Where to look at your opponent when fighting or sparring?

Question

In close range I look at the chest, at farther range (where a kick is more likely)I look at their abdomen.... But I really dont focus my eyes at any one point.... But if I catch someone following my eyes I will make them pay.... I.E. 1.Look low, hit low, 2.look high hit high, 3.look low hit high, 4.look high hit low, 5.look high hit high... usually 1 and 2 miss (for a set-up) 3 and 4 land, 5 lands easily because hey are so confused.... I see many people saying keep eye conact, and I couldnt imagine anyone teaching his way.... your thoughts please???

Answer 1

you got it right id say... splendid principal to about the look low hit high... that right there is why i was taught to look at the chest and not the eyes... plus at the chest you can use parephial vision to see there arms and legs and all the weapons... where as if you look at the eyes you cant see the legs good.... then he got on this thing bout how a good fighter can hypnotize you (?) ne ways so yea id say your looking in the right place... i never thought bout abs before though... i just always did chest...... thanks man

Answer 2

During sparring, I usually use my pheripheral vision so I can react faster, because focusing on an opponent's particular body part usually screws up my reaction time. I just focus on a spot a foot or two in front of me and take in his whole form via pheripheral vision, it's kinda hard to do this and you need to practice a lot, but sometimes when I slip up, I usually end up staring at his chest. In a real fight I usually look in the opposite direction, away from my opponent since the first rule drummed into us by our sensei was to run the hell away from a real fight, no point getting stabbed over an argument over who gets to use the microphone first in a karaoke joint, especially when the song in play is Frank Sinatra's "My Way" : P

Answer 3

Look at the chest. That way you can see the shoulders and hips move. If the shoulders drop back, he is going to throw a kick. If one turns, the other one will deliver a strike. You can see the whole body with your peripheral vision. Also, if you look where you are going to hit, your opponent will see the hit coming.

Answer 4

I like to watch the lead elbow, it moves slower than the fist anatomically and also is lower down to allow you peripheral vision to pick up low attacks such as kicks ect also the lead elbow tends to dip when they kick...

Watching the chest can work well if they don't have a shirt on as you will see their muscles contract ect however usually people will be wearing clothes and I find that this gives less warning than the elbow.

Answer 5

Well, if your talking about sparring you want to focus around the chest, (like you already are) BUT using your peripheral to keep track of your opponent's elbows and knees. The elbows and knees are first indicators of arm/leg movement and with training you will find yourself blocking attacks before they reach your personal space.

If your talking about fighting just worry about the elbows and rush in on the guy. Most fights don't implement kicks (unless you fall below punching level) and involve rapid-fire hook punches. If you move in on your opponent and jam your hands into the crooks of his elbows you will shock the hell out of him and knock him back. At this point he will be confused because his fight strategy isn't working and usually he hesitates, this is your time to attack.
Happy Training.

Answer 6

Chest is good, if you look at the eyes too much you can fall in love with the guy

Answer 7

I always focussed between the hands, so around the same area.

Answer 8

Don';t look at him just attack....