The Fake Line

One strategy to pulling off a fake in sparring is to fake at one target then throw to a different target. Today in class I taught the students my favorite fake – the funny kick fake with a backfist following.

The fake works best when you set your partner up with several roundhouse kicks. Interspersed amongst all your other strikes, you throw lots of roundhouse kicks to the body or groin. Then, when you feel that your partner is genuinely worried about your kick being a legit strike, you throw a funny kick, hope they see it as a roundhouse kick and then hit them with the backfist.

Does it work? Sometimes. I’ve definitely had it work for me many times. It works best if your roundhouse kick is a legitimate threat – that you can actually score with it. It also helps if you follow that funny kick immediately with a backfist. If you wait too long they will see through the fake and block the backfist.