The Best Way to Defend the Head

Following the previous post, the question was posed: What did I think is the best way to defend the head?

I think the best kind of answer is not simply someone's individual opinion, but so as to not just ignore the question I will respond with the surest and true answer that works for everyone. Distance.  Whether you are putting yourself out of range, ducking, dodging, or simply too close, it is the best defense.  Distance is always the number one defense for anything.

There are, though, some more specific tactics that many may make work for them with a great efficiency. In any conflict there are a few things to always keep in your mind, or at least, be in harmony with them. 1. Objectives. 2. Targets. 3. Your weapons. Whatever fills these categories will determine a specific range of the multitude of tactic you may you to defend your head. If your objective is to cripple, and your target is the knee, and your weapon is the right hand, you will be relying on a distance of "too close," dodging, correct timing, and the obstruction of your head line with your attacking and off hand.

This brings me to the second best defense: positioning. Your position is the second greatest defense. If you are facing your opponent's back you are defending with heavenly fortitude. You have now cut out 95% of his arsenal, just by standing in the right place. That being considered, if your straight punch is accurate and striking his same side, he will not be using a cross on your other cheek if you've kept your correct positioning. You've simply made that distance too far, and the effort too great. Position is what I addressed in the last post, wherever your hands are, if they aren't obstructing the lines of attack that are most dangerous to you, you might as well save your energy and leave them down at your ribs or hips.

My third best defense for the head is the feign-to-win. You choose the target for him. This is a weapon of the mind-game. If you are drawing your opponent to your rib cage because you are purposely leaving it open, he ought to want it. When he takes the bait, take his head, or use a finishing strike to end the conflict. Just don't forget you are baiting him with it, get lazy, and then not be ready to counter, you got hit for nothing- and you gave it to him for free.

Train smart. Train hard.