Secrets in the Martial Arts?

As we travel around the world, the DSI often asks the question “Are there any secrets in your system of Martial Arts?”  Without exception, when we ask “What are they?” or “Name one.” we get confused looks.  And these are not strangers we are asking.  These are those who are close to us.  The bewilderment is not an act of surprise that we would ask to see their secret methods; instead, it is a realization that they cannot name a single one of them!  After an awkward silence, we begin to share our “secrets” with them.

So, what are these secrets?  And how do we know them?  The DSI has spent decades travelling all over the world discovering, collecting, and documenting little known methods to improve Martial Arts techniques.  These come from all over the place and from a myriad of systems; others come by sheer luck; still others, are found by broad studies in topics not even related to Martial Arts.

Once we find these, we methodically document the principles and add it to our vast library.  By doing this, we ensure that future generations of Martial Artists don’t have to re-invent the wheel so-to-speak.  This is why we are considered the premier research group and the world leader in pressure points and martial science.

Why don’t more people know these?  I believe many Martial Artists have blinders on their eyes.  They are so focused on their own system of Martial Arts, they do not see the variety we see.  When we observe a high ranking Martial Artist performing a technique, we critically analyze what they are doing and why it works.  We identify patterns of movement and look for the components that are essential to the technique.  For those only studying their own system, they are limited in what they will see to those within their own group.  As a result, their growth potential is limited.

Moreover, many are not permitted by tradition to make any changes or improvements to their art.  In the DSI, we respect traditional systems and feel they have much to offer.  At the same time, we also believe in making minor adjustments where we have discovered better ways.  In this way, the arts continue to grow and evolve.  Times have changed and much must change with them.

Why refuse to evolve?  Can we honestly say that those who came before us were perfect?  Can we really say that they knew everything?  Of course not!  To do so would be preposterous.  They did the best they could with the knowledge they had.

Now, what we are not suggesting is that someone with limited knowledge go out and make drastic changes.  Tweaks can be made to base techniques to make them more applicable today and to incorporate these secret methods into them.  This is growth without sacrificing past knowledge.

Ready to start learning these secrets?  We do have an entire series of videos which detail some of the most used secrets, which we call “Players to the Game.”  Why such a strange term?  Well, calling them “secrets” seems like market-speak.  “Players” terminology denotes the idea that each method or principle is a “player” in the overall “game” of defeating one’s opponent.  Our founder, Professor Rick Moneymaker coined the term and it has stuck ever since.

Check out the first video in this series here: https://members.dragonsociety.com/product/players-to-the-game-volume-1/

In coming posts, I plan to examine more of these “Players to the Game.”  Be sure to post some comments and let us know what you think!