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An idiom referring to the subtle extra body maneuvers used to enhance Body Momentum during the execution of a maneuver.
Body English is a term used to describe 'enhanced' body momentum, most typically during the execution of self-defense maneuvers. This 'enhanced' body momentum is achieved by coordinating upper body rotation with lower body rotation to maximize offensive moves. Although Body English is used for all types of moves, the term Body English is most often referenced when referring to offensive, upper body, moves.
The term Body English is derived from the billiards (pool) slang "putting English on the ball", which refers to placing spin on the cue ball to position it, for the next move, at a predetermined location.
So one might ask - "isn't Body English always executed with proper Body Momentum?" The short answer is, no. The long answer is, one can execute an offensive move properly and effectively, yet still not have Body English. This typically arises from non-optimized coordination (timing) between the upper body and the lower body. The result being a maneuver that is still effective, but not optimal.
For example: consider a right inward elbow (towards 10:30H) strike, to an opponent's solar plexus (assume the opponent is in the proper positioning and the same size), while shifting from a right forward bow into a right neutral bow. The strike should be coordinated such that the lower body shift is in-sync with the upper body shift and the elbow movement. The tricky part of the previous statement is: what does in-sync mean? Does it mean that the lower body starts moving at the same time as the upper body movement and the elbow movement? Only some movement at the same time? Or, all movements at different times? And, there is still one more thing to consider: what about the 'shift' from the forward bow to the neutral bow? Does the lower body move at all - i.e. is only the upper body and elbow moving? To answer these questions, is to explain the overall concept of Body English.
To start with, assume that no matter what happens with the coordination of the different body parts, each variation completes having all required body momentum focused at the point of contact with the opponent. In other words, each variation is executed to try and maximize the effectiveness of the strike. Or, in the shortest possible words - executed properly. Also, because there are essentially three moving parts (elbow, upper body, lower body), there is a total of six possible combinations (1 x 2 x 3). This analysis will not consider each possible combination, just the two most relevant.
This is the option the majority of beginning practitioners would choose. On the face of it, this option seems to be the best and most practical option. Everything starts and finishes at the same time. At first glance, this choice seems logically to be the optimal way to execute the maneuver, right? In short, no. Under further scrutiny, this type of motion proves to be not so optimal. This is because one of the most important things to consider about this maneuver is that not every element of the maneuver is the same distance from the focal point (the solar plexus). Which immediately implies that not everything will be executed at its most optimal speed. This can be deduced due to the fact that different distances automatically dictates that each element's speed must be regulated to remain coordinated from the beginning all the way to the end. Because of this, maximum speed, and thus maximum power, can never be truly achieved for the maneuver as a whole.
Movement of this type:
•can be very effective, but never completely optimal
•looks very clean and polished, but not dynamic
•looks very mechanical to the trained eye
Also, if the above maneuver starts from a neutral bow (not a forward bow), the lower body is essentially eliminated from the execution of the maneuver. Which leaves only the upper body (and weapon) to generate all of the power for the strike. The only contribution the lower body can potentially add is settling. Which will help to enhance power, but not to its fullest potential.
This option, or movement of a similar type, epitomizes Body English. It allows the practitioner to maximize each element in relation to the final position in coordination with the other moving elements of the same maneuver. It is more complex and harder to coordinate than option #1, but with practice, can achieve more effective results. A major characteristic of this type of movement is that both acceleration and deceleration of the individual elements are coordinated independently of one another to achieve an in-sync and maximized effect at the point of contact.
One way in which this type of movement optimizes overall effectiveness is by allowing the upper body acceleration to be sped up by borrowing from the lower body's momentum, thus achieving a faster speed at the moment of impact - and therefore more power. The lower body, once it has helped the upper body achieve maximum speed, can then be varied to enhance other elements of the execution (such as settling, shifting, regulating gap, etc.). The net effect of this type of movement is true optimization of each individual element and therefore the overall move.
Movement of this type:
•can be tailored to achieve truly optimal results
•looks very dynamic, but not as clean and polished
•looks more practiced to the trained eye
Also, if starting from a neutral bow, the lower body can be engaged, using shifting, slight rotations, and settling to enhance the effectiveness of the strike. The reason this can be achieved is because of the same reason option #1 is not optimal - distance. The lower body, which in this example is potentially the closest element to the focal point, can be engaged to fill in the 'timing gap' between the upper body starting and making contact. As stated in the definition, the lower body maneuvers are subtle, but the effects are demonstrable.
In summary, Body English is essentially the optimal regulation of each element of a move independently in such a way as to help maximize the overall effectiveness of the move. This can be visually apparent by seeing each of the elements of a move coordinated at different times and speeds to achieve an effective, in-sync, and optimized move.