"ANTICIPATORY SELF DEFENSE"
In September, 2002, the United States Government first began using
the term "Anticipatory Self Defence" to
describe their proposed actions against Iraq. Rather than wait for Iraq to develop and use weapons
of mass destruction, the concept was to attack first. I am using the same concept here, to attack
first when absolutely necessary.
Misdirection may be thought of by some people as a form of deceit, or as somewhat
of a dirty trick. But the rules of decency don´t usually prevail in the
street, and if a trick makes the difference between winning and losing, between
being hurt and not being hurt, finishing a lifetime blinded or paralyzed or
not, then the trick should most likely be considered.
The most well known concept of misdirection is used jokingly to tell the opponent
that his shoelace is untied. When he looks down (as he always does in the jokes),
you attack. The magician may use misdirection by causing spectators to look
at one hand while it is the other hand which is secretly manipulating a coin
to cause it to appear or disappear.
In a street fight misdirection may be used to momentarily attract the attacker´s attention or concentration. It might be an ugly facial expression or sudden distracting mannerism, or a glance in another direction. It might be turning your back on the opponent as if to leave rather than to fight, while actually delivering a rear kick. It might be forcefully throwing coins or a handkerchief into his face in the hope of causing him to lift his hands, preparing him for your attack to his midsection--or to give you an extra second or two to run and escape. It might be a feint of one fist upward towards his face as a side kick is being delivered into his mid section. Spitting in your opponent´s face, or even spitting on the ground, might misdirect his thinking long enough to provide a chance for your attack.
Whatever strategy that your opponent does not expect forces him to take time to condition his mind to a new set of circumstances. Use your own imagination to devise other misdirection techniques if you feel comfortable with their use. Surprises of misdirection are as effective in street fights as they are in the strategy of armies at war. Misdirection may help you as you strive to do the unexpected.
Since your opponent will theoretically not be well prepared for receiving the
blow, certain sucker punches can be extremely dangerous or deadly to him (such
as a palm heel with full body power to the chin or lightning fast thumb to the
eye) and should ordinarily not be considered for use except when the opponent
has a deadly weapon or under other very unusual circumstances..
If you think you can depend on one single attack in a fight you may be in for a big surprise. The body of your attacker can be very durable during the stressful situation of a street fight, and your attacker can withstand a great deal of pain and damage while still being able to continue the fight and to inflict injury on you. A single punch or kick, no matter how powerful, may not do the intended job.
For that reason, each of your attacks should be followed up by another attack, and then another, until your attacker is on the ground. Even then it may be necessary to continue with more follow up attacks to prevent him from getting up and possibly injuring you. This is a RULE which must be followed. When techniques are described which involve only one or two movements, it is up to you to realize that you are expected to develop follow up movements that use other sound techniques. Kenpo and Kajukenbo styles of fighting are centered around this concept, and it is a necessary concept for street fighting.
(A.) Showing no intention of fighting. (B-C.) Without any
"telegraphing" whatsoever, a quick palm-heel strike to the chin...very
dangerous. (D.) Misdirection such as a smile and scratching face (E-F.)
Whipping bottom of fist into chin or face (G.) Preparing for another backfist
strike as a follow-up. (H.) From both feet together normal standing position an immediate
groin kick. Very fast. (I-J.) Follow up by planting the right leg and
elbow striking.
THE BELOW LETTERED PICTURES
(with brief
explanations in Spanish) PARTIALLY ILLUSTRATE THE ABOVE THOUGHTS:
