Evasion: Emptying the Space

Evading can be thought of as “emptying the space” between you and your opponent. It is the surest way of maintaining your safety zone and it should always be your first choice. Evading is the most natural response to an unwanted intruder. You use it all the time, even in social situations. Imagine yourself having a conversation with a business acquaintance. The acquaintance leans too close to you and you instinctively step back. Though you do not perceive a physical threat, the invasion of your personal comfort zone puts your subconscious on alert.

Your comfort zone differs from one situation to another. In your home or among friends, your comfort zone is relaxed or nonexistent. In familiar but high pressure environments like school or work, it is an active barometer of
whom to trust and how much trust to place in them. In unfamiliar or threatening surroundings, the comfort zone is buffered by a larger safety zone. Anyone crossing into your perceived safety zone is seen as a potential threat, therefore you unconsciously move to put them back outside your safety zone.

Evasion occurs every day on many levels. Evading is based on instinct and judgment. In combat, your initial reaction should be to evade the confrontation entirely. When this fails, try to evade the physical blows of the aggressor. Evasion must be total to be successful. Partial evasion will result in some damage to you and superiority for your attacker.