A method of kinetic energy absorption using a composite article including: a ply (20, 40, 70) containing multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) having inherent failure strains and having inherent moduli; a matrix material at least partially encapsulating the ply (20, 40, 70); multiple lower strength length portions (24, 24a, 24b, 74) distributed along individual fibers of the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) and having failure strains less than the inherent failure strains; and a designated pattern of the multiple lower strength length portions (24, 24a, 24b, 74) distributed to selected locations identified in the ply (20, 40, 70); the method comprising distributing a load across the designated pattern when the ply (20, 40, 70) receives a force from kinetic energy above a separation threshold by: plastically deforming the ply (20, 40, 70) and the matrix material; separating the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) at the multiple lower strength length portions (24, 24a, 24b, 74); creating gaps in the ply (20, 40, 70) where the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) are separated, wherein the gaps separate along a longitudinal direction of the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) such that the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) split into multiple strands or ribbons, forming split ribbons from the multiple lower strength length portions (24, 24a, 24b, 74); and shearing the matrix material around the split ribbons, between the ply (20, 40, 70) and other plies of the composite article, or both. a ply (20, 40, 70) containing multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) having inherent failure strains and having inherent moduli; a matrix material at least partially encapsulating the ply (20, 40, 70); multiple lower strength length portions (24, 24a, 24b, 74) distributed along individual fibers of the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) and having failure strains less than the inherent failure strains; and a designated pattern of the multiple lower strength length portions (24, 24a, 24b, 74) distributed to selected locations identified in the ply (20, 40, 70); the method comprising distributing a load across the designated pattern when the ply (20, 40, 70) receives a force from kinetic energy above a separation threshold by: plastically deforming the ply (20, 40, 70) and the matrix material; separating the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) at the multiple lower strength length portions (24, 24a, 24b, 74); creating gaps in the ply (20, 40, 70) where the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) are separated, wherein the gaps separate along a longitudinal direction of the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) such that the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) split into multiple strands or ribbons, forming split ribbons from the multiple lower strength length portions (24, 24a, 24b, 74); and shearing the matrix material around the split ribbons, between the ply (20, 40, 70) and other plies of the composite article, or both. plastically deforming the ply (20, 40, 70) and the matrix material; separating the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) at the multiple lower strength length portions (24, 24a, 24b, 74); creating gaps in the ply (20, 40, 70) where the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) are separated, wherein the gaps separate along a longitudinal direction of the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) such that the multiple substantially parallel fibers (22, 22a, 22b) split into multiple strands or ribbons, forming split ribbons from the multiple lower strength length portions (24, 24a, 24b, 74); and shearing the matrix material around the split ribbons, between the ply (20, 40, 70) and other plies of the composite article, or both.