Conan Stevens sword fighting with Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA)

But this time as you can see I am kicking his butt. As you can see he is in a rather awkward position.

I managed this though surprise. I have stabbed him in the chest with an axe - a useless maneuver as it is blunt on top - except that he was not expecting it and he is now off balance, thanks to the hefty push.

Next I pull the axe back and with a quick wrist spin and flick - whack him nicely in the head for a 'killing blow'
On my first day a knight told me to do things people were not expecting and you will win the fight.

I used different moves but similar tactics time and time again.

It was the ancient Chinese General Sun Tzu who first codified this simple rule in 'The Art Of War'