Bridging the Gap

Notes on how to safely and effectively engage the opponent.  To effectively engage the opponent you must be protected while simultaneously making the opponent vulnerable.  There are 3 components to keeping you protected as well as 3 components to making your opponent vulnerable.

3 Components to keeping yourself protected

1. Obstruct the Striking Lanes:  Your guard inhibits your opponents ability to have a direct trajectory from their shoulder to your vulnerable areas of the head and body. 

2. Control critical distance:  The distance should close on your consent, whether you move forward or you allow your opponent to move closer to you.
3.  Maintain off-set angle:  You should not stand directly in front of the opponent.  The off-set angle position should inhibit their ability to strike effectively with either the front or rear hand due to the cross body requirement.

3 Components to make the opponent vulnerable

1. Manipulate Distance: Change levels and subtley play with the push/pull effect of distancing with the opponent
2. Manipulate Angle/Position:  Changing angles assist with manipulating distance and setting the striking lanes.
3. Set the striking lane to a clear and unobstructed path to the target:  the linear and angular frees the shoulders to line up with the opponents vulnerable targets.