.

Gichin Funakoshi wrote, "When there are no avenues of escape or one is caught even before any attempt to escape can be made, then for the first time the use of self-defence techniques should be considered. Even at times like these, do not show any intention of attacking, but first let the attacker become careless. At that time attack him concentrating one's whole strength in one blow to a vital point and in the moment of surprise, escape and seek help and shelter." Funakoshi (and, of course Tani) obviously had no problem with the pre-emptive strike, once all other avenues of escape had been exhausted. It is my belief that the pre-emptive strike is a 'defensive' method in so much as it is a way to avoid the damage and pain of an unprovoked attack of others. If we attacked when the opponent was not preparing to attack, or we attacked someone for no reason, this is inconsistent with the ethics of Karate and the martial arts (and is unlawful). If, however, the opponent is preparing to attack, then we are simply gaining the initiative and ensuring our own safety.

Once the initial strike has been delivered we should seize the opportunity to escape and flee. If we continued to strike the opponent we would be morally (and, in all probability, legally) in the wrong as well as putting ourselves at risk from the opponents accomplices that we may, or may not have been aware of. The pre-emptive strike should not be used to settle an argument or as a means to weaken an individual in order for us to give them a good kicking (that would most definitely be unlawful). What we are looking at is the legitimate use of a pre-emptive strike, when no other options are available, to distract the assailant in the instance of an unprovoked attack to facilitate an escape. If we use the pre-emptive strike in this way then in no way is it contrary to 'Karate ni sente nashi'  Should we not gain the initiative, and the chance to escape that it provides, we will be forced to fight and that could result in far greater violence being committed, either to our opponent, or worse still, to ourselves. As true martial artists we should always aim to cause as little damage to our opponents as is necessary to ensure our safety. If we do not act pre-emptively we will be forced into a position of causing damage and inflicting more pain on our opponent in order to stop them from functioning. Another vital consideration is the strong possibility of multiple opponents. If we do not seize the initiative in that situation we are effectively giving up any chance of ensuring our safety.

The pre-emptive strike must be your last resort after having exhausted all other means of avoiding an assault. When setting the standard of ''Karate ni sente nashi' I do not believe it was the intention of past masters to ask us to act in a manner that would give the violent minority in society the advantage, but to ensure that we do not become part of that minority. When a true martial artist is forced into making the decision of a pre-emptive strike it will be with a sense of regret. Having exhausted all means of avoiding an attack or assault, the use of force must be used as a last resort in order to ensure our own safety. Compare that with the fact that the assailant is using force and violence for personal enjoyment or some other gain, and who will feel good about inflicting pain, and far from avoiding violence, has actively sought it out.