(Article by Sascha Williams, regional director International Kenpo Karate Association)
There exists a variety of methods of tactical deception. Esentially, tactical deception refers to tricking your opponent by means of creating an illusion.
Keep in mind that your opponent responds to any “information” you give him during combat. As a matter of fact, the very process of sharpening your reflexes is one of recognizing your opponent’s intention as early as possible. In other words, it is the goal of most martial artists to react as soon as his/her opponent initiates his/her attack, rather than waiting until said attack reaches a more developed stage (e.g.: It would be enough to see your opponent shuffle forward, raising his front arm to cause you to expect a strike with his front hand. You would not actually have to see his hand strike)
While this kind of early reaction is desirable, it can at the same time be used you and, reversly, against your opponent. It should be considered at this point that tactical deception can take on different shapes.
This is a gesture with either the body, arm or leg (or combination) to cause your opponent to respond as though you were initiating a particular attack. More on this later.
This is a change in rhythm in order to delay or disrupt your opponent’s reaction time. This concept usually involves establishing a certain rhythmic pattern before then suddenly altering it. It can also mean simply altering your speed from slow to fast. This can be very effective if your opponent was convinced that you were already moving at your fastest earlier, as your even greater speed will suddenly cause a delay in his reaction.
This involves a body or arm motion, or facial expression that does not cause your opponent to react to, but gives him a false sense of safety.This type of deception is much more prevelant in street encounters than in the Karate studio. Gestural deceptions can include items such as looking or turning away from your opponent, giving him a false sense of security, or waiving your hand in a downward motion as though to signal "You're not worth it, I'm leaving", just before exploding into an attack. While this may seem "ungentleman", it can prove to be a lifesaver in dangerous situations.
This involves corrupting your opponent’s ability to properly estimate your dimensional range. For example, you might succeed in making your opponent think that you have a certain reach (depth) with a specific kick. After allowing him to safely move away or block this kick, giving him the opportunity to “estimate” your possible reach, this same move can now be employed at full depth (reach), in all likelihood causing your opponent to be surprised.
It should be kept in mind that deception can basically fit into one of 2 categories:
1. Deception can be used to make your opponent react in a specific way. You can then take advantage of such a reaction (e.g.:striking an opening).
2. Deception can be used to make your opponent react later (i.e.: too late to be effective), allowing you to advance further with your attack before his attempt to block or avoid it.
It is for this second category that simple fakes can take on one of two distinct forms. If it is your intention to open your opponent’s protective structure (as in making him give up his guard, thereby opening a target), you can simply execute a certain strike, causing your opponent to attempt to block it. As your opponent proceeds to block your “attack” you can now take advantage of the opening created on your opponent’s body (the idea here is that if your opponent is raising or extending one of his arms to block with, he is less likely to still be using the same arm to neutrally protect some of his vital targets.)
The second method involves literally desensitizing your opponent’s reaction. By repeatedly providing a certain stimulus, you can actually get your opponent to stop responding. This entails putting your opponent “at ease” with this stimulus. As an example, you might execute a front hand back knuckle over and over, but at a distance somewhat out of contact. This will eventually cause your opponent to no longer respond to this motion as he considers it of no threat to him. It is at this time that any attack initiated with a back knuckle strike is likely to advance further before your opponent will react to it. One should keep in mind that anytime you move in a manner not previously exhibited, it is likely that your opponent’s senses are heightened. The above described concept causes the opposite.