Glance Information From The Enemy

I often ask, “Wouldn’t it be cool to be able to read your opponent’s mind?”

Getting clues and learning to “read” your opponent is probably the closest we’ll come to mind-reading, at least in the near future. When I say read, I mean picking up clues by the way your enemy moves and reacts.

Believe it or not, I have a decent way to tell if you are dealing with a newbie, an intermediate practitioner, or a seasoned martial artist.

It has to do with the eyes:

A Newbie — looks at his weapon. If the beginner is going to kick, then he glances at his leg or foot. If he (or she) is going to punch, then your novice will look toward the fist that is about to punch.

Call it a beginner’s mistake.

Knowing which weapon is about to strike definitely gives us a little short-term clairvoyance — almost mind-reading.

An Intermediate — focuses on the target. This student has practiced the techniques (and been corrected by an instructor) enough to know not to stare at his own fist.

So, this martial artist gets his goal, the target, firmly set in his mind … and his gaze.

While you may not know which hand or foot will attack, you at least know the objective. In my book, this is still good “opponent reading.”

Seasoned Martial Artists — don’t just imitate the Bruce-Lee sidelong glance without knowing how or why to look out of the corners of the eyes. They guys and gals know the difference between rods and cones in the eye. They know how to detect motion.

This advanced practitioner may also seem to focus on the trunk of your body.

You still glean important information by the way this person gazes at you.

Is There a Step Above This Perceived Advanced Level?

Actually, there is.

The truly advanced practitioner, in a real self-defense situation, doesn’t give eye clues. You can’t tell that the person is in “martial arts mode” by looking at the eyes. Where, when, and with what skill you will attack (or respond) is completely hidden.

This is the difficult one to read.

Eyes in a Fight

Don’t just stop at sussing whether someone is a beginner or intermediate fighter by the eyes. Practice defending against each level and each kind of glance.

If your opponent looks at his weapon slightly before using it, then you should practice for a more efficient way of dealing with this kind of warning. In other words, use this knowledge to your advantage. Practice drills that will get you jumping on the move, so to speak.

And if you know the target and know you are dealing with an intermediate, then how could you pretend to leave that vulnerable spot open while secretly guarding the line?

Finally, if you can’t get clues from your opponent’s eyes, then maybe you need to increase the distance just a little. Also, if you see someone looking out of the corner of an eye at you, then could you devise a drill that takes advantage of any blind spots?

Last Thoughts on Using The Eyes

In one of my early articles (I think it’s now in 100 Practical Martial Arts Articles), I showed how to use your gaze as a fake. Keep in mind, that this article has been out a long time. Someone could potentially fake you with his or her gaze.

I just want you to be informed.

Keith

Tags: advantage, before fight, eyes in fight, mind reading opponent, reading the enemy