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 Common Telegraphs - Reading Your Opponent's Intentions by Rick Kirkham

Learning to read your attacker's or opponent's intentions before an attack is executed could be the difference of winning or losing or life and death for martial artists and self-defense practitioners....

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Common Telegraphs - Reading Your Opponent's Intentions

Learning to read your attacker's or opponent's intentions before an attack is executed could be the difference of winning or losing or life and death for martial artists and self-defense practitioners


What is Telegraphing?

Telegraphing is a movement executed before an actual attack.

Extreme Example of Telegraphing

Watch a John Wayne movie or any other old western. Notice how the cowboy draws his arm back before he punches? That's the most obvious example of a telegraph.

Let's Look at Some Not So Extreme Examples of Telegraphing

Before I do that can we all agree assuming a fighting stance is a definite indication your opponent is going to attack? And now let's begin our list ....

Slight draw back of the arm almost like a pump before executing a straight punch

Shift forward of your opponent's weight before executing a rear leg kick

Shift backward of your opponent's weight before executing a front leg kick

Slight dropping of the arms before executing a kick

Lowering of the eyes before executing a kick

Slightly more intent facial expression before attacking

Slight tensing of your opponent's body before attacking



Indications Via Stance

Weight placement: Whichever foot your opponent has the least weight on is the foot he/she will probably use in an attack

Rear Weight Placement: Your opponent will attempt to explode with a rear hand attack probably using his/her front leg to fake you out first

Front Weight Placement: I haven't seen this much but when I have rear leg kicks sometimes sliding in so greater distance is gained are executed. Quick front hand techniques such as backfists are used to cover this main attack.

Sideways Stance: I've seen a lot of one sided fighters and this is a definite indication. Expect the primary weapons to be in front. Your opponent will have to twist to use his rear weapons. Arched kicks such as roundhouse may be expected. Your opponent will have to twist to execute any attack with the rear hand or leg or alter his/her stance first.

Rear chambered hand. Do I really need to tell you what your opponent's main attack will be? Yep, reverse punch. This type of stance also allows for only one blocking arm so be sure to take advantage of that.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the telegraphs I've picked up over the years. If you can think of any be sure to email me and even include a website address if you wish promoting your product or service as a thank you for your time. Be aware of these telegraphs yourself by practicing in front of a mirror until you develop a kinesthetic sense (awareness of your body in space) as to where your limbs and weight are. Continue to practice in front of a mirror however and see my books Bringing The Martial Artist Out from Within and Solo Martial Arts Drills. You may also get a FREE Speed and Reaction Drills book by joining my Self-Defense Tips group.



About The Author

Hunter (now Rylan) Jan and Rick  at their favorite restaurant the Ocean Terrace
 

J. Richard Kirkham graduated from Eastern Illinois University as a dual certified teacher. He currently resides in Honolulu with his wife Jan and son Rylan.

Mr. Kirkham has recently authored several $2.00 books for the busy martial artist and self-defense practitioner who wants to get past the hype directly into the drills and techniques. Those who want even more detail should read his two martial arts books Solo Martial Arts Dills and Bringing The Martial Artist Out from Within http://kirkhamsebooks.com/MartialArts/

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