Training OODA Loop @ Maharlika Martial Arts: March 27, 2012

I headed up to train at Guro Bob's class in Columbia, Md. Class was split into two groups. I worked with the group who reviewed TD 5. I was trying to remember one sequence of moves that leads into a elbow check to the feeders arm. I forgot to tap the arm first and then throw the elbow.

There was a crucial point that I also forgot to perform. I should have thrown the feeder off balance or give him a shoulder bump as he turns around to thrust me. Guro Bob explained that I had to disrupt his OODA Loop in order to by time for me to be ready for the attack.

Both, the feeder and receiver have their own OODA loop. The person who is first to finish their OODA loop (Act), gets the upper hand in competition, fight, combat, gaming (Black Ops/COD), and business deals. Even playing team sports like basketball or football uses this process whether they know it or not.

It may take a receiver a longer time to Act if they are trying to Orient or Decide how to tap/parry a blade attack, cover/block a punch, or stuff a takedown if they haven't seen it before. It will be too late to react because the feeder finished with their OODA loop while the receiver is still trying to Orient himself to the attack.

What does OODA loop mean? Observe, Orient, Decide, Act.

"The name of a tool or where it came is not as important as what it does - Sayoc transitional drills, OODA Loops, feedback cycles, whatever -- the ability to assess incoming and stored data in a dynamic environment and use it to make accurate forecasts of future events in a violent situation is a powerful asset to bring to a tactical environment. Tuhon Christopher Sayoc is offering training in the field and others as part of the curriculum of Sayoc Kali, and doing so is positioning his students at the epicenter of comercially available edged weapon dynamics." --by Steve Chrusciel: Sayoc Transitional Drills, Distortion of Time Perception during Tactical Encounters.