Centerline Theory
Don't Worry About Your Centerline, Unless ...

     by Keith Pascal
Don't Worry About Your Centerline, Unless ...

A couple of times a year, subscribers to Martial Arts Mastery write asking about centerline theory.

They worry that they aren't practicing the theory, that not all of their moves conform, or that they aren't "doing it" correctly.

In the past, we talked about the imaginary pole that drops down through the center of your body. And how you should always try to hit, shove or kick to the person's true center.

If your style doesn't practice all of its moves according to a centerline principle, then you probably shouldn't worry about your centerline too much. Within your style, you will be fighting others who can't take advantage of this "energy."

For example, if you block from the inside to the outside, and your pressure is heading off to the side instead of toward your opponent, then you don't have forward energy in your technique.

If both parties perform a series of blocks and then punches, then neither is applying any form of the centerline 'push.' (hit!)

I think I am telling you not to worry about knife fighting, if neither party has a blade.

The time to worry is if you encounter someone who does fight in terms of staying on centerline.

Would you like to learn more about centerline theory? I have a new analogy ...

Read the New Centerline Theory. It's a practical analogy ...