Martial Arts Blog – Timing and Distancing

Maai and Irimi

Timing and distancing is important in all combat – street, sport, cage or battlefield.

A quick whizz through some thoughts on Timing and Distancing

There was some random guy on the internet that I was watching the other day and he said something like this – “if you are in a fight and you are worried about crossing that gap to your opponent….don’t…just close your eyes for a few seconds and when you open them they will be right there” hahaha I do not recommend this model.

Neither did he, but he was making a quite valid point.

If someone wants to hit you or kick you they need to be in range to make contact – within arm reach or foot reach.

Its not rocket surgery.

Bullies, criminals or any one that wants to cause you physical harm with their hands, feet, elbows, knees and head cant do it from the other side of the room.

If they are in range, most likely so are you.

The classic example that most folk can grasp is a boxing slip. Rather than sliding back out of the way and being too far away for a counter strike, you dodge the punch and you are still at a distance where you can counter punch.

Sounds easy haha its not. Timing and Distancing is the key.

Basics

Hands guard the head. When their hands are away from the head you have a potential way to their head.

When someone wants to punch you, the hand they are punching you with will be extend and not be in a position to cover their face/head.

OR

You control their hand, in some way, to give you access to their head or body.

Sport

The former is used in sport combat all the time. Some of the greatest boxers of all time were great proponents of counter punching.

When someone in the ring or cage manages to understand your timing they have a tendency to be able to hit you at will.

These are not the only ways.

Just as often in the ring or cage people impose their timing on the fight. Bullying, faking, tricking or all out speed plays a big part in this game.

All this takes time, knowledge and PRACTICE.

Sparring is key.

In a sport setting timing and distancing is a wee bit different from ‘street’ timing. In a sport setting you have agreed to punch each other in the head, so at some stage distancing wont be an issue. Timing will always be an issue, everywhere.

You see it all the time – someone is closing the gap throwing huge shots and they get picked off on the way in. Their hands are away from their head, because they are throwing punches and a beautifully timed shot puts them to sleep.

And so here is another key to KO – being off balance – not having structural integrity when you are hit ups the likelihood of KO.

Kuzushi or off balancing. Hitting someone when they are off balance is gold.

Kuzushi will get a blog of its own.

Unwanted acts of aggression

Bullies and good street fighters know the distance you have to be to hit someone hard in the head.

“A fighter will move to the range of their favorite sucker punch” Tony Blauer

Action is faster than reaction.

If your hands are down by your sides or you are holding a drink, phone or wallet its much harder to get you hands into a defensive posture.

Bullies or street fighters who have done this a lot understand these rules.

Martial artists can often get knocked out in the streets because often their timing is based around sparing, not always, but sometimes.

A bully will do two things – in my experience.

1; Impose their timing on the fight from the start.

2; Just come in punching and not stop till one of you gets knocked out.

Distance is a different issue because if they want to hit you they cant be too far away.

Security, Police and Military

When I was doing security at night clubs I noticed that entering into the combat zone, where punches can be thrown and hit, was WAY different than a fight at a neutral venue.

When someone has been causing trouble and needs to be escorted to the door, you don’t stop at kicking distance and yell at them. You cross that gap with your hands in front of you and make contact before they can react.

You cut out their ability to out-time you by forcing the issue.

Security, Police and Military have different issues because they are only there because trouble is already there. Combat isn’t a choice, its your job. You don’t get to just walk away!!

When you go in, you go in and directly impose YOUR timing on the situation. You don’t want it to turn into a brawl.

A little advice

Keep your hands in front of you, keeping your hands between yourself and the danger.

Various methods are used by security all around the world. Lightly crossing your hands in front of your body in a non threatening manner. Often this involves one hand/arm across the chest and one hand on the chin or freely moving so you are able to react to movement threat.

Arms up and a bit outstretched with palms facing the threat, elbows pointed down is also a very strong position for hands and arms. Palms out shows you have no weapon in your hands and for some reason works on a deep psychological level.

Use your words, but you need to use simple unambiguous words. No. Stop. Go away. Turn around and go away. There needs to be no doubt in their head that they are crossing a red defined line.

If you must act…

Take the initiative.

You need to give yourself permission to act, to be violent. When that line has been crossed and there is no longer a chance to stop the violence from occurring by talking or walking – ACT…if you don’t impose the timing on the fight, they will.

This last one seems to affect many martial artists. A key word in your mind that gives you permission to use your training seems to be a useful idea.

Conclusion

Timing, Distancing and Balance – Maai, Irimi and Kuzushi, are the holy trinity of combat.

A human out of balance, with no structure is much easier to knock out. Timing and distancing have to be on point to be able to take advantage of Kuzushi.

Position before submission.

Fights are messy.

Clear or create a pathway to the head.

If they are close enough to hit you, you are close enough to hit them.

Although there are slight variables in fight distancing – security, police or military – timing and distancing is involved in it all.

Nike was right – Just Do It.

Dealing with FEAR and adrenalin from BAR (body alarm reaction) is a massive issue, But not one I am going to go into here. Know Fear or F*ck Fear with Tony Blauer is great … if you cant wait for future blogs.

Thank you for reading.

Simon