If you decide to strike an opponent you must remember that they have a “knee jerk reaction or what is called a automatic defense reaction. If something surprises you and something is about to hit you (including a fist) your mind will react and cause you to move, duck, or raise your hands to cover. This reaction is automatic and could get in the way of your attack. Grand Master Woo understood this and controlled the situation in his favor, he would lead with his opposite hand reaching for the eyes. He taught that above all things you opponent would do anything to protect the eyes. This reaction is defensive but there are also negative consequences to this reaction even if the hand may (or may not) come up to protect him. When the reflex happens the subject may jump or lean back however he is usually off balance. Grand Master Woo then took advantage of knowing exactly where to find his target and end the fight. I listen to some who don’t think he was as good as he was, they do not have a clue, the man was a thinker and had tactics that were state of the Art. I wish he would have lived longer so we could see the tactics he would have come up with to counter the new grappling craze. There are many ways to control your opponent, just raising you fists and going to fist city is not always the best way.
I am including a video that demonstrates how a person can not control these reactions even though they know something is about to happen.
Ron Gatewood
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/startle-reflex/#the-startle-reflex
