The power of intimidation

[MizuRyu]

Does anyone here use intimidation frequently in a fight/sparring? I notice that a strong and loud "KIAAAA!" during an attack can be pretty startling, and use that frequently. A great effective tactic is to strike two to three times, then offsync your kihup with your strike; lunge a little, fake with your left hand, kihup, then a split second later strike with your right without the kihup.

[cross]

I guess it depends who your talking to. Having someone kiai while doing techniques at me almost makes me laugh.

I guess some people just have a "look" generally not something they do on purpose, that can make them seem quiet intimidating.

[elbows_and_knees]

a loud kiai isn't intimidating to me. However, size is intimidating to most people. At the club I work at, most people do what I tell them, merely because I'm visibly more muscular than them. I've even had a guy tell me that if I wsn't so big he would kick my butt. I am physically intimidating to them. This ends many confrontations before they begin.

[Anbu Alex]

yea i agree but i think its mostly ppl arent doing the kiaa right not many can only one person kia intimidated me was my sensei i felt my spirit shatter i didnt want to fight or ppl who breathe loudly it just tells when u are going to attack

[Sohan]

I have been told I can be intimidating in person though I am only 6 feet and just under 200 lbs. I do carry a serious demeanor that is no nonsense and quiet, though I'm really just a sweetheart outside of class.

And I don't get intimidated easily either. I find it humorous when the other person postures and hisses and kiais loud enough to shake my tooth fillings. I just get very calm and let my actions speak for themselves. It's quite gratifying.

Respectfully,

Sohan

[Aodhan]

I have been told I can be intimidating in person though I am only 6 feet and just under 200 lbs. I do carry a serious demeanor that is no nonsense and quiet, though I'm really just a sweetheart outside of class.

And I don't get intimidated easily either. I find it humorous when the other person postures and hisses and kiais loud enough to shake my tooth fillings. I just get very calm and let my actions speak for themselves. It's quite gratifying.

Respectfully,

Sohan

Heh, reminds me of an almost fight I had. I made the mistake of wearing a tourney T-shirt out on the town with my (then) girlfriend.

Some drunk wanted to take issue with it, and did the whole drop into a MA stance (Not bad, actually), and give with a loud bruce lee type "KIIAAAIOOOHWEAAAWWOOOOOWA!"

I stood there smiling at him with my arms crossed, and when he finished his posturing, I just said "Anytime you're ready, let me know". Somehow he got the message and just walked away. Well, reeled away, anyway.

In sparring I generally don't even hear my opponent's kiaps, I'm too focused on his movement.

Aodhan

[Sohan]

I have been told I can be intimidating in person though I am only 6 feet and just under 200 lbs. I do carry a serious demeanor that is no nonsense and quiet, though I'm really just a sweetheart outside of class.

And I don't get intimidated easily either. I find it humorous when the other person postures and hisses and kiais loud enough to shake my tooth fillings. I just get very calm and let my actions speak for themselves. It's quite gratifying.

Respectfully,

Sohan

Heh, reminds me of an almost fight I had. I made the mistake of wearing a tourney T-shirt out on the town with my (then) girlfriend.

Some drunk wanted to take issue with it, and did the whole drop into a MA stance (Not bad, actually), and give with a loud bruce lee type "KIIAAAIOOOHWEAAAWWOOOOOWA!"

I stood there smiling at him with my arms crossed, and when he finished his posturing, I just said "Anytime you're ready, let me know". Somehow he got the message and just walked away. Well, reeled away, anyway.

In sparring I generally don't even hear my opponent's kiaps, I'm too focused on his movement.

Aodhan

That's great!

Sometimes the best fights are the ones where not a punch is thrown.

I saw a UFC match with Frank Trigg against someone (maybe Matt Hughes?). Trigg came out posturing, acting tough, swaggering around and posturing at the face off. He even blew a kiss across the ring to his opponent.

I believe he was dismantled in less than a minute.

Respectfully,

Sohan

[lordtariel]

I think attitude plays an important role in psyching your opponent. Not the flaring of nostrils or glares or posturing, but the calm, assured attitude. The confident stride to the ring and proper and spirited bow. Marks of a competent fighter. You're expecting some fancy combination and WHAM, he nails you with a simple reverse punch.

[cross]

And I don't get intimidated easily either. I find it humorous when the other person postures and hisses and kiais loud enough to shake my tooth fillings. I just get very calm and let my actions speak for themselves. It's quite gratifying.

I agree, i find it hard not to crack a smile at the "tough guys" who puff up their chest and take themselves really seriously.

[Whitefeather]

I think the most intimidating fellow I have ever seen was also the calmest fighter I have ever seen. He would hardly make any noise, and he played really defensive, pulling away any time his opponent tried to close the gap and do a combo. Then, the moment there was a hole, he would explode with speed and fury like I have never seen before, usually wasting whoever he was sparring with. It was awesome, because, once everybody had seen him do a match or two, anybody that stepped into the ring with him was totally intimidated, even though he was as quiet and defensive as could be. He also whupped on (with the same system as above) a couple of dudes that did the whole lots of noise and distraction thing, which was even more funny.

David