When to Strike:
From a neutral position. If you decide to strike first, strike the centerline of your opponent. An explosive strike to the centerline of your opponent is difficult to defend due to the speed of the strike. Also, your body is less likely to telegraph the move if the strike is to the centerline. A strike to the outside or side will clearly telegraph your intent. Your shoulder will drop, elbow will rise, and then eventually your arm and hand will move towards your target. Your opponent can easily move to an outside line and deflect, block or strike your hand and arm (limb destructions).
An explosive centerline strike from the neutral position must be rehearsed and practiced to have the most effect on your opponent. You will need to build your speed, accuracy and assess range and distance to obtain maximum velocity and destructive impact on your opponent. Also, with all situations, a complete mastery of your emotions must be emplaced. A well trained opponent can easily determine the likelihood of a strike based on your observable emotions. For example, an agitated and boisterous opponent will tend to keep his adversary out of range due to the perceived potential of a strike. Learn to neutralize your anxiety and excitement by exhaling a large amount of carbon dioxide. This deliberate act causes your body to relax.
From a fighting position. If you and your opponent “square off” or take a fighting posture against one another, you will have to identify the openings in their guard. This is first done by observing the rhythm of your opponent. Your opponent will have a natural rhythm and will move side to side or forward and backwards. He will likely move his arms according to the rhythm established in the movement of his feet and legs. An example, an opponent drops his right hand when taking a right step. By placing yourself in the right position and throwing off his rhythm, you can effectively strike your opponent when he drops his guard or If his guard is up (both arms up) protecting his upper torso, you may opt to execute a “pendulum kick” to targets below the waist.
Once you’ve identified a potential opening, understand your range. A closed fist from along the knuckle line is approximately 2” to 4” wide. This is the striking surface area of a hand. It becomes narrower if you decide to use a “ridge hand” or a “finger jab”. The target becomes more difficult to strike if it is adequately protected and produces an even smaller target area. This doesn’t mean you should quit and let him strike you. It just means you have other steps to take in order to strike an effective area of your opponent’s body.
