SGM Parker Unreleased Freestyle - Part I

”FREESTYLE”- FEINTING


 FEINTING is a misleading move or gesture used to deceive an opponent during combat, or when freestyling. It is a strategic maneuver utilized to cloak or screen your true intentions. A feint can stem from moving your hand, head, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, or foot. Feints can also stem from simple gestures as a raised eyebrow, bulging eyes, wink, an ugly facial expression, etc. to entice and lure your opponent to react in accordance to your anticipated plan of action. As your plan favorably works for you, your feint will (1) divert the attention of your opponent, (2) cause a delayed reaction, (3) open up a line of attack, thus (4) enabling you to successfully strike your opponent's vulnerable areas. As additional strategy, delaying your opponent allows you time to trap his defenses, detain his retaliatory efforts, or spin off into CONTACT MANIPULATION before he can recover to protect himself against your TRUE LINE OF ENTRY.

     When employing DECEPTIVE FEINTS they often insure a conditioned response that allow the following benefits to occur:

     1.  Feints help minimize damage to major moves that follow.
     2.  Feints should be simple movements or gestures of attack. They are
         are only effective if they cause your opponent to move as
         anticipated.
     3.  Feinting can be an essential part of your strategy to catch your
         opponent off guard as well as force him off balance.
     4.  If your feints do not create the anticipated effects, use simple,
         but pressing attacks to keep him from setting-up.
     5.  The speed of your feint will depend upon your opponent's ability
         to react. Therefore, depending on your opponent, you may have to
         alter your timing to produce the desired effect.
     6.  Remember to employ your feet along with the rest of your body as
         feints.

FEINTING COMBINATIONS

     You may use combinations of movement and/or rhythm when feinting. However, when movements of height, width, and depth are used, they all have bearing on your timing. Your feints may be short or long, wide or narrow, and high or low. Whatever the combination, always remember that to each type of move used, their is a definite relationship between distance of travel and the time it takes to employ them. Therefore, a short or long, wide or narrow, high or low feint applies equally to time and distance. Consequently, when executing feinting combinations remember that your first feint, if long and deep, may drive your opponent back, occupy him mentally and/or physically, but not create the desired opening for an effective counter. Should this happen a second feint, regardless of type, may be necessary to create an opening. Normally, feints that are short and sweet in duration, as well as execution, are most effective.
     Most advanced feinting combinations specialize in rhythmic changes. Change in cadence may lead your opponent to believe that each of your feinting moves may be the real and final strike, thus opening several avenues for a devastating follow-up strike to occur. As you study the many rhythmic patterns that can be employed remember that "long" does not mean
"slow", but "deep and penetrating". The reaction you desire often stems from the depth and timing (rhythmic patterns of fast and slow) of your feint.