Why are distance, positioning and control so important in the martial arts? Well to me these elements are the foundation of every movement. Combining distance, positioning, and control are needed to execute the proper, technique, blocking, and striking. Without these three important elements of the art you would not be able to properly perform your style of fighting with an opponent. Now let us break down the importance of each of these roles.
Distance
Without the proper distance from your opponent you would not be able to properly strike, block, counter attack or even avoid an attack. So how do we then determine our distance? Well, the most common factors would consist of your opponent’s height, reach, skill and patterns in their attacks. For example, if your opponent is tall and has a long reach then you would have to judge those factors then adjust accordingly. After assessing height and reach in some cases you may have to duck a strike rather than block so to get in closer under the strike, since your reach may be shorter. In some cases, blocking may only be an option when combined with sidestepping to avoid the attack while deflecting it allowing you to counter inside.
While height and reach may seem to be the most obvious, an opponents patterns while fighting is also important. These patterns may be harder to read especially in a brief confrontation, but no matter how subtle or obvious they are there. They could consist of a knee slap before a kick, a twitch before a certain punch, or even a solid look from your opponent to where he or she is targeting. Your distance will be a factor in the time it takes you to react.
These are just a few examples to be considered whether in a self-defense situation, friendly sparring match, or competition. In combination with trying to read your opponent along with his or her skill set your distance plays a vital role.
Positioning
Positioning may speak for itself, but coupled with distance this is what sets you in that right position to get that point, knockout, key block, strike or just an edge on your opponent. Positioning yourself in the right place at the right time could just determine a win or a loss. Patience and timing is the key to positioning, knowing when and where to position yourself is crucial.
Timing is very important in the martial arts period. Timing is worthy of an article all on its own, but until then we will just say without timing, distance, positioning, or control would make no difference. To time your positioning is basically your movement putting yourself in that right place at that right time. Too far away a miss, too close get knocked out, grabbed or just jammed up.
So where you position yourself in battle is a crucial part of winning, losing, life or death. Never take your eye off your opponent, position yourself properly so that your offense and defense come together.
Control
I explain to my students anybody in this world can run up and punch or kick somebody, but to control that punch or kick is something else. You must have control. Controlling your techniques are imperative to winning, after all, you must be able to control your skill set to even achieve proper distance and positioning. Control can only be achieved by training. Plain and simple.
Training in the arts requires you to have control over your mind and body. A student can perform the best looking techniques, but if they are not in control of them it can just be a reckless mess once applied to a physical situation. For example, when teaching knowing how and when to pull a punch or kick especially as an instructor is vital to your students safety. Student’s have a long road to learning how to actually control all the techniques you teach them, so you must watch their control while they are learning their distance and positioning. Having them run into one of your punches or kicks while sparring could result in serious injury. So being able to control your movement in a split second is a very important part of training.
With this being said in a real-life situation or a sparring match control is a must, even if it is to just retract a kick to not smash shins together, or pull a punch to avoid your blasting your opponent in a no-contact fight. Control is the glue that binds all these elements together, so as a teacher or a student this is a must.
Overall being able to control your techniques along with the distance to your opponent so that you can be in the right position to execute a successful attack or defensive move is a must. To me, this is the foundation of a winning confrontation whether it be a serious self-defense situation or training. Work toward mastering these techniques and you will be on your way to being a great martial artist.