Eight Deadly Mistakes in Hand-to-Hand Combat
Agility, balance, circling movement and proper stances are just as important as actually
striking your opponent. Not getting hit is more important than hitting your
opponent.
These are deadly mistakes:
- Never
stand in front of your opponent. Instead circling away from his strength. If
your opponent is right handed, circle to your right. You become a punching
bag, standing in front of your opponent.
- Never
stand with your forward foot parallel to your opponent’s position. Instead
assume a boxer’s stance, forward foot pointed approximately toward your
opponent. Pushing forward toward the other knee when in the position
described above can easily break your knee. You also have no defense against
a strike aimed to the back of the neck in that position.
- Never
stand facing tour opponent with both feet in a parallel line with your
opponent. Instead assume a boxers stance. With both feet on line parallel to
your opponent, you can be pushed off balance and fall to the ground. Where
you are at the mercy to your opponent.
- Never
be too eager to hit your opponent. Instead adopt a defensive mode of using
agility using circling movements to avoid being hit. Anytime you punch, kick
or attempt a throw, you leave yourself open for a counter move. The most
prudent strategy is to move in and out in a circling movement and through
eye flick strikes. Eye flick strikes are thrown by flicking your fingers in
the opponent’s eyes. This strike is so quick it is almost impossible to
stop. Once the opponent is temporarily blinded he can be injured with
stinger strikes.
- Never
tense up, hold your breath during the execution of a punch, or try to punch
hard. Instead, concentrate on defensive movement. Tensing up, holding your
breath and trying to put a lot of effort into each punch, burns up too much
energy and is also counter productive. Punch fast not hard. Let your
opponent burn himself out while you just use defensive movement and eye
flicks.
- Never
enter a fight where you will think of what moves you will make against your
opponent. All your moves and strikes should be spontaneous. You cannot think
of what you are going to do. You must do it without thinking because the
action is too fast for conscious thinking followed by action. Look for an
opening in the opponent’s weak spots, which are the throat, eyes, chin and
groin. As soon as you see the opening the opening you will respond with some
strike.
- Never
fight half-heartedly. Never give your opponent a break or he may come back
to injure you. If you are fighting only had enough to subdue your opponent,
you are not fighting all out. This could be a losing strategy.
- Never
enter a fight if you have the option to escape without a fight. Your
opponent may be a much stronger fighter than you expect. He may have a gun
or knife or other weapon hidden on his person. Fight only to save yourself
from great bodily harm or death. Always run if you can.
Uncle Ho Kim has said, “Never, ever, play leapfrog with a unicorn.” The same applies to
hand-to-hand combat. Never fight unless there is no way out!
About the Author /
Axioms of the Warrior /
Common Items Used as Deadly Personal Weapons /
Elements of Personal Sceurity /
Single Strike Deathblows /
Ten Deadly Errors in Judgment /
Ten Exercises For Martial Arts Toughness /
Use of Handguns /
Final Thoughts /
Email /
Index