Methods of Attack

The methods of attack is a categorical summary of the primary ways in which one can attack an opponent in unarmed combat. Though they are primarily intended to be applied to striking while standing, they generally can be applied to other areas of combat.

The following is largely sourced from Bruce Lee's '5 Angles of Attack' and from Mark Jacob's book The Principles of Unarmed Combat.

Next to each heading in parenthesis is the related method of attack by Bruce Lee.


1. Single Direct Attack (Single Direct Attack)
The single direct attack is the simplest manner of attack in which a single strike is thrown directly at the target.

Timing and distance are key elements to successfully landing the strike. You must be able to recognize openings to know the right time to attack as well as be close enough to land the blow without your opponent being able to launch an effectively defense. Examples would be throwing a jab at the opponents chin after seeing that he has dropped his guard or striking his lead leg with a round kick after recognizing that his stance is too wide.

2. Combination Attack (Attack by Combination)
The combination attack can be defined as an attack which includes two or more strikes, each thrown with the intention of hitting their targets.

Combination attacks have a few advantages over single direct attacks. The first is that throwing more strikes provides an opportunity to do more damage. If you attack with a jab->cross->hook and land all three punches, then you have probably hurt your opponent more than if you were to attack and with and land only a jab.

Second, combinations provide you with more opportunities to connect. Going back to the jab->cross->hook, even if your opponent is able to defend against the jab, you may still connect with the cross and/or hook as it is typically more difficult to defend against multiple strikes than it is against one. This is because, with good combinations, each strike sets up the next.

3. False Attack (Progressive Indirect Attack)
The false attack is the use of some sort of misleading movement as a means to create openings to set up your real attack. False attacks include fakes, feints and progressive indirect attacks.

Fakes are essentially partial attacks which lack follow through. For instance, I might throw a fake cross, extending my rear arm halfway to get my opponent to react (maybe he raises his arms or simply shifts his attention to protecting his head), then quickly throw a lead shovel hook to the body.

Feints are similar but involve a more subtle movement. For example, instead of faking the cross I might simply feint it by slightly and quickly twisting my body, then following up with my actual attack with my lead hand.

Though there is a distinction between faking and feinting, it is also common to find the words used interchangeably. I myself will sometimes do this out of laziness.

The progressive indirect attack is a concept Bruce Lee borrowed from fencing. It is a type of fake/ feint that utilizes one motion with no withdrawal of the hand or leg. For instance, I might throw what looks to be an overhand strike, then midway through (without pulling back) shift down by bending my knees and circling my arm at the elbow to strike the opponents groin.

4. Drawing Attack (Drawing Attack)
Drawing is the tactic of luring your opponent into attacking what they perceive is an open area or vulnerability so that you can perform a counter attack

5. Disruption Attack (Hand Immobilization Attack)
The disruption attack is one that disrupts the opponents defensive position by making some sort of preliminary contact with him prior to the damaging part of the attack. Bruce Lee's hand immobilization attack fits into this category, though it should be pointed out that disruption attacks are not limited to just trapping the opponents arms and hands.

Common disruptions include:
-grabbing or slapping an opponents arm out of the way so that you can strike his head.
-pulling, pushing or tripping your opponent to off balance them to setup a strike.
-using the opponents clothes to entangle them (an example is how hockey players will pull their opponents jersey over there head).

6. Directional Attack
A directional attack also called an angular attacks employ the use of footwork in order to move toward the side of an opponent in an attempt to find an opening to attack.

7. Change of Timing Attack

Often referred to as 'broken rhythm', the change of timing attack uses an abrupt change in the normal speed or rhythm of your attacks to throw off your opponents defenses.

The change in speed attack involves throwing your strikes slower than your able to. The idea is that after doing so for some time, your opponent will hopefully believe that this is your normal speed or at least lull him into expecting your strikes to continue at this pace. When you feel the time is right, you attack at your maximum speed. This sudden change will hopefully throw off your opponent and create an opening.

The change in rhythm 

8. Change of Target Attack
This attack looks to establish a pattern of attacking one target for a period of time then suddenly switching to a different target. This attack relies on your opponent expecting one thing, then you doing something different. For example, you might repeatedly punch at the opponents body so that he eventually expects that attack to come and thus lower his arms for protection. This of course presents an opportunity to attack the head.

9. Subterfuge Attack
This is the use of psychological ploys to distract an opponent and create an opening for attack. A classic example would be telling an opponent to look "behind you" and then hitting them as he turns away. Another example found in sporting events, is offering to touch gloves then immediately attacking when the opponent extends their arm. Or acting like you're hurt to entice you're opponent into being over confident and over extend themselves with their atack (playing possum).

More often, the subterfuge attack can be found in the ploys used by criminals such as asking what time it is or if you have a cigarette as a way of distracting, getting close and/or putting their target at ease.



Chinatown Jeet Kune Do
The Principles of Unarmed Combat