ramblinman

If you've won both times, does it matter if he bounces around? If the problem is with him avoiding you all the time, does he react at all when you throw your attacks? Could it be that he isn't convinced by your fakes? I've fought him three times now and winning 3 times by somewhat slim margins (in my view) doesn't mean I don't want to become better. Also, as much as I try to mix my approach up, he's also sizing me up and getting gradually better. My fakes have been effective on him about 70% of the time. My problem is that anything I do, a fake, a punch, footwork, causes this guy to take about two huge bounces back or to the side. He is the type to constantly back up or move to the side (at a great distance) waiting for the chance to either throw a single rear hand punch or lunge with 3 sloppy head shots that are just punch/punch/punch. Not saying either is ineffective, just looking for ways for me to use some techniques to be more effective. I've tried using a fake in one direction to get him moving in the other, then I use kicks to corner him off. Everyone else in my dojo spends the entire match chasing this guy around and I have vowed I am not going to do that. They wear themselves out, and this guy just constantly dodges and bounces around as soon as the fight begins. I have stood in one position while he is about 2 feet away just bouncing left, right, up and down, and the other students started to see how silly the whole thing was. Sorry if I'm rambling or it doesn't make sense. Thanks.

First time poster here hoping to get some advice. I'm an experienced martial artist, practicing karate for 25+ years. When I am focused on sparring, I would say more "point" type sparring like for AAU and open tournaments (and thus for practice in my dojo each week). The type of opponent I've always had the most trouble with is the person who wants you to chase them constantly. I have a few people I go up against who seem to have one trick up their sleeve....they bounce around and away simply waiting for the time to throw a single rear hand punch. I have a lot of moves and fakes and such up my sleeve and certainly I use a rear hand, but it seems like a lot of the point fighters just bounce around waiting to throw a rear punch. So one person in particular is very good at just constantly bouncing around. He rarely attacks, is just moving. I've tried to just stand and look at him and make him come to me and he just bounces around. It's almost funny to watch at that point. I've tried throwing hook kicks and round kicks going in the direction he's trying to circle, which helps a bit. I have won 2 of 2 matches against him (one person I'm thinking of in particular) but I don't feel confident in my approach. Any techniques people use when fighting an opponent like this? Thank you.