People have asked about time lines for "The PLAN". They wonder what "this" or "that" means and how it fits into a defined "PLAN". They even reference posts from years ago... and wonder how it fits into the "PLAN".

I learned years ago, while doing medieval fighting and training with some of the best... that you don't go into combat with a "PLAN". Anyone with a pre-set plan can easily be defeated. Having a set plan makes you more rigid, predictable and less able to adapt to what is happening around you.

The best fighters develop skills and capabilities. They know their weapons, train to develop reflexes and arrive prepared and dangerous... but without a "PLAN". I learned that the best plans are seldom more than 2 sentences long if you are working with a group of other fighters. If it's one-on-one combat, my plan could be summed up in 2 words... "You're Dead!!!". That's it. The whole fight to come is based on the outcome I wanted. Then you commit everything to achieve that goal.

I loved it if an opponent arrived with a "PLAN". I could smell it a mile away, see it in how they moved, watch their stance... and judge within the first few seconds exactly what their "PLAN" was. I would then tear them apart... because I didn't follow their plan.

The most dangerous opponents were the ones who stood at ease, didn't look tense or concerned... and kept their proper balance so that they could shift any direction in a split second. Smart fighters used everything at their disposal, including all parts of their weapons. You fight knowing that you want to disrupt or disorient your opponent.

Sometimes, the best attack is to feign with your weapon, but then do something unexpected... like stomp on the opponent's foot, pinning it to the ground for a second while you push them off balance, or while YOU are pivoting around them. I learned that, when you smash someone hard and drive their own helmet into their nose... it causes eyes to water, stuns them into losing whatever they were thinking at the time... and it take them a second to recover. During that time, you split their butt cheeks with your weapon. :>)

I know this is long, but it's a reasonable explanation for why we aren't hearing or seeing a "PLAN". The best way of combat is to have a set goal instead... something that can be summed up in 1 or 2 sentences... and then develop a whole set of capabilities and skills that can be applied. You BECOME the battle. That's how you defeat someone else's "PLAN".