An idiom referring to the concept of using a specific form of a circular Foot Maneuver to move off a potential or actual line of attack by using a single supporting limb as the Pivot Point while still maintaining the same relative Point of Reference.

Comments:

Up the Circle uses the Lead Weapon (i.e. the lead leg) as the Pivot Point.

Up the Circle only describes the motion and does not denote intent. Therefore, Up the Circle can be used totally defensively (as an evasion), totally offensively (to enhance reach for a strike), or a combination of both.

The purpose of Up the Circle is commonly two (2) fold: to move off the Line of Attack and to subtly decrease the reach distance (i.e. Close the Gap) between you in the opponent. Another way to think about the second point is that it increases one's reach to the opponent in a non-obvious manner.

The reach is increased due to the fact that the orientation change to the opponent also changes the shoulder (and body) orientation from a neutral bow orientation to a horse-like orientation. Another way to describe this phenomenon is through describing a horizontal arc (between you and the opponent) - where the neutral bow orientation is prior to the apex of the arc, the horse orientation is on the apex of the arc, and a reverse bow is after the apex of the arc. (See Roundhouse and Hook for similar explanation using only the limbs).

One of the deceptive uses of Up the Circle is to take one from Out of Contact range to Contact Penetration range in a manner that does not alert or alarm the opponent.

With the opponent Closing the Gap, Up the Circle can take advantage of both evasion (i.e. the Foot Maneuver) and Opposing Forces (i.e. an offensive response) simultaneously.

One way to think about Up the Circle is that it is cover-like. The major differences being that the Point of Reference does not change, the foot movement is in the reverse direction to a cover, and therefore the result is the reverse in terms of gauging. Thought of in this context, Up the Circle can be construed to be the reverse to the saying: "never step into the unknown".

Opposite(s):

Cover

Related Definition(s):

Apex, Circle, Contact, Degree, Gauge, Intent, Move, Path, Strike, Target, Weapon

Related Term(s):

Angle of Attack, Body Alignment, Body Mechanics, Conscious Mind, Directional Harmony, Distance Matching, Four Stages of Range, Harmonious Movement, Harmonized Power, Integration of Forces, Line of Entry, Line of Travel, Maintain the Gap, Open the Gap, Path of Travel

Related Basic(s):

Foot Maneuver