Hit or be hit

This weeks classes have been dedicated to Kali…stick and knife fighting. There is something that happens during knife fighting that I term “pissing match”. What happens is that one or both fighters start out with a plan and they fail to execute it. So instead of backing away and forming a new plan of attack, they stand within striking range and basically flail their blade in hopes that they will hit their opponent before their opponent strikes them. The big picture is two folks wildly slashing at each other with no real plan other than hope.
I see this in empty hand fighting as well. Opponents standing in striking range and throwing kicks and punches hoping that they are the one who lands the first blow, and that the blow they land does some damage.
Keep in mind that I am only talking about the plan that fails. If your plan was to hit high and it lands, celebrate; if your plan was to get your opponent to back up, perfect; if your plan was to draw your opponent in or force him to push a bad position so that you can strike while he or she is off balance, take advantage of it. I am talking about the plan that fails and leaves you standing to hit or be hit. This is a fool’s game.
You are counting on too many variables going your way. You are counting on being faster than your opponent, being more skilled, being stronger, or being luckier. Maybe you are all of those things, but are you willing to risk your life on it?