THEORY; SUB-PRINCIPLE: Simplicity

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Simplicity comprises one of the more complex principles. The simpler we keep the conflict, the less that can go wrong. Violent conflict will be fast and furious. Complicated, pre-planned combinations of techniques will be difficult to pull off if only because of the speed, ferocity, and chaotic nature of the attack, to say nothing of its sheer unpredictability.

This perspective recognized the “Adrenal response (i.e. the adrenal flood or chemical cocktail) that will occur during a real face-to-face violent attack. 

It can be said that simplicity is the practice of grosser, more general techniques, techniques that closely mirror, or at least emerge from, the adrenaline-induced state we find ourselves during a true “fight or flight” situation. It suggests we avoid the fancy/complicated techniques and keep to a few strikes, a few simple takedowns, a few restraining holds, etc.

Near instinctive techniques can be exceptionally effective for self-defense but they are not necessarily equitable with higher forms of combat. 

Simplicity pertains to the application of a learned technique, but not necessarily to the complexity of the technique itself. All techniques must remain simple in their application, they must not have to many “moving parts,” good techniques might be quite intricate and difficult to learn. Learning these techniques might be anything but simple, but once learned, the techniques are simple in their application. 

Simplicity must refer to keeping technique straightforward and of minimal moving parts, but such categorization could apply both to (1) techniques that involve gross motor movements or (2) techniques that are difficult to learn but are straightforward in their application. Techniques in the second category do uphold the principles, but they require considerably more time to learn and master. 

Simplicity also applies to the goals, strategies and tactics one relies on in such a self-defense situation involving the chemical cocktail or adrenal flood such as overcoming the OODA freeze or loop. When your senses are overwhelmed you train and practice to lean how to shut down the source of the information, during the observe and orient stages. This could be a method where when you feel yourself being caught in the OO bounce or sense it about to happen, you attack. The OO bounce has become an observation in and of itself with a simple one-choice orient (I am frozen) followed by a simple decision: “Hit the adversary!” and a simple action - POW! (courtesy Rory Miller, Meditations on Violence, chapter 2, page 39, para (5). Exploit the OODA loop - expose yourself to the widest variety of situations; act with partial information; keep the plan simple to follow; use a barrage attack or if it is used on you, do no. 5; kill the OO bounce with attack now.

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