Improving Reaction Time

There are several formulas you can use to hone your reaction timing.

1. Attack when the opponent is preparing his attack. His mind is occupied with what to do next and he is not
fully prepared to attack or defend.


2. Attack when the opponent steps forward or backward. The key is to attack before his stepping foot
touches the ground. While one foot is in the air, the balance of the body is easily upset, but once the step is
completed, an attack is imminent.


3. Attack when the opponent’s attack is at its maximum height. He is unable to retreat quickly and his
balance is extremely vulnerable when his body is fully extended.


4. Attack when the opponent hesitates or is nervous. His indecision is your cue that he has mentally let down
his guard and is vulnerable to attack.


5. Attack just after your opponent completes an attacking movement. Every muscle needs a brief period
of recovery between exertions. Take advantage of this by attacking as soon as the movement is finished.

Fighting from Neutral Range

NEUTRAL RANGE


Definition
Neutral range is the distance at which neither combatant can effectively attack with the weapons available.

Advantages
The neutral range gives you the time to prepare your strategy and ample opportunity to change plans as you observe your opponent. The neutral range is the ideal range from which to begin the confrontation because you can get yourself ready immediately.

Disadvantages
The neutral distance leaves you vulnerable to a surprise attack from your opponent because when you are at a neutral distance, your mind is less alert than at any other range. Don’t discount the possibility of an attack  from any distance.

Be prepared at all times.
Neutral distance is inefficient for attacking because an attack that covers a lengthy distance is easy to detect and avoid.

How to attack
Attacks from neutral range require explosive speed and deception. To create speed, use quick footwork and combined movements. Feinting, set-ups and traps are all ways of confusing your opponent to create an opening for a surprise attack.

Tactics
Be alert and study your opponent in the neutral range. Be prepared to counter or reverse a surprise attack. In addition to surprise attacks, you can try to outwait your opponent. Eventually one of you will become impatient and attack. If you are patient, your opponent will attack first and give you the chance for a counter. This tactic requires patience and an iron will.

Combat Range

Simply put, combat range is the distance between you and your opponent. This is, however, a broad definition and can be interpreted in many ways. To apply combat range to the science of strategy, you will need a more specific working definition. Combat range has to be thought of in two dimensions: real distance and relative distance. First practice real distance skills and when you understand them, look at the implications of relative distance.

Long Range Fighting Tactics

The long range is the distance at which either combatant can strike with their longest attacking implement usually by kicking, by striking, or cutting with a weapon.

Advantages


Long range is ideal for kicking or for using a long weapon such as the stick or sword. In long range combat, you can protect your vital organs and still strike the opponent in a split second. Long range strikes are good for applying maximum force in every strike because you have enough space to create acceleration force with long, powerful weapons.

Disadvantages


The long range and neutral range have similar disadvantages due to the amount of time a long strike takes to reach its target. It is both slower and more difficult to conceal than a short attack. Long attacks also leave you vulnerable immediately after the attack because you must sacrifice some space and time to execute a long range strike properly. Give special attention to maintaining your guard between long range attacks.

How to attack


Long range combat is well suited to linear and thrusting attacks. Take advantage of the time gap between your attack and your opponent’s response by following up every attack with another. Make maximum use of footwork to cover and close the distance.

Tactics


Study your opponent’s speed and habits. Understand his style so you can adjust your timing accordingly. Use both regular and irregular rhythms to confuse your opponent and draw him into your attack. Attack decisively and follow-up every attack with compound combinations.

Real Distance: Fighting Ranges

Real distance is the distance from the end of the aggressor’s longest viable weapon to the nearest part of the defender’s body to which that weapon can be applied. If your opponent’s longest weapon is a stick and your nearest exposed body part is your front hand, the distance between the end of the stick and your hand will determine the combat range.

However, a stick does not pose as serious a threat to your hand as it does to your head, so you also have to consider the vulnerability of the exposed target. Similarly, there is a high degree of danger when the opponent is in grabbing range of your hand because grabbing presents more of a threat to your hand than striking does. This is where relative distance will begin to blur the lines of real distance.

In real distance, there are four ranges: neutral, long, medium and short.

Range Fighting: Using Relative Distance

Real distance is determined by the absolute measure of distance from one point to another. However, this objective measure works only in a world where all people are physical and mental equals. Since this is untrue, you cannot rely on real distance alone to determine your combat strategy.

Relative distance is used to account for the many mitigating factors. In addition to considering the actual physical distance consider these elements in terms of both you and your opponent:
1. Skill level
2. Mental toughness
3. Speed
4. Size
5. Types of available weapons (bodily and other)
6. Vulnerability of targets exposed
7. Type of techniques available

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.