Jeet Kune Do and the Golden Triangle of Targeting
The triangle, a most fascinating object. Why fascinating, you may ask? In the first place, the triangle is the strongest shape known in the three-dimensional universe. Its configuration offers the most structural might with the least amount of energy. A rectangle can provide equal strength but at the expense of requiring more energy. Secondly, above and beyond its natural integrity, the triangle is the shape of the meridians on the human anatomy that help govern endurance and stamina. From a holistic medicine perspective, several triangles on the body can be recruited to heal. Meridians such as the neck, the back of the knee, the thumb, and the forefinger, to name a few[1].
As a result of these unique properties, Yoga Master Sadhguru considers the triangle the most basic form of existence [2]. Nearly all the major religions of the world seem to agree, as the triangle is frequently used as a symbol of importance to human flourishing. IT systems leverage a golden triangle to ensure project efficiency. Even mother nature leverages a trigon for the very design of creation. With all its hardships, life has chosen the most optimal structure to help increase its chances of survival.
Shapes as Targets
The triangle’s strength and anatomical significance make it a key form in martial arts and combat. In self-defense, many people are trained to hit targets. Strike the groin, poke the eyes. Even those who have never set foot into a martial arts studio will usually know these basic strikes as self-defense 101. However, instead of looking at targets as mere body parts, what if we alternatively viewed them as shapes? As zeniths of structural integrity. The shapes themselves become the targets.
This notion of shapes as targets is not novel. Ed Parker, in his writings, discussed at-length zone theory, which divides the body into regions of height, depth, and width to hit essential anatomical marks. Still, zone theory puts heavy emphasis on rectangles. As aforementioned, more energy is required for rectangles. To truly optimize our targets, should we not look instead for the structure that provides our enemy with the utmost strength and healing, nullify it, and steal it away to neutralize them?
Triangles as Anatomical Vulnerabilities
As you will recall, holistic medicine leverages triangles as healing meridians. Those aspects of the body used for recovery can also be enlisted for darker means. That which provides access to healing within human anatomy can also provide a conduit for maximum damage — it’s a two-way street. In a fight, we do not want to heal our opponent. No. We want to neutralize our opponent’s ability to impose their will upon us. The objective here is not to harm but to walk away freely without harm — an important distinction.
To use triangles as a weapon, thereby maximizing weakness on our adversary, we need to recognize several crucial trios on the human body. There is a triangle of the neck, knee, groin, face, foot, and even hand. All these have unique qualities and yield distinct effects on the enemy when attacked. As you will recall, the triangle maximizes results for the least amount of energy. Fighting attributes such as speed, timing, coordination, power, accuracy, and sensitivity require energy. To best amplify these attributes is to hit one of the magic triangular targets.
Of all the triangles, there is one that trumps all, and that is what I like to focus on today: the triangle of the shoulder blade. The shoulder blade is the golden triangle that beats all other targets. More formally defined:
The Golden Triangle of Targeting = The Meridian of the Shoulder Blade
The following illustration depicts the Golden Triangle of Targeting.
The shoulder blade, one may ask? This notion comes as a surprise to many. Common sense dictates that hitting someone in the groin, face, eyes, or neck would seem more vital and high value.
Why the shoulder? To answer this question, we must first acknowledge an inherent problem in fighting: it is very challenging to hit someone without missing or getting hit. Even if you can make contact, the outcomes are unreliable. It’s hard to predict how people react to pain and damage. Their physical toughness can play a factor. Discomfort thresholds, size, reflexes, and preparedness can all affect outcomes. The shoulder helps reduce many of these obstacles when used as a target.
Most people think of strike quality as power, speed, timing, and accuracy, the individual physical attributes of the technique execution. While these characteristics are essential, these are not the best way to increase the quality of the shot. When applying force strategically, work smart, not hard. Pick a more effective target.
The Golden Triangle of Targeting and its Unique Nature
The Golden Triangle of Targeting, the shoulder blade, is “golden” because it is the optimal point on the human body that enables maximum striking efficiency and reliability while lowering the risk of missing or getting hit. It integrates many fundamental strategic areas of the fighting arts that promote work efficiency over exertion.
At least four strategic principles are inherent in the Golden Triangle:
- Triangular Vulnerability
- Zero-Pressure Angulation
- The Zenith of Force Harmony
- The Damage-Control Duality
When we hit the Golden Triangle, due to the convergence of these four principles, a force mismatch ensues that is unparalleled anywhere else on the human body.
The triangular vulnerability aspect was discussed earlier in this article. Next, I will briefly summarize the other three principles and how they merge.
