When fighting, boxing and grappling, where do you focus your vision mostly ?

Question

When I train with people I tend to keep my vision more focus on the center of the clavicle area of a person ,so i can see all of the person's limbs at one time that I'm training with. I'm new to training full contact( all out ). I have only been training in juijitsu and mma for approximately 3-4 months. If you have an idea what I am talking about please give your opinion and suggestions.

Answer 1

I have to go with both looking at the chest when you are in punching and kicking distance and when in grappling distance, feel is very important.  The whole thing is based on what the Chinese call "Tin Jin" or listening strength.  A guy once told me, no tin jin, no fa jin (explosive power).  Some even have the grappling skills combined with the ability to make small adjustments solely based on the feeling of the opponents direction or movement.

Answer 2

My grandmaster taught me to look in a persons eyes when we are sparring.  It worked really well for him, not so good for me

Answer 3

Critter,

   The more you see, the less you see. Use your eyes up to the point that contacat has been made. That is, if you're squared off into the outer cirle - (kicking distance) - use your eyes. If you've come into the middle circle - (mid-range techniques like punching) - use you eyes and consider awareness of intent in the oponent. Once you've established contact, that is you've touched, grabbed and the energy is turned on - use the force Luke!!  Ha!  Be aware of his strong and weak sides as well as your own.  You should be doing drills with your Sensei or Sifu that include slow-motion grappling, closing the gap to grappling - and a real good one - "red light - green light!"  Once you've gotten the upper hand, your oponent yells out "red light" before things go too far and he's totally lost control. At that point, you freeze frame and give him the opportunity to think what he should do at that moment. When he's ready he'll say - "green light" - and then you - and then - - - bla bla bla.  Practice - practice - practice.  I teach traditional Kung Fu and Tai Chi. In both, the slo-mo is great as is red light green light.

                      peace and strength 'bro

Answer 4

I generally tried not to use my eyes, in grappling they are nearly worthless.

Answer 5

Like Sifu Carr said once contact is made you now feel instead of seeing.

Before that happens IE "outer circle", I look at the space, not focusing on one single point of the individual. I also have trained to use my peripheral vision with aspect. If you don't focus on the limb, but instead the space you will see things before they develop, even in people that can hide their intentions very well. That will allow you to counter, launch a preemptive attack, or intercept one as its coming in. Then you move from seeing to feeling. Though once you've done that for about ten years it will all be a feeling. Hard to explain-easier to show.

Good luck

Answer 6

I've always been taught to not 'focus' on anything. Rather, look at a person, and react (with body, eyes, etc.) as necessary. If you focus on Body Part A, you lose the ability to react to Body Parts B-Z. There's no such thing as a magic spot to stare at, from which you can see a person's entire range of motion. So the best thing that you can do is go with the flow of the fight.

Basically, the way I look at it? If you're too slow for your eyes to adjust to a sudden motion, there's no way that your body will, anyway. Why sacrifice awareness for a failed endeavor?

Answer 7

You've got it right, clavicle (shoulder area) This area is the first area to signal an opponent's intention. When someone goes to deliver a kick opposite shoulder will most likely drop. When someone throws a punch the shoulder typically drops a little on the rotation. I like to not really focus though I keep the shoulders in view but also watch the face for tell tale signals.

Answer 8

Although I do watch the chest, it is more for defense. Some times you may want to glance at the head while attacking.

Answer 9

well i was taught to watch the chest because it is really hard for somone to move or attack without moving their chest. we were also told not to watch people eyes because eyes lie. but i think if you are fighting somoeone with not much experience the eyes are easy to watch as it shows where they are attacking, but when they get better start watching the chest.