Editing Pankration (section)

===Strategy and tactics===

====Positioning in the {{lang|grc-Latn|skamma}} ({{lang|grc|σκάμμα}} "pit")====
As the pankration competitions were held outside and in the afternoon, appropriately positioning one's face in relation to the low sun was a major tactical objective. The pankratiast, as well as the boxer, did not want to have to face the sun, as this would partly blind him to the blows of the opponent and make accurate delivery of strikes to specific targets difficult. Theocritus, in his narration of the (boxing) match between [[Polydeukes|Polydeukēs]] and [[Amykos]], noted that the two opponents struggled a lot, vying to see who would get the sun's rays on his back. In the end, with skill and cunning, Polydeukēs managed so that Amykos' face was struck with sunlight while his own was in the shade.

While this positioning was of paramount importance in boxing, which involved only upright striking (with the eyes facing straight), it was also important in pankration, especially in the beginning of the competition and as long as the athletes remained standing.

====Remaining standing versus going to the ground====
[[File:Xfrese.jpg|thumb|Pankratiasts portrayed on a Roman relief. 2nd or 3rd century AD.]]
The decision to remain standing or go to the ground obviously depended on the relative strengths of the athlete, and differed between {{lang|grc-Latn|anō}} and {{lang|grc-Latn|katō}} pankration. However, there are indications that staying on one's feet was generally considered a positive thing, while touching the knee(s) to the ground or being put to the ground was overall considered disadvantageous. It has been suggested that in antiquity, as today, falling to one's knee(s) was a metaphor for coming to a disadvantage and putting oneself at risk of losing the fight.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

====Offensive versus reactive fighting====
Regarding the choice of attacking into the attack of the opponent versus defending and retreating, there are indications, e.g. from boxing, that it was preferable to attack. [[Dio Chrysostom]] notes that retreat under fear tends to result in even greater injuries, while attacking before the opponent strikes is less injurious and could very well end in victory.

====Identifying and exploiting the weak side of the opponent====
[[File:Pankratiasts competing on a Panathenaic amphora.png|thumb|A single arm, leg hold and heave move, made with the other hand poised to strike. [[Panathenaic amphora]], c. 490 BC, possibly by the Kleophrades painter, now housed in the [[Rijksmuseum]].]]
As indicated by Plato in his ''Laws'', an important element of strategy was to understand if the opponent had a weak or untrained side and to force him to operate on that side and generally take advantage of that weakness. For example, if the athlete recognizes that the opponent is strictly right-handed, he could circle away from the right hand of the opponent and towards the left side of the opponent. Moreover, if the opponent is weak in his left-side throws, the athlete could aim to position himself accordingly. Training in ambidexterity was instrumental in both applying this strategy and not falling victim to it.<ref name = "Pankration - An Olympic Combat Sport" />