Author's Note: This article is oriented towards Knockdown Kyokushin fighting, but it is also applicable to other combat sports and real street situations. Simply adapt the ideas proposed in this article to your art or sport. These ideas are also valuable for other sports or life situations.
AN ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT FOR SUCCESS
There is an important mental skill in the realm of combat: strategic thinking. If you aspire to improve your performance in Kyokushin karate or Knockdown, this ability is not just desirable, it is essential. It's what distinguishes a good fighter from an elite fighter. Why? Because strategy is not just an addition to your physical or technical abilities. It is the invisible engine that guides your choices on the mat, transforms your intentions into effective actions, and allows you to exploit your opponent's weaknesses at every moment. Strategic thinking is not a luxury; it is a necessity if you wish to break through the glass ceiling of your limitations.
THE PARADOX: INEVITABLE BUT NOT AUTOMATIC
We all have an innate ability to think strategically. As soon as we consider a goal — scoring against our opponent, avoiding an attack, or knocking them out — we engage our mind in a strategic approach. However, although this way of thinking is inevitable, it is not automatic. Mastering strategy does not simply develop by spending time fighting. It requires clear intent, disciplined practice, and constant feedback. Many practitioners, although experienced, fail to reach their full potential because they allow their minds to be distracted, or because they have never learned to structure their thinking methodically. I reiterate that thinking is dangerous during a fight, but essential after and during your preparatory training.
THE DISTRACTION TRAP
Distractions are the main enemy of strategic thinking in combat. They take many forms: intimidation by a larger or more aggressive opponent, the stress of a major tournament, or even internal thoughts about your fatigue or fear of losing. These elements divert your attention from the main objective and divide your concentration. If you do not know how to manage these distractions, your strategy collapses. You may find yourself reacting impulsively rather than responding calmly, or wasting your energy on spectacular but useless techniques rather than capitalizing on crucial openings. The first step to thinking strategically is to recognize these distractions and cultivate a mental state that transcends them.
FROM CHESS TO KNOCKDOWN: A STRATEGIC TRANSITION
In chess, strategy begins with understanding the basic rules and learning classic openings. But that's just the starting point. True strategy emerges when you start anticipating several moves in advance, assessing the value of pieces based on their future role, and devising long-term plans to dominate the board. In Knockdown fighting, the dynamics are similar. You must know the fundamental techniques — punches (and elbows), kicks (and knees), sweeps, etc. But strategy is not just about executing these movements. It lies in how you combine and adapt them to each opponent.
For example, a low kick is not just an attack in itself. It's a way to weaken your opponent's base, reduce their mobility, and open opportunities for a decisive sequence. A well-placed feint can not only disorient the opponent but also provoke a reaction that exposes their weaknesses. For instance, I feint a mae geri (front kick) to the body, and when the opponent lowers their hands to protect their body, I strike with a mawashi jodan (roundhouse kick) to the face. In other words, each action must be part of a larger plan.
HERE IS A SERIES OF STRATEGIES TO CONTEMPLATE
In chess, masters do not simply move their pieces randomly. Each move is a calculation, a preparation to control the space and trap the opponent. In Knockdown, the principle is the same: every strike must have an intention beyond the present moment.
The "Foot in the Door" Strategy
In psychology, this technique involves obtaining a small commitment to then push towards a larger goal. In Knockdown, the equivalent is getting the opponent accustomed to a repeated attack, then suddenly surprising them.
Example: I hammer their legs with low kicks in "wear down" mode. The opponent begins to anticipate and lifts their leg to check... That's when I suddenly change angle and place a mawashi geri jodan (circular kick to the face).
Variant: I push with mae geri (front kicks) to his abdomen to push back his center of gravity. When he starts to automatically retreat, I pretend to re-kick... but advance with an explosive tsuki (punch).
The Strategy of "Creating Automatisms in the Opponent to Trap Them"
Chess teaches the importance of forcing the opponent to repeat a pattern to then exploit it.
