Learn To Hit Someone Without A Telegraph

If your opponent sees your telegraph then the chances are they will either intercept or block your strike. Learn to minimize your telegraph and strike your opponent first time..

What is a telegraph?

To make known (an intended action, for example) in advance or unintentionally

A telegraph is the word used to describe something visual that makes it obvious that our opponent is going to step into attack or throw a certain weapon. For example, an untrained fighter might pull back their arm to throw a punch. They might also step in with their body first giving away exactly which weapon they are about to throw, or even clinch their fist which makes it obvious that they are about to throw a punch. These are all very obvious telegraphs and are easy to read.

Why should we minimize telegraphs?

The easiest way to knock an opponent out is to hit them before they block or evade our strike - sounds so simple doesn't it? However, try hitting someone from outside the fighting measure and you will understand instantly how difficult this is. This is because of your telegraph. The more you fine tune your telegraphs the easier you will be able to hit someone without them noticing.

Most common telegraphs

Here is a list of the most common telegraphs when you throw a punch:

• Your lead knee moves before you strike.
• Your shoulder flinches or drops.
• Your hand 'bounces' before you strike.
• Your bodyweight begins to move forward.

Asses your own telegraphs

This drill is really useful for martial artists of any levels. I use it to asses which parts of the body I am telegraphing and how I can improve my strike to be as 'invisible' as possible. It works best with a training partner or mirror, however, if you have neither simply use your sense of feel. You will need a target to hit gently, this can either be a punch bag, focus pads or the wall.

I will be using the straight jab as an example:

1. Stand in front of the focus pad/punch bag.
2. Measure your distance - Extend your arm straight out (as if you have just thrown a jab) making sure there is about 1 inch between your extended arm and the focus pad/punch bag.
3. You are now in position.
4. Throw your straight jab from your natural fighting stance.
5. Ask your partner (or feel if you don't have one) which part of your body moved first?
6. Try again, ensuring that body part doesn't move first

If you are inside the fighting measure this will NOT work. i.e. there isn't a gap between your extended arm and the pad when you are in your starting position. It is used to asses your telegraphs on entry.

Hand before foot

The hand before foot idea is mostly practiced in Jeet Kune Do - Bruce Lee found that by throwing your hand BEFORE your foot or body had the least amount of telegraph which allowed you to strike your opponent with the greatest element of surprise possible. It is only used when you are outside the fighting measure as you need to move towards your opponent to strike - when you are inside the fighting measure you need to move your body first in order to facilitate the power line - for example the rear foot would move first when throwing a straight lead from a stationary position, or the waist before throwing a cross or rear straight.

Bruce Lee's Hammer Principle

The Hammer Principle is one of the hardest but effective techniques I have seen in martial arts. It allows you to finger jab your opponent with the least telegraph I have ever seen. According to his lesson plans, which are published in volume 3 of Bruce Lee’s notes entitled Jeet Kune Do edited by John Little, the Hammer Principle was also one of the first things that he taught. You can read more about the hammer principle here.