Self-Defense Tip 137 Tactics Trump Technique

Technique may trump raw strength.

But focus on technique directs your attention inward — on how you move and what you feel — so not outward, not on how your opponent moves.

Tactics trump technique.

Effectiveness of your tactics depends on your reading your opponent, so your attention must be focused outward, on the opponent, not on your technique, or whatever distractions of your inner life.

Typical signs of a fighter’s attention directed inward, are low-speed and part-way simulations of fighting moves when approaching the opponent, and near-full-speed or even full-speed moves that miss widely. Low-speed and part-way simulations of fighting moves show that the fighter imagines these moves instead of keeping undivided attention on the opponent. Moves done at full speed that miss widely are also a sign of the fighter’s attention not focused on the opponent. Videos below show examples of signs and consequences of an inward directed attention.

Self-defense tip from Thomas Kurz, co-author of Basic Instincts of Self-Defense and author of Science of Sports Training, Stretching Scientifically, and Flexibility Express.

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