mushashi wrote in his classic "a book of five rings" that you must perceive the intention of your opponent and before he makes a move, you make a move.
he advised the following way to perceive intention of opponent:
1. becoming the opponent:
you should put yourself in opponents shoe and try to think from his point of view what he can do. if your opponent knows that you are a master of MA, he might think he may lose or he may be mentally weak.
2. arresting the shadow
you may use any advantageous rhythm to determine opponents motive and then you can find winning advantage.
3. mismatch the rhythm
you must take a rhythm that does not match that of your opponent. this is described in para like "mountain and sea change" or " knowing disintegration" etc.
from the fire scroll in the book of five rings by miyomoto mushashi
he advised the following way to perceive intention of opponent:
1. becoming the opponent:
you should put yourself in opponents shoe and try to think from his point of view what he can do. if your opponent knows that you are a master of MA, he might think he may lose or he may be mentally weak.
2. arresting the shadow
you may use any advantageous rhythm to determine opponents motive and then you can find winning advantage.
3. mismatch the rhythm
you must take a rhythm that does not match that of your opponent. this is described in para like "mountain and sea change" or " knowing disintegration" etc.
from the fire scroll in the book of five rings by miyomoto mushashi