>>> "assuming two opponents of >>> equal skill, is there ever an adavantage to attacking first?" >>> >>> Anyone care to discuss the question, on any scale? >>> >>> Kat >> >> Well, I'd first want you to define attack. I don't study Aikido, but >> in JKD we consider attacking in any number of levels or dynamics. > >Speaking of range - you don't want to be 2nd in a gun-fight. *chuckle* And my school also has regular firearms classes, plus pepper spray seminars, and at our school we start stick and knife work at the beginning along with open hand. Another funny? At one of the instructor's weddings recently we had an 'action photo' when he was walking around and asking everyone if they were packing steel. Everyone associated with the martial arts at the wedding except one person was carrying at least one folding blade on themselves... *wink* David