Vision

Where Not to Look

When you move toward an attacker, avoid looking where you are attacking. You may keep watching the triangle. You might even look off to the side first, always keeping person in your peripheral vision. Another way is to use the fingers of one hand to give a “come here” gesture. When the person's eyes look toward the motion of your fingers, grasp person with your other hand. By watching the triangle, if you initial move is countered, you will be ready for it

Where to Look

When dealing with people on a day-to-day basis, we learn to look them in the eyes when talking with them. This shows we are paying attention and that we care. However, a hostile person may take eye contact as a challenge. Also, looking an opponent in the eyes keeps you from noticing any signals that he or she is about to attack.

A better place to look is at the "triangle;" the area enclosed an imaginary line that runs from shoulder to shoulder and two line that run from each shoulder to the point of the chin. However, you do not want to stare at the triangle. Move your eyes periodically between your opponent's eyes to the triangle. Now you are not focused on one point. A good street fighter knows how to use his or her eyes to deceive. He or she will look one direction and attack in another. To avoid becoming a victim of this tactic, keep your eyes moving back and forth from the eyes to the triangle. You do not want to avoid the eyes completely since you may miss a change in attitude.