An idiom, referring to the category of the Stages of Range concept which encompasses the range where contact can be not only made, but can also be used to manipulate an opponent's body.

Comments:

Contact Manipulation refers to the category of the range of contact that is specifically used to manipulate the opponent's body in some manner.

Contact Manipulation can only occur when the intended weapon(s) is/are Within Contact of the opponent.

Contact Manipulation can most easily thought of as creating or continuing some sort of control over a part of or all of the opponent's body.

Contact Manipulation can refer to either an offensive or defensive maneuver, but always refers a move that is continued after the initial contactwith the opponent is made.  As such, Contact Manipulation can occur after either Surface Contact or Contract Penetration.

Contact Manipulation can be used to contour, leverage, lock, break, check, parry, etc. any part of the opponent's body - but, is most commonly used against the opponent's extremities, head, and/or neck.

Contact Manipulation can only occur at distances that are closer than your own full extension.  But, in the case of your opponent, closer than their full extension.  Therefore, it is not unlikely that either you or your opponent could be at Contact Manipulation range, but not both.

Contact Manipulation can only occur using some sort of pushing or pulling maneuver against the opponent'sbody.

Contact Manipulation can effectively be used to enhance the effectiveness of any initial contact in many ways.

See Stages of Range for more information on the subject of range and contact.

Example(s):

Changing a handshake into a yank of the opponent's arm demonstrates a form a Contact Manipulation.

A.K.A.:

Fourth Stage of Range

Opposite(s):

Out of Contact

Related Definition(s):

Available, Block, Break, Catch, Category, Check, Contact, Defense, Depth, Dimension, Direction, Distance, Disturb, Environment, Feel, Force, Gap, Gauge, Grab, Height, Hold, Hug, Jerk, Leverage, Lock, Maintain, Maneuver, Minor, Move, Offense, Pin, Position, Press, Pull, Range, Regulate, Slide, Space, Squeeze, Stick, Take-Down, Target, Throw, Touch, Trap, Travel, Twist, Weapon, Width, Wrench

Related Term(s):

4 Stages of Range, Angle of Retreat, Availability of Target, Availability of Weapon, Body Maneuver, Brace Angle, Close Range, Contact Manipulation, Contour, Control, Control Maintenance, Control Manipulation, Counter Manipulation, Direct Opposites, Eyeless Sight, First Stage of Range, Four Stages of Range, Graduated Depth, Long Range, Medium Range, Second Stage of Range, Short Range, Stages of Distance, Stages of Range, Sub 4, Sub Four, Target Availability, Third Stage of Range, Weapon Availability