WTW,
1/31/2011 It's all about the head Your head is the most frequently target of your attackers. Crash the magical attraction between your upper storey and your opponent's weapons. Learn how to move your head well-directed to not become easy prey. Your enemy has literately put a reward on your head. Somehow his weapons seem to really like your skull. It's not done by simply ducking your head. An active retreat, sometimes simply called escape, is not much better either. On the contrary: Trying to escape backwards doesn't move your head out of the attack line and is breaking your balance. It would be cool if a quick "Beam me up, Scotty" would do the job. Unfortunately we're not quite there yet. You should really know what to do if you don't want to come out of the frying pan and into the fire. Bringing your head out of the danger zone is a good way to start. "C'mon, it's just one hit..." - sorry pal, but a direct hit to the head is a worst case scenario, it really can't get any worse. Get familiar with this kind of situation. Once you've learned how to estimate such situations properly, you will not run into them quickly. Your head is king. Protect the king by any means. One hand between stick and head "Why can't I just duck?" In one way or another, you can. It happens quite frequently that you have to move out of the way without using your legs. Reasons to do so might be due to environmental restrictions or that your opponent surprises you with an attack out of the blue. A small miracle Well-directed steps Attack on target Your self-protection is essential. Before you attack, always protect yourself with your live hand. Then it's time to bring your head behind your weapon. Protected by your weapon, which is your sword and shield, you approach your opponent. Hit but don't get hit, that's the motto. In Newman-Escrima you will learn from scratch how to move your head into safe positions and how to hit protective. "Where the head goes the body follows." Attackers seek victims, not opponents. Newman-Escrima will make you an opponent. Text: Jens Nördershäuser |