Neutralizing an Attack

The main goal of the primary response is to neutralize the attack of the opponent and prepare to launch the secondary response. To do this effectively, you will need to establish four things in your favor in a split second:

1. Time
You can gain needed time by stunning your attacker into inaction or confusing his strategy. Use the time you gain to plan and execute your next movements. Every extra second is valuable time to prepare your secondary
response.


2. Stability
When you are confronted, you are likely to lose your balance and composure, at least momentarily. Psychological or physical instability creates additional openings for your opponent. By initiating a primary response, you will be able to regain a comfortable posture and prepare to attack. Now is the time to establish a strong but flexible position in preparation for your secondary response.

3. Superiority
Through an effective primary response, you can gain physical and mental superiority over your opponent. If you evade or block his attack, he will be momentarily unbalanced and discouraged. The mind controls the body and
plays a large role in its ability to function at peak effectiveness. Defeating or discouraging your opponent psychologically gives you a significant advantage.

4. Opening
In addition to temporarily stopping the attacking opponent, an accurate primary response will create an opening for your secondary response. In this sense, the primary response and secondary response are not separate actions but complementary parts of the whole.