Countering vs. Attacking

If you do not want to get hit the maxim is, move out of the way. This has been discussed in many forums; many ways but once you "commit to an attack" you are "COMMITTED."

I read this which prompted this post, "I would like to point out that it is real hard for most people to change the direction of their attack once it is initiated." - Marc MacYoung "A Professional's Guide to Ending Violence Quickly."

Even when I spar(red) I tend to move either left or right at an angle. Depending on what is happening it will be at ten o'clock, two o'clock or four o'clock, eight o'clock. I also wait, in sparring, for the other person to commit to an attack. In that narrow setting and practice they always remain committed until the stop by which time I will have "thumped" them a bit.

Yes, there is a time and place to preemptively and proactively strike first (or punch first as applicable or what ever is necessary) but in this narrow instance I can afford to wait out the attack. If I am practicing handling a conflict, for training/instructing, I use that moment to try and avoid-deescalate-be aware-apply manners and make the conflict go away yet if it does go up the ladder I then re-act as I mention, in sparring.

This is just a primer of a basic in use of countering vs. taking the initiative and moving first, etc. It is not the end all of all moves for there is no such thing yet it is a good place for many to start.