Leading Ducks

Once you spar a few seconds with an opponent, you begin to see the how the opponent reacts to your kicks: which direction they usually move, how quickly they move, and how much they move. You should use this information and start leading your targets. Instead of kicking where the target is, kick to where the target will be when the kick arrives.

Sometimes you also have to lead your hand targets. If your opponent leans backward away from your punches, then you should extend the range of your punches. If the opponent drops under punches, then drop your punch immediately after it fires so it hits the lowered target. If you opponent slips to the side to avoid punches, then punch to a point beside the head. If you punch at the head, you miss every time. If you punch to one side of the head or the other, you have a fifty-fifty chance of hitting the head.

Sparring targets are not sitting ducks; they are ducks in flight. So to hit the targets, learn to lead the ducks.