Back, back, forward...

It's all set up, and perfectly safe.

The attacker moves in fast and punches to the face. Immediately the attacker moves in fast again and punches to the chest.

The defender knows what is coming and moves back fast, and moves back fast again. The defender survives, and gets to end the set by moving forward and punching the cooperatively stationary attacker.

For the defender it is; back, back, forward...back, back, forward...back, back, forward...

No sweat.

My partner was a big guy. A really big guy. He was a Purple Belt. This is one level below Brown. Good enough to be dangerous. He decided to pick up the pace on the old Black Belt. Fine. Soon we were moving at flat out full speed.

Back, back, forward...back, back, forward...

It was fun. Then his turn to defend.

He went back, back, forward...back, back, forward...back, FORWARD WHAM...

He indicated he could continue, so we did, but I don't think he was breathing much for the next little while.

Later he complimented me on hitting him exactly in his solar plexus, and thanked me for pulling most of the power out of the punch.

I was pleased he was able to smile.