Centerline Theory

I've been asked again to give my thoughts about Centerline theory. So here you go!

Centerline theory is conceptual knowledge, dealing with the relationship between two opponents, in time and space, or to use fighting terminology, timing and distance. Effective use of timing and distance are the marks of truly superior fighters. When you have the correct distance and timing against an opponent, then it becomes a matter of when and where to strike, and no longer a matter of how to strike. This is when conceptual knowledge defeats techniques.

From the top of one’s head a straight line may be drawn down the center of the body, ending in a spot equidistant between one’s feet.

This “center” line of the body becomes an axis for the student to not only coordinate harmonious movement of his/her body, but to begin to understand the measurements between himself and his/her opponent. If one was to draw that line down the center of the body, and then extend that line out into a plane between the student and the opponent, one could begin to measure distances between the student’s nearest weapon, his front foot for instance, and the opponent’s nearest vulnerable target, the opponent’s front knee. The distance between the weapon and the target is also known as ma-ai, sometimes translated as “interval”.

The main focus of Centerline theory is the proper positioning of the student in relationship to his/her opponent, and the proper mis-positioning of the body of the enemy. This mis-positioning allows us to break our opponent’s balance and ability to fight, by destroying the structure from which the enemy throws his attacks and works his defenses. Using centerline theory then, makes it possible for us to truly obtain the most effect for the least effort. To the student of centerline theory, the movements seem effortless and require minimal power. To the receiver of the impacts, it feels like a freight-train has just hit them. Worse, most of the power that is delivered impacts the base of the neck and/or the base of the spine.

Being struck by someone who truly understands centerline theory is both scary and disheartening. When you experience someone defending via centerline theory, it seems almost impossible to land a blow; and when you feel them deliver a blow to you using centerline theory, the impact will most certainly be excruciating and terrifying.

Another part of centerline theory involves the breath, and specifically, harmonizing one’s breathing with that of the opponent. When the breath is not in harmony with the opponent’s breathing, their attacks may seem to come out of nowhere or from any angle, and one’s response can be hurried, or shrugged off, or easily defended against. When the breathing is in harmony between the opponents, then one can remain calm and clear-headed, and respond as needed to any attack. And by response we mean, pre-emptive strikes, as well as simultaneous defense-and-counter, or even simple defense and follow-on counter movements.

A final concept in centerline theory is that “you have to give, to get.” In other words, we have to present an opening to the opponent, allowing them the possibility of striking a blow in order to get them to commit fully to their attack. After all, if an opponent merely feints at us, or is half-hearted in their attack, do we really need to be concerned about defending or do we just remain patient and watchful? On the other hand, a fully committed attack from a trained opponent is not to be feared by someone who has internalized Centerline theory.

Part of “giving to get” involves moving twice. We give ground to take other ground and then we take back our original ground. The first move may be as small as turning a shoulder and hip in one direction, which presents one set of angles and distance for the opponent to attack. Then when we reverse that movement to the opposite direction, we have taken new ground, and completely changed the angles and distance between us and the opponent. At this point, we should be able to control the opponent’s weight, balance, and posture, and should be in a position to strike once, with finality.

Centerline Theory exists in every martial art, no matter what style a person practices. This is because there are only so many actions the human body can perform, and balance is integral to all of them.

Of all the martial sports, Judo shows this in the easiest way to understand it, with the method known as kuzushi, or balance breaking. Kuzushi is a set of physical methods, i.e. pushing/pulling, turning the body on the axis, lifting and tilting; Centerline theory begins at the conceptual level and builds past the physical methods.

Centerline theory seems to be missing from the active teaching curriculum of many arts. That is, while it is inherently in these arts, it isn't being actively taught. That is because the students are being taught using "rote" methods, which definitely has its place, but they are missing out on the "note" method of teaching (to borrow from the musical method). They aren't being taught to achieve their potential and to reach a high level of their personal understanding of what they are doing, they are taught with an eye towards preserving a system, a particular art, and reaching a high level of their teacher's understanding of the art.

As Aikido O-Sensei Ueshiba said, "True Aikido dies with me."