Directionality in Standup

People move best in one direction at a time, not necessarily well but best. With that in mind, if we set out with the goal to maximize efficiency and minimize energy expenditure, our best takedown avenues are forcing multidirectional movement. If I can create a situation where I am moving in a singular direction while my opposition is moving in two or more directions simultaneously, the chances of me winning the takedown battle increase. This means there are only four directions for optimal success in getting the contest to the floor. Let’s say our opponent stands in the center of a compass, to achieve the best result, my goal will be to move them in diagonals (northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast). In forcing them to move in two directions at once, I am them making them choose a singular direction to stabilize themselves, which allows me to exploit a weakness in base towards the secondary direction. If I move towards the northwest (back and to the left) of my opponent, then they must choose which direction is more critical to protect. In forcing them to make that choice I can now exploit their balance. Maybe you are thinking if people can’t move in more than one direction simultaneously, how are we going to do so ourselves? You don’t, when you move your opposition, you will only move in one direction, but angled in relation to the other person so that as you move forward to back or side to side they must move forward or back and to the sides all at once. Once you have begun to understand movement patterns, stage two is obstructing the path.