It's not because I was always trained that way. Here's why I think this.
- I can throw multiple strikes in one exhale.
- I can inhale in between strikes.
- I can inhale as quickly as I exhale. Do a short exhale burst with a quick jab and your next natural reflex is a short inhale that happens just as quick.
- I can turn my one exhale into short bursts. So I'm not fully exhaling.
- I'm not standing in one place. I'm using body movement and footwork so I can inhale in between moving my feet. Let off a 3 piece, 4 piece, or 5 piece combo and inhale while you recover from defense.
- My opponent isn't always engaging me 100% of the time with attacks. Unless he or she can defeat me within a few seconds withing a burst of strikes. Trying to sustain a long combo or attack will wear a person out. It's the concept behind "Rope a dope." Part of my training is to do continuous attacking for a minute. So I'm familiar with this on a personal level.
- My defense and footwork should have the effect of making it difficult to reach me for more than a few seconds. I should be a moving target and not a punching bag.
- Unless a person is gulping for air then trying to catch them breathing is going to be near impossible simply because breathing motion can be hidden inside regular motion.
- After I get a good strike on that person, the last thing they will be looking at is my breathing (unless I have bad cardio).
- I can inhale faster than my opponent can strike me
This is just a few things that I can think off the top of my head and with the exception of timing bad cardio, the intentionally hitting someone while they inhale will almost be impossible to do. All it takes is for me to punch a person hard in their face, kick them in their ribs, or sweep them and I'll guarantee that person won't be thinking about my breathing.
Even at this speed. Once can see how difficult it would be to try to intentionally hit someone while they are inhaling.
With all of this said:
Q: Can a person time a strike to land when their opponent inhales?
A: Yes. When breathing becomes a tell. Then it's most likely that this will occur. If an opponent takes a noticeable inhale right before they strike. Then that person will most likely get hit on the inhale. If the breathing is calm then I don't think anyone is going to pick up while punches and kicks occur.
Look a fighters and practitioners of all skill levels and you rarely see anyone purposely trying to hit someone while they inhale. In terms of striking vs grappling. Grapplers are probably more sensitive to their opponents breathing, even when they have great cardio. For me personally. I'm more cautious of my breathing with grapplers than strikes as they have more opportunity to take advantage of it.