Always a winner (outside)
Well what is outside ? Outside is the place where you have a huge amount of reactionary time available to you as well as a buffer that very few fighters know how to deal with. It is a space where you are just and I mean just out of range of a quick punch but no more. Master this space and you will realize there is not a whole lot of anything else to master. While having a partner come at you maintain your outside space no matter what he does. Whatever you do, do not even think about doing any sort of counter technique to what he does. Your job is only to maintain your outside space by moving, pushing, stopping the forward movement of the attacker or evading to the forty five angle. Try to react to the attacks....slowly at first and then faster. Have your attacker try everything he/she can think of. As you get better at this drill try to keep your outside as the person is attacking and not so much as a reaction to their initial attack. Don't think whatever you do. Thinking will stop the subconscious flow of information and make you into a dork. Do not underestimate this exercise, many a master spend enormous amounts of time doing this drill without people watching it even know their doing it. This is a favorite drill with me especially when I'm training with a rifle. with the rifle you may add lots of pulling movements with redirections on your attacker as well. No rifle ? Use a broom handle or other stick. As always, have fun, don't think too much.