Some Combat "Secrets"
These techniques have been gathered from experienced combat pilots over the years:
The "Duck" Flight
This is a cool way to fly, but usually won't fool the other pilots if you are already known for skill at slope combat. The basic idea is to BE a target — fly slow, look crippled, be easy to hit. The deception is elegant and takes advantage of the "luck factor". The best way to make "duck flying" work is to use a VERY LIGHT airplane so that you stand a far better chance at recovery than the poor lead-foamie sucker who fell for your ruse. Duck flight works better with a flying wing than a conventional airframe, but even a warbird can make a strong duck if set up right.
The "SAM" Launch
Finally we come to the Bad Boy of slope combat. Being good at SAM launching can make you really unpopular with your fellow fliers because of its success and the damage possible. SAM stands for "Surface to Air Missile" launch. The best time to SAM is when the lift drops out in the middle of a contest heat and the planes can just barely fly. Pick a target close to the hill approaching from downwind (for lower groundspeed), wait until it's just past you, and just throw your plane as hard as you can right up the bogie's six! With good aim, the massive energy transfer will cause a significant flight path change — or at the very least, something like an aileron or elevator linkage will break.
The "Turn and Burn"
This is an opportunistic strategy where you fly a tight pattern within the gaggle of combatants and, using peripheral vision, constantly turn and burn at any available target that comes in front of your direction of travel.