Zero-Pressure Angulation
Zero-pressure angulation is the optimal place to face an opponent in a one-on-one fight. It presents the least risk due to its juxtaposition with the rival. In other words, maximum danger to the adversary, minimal danger to us. We are in their blind spot, but they are not in ours. This viewpoint is referred to as the Zero-Pressure Angle because while we can hit our opponent with impunity, they cannot hit us. We are out of the line of fire of the enemy’s tools while they are in line with ours.
To hit the Golden Triangle, one needs to pass the key objective line of the opponent. When the Golden Triangle of Targeting is squarely in your beam, you have achieved zero-pressure angulation.
The Zenith of Force Harmony
Physical force in martial arts is the blend of movement and firepower, expressed in the formula:
physical force = movement + firepower
(See the Equations of Combat for more on strategic combat formulas).
When we combine movement and firepower at the most advantageous distance between an opposing actor and us, this is referred to as the Zenith of Force Harmony. The Zenith is the perfect blend of movement and firepower, allowing us the most significant combat mismatch point. That is to say, to maximize our effectiveness while minimizing our adversaries. The asymmetry of this range allows people to fight outside their weight division and can override physical strength, size, and reach. Bruce Lee referred to this distance as Trapping Range.
The Golden Triangle of Targeting allows unhindered access to this range and magnifies its advantage. See Strategic Engagement of Force for more information and details of the Zenith of Force Harmony.
The Force Objective Duality
The Force Objective Duality describes the two polarities of outcome one can yield to an opponent. The duality illustrates that no matter what type of fight you are engaged in, you can instill two possible endpoints in your adversary: damage or control. All other results are a manifestation of these two outcomes. Damage can yield control, and control can yield damage. More can be found in the damage control duality in The 3 Ways of Loss. Due to the convergence of head, neck and limbs, combined with the access to soft tissue, merged with pivot point manipulation possibilities, The Golden Triangle of Targeting yields an ideal blend of damage and control.
The Conflation of Strategic Principles
The most optimal use of force is when we can merge principles. The more strategic concepts we can pack into a single stroke, the more we can maximize the effectiveness and ensure more advantageous outcomes. This conflation mindset allows an 80-year-old master to defeat a 20-year-old fighter in prime shape. The 20-year-old, by all physical measurements, has it over the 80-year-old. They are more powerful and faster, have better endurance, bone density, and testosterone. Yet, time and time again, we see the time-weathered, shrunken beef jerky-looking old master defeat the sperm-laden specimen of youthful perfection. These principles are how it is done.
How to Hit the Golden Triangle of Targeting
The trick to exploiting the Golden Triangle is practicing getting access to it. Especially in an altercation where you are adrenalized, and someone is hell-bent on your destruction, gaining entry will be a challenge without the proper know-how. It is in these moments where the skill comes in.
Experienced fighters will not readily allow easy access to this position of vulnerability without resistance. However, your odds of success dramatically increase with a bit of aptitude and proper preparation. Surprisingly, many competent fighters don’t think to hit the Golden Triangle, as they are training in either kickboxing or grappling, sport-based arts, which will tend to focus on frontal-based targets.
In street altercations, where situations are quick to draw emotions, raw violence, and hormones, access to the Golden Triangle can be obtained with a bit of practice. The entry point must be repped to the point of Fingersfitzengefuhl[3]. Having a suitable training methodology is crucial in this endeavor.
Using a drill from the Art of Contemporary Jeet Kune Do, we can train gaining access to the Golden Triangle. The drill is called “Hubud,” which means to tie and untie. Hubud is an energy drill that allows accelerated repetition of technical development without trying to recreate a fight repeatedly. It is also an excellent way to exercise the required attributes without sustaining damage. The following video shows a basic overview of Hubud and how to capitalize on the Golden Triangle of Targeting.
The Golden Triangle is not an Endpoint
The Golden Triangle of Targeting is a gateway, not an end state. It’s a vicinity, not an exact anatomical mark. It is crucial to consider the Golden Triangle as a visual reference point. Once it is in your beam, you commit to it fully. When the Golden Triangle area is hit, it creates a fractal of opportunities that blossom beyond just shoulder contact. It is an ideal point to introduce pressure patterns onto the adversary to obtain the Force-Objective Duality and end the engagement, or to disconnect to escape and gain safety.
References
[1] Unlock the Secret Golden Triangles in the Body — Optimal Health Solutions
[2] Sadhguru Reveals the Hidden Power of the Triangle — YouTube
[3] The German word for “finger tip feel.” There is no good English word equivant for such a sensation.
About the Author
Scott Gehring is a modern-day enlightenment warrior who delights in adventure, free-spiritedness, creativity, tinkering, travel, and an insatiable love for constructive conflict. An acclaimed expert in multiple art styles, Scott, for over 35 years, has passionately pursued understanding, performance, health, discipline, truth, morality, and the purity of combat.
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