Saturday, March 16, 2013

Timing, Positioning and Distance

I want to discuss the importance of timing, positioning and distance. I will discuss each individually, as well as how they work in conjunction.

Timing

Timing has multiple applications in martial arts and kung fu. Proper timing of a strike can be the difference between winning and losing. Some martial arts focus timing on a block followed be a strike or what they call a counter punch. This results in a timed tempo like a dance.

For example: punch, block, counter punch, block, kick, block, counter kick block. The rhythm is a 4 count, 1, 2, 3,4 and 1,2,3,4.

Are you training to fight or dance? Bruce Lee spoke about varying timing and rhythm. He emphasized attacking on a half beat. If your opponent attempts to attack on a one beat, you attack on a half beat (0.5). If your opponent is fast, and you cannot beat them at 0.5, continue the attack on 1.5 beat.

This is impossible to do if you wait for the attack, block, and then attempt a counter attack. In order to be successful you must attack DURING your opponents attack. How do we execute this without getting hit? This leads us into the next section.

Positioning

Positioning is not just about where you are standing. It is also about where your opponent is standing in relation to you.

In Siu Lum Kung Fu, we try to maintain at least a two feet (or 24") safe zone between us and our opponent. This isn't saying that we don't have infighting techniques. Anyone who understands the true nature of kung fu knows we do. We just prefer to keep this positioning, if possible.

Positioning concerns our start point, as well as our opponents. It continues to the opponents position mid attack, and where we position ourselves while initiating a counter attack. Our opponents type of attack and positioning determines the type of counter attack we will initiate. What type of attack will this be? Again, this leads us into the next topic.

Distance

Distance is not just in  terms of the safe zone. It also factors in when selecting the type of counter attack to use. 

Distance is in relation to the closest targets. In Siu Lum Kung Fu, we attack the extremities first and work our way in. This also factors into strike selection. When distance is close we will select infighting techniques and strikes. When distance is far we will close distance during the opponents attack, use mid range strikes and not hit at full extension.

Using timing, positioning and distance to win.

Combining the use of these three techniques allows for safer movement with maximum results. Attack during your opponents attack to change the timing to your advantage; use positioning to gain a favourable angle of attack; close the distance, allowing you to hit with full power and not at full extension.

The combination of these allows you to use the effects of compounding force into your counter attack.

Watch tonight's UFC match between Nick Diaz and Georges St. Pierre. Look for these details. See what they do and what they don't do, and how if it's successful or not. Go a step further and read some of our previous posts and then analyze the fight from your armchair. Think about what we have said and compare it to what the fighters do in the fight.



Siu Lum Canada is Winnipeg's Shaolin school. We teach the Siu Lum style of kung fu. Our training revolves around real life situations and real life solutions. There is no question that we will not answer.

Watch our video and get a glimpse of what we do at Siu Lum Canada.

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Email us at siulumkungfu@gmail.com

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