The issue here really is defining what we mean as carefully as possible. Once that's done, then there won't be much in the way of disagreements.
Let's start here.
Attack what/where? And to what end?Van Canna wrote: I always thought that it is better to attack when the opponent inhales as opposed to when he exhales
Let's now go way, way back to the original quote.
As I interpret this, Bishop means that the end of the exhalation phase is more-or-less in timing with the intended moment of contact. Note my use of the word "intended."Mark Bishop wrote: Whilst doing Sanchin the breathing is natural breathing out with a sharp hiss on striking, your breathing should be undetectable
What does Bishop mean by this? I know what I'm thinking with respect to interpreting Seisan and Fuzhou Suparinpei. And it's completely in line with what Ali is doing to Foreman above.Mark Bishop wrote: the proper time to attack is when your opponent is exhaling
To answer your question, Van... Ali is hitting Foreman at the moment Foreman is EXPECTING to hit Ali. How is this done?
- In Seisan, you have your left going under/inside their right, or your right going under/inside their left. Their attack and your attack are completely in synch, with you triggering off their intent to attack. They don't hit you because you deflect their attack with your attack.
... - In Fuzhou Suparinpei, you have your right going over/outside their right, or your left going over/outside their left. Their attack and your attack are completely in synch, with you triggering off their intent to attack. They don't hit you because you deflect their attack with your attack.
... - In the Ali/Foreman fight, you see Ali's right cross going over/outside Foreman's left jab. (This is actually classic Wing Chun.) Ali's attack and Foreman's attack are completely in synch, with Ali triggering off Foreman's intent to attack. Foreman misses because Ali deflects Foreman's attack with his attack.
OK, Van, I agree with you. You are right and Bishop is wrong. I also teach how to attack WHILE moving. Hence there's absolutely no reason to assert that you can't be breathing while moving. Not being able to do that is just a sign of a beginner. (Mack Fisher, UVa's 2-time Most Valuable Boxer, taught me this circa 1977. He said it was a way to differentiate the veteran from the rookie boxer.) Perhaps Bishop is exposing a lack of depth of training and time in grade when writing this.Mark Bishop wrote: he will not be,able to move or dodge out of the way.
So this is where I go back to what I'm focusing on - synchronizing with the attack and not really focusing in on their breathing per se.
- Bill