| Even 'No-Strategy' Fighting Has a Pattern | | | | Yes, intentionally "Weak." I know that some |
| Would you like to know a secret? | | | | brutes make an assessment, because of the |
| The big rough guys who don't believe in "no darn | | | | predictable responses: |
| strategy," are sometimes the easiest ones to deal | | | | When I show a solid guard, they hesitate more |
| with. | | | | before trying to power through my defense. |
| I have noticed that some martial artists fear big | | | | Sometimes, they try something different, like a |
| bruisers who just "power through any defense." | | | | kick to an opening. I'd prefer that they stay |
| Believe it or not, these big bruisers are my | | | | predictable with the "barrel-through," so ... |
| favorite types for ... a little practice. After this | | | | I position my arms and hands in a weaker guard, |
| article, they may become your favorite type of | | | | so they instantly go for the smash-through. |
| opponent, as well. One of their beliefs is that they | | | | A Strong Guard Is Not Always a Good Idea |
| can just smash through anything in their way. No | | | | Now, if any of you are thinking that it's better to |
| thought. No finesse. And no strategy. Even this | | | | have a great, tight guard, think again. |
| no-strategy tactic is, believe it or not, is a | | | | When my guard looks feeble, I have a more |
| strategy. | | | | accurate idea of what's going to happen. If I |
| The instant they decide, "well, what I do is ..." | | | | know where "Bruiser" is going to attack, I have a |
| they have exhibited some predictable attack | | | | bit of an advantage, wouldn't you say? |
| patterns. They do indeed have a strategy. | | | | So, how's your acting ability? |
| My favorite 'no strategy' is when they decide to | | | | Could you feign weakness? Could you turn it off |
| 'just barrel through.' | | | | and on, at will? |
| The bruiser looks at my guard and, in my opinion, | | | | If you could pretend something you aren't, think |
| makes a quick assessment. He sees my 'weak | | | | how you'd apply this skill to practical application. |
| hands' guarding, and decides he could blast through | | | | What else could you learn to fake? |
| them with a strong attack. | | | | Could you pretend to stumble? |
| How do I know that there is some judgment | | | | Fake getting distracted for an instant? |
| going on? | | | | Could you feign expertise in a different martial |
| Read on ... | | | | arts style? |
| Change Your Strategy With This Idea | | | | Then when your attacker advances, you switch. |
| I know that my opponent is judging my guard, | | | | Now, he (or she) has to deal with a completely |
| because it's possible to cause him to react in a | | | | different manner of fighting. |
| predictable pattern ... some of the time. | | | | It's about being more skilled than your attacker |
| With a little practice, you can make your stance | | | | To paraphrase from the sword fight at the top |
| and guard position with your hands look very | | | | of the cliff in The Princess Bride: |
| stable and solid. A closed, hard-to-get-through look. | | | | "You are a very skilled sword fighter. Maybe |
| And with more practice, you can make your | | | | more skilled than I, but I know something that |
| guard look weak, easy to smash through. | | | | you don't know .... |