Lining Up & Positioning towards the Opponent

 

This chapter teaches you how to position and align with your opponent and what techniques consequently make sense to use.

The Lining up and positioning towards your opponent depends on the strategy you have against fighting him but also your opponent’s stance, Kamae, center of gravity (high stance or rather low stance), his reach and moves.

Does he fight “normally” or “south-paw?”  This will be an important point on how to deal with your opponent.  Does he have a wide stance, long stance, narrow stance, etc.?

The positioning towards our opponent and the re-adjusting towards him does help us with the following points:

• Our technique travels faster to the target (shorter way)

• Makes his defense/block more difficult because it will be harder to see the technique but also due to the shorter distance to the target the opponent has less time for his block
• The position (and re-adjusting our position) helps in our defense to prepare our counter attack

• Defeating and frustrating the opponent by re-positioning (for example changing the stance by bringing the other leg forward) therefore the distance to the target changes for the opponent and he will have more difficulties to make use out of his favorite technique

We have to starting positions that we have to explain:

• Gyaku Kamae (closed position): Both opponents do have the same side (leg) forward

• Ai Kamae (open position): Both opponents have opposite sides (legs) forward

 

Let’s take a look at lining up with the opponent and see how it influences our selection of techniques that make sense since it changes the distance:

 
Situation 1A) is usually the normal situation from where the fight starts.  The body center of the two fighters is approximately at the same level vertically and therefore there is no advantage/disadvantage for either. From this position straight techniques make the most sense.
 
Situation 1B) the body center has shifted and therefore one has to consider a different approach on what technique to select since the distance has changed as well.  For example both fighters can now use their back leg to sweep the opponents front leg. The front leg is now also closer to the face what makes it easy to execute a Jodan (or Chudan) Mawashi Geri. Ushiro Geri with the back leg is a good choice now ass well to score. (https://gunnewsdaily.com/) Uraken Uchi with the front hand would be an option as well but also Ura Mawashi Geri with the front is a excelent choice from this positioning.
 
From this position techniques like for example Gyaku Zuki do not make any more sense any longer.
 
Watch Gyaku Kamae positioning videos here
 

 

This is a “south-paw”  situation where a selection of different techniques
and therefore a different execution is necessary.
Beginning from the start positioning there is no advantage for either person.

However, if one of the opponents moves to the inside he can create an opportunity to execute for example Ura Mawashi Geri with his front leg. Uraken Uchi with his front arm would be a possible choice as well.

 
If one moves to the outside a good way to score could be for example Chudan Mawashi Geri but also Heito Uchi to the head makes sense.
 
Obviously there are numerous techniques one can chose from.
 

A good understanding on the lining up with your opponent can be used in the offense to make your favorite techniques more successful but also have them in the target faster because you shortened their way with the right set up and you may even keep them hidden from your opponents eyes just a split second longer what makes it harder for him to block. The right positioning can also be used to draw your opponent in by giving him the feeling you let him allow to get on your in- or outside to set up your favorite technique. In the defense knowing about the line up gives you knowledge of the possible techniques that your opponent can execute and can be used to be prepared with the appropriate counter.

 

watch videos for South Paw