Combat is like Music

[MorGrendel]

Combat is like Music

Like a symphony or even a simple song, combat has a rhythm and a beat. Combat shares the song characteristic that planned out instructions will have a perceivable similarity every time they are preformed. A commander acts much like a conductor giving general information to the masses, while at the same time directing individuals with more precise instruction. A battle like a song has a finite duration that is understood by the participants. However, much like a well known song, battle can often be bettered by well orchestrated improvisation.

As a song can be broken down into sections and then sub-sections, like movements, measures, and beats, so also can combat be subdivided. A song is broken into movements to break up monotony. Think of this as the pattern: verse-chorus-verse. This departmentalizing of sounds into verses and choruses can be likened to how in combat one can find sub-strategies and individual unit movements. Many commanders miss this level, sticking instead to the gross general strategy set out before troop deployment. Inside of this break down it is important to give troops a series of movement commands. Do not allow your unit to be monotonous and stagnant, rather plan on changes of direction and turning points throughout the battle.

Inside of movements we find measures, or in a combat sense, engagements. Engagements can be classified as anything from quick combats featuring four fighters or less to small precise movements that use a quarter of the unit’s force to set up a larger combat. As a measure is a collection of beats of different size, so an engagement is a collection of quick movements and strikes. As each measure as a unique sound, so to does each engagement have a unique tactic it performs. These tactics include, but are not limited to: Quick kill, 2on1, Envelope/Pinch, In a line, Defensive, Evade, and Retreat. A unit reaches maximum effectiveness when all of its fighters can transition from one tactic to the next harmoniously. As these measures increment leading to a high point or finale, so does a series of engagements lead to a pivotal moment in the combat.

Measures are further sub-divided into beats. Beats are tangible; you can hear and feel them. They exist even in a freeform structure, and are the basis for all the above concepts. As these beats collect themselves, they create a rhythm. Combat shares this rhythm in the natural way fighter’s footsteps fall and shots fire. The fighter himself is like a drummer, choosing between the bass drum and the high hat. Most fighters prefer a simple rhythm, 1-2-3-4. This is displayed by the masses that do a three-step-charge and swing. Simple, effective, predictable. However, one should be able to vary their steps and strikes as well as utilized a rest. This will create unpredictability; it will unravel an opponent looking for predictability. Be it 1-Rest-3-4, or Rest-2-3-Rest, or 1-Rest-Rest-4. A well timed rest can often allow a fighter to exploit an anxious or overly-eager opponent. Think of a rest as a pause just before you launch your counter-attack.