Sticking to the Enemy Like Glue
This Musashi interpretation urges maintaining pressure during an attack so the opponent cannot recover. It emphasizes coordinated commitment of body and attention; the examples examine where that principle transfers and where continued pressure may be costly.
THE IDEA
STICKING TO THE ENEMY LIKE GLUE
Sticking to the enemy like glue means not permitting a gap to grow between yourself and the enemy in combat. You are committed to the attack and should the enemy retreat you must continue on with your attack, making sure that you have cut him down. Not to do so is to practice hesitation; hesitating even for an instant allows the enemy to turn against you again, and possibly defeat you. If you do not stick to the enemy like glue, you are insecure in your convictions. You must develop your spirit to be able to drive right through the enemy without worrying about whether or not you will be hit in return. When you lead with your head and let your body lag, you are effectively throwing your balance off and giving the enemy a target at which to fire. You must drive with your spirit because when you do so your head, legs, and body will move as one.
When to use it
Military tactics: Pursuing a retreating enemy to ensure they cannot reorganize and counterattack.
Sports: In soccer, a team that scores quickly continues pressing high to force another mistake rather than dropping back to defend.
Personal projects: When making progress on a difficult task, avoid taking long breaks that let momentum fade; instead, keep pushing until the task is completed or a milestone is reached.
Negotiations: After a concession from the other party, immediately press for a final agreement rather than pausing, which might allow them to reconsider.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Fencing or Martial Arts
During a fencing exchange, a fencer follows an initial attack with another action to keep the opponent under pressure. The sequence ends when the rules require a halt; the analogy concerns continuity within the exchange, not pressing forward after a scored touch.
Business Competition
A startup gains an advantage and considers how to sustain it through service, product improvements, or marketing. Continuing pressure may help, but scaling or cutting prices should depend on capacity and costs rather than follow automatically from the analogy.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
In what areas of your life do you tend to hesitate or pull back, allowing the 'enemy' (whether a person, problem, or project) to regain strength?
How can you stay committed to an action while still noticing evidence that the cost or risk has changed?
When does extra deliberation delay useful action, and when does it reveal a reason to pause? What would coordinated action look like in your situation?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Musashis book of five rings the definitive interpretation of Miyamoto Musashis classic book of strategy (Kaufman, SteveMiyamoto, Musashi)