Ranges

[Chad W. Getz FCSH]

This is a topic that I wanted to post to the forum, regarding ranges. It is based on the topic of ASP vs. the knife that I was reading here on the blade forum. I seen some people mention here and on other forums/digests the issue of controlling the range. Not taking into the account of DB 7 ranges or what I call the transitional ranges, or other perception of 5 ranges, let's just look at the three basic-long, middle, and close. In my experience, to control the long range, you have to have a very tight game while also maintaining the ability to hit hard. Usually, the guy that you can control the range with cares whether he gets hit or not, and that is why he is a little leary on closing the gap. If your game isn't tight enough while you are hitting really hard, someone with a basic sense of timing can get a game of "evade and hit" going against you. On the other hand, if you have nice tight movement, yet aren't htting hard enough to make him respect you, then the closer will close against you. Obviously, it's easier to put the deflections in on a lighter hit than on a harder hit, and the deflections are a part of the closing game. Keeping that in mind, if you plan to control the range, it should be done in a way that you are taking out major targets (knees, hand, and head-preferably the knees, as I have been hitand seen others hit in the other two with suprisingly little effect) vs. swinging wildly. The use of the knife puts the fear back into the game and allows you to control the range with a little more confidence. Why, because unlike the stick where you need that perfect balance of hitting hard and tight movement, with the knife you don't have to really focus on hitting hard. One touch will cut. You do still need to remember target though. Surface cuts to the forearms do no good unless you cut the muscle, and I have been stabbed numerous times where it wouldn't have stopped me with adrenaline pumping(it didn't stop me from practicing-wait, let me put a band-aid on this..Ok, let's try that again).

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Chad
Full Contact Stickfighting Hawaii http://www.fullcontacthi.com

[This message has been edited by Chad W. Getz FCSH (edited 07-28-2000).]