THE TRUE CHARACTER OF SHI-TAMAJUTSU

Every discipline must have a creed to follow. A creed is a text of beliefs of how persons within that discipline must act. A creed is not only on a spiritual level, but it is also on a moral and practical level.

Shi-Tamajutsu is no exception.

I HAVE NO TACTICS: I MAKE SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY MY TACTICS.

Any successful tactic requires proper application and timing. The opportunity ALWAYS dictates the tactic, not the other way around. (Another important lesson in Shit-Tamajutsu.)

I HAVE NO STRATEGY: I MAKE ADAPTABILITY TO ALL CIRCUMSTANCES MY STRATEGY.
Plans are all well and good, but adaptability makes all plans flexible and fluid, like the Game itself.

I HAVE NO POWER: I MAKE HONESTY MY POWER.
Good players are honest and fair players. Need I say more?

I HAVE NO RULES: I MAKE SAFETY, SPORTSMANSHIP AND FAIR PLAY MY RULES.
After all, aren't the rules BASED on safety, sportsmanship and fair play?

I HAVE NO OPPONENT: I MAKE CARELESSNESS MY OPPONENT.
You will find that the person who got you eliminated, for the most part, is not the player on the other team. It is usually the player you see in the mirror, every day.

I HAVE NO MISFORTUNE: I MAKE MY MISFORTUNE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN.
Learn from your mistakes. Don't dismiss learning opportunities as bad luck.

I HAVE NO WEAKNESS: I MAKE OVERCONFIDENCE MY WEAKNESS.
How many times have you been eliminated by a player of less experience, because you didn't see them as a threat?

I HAVE NO FEAR: I MAKE DOING WHAT IS NECESSARY REPLACE MY FEAR.
Many players do not attempt a particular move for fear they will fail. If you know what must be done, then you must do it. It is better to try and fail, than to not try at all.

I HAVE NO TECHNOLOGY: I MAKE EFFORT MY TECHNOLOGY.
Do not rely on the firepower of your semi to make up for lack of effort on your part.

I HAVE NO LEADER: I MAKE MY PERSONAL CONVICTIONS MY LEADER.
Just because there is someone in a position of authority over you (like a team captain) it doesn't mean they will always do the right thing. "I was told to cheat by my team captain" is not an excuse.

I HAVE NO THOUGHT: I MAKE ACTION MY THOUGHT.
Many players do not rely on their instincts. Can you remember when you thought back about a particular game and wished you had acted when you had the chance? Instead, you wasted the time rationalising and subsequently lost your opportunity.

I HAVE NO OBJECTIVE: I MAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A BETTER PLAYER MY OBJECTIVE.
Usually the flag is the objective of the game, but we must also see the greater objective. Winning over your opponent is easily accomplished. Growing as a player is a more difficult objective.

To have the proper spirit and attitude towards this game is more than simply having a good time. You must strive to not only better yourself physically, but you must also develop your mind and heart as well.

CONCLUSION
Hopefully I haven't made all of this too convoluted for you. The concepts of Shi-Tamajutsu are as clear as I can make them. It is now a matter of keeping them in mind when you are playing. If you're really serious about learning the principles in Shi-Tamajutsu, I suggest you either download this section or print it off, so you'll have it handy.