A striker who can manage distance, speed and timing well will be effective. If you’re too far from your opponent, executing a perfect punch or kick is useless. It would help if you could close the distance between you and your opponent to land your strikes. But speed isn’t the only thing that will help you land an attack. It is important to be fast, but not necessary.
Effective fighting requires you to understand your opponent’s movement and to be able to interpret it. We give information about where we are and the attack we will launch when we move. This could spell trouble for you if your opponent doesn’t understand it. If your opponent is correct, it could be trouble. Conversely, if you perceive the situation correctly, you’ll be able to respond in the best way possible, taking control of the fight.
Let’s look at four strategies you can use to improve your speed and timing in fighting.
Telegraphing your movements is not an option.
How can we make it appear faster than we are? You can reduce the amount of information you give about your movement and position. Practice striking from your current position and stance to achieve this. Avoid unnecessary movements such as winding-up when punching or jerking forward when kickin’. Your techniques should flow naturally, and you should use your hips for power, not just your muscles.
Relaxation is key
This one is still a problem for me. My adrenal response kicks in and causes me to hold my breath, tighten my muscles, and keep my eyes open. This will slow down your movement and make you fatigue very quickly. Try to calm down your mind. It is possible to reset and relax several times, but it is worth making an effort. Keep a steady level of breathing and inhale deeply into your belly. This will allow you to relax and help keep your muscles limber. Relax as you strike your opponent. Keep this relaxed throughout the strike. Only tighten after impact. You can also relax immediately after impact.
Anticipate
The offence is the best defence. The timing of your attack is crucial. My experience shows that the best attacks are made within a fraction of a second after an opponent’s attack. In Japanese striking Martial Arts, this is called Sen No Sen. This means you attack your opponent during their attack. Visual cues can be used to help you do this. For example, look for movement in your hips or shoulders. Once you sense movement in one of these areas, react with your attack.
You will improve your ability to sense when an attack is coming, and you’ll be more skilled as you get experience. Your fighting skills will be improved by anticipating your opponent’s attack early and responding quickly.
Determine the best distance to use for each technique
Every technique, whether a kick, punch, knee, elbow, or knee, has optimal distance. Your opponent will not have time to respond if you attack too close. Your strike could be stopped if you are too close to your opponent. The best way to land your strike is to determine the distance you should be at.
Last Thoughts
You can strike effectively by sparring and practising a lot. Controlling the fight is all about understanding your opponent’s movements. You will see a marked improvement in your fighting skills if you work hard at each point.
