Those skilled in warfare move the enemy, and are not moved by the enemy.' - Sun Tzu

Flanking is probably the oldest and most universal of tactics. In its purest form, as an infantry small unit tactic, one element fixes the enemy through the use of fires, while a second element maneuvers to the unprotected flank of the enemy. The fixing element then shifts and lifts fires while the bounding element attacks through the enemy positions, overwhelming and defeating them. This principle has applicability in everything from business conflict, to CQB, to one on one armed and unarmed confrontation.

This is why points of domination CQB is more effective than strong wall. The L shaped formation created in the room during entry is essentially fixing and flanking the opponent. It’s the optimal formation for vehicle takedowns as well. If you even examine the infantry ambush, this is why the L shaped ambush is superior to the linear. This principle is applicable to far more than just team tactics however.

As a young man I trained and competed heavily in martial arts. In Karate, one of my favorite strategies was to press the opponent, fixing him in place for a moment, then shifting to his less defensible side and exploiting my advantage with either strikes or a takedown. This is at its heart simply fixing and flanking. In judo, the principle of kuzushi is in essence a flank. In this you pull or push your opponent in one direction, and when his resistance fixes him in place for a moment, you unbalance him in a different, more vulnerable direction. In jujutsu, a strike often precedes a throw for the same reason. The strike momentarily fixes the opponent so that you can exploit a more vulnerable angle. All of these are in essence fixing and flanking.

In a one on one gunfight, the opportunity for the classic fix and flank does sometimes present itself. But more commonly, moving laterally off the line of attack and then pressing the advantage from a more advantageous angle is once again the same in essence as a flanking maneuver. Meeting force with force head on is seldom the best strategy for dealing with armed or unarmed conflict. Attack vulnerabilities with strengths instead.

This same principle can apply in interpersonal dealings as well. It can be used in debates and business conflicts with equal efficacy. Conflict is conflict, regardless of the medium it exists in. Whenever possible, utilize this universal principle. Press the opponent mentally, gain the initiative, and attack weakness with strength. Fix and flank.