Page 90 - Beyond Basics_Neat

BEYOND BASICS

My overall strategy for competition was to try to keep my
opponent Off-Balance whether mentally, physically, or both.
Physically, I was a “Sweeper” so putting someone on their back
worked to achieve both. Not only were they on the ground, but in
most cases, they didn’t know what happened which off-balanced
them both physically and mentally.

…they will let you get a lot closer as long
as they don't "perceive" any threat.

The definition of Perception is what someone believes whether
it’s true or not. If they "believe" it to be true, to them its true.

Perception Speed is making someone "believe" that you're faster
than you actually are.

Everyone has a “Personal Space” or a “Bubble” that expands or
contracts depending on how much trust they have with another.
In Sparring that "Bubble" is their comfortable defensive distance.
When you're outside of that distance and you're not making any
overtly aggressive movements, they will let almost anything occur
as long as it's non-threatening. The great thing about this Bubble
is that they will let you get a lot closer as long as they don't
"perceive" any threat.
You aim is to find out just how close you can get before they react.
Use your lead hand to test the “Perception Distance”. Reach out
your lead hand without any other movement to see if there’s a
reaction. Test to see just how close you can get each time you
reach out before your opponent reacts. That will determine your
“Perception Distance”. That is also your “Launch” distance!

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