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Old 11-06-2002, 09:10 AM   #19
aiki_what
"aiki_what"
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Join Date: Jul 2000
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Maybe when you are sitting down reading our book with your good friend Yamada Shihan you might enjoy a little story that illustrates Strategy, Tactics, and Operations.

Editor's Note: Any resemblance of characters in this story to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

There once was a young lad from South America who was constantly beat upon by his bigger and more machismo playmates. He decided he needed a STRATEGY to deal with his tormentors and make his life better. He chose the martial art of Aikido to help him accomplish his goals. The reason that he chose Aikido was that it taught one to be aware of one's surroundings, to walk with an erect and fearless posture, and the ability to deal with attackers in a variety of ways. He decided to implement this STRATEGY by beginning the study of Aikido diligently.

During his study of Aikido he learned many TACTICS to deal with a variety of attacks including ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, etc, etc. He practiced these tactics ferociously against a variety of surprise attacks including chops, punches, chokes and kicks. He became very proficient in using these tactics in the dojo against the proscribed attacks.

One day after he had been practicing many years (and managed to develop an opinion about what Aikido was for everyone) he infuriated a colleague by sarcastically attacking an idea. The colleague took offense and attempted to punch him in the nose. The young lad was able to use his STRATEGY (awareness, good posture, Knowledge of Aiki principles) and Deploy his TACTICS (Irimi-nage against a punch) in an OPERATIONAL situation (Someone REALLY trying to punch him in the nose) successfully.

In re-assessing the situation later over a beer he had to reluctantly admit that he did incorporate STRATEGY, TACTICS, and OPERATIONAL planning in the defense of his nose.

And everyone lived happily ever after.
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