AOKK Kumite: Baiting Technique

Baiting is when you purposely expose yourself to an attack only to surprise the opponent with a quick counterattack.  A fighter that relies on a side-kick can be baited into throwing a kick to your ribs by lifting your lead arm. Of course, you step back and grab the foot to break the opponent’s balance, when they go for the bait, and drive them to the mat.

In street combat very few fighters are trained at a high enough level where baiting or fakes draw a reaction. Street fighters are usually unskilled and will not take the bait no matter how tantalizing, but it is worth an effort to see if they will bite.  These unskilled fighters want to close their eyes while swinging wildly hoping to land that one lucky punch. Simple angles of attack will dismantle the unskilled fighter. Baiting is best used when fighting skilled opponents.