Strategic Planning: How to Trap your Opponent

In fishing, baiting a hook and reeling in an unsuspecting fish is generally preferable to chasing the fish around the ocean until you catch it. Unless you can swim better than the fish, you should stay in your boat and make him come to you. Strategy is the same. Why chase after your opponent and run into his territory if you can make him come to you?

Set traps that will lure your opponent into your psychological and physical territory. Give him an irresistible opportunity (the bait) and prepare a counterattack (the hook) when he takes your bait. When setting a trap, take care not to expose it too soon. If you show your trap before he has fully committed, he will withdraw.

Conversely, do not wait too long. If he bites and gets stung by your trap, he will be furious. If you do not stun him into inaction, he will redouble his resolve to beat you. Waiting too long will result in a ferocious counter by your opponent.

Timing is of the essence for baiting the opponent. Maintain your composure  and let the opponent rush into you. While he is busy moving, mentally step back and with full alertness, view him like a fish circling your hook.

Stay detached and wait for the perfect moment to hook him and attack. Maintain a relaxed, ready posture and mind. Pick your chance and finish him when you are at a strategic advantage.

Can you win a fight with a single blow?

The ultimate combat situation is one in which you are able to finish your opponent with one initiative attack. This does not necessarily mean a single blow. It means finishing the fight with the strategy and tactics you planned without interference from your adversary.

Not everyone is able to finish with one blow, due to size and strength disadvantages. But regardless of your size or strength, you can win in one initiative if you plan and carry out the perfect strategy. This is the essence of
Junsado. Assess the situation, plan what will work for you and implement it perfectly. If your assessment is accurate, your plan fitting for both you and your opponent, and your implementation is flawless, you will experience the ultimate in combat.

The Importance of Experience in Fighting

There is only one way to gain experience and that is to engage in your target activity repeatedly. If this is not possible, engage in the most realistic simulations possible. Experience a variety of opponents and styles to test the validity of your skills and discover new approaches. The more experienced you are, the more
insightful you can be in developing a successful strategy.

Development of these eight elements directly and dramatically affects your fighting skills. Before you can win over your opponent, you have to master your own body and mind. Go into combat knowing you are fully prepared and in top condition. When you confidently approach your opponent, your chances of
defeating him are greater.

Once you have fully prepared yourself, you can begin to analyze the other factors that affect combat:
1. Your opponent’s qualities
2. Terrain
3. Environment
4. Weapons

Adaptability

Being able to adapt to the flow of the confrontation is essential. Adaptation means assessing your needs and selecting the proper actions for fulfilling them. Without adaptation, you may become the victim of your own strategy. Strategy is very transparent and a skillful fighter will quickly assess and counter his opponent. Train in many ways and experiment with variations of your favorite techniques to avoid becoming stale.

Efficiency in Combat

Being efficient is important in every physical activity. Your body has a limited supply of energy to burn at any given time. Conserving energy is of the utmost importance to enable you to engage in prolonged or strenuous physical activity. If both you and your opponent have the same amount of energy to expend during a bout, the one who uses it more efficiently will be the one who delivers the final blow.

Physical Conditioning

Like skill development, conditioning requires regular, focused practice. Set a workout schedule that is suitable for your training goals. Include exercises for endurance, timing, strength, speed and reflexes in your regular workouts. Set regular long and short term fitness goals for motivation and to track your progress.

Determination and Stamina

Determination and stamina play a large role in combat when fighters are equally matched. When physical skills are similar, the winner will be decided by sheer guts and determination. Whoever is able to fight harder and resist longer will be the victor. To build mental and physical stamina, train through feelings of fatigue and mild discomfort, and regularly engage in contact sparring/training.