Close Combat
The majority of the close combat photos that I see on the Internet show the same problem. They don’t mean to … in fact, these martial artists and combat specialists think that they are doing it all correctly. Do you know the glaring hand-to-hand combat mistake?
Close Combat Distances
I don’t know if they effect these distances, because someone is taking their picture, or if they don’t know better. For years now, I have written about the fallacy of the “sparring distance.” Yet in all of these military training photos, the two combatants being featured are often at a one-step, sparring-drill distance. (You know, step in and punch — block as you retreat, then counter with a punch or kick or your own.)
This is probably one of the worst fighting distances to practice. Why? Because real fights just don’t occur at that range.
As soon as someone steps in close, that sparring range is destroyed.
Real fights take place much closer … you can breathe down your attacker’s neck, so to speak.
Close Combat Practice
If you are going to practice hand-to-hand combat with a partner, then I have a suggestion:
One of you should step in close right after the first punch or kick. I mean really close.
Cram the distance.
It doesn’t matter if you are going to grapple your partner or remain standing … as soon as the first technique is thrown, one of you steps to an almost belly-touching-belly range. CLOSE Combat.
Decent Fighting Tactic
If you get good at this stepping in close, then this can become a good fighting tactic.
Look, everyone seems very comfortable fighting from that aforementioned sparring distance. If that’s the distance that everyone craves, then I advise you to press the range.
Avoid that comforting distance.
Make your enemy uncomfortable.
I do this by “messing” with their range. For me, close combat is really, really, really close … unless that’s the range that my opponent likes. 🙂
