Day 5 class 3 - Independent Study: Mixed Melee

Seamlessly, as if nothing had happened to excite the girl, Tetsuko shifts into her instruction mode.

"Well, to begin with, do you know your style?" Taking a stance in front of Priya, she emulates what she speaks on as she says it. "First you have the brawler, or sometimes you'll hear it called slugger. Often times, this is the style that is attributed to hand-to-hand fighters, even if it's not representative at all. It is a style less about finesse, and more about raw power, overwhelming your opponent with the sheer force of your strikes." She makes to imitate a wide haymaker, a traditionally slow strike that, when connects, can pack quite a wallop.

"Next, you have the Out-fighter, or out-boxer. They like to keep their distance, maintaining a gap between them and their opponent that they can control with quick jabs and other longer-ranged punches. Similar to the brawler, where their difference lies is in the out-fighter's fleet-of-foot. Bobbing, weaving, and other spatial control tends to fall into this category." As she describes the style, Tetsuko keeps a distance between her and Priya, opting to throw quick strikes in the open air as she moves around her.

"Finally, you have the swarmer, or in-fighter. This style is the yang to the yin of the out-fighter." She closes the gap as quick as she can, keeping close enough for Priya to be able to feel her breath and perhaps a loose strand of hair. "The swarmer looks to overwhelm by hard strikes and constant pressure, favoring uppercuts, hooks, and other punches that can quickly be re-chambered." She mimics the types of punches as she describes them, lightly tapping Priya as she does so.

Stepping back to a more reputable distance, Tetsuko continues. "No one is necessarily only one of these types, but generally the majority of their fights will fall under one of these categories. I, for one, consider myself a swarmer style boxer, although I do like to switch it up from time to time to keep my opponents guessing."

Tetsuko allows her grin to shift into a chuckle.

"Ok, well first, see how much space is between us at the moment?" she asks as she takes a step back. Priya is still within arm's reach of her, but there's enough space where someone could stand between them comfortably. "This is too much space. At this distance, you opponent can disengage too easily. If we were kick boxing, this distance also opens you up to some nasty roundhouses, but that's for a different sport altogether."

She takes a half step forward, almost cutting the distance in half. "This is more ideal. Not only is it harder for your opponent to now throw good strikes, there's a psychological element. Especially for girls like us who can use our height to intimidate." Tetsuko locks eyes with Priya, attempting a serious face that would almost work if it weren't for the grin.

"Just your proximity alone can be a useful weapon in this way. Prevent them from thinking, then force them to think, and they'll cave like a wet paper bridge."

"Well, ideally you shouldn't let your head get too much in the way... you've got to feel for it more than think about it. Otherwise, the thoughts can cloud your mind and slow you down."

... she was still talking about boxing, wasn't she?

"You want me to make you cave, or are you just asking after my ability to do so?" she asks with that cheeky smile that suggests more than the words would suggest.

"Well then..." she says, taking her stance as well. 


"Are you ready then?'