Example: If my opponent systematically blocks a mawashi chudan (circular kick to the body) with his elbow, I feint a mawashi geri, he lowers his arms to counter it... and I follow up with an ushiro mawashi geri (reverse circular kick) to the face.
Another approach: I make him retreat several times with a basic sequence (tsuki – low kick). Then, suddenly, I break his rhythm by advancing in a blitz with a gedan mawashi (explosive low kick) to catch him off guard.
The Strategy of "Forcing a Reaction to Create an Opening"
Like a grandmaster in chess who sacrifices a pawn for a future advantage, I give my opponent a deliberate opening to lure them into a trap.
Example: I have a good counter with Ushiro mawashi geri (reverse circular kick). I intentionally lower my guard slightly on the right side and "invite" my opponent to send a mawashi jodan... but as soon as he triggers, I pivot and launch my ushiro mawashi as a counter.
The Strategy of "Changing Pace and Distance"
A chess player who always plays the same way is predictable. A fighter who changes pace and distance becomes elusive.
Example: Facing an explosive opponent, I start the fight very defensively and retreat a lot to lead him to overcommit... Then, suddenly, I switch mode and advance like a bulldozer with powerful combinations.
Another option: Facing a dangerous kicker, I let him believe I will stay at a distance, then suddenly enter close quarters to deprive him of his main weapon.
Conclusion of this section: From Raw Instinct to Game Master
Like in chess, Knockdown is not just about being strong, explosive, or technical. It's about intelligence and adaptability.
A reactive fighter suffers the fight and merely exchanges blows. A strategic fighter always sees two moves ahead and traps his opponent before they even realize what's happening.
By applying these strategies, you transition from being just a fighter to being a strategist. And a strategist in Knockdown... is a warrior who wins.
THE FUSION OF FLOW AND STRATEGY
An essential aspect of the generative warrior is the ability to enter Flow (through your relational field) — that state of optimal performance where action feels natural, fluid, and almost without conscious effort. By combining this approach with strategic combat, you reach a higher level. Strategy is no longer just rational or linear (cognitive mind); it becomes intuitive and organic. You sense the intentions (with the somatic or body field) of your opponent (through your relational field) before they move. You perceive openings as they form. Flow allows you to stay focused, calm, and connected to the present moment, which eliminates many of the distractions mentioned earlier.
Strategy also becomes a tool for introspection when we apply the principles of the three minds (Thought or Cognitive, Awareness or Somatic, Spirit or Relational). You understand how your thoughts and mindsets influence your performance. You realize that your strategic limitations come not from the outside, but from within, that is, how you perceive and interpret situations. With this awareness, you can transform your mental patterns, develop inner resilience, and approach each fight with exceptional mental clarity.
FROM PRACTICE TO MASTERY
Thinking strategically, like playing chess or mastering combat Knockdown, is a discipline built over time. It starts with conscious practice (your cognitive mind): observing your past fights, identifying what worked, and understanding why certain decisions failed. Then, you refine your approach by testing new tactics, seeking feedback from your peers and coaches, and exploring ideas from great strategists like Sun Tzu's Art of War, Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings, or even great chess players.
But there is also emotional work to be done (related to our somatic and kinesthetic mind). Thinking strategically involves being patient, accepting mistakes, and persevering in learning. It's this blend of technique, reflection, and introspection that will lead you to mastery.
THE STRATEGIC WARRIOR
In conclusion, the Generative Warrior is not just a strong or skilled fighter; they are a strategic thinker. They understand that every strike, every decision, every movement is part of a larger plan. They know that Flow and generative principles are powerful allies to eliminate distractions, enhance mental clarity, and enable intuitive anticipation. Ultimately, thinking strategically in Knockdown combat is not just a skill, it's a mindset. A mindset that transforms the fighter into a tactical master, always ready to face the challenges of the tatami with calm, confidence, and precision.
Gaëtan Sauvé, practitioner of Kyokushin Karate since 1971.
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