Independent Motion

You don’t want your sparring partner knowing that you’re going to attack, do you?  Probably not.  In which case, one method you can use to disguise your attacks is to try and make them move weapon first.

Weapon first means: if you are punching, move the fist first.  If you are kicking, move the foot first.  Sounds simple enough.  It is simple.  It isn’t easy but it is simple.  One of the best ways to achieve this weapon first idea is to have a partner watch you strike.  Standing across from you, they simply name the piece of your body that they see move first when you attack.  If they say “hand” when you punch, you got it!  If they say “head” or “hip” or anything except “hand” then something else moved first and that means you are giving your sparring partner information that they can use to spot your attack early.

Another name for weapon first is independent motion.  The ultimate test of any fighting principle is, of course, does it do anything when you work against an actively resisting opponent?