Ever wonder why some fighters are better or more skilled than others ? What gives them that advantage? Most likely they know how to move on angles and control the distance between themselves and an opponent ,add timing to this mix = good fighting technique !

When you learn how to control all three of these factors against someone else in a fight, you are basically controlling them. This how you do it.

You have an opponent coming at you ,say he is throwing a right punch or jab at your face. First you make sure you are just outside his reach so he has to take a step in to get close enough to hit you. That's you controlling the distance.

Next you take a step on a 45 degree angle with your left foot just as he is beginning to step and punch. You are now using timing to move the target (you) from his punches path.

At the same time you are doing this , by stepping on that 45 degree angle , you are now in position to hit him as his punch goes by you . There are two 45 degree angles on a triangle, you are just stepping in the direction of one of them.

Picture this : an up side down triangle , you are standing on the tip of the triangle,(your opponent is at the base). You have two angles to move on, one to the right one to the left.

Once your opponent is committed to hitting you . You use your timing ,distance and angle to move out of the way.

Give this drill a try put a triangle on the floor with tape, make the sides 5 or 6 ft long have someone stand at the base, have them step straight in and throw a punch at your face, now try moving on the angled lines of the triangle. You step as soon as he begins to throw the punch, right side or left side it doesn't matter, you will see you have the advantage as you will be on the outside of his arm up by his elbow. Now you can grab his arm and turn toward him to punch ,knee, slide up his arm to choke or sweep his leg etc.

Peace !!

Give it a try. if you would like to learn more about this subject go and check out my book: The Use of Lines,Angles & Circles in Hand to Hand Combat

At http://stores.lulu.com/martialarts

Master Jerry Garcia,has over 20 yrs of experience in Kung Fu San Soo.
If you like this article you can go to his blog and read more on this subject and others.
http://martialarts-jergar.blogspot.com