Which Techniques to Use

Counterattacks

Counterattacks also have a good chance of scoring since they are fired in response to the opponent’s attacks. Counter fighters are sneaky and they are deadly. Just when you think you are winning, they take you out. Counter fighters lay back, conserve energy, wait for you to move, and then charge in with vicious attacks; not stopping until they tire, you move out of bounds, or the referee steps in.

When an opponent is attacking, he or she is usually not thinking about defending so he or she tends to expose openings. Counter attackers will jump on this opening and try to create others in the process. Effective counter attackers make opponents leery of attacking, so their attacks are tentative.

Judges tend to recall first that which they saw last. If an opponent rushes in with an attack, and you counter with powerful counterattacks with loud kiais, even if the opponent’s attack was on target, the judges will probably only recall your more memorable counterattacks and give you the score.

Most novice fighters back up when attacked, even when they block. Better fighters move to the sides rather than backward when they are attacked. The best fighters move inside the attack and counterattack and usually do not bother to block since they are inside the attack and the attacking hand or foot is past them.