What Are You Looking At?

[sensei8]

Recognizing Movement! Is it a must? Or... Is it for some, while not for others?

Just what are you looking at?" This is a legitimate question within the circles of sparring/Kumite. When one is set in their stance and their opponent is set in their stance; what's next?

That's a loaded question because many things are just that...next! Who initiates the engagement? How's the engagement carried out? What is what and who is who? The possible parameters of what's next can be and are mind-boggling, if only at time, but, the summation of 'why' is still the summation of 'because' and in this, I believe that that can't be ignored, for the long or the short of it.

Seeing that "next" is forthcoming, what one's looking at might help reach some interceptions, and I'm not referring to football; interceptions that must be addressed and/or attended to before the "next" movement might be dictated by one knowing what's about to happen just right before ones opponent does it.

As in football, when the secondary can properly read the offense formation and intent; what's to take place next on the gridiron is as clear as the nose on ones own face.

"What are you looking at?"

Here's a small list of things that might be revealed as one's looking through their crystal ball:

A) Eyes

B) Nose

C) Chin

D) Face

E) Shoulders

F) Waist/Hips

G) Knee/Foot

Whatever your personal list might consists of; it's safe to assume that your list allows you to be more right than wrong.

*Eyes: These are the windows to the soul. The eyes dart from to and fro where they want. But the eyes deceive the opponent. How? Where the opponent looks at, even if just for a split-second, is a key to where the opponents next move might be aimed toward. At times, nobody can control the eyes from looking where the brain commands, nor more than one can control where and when the wind will blow. Curse the eyes! For at times, the eyes reveal to the opponent the intent of his prey and this intent from both sides of the fence can't be ignored, at least, not for long.

*Nose/Chin/Face: These are places that one can fix their stare on, including the eyes as well, so that the whole board can be seen; as one who plays chess, to be good at it, one must look at the entire board to bring to the forefront what's next, and what's next after that, looking many moves ahead. If a chess player ignores this simple stratagy, the battles already lost to ones opponent. What's next? Looking at any of these areas will allow one to see an opponents entire body. In that, the littlest of movement can be seen, thus, allowing one to be more prepared for the attack. No matter what the opponent tries to fake and/or sneak in with; it can be seen, therefore, intercepting it or avoiding it might be resolved by moving in any direction.

*Shoulders: This area can't be disguised because where the shoulder moves, so does the arm/elbow/fist. It can take a straight path or a curved path if it so desires. Why? Because the shoulders allow the hidden to be seen. Celebrate the shoulders! A shoulder moves, then it would be best if one pays some attention to it because as sure as the calm is right before the storm; a fist/elbow is just after movement of the shoulders.

*Waist/Hips: Basketball players are taught in Basketball 101 to look at their opponents waist. Why? For where the waist is heading, so is the body. Basketball players who adhere to this simple tactic prevent their opponent from getting around/behind them. Everyone who's played basketball before knows that one's at a disadvantage when one's chasing the opponent from behind; keep yourself between the opponent and the basket. In the Martial Arts, look at the waist and one will see a punch/strike/block/kick to follow the waist movement. Power is derived by ones kick, for example, following the waist into the intended target. Not vice-versa!

*Knee/Foot: Looking at the knee or foot allows one to see what is the intended direction of travel. Posture can be independent but foot/knee cannot be independant from stance as well as intended directions. Yes, these can be changed at will, but still, there's other things besides the knee/foot to tattletale on an opponents intent. Shifting, no matter how slight, the foot/knee give itself away to possible intents. As in chess, implied intent is just the same thing as announcing movement, even if out of arrogance. Put 1 and 1 together, it should equal 2, but, the equation can be changed, if so, educate the opponent as to what is the correct answer.

Nothing is etched in stone! Nothing is for sure! Nothing is absolute! Nothing is....well...you get the point. Everything is a two-way street; what works for/against for one is the same for the other. Who's better at recognizing movement before the other will determine the victor.

Knowing what one can be looking at is half the battle. Knowing what to do once the signs reveal themselves is the other half of the battle. Recognize movement before it's too late. So when someone asks you..."Just what are you looking at?" You can respond..."You!"

[bushido_man96]

The problem that I have with the first 3 is that you can get caught up in feints rather easily. On the street, this may not be a concern, though.

I prefer to look at around the waist area, or the chest area, and then let peripheral vision do the rest.

Looking down at the feet usually is inviting the hand from above, in my experience.

Good thoughts, Bob, and thank you for sharing them.

[tallgeese]

Nice breakdown.

I prefer the central/lower chest area for a kind of focal point. Then, I just use the perephial vision to pick up movement. It sees things quicker tan actaul focued sight so it should be better at picking up movements across the bad guys posture.