The Five Bridges

In grafting I like to use the word "bridge" interchangeably with the word "graft". Personally, I think of a bridge as a tool, temporary or permanent to "cross over" from one sequence of motion to another sequence.

As part of my Grafting Matrix I have identified five different "Bridges". These bridges are, "Spontaneous", "Natural", "Associated", 'Unnatural", and "Forced". Each bridge covers a category of either, when or how. Each Bridge has a primary "Trigger". I will discuss triggers later. Every situation that covers grafting or bridging can fall into one of these categories.



The Five Bridges briefly defined...

1. Spontaneous Bridge
Type: When
Defined: This is defined as linking together techniques or parts thereof, just because you like to "stick" them together. No rhyme or reason is applied to this kind of bridge. Not the best way to practice grafting other than demonstrating that it can be done. I include it mainly for category completion.
Trigger: You

2. Natural Bridge
Type: How
Defined: This bridge is an efficient method of crossing over from one technique to another. It uses a common basic shared between two different sequences to bridge over. For instance, if two techniques share an outward hand sword, palm-heel or step-through front kick you can move from one technique to the other. This is my favorite type of bridge to explore!
Trigger: You, Environment or Attacker
Note: This is even more fun if you are comfortable with both the right and left sides of your techniques.

3. Associated Bridge
Type: How
Defined: A bridge defined more often than not by the opening and closing of "the gap" between you and the attacker. Think about this, along a limb you have several weapons designed to be used at different ranges. An example is on the leg you might have a hip check, thigh strike, a front knee, a shin kick, a knife edge kick or a thrusting ball kick. All these strikes are dependent on range application. If you are using a technique sequence that for instance has a front knee as a move and the range increases, you could smoothly transition to a technique that might use a longer range strike ( a shin kick, or front kick). Basics off the same limbs are associated movements.
Trigger: Environment or Attacker

4. Unnatural Bridge
Type: How
Defined: Unnatural bridges are defined as "man-made". They involve the insertion of one or more moves between two sequences of motion. The inserted move will usually cause a change in relative body positions between you and your attacker. The insert can be a simple as a kick or as complicated as several moves to pass an attacker's arm from one side of your body to the other.
Trigger: You, Environment or Attacker

5. Forced Bridge
Type: When
Defined: Here we have a bridge that solely by the actions of the attacker does it even exist. A Forced Bridge is a situation that results from the attacker initiating a second or additional attack after we start our defense. If he grabs your shirt and after you start your defense to get free, he throws a punch at your nose, you WILL have to adjust and stop the punch. This reaction on your part should bring you to another technique based on your positions.
Trigger: Attacker

Please understand that the information presented here are my personal mental and physical processes by which I teach and practice American Kenpo. They are simply tools to better understand the application of grafting from my perspective.

Next time...
What TRIGGERS a Bridge?