This is another term coined by Joe Lewis, and is an invaluable strategy in any combat situation. But first let us define exactly what your opponent?s "set point" is.

According to Joe Lewis your opponent must have five things to be "set" to attack effectively or defend himself efficiently. They are: 1. He must have the right range or distance. 2. He must have the proper degree of alignment. 3. He must have the proper "aim". 4. He must be on balance physically, with a strong and "ready" position. 5. He must have the proper mental focus and be on balance mentally as well.

And you will find that for your opponent to launch an attack effectively he usually must have these things thus you can use specific tactics to negate your opponents set point, such as moving, fluctuating the distance and or alignment as he is about to launch an attack. Attacking him at a faster cadence as he is about to attack, often while angling.

Using target denial or constant movement of your position and upper body to deny him set point. The above are all used in response to your opponent or defensively, but what about if your opponent is a runner or counter fighter? Can you still use set point control?? Yes for example....... You can obviously feint or fake causing him to lose his mental balance/focus and position.

You can again fluctuate the distance by say backing up a bit, causing him to follow and move forward and then attack him when he is stepping , "between set points" and is in transition and thus in a "weak" position to be able to defend himself well.

Or you could circle him "fluctuating" the alignment and forcing him to constantly adjust his centerline and again attacking him in transition or while he is adjusting! It is smart to always weaken his position in some way before attacking. But there are other elements here! How do you learn to recognize your opponent?s set point?

One good way is to watch videos of boxers or fighters and learn to recognize when they are about to attack and hit their set points and say to yourself in your head "set" or do the same with a sparring partner. Also isolate using this in sparring heavily!

Many will come to instinctively recognize this as their opponent?s "intent" to attack. Just as important is the ability to catch your opponent in transition. This is very much like being able to work off feints well.

If you feint and hit properly your opponents arm will be moving in the opposite direction as your "real" attack is, he will be in transition!

So as with set point control he will be stepping or between set points when you attack him! Or he will be so focused on his attack that he will be vulnerable defensively!

A sharp alert mind, awareness and cadence changes are necessary for this.

You can contact Robert Ochoa at: Robert Ocha