Everything will work sometime

This is a correction (backpedal?) to the post where I explain why I don't like the grounded takedown style of Masakazu Imanari, but also a general point: all techniques will work - sometime... Have you ever seen a cartwheel kick, or a 540-degree roundhouse kick? Think it'll work? It will, but only under the right circumstances, and that's the key. Our philosophy is to "play the percentages, " and use the techniques which are most likely to accomplish our goal. Sometimes that may be a trick play, like the aforementioned cartwheel or 540. Once you make those types of techniques your mainstay, that's where you can get into trouble. Some examples:

• Muhammad Ali knocked out big George Foreman in Zaire after employing a tactic thereafter known and the "rope-a-dope." I think Ali claimed to have planned it beforehand, but even his trainer admits that it was something that just happened. Instead of employing his mobility and working from the center of the ring as he'd done in the past, Ali laid on the ropes and slipped and rolled with the bombs of the more powerful Foreman. Within a few round Foreman was exhausted, then Ali went to work and knocked out the bigger, younger man in the eighth. The best fighters and competitors learn to improvise when their game plan isn't working. The "rope-a-dope" was undoubtedly effective that night. In fact, that fight has gone down in history as one of the most shocking upset victories in the ring. Ali employed it frequently for the remainder of his career, and thus absorbed far more punishment than he'd ever taken before. Tactically, it was sound for that encounter, that night, with that particular opponent, but would it have worked against someone who was patient, stalking, and wasn't eager for a knockout? More importantly for us, would it work on the street? I don't think so...
• In MMA, some of the more spectacular knockouts have been from flying knees, jump-in punches, and high kicks. Does that mean that they can work? Obviously they can, and they do. I always sneak in one high kick every time I spar, and we spar with eye jabs, grabbing of the head, arms, hair and clothing, elbows, knees, and leg kicks. We also continue the fight if someone goes down. They work. If, however, I were to high kick constantly in self-defense, or jump kick, I'd probably not be writing this now, as I'd be in a hospital, at least.
• The fake punt or field goal in football can either give away excellent field position or a touchdown to the opposing team, or it can be a quick score or get the ball back for the offense. It works. Is rarely done, though...
  

The trick plays in any sport work because they are unexpected. They are unexpected because of the risk involved. We need to weigh the risks, and balance it with the chance for success. Sometimes dropping to the ground and attempting a knee bar or ankle break could do just the trick, or it could get you stomped. Just a thought...