Did you ever notice in gymnastics if somebody invents a new move it gets named after them.

I'd like to introduce you to the Farahazad.

Years ago I often visited David Brojacks Kempo Goju school in NE Penna. For one period of time he had a visiting Iranian Karateka, Farahazad, training there. He was a green belt with good skills.

The time came to attend a tournament at George Dillman's and Farahazad entered the Green Belt sparring division. George's tournaments those days could have gigantic divisions, and that green belt division was no different.

Farahazad was quite successful, and won fight after fight, but his energy decreased as the competition continued (as did the other successful competitiors too).

He made it to the semi-final round, and he and his opponent used every ounce of energy they had to both score. Tied one to one, the fight continued, but Farahazad had nothing left.

The judge shouted "Hajime", both opponents tried to start when Farahazad simply reached out with his right hand pointing behind his opponent.

His opponent seeing the pointing finger turned his head.

Farahazad immediately leaped forward and drilled him in the kidneys winning the match.

Brilliant strategy, he distracted his opponent and scored.

If you ever use it yourself, please feel free to call it by name "The Farahazad".

BTW, When it came to his final fight, he really had nothing left and lost, but in doing so created a minor legend in my own mind.

Victor Smith

yeah ok. I doubt I will ever do the pointing thing though but if i catch any of my students or friends that i train with doing it in real life i will let them know. interesting story.

Farahazad is not the first person to use this technique, I love to use it, and things like it while sparring, I simply put it under the "LOOK OVER THERE CATEGORY" of tactics. I also tend to look ove my opponents shoulder slightly, and look confused, but keep him in my peripheral vision (which I've developed over time), this confuses most people, and whether they look or not, their concentration often depletes.

Ender,

Of course you're right Farahazad wasn't the first person do use this, but when I saw it about 1980 it was a spectacle to behold as it grew out of his moment.

Of course it likely has its origins in Sun Tzu or even older days.

Victor Smith
Bushi No Te Isshinryu

your right, and I would have loved to have seen this match, it sounds like quite a spectacle.