If you couldn't make it to Camp Lansdale back in October you missed a treat. Sifu Brandon Jones is an instructor of Seven Star Praying Mantis, a rare and unique system.

His style and technique were very similar to Shen Chuan and Sifu fit right in with the family.

Recently he invited Professor Lansdale to come to his school and show his Black Belts some of the finer points of Shen Chuan.

Professor Lansdale was very well received by Sifu Brandon's students. They were fun to work with because of their experience and eagerness to learn new things. This seems like old hat to us but remember that very few instructors now days actually allow and encourage their students to explore the arts. This open mindedness comes from the instructor and Sifu Brandon's mentality and ability are very apparent with his students.

Professor Lansdale showed concepts and principles from Shen Chuan that are shared with those of Sifu Brandon's system. He highlighted the similarities and the differences with his usual finesse and panache on Sensei Adam Coats and Shihan Richard Hartstein. Matt Partridge also made it up from Houston and I think he learned a good bit.

We had a great time with a great bunch of fellow martial artists. I encourage you to visit Sifu Brandon in Tyler if you get a chance. His School is very nice and you will enjoy his instruction as well as working with his students.

I would very much like us to keep a connection with Sifu Brandon and his school. We have a lot to share with each other and it will benefit us both.

At its most simple and possibly most effective, the Method of Three is simply intercepting an attack, entering in close and executing three rapid strikes to a vulnerable point on your opponent's head or body. This quick violent response to an attack will throw your opponent off balance, allowing you to escape or maneuver them into even more pain.

The interception used is based on the situation and your level of knowledge. It can be a cut interception up to ghosting. Your strikes can be closed fist punches, elbows, knees or open hand strikes, again the situation and your level of knowledge will dictate.

The next level of the Method of Three is striking high, medium and low. When executing your strikes in any combination of high, medium and low you will find more open targets and increase the confusion of your opponent. Any combination means just that you can hit him in the head then the torso and finally groin, or you can hit twice to the head and once to the groin. If you feel nasty and its open two strikes to the groin and a knee to the face is always nice. Along with striking at different points you can include three different types of strikes, like a punch an elbow then a knee, again any combination.

As you gain more knowledge and experience you can incorporate the principle of strike lock and throw into the Method of Three tactic. For example: you strike to set up a lock and use the lock to open a throw. Any combination can be used based on the situation and your level.

Again the key to executing the Method of Three is the K.I.S.S. or Keep It Simple Stupid principle. If you try and get too complex you will lose the effectiveness of the tactic. Along with keeping it simple you must use maximum intent in the application of your three strikes. You must let your opponent know he has just tap-danced into a minefield wearing clown shoes.

Remember the reason for using the Method of Three is to gain and maintain the upper hand. If you try it using half-assed or bad techniques you will only give them encouragement to finish you because in their mind they have weathered the storm.

Even though this tactic can be all you need to finish someone very quickly it is not always the only thing you must do to end the situation. Constant training will help you in its proper execution and how to deal with its possible failure.