when sparring focus on [fill in the blank]

[julioprimo]

Ok - this might be a holy war, but here goes...

I have been in one form of martial arts on another in the past. I have never been really good at any one (jack of some trades - master of none), but at all the ones I have been in it has always been taught to me to focus at an area just past your sparring partner and just below their neck. Basically - focus at a point best suited to give you the widest peripheral vision of your opponent. I started a new style and some folks in the class, being kind and quick to offer pointers and advice, have told me to watch the eyes. I tried it and I find near impossible. My eyes would eventually wander down to the usual position after a few seconds into a spar. To be honest I do not think that the eyes are the best point to focus, but if the majority rules then I will concede my ways and work at focusing where I should.

What do you think? Please give reasons - not just a short answer like "focus on the nose" or "keep your eye on the ball of my foot"

thanks-
jp

[Cain]

well, focus on your tasks.. not let the ego take the upper hand.. instead of working on winning the grappling-training, work on your elevator.. work on passing the guard.. or whatever your task for the day is.. focus on what you are meant to focus on, and work with every part of that task.. !

[Sean Dempsey]

Just a idea, but what I have been told is to focus on their chest.

And then, wait for them to commit to a move before you clinch. Don't ever try to clinch if they haven't commited to a punch or a kick. You wait until they are committed, then shoot in.

Bend down in a good base stance, but keep your head up looking forward.

[eXcessiveForce]

Okay,

If you are boxing Focus on the chest.

But if kicks and such are involved watch the Hips. No action can be taken without the hips moving. No strike or block will have sufficient force without the hips moving. From the hips you can see the head, arms, and legs. Fakes generally fail because the hip movement is inconsistent with the real movement.

If you look in the eyes you will get faked out by anyone who knows how to do it. It is really easy to do and I tell my students not to look in the eyes. it is also easy to intimidate with the eyes. And if you are intimidated in a real life situation you are not going to do as well as if you are executing.


Remember all movement starts in the hips. Watch those and the movement will reveal the rest.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Focus on nothing.

[Nit]

damn spanky beat me to it...
I was going to say:
"Focus on nothing and you will see hear and feel everything"

[Szczepankiewicz]

I agree with that quote.

I have a good book on the subject at home. I'll copy down the appropriate prose and post as time allows.

[Madchat18]

My dad (who boxed in the navy and took a little Kung-Fu) always said to watch the area right above the navel so you can see if the hips turn, indicating kick, or if the shoulders turn, indicating punch. Don't know if that helps at all, I usually just pull guard and armbar.... I hate being so 1dimensional, but it seems to work for me 9 times out of 10, unless the victim is double-jointed, then I just choke :-)

[foolsknight362]

I agree with excessive force on this one- you can come up with "Focus on nothing" quotes as much as you want, but in reality, it takes years and years of effectivly training in an art to be able to focus on an opponent like that.
I usually focus on the chest, and I rely on my peripheral vision to pick up movement from the hips. Its just what works for me, and quite frankly, why change something if it works? Stick with what works for you.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Alright Dingleberry! The gloves are off.

"I usually focus on the chest, and I rely on my peripheral vision to pick up movement from the hips. "

If you are focused on the chest your peripheral vision is limited.

Now, if you want to say that your eyes are directed at the chest, yet unfocused, your peripheral vision picks up a lot more information and you're able to 'see' more.

When I have a go, I direct my eyes at the chest of my opponent, or split the difference when dealing with multiples.

I am not focused on anything.

Realizing that FKnight and I are quibbling over a minute detail look at it this way:

***
Open the yellow pages and read one of the ads.
Try to notice things beyond the phone book.

Now let your eyes go out of focus while still pointed at the same ad in the book.

Notice how you are aware of more things around the book?
***

I think we're trying to say the same thing, coming at it from different angles.

If Bri Thai is zinging me with his wickedly fast left jab, seemingly at will, my mind will start to 'stick' on the left jab. Then when he fakes the jab and my body, driven by my brain's focus, then I'm unprepared for the Bri Thai Special Thai Kick to the left thigh.

That is what is meant by 'unfocus' or 'focus on nothing'. If your mind is focused on the jab, the body will follow and the jab will be your undoing.

Deeply philosophical no?

Spanky