At that point he is taught to move to the side if possible. It is only when the attacker closes to within the length of his longest weapon does the Kantan artist's strategy change from one of purely defense to offense. Even then, the artist's constant movement allows him at once to provide a poor target to his attacker, move into positions relative to his attacker to enhance his own effectiveness, and to ultimately escape the situation. Instead the practitioner will perform only what is necessary to allow him to escape. These various strikes are performed out of a natural walking gait, when possible, or from the ground.
Strikes vary from long repelling strikes to extremely short distance strikes.
The range of these strikes includes both straight and arcing strikes, with both open and closed hands. Along with the mechanics of these strikes, rationales for their use are also taught. Blocks, which only serve to prolong a fight, are replaced by strikes to the attacker's weapons. The object of these techniques is usually to remove the attacker to allow either escape or additional strikes. However, the Kantan practitioner also knows containment techniques that, where effective, do not result in damage or injury to the opponent.