https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nXfya04Vak&oref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D5nXfya04Vak&has_verified=1
Controlling your distance in a fight means keeping your opponent(s) at bay in which he or she is in a constant state of discomfort in which they either feel you are too close to them or a little too far. Creating such a state of mind, would force a fighter into two modes of thinking----pushing or chasing. It is in such a critical area in which energy expenditure, mistakes, leaving oneself open, and several other weaknesses would come to surface. Your distance control is one major element that dictates the nature and the type of deployment of your strategic moves.
Of course, no one under no circumstance can pick and choose his or her distance in a real, all-out [street encounter]. It is unpredictable, and at any given time, it can morph into almost anything. Again, I am talking about a street arena, not the more controlled, conventional environments that a lot of sports fans are familiar with. In the street and under life and death circumstances, in one second you may think it is one person that you have to take out, but the next second you find out there are actually four of them. In one second you may think, all you have to do is take the guy down and choke him out, but the next second you find yourself in a crowd of individuals, several of whom have already pulled their shanks and box cutters out. In one second you may think all you have to do is kick box and Muay Thai this guy, but in the next second you find yourself jammed and pulled to the ground or worse yet, shot in the head. Unfortunately, that is the reality.
Therefore, distance control is an attribute that requires, first of all, a descent and realistic proficiency and understanding in all ranges, and second, the ability to immediately sense the fighter's comfort zone and intentions. Remember, you don’t have time to prepare for this fight six months in advance, like regular sports, and therefore you have no idea how he or she fights prior to your encounter with this individual. Even years of sparring and meditation (reflection) on the topic could not 100% prepare you for such a fight, BUT, it DOES provide you with certain instinctual cues to sense the fighter's motives and intentions. Smallest cues would affect your distance control and your immediate plan of action.
In short, once you put the fighter into a push or chase mode, you find yourself conserving your energy better and find more openings to successfully land your shots. But don't rush into any conclusions yet, there is more to the story than that!! However, let this short article suffice and hopefully I will talk more about the rest of it another time. I am actually hoping to see you in person. Nothing beats a hands-on experience while an instructor explains the do's and don’ts, in action and via insight. In the meantime, try NOT to keep the conventional sports arena distances. You may only find yourself in just a big brawl rather than an intelligent survival. That’s my humble advice!
SHAHRAM MOOSAVI
480-489-7202
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