KerwinBenson.com Hidden Gems of Martial Arts

For More Advanced Martial Artists

Are 'you' a more advanced martial artist?

Many of our subscribers are.

Even if the above advice about not taking offerings from the enemy was written by Sun Tzu, I think we can improve on the quote, if we are advanced enough.

Face it. When I square off against many martial artists, I am not fooled by their feints and supposedly deceptive finesses.

Their fakes don't fake me.

I can see the opening being left a mile away, and I bet so can a lot of you. Their attempts at 'trickery' seem so obvious. We never seem to respond to their uncommitted attempts to draw us in.

For those who know the difference, I would modify the saying to advise not accepting offerings ... that you are unsure of.

When you get that 'hinky' feeling, avoid going for the opening or 'possibly' sloppy technique. Maybe do your own 'testing,' first.

Important Martial-Arts Tip

When you get a sneaky suspicion that your opponent might be setting you up for a fake, respond with a "safe move."

For me, a 'safe move' is a technique that works whether the opponent faked or really followed through with the technique.

In other words, do you have a move where if the opponent really punches centerline, you step off and hit his face? And will this move also work, if your opponent decides to fake instead?

Cover both possibilities with the same move.

Conclusion

In fact, maybe knowing that your opponent is about to try a subtlety would give you enough of an advantage to respond with a surprise of your own. Fake out the faker.

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