The time/distance variable teaches martial artists how to get close enough to deliver a technique without telegraphing (above) and how to keep their opponent far enough away to allow them maximum time to block his attack (below).

It amazes me how few martial artists understand how quickly real fights erupt and what the precise relationship between range and reaction is. A fight is sudden, savage and brutal, and the explosion of rage and violence can happen in the blink of an eye. When an assault is initiated up close, it's even more volatile. Consequently, range and reaction time are the most important factors in your survival because they determine what you can and cannot do to defend yourself.

I call this paradigm the time/distance variable. It holds that the more distance there is between you and your opponent, the more time you have to react. To better understand it, you need to know about three concepts related to range.

The kill zone is the distance at which an opponent can touch you without having to take a step. This range can be extended to include kicking techniques, but it usually isn't because even the simplest footwork required to launch a kick entails some form of telegraphing and can dramatically increase reaction time. But when standing within arm's reach, no discernible movement of the body is required to deliver the fastest of strikes. A finger jab to the eyes, a sucker punch to the face or throat, and an unexpected strike to the groin can all be initiated and delivered in a fraction of a second without any perceptible telegraphing. You don't have to take a step to strike when you're in this range because the techniques can be delivered with one-step action.

When an opponent enters your kill zone, he's so close that all he has to do is move without warning and you're likely to be hit. Put a knife in his hand, and you'll probably be killed. It's foolish to allow an aggressor to get that close without taking some positional precautions or initiating some form of response that usually includes moving away or behind an object. If it's legally and morally justified to do so, your response will be much more direct and brutal.

The attack zone is defined as arm's reach plus one full step away. It's the most common distance from which people launch an attack. (Smart fighters don't want to be in your kill zone, either.) Although you can deliver a strike with great speed from this range, you will telegraph it. You'll have to take a step, lunge at or burst at the attacker to connect. Consequently, what was originally a one-step action becomes a two-step action, and for a moment he'll know your intentions.

The danger zone is two or more steps away from your adversary. However, just because he's farther away doesn't mean you won't be attacked; some people will rush forward and tackle you from greater distances or leap at you with a long-range kick or a haymaker. As long a threatening person is in your immediate environment, you're in danger. But the bottom line is, the more distance there is between you and him, the more time you'll have to deal with the assault no matter how skillfully it's delivered. He who controls distance controls time, and he who controls time usually wins the fight.

The next time you're training or sparring, focus on ways you can control time and distance. Use speed or deception to get close to your opponent safety and without allowing him to counter your attack before you fire it. To avoid being hit or controlled by your opponent, try to increase the time/distance variable, thereby dramatically increasing the potential for him to telegraph his intentions. You can use the same principle for counterattacks: Increasing the time/ distance variable affords you more time to respond to a specific attack with a particular counter.

Through skillful manipulation of the variable, you can frustrate even the most skilled fighter. Mastering the aforementioned ranges and concepts will enable you to strike and defend yourself with ease. When you think about it, that's the essence of combat.

About the author: Richard Ryan is the founder of Dynamic Combat and the creator of the Tactical Defense Training System. To contact him, call (800) 945-4387 or visit http://www.DynamicCombat.com.

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