telegraphing?

[Ryan Ricks]

so how does one avoid telegraphing, and how does one learn to recognize it?

i'm beginning to learn to anticipate my opponent based on what guard i'm in. for instance if i'm in nebenhut, i can usually expect a thrust.

but having no martial arts background outside of ARMA, i've never learned the finer aspects of telegraphing

ryan

[Lance Chan]

Try to look for some small actions indicating the next move. Like the coil of the arm, the touching of the blade with left hand preceeding half-swording....

[JeanryChandler]

Unless you are facing a very experiened opponent, they will usually telegraph with their eyes, by looking where they are intending to hit, or just as badly, looking where they are anticipating you to strike. When you see this you can use it against them. Learning not to do this is one of the hardest things for new fighters to learn, IMO.

There was a good thread about the whole gaze issue on here a little while ago.

J

[Ryan Ricks]

yes i remember your slum fu tricks. i try to always keep my gaze centered on their upper chest, at least before i actually start the attack.

i guess it's something i should more actively practice

it's hard to be looking at them that way and see what their eyes are doing, and double so in the fencing masks

ryan

[Casper Bradak]

Read Silvers true and false times, always get a 3rd person perspective on sparring and flouryshes. Try doing some moves in front of a mirror. Keep your centerline straight, head level, and look for twitches.

[leam hall]

Highly agree on the 3rd person perspective; it will help you see telegraphs as well as "routines" you fall into.

You can lessen to effects of your own telegraphs by continually moving small amounts, by using more feints (you're telegraphing the feint), and by relaxing your muscles more. A relaxed mind helps, too. <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

You can take advantage of your opponet's telegraphing by moving out of range right before they attack and then hitting them before they get "settled in" to their range again.

[Ray Brunk]

Ryan,
I would also suggest seting up a video recorder on occasion. I picked this up from the other sports I have been involved in. A great way to check and critique form, technique,style and most importantly, seeing those bad habits(such as telegraphing) We tape maybe once every 2-3 months. Don't do this too often as it can hinder progress by being too peticular on the subtle points and not concentrating on the larger picture. During a sparring match when I do something I want to check out specifically I yell out to the camera for a point of reference later.
Hope this helps
Ray

[JeffGentry]

Ryan
At time's i will just rotate the tip of my sword like a baseball player for just the reason of not telegraphing, if i am already moving it make's it tought o know when i will through the shot.

Is just something i do, i think also the more opponenet's you face the easier it become's, like someone said earlier you have to relax your mind just do what your going to do and don't think about it to much(get in the zone) concentrate on your fight and do your thing.

Just MHO

Jeff

[Ryan Ricks]

thanks everyone for the good ideas!

ryan

[Brian Hunt]

One other thing to watch out for in telegraphing is always using the same strike combination. I have fought guys that will always open with the same combination and reuse it several times if the encounter lasts for more than a couple of seconds.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Ryan Ricks]

yeah actually this guy friday night was doing that. if i set aside his attack with a thrust to the face, he'd strike to my lower right opening every time

ryan