By: David Logan

A popular phrase heard in many sports today states, "The best defense is a good offense" this phrase holds as true in karate as it does in other sports. In traditional karate there are three primary methods of attack which a karate-ka may use against an opponent Go No Sen, Sen, and Sen Sen No Sen.

Usually the first method of attack that a karate student is exposed to is Go No Sen. When practicing Go No Sen the karate-ka responds to the opening created by an attack that his opponent has already initiated by blocking or using sabaki to avoid his opponents attack while simultaneously striking his opponent with an attack of his own. An important thing for the karate-ka employing this method of attack to keep in mind is that avoiding the attack is merely a means to an end. If a karate-ka blocks or avoids an attack and fails to immediately throw a counterattack he's merely delaying the inevitable strike which will eventually find its mark. In a more advanced application of this method of attack the karate-ka creates an opening in his guard for his opponent's favorite attack then when his opponent throws the attack he already has a block and counter prepared. This method of attack is often favored by counter fighters because they prefer to force their opponent to close the gap and open himself up to their counter attack.

Another method of attack discovered early in a karate-ka's training is Sen. In this situation the karate-ka and his attacker begin their attacks simultaneously but the karate-ka's training and heightened state of awareness allow him to perceive his opponent's attack in time to negate it and continue his attack. It is especially important for aggressive fighters to become proficient in this method of attack because many times they will find them self heading straight into an opponent who is also attacking them head on. A perfect example of this method of attack is nagashizuki. In nagashizuki you are moving straight into your opponent until the very last moment when you twist your body out of the line of your opponent's linear attack while simultaneously delivering your own punch to your opponent.

The final method of attack is Sen Sen No Sen. In this method of attack the karate-ka attacks his opponent in the split second between the moment his opponent mentally commits to an attack and the moment when he physically begins his attack. The opponent's mental commitment to his attack at this moment prevents him from defending himself from the karate-ka's attack. While this method of attack is the most difficult for the karate-ka to perform it is also the most demoralizing for his opponent. This method of attack destroys the confidence of the karate-ka's opponent in his ability to attack. This loss of confidence causes the opponent to lose his focus on the fight makes it easier for the karate-ka to control his opponent and the fight. Practicing this method of attack is difficult but it can be made easier by studying a fighter you work with regularly and attempting to discern what signs he gives that he has committed to attack but has not yet begun the attack. Also the karate-ka should attempt to determine what signs he gives that he is about to attack so that he can train to stop doing them.