When on the defensive there are some key elements and concepts to keep in mind to be successful in your counter-attacks and evasion skills. Although these are not rules chiseled in stone and never to be broken, they are fairly accurate for most situations and have been helpful in my own training as well as people I have trained.

1. A direct counter-attack is usually the most devastating type of counter-attack because it is designed to stop the opponent dead in their tracks before they can execute their technique.
2. The best time to counter an opponent’s attack is on their approach footwork. An example would be an opponent crosses their rear-foot behind their front foot to execute a sidekick. So therefore hit them while they are crossing behind.
3. Always keep your elbows positioned so that your rib-cage is protected at all times.
4. On a regular basis practice counter-attacks that can be used in almost all situations. For example the defensive sidekick can be used in just about any situation at medium to far range. Don’t think you have to memorize every way to counter an opponent, rather just concentrate on 4 to 6 techniques that are once again useful in almost all situations. Use the K.I.S.S. rule. KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!
5. When an opponent throws a punch at your head a part of their body becomes open.
6. When an opponent throws a punch at your body a part of their head becomes open.
7. When countering a charging kicker another great time to hit them is when they are on one foot because their balance will be much poorer. Also it is harder to avoid the counter-attack because you can’t run away when you are on one foot.
8. If you don’t have time to counter with a kick or a punch and your opponent’s technique is coming in really fast, the next best thing to do is either step into the technique jamming/or smothering it rendering it harmless.
9. Another option you have for the situation described in number 8) is to quickly sidestep and execute a circular footwork technique destroying any chance of your opponent being able to implement a combination attack.
10. When on the defensive backing up in a straight line should always be your last option. Countering with a punch or kick, stepping forward jamming the opponent’s technique, or sidestepping is best from a tactical point of view. If you back up in straight-line to avoid an opponent’s technique you risk having them set you up with combination attack.
11. It is more important to keep the rear hand (guard) up than the front hand because if you get hit on your open side you can’t bend over to roll out of the technique.
12. When someone takes a shot at your head on the blindside you can lean your head out of the way to avoid the blow or pull your lead shoulder in to your jaw to protect. When taking heavy unavoidable shots pulling your shoulder into your chin will prevent you from getting knocked out.
13. Never stand flat-footed with your knees straight.
14. Always keep your knees slightly bent coiled like springs so that you can move in any direction easily.
15. On a regular basis practice evasion, blocking and covering-up drills.
16. When sidestepping an opponent you must wait until the last split second to move. If you move too soon they will be able to follow you. If you move too late you’ll be hit.
17. Never take your eyes off your opponent.
18. Use your peripheral vision when fighting to enable you to see the opponent’s whole body. In order to read your opponent’s intentions one must be able to see the opponent’s hips, knees, shoulders and head.
19. In a lot of cases opponent’s give away their intentions of attacking through their facial expressions. Some styles of martial arts say that you should always maintain eye contact with your opponent and that the eyes are the gateway to the soul. Realistically you can not rely on this method because this type of telegraphing is more commonly seen in beginners or inexperienced fighters. An experienced intelligent fighter usually has developed what some call a "poker face". The best fighters can fight without emotion which puts them tactically in a better predicament because you never really know what their up to until the last split second.
20. Never show fear. This only builds your opponent’s confidence if they know you’re uncomfortable. Always try to look relaxed and confident. This has a way of putting your opponent on edge and nervous. When an offensive opponent is nervous or scared they have a tendency to be less aggressive or less committed to their attack which in turn decreases their fighting ability. Remember that humans are extremely visually orientated creatures and are easily lead into certain types of reactions by what they see. Combat is based mostly on sight alone so one must learn to utilize every possible element to bring about success.

The science of combination attacking is not as difficult to understand as some may think. However to accurately land combination attacks on your opponent is another story. Strong mental and physical skills for this art are quite demanding. Practice on a daily basis is necessary from the competitor to move quickly and fluently without hesitation. Hesitation is probably the biggest reason why combination attacks usually fail. Although there are many other variables that can ruin an attack sequence.

Your first initial movement is extremely important during an attack sequence because of many reasons. Your first initial movement can be used to:

1. Set your opponent up for your second move.
2. Cover distance between you and your opponent.
3. Check your opponent’s reaction time.
4. Check your opponent’s response to that technique to see where a possible weakness or opening may lie.
5. Draw your opponent to counter-attack or engage.
6. Raise or lower your opponent’s guards.

Two kick combinations are very simple and to the point. The initial kick is used to set up for the second kick. So in other words your first move can also be considered as a fake. Keep in mind your fake must seem real enough to your opponent so that they will react properly to your set-up. Your first move doesn’t necessarily need to connect it just has to look like it has the potential of connecting. In the following you will see how to scientifically score on your opponent with two-kick-combination attacks.

*OPEN-STANCE

REAR-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), REAR-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (HIGH)

REAR-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), REAR-LEG AXE-KICK (HIGH)

REAR-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

REAR-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE KICK (HIGH)

*CLOSED-STANCE

LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), BACK-LEG ROUNDHOUSE (HIGH)

LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

SIDEKICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

LEAD-LEG AXE KICK, SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

LEAD-LEG AXE KICK, TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

LEAD-LEG AXE KICK, LEAD-LEG ROUNDHOUSE (LOW)

TURN-BACK KICK (LOW), TURN BACK KICK (LOW)

BACK-LEG AXE KICK (OUTSIDE-INSIDE), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

BACK-LEG AXE KICK (OUTSIDE-INSIDE), BACK-LEG ROUNDHOUSE (LOW)

REAR-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), TURN BACK KICK (LOW)

REAR-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

CLOSED-STANCE

LEAD-LEG AXE KICK, BACK-LEG AXE KICK, SPINNING HOOK-KICK

BACK-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), BACK-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), BACK-LEG AXE KICK

LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), BACK-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

OPEN-STANCE

BACK-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), LEAD-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (HIGH), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

1. From a solid fighting stance execute a back-leg roundhouse kick mid-section level to draw the opponent’s guards/defenses low to their open-side. Then execute a lead-leg roundhouse kick head-level to draw their guards/defenses up high. Then to finish off execute a turn-back kick to the opponent’s mid-section.

REAR-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), REAR-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

OPEN-STANCE

SIDEKICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

LEAD LEG AXE-KICK, SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

3. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg front kick mid-section level to push your opponent backward. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a rear-leg roundhouse kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute a turn-back kick to the mid-section.

REAR-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

4. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a rear-leg front kick mid-section level to push your opponent backward. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a spinning hook-kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute a turn-back kick to the mid-section.

CLOSED-STANCE

BACK-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

1. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a back-leg roundhouse kick mid-section level towards your opponent’s blind-side. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a rear-leg roundhouse kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute a spinning hook-kick high to the head.

 

BACK-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), INSIDE-OUTSIDE AXE KICK (HIGH)

2. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a back-leg front kick mid-section level to push your opponent backward. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a rear-leg roundhouse kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute an inside-outside axe kick to the open-side of your opponent’s face.

 

LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), BACK-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW)

3. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg front kick mid-section level to push your opponent backward. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a turn-back kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute a back-leg front kick to the opponent’s hip area knocking them off balance short circuiting their movement.

LEAD-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

4. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg roundhouse kick mid-section level towards your opponent’s open-side. The opponent steps backwards switching sides to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a rear-leg roundhouse kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute a turn-back kick to the opponent’s mid-section.

REAR-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), REVERSE PUNCH (LOW)

5. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a rear-leg front kick mid-section level to push the opponent backward. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a rear-leg roundhouse kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute a reverse punch to the mid-section.