agreed that even when we practice solo forms, we have to imagine the opponent is right in front of our moves. thus we have the intents.
I totally disagree with this statement. Forms are for developing the how to of a given system. I would say that more time needs to be spent working on getting the technique and mechanics right before visualizing on an opponent.
Personally John I understand your perspective, I think though it is quite hard to discuss particulars of 'what would you do if....' sort of stuff without the visual ques as Shawn says. Also though the 'what would you do if...' requires knowledge of how the opponent feels/what the intent is ect. Having someone attack with a stiff arm jab is going to elicit a different response than a soft arm jab ect. But I think that if some one attacks me I will attack right back. I train lots of different things with opponents and find that there is no point waiting once the engagement begins.... my aim in any situation is to 'invade their space, steal their timing, borrow their breathe' and knock their lights out. This is my strategy, the way I employ this strategy changes with all the variables such as, is it a surprise attack, is the attack/er hard and stiff or soft and supple, is the attacker bigger or smaller, and so on.
I find it very hard to break it down to if 'A' does 'B' then I will respond with 'C'
Bearing this in mind if:
What to do after you have caught your opponent's kicking leg? My general responses to catching a kick are a/ take out the rear leg or b/pull and twist the offending leg or c/ use my body as the fulcrum and spin around while still holding the leg throwing the guy down.
How to break your opponent's clintching? Depends on what the aim of the clinch is, generally I don't mind being in the clinch, as long as I can get some leg on leg contact to disrupt power generation into the knee attacks and can maintain some form of structure I will use the opportunity to use elbows and hands to mash face.
How to apply follow striking after throwing? interesting question, if I utilize a take down (I would not call my take downs throws generally) I like to try and maintain some control so that once they are on the ground they are near enough to kick, or drop a knee on, often I will try to immobilize one arm with a foot (stand on it) while dropping the knee to the head or sternum.
How to run your opponent down? again depends on what you mean. If they are retreating from me I will try to corner them before moving in. Typically though if they are running away I have already failed in controling the situation enough. If you mean by run them down just overwelming forward intent then typically I would wait for an opening to attack. Once I see the attack I move in deflect/attach to the attack and steal the time and energy that the other guy has invested in hitting me to smash into them hold on to them and keep smashing till I can no longer hold them up
"I've done 19 years of Tae Kwon Do.... I'm a blackbelt third dan.... I don't think I should start with your beginners..." ....phone enquiry I recieved....
