PHYSIOKINETIC; SUB-PRINCIPLE: The Primary Gate

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A simple battle for a control of space, we control how our adversary accesses (or does not access) our own space while simultaneously controlling how we access his or her space. Dominance over a relatively small area, an area called the primary gate. 

The location of the primary gate, which sits roughly in front of the solar plexus or between the solar plexus and the chin. Most traditional blocking techniques concern defending the primary gate, and that is no accident. There is a tactical advantage in maintaining control over the horizontal path, i.e., the primary gate. In truth, blocking for this is not actually a primary goal, to control the primary gate does not require blocking attacks that come straight into that space but rather controlling that space by other means such as a surprise applied methodology from the side or rear. The primary gate is one often used in socially driven monkey dances and in sport oriented controlled contests. 

The larger the primary gate, the more our limbs move off the most efficient and direct line of attack. Keep movements as efficient as possible, decrease the size of the primary gate until it is no large than a pea. The larger moves of beginners is to achieve knowledge and understanding of applied principles of multiple methodologies but the goal in karate and martial arts is to apply methodologies in the smallest movements possible while still applying force and power through a more whole application of the body toward applying appropriate methodologies. 

While the primary gate concerns the arms, a lower gate concerns the legs. We find it at hip level, where the legs enjoy the greatest range. 

Controlling the primary gate does not mean having to strike to the solar plexus. This is a more simplistic way to teach a novice about methodologies and principled based applications that exploit an adversary’s primary gate. It is just one of many toward a goal of ending the attack, finding security and safety and achieving a goal of staying within the self-defense square. 

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