How to Influence the Opponent's Mind with your Strikes

The Pen and Sword Journal - Vol 58

When I first started learning martial arts as a kid, I thought winning a fight was all about hitting harder and avoiding getting hit. It seemed like the most straightforward way to succeed. But over time, I realized it’s not just about strength and luck. This was one of the most profound lessons I learned during my early years as a martial artist.

My first experience in a kickboxing gym didn’t really teach me this. The coach was more focused on making money from students than on truly helping them grow, as I explained in my article “My experience with Depression”. But when I switched to a Muay Thai gym, everything changed. There, I learned that every movement should have a purpose, and it was all thanks to my coach’s dedication. Whether it was a step, a strike, a combo, or a feint, each action was meant to impose my will on the opponent, positioning them exactly where I wanted before finishing the fight. This understanding was like an epiphany for me back then, reshaping not only how